Customer Reviews

The Natural Pet Food Cookbook: Healthful Recipes for Dogs and Cats

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you're cooking for your dog or cat and want to move on beyond the basic boiled rice and chicken, this is the cookbook for you.

I'll primarily comment on the dog food recipes because that's why I got it... so can't really say anything about the cat food portion.

First, the recipes are fun because they include a variety of meats, grains, ingredients. If you don't like cooking, this book is *NOT* for you. I've enjoyed making the meatballs and the chicken soup/stew. The book also includes recipes for making your own dry food (kibbles), which many other cookbooks lack.

But with all that said, sometimes the "Dr. Kevin says" little box inserts are not very helpful... and have a "duh!" factor. I wish the vet had more scientific/medical approach to his advice.

Also, my second beef with this book is the lack of nutritional information. For dog owners who are serious about adding/replacing their pet's food with homecooked meals, nutritional analysis is crucial... as it's easy to under or over-compensate for needed vitamins and supplements including calcium/phosphorus (especially the ratio). ((For more on nutritional needs, I would highly recommend Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats))

Lastly, since many dogs are overweight (which has a host of health-related issues) it would have been nice to have the calorie information as it's difficult to gauge how much to feed your dog based on their weight. The author simply tells you how many portions/servings a recipe makes but that's not helpful if your dog should get 200 cals (as my Maltese) vs 300 cals or whatever. Those extra calories are crucial to know especially for owners of tiny dogs. I've found cookbooks that tell you calories per weight (not cup) are the most helpful.

As for the taste of the food, both my dogs loved what I've tried (but how can you go wrong with meat and cheese together?) My maltese, Lucy, tends to be a finicky eater but she has scarfed down every homemade meal I've ever made. She's sometimes picky about commercial dog food (wet or dry -- Natural Balance, Wellness, Solid Gold)

Edited to Add: I want to quickly address the other reviewer who was concerned about corn in some recipes. There aren't many of them and if corn bothers you so much, simply omit. But since corn is sweet, it can definitely help palatability for really picky dogs. Also, corn itself is not a bad food. If it doesn't get digested, it can still help move their bowels. But if you find that your dog likes food with corn, simply toss it in the food processor so they can get some of the nutritional benefits (and you won't have to see entire kernels in their poop). Fruits and veggies must be cooked long enough so it's easier to digest for them.

All in all, I would recommend this book with slight reservations and give it a solid 3.5 stars.

I was very surprised to see that many of the recipes call for corn. Dogs cannot digest corn and this is widely known. Before I was aware of this fact, I included mixed vegetables (which include corn) in my dog's recipes. Her poop would contain undigested corn. That's what made me Google corn for dogs. So, I was disapponted to see corn in the recipes - supposedly OK'd by a vet.

This book was a real disappointment, and was sent back to Amazon the day it arrived. The book states it contains "more than 50 vet-approved, pet-tested recipes, ranging from basic kibble to casseroles to stews". Well, I don't know what Vet recommended this diet for cats, but their not an informed one. Cats can have allergies just as people do, and most health oriented Vets know that whole wheat flour, with its high gluten content is unhealthy for a cat. Same goes for rye flour and corn; rye with its high gluten content, and corn with its high sugar content. Feed your cat meals filled with wheat flour, corn, rye, cheese and eggs and sooner or later you'll have a very sick cat.

If you're seriously interested in how to feed your beloved feline companion and are looking for healthy recipes, (as well as advice)
check out "The Natural Cat" by Anita Frasier (may be Anitra) and "Whole Health for Happy Cats" by Sandy Arora. They know what their talking about.

Cute little cookbook. Alot of the recipes look like recipes I now make. Made me feel better about his not eating dog food.

Wendy Nan Rees always seems to be in the forefront of 'what's cool' in the pet industry. I have her other three books which I love, but this book is really a step ahead.
From the Pumpkin & Veggie kibble recipe that anyone could put together easily (and even eat if you wanted), to the amazing Thanksgiving for All Turkey Loaf, Wendy has really formulated some winning foods that any pet lover would be happy to make, and feel comfortable giving to their pet.
I hope Ms. Rees continues to publish pet related books-her winning way of writing, the solid information she departs, and her great graphic style all combine to make her one of America's top pet lifestyle advisors.

Found the book helpful but haven't had a chance to try any recipes yet.The Natural Pet Food Cookbook: Healthful Recipes for Dogs and Cats

I like the recipes in this book. Some of them look good enough for even humans to eat.

I bought this book to be able to make more wholesome foods for my beloved beagle. But the recipes are so hard to do and so difficult to get some of the ingredients and so costly that I just can't do it. Maybe someday, maybe. I had hoped it would be easier than it is.

I am impressed by the research and quality of this cookbook. It is a nice hardcover book which is better for keeping in the kitchen and wiping off if it gets food on it. It seems like the author did her homework here, some of the recipes look good enough for the owners to eat!

This is the best book on the subject I have ever seen. Gave to a prominant attorney hre in La Vegas wit six dogs. He raved over it! Congratulations Wendy. Do some more.