Product Description
The most informative guide to canine health and nutrition -- to lengthen and enhance the lives of your dogs.

You want the best for your dogs, and this book shows you how to optimize your canine companions' physical and mental health. Dog Health & Nutrition For Dummies provides tips on canine nutrition, diet, and special food-related health problems (obesity, diabetes, etc.). Experts give you advice on exercise, recognizing and treating common maladies, and caring for the older dog. Plus, this friendly guide covers canine first aid, drugs, and alternative therapies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Not even done but I have already learned SO much information!
I'm still reading this book but I have learned a wealth of knowledge already. I am far from a new dog owner at one time in my life in one way or another my family had eight (yes 8) dogs! I love scouring the internet, magazines, and books for ways to be a better dog owner and now I have a manual right her at my fingertips!Within the first 30 min of reading I was able to find a helpful trick for my Shih Tzu Wally's ear problems, just a bit of athlete's foot powder sprinkled in there! And I was also able to find out the estimated caloric need of my little guy.I googled away and never found caloric requirements! I recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about getting a dog, owns a dog, or has love (and/or contact) with a canine friend!

great on health & first aid, but lacking on nutrition
first the bad: the nutrition aspect of this book a *really* lacking. while the author initially states that meat should be the base of any dogs meal, absolutely NONE of the recipes she includes have more than 30% meat (give or take). there is no mention of how to discern a good dry or canned food (if you want that try Dr. Pitcairn's books), and while I can understand her hesitation about raw diets, she completely fails to point out that common sense and basic hygeine can take care of a lot of those problems. in short, the nutrition sections were useless.

the good: the health and first aid sections are top rate and those make this book a must have for ANY dog owner. Luckily the bulk of the book covers these issues (the nutrition section is very small), and that makes this book a worth while purchase. one of the most useful things is a list of things that is included is a list of what to have in a pet first aid kit.

overall I'm only giving the book 3/5 stars because I feel that a book titled "health and nutrition" should thoroughly cover nutrition and this book just doesn't cut it. I highly recommend buying it used (which I did) and keeping it around just for the "health" information.

A good layperson's guide.
I found this book to be very useful for the layperson. It's written in simple terms and the author has done a good job explaining the "basics" of dog health, including nutrition. It's hard to find a non-bias reference book on canine nutrition that's not endorsing a specific feeding "style".
Coming from an animal care background, I can easily recommend this book for anyone interested in learning more about caring for their furry friend.

Dog Health & Nutrition for Dummies
Overall a good book, although sometimes it is overly basic and at others lacks detail it does have a particularly good first aid section.It is well laid out, clear, and easy to read. Well worth the investment to have on hand as a reference.Definitely a good buy for the first time dog owner!

A must for dog owners
I reserached a while into various bokos on dog nurtriotn and health. the options I found were limitintg: one can purchase books for alrge sums on money giving me all kinds on information about rare diseases and symptoms or the opposite, very light and uncritical. this book is in the middle. It highlights the most important facts for both nutrition and health and whilst it does not go into too much detail, I feel that I would not be able to cope with that anyway and would need to refer to a veterinarian anyway. And this is from a "human" doctor, turned dog owner, where I would feel the same about a book on human health, too many details are too confusing and worrying for the reader. ... Read more

Product Description
Want to know the best ways to care for your horse? Horse Health and Nutrition For Dummies gives you up-to-the-minute guidance on keeping horses healthy at all stages of life. It provides the latest information on equine nutrition and healthcare, explaining how your horse’s body functions and how to keep it in good working order.

