The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care

Rating:
Summary: Please be careful
Review: Because many natural remedies are ancestors to our modern pharmacopia, care must be taken with all drugs you give your pet. Please use these books carefully and under the supervision of your veterinarian. There is a reason why we are required to attend four years of post-undergraduate medical school in order to prescribe drugs and make medical decisions. All animals are complex organisms who vary widely among species and individuals. Drugs and herbal remedies that may be safe and effective in humans can kill cats and dogs. These species variations are not well understood, especially with regards to herbal medications. For example, onions can be deadly to cats, as can Tylenol (a drug that we feel is safe even for human children). Please don't leave your common sense at the (e)bookstore door. Saving money on veterinary care by using a book may cost you the life of your pet.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent & comprehensive reference book.
Review: The word encyclopedia promises a lot, and C.J. Puotinen's latest book delivers on that promise. Wide ranging in its scope, The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care offers caretakers of dogs, cats, bunnies and birds an excellent look at behavior, exercise, nutrition and various alternative/holistic therapies. Clear, concise and informative, this book is full of practical information and recipes. Conversations with leading veterinary healers provide insight into the philosophies & practices of some of this country's most innovative healers. An A-Z of Ailments (dogs, cats, birds & rabbits) gives readers a valuable quick look at the problem and possible holistic treatments. Comprehensive index and a detailed appendix with excellent sources for further information and reading. The Encylopedia of Natural Pet Care is a wonderful book for anyone interested in holistic pet care. We recommend it highly!

Rating:
Summary: Comprehensive, Up-to-date, Excellent!
Review: There are several books along the same lines, but this highly comprehensive and up-to-date holistic health encyclopedia for pets is the best. 500+ pages of info on feeding a raw diet, supplements, aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, flower essences, hands-on therapies such as acupressure and massage, holistic first aid strategies, cancer treatments, the vaccination controversy, interviews with several holistic vets, and an A-Z guide to ailments and their natural remedies. Excellent!

Rating:
Summary: Please be careful
Review: This is an excellent book. It provided me with the information that I needed to save the lives of some puppies that were malnourished and dehydrated at 3 weeks of age due to the loss of thier mom. I would have lost the litter with out this book. I have since bought a goat....

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is an excellent book. It provided me with the information that I needed to save the lives of some puppies that were malnourished and dehydrated at 3 weeks of age due to the loss of thier mom. I would have lost the litter with out this book. I have since bought a goat....

Rating:
Summary: Good explanations and lots of information
Review: We are very new to the holistic care for pets ... and we were looking to find a good book that would introduce us to this more natural method of looking after our dogs ...

Ms. Puotinen's book is everything that we could have asked for ... her first few chapters takes the beginner gently through the methods, means, whys and wherefore of holistic care. Her writing is clear, concise and sure ...

The rest of the book is (to our mind) quite detailed, with lots of specifics ... and we suspect will cater even for the more experienced.

The book takes the reader from feeding raw food & supplements, to aromatherapy & homeopathy, and even guides the reader through the more esoteric art of flower therapy and massage for pets. There is a wonderful chapter on common ailments and possible natural remedies.

The author draws from numerous sources of information & reference (all carefully indexed and referenced) and she reproduces conversations & interviews with other practitioners of the art (including vets). To beginners such as us, this is quite essential ... and we found great comfort, to learn that holistic care is not only an ancient art but is still actively practised today (and gaining much ground), by even those with medical and professional qualifications.

Interesting reading ... offering much to those willing to learn. Well worth the time and cost ...