The Natural Dog: A Complete Guide for Caring Dog Lovers

I have this book and the corresponding book for cats. I have had these books for years. They have helped me and the vets to save my dear pets' lives and extended their quality of lives many times over the years. I highly, highly recommend this book! Thank you Mary Brennan! And my dear family thanks you too!!! :)

I gave this book to my Dad several years ago to use as a resource for their high maintenance Wheaton Terrior. My Dad refers to it as his "bible" when it comes to the care of their dog. I recently gave it as a gift to another relative who has a difficult-to-care for yellow lab. The book is an excellent resource full of good information!

Shor's negative Library Journal review of this book cannot be taken seriously. A conventional vet, Shor obviously has a vested interest in dog owners not empowering themselves with a holistic approach to care. His criticisms are unfounded. Nux vomica, which Shor fearfully labels as strychinine is a homeopathic remedy that contains no measurable amount of the poison. His reluctance to feed dogs raw meat ignores the fact that dogs in nature consume raw meat, including carrion, bacteria and all. Let's not even consider what goes into most commercial dog foods. His final example of a contradictory statement concerning not bathing dogs yet allowing them to swim doesn't point out a contradiction at all: the last time I checked, dogs swim in water while they are bathed with water plus soap and/or chemicals that strip their hair of its natural oils.

As the proud owner of a fourteen year old poodle named Murphy and a roaming tom-cat named Spencer, I appreciate a book with a holistic approach toward animal care. As with all older pets, my dog Murphy has experienced his fair share of medical problems and I don't like inundating him with prescription medication on a regular basis. The Natural Dog gives me a variety of natural and safe ways to treat Murphy's ailments, and provides methods to keep him healthy! This book is informative and entertaining, providing pet owners with an A-Z guide on common dog problems and their natural solutions. The Natural Dog will assist anyone who wishes to become acquainted with holistic medicine for pets.

After Dr. Pitcarin's Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats came a plethora of natural guides for animals. This book followed its predecessor The Natural Cat. This book is an easy to read holistic care guide, of which I always recommend in conjuction with Dr Pitcairn's guide for new dog owners. It is easy to read for the pet owner overhwelmed by the detailed knowledge of Dr Pitcairn's guide. With both books paired together, I feel any dog owner seriously interested in holistic pet care will be highly informed and motivated.