Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (Paperback)

by Richard H. Pitcairn D.V.M. (Author), Susan Hubble Pitcairn (Author) "Why don't you take care of this one?" my colleague asked me, with the look of someone about to unload an unwelcome problem..." (more)
Key Phrases: healthy powder, skin parasites, lean beef heart, Use Homeopathic Schedule, Use Schedule, Animal Essentials (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A must-have for pet owners interested in a natural lifestyle for their pets."-Amazon.com

"Pets have never had it so good!"-Michael W. Fox, former vice president of the Humane Society

 

For many of my clients, Dr. Pitcairn's book is their trusted holistic health guide for their canine and feline companions needs, full of practical pointers for the concerned caregiver”a must read for those embarking on the worthwhile journey towards restoration of their pets' health and happiness. This new edition is a must-have for the pet care library.  --David Evans, DVM, CVH, Natural Care Clinic for Pets

"Would you like your dog and cat to live a longer healthier life? This easy to use and well researched book is a must for you. Every one of my holistic clients has Dr. Pitcairn's book and many have told me how frequently they read it for treatment of minor problems, nutritional information and how to make lifestyle choices to improve health for themselves, their animals and our planet."  --Dr. Christina Chambreau, Homeopathic Veterinarian and author of the Healthy Animal's Journal

"The third edition of this "landmark" text is welcome, and will take up space on my bookshelf, as well as the bookshelves of many of my colleagues and clients." --Carvel G. Tiekert, DVM, Founder, American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association

"Dr. Richard Pitcairn again demonstrates why he is so respected in his field. This book should be required reading for anyone seeking true, lasting health for their animals and will continue to be a must-read for my clients."  -- Larry A. Bernstein, VMD

"I anticipated that this 3rd edition would be a thorough and thoughtfully-written guide to natural health care for animals, packed full of useful information and practical tips. My expectations were exceeded! Dr. Pitcairn has a wonderful way of making both basic principles and complex topics fresh and reader-friendly, all the while gently raising questions that encourage thinking and re-thinking conventional "wisdom" in companion animal care. Who should read this book? Those just embarking on the path of natural health for their pets, those who have been on this path for years, and every holistically-minded veterinarian who wants to understand root causes of disease and expand his or her repertoire of treatments that truly support and help restore health. Although I have used and recommended the earlier edition of this book in my practice for years, I plan to make this new edition required reading for my clients!  --Lynn S. Peck, DVM, MS Holistic veterinarian and researcher

"Once again Dr. Pitcairn has given animal caretakers the definitive how-to for a healthier, more natural and holistic approach to animal health. This up-dated edition, in his easy-to-read, story-telling style, has added information on diet and vaccinations based on recent research. The results achieved in animal well-being by incorporating the dietary, herbal and homeopathic information provided in previous editions have spoken for themselves. The new information contained in this new edition will raise the quality of our companion animal health just that much higher." --Dr. Kimberly Henneman, DVM

Product Description
PitcairnOver 400,000 copies of this treasured classic have been sold since its original publication more than 20 years agoThe book that is the definitive guide to a natural lifestyle for dogs and cats is now completely updated and revisedfor the first time in 9 years. Writing with the warmth and compassion that have won them a national following, veterinarian Richard H. Pitcairn and his wife Susan Hubble Pitcairn, noted specialists in chemical-free nutrition and natural healing for pets, show dog and cat owners how to provide the very best in companionship and lifelong care. They now cover environmental matters, including pollutants both inside the home and out, as well as recent hot-button topics, such as Mad Cow disease, Lyme disease, and the West Nile virus. Theyve updated dozens of recipes for delicious and healthful pet food and treats. With a guide to handling emergencies and an in-depth Quick Reference section, they give specific instructions for preventing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of animal diseases and disorderswith special attention to homeopathic, herbal, and nutritional remedies.

