The Consumer's Guide to Dog Food: What's in Dog Food, Why It's There and How to Choose the Best Food for Your Dog [Paperback]

Liz Palika (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1996

All about what's in your dog's food, why it's there, and how to choose the best food for young dog

For anyone who's wondered what the differences are in the huge variety of dog foods out there, and what's best for their dog, this book tells them.

The dog food industry is booming. It seems new and better products hit the shelves every day. There are puppy foods, maintenance foods, special diet foods, senior foods, all-natural foods -- you name it! And each brand within each category claims superiority. This book demystifies canine nutrition and compares the ingredients in leading brands in clear, simple, objective language. There are chapters on everything from reading dog food labels to supplements to treats.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087605467X
• ISBN-13: 978-0876054673
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,425,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Liz Palika has been writing professionally since 1985 when she was first published in DOG FANCY magazine. Since then she has written more than 65 books and more than 1,000 magazine articles and columns. She has been published in DOG FANCY, DOG WORLD, CATS, CAT FANCY, AKC GAZETTE, and other pet publications, as well as NEWSWEEK, THE SATURDAY EVENING POST and WOMEN FIRST.

Her books include PUPPY LOVE and THE KISS GUIDE TO RAISING A PUPPY; both of which are favorites with new puppy owners. THE ULTIMATE DOG TREAT COOKBOOK received rave reviews in magazines and newspapers all over the country, including USA TODAY. ALL DOGS NEED SOME TRAINING was listed by PET LIFE MAGAZINE as one of the ten best training books available to dog owners.

Liz's books have been awarded many honors. THE HOWELL BOOK OF DOGS was awarded Best Reference Book by the Dog Writers Association of America and was nominated as Best Nonfiction Book by San Diego Book Awards. AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD: CHAMPION OF VERSATILITY won Best Breed Book from Dog Writers Association of America and Best Nonfiction Book from San Diego Book Writers. SAVE THAT DOG! won best General Reference Book from Dog Writers and the First ASPCA Pet Overpopulation Answers Award from the ASPCA. Liz's work has also won awards from Cat Writers and Purina, as well as others from Dog Writers. Liz was honored with the San Diego Leadership Award, was a North County Woman of Merit, and in 2005 was awarded Dog Writers Distinguished Service Award.

Liz has an international platform to connect with her readers. Not only is her podcast, "It's a Doggy Dog World" on PetLifeRadio.com the #1 most downloaded show on that site, but she is also a blogger for the PetConnection.com.

Liz has been teaching dogs and their owners in North County San Diego for almost 25 years. Her dog training is based on an understanding of dogs and what makes them tick. Liz is a Certified Dog Trainer (CDT)and a Certified Behavioral Consultant. She is an AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator #4182.

Working in Vista, California (San Diego County), Liz is the owner of Kindred Spirits Dog Training and sees more than a thousand dogs and their owners every year. Liz and her dogs, over the years have participated and trained in many dog sports, including agility, carting, conformation, herding, obedience, search and rescue, therapy dog work, and more.

Liz and her husband Paul share their home with three Australian Shepherds.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A concise summary of all good and bad things in dog foods., July 20, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Te Awamutu, New Zealand.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Consumer's Guide to Dog Food: What's in Dog Food, Why It's There and How to Choose the Best Food for Your Dog (Paperback)

Liz Palika succinctly summarizes the in's and out's of dog food. Everything you want or need to know about dog food. From de-cyphering the label, the ingredients, the different types of foods available ( and what the different major companies have to offer) to analysing the ingredients, both good and bad. She also explains why some of the major food companies make pet food, (to use their own 'by-products' profittably. A Good read, and what every concerned pet owner should know.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE book to read, March 19, 2008

By 

Jon Robert (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Consumer's Guide to Dog Food: What's in Dog Food, Why It's There and How to Choose the Best Food for Your Dog (Paperback)

I like to buy good quality and know what I am buying for the most part. (Research) I avoid buying based on sales pitches and looks.
For example costly Science Diet dog food's #1 ingredient is CORN. CORN ends up in the yard. A waste of money and the dog was nutritionally robbed. Read the book concerning the ranking of ingredient quality etc. and you will understand my comments. How many dogs would choose Corn over Meat?
It is hard to find explanations about pet food ingredients. For very good reason. The inferior pet foods are not going to tell you that their ingredients are inferior. And most people buy on lowest price anyway, but I cringe when I see someone pay top dollar for CORN! Read this book if you are paying a lot for food so you don't waste your money. Read this book if you love Fido and maybe you can avoid the worst ingredients and still save a few bucks.
This is the only book I have found that lacks nothing on the subject between the 2 covers. And the only one that actually covers the subject extensively.
You need to have this book right alongside the home veterinary care book. I have reached for this food book for others to read far more often than I have referred to the home veterinary care book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Dog Food, October 19, 2011

By 

Myrtieshuman - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Consumer's Guide to Dog Food: What's in Dog Food, Why It's There and How to Choose the Best Food for Your Dog (Paperback)

People need to know what they are putting in pet food. If you really look into it, you will probably start cooking for your animals if you can. You will at least start reading ingredients and trying to be very fussy about what they eat.