Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine: Principles and Practice, edited by Allen M. Schoen, DVM, and Susan G. Wynn, DVM (Mosby, 1998). This 820-page whopper is the first real textbook to cover in depth a wide variety of holistic approaches in veterinary medicine. Chapters are written by veterinarians and other experts. You’ll find detailed information on nutrition, supplements, Chinese medicine, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, bioenergetic medicine, magnetic therapy, botanical medicine including Chinese, Ayurvedic and Western herbs, homeopathy, aromatherapy, flower remedy therapy, and strategies for integrating holistic methods into conventional practices. Although the book is intended more for professional consumption, the “serious” layperson will find it a treasure of information. One of many books available through the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (410-569-0795).
How to Have a Healthier Dog, by Wendell O. Belfield, DVM, and Martin Zucker, available through Orthomolecular Specialties, P.O. Box 32232, San Jose, CA 95152. Phone: 408-227-9334. This reprint of the original Doubleday nutritional classic showcases the many benefits of vitamin and mineral supplementation, and particularly of vitamin C, for dogs.
The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog, by Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown, DVM (Howell Book House). Written by Volhard, one of the most knowledgeable “dog people” in the world, in collaboration with a veterinarian. The book goes into great detail on dog food, nutrition, thyroid and adrenal gland function and laboratory tests and instructs you on how to use applied kinesiology on your animal. Volhard is famous for her seminars on behavior, training, and nutrition of the dog.
What All Good Dogs Should Know, by husband Jack Volhard, is an excellent resource on training. Other Volhard publications and videos on training dogs can be obtained through Top Gun Training School, 30 Besaw Rd., Phoenix, NY 13135. Phone: 315-593-6115. Web site: http://jagunet.com.
Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, by Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, Ph.D., and Susan Hubble Pitcairn (Rodale Press), available in many book and health food stores. This is the gold standard book that even many veterinarians use for reference.
Pet Allergies: Remedies for an Epidemic, by Alfred Plechner, DVM, and Martin Zucker (Very Healthy Enterprises, Inglewood, CA), available at 1-800-222-9932. This eye-opening book explains why dogs and cats get sick and die before their time and why there is a massive incidence of allergies among pets. It offers important solutions, such as the use of diet, digestive enzymes, trace minerals, and blood tests to determine endocrine-immune imbalances. The book was written in 1986, and according to Plechner, the epidemic has grown worse.
Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food, by Ann Martin (NewSage Press, 503-695-2211), P.O. Box 607, Troutdale, OR 97060. The tide says it all.
What’s Really in Pet Food, a sixteen-page booklet prepared by the Animal Protection Institute, a nonprofit animal advocacy organization. The publication covers, in a quick read, many of the major problems with commercial pet foods. Full of good advice and caveats. Call the institute, located in Sacramento, at 916-731-5521.
Love, Miracles, and Animal Healing, by Allen M. Schoen, DVM, and Pam Proctor (Simon & Schuster). This is a marvelously woven text full of tenderness, practicality, insights into the wondrous bond of companionship between animal and man, and finely crafted vignettes that make you want to read more and more. After you read this book you will be better equipped to know when a cherished pet is “ready to let go” and how you can deal with the situation.
Let’s Cook for Our Dog, by Edmund R. Dorosz, DVM. This book is an excellent primer on all you need to know about feeding your animals. Full of information, including how an animal’s digestive tract works, how to tell if your animal is getting a good diet, and how to feed young, old, and overweight animals. Many recipes and solid, practical advice from a veterinarian written in a clear, easy-to-understand style. Available through Our Pets, P.O. Box 2094, Fort MacLeod, Alberta, Canada, TOL 0Z0. Web site: http://www.ourpets.com.
Reigning Cats and Dogs, by Pat McKay (Oscar Publications, South Pasadena, CA). Animal nutrition expert McKay has long been a steadfast champion of raw food feeding and supplementation for pets. This book tells you how to feed with fresh, wholesome foods. Phone: 800-975-7555. Colorado veterinarian Ron Carsten gives a copy of the McKay book to all his clients for specific information on how to feed their animals. “Pat offers a wide variety of choices and ideas on how to prepare wholesome, health-giving meals for your pets,” says Carsten. If you are interested in the issue of vaccinations, Pat has also put together a book entitled Natural Immunity, available at the same number. Web site: http://homel.gte.net/patmckay/index.html.
The Complete Herbal Handbook for the Dog and Cat, by Juliette DeBairacli-Levy (Faber and Faber, London).
It’s for the Animals Cook Book, by Helen McKinnon A potpourri of good food recipes, basic holistic information, and directory of resources, available through It’s for the Animals at 1-908-537-4144. Web site: http://members.aol.com/ifta2.
The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs and Cats, by Diane Stein (Crossing Press, Freedom, CA, 1994).
Are You Poisoning Your Pets? by Nina Anderson and Howard Peiper (Safe Goods, East Canaan, CT, 1995; phone: 860-824-5301). This is a useful guidebook on how our environmentally abusive lifestyles affect the health of pets … and what you can do about it.
Super Nutrition for Animals, by Anderson, Peiper, and Alicia McWatters (Safe Goods, East Canaan, CT, 1996). Nutritional tips for dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, and birds, with many testimonials from animal owners.
Raising Healthy Pets: Insights of a Holistic Veterinarian, by Norman Ralston, DVM (One Peaceful World Press, P.O. Box 10, Leland Rd., Becket, MA 01223; phone: 413-623-2322). At the time of his death in 1999, Dr. Ralston had practiced veterinary medicine for more than half a century. His book covers how macrobiotic principles can be applied to animal health care.
Natural Care of Pets, by Roger DeHaan, DVM, a collection of nearly forty informative articles written by a longtime holistic veterinarian. Subject titles include “Understanding Nutrition,” “What Is Acupuncture?” “Animal Chiropractic,” “Herbal Medicine and Pet Health,” “Skin Problems from a Holistic Viewpoint,” “The Missing Ingredient—Food Enzymes,” “Stress and Illness—Alleviating Stress,” “Making Wise Diet Change Decisions,” “Making the Medicine ‘Go Down,’” “Puppy Sense—Your New Puppy,” and “Home Remedies for Pets.” To order this collection send a check or money order or $10.95 to Roger DeHaan, DVM, 33667 Peace River Ranch Rd., Frazee, MN 56544-8818. Phone: 218-846-9112
The Caring Pet Guardian’s Guide to Complementary Therapies, by Thomas Van Cise, DVM, is a fifty-four-page booklet prepared in a lively, concise, question-and-answer form by an experienced California veterinarian. The book covers frequently asked questions about some of the many alternative therapies performed by holistic practitioners, including acupuncture, acuscope therapy, aromatherapy, auricular medicine, color therapy, gold bead implantation, herbal and flower essence therapy, homeopathy, laser and magnetic therapy, Reiki and Tachyon energy. Available through Dr. Van Cise’s clinic in Norco, California. Phone: 909-737-1242
The Natural Dog Book, by Mary L. Brennan, DVM, with Norma Eckroate (Plume, 1994). A practical and wide-ranging review of canine health and problems from a holistic practitioner’s experience.