The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats: Over 1,000 Solutions to Your Pet's Problems from Top Vets, Trainers, Breeders and Other Animal Experts

by Prevention Magazine Health Books, Matthew Hoffman (Editor)

Covering more than one hundred ailments, illnesses, and conditions, an A-to-Z guide to pet health care presents some one thousand veterinarian-approved remedies for a wide range of physical and emotional problems in cats and dogs. $75,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Animals, Dogs, Cats, Health

403 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1996

Reviews

[PJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of helpful information. I referred to it quite often when I had pets.

[Amy Shojai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was one of the contributors--solid info at the time, could do with an update. Easy to use and implement advice for cat and dog owners.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a review of the 1997 Bantam paperback edition. I gave it four instead of five stars only because of its age. For example, Canine flu wasn't around yet, and that is something you should vaccinate your dog for. But for the most part, this book is still pertinent, or "evergreen" as writers and publishers put it.

I've had my copy since 2005 or so and it has helped out in some situations (like constipation), but not others (such as leash pulling). This is not a comprehensive medical care book for dogs and cats. This is also in no way a substitute for vet care, as the book points out. I also used this as a reference book for pet care articles back when I was a freelance writer, so the book paid for itself.

The book concentrates on preventative care, such as how to choose the right pet for your lifestyle, take your pet's pulse, or making your home safe for pets. There are easy to read charts and helpful drawings. There are also prominent boxed sections letting you know when to put down the book and GO TO A VET.

This was first published in 1996, so it HAD to talk about alternative remedies, which have since turned out to be just snake oil (no offense to snakes.) There's not much of this, though. Some tips such as what to add to your pet's diet are considered alternative medicine to some pet owners. I can tell you that adding garlic to your dog's food to deter fleas is A VERY BAD IDEA. Anything in the onion family, including garlic, have been known to get large dogs sick ... and kill little dogs.

Many people went into the making of this book. There's almost an air of anxiety at times that you believe the writers interviewed actual veterinarians for this, such as listing all of the vets and other animal experts consulted for each section. This takes up a surprisingly large amount of the book.

[Robby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reference book

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

With four dogs, this book is pulled off my shelf quite a bit. It has extremely useful information on many pet ailments with good advice on home remedies, but does not hesitate to tell you when you must seek a vet's help.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative and good to keep around. Very handy.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

good suggestions and for reference but would not replace a trained veterinarian in a serious situation

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has never had what I needed but what it does have is good.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice to have on hand.

[Martine · Rating 3 out of 5]

some home solutions

[Denis Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skipping around dealing with issues of the moment and interest.

[Sanfordgrant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have referred to this book a lot.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALOT of information. A must have for any pet owner.

[Fed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for newbies and for people who had dogs for a while.