The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog (Hardcover)

by Wendy Volhard (Author), Kerry L. Brown (Author) "Your dog's behavior, happiness, health, longevity and overall well-being are inextricably intertwined with what you feed him..." (more)
Key Phrases: acid complex tablet, kidney diet, veterinary chiropractor, Willard Water, Five-Element Theory, Sue Ann (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Finding nutritional data for dogs can be a difficult business--and while much of the information in Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog is presented by anecdote, there's still plenty of worthwhile reading here. Aimed at dog owners that are already fairly committed to nonallopathic forms of health care for their pets, much of the book is based around author Wendy Volhard's Natural Diet. The Natural Diet is fairly labor intensive, as Volhard is the first to admit, but she provides page after page of testimonials that credit the diet with improved temperaments, better activity levels, and exemplary physical health. Each ingredient in this diet is discussed in depth, so owners not ready to take the step of providing a complete diet from scratch can still learn about potentially valuable supplements, as well as what ingredients to look for in a commercial diet.

Beyond the dietary information provided, there are several chapters that give solid explanations of different types of health care available, including homeopathy, kinesiology, and the five-element theory. For those who still prefer allopathic care for their dogs, the chapters that cover standard lab tests are extremely useful, finally giving a layman's guide for urinalysis, blood serum, liver function, and thyroid testing. A glossary defines various terms such as acidosis and hepatic, and each description is easily understandable, even by those with no medical background whatsoever. For puppy owners, the chapter discussing vaccinations is informative--Volhard questions the necessity of many we take for granted, and suggests several methods for lowering the required number for your pup.

Ultimately, the majority of this book is geared toward folks who are already committed to providing their pooches with alternative health care and homemade food. No matter how interesting the dietary concepts presented here, if you aren't already a true believer it's not likely that Volhard's anecdotes will provide you with enough statistical proof to completely overhaul your dog's way of life. --Jill Lightner --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description
A guide to dog-care, and alternatives to standard veterinary treatments. The book provides an overview of traditional Eastern methods such as acupuncture and acupressure, as well as homoeopathy, and chiropractic and other alternatives, explaining what they mean and when and why they are effective.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 294 pages
• Publisher: Howell Books; 1 edition (August 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0876055609
• ISBN-13: 978-0876055601
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #960,688 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A More Technical Approach To Holistic Veterinary Care, May 12, 1999

By	Sasha (Southern California) - See all my reviews

This is another one of those books that I recommend to everyone interested in holistic care for their canine companions. It's somewhat more technical and scientific in its approach than the equally superb books by Pitcairn and Levy, but that shouldn't put anyone off. Volhard begins with several excellent chapters on canine nutrition which include a very detailed section on supplements. For those determined to feed a commercial food, she provides info on how to read labels, which ingredients to look for and what to avoid. Next she addresses the common problems of allergies and toxins in our dogs' environment, foods, and water, as well as drug and vaccine reactions. Instead of providing the reader with possible alternatives to vaccinating (such as homeopathic nosodes), she recommends a modified vaccine schedule using killed vaccines only for diseases endemic in the area in question and doing titer tests instead of routinely giving annual booster shots. While this is certainly superior to the traditional veterinary practice of needlessly subjecting dogs to potentially very harmful annual combo vaccines, I much prefer Dr. Pitcairn's vaccination schedule for those uncomfortable with using nosodes.

Next, Volhard explains the basics of the canine digestive tract and thyroid and adrenal gland function. This is followed by a chapter on laboratory tests and how to figure out if your dogs' lab results are within normal parameters. After this very technical chapter, Volhard dives into the rather controversial subject of kinesiology which is basically a form of biofeedback. If (like me) you're the skeptical type, this will sound like a bit of hocus pocus to you. While I keep an open mind, I have yet to be convinced that with this method one of my dogs can tell me -- through the transfer of energy -- if she has a bacterial infection or needs extra liver in her diet.

Like virtually everyone interested in a holistic approach to dog rearing, Volhard recommends feeding a natural, homeprepared diet. Unlike many other homeprepared diets, the one she recommends has been clinically tested over a 12-year period, so you can rest assured that it is perfectly balanced. Volhard tells you exactly what and how much to feed as well as how to supplement (there are exact charts for dogs of different sizes). The drawback of this diet is that it must be followed to the letter. There is no room for experimentation here. Another problem is that, like Pitcairn's diet, the Volhard diet contains too many grains. Dogs are carnivores, and while there's nothing wrong with small amounts of whole grains in the diet (unless of course a dog is allergic to all grains), several cups a day are simply too much. Less grains and more pulped vegetables and raw meaty bones would be healthier and more biologically appropriate.

There are several short, very basic chapters on herbal medicine, homeopathy, and other alternative therapies (if you're interested in these subjects, you'll definitely want to read more elsewhere). Finally there is a simple but useful reference guide to certain diseases and possible remedies, profiles of all the amino acids in dogs, and a brief resource guide.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is THE HOLISTIC PET BIBLE, August 25, 1999

By A Customer

This book is filled with essential information every pet owner should know. My own copy is highlighted on almost every page as it has become an invaluable reference! Time and again nutritional and health related questions have been answered from these pages. Knowledge is key to keeping your pet healthy. Even if you don't fully embrace holistic methods, there is so much information about commercial pet food and signs of vitamin deficiencies that is a must for the informed and caring pet owner. Nutrition and a fresh food diet(along with a mix of Innova dry food) has kept my pet cancer free after having a tumor removed two years ago. Nutriton does make a difference and this book is a great source of information. Don't miss it!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Update of a Classic, October 10, 2000

By	Shannon Wilkinson (Portland, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog (Howell reference books) (Paperback)

This is the second edition of a classic. Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown, D.V.M. have updated and improved on one of the best all around guides to caring for your dog. The new guide is easier to read and loaded with pictures and case studies.

One of the centerpieces of HGHD is the natural diet. It is explained in great detail and includes helpful feeding charts for dogs from 5 lbs. to 150 lbs. This is the diet that helped me start my Great Dane Booker's raw feeding. He has shown undeniable improvement in health since starting the diet.

Especially of interest are the chapters on understanding lab tests and the five element theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. There are other chapters covering vaccination and other common treatments, as well as complementary/alternative care. Overall an excellent introduction and guide to caring for your dog naturally.