Packed with practical advice on equine first aid and alternative therapies, this completely practical, plain-English guide explains exactly what to feed your four-legged “hayburner” and how much. You’ll find out what kind of preventive care is vital to keeping your horse in good physical shape and how to recognize signs of illness when things go wrong. You’ll get the low-down on the diseases and conditions most likely to plague the domestic horse and find help in deciding whether to treat problems yourself or call the vet. Discover how to:

• Manage your horse’s diet
• House your horse safely and comfortably
• Tend to the daily details of horse care
• Examine coat, eyes, hooves and manure
• Identify, control, and prevent equine diseases
• Understand links between horse behavior and health
• Practice good horse nutrition
• Grow your own horse food
• Cover horse-health-care costs
• Breed your horse
• Care for pregnant mares and newborns

A healthy horse is a happy horse. Keep your horse fit with a little help from Horse Health and Nutrition For Dummies, and you’ll be happy too! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Excellent!!
This book is great. It certainly simplifies and explains the "hows and whys" of taking care of the health and feeding of your horse. Very clearly written and easy for a new horse owner to understand and follow. A very good investment!

An Indespensible Guide To Horse Care
Owning a horse is not like owning a dog and cat. They are much more complicated animals. Fortunately for new owners (and older owners who haven't yet educated themselves), Horse Health & Nutrition for Dummies is there for you. It covers the basics, while delving into more in-depth issues when it comes to taking care of your valued companion.

Great job. ... Read more

Product Description
The Amazing Truth About Your Dog's Health!
Most people know that good nutrition and proper supplementation together with a healthy dose of exercise are the foundation for good human health. But did you know that the very same is true for your dog? You see, a dog's body is surprisingly similar to a human's in both function and dietary need. Would you eat chemically produced food low in nutrients and high in preservatives as your main diet? Of course you wouldn't! Then why should your dog? Dr. Earl Mindell and Elizabeth Renaghan have compiled years of studies and observations to bring you the most up-to-date reference guide ever on how best to care for your dog. With topics ranging from nutrition to health, inside you'll find out:
·How to supplement your dog's diet with the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals
·How to apply proven natural remedies to your dog to avoid unnecessary (and expensive) trips to the vet
·How to rid your house and your pet of fleas — naturally
·How to treat and protect your dog from common ailments and diseases
·And much, much more!
Add years to your dog's life! With this book it's easy to care for your best friend the way he deserves to be cared for.
Title includes detailed listings of the most common illnesses for each breed.Amazon.com Review
Just like humans, dogs require exercise and proper nutritionto keep them in top physical form. While most of us are pretty good atgiving our pets plenty of exercise, we don't have the slightest ideawhat constitutes good nutrition for dogs. Earl Mindell's Nutritionand Health for Dogs is the perfect antidote, providing everythingresponsible dog owners need to know about their dogs' nutritionalneeds.

Mindell, author of Earl Mindell's Herb Bibleand Earl Mindell's VitaminBible, offers a clear, concise, and easy-to-read guide to the dosand don'ts of dog nutrition, beginning with a general overview ofcanine nutritional needs. This covers such topics as water quality,fresh foods, and the inadequacy of most commercial dog food. Thesections on vitamins and minerals feature nicely laid-out chartsexplaining the importance of each element, the foods that contain it,and how to tell if your dog is getting too much or too little. Therest of the book examines more specific aspects of canine health,including your dog's immune system, natural flea control, and commondiseases and their treatments. The section on breed-specific problemsis especially useful to prospective dog owners, alphabetically listinggenetic defects as well as ailments that might arise from variousenvironmental/dietary factors. With its clear, logical layout, handygraphs, and glossary, Earl Mindell's Nutrition and Health forDogs will help you add years of healthy and happy living to yourdog's life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great breakdown of vitamin quantity for dog
My dog was diagnosed with cancer.As I grew up with him and love him very much,..I read every book I could find on cancer.It's important for me to strengthen his immune system.With all of my homemade dog food, dog vitamins, shark cartilage, flax seed oil, vitamin C pills,..etc.I found it extremely helpful to have a book that informed me of the correct amounts of vitamins and such for a small dog. This is very important as no other book I found had this for dogs. The main negative I saw in this book was having so much of it dedicated to listing many dog breeds and the health problems that are common to them.Somehow I though this could have been more concise(like a chart with a check next to the breed that corresponded to the ailment),..and my one dog only fit into one breed(and had none of the problems listed for the breed,..though I could see where it could help someone in looking for a new dog, or in planning what to expect and watch for..),..so the weight and cost of the book contained a large percentage(1/2 the book) of what didn't apply to my dog. But, the rest of the book is so valuable.I break down human vitamins into the amounts recommended by him(if you do this be careful of hidden ingredients,.. or vitamin E repeats etc.). Great book to have and follow for any dog owner.

