Pet Food Nation: The Smart, Easy, and Healthy Way to Feed Your Pet Now

I've purchased this book twice. It has great information to get you cooking homemade dog food for your pups. It was published in 2007, so I'm sure there are books with new insight on dog nutrition, but this is a great start. I use this book as more of a reference, and have others that contain more recipes ideas. Happy reading. ♥️🐾

Well written and thought out book. Also, an easy read and once you do you will know more about the welfare of your pet (and show dogs/cats) then you would have thought possible!

Anything to increase peoples awareness of how flawed the commercial pet food industry is, and to encourage people to feed their pets real food of which they have full contol, is an important and needed endeavor. I loved the title, which was a take off of Fast Food Nation, a great eyeopening book. However, one piece of dangerous advice, and other inaccurate information has prompted me to write my first book review in order to prevent people who are new to this arena from buying this book and doing potential harm to their pets (people who are old hands at making food for their pets will easily pick up these flaws, and hopefully not give this book to newbies).On page 134 it is recommended to limit water intake to pets with diarrhea. Anyone who has had to take care of puppies with parvo virus ( a deadly virus which causes diffuse watery diarrhea) would know this would be one way to quicken the demise of these patients. A common misconception is that "watery things" like canned food or water itself causes diarrhea or soft stool. It was disheartening to see this comment, as these poor animals who already have a fluid deficit from abnormal watery stools (diarrhea) need MORE water, not less. Of course they also need help finding the cause then getting some help for the problem.Other more minor things: the first four recipes listed for dogs (which are classified as ones to be used as main/daily) are seriouly lacking in calcuim, not to mention other nutrients. The author does touch on calcium/phosphorous, and vitamns/minerals in other areas in the book, but for someone using the book as a reference before reading it cover to cover would not know this. Her arguments against fresh/uncooked(raw) diets is that they are "ick"y, she has personal reservations about the people that feed this way (they "are a bit much" ),and feels that fresh feeding is too complcated and very strict, which actually couldn't be further from the truth. Most anti-fresh/raw proponents feel that those diets aren't strict enough.For people just starting out, please refer to a book that is tried and true, and has stood the test of time, Dr Richard Pitcairns , which is carried on Amazon:[...]The new Dr. Michael Fox book, Not Fit For A Dog, is a great current synopsis of the latest pet food crisis, including all the most recent recalls.

If the reader is interested in learning about the pet food industry, this book will meet the need. If the reader is interested in learning on how to make homemade food to meet the nutritional needs of their pet, steer clear of this book - it has many flaws and omissions about nutrition.

Unless you have a lot of money and can afford to feed your pet better than you feed yourself. Then I don't recommend this book. I make my own dog biscuits, and there are a few recipes that I can use. But that is all. I can't afford to feed steak, chicken to two Great Danes every day. So its still grain free food for them. Chicken as a treat. LOL

The beauty of this book is it is packed with solid information AND provided in a fast and fun read. I have read multiple books on this topic and this one is certainly the easiest to put into action. This book's cat wet food recipes are quick and easy to make and of course much cheaper than "factual premium natural" or organic canned. It's only a Sunday event of an hour or less for me to make and freeze the following week's supply. Many of the healthier ingredients (can't afford ALL organic ingredients, but aim for 75%) needed for the recipes can be found here on Amazon at a much cheaper price than I can get locally. I have 5 cats and a few years ago (thanks to the DVD extras on Super Size Me) started my own journey for healthier human and pet food choices. Thanks to About.com, I switched from Purina and Iiams (yes I was fooled by the hype) to Natural Balance and Castor & Pollux Organix Feline and their non-organic cat food. While I still plan to use those brands, I recently happened upon By Nature's Organics (also make less expensive Naturals) and now this is my first choice back up supply for canned and primary source for dry food. They do not use wheat, corn or soy (Newman's and some other "natural and organic" use soy or all 3). Although it is not found in this book, those 3 fillers are the most common allergens for cats, plus it is very challenging for their digestive systems to process those and can cause significant health issues. It is best to use oatmeal (try McCann's-yummy for people and pets), brown rice, and barley. I stick w/ the rice and oatmeal since it is readily available in my pantry and it is easy to make extra while preparing it for myself. I also use organic coconut oil (does not turn rancid), which has amazing health benefits for people and pets alike. Sure it's a bit of a time commitment, but after a while it becomes routine and what better way to express your love and affection?

The information was good. I only wanted to know the negatives of commercial pet foods and what to feed pets in place of commercial foods. The information I wanted could have been condensed into a pamphlet. I skimmed the book, found the info I wanted, and will probably never pick it up again. But overall I am not sorry I bought it.

This book changed the way I fed my dogs. ThanksMy previous two Dachshunds lived to be almost 15 and were NOT overweight and very healthy because of the way I cooked for them after reading this book. My current little guy has never eaten store bought food (which is garbage)Thanks Amazon and Joan Weiskopt

This book has changed my views concerning dog food!! I am thankful because i learned so many things!! Since i have started following many recipes and advices my dog is healthier, her fur is shiny and my dog is happy!! Highly recommend this book!!!