See all Editorial Reviews

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Product Details Paperback: 464 pages Publisher: Rodale Books; 3rd edition (August 11, 2005) Language: English ISBN-10: 157954973X ISBN-13: 978-1579549732 Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1.3 inches Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (104 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,671 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in these categories: (What's this?) #1 in  Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Cats > Care & Health #2 in  Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Veterinary Medicine #2 in  Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Dogs > Care & Health

Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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First Sentence:
"Why don't you take care of this one?" my colleague asked me, with the look of someone about to unload an unwelcome problem. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
healthy powder, skin parasites, lean beef heart, cups raw rolled oats, sodium ascorbate powder, rescue formula, eggshell powder, gradual blindness, wet mitt, cat vitamins, powdered eggshell, plant awns, homeopathic veterinarian, give one dose, sleep indoors, poison nut, lean chuck, medium dogs, teaspoon tamari soy sauce, wild diet, regular grooming, intervertebral disk disease, lean hamburger

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Use Homeopathic Schedule, Use Schedule, Animal Essentials, Use Herbal Schedule, United States, Quick Reference, Table of Calcium, Animal Nutrition, National Research Council, Ear Problems, Standard Recommendations, Merck Veterinary Manual, Breathing Stopped, Quick Checkup, Wild Diets, Upper Respiratory Infections, Nutrient Requirements of Dogs, Cushing's Disease, Juliette de Bairacli-Levy, Materia Medica, Edward Bach, Great Dane, Mackerel Loaf, Mexi-Dog Casserole, Poultry Delight

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 18 books:

• Nutrient Requirements of Cats (Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals) (photocopy) by Duane E. Ullrey on 4 pages
• The New Natural Cat: A Complete Guide for Finicky Owners (Plume) by Anitra Frazier in Front Matter, page 125, and page 211
• The Natural Cat by Anitra Frazier in Front Matter, page 125, and page 211
• Nutrient Requirements of Dogs (Nutrient Requirements of Domestic Animals) by National Research Council on page 69, page 107, and page 450
• Current Veterinary Therapy (No. 9) by Robert W. Kirk DVM on page 91, and page 176

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Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn D.V.M.

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Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn D.V.M. Discusses: milligrams taurine supplement teaspoon eggshell powder teaspoons eggshell powder Loading...

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	83% buy the item featured on this page: Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats 4.6 out of 5 stars (104) $14.93
	5% buy The Nature of Animal Healing : The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat 4.8 out of 5 stars (127) $10.88
	4% buy The Healthy Dog Cookbook: 50 Nutritious & Delicious Recipes Your Dog Will Love 5.0 out of 5 stars (8) $13.57
	4% buy Raw Dog Food: Make It Easy for You and Your Dog 4.5 out of 5 stars (45) $10.15