Nutrition & Health for Dogs
I must have about 20 books on dog care, health, nutrition, etc and this book is one of the most practical so far.I would highly recommend this as a must have for any dog owner. Itcovers nutrition but also vaccinations, fle treatments, common conditions in dogs and nutritional support. This is a concise, easy to read book with information that you can really use whether you feed your pet commerical or homemade diet.

Informative, some flaws
I originally read this book so I could get a recipe to make dog treats.However, I found myself drawn into the other chapters on flea control and nutrition.

While I would not go so far as following a vitamin regime or homeopathic treatment for dogs (I don't even do that for myself!)I foundthe information on the content of "average" dog food, treats andflea control very helpful in making consumer decisions.

I would agreewith a previous review that Mindell does depend heavily on human physiologyfor his nutritional and medical advice for dogs. He also tends to be a bit"preachy" in his commentary on canine health.

However, commonly reported scientific studies on canine nutrition is lacking andnone of the human-based nutrition regimes he presents would hurt a dog(only be a bit more expensive and/or time consuming.)So why not err on thesafe side?

Moreover, I have had regular vets (non-hollistic)recommendsome of the flea treatments he suggests; so something must be working.

When you discover the shocking ingredients in dog food and flea controlyou'll be glad you read the book and were offered some alternatives.

Oh,and my dogs absolutely loved the treats!

A good synopsis of canine vitamin/mineral requirements.
Ordinarily I would not provide a review, however, I am aghast at the only review you have on this website that was provided anonymously.It seems that they were not sufficiently confident in their convictions to evenidentify themselves!

This book is not intended to provide herbal remediesfor dogs.It is a simple no nonsense approach to providing the reader abasic understanding of the nutritional needs of dogs.It starts out with agood description of the problems with commercial foods and some goodreasoning for preparing your own dog's meals.It then provides the basicsof what dogs will need in terms of nutrients.It also provides some goodadvice about more natural approaches to combating fleas.He obviouslybelieves in giving dogs the basics for a strong immune system which willhelp to stave away many ailments that might be linked to poor commercialnutrition.

This should not be the only or the first book you buy whenlooking into canine nutrition, but, it is certainly a valuable tool to makepart of your library.

Dubious factual content, not particularly useful
Earl Mindell has written several books on herbs and herbal remedies, unfortunately this latest contribution shares many of their faults.The authors do not specify which portion of the plant is used for many remediesand very little research is presented to support their use.Through outthe book I had the sinking feeling that there had not been enough thoughtgiven to how dog physiology differs from human physiology.The skepticalreader may want to check out the quackwatch website for more information onMr. Mindell's other books. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
Univ. of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Textbook offers comprehensive coverages of the cat including domestication, breeding, genetics, behavior, health care and disease prevention, and nutrition throughout the animal's life cycle. Includes halftone, hand-drawn illustrations. For students, practitioners, and technicians. ... Read more

Product Description
What are the nutritional needs of your horse? Misconceptions abound about what horses actually require to remain healthy and perform their designated jobs. Does your horse require a high-fat diet or need supplements? This essential guide from the Horse Health Care Library helps you decide on a plan and a menu that supplies all the nutrients your horse needs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Really helpful info!
This book is packed with helpful information that I can really use...Rather than providing a dumbed-down, one-size-fits-all recipe for feeding, Briggs gives horse owners the facts and formulas they need to make sure their horses' nutritional needs are met.

