Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog [Paperback]

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

A complete revision of a ground-breaking reference.

Designed to provide updated information found in the original book, as well as lots of new topics, and a new organization—this second edition is more user-friendly than ever!

Readers will get the latest on:

• Healthful diets for dogs of every age and activity level
• How to modify your dog's diet to best meet seasonal needs
• Natural ways to keep your dog healthy throughout all stages of life
• How to care for a dog in poor health
• The vaccine controversy—the pros, the cons and how to sort them out * Homeopathic remedies
• Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, chiropractics and use of medicinal herbs

Holistic veterinary care remains one of the fastest-growing specialties in canine medicine. Like the original, the second edition of The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog includes all of the in-depth information readers need to evaluate their dogs' dietary and medical regimens in light of holistic alternatives, and provides them with a new way to look at canine health in general. However, this new edition is updated and revamped with more information on all things holistic for the new millennium. In this updated version of a dog care classic, readers learn more about:

• How to read commercial dog food labels and understand what they really mean
• The Natural Diet and how to prepare it
• Raising puppies and caring for older dogs
• What supplements are all about
• How to assess vaccinations and lab tests
• Kinesiology
• Homeopathy
• The Five-Element Theory of traditional Chinese medicine and much more.

The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog has tips for everyone. Whether the reader is a new dog owner or an old pro at home remedies and health food for dogs, they will gain insight into canine health as a whole as well as their own dog's health and well-being.

Wendy Volhard is an award-winning author and lecturer on nutrition, behavior, and training for dogs. She has also developed the most widely used system for puppy aptitude testing. Ms. Volhard is the co-author, with husband Jack, of The Canine Good Citizen.

Kerry Brown, D.V.M., is a practicing veterinarian specializing in holistic medicine.