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Customer Reviews

104 Reviews 5 star:  (83) 4 star:  (10) 3 star:  (3) 2 star:  (4) 1 star:  (4)           Average Customer Review 4.6 out of 5 stars (104 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 91 of 94 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Kim Bloomer, Owner of Aspenbloom Pet Care, August 22, 2005 By  K. Bloomer (NM) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I recently obtained Dr. Pitcairn's book and found it to be a wonderful, easy to implement and understand book on natural care for dogs and cats. Dr. Pitcairn provides concise information on dogs and cats from what to feed, to training, and even about how to choose a dog breed for your lifestyle. This book also has lots of natural prevention remedies included and how to PREVENT pesky problems like fleas and ticks from invading your home and your pets. One of the things I educate pet owners on is prevention being the key and that is done through a strong immune system by feeding and supplementing properly. I always tell them that once your pet is diseased you'll need to see a veterinarian and then undo the illness and disease if you can, then build your pet back up. Dr. Pitcairn shares a lot about prevention and that thrilled me! That is the answer and key to keeping our pets healthy. He shares about natural feeding which is another big issue I like to tackle with pet owners. He even includes grooming. This is a must have book for any dog or cat owner who wants to approach their pet care naturally and preventatively. Excellent book! Kim Bloomer [...] 58 of 59 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for better diet and health of dogs and cats!, February 4, 2006 By  Denise Bonds (Bay Area California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    You may see some of my other reviews about human health and nutrition, but this is perhaps THE book that prompted me to learn more about MY diet. Here's what I liked about the book: Dr. Pitcairn has a long career in the vetinarian industry. I enjoyed reading about his holistic approach to pet health and diet--treating the root cause, not the symptoms. I like the fact that Dr. Pitcairn chose to think outside the box, so to speak, and look for alternatives early in his career when he found that his patients did not always respond to drugs. Also, the recipes are excellent for ensuring a truly healthy diet. I can't think of anything that I did not like about the book. My story: I still remember the first time anyone had EVER mentioned to me that dog food is not good for dogs. My husband and I were adding a dog to our family and was going through an interview process with the breeder. She knew that we already have an older dog and she ask about his diet. This was two years ago, and by then, our older dog (11 years old at the time) had lost most of his teeth, and we had (reluctantly) taken him off his kibble diet. When we started feeding him more "table scraps" we noticed some incredible improvements. His coat looked better than it had in his 11 years, he was also very "peppy" and seemed to be overall in great health and spirits. All during his life he had ALWAYS suffered from weird ailments like skin disorders, hot spots, clogged anal glands, dry flaky skin, nasal allergies, etc. I can not count how many times this dog had been on drugs like cortisone and prednisone and bathed in "hypo-allergenic oatmeal-based shampoos". During my interview with this dog breeder, I did not share with her what my dog had been through, I just said, "...he has lost most of his teeth, and no longer eats kibble". This is when she told me that I shouldn't feed him kibble, and I should not feed the new little one kibble either! This got me curious and I started doing my own research about dog food and was absolutely HORRIFIED to learn the ingredients used to make dog food. How can an entire industry (vetinarians) give such harmful advise?!?! I was and still am outraged at all the people along the way who always advised me to keep my dog on kibble. And I had heard it from so many sources for so many years that I figured they must be right! The day I learned what kibble has in it, my husband and I started cooking for our dogs. There's been some ups and downs during the last two years, learning what to feed and what not to feed, but overall I believe that both dogs are much healthier and my husband and I definately have peace of mind knowing exactly what they are eating! Oh, and all those skin ailments and allergies that the older dog suffered from for 11 years?...not a SINGLE episode in the past two years! I found this book to be very helpful in understanding what dogs need to be healthy. I learned that generally speaking, we were doing most things right. We did make some changes in the supplements based on Dr. Pitcairn's recommendations and we replaced the white rice we had been feeding with oatmeal--which both dogs seem to like. But overall, a lot of his recommendations were very similar to the advise we received from the breeder. The older dog is now 13 years old and was diagnosed with Inflammatory Brain Disease about 2 months ago. We are obviously very devastated and I believe whole-heartedly that this brain disease was brought on by the poor diet and also the "top-spot" flea poison he had been on all his life. I found out AFTER his diagnosis that top-spot has been linked to this disease...as this is the same way the poison kills the fleas--it attacks their nervous system!--we had treated him with Frontline just four days before he became ill and was carried to UC Davis Vetinary Teaching Hospital. Whether you decide to buy this book or not, I strongly advise you to do your own research about your pet's diet and decide for yourself. Some would say that cooking/preparing meals for their pets is a hassle, but this is the least you can do for all the benefits you will get from your healthier pet--not to mention the money you'll save from not taking your dog to the vet all the time to treat symptoms of a poor diet! 47 of 49 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive on diet & health , May 4, 2006 By  Tami M. Hawes "tamikat" (Hillsboro, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    I'd reviewed the 2nd edition version when I was looking into a more natural diet for my puppies on the advice of my holistic vet. In fact I was using the diet until my youngest started gaining weight and they were worried that the grains were causing the weight gain. I switched to raw meat and pureed veggies instead. Turns out that she was low thyroid. The diets are still heavy on grains. Great for the majority of dogs I'm sure. The upside is that there are nutritional analysis of all the diets included so you know why you're including each of the components. There are also special diets included for allergies, weight loss and gain. I also like the information on various health issues and vaccinosis that is included.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars THE go to book for my dogs Unbelievably informative! I go to this book regularly when I have questions about the health of my dogs and the best foods to feed them. Published 1 day ago by F. Burnett 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference book I've been health conscious and wary of pharmaceuticals for years. A recent pet emergency opened my eyes to the fact that I had not applied that vigilance to my pet care. Read more Published 16 days ago by mary m. 5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Pitcairn's New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats Very informative and well documented. Will change the food you provide for your dog and/or cat. Published 19 days ago by Ellen Broderick 4.0 out of 5 stars great It almost covers everything. I guess everybody who cares about his dog should get a book like this. It saves me a lot of worries and offers me many useful ways to take good care... Read more Published 19 days ago by Jellydandan 5.0 out of 5 stars Happy, healthy Pets The book gives me excellent information in keeping my pets healthy. I find the nutritional recipies easy to prepare and very beneficial for my animals... Read more Published 1 month ago by Anne L. Peterson 5.0 out of 5 stars The one book to own on pet care If you could only have one book to guide you on animal care, this would be the one to choose. We've been using Dr. Read more Published 2 months ago by Dragonfly 5.0 out of 5 stars Real Help for Pets I originally bought this book at a garage sale and have used it for many years with miraculous results in two cases. Read more Published 3 months ago by Happyhomaker 5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Pitcairn's new complete guide to natural health for dogs and cats This book did wonders for my dog who had constant urinary tract infections. I spent a lot of money for antibiotics and tests that never cured the problem. Read more Published 3 months ago by Deborah Kinnebrew 5.0 out of 5 stars Detailed, Helpful Pet Health Info This is a wonderful book with a ton of great, detailed information, including many balanced & healthful recipes for your pet, alternatives to toxic chemical flea & tick products,... Read more Published 3 months ago by Knitting Fool 5.0 out of 5 stars great info Any book that will educate about feeding your dog better is an awesome book. Excellent info...although my dog is on a strict holistic vet diet...alot of this info is excellent. Published 4 months ago by Michele L. Trahan Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books; 3rd edition (August 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157954973X
• ISBN-13: 978-1579549732
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (104 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,671 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Cats > Care & Health
  #2 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Medical > Veterinary Medicine
  #2 in	Books > Home & Garden > Animal Care & Pets > Dogs > Care & Health