Try something else...
This book is complete and informative, albeit a little hard to read. Horses have many different dietary requirements: fiber, fat, vitamins, minerals, protein... and Karen Briggs doesn't create any charts or guides to help you figure out which elements are likely to be lacking in your particular horses diet. Instead, try "Beyond the Hay Days" which provides equally detailed and comprehensive information as well as helpful summary charts that help you understand what your equines diet might be lacking and how best to suppliment it. ... Read more

Product Description
The importance of polyamines for all living cells has beenrecognized since spermine was discovered in human semen more than 300years ago. Polyamine research intensified when analytical methods weredeveloped for their determination, particularly in tissues andbiological fluids. Discovering their close correlation with cancer,and that polyamine concentrations change during the cell cycle, gavereason for further research in this topic.
Polyamines in Health and Nutrition concentrates on the directionof polyamine research which has the capacity to influence and benefitour health and which can explain some of the discrepancies andfailures of earlier research. It is important to recognize the dietarycontribution to the polyamine body pool and to investigate how thepolyamine content of the diet can be changed, with the ultimate aim ofusing this information to improve our health. ... Read more

Product Description
(Royal Society of Chemistry) Brunel Univ., Uxbridge, UK. Based on a two-day meeting of the Lipid Group of the Perkin Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry, held at Sheffield Hallam University, UK, in September 1996. Provides wide coverage of the dual nature of lipids and includes an extensive bibliography. For researchers in chemistry and molecular biology. ... Read more

Product Description
A benchmark synthesis of the current state of the science and clinical practice of the ketogenic diet. On the basic science side, the authors review what is known about the basic biochemical mechanisms of action of the KD at the molecular level, spelling out in detail its complex interactions with nutrient components, neurodevelopment, brain biochemistry, and physiology. They also examine the effects of the KD on the metabolism of fats, amino acids, and carbohydrates in the central nervous system at both the macro and cellular levels. On the clinical side, physicians, dietitians, and nurses provide a full range of information concerning the treatment of seizures with KD, including a detailed assessment of the indications for, and the contraindications and/or complications that arise from, its use, detailed equations that permit the caregiver to calculate the actual amounts of different types of foods that can be included in daily diet plans, and documented information on the carbohydrate and calorie content of hundreds of commonly used drugs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

summarises strong evidence for KD
The authors give a comprehensive explanation of how a ketogenic diet might be a treatment of epilepsy. The molecular basis of this model is covered. While not conclusive, when combined with the positive clinical data reported in the text, the implication is highly favourable. Even against intractable epilepsy, KD offers some remediation.

Many chapters have extensive references to the research literature on KD. Also, KD is investigated for possible efficacy against other disorders. Here, things are far more speculative. But maybe KD could be applied to obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

A Thought Provoking Scientific Treatise on Epilepsy, Seizures and the Ketogenic Diet
Of all of the books I have read on epilepsy, few are "unique." This book fits that category well. It is fun to see what people that "think outside of the box " are writing.

The book is organized into three sections. Part I includes an introductory scientific chapter about seizures. It provides the reader with the theoretical background needed to understand the material in Part III (Basic Science) and several of the earlier chapters. Part II is mostly a "how to do it" (the ketogenic diet) for health care professionals. It also includes chapters on indications and complications. Section II concludes with a particularly intriguing chapter on other dietary treatments (besides the ketogenic diet) for epilepsy.

For this reader the high point of the book started with the first chapter in Part III and continued right to the end of the book. Biochemical effects of the ketogenic diet are examined, citing scientific studies. Possible explanations for the anti-seizure/anti-epileptic effect of the ketogenic diet are set forth; cerebral energy metabolism, effects on amino acids, molecular regulation, neuronal excitability, effects of caloric restriction, the role of norepinephrine, galanin and neuropeptide Y, etc. Some surprising results are noted. For example, in the chapter on caloric restriction it is suggested that high glucose levels may exacerbate human epilepsies. On a superficial level this is just the opposite of what medical students are taught; i.e., hypoglycemia (not hyperglycemia) causes seizures, which it can.

