8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog [Paperback]

Shawn Messonnier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 13, 2003

Give your dog a long, healthy, happy life--in just 8 short weeks! Acclaimed holistic veterinarian Dr. Shawn Messonnier shows you how to combine the best preventive-care practices with the best that conventional and alternative medicine have to offer. The result? An amazing transformation in your dog's health, vitality, and well-being! Whether you've just bought a puppy or you have a dog who's definitely starting to show his age, you can put your pet on Dr. Shawn's 8-Week Program with confidence. All it takes is one easy change each week!

In 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, you'll discover:

How to find the best holistic veterinarian for your pet

How to tell if your dog is really healthy or if he's suffering from one of the "hidden" diseases that can rob you of years of his company The best ways to get rid of fleas and ticks

How to choose the most nutritious diet from the hundreds of dog foods on store shelves--or make a delicious diet at home that your dog will love!

The essential supplements every dog needs for maximum health and vitality

How to spot the major disease trigger that veterinarians often overlook--and how to prevent or reverse it

Exercises and fun games to keep your dog in great shape (you'll enjoy them, too!)

How to combat canine diseases with the latest and best conventional and natural remedies

Grooming tips and techniques that keep your dog looking good and feeling great

8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog is the best gift you can give your dog--and your family!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Give your dog a long, healthy, happy life--in just 8 short weeks! Acclaimed holistic veterinarian Dr. Shawn Messonnier shows you how to combine the best preventive-care practices with the best that conventional and alternative medicine have to offer. The result? An amazing transformation in your dog's health, vitality, and well-being! Whether you've just bought a puppy or you have a dog who's definitely starting to show his age, you can put your pet on Dr. Shawn's 8-Week Program with confidence. All it takes is one easy change each week!

In 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, you'll discover:

How to find the best holistic veterinarian for your pet

How to tell if your dog is really healthy or if he's suffering from one of the "hidden" diseases that can rob you of years of his company The best ways to get rid of fleas and ticks

How to choose the most nutritious diet from the hundreds of dog foods on store shelves--or make a delicious diet at home that your dog will love!

The essential supplements every dog needs for maximum health and vitality

How to spot the major disease trigger that veterinarians often overlook--and how to prevent or reverse it

Exercises and fun games to keep your dog in great shape (you'll enjoy them, too!)

How to combat canine diseases with the latest and best conventional and natural remedies

Grooming tips and techniques that keep your dog looking good and feeling great

8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog is the best gift you can give your dog--and your family!

About the Author

Shawn Messonnier, D.V.M., is a nationally recognized authority on holistic pet care and integrative medicine and the author of the award-winning Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. His column, "The Holistic Pet," is featured in newspapers throughout the United States and Canada, and he's also a pet expert for iVillage.com. He owns Paws and Claws Animal Hospital in Plano, Texas.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (September 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579547257
• ISBN-13: 978-1579547257
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,136,451 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Best Friend is Healthy, August 21, 2005

By 

Ruth A. Tracy "Ruth A. Tracy" (Port Huron, Michigan) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog (Paperback)

I purchased many books in hopes of helping my 8 year old Schnauzer/Jack Russel mix return to good health. I feared that she was slowly dying, due to many "scary" symptoms including blood in her feces. After reading Dr. Messonier's book "8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog", and following his advice, I can thankfully say that my little Stella is totally healthy. In fact she is better than new--doing things she has not done in years!! I credit Dr. Messonier for saving her life. His book was the only one that gave practical, precise information on how I could help her. Stella says "Thank you, Dr. Messonier!", and so does her Mom and Dad!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!, October 26, 2003

By 

Denise J. King (Caldwell, ID USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog (Paperback)

I have been trying to get information about raising my dog holistically.There isn't much information out there for a novice like me. Then, I read this book, 8 Weeks To A Healthy Dog.It has all the information that I was looking for in one place. It has recipes for home cooked diets,what supplements to give and where to find them, and how to make life better for an aging pet.

I will keep this book always within reach and refer back to it often.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for newbies to natural dog health, January 30, 2007

By 

Cassie Abbott (WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog (Paperback)

This is a very basic book, which isn't to say it's bad, just lacking a lot of detail and explanation. There's very general information on choosing a vet (wk 1), parasites (wk 2), diet (wk 3), supplements (wk 4), disease treatment (wk 5), exercise (wk 6), drugs (wk 7), and grooming (wk 8). I don't believe grooming and exercise warranted their own chapters, but it was interesting to see what he recommended as dietary supplements for specific disorders.

One thing I didn't agree with at all was Dr Messonnier's recommendation that all pets, regardless of age and condition, be given dietary supplements. Giving puppies supplements can seriously harm their skeletal growth, especially when fed a commercial diet. Giving supplements to any dog for anything but a specific purpose is just a waste of money.

For a new puppy or dog owner this book may be useful as a guide toward building a good foundation, but other sources should be utilized as well (including Messonnier's "Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats"). For someone who is already well-versed in natural pet care: pass this one up.