The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care: An Illustrated Handbook [Paperback]

Celeste Yarnall Dr. (Author), Jean Hofve (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

Celeste Yarnall’s time-tested natural and holistic expertise gives cat owners insight into natural alternatives in food, medication, alternative therapies, and healing practices, improving the lives of feline friends and well as their caregivers. With Dr. Jean Hofve, the esteemed holistic veterinarian, she explores nutrition as preventative medicine, vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal remedies, homeopathic treatments, and groundbreaking anti-aging modalities never before published in a pet care guide. The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care also includes a complete bibliography and a list of suppliers of holistic remedies and services. As with all other pet health guides, it is a comprehensive resource intended to complement veterinary care, not replace it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

 The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care is as beautiful as it is informative: photographs of sleek, healthy cats and adorable, fuzzy kittens accompany the most up-to-date information on holistic cat care.  Even those who have been privileged to live with a cat for many years are sure to learn something new from why it is suggested that a new cat brought into the household be isolated (it has to do with the ‘anti-social’ nature of the feline immune system) and how mother cats ‘name’ their kittens, to why it’s so important to ‘cat-proof’ your house (a cat’s tongue has backward-facing barbs that make it unable to expel and object it has begun to ingest).  You’ll learn why a raw food diet is best suited to a cat’s needs, the psychology and sociology of the litter box in multiple cat homes, the use of herbs in healing, the benefits of homeopathy in getting to and healing the root cause of cat’s illness. - Spirituality & Health Magazine, April 2010

In addition to being chock full of well-researched and well-presented information on holistic cat care, the book is beautifully laid out and illustrated with stunning cat photographs. This guide is a valuable resource for every cat owner interested in holistic health and a beautiful addition to your cat care library. - Examiner

This beautifully illustrated and reader-friendly review of feline health care, disease prevention and integrative treatments will be a welcome addition to the libraries of cat breeders, owners and caregivers. Unlike many recent books on cat care, this one contains more stuff than fluff and is an excellent introduction to alternative human and veterinary medicine. - Dr. Michael Fox, United Features Syndicate

About the Author

Celeste Yarnall's first book, Cat Care Naturally, was published in 1995. Celeste is also the author of Natural Dog Care.  Between 1993 and 2009, Celeste and her breeding partners have bred and raised 11 generations of Tonkinese championship show cats on the basic holistic principals outlined in her books, an unprecedented achievement.  A lifetime interest in nutritional supplementation inspired Celeste to create a line of all-natural whole food supplements with holistic veterinarian, Dr. Russell Swift. In 2000, Celeste and long time friend, Imelda Lopez-Casper, formed a partnership, Celestial Pets, in order to market these products.

Dr. Jean Hofve earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Dr. Jean practiced holistic and conventional medicine in Denver, Colorado, and was the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association from 2004–2007. She has extensive training in homeopathy and homotoxicology, and in 1995 founded Spirit Essences, then and still the only veterinarian-formulated line of flower essences for animals. Dr. Jean lives in Denver, Colorado

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Quarry Books; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592535666
• ISBN-13: 978-1592535668
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #322,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Holistic Cat Care ROCKS!!!, September 20, 2009

By 

Laura Ann Denktash "The Rose Diva" (CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care: An Illustrated Handbook (Paperback)

I absolutely love this book!! Having owned cats all of my life, I only wish I had this type of book sooner! Dr. Yarnall is passionate about her commitment to holistic health care for cats. Having bred 11 generations of gorgeous champion Tonkinese cats, she knows what she's talking about. She is the quintessential expert with a vision that includes optimum health for cats! You only have to look at the radiant photos of the cats in the book to know that they are living optimum lives. The book is very easy to follow and is beautifully crafted with photos that make you fall in love with each cat! Anyone who has a cat should have this book! This is a timely release as we ponder holistic and anti-aging regimes for humans. We must consider, why not cats as well? Let's eliminate disease, and costly vet bills and replace with good nutrition! I also enjoyed that fact the Dr. Yarnall has written this book in such a way that its methods can be applied gently, not in a rigid way. As all dietary adjustments require time and patience you can make small adjustments that will make a difference. No "cold turkey." We know humans have difficulties going onto raw foods, so with a mature cat such as mine, I would introduce this regime a little at a time to ensure success. Of course, the cats get energized from all the good food and vitamins! I would love to be able to extend the healthy years of my cat's life! While reading through the text, you can tell that Dr. Yarnall has considered this factor in letting the reader know that even minor improvements will make a noticable difference in the quality of life and health of our beloved pets. I was extremely interested in the vitamin suggestions. I can't wait to incorporate these changes into the regime of my cat. And, if and when I ever acquire another kitten, I would surely start that kitten on this regime. The bottom line is Dr. Yarnall truly cares about animals, and this book is proof of that! A joy to read and an excellent Christmas gift for any cat lover you know! Love, love love it!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This Book Makes Me Want To Be A Better Cat Owner, December 3, 2009

By 

Dena Harris (Madison, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care: An Illustrated Handbook (Paperback)

The first thing I did upon receiving this book was to flip to Chapter 4: Nutrition As Preventive Medicine. I was appalled and embarrassed as I read about the horrors of dry food. With two indoor-only, overweight cats (one with hyperthyroidism and one who, at age 9, just had to have all her teeth pulled due to cavities and decay) I was correct in suspecting my role of dumping commercial kibbles in their dish had a lot to do with their medical issues.

This book, conversational in tone, thorough, and exceptionally well written, is not a quick fix, however. I was excited to start feeding my cats a better diet but felt my excitement wane as I read what's involved in converting to a raw-food diet. However, as someone who has slowly gone vegetarian then almost-vegan over the years, I recognize (as do the authors) that a full-steam ahead approach is probably not the answer. Burnout or frustration would be the result. Instead, I'll use this book to implement step-by-step changes and work my up to the "biggee" issues.

The book offers a list of resources from cat litter to supplements and whole food products to nontoxic cleaning and pest control products. It also offers an important perspective on vaccines and how often they're really necessary. I enjoyed the section on play and training and the pictures of the kitten demonstrating agility leaps over a fence are priceless (although greeted with disdain by my cats when I showed them the photos).

The authors warn upfront that some of their ideas may seem "out there" but balance that with urging cat owners to seek guided medical assistance, either traditional or alternative, when necessary.

This is not a book to be shelved. Instead, it should be left out for easy access and treated as a reference book. I know I'll be slowly working my way through the pages, implementing new ideas and making them a part of my daily life. My cats are part of the family and they're worth the time. Also, I see the ideas presented in this book as a way not only to help my current cats, but to better shape my habits and care for the many cats I will share my life with over a lifetime.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Gift, Perfect Reference, Perfect Book, period!, September 17, 2010

By 

Siena M. L-T "Siena" (Redondo Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care: An Illustrated Handbook (Paperback)

This new book by Dr. Hofve and Dr. Yarnall is fabulous! It is absolutely perfect for those new to holistic cat care and for those who have been exploring it for some time. There are countless detailed charts that serve as perfect references and guides for the newbie and professional alike. Hofve and Yarnall cover everything from cat safe cleaning products, emergency first aid, treating cancer, aging gracefully, and even chakras, auras, and cat astrology! They even take on the often confusing topics of the raw food diet and also the vaccination debate! But what I especially love about this book is their hands on friendly approach to homeopathy, flower essences, and therapeutic touch. I've found these modalities to be crucial components to my pets' health and this book really makes it less overwhelming and intimidating. This book is beautiful and harmonious in its contents and approach and truly is essential for every cat guardian!