The "Afterword", is by Jim Abrahams, father of Charlie Abrahams of Charlie Foundation fame. The piece he wrote or something like it should be given to every parent of a child newly diagnosed with epilepsy. Not that all the kids should go on the ketogenic diet, but rather that the parents should know that treating epilepsy is a complicated and even "artsy" endeavor. They should also know that there are many factors that may possibly affect their child's seizures and that there are many treatment options available. Another fact that he alludes to is that early control is important and that if that fact were known, parental complacency early on would be rare.

In all fairness to physicians, most parents whether they realize it or not are quite distraught when their children first develop seizures. Instantaneous assimilation of massive amounts of information is difficult if not impossible under those circumstances even for the medically sophisticated parent. Physicians may be reluctant to throw everything at parents all at once. However, the high degree of parental focus precipitated by the crisis of a child developing a chronic disease, can be the driving force for a parent to devote great energies toward learning about their child's illness. The act of learning can to a great degree allay the extreme anxiety the parents may feel. Physicians can help by suggesting non-technical publications for the parents to read as a starting point in their quest for knowledge. They can also acknowledge the potential benefits of other treatments that the parents may have discovered on the Internet for example. It would be nice if physicians know what does not work as well, and have enough knowledge and credibility with the parents to be able to explain why.

This is a great book for clinicians that want to understand the possible scientific basis for the efficacy of the ketogenic diet. It will greatly broaden one's view of the disease as well.
... Read more

Product Description
This volume brings together scientists from academia, government and industry to discuss the role of w3 fatty acids in health, the need to reintroduce them into the food supply, the methods by which this can be accomplished and the state of research. The book presents up-to-date reviews on the role of w3 fatty acids in health, cardiovascular disease, bone remodelling relative to osteoporosis and in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, with emphasis on the need for a balance of w3 and w6 fatty acids in the food supply. The reintroduction of w3 fatty acids into food products is discussed, and the methods involved in their production, their metabolic effects on human beings and companion animals are also outlined. Overall, the papers presented indicate the necessity to establish recommended daily intakes for both w6 and w3 fatty acids. ... Read more

Product Description
Dogs are a part of nearly 40 percent of United States households.  With this in mind, author Linda P. Case has written the definitive textbook on dogs and their care.  Completely updated and revised, the second edition of The Dog covers four areas of compelling interest: the bond between dogs and humans, canine behavior, canine health and disease, and canine nutrition.  Aiming to enhance the human-dog bond, author Case uses clear, understandable writing to explain selective breeding, training principles, solution to common behavior problems, diet and nutrition, and preventative health care.  Case liberally uses distinctive figures and tables, current references plus suggested readings, and a thorough glossary to aid in comprehension.  More in-depth that most dog books, The Dog will prove to be an indispensable tool for undergraduate companion animal courses, veterinary technician courses, and dog care/training courses.  In addition, it will serve as a valuable resource for professional breeders, trainers, exhibitors, and veterinary clinicians. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Best in Show
At last companion animal professionals, dog owners, and adoption counselors have a superb comprehensive reference source for canine development and physiology, learning theory, behavior, health and disease,and nutrition, all in a single volume. Previously it was necessary to haveon hand several books, each covering one or at most two of these topics.While the primary audience for The Dog is undergraduate students in animalsciences programs and other students in professional programs, the bookreadily serves a broader audience of breeders, trainers, kennel operators,humane society personnel, and veterinarians, and it is entirely accessibleto the general dog-owning public. Separate sections on the benefits andresponsibilities of dog ownership and factors to consider in selecting adog make the volume particularly valuable for shelter personnel, adoptioncounselors, and anyone considering acquiring a dog.

