Customer Reviews

New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats

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Similar in format to Martin Zucker's "Veterinarians Guide to Natural Remedies for Dogs/Cats," this book is a worthwhile choice for anyone wanting to take greater responsibility for their animal's health. Those who have been into natural rearing for a while will not find much new information here, but I recommend it highly to anyone just beginning to get interested in holistic health care for animals.
The book is divided into three parts. Part one explains the difference between holistic and allopathic health care and explains what to expect when consulting a holistic veterinarian. Part two provides a brief overview of a variety of natural therapies including acupressure, aromatherapy, crystal therapy, massage and therapeutic touch, flower remedies, herbs, and homeopathy. There's also a chapter on nutrition and while natural homeprepared diets are recommended, not enough details are provided to enable the pet owner to formulate a balanced homemade diet. What's unusual for a holistic pet care book is that the controversial but very important issue of vaccinations is barely mentioned at all.
Part three, the main section of the book, is an A-Z guide to over 100 canine and feline ailments from acne and aggression to worms and wounds. Each entry briefly describes the signs/symptoms of the ailment, the cause, and the possible solutions. Don't expect in-depth treatment plans here (for instance, the book doesn't even mention that alternative heartworm treatments exist); just simple, natural home remedies. Alternative medicine success stories can be found throughout the text and there's also an alternative healing resource guide in the back.

Amy Shojai's new book, "New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats," (Rodale Press)...has already helped our two shepherds cope with some troublesome health problems. Every time I try to put it back on the pet care section of book case, out it comes again - ready to answer some new problem. If you haven't read it, please take a look at the book. It's arranged beautifully and it gives lots of options for every problem so if one solution isn't right or isn't comfortable for you, there are other options to try to help your pet yourself. At the start of each entry in the section on how to handle various problems, she explains what a conventional vet would do and why -- that's a big help because you can decide, before you go to the vet, whether you're willing to go along with a procedure like that. If cortisone, for example, would be recommended by a conventional vet and you don't want your kitty to have cortisone unless there's no other choice, you can look here to see what else you could try instead. And, best of all, Amy also tells you when it's time to take you pet to the vet. (No more wondering and worrying -- is this normal? should I call the doctor? or give it a little more time? is this a serious symptom or just a minor blip?) I can't recommend this book too highly. Hope you all don't mind my jumping up on the "Yay, Amy!" soapbox, but this is one gem that really deserves cheers.

-- Peggy Noonan, a magazine health and science writer who lives in Colorado

I am in the process of learning about holistic health care for my 2 lhasa apsos and have recently purchased a few books on the subject. I started one book and set it aside to finish later. I picked up "New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats" and couldn't put it down until I was finished! I was so impressed with the layout of such a large amount of information. This book is chock-full of great information and it is presented in a terrific format giving the read first the "The Signs" of the condition, then "The Cause" and the "The Solutions". The solutions can be numerous with the author offering different suggestions and not seeming to be biased towards any one particular holistic remedy. Directions are very clear, concise, and easily understood. Some choices mentioned are natural diet (which seems to be the first and obvious step towards better health care for an animal), natural supplements, herbal remedies, vitamins, aroma-therapy, magnet therapy, accupressure with diagrams shown, and of course, recommendations to call your vet to assist in dosage. Although you feel there is alot to learn, the information is broken down so well, it is easy to retain alot of what you read in the first go around with this book. I am sure I will be picking it up time and time again while working to get my dogs in the best possible health. Also included are some behavior problems. I guarantee you will learn some new and valuable information!

Yesterday I picked up "New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats" and I have to say that is the best pet care book I have ever read! And I have bought over 35 pet books in the past year. I was up until 2:00 a.m. last night reading your book, it is exceptional and I will recommend it to many of my friends and the vets in my area and I plan on purchasing additional copies as gifts.

"New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats" is full of tips from experienced holistic veterinarians, making natural alternatives a reality for treating emotional and physical problems. ---Cheryl Schwartz, D.V.M., a holistic veterinarian in San Francisco and author of "Four Paws, Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs"

I've just received a telephone call from a woman that read your book "New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs and Cats". She mentioned that you quoted Dr. Wynn by stating that lactoferrin should be given to pets [for gum disease]. To make a long story short, she gave some to her ailing cat-- and it's thriving. Thanks!

Amy has written yet another good book for pet owners. As the trend in natural healing continues, good resources such as this book, The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats, 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, and The Allergy Solution for Dogs serve as important sources of information for pet owners. Read this book and start learning how you can work with your doctor to keep your pet happy and healthy.

"...As with any emerging field, it's often problematic to find solidly credible information, quickly and easily--often, but not in this case. Shojai, author of over a dozen pet-care books, has once again written a valuable resource for animal lovers....Shojai clearly addresses the topic and makes it easily understood. This book is one of the best in the field."

Sally Rosenthal, "Sally Recommends" book reviews, CATS Magazine, July 2000

A friend knew how my aging dog, Nina, was quite ill and that my family was not planning a second surgery, as she might not survive the operation and, besides, the mass on her liver had grown back in a year. She gave me a copy of this wonderful book, which gives options for health care. Impressed with the book, I ordered many copies and have given a copy to others who love their dogs and cats and want an option to drugs or surgery. Here it is! Nina's had extra time with her family and I have a new respect for natural healing, for pets and for people. You should buy several copies of "New Choices in Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats", so you may share the love.

"Amy Shojai, founder of the Cat Writers' Association and author of various books on pets and pet health, brings the wisdom of more than 100 top veterinarians to play in an authoritative, practical guide that covers in excess of 1,000 holistic remedies for more than 100 different illnesses and conditions...Each chapter of the book is entertainingly designed to incorporate feature topics with interesting health tidbits and related stories in a very reader-friendly format...New Choices in Natural Healing is as entertaining as it is informative, a relaxing read that gives human caregivers much to ponder for their own health as well as the well-being of their pets."

Amy Hubbard, "Pawsitive Reflections" book reviews, WHOLE CAT JOURNAL, May 2000