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from Kim Bloomer, Owner of Aspenbloom Pet Care, August 22, 2005

By	K. Bloomer (NM) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I recently obtained Dr. Pitcairn's book and found it to be a wonderful, easy to implement and understand book on natural care for dogs and cats. Dr. Pitcairn provides concise information on dogs and cats from what to feed, to training, and even about how to choose a dog breed for your lifestyle. This book also has lots of natural prevention remedies included and how to PREVENT pesky problems like fleas and ticks from invading your home and your pets.

One of the things I educate pet owners on is prevention being the key and that is done through a strong immune system by feeding and supplementing properly. I always tell them that once your pet is diseased you'll need to see a veterinarian and then undo the illness and disease if you can, then build your pet back up. Dr. Pitcairn shares a lot about prevention and that thrilled me! That is the answer and key to keeping our pets healthy.

He shares about natural feeding which is another big issue I like to tackle with pet owners. He even includes grooming. This is a must have book for any dog or cat owner who wants to approach their pet care naturally and preventatively. Excellent book!

Kim Bloomer
[...]

58 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for better diet and health of dogs and cats!, February 4, 2006

By	Denise Bonds (Bay Area California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

You may see some of my other reviews about human health and nutrition, but this is perhaps THE book that prompted me to learn more about MY diet.

