Customer Reviews

The New Natural Cat: A Complete Guide for Finicky Owners (Plume)

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

i cannot say enough about this book and i urge everyone who loves their cat to purchase it. this book will educate and empower you; whether you just need some basic tips for general cat health and well being or if your cat has a serious disease.

i originally bought this book when one of my cats developed hyper-trophic cardiomyopathy and was given only one week to live. by following the traditional medical advice of my veterinarian as well as anitra frazier's naturopathic advice i was able to extend my cat's life 6 more healthy years. that alone made this small purchase worth it's weight in gold, 1000 times over.

a few years later another of my cats was diagnosed with liver disease and again i was told that she would not recover. i followed the same method; combining our vet's traditional medical therapy with the naturopathy outlined in this book and 4 years later that cat is very much alive and healthy.

as a responsible cat "owner" i can honestly say this book has been the single most important purchase i've ever made.

Now this is a woman who truly knows and loves cats. Frazier's interest in their care and handling began when she was working for a vet who sent her out to homes to groom cats. While grooming, she was confronted with a wide assortment of perplexing issues from dull coats and eating disorders to allergies and communication problems. By working with the vet, paying attention to the cats, and enlisting the help of the owners, she gradually found solutions to most of the problems and accumulated a gold mine of information.

Frazier's approach to writing is direct, simple and concise. Her suggestions are always presented with compassion, and keep the larger, holistic view in mind. I have found the sections on diet and nutrition particularly helpful, but Frazier waxes eloquent on a wide assortment of physical ailments, grooming, training, spiritual health and behavioral issues as well. If you're a cat owner don't miss this chance to get to know your furry friend in a whole new way. This book is both an invaluable resource and a wonderful contribution to interspecies communication. Five stars!

I have used this book for about seven years. It has been a wonderful resource for me and my multi-cat household, not to mention my various foster (feral) cats. This book is my feline textbook. Those who wish to go beyond the narrow Western view of veterinary care will absolutely love this book! It has endless suggestions on inexpensive and innovative home care that involve herbs, flower remedies, vitamins, broths, diet, home nursing, grooming, behavior, litter box, scratching post, neutering/spaying, common feline health problems, etc. Anitra Frazier's expertise goes on and on in many categories - she knows an incredible amount about cats. Even though this book was published in 1990, but it is definitely NOT out-of-date. It is well worth the money!

My two 8 month old Maine Coon kittens weren't doing very well. They were having bowel problems and had become very finicky eaters. So I bought this book because the holistic approach appealed to me.

The diet section was a wake-up call. Never again will I feed my cats supermarket cat food. I made several of the changes the author suggested: went to a combination of raw food and all-natural commercial cat food with no animal by-products, mixed up her vita-mineral mix, and took away all food between meals. What a difference! Three weeks later and I have two sleek, shiny energetic, healthy little (well, big) kittens!

The rest of the book is an excellent reference guide to cat health and care, with sections on behavior, grooming and common illnesses and their symptons. A must have for every cat owner!

I have three cats. I got this book after being recommended in a discussion list.

After having read the first couple of chapters, I found myself crying over the stupid things that I've done to my cats all their lives. Most of us mean well, but sometimes we lack the info or the sense to help our cats achieve their best physical and emotional state.

This book offers the info to do that.

Using common sense of what a cat's natural ways are, Frazier guides us through a tough journey with natural diet, holistic approach and lots of love to discovered uncharted areas in the relationship with your cats. I learned how to use non-verbal communication and to send kisses to my cats across the room. The first time I did this, my female cat fell of the armchair where she was sitting out of surprise. Then she run to me, jumped on my keyboard and rubbed her face on mine. And that's NOT her usual behaviour.

The nutrition part is not what most vets recommend. But it works. After a month following her plan, my 25 pounds tom lost some weight, his dandruff vanished and the mats on his fur are gone.

Somewhere on the first chapter she says: "All I did was to ask the cats. And with the grace of the Cat Goddess, the answers came". Those who understand this will need no further recommendation.

If you eschew the supermarket for the health food store and Tylenol for chamomile, this is the book for you (and your cat). It covers everything from how to make organic cat food to treating disease, cutting toenails and saying goodbye to your cat before going away. For those less sure of their ability to follow directions in a way that will be safe for their cat (I understand that not everyone will be comfortable putting raw organic chicken in the food processor with clover sprouts and quinoa or rice), the author also suggests products you can buy ready-made at pet stores to boost your cat's health and vitality.

Three years ago I adopted a mangy kitten from the Humane Society that had been rescued in the woods by the game warden, and was thought to be the offspring of a feral cat and possibly a bobcat (a not uncommon occurence in NW Washington state). She had a terrible case of ear mites, which the vet at the Humane Society said could only be dealt with using harsh chemicals. Following the advice in this book, I got rid of the ear mites with herbs, olive oil and Vitamin E. Three cheers for natural cat care!

This book is great for anyone who truly loves their cats. i only have one concern: Ms Frazer advocates feeding cats baby food, which is generally acceptable in certain circumstances. However, she does not clarify that owners should not feed baby food that contains onion powder, as it is highly toxic to cats. So please be warned, fellow cat lovers.

This book was given to me as a present. One of my cats became very ill with the symptoms listed under irritable bowel syndrome. The vet told me the cat would die when he was about 10 months old. I followed the Natural Cat book advice (made him the chicken broth recipe that's in the book and put him on the chicken broth for 3 or 4 days). Then I switched him to a high fiber diet. I didn't make his food, but instead used Science Diet Lite which is high fiber. Farcus is now 9 years old and obviously survived thanks to the advice outlined in this book. This book does stress the importance of regularly bringing your cat to the vet, not just following the book. Best book on health care for cats I've seen.

The love, admiration and compassion Anitra Frazier feels for cats is evident all throughout this 448 page book. She covers everything you need to know about having cats in your life. And most importantly, she deals with it all in a holistic way.

The day-to-day realities are explored and discussed in detail. These topics include diet, litter box habits, grooming, scratching, etc. In the section on diet, Frazier gives detailed instructions on what and how much to feed your cat. She even gives great tips on how to switch finicky eaters over to a healthier, natural raw diet, including bribe foods. If you aren't ready to make the leap to preparing your cat's diet, she gives great advice on how to supplement high-quality commercial food.

The last three chapters on health issues are what make this a must-have for your bookshelf. Chapter 8 provides excellent information on what symptoms to look for, how to choose a vet, and deciding when to take your cat to the clinic. The next chapter gives tips on taking care of an ill cat, including how to use various medications. It also has a very helpful list of items to have on hand for home care. The final chapter gives an alphabetical listing of common injuries and health problems. Frazier provides lists of symptoms and recommendations for treatment. This part of the book is very thorough and written in an organized and easy to understand format. This book will not only help you develop a more understanding and loving relationship with your cat, it will also help you provide the best in natural care.

Anitra Frazier has devoted her life to cats and has learned from a great deal of personal experiences with them. In this book, she shares what she has learned from cats, as well as seeks out veterinary experts for their opinions. This book covers all aspects of a cat's life, and concentrates on preventative care for cats. She writes a good deal about the importance of diet for cats and even provides an alternative "super-finicky I'll do anything for my cat" diet which consists of homemade food. The unitiated may find her references to visualization and flower essences a little "weird," but she offers enough information on more basic cat care needs to make this book a must for anyone who wants to provide the best care for their feline companion.