Case combinesacademic credentials as a specialist in companion animal nutrition (herprevious book is Canine and Feline Nutrition: A Resource for CompanionAnimal Professionals, 1995) with training and long experience as abehaviorist, dog trainer, and college educator. Not surprisingly, thechapters on nutrition are thorough yet concise, offering importantinformation otherwise unavailable to the non-specialist interested in thenutritional needs of dogs and in industry practices of dog food formulationand production. The sections on behavior provide cogent explanations ofdevelopmental stages, communication signals, social interaction, theprinciples of learning, and training techniques, as well as an excellentoverview of behavior problems. Case's balanced and incisive discussion ofthe dominance model of social interaction (and its misuses) is particularlywelcome.

At $34.95, the volume is priced between a college textbook(many of which now cost twice this price) and a trade book. In fact, we canbe grateful to the Iowa State University Press for keeping the cost of thisexcellent volume within reach of the general public. Separate works oncanine behavior, nutrition, and health would easily exceed the cost of thispublication. The Dog is hardcover, beautifully illustrated with linedrawings, and includes an extensive bibliography of recommended readings, aglossary, and an index. Volunteer adoption counselors at the ChampaignCounty (IL) Humane Society are highly encouraged to read The Dog to expandtheir knowledge of topics frequently raised in the course of counselingadopters. A companion volume on cats is reportedly in the works, and we atCCHS eagerly await its publication. --Mary Stuart (Mary Stuart is a formermember of the CCHS Board of Directors and has taught adoption counseling toshelter staff and volunteers for the past 10 years.) ... Read more

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The book overviews why and how drugs are used in food-producing industries--poultry, dairy, beef, swine, and aquaculture; discusses the prevalence of human pathogens in foods of animal origin; and addresses the transfer of resistance in animal microbes to human pathogens and the resulting risk of human disease. ... Read more

Product Description
An increasingly popular breed in the United States and Canada, the handsome British Shorthair makes a very affectionate household pet, is particularly good with children, and even gets along well with dogs. Barron's Complete Pet Owner's Manual provides detailed information on feeding, grooming, and health care, supplemented with more than 30 full-color photos, line drawings, charts, and tables. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Cuddleton Kitties Review of a Brit Book
As a British Shorthair breeder I think I wanted more.It has a lot of good general cat info but not much British Shorthair specifics.
The pictures were cute and the general info good but it left me wanting more.

Great, but there is still room for a better book.
This is a nice introduction to the British Shorthair "at a glance".High points include a number of nice color pictures, a good description of the breed, and great instructions on care and feeding.

Forthose looking for more in-depth knowledge like breed genetics, what colorsare commonly available (and why) and where you can get them, showhistories, etc... the book fill fall a bit "short".Still highlyrecommended for anyone interested in Brits though because let's face it,one can never have enough British Shorthair info.

A Beautiful Book on a Beautiful Breed
This is a fantastic book, absolutely FULL of useful, interesting & informative information - it even includes instructions on how to build your cat's own scratching post!Lessmeier's book is a wonderful treat forlovers of the British Shorthair & it eased my wait until 'Shmoo', ourBritish shorthair arrived.

Highly recommended for every fan of British Shorthair
You'll find the book colorful and concise, with much helpful information for you to understand and take care your lovely fur ball - British Shorthair. I just love it! :)

A welcome little paperback on the Brit.with great photos.
This 64-page paperback is the first publication I've ever found on the British Shorthair, and is a perfect introduction to this beautiful breed of cat.Given the book's brevity, it responsibly addresses an ambitious rangeof topics specific to the Brit. from a professional breeder's perspective. The book also features many stunning color photos of British Shorthairkittens and cats---these photos alone are worth the small price of thebook! I recommend this book to breeders as well as to all fans of BritishShorthairs, the teddy bears of the cat world. ... Read more

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Agricultural Research Centre of Finland, Joikionen. Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Natural Antioxidants and Anticarcinogens in Nutrition, Health and Disease, held June 24-27, 1998, in Helsinki, Finland. Reviews the role of natural antioxidants and anticarcinogens in atherosclerosis, cancer, and diabetes prevention. For researchers and advanced students. ... Read more