Here's what I liked about the book:

Dr. Pitcairn has a long career in the vetinarian industry. I enjoyed reading about his holistic approach to pet health and diet--treating the root cause, not the symptoms. I like the fact that Dr. Pitcairn chose to think outside the box, so to speak, and look for alternatives early in his career when he found that his patients did not always respond to drugs. Also, the recipes are excellent for ensuring a truly healthy diet.

I can't think of anything that I did not like about the book.

My story:

I still remember the first time anyone had EVER mentioned to me that dog food is not good for dogs. My husband and I were adding a dog to our family and was going through an interview process with the breeder. She knew that we already have an older dog and she ask about his diet. This was two years ago, and by then, our older dog (11 years old at the time) had lost most of his teeth, and we had (reluctantly) taken him off his kibble diet. When we started feeding him more "table scraps" we noticed some incredible improvements. His coat looked better than it had in his 11 years, he was also very "peppy" and seemed to be overall in great health and spirits. All during his life he had ALWAYS suffered from weird ailments like skin disorders, hot spots, clogged anal glands, dry flaky skin, nasal allergies, etc. I can not count how many times this dog had been on drugs like cortisone and prednisone and bathed in "hypo-allergenic oatmeal-based shampoos". During my interview with this dog breeder, I did not share with her what my dog had been through, I just said, "...he has lost most of his teeth, and no longer eats kibble". This is when she told me that I shouldn't feed him kibble, and I should not feed the new little one kibble either!

This got me curious and I started doing my own research about dog food and was absolutely HORRIFIED to learn the ingredients used to make dog food. How can an entire industry (vetinarians) give such harmful advise?!?! I was and still am outraged at all the people along the way who always advised me to keep my dog on kibble. And I had heard it from so many sources for so many years that I figured they must be right! The day I learned what kibble has in it, my husband and I started cooking for our dogs. There's been some ups and downs during the last two years, learning what to feed and what not to feed, but overall I believe that both dogs are much healthier and my husband and I definately have peace of mind knowing exactly what they are eating! Oh, and all those skin ailments and allergies that the older dog suffered from for 11 years?...not a SINGLE episode in the past two years!

I found this book to be very helpful in understanding what dogs need to be healthy. I learned that generally speaking, we were doing most things right. We did make some changes in the supplements based on Dr. Pitcairn's recommendations and we replaced the white rice we had been feeding with oatmeal--which both dogs seem to like. But overall, a lot of his recommendations were very similar to the advise we received from the breeder.

The older dog is now 13 years old and was diagnosed with Inflammatory Brain Disease about 2 months ago. We are obviously very devastated and I believe whole-heartedly that this brain disease was brought on by the poor diet and also the "top-spot" flea poison he had been on all his life. I found out AFTER his diagnosis that top-spot has been linked to this disease...as this is the same way the poison kills the fleas--it attacks their nervous system!--we had treated him with Frontline just four days before he became ill and was carried to UC Davis Vetinary Teaching Hospital.

Whether you decide to buy this book or not, I strongly advise you to do your own research about your pet's diet and decide for yourself. Some would say that cooking/preparing meals for their pets is a hassle, but this is the least you can do for all the benefits you will get from your healthier pet--not to mention the money you'll save from not taking your dog to the vet all the time to treat symptoms of a poor diet!

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive on diet & health , May 4, 2006

By	Tami M. Hawes "tamikat" (Hillsboro, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'd reviewed the 2nd edition version when I was looking into a more natural diet for my puppies on the advice of my holistic vet. In fact I was using the diet until my youngest started gaining weight and they were worried that the grains were causing the weight gain. I switched to raw meat and pureed veggies instead. Turns out that she was low thyroid.

The diets are still heavy on grains. Great for the majority of dogs I'm sure. The upside is that there are nutritional analysis of all the diets included so you know why you're including each of the components. There are also special diets included for allergies, weight loss and gain.

I also like the information on various health issues and vaccinosis that is included.