Dog Health & Nutrition for Dummies (Paperback)

~ M. Christine Zink DVM PhD DACVP (Author) "No one knows your dog as well as you do..." (more)
Key Phrases: Glorious Food, Basic Health Care, Tackling Common Ailments (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (June 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764553186
• ISBN-13: 978-0764553189
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #357,613 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensible nutrition approach, May 16, 2002

By	Owned and Loved by Schnauzers "Owned by Schna... (Someplace, USA) - See all my reviews

I have read many books on dog nutrition and this one is the best.

This book presents both sides of the diet dilemma in an unbiased fashion, and backs it up with research from credible institutions and offers suggestions for improving whichever diet you use -- store bought or home cooked. In addition, the author is highly credible in her field -- she is an expert in canine sports medicine and is a full professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She teaches medical and veterinary students. She has her DVM and Ph.D. Honestly, you can't get much more credible than that!

The book is not extremist in approach; rather it presents sensible questions about just what is in manufactured dog food, and how do we know it. It then rounds out the picture by presenting alternative diets (home-cooked food) but presents drawbacks there and how to correct them. It addresses supplements as well.

While other topics are also presented beside nutrition (helping your dog age gracefully, training, etc.), I bought it mainly for its nutritional content, and I was not disappointed. The book cites research on nutrition from very credible institutions (Tufts University Veterinary School, as well as others). In addition, if you prefer to cook for your dog, it tells you how and where to send your food so you can find out if your are presenting a balanced meal. It offers other helpful hints as well.

The book is very well written, mainly in active voice, and on a level the layman can understand. This one belongs on your book shelf!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book for All Levels of Dog Owners, November 22, 2003

By	Donna (Austin, TX United States) - See all my reviews

Although this is a "for dummies" book, I think it is really a nice book overall that has information for anyone ranging from someone getting their first dog to someone who is very active in the dog world. The author does not "dumb down" any of her information or presentation and presents everything in a clear, informative manner.

The content is very broad and covers just about anything you might need to know about health and nutrition including structure, drugs, parasites, first aid, holistic/alternative therapies, and many more. The author even presents issues such as the hotly debated food issue with a relatively fair and balanced approach. Although she does take a side, she presents the postives and negatives of each side and lets the reader know that there are various schools of thought out there should s/he choose to research further.

The book is attractively laid out with pictures, diagrams, charts, and cute little markers in the margin denoting things such as a "tip", "warning", "technical stuff", etc. It is an easy read that you are sure to pick up some new information from, regardless of your current knowledge about dogs. I highly recommend it to anyone.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Canine Health Books Out There, January 1, 2004

By	E. Hughes "evenstar7139" (CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Inside and out this book will keep your dog healthy. You will learn how to nip potentially deadly health problems in the bud, how to recognize the signs of a healthy dog, and learn all that you need to do should your dog become ill.

I am an aspiring veterinarian who will need 8 solid years of dog education to earn my DVM degree. This book is an excellent start for me because it introduces me to the regimens of canine health and nutition. This book is quite an education for even me: somebody who reads dog books all the time.

You can't go wrong buying this book.