[.ca] Raw Dog Food: Making It Work for You and Your Dog (ISBN 1929242093)

Down-to-earth, witty and very informative!:
Carina's great, I've made her acquaintance on some internet pet feeding forums. She is a very intelligent, funny and well-spoken person who takes a moderate approach to raw-feeding for dogs (as opposed to being a zealot). I found this book to be very user-friendly in tone; it was kind of like, "Try this! Jump in! It's not so scary, trust me!" I've been raw feeding for two years now but I remember my trepidations at first, especially given all the conflicting advice that's out there. My own trusted vet wouldn't even endorse this diet. Still, my intuition told me it was the right thing to do for my dogs. I did some research, asked lots of questions and learned enough to get started and then to carry on. Same with Carina. She's been educating herself on this topic for quite a while and I trust her advice and judgement. I also like how she gives a thorough bibliography in the back of her book for further reading. I plan to loan my copy of this book to a friend in hopes that she'll stop feeding commercial dog food--ACK!

Laid back, very informative, easy read!:
This book is a great reference and organised in an easy to follow style - it took me about an hour to read (it's short) but I felt I could go back & refer to it often, it's quite information-dense. I liked the casual writing style - some people might find it a bit TOO casual because there's no strict dietary guidelines to adhere to. But it seems that everyone feeds their dogs a little differently anyhow - as long as one stays within the basic parameters there is room for flexibility. I did appreciate that MacDonald did not completely trash the commercial dog food industry - after all most people who love their dogs feed them commercial food and shouldn't be made to feel guilty! I do think it's important to be fully informed though, whether you are feeding your animals or your family. I am not sure that vegetables (the author includes these in her diet) are truly necessary for dogs, but there seems to be a lot of dissent on this issue. Some experts recommend them, some don't. It's not a book to read if you want scientifically referenced information - it is written from a layperson's perspective. There are other books on the market written by vets and people more schooled in canine nutrition. The author includes a bibliography if anyone's interested in further reading. But it's definitely a great primer on a raw food diet for dogs! I would highly recommend it to anyone curious about this concept.

Great book, highly recommended:
I found this a great book to use - I had never fed raw before, and like many people I didn't really know how to begin - or rather, how to go on! It was a pile of fun to read, unpretentious, humorous, and irreverent, and told me all I need to know to get started (and to go on, including some great advice about what books to read next). The book allayed my fears about various health-related issues, and uncovered some interesting and not very confidence-inspiring facts about the dog-food industry! If you want to get started feeding raw to your dog, or are even just interested in the idea, I think you should get this book.

Finally have the courage and know-how...:
I've read just about all the other raw feeding books, but this is the one I NEEDED to read to start out! I've used it as my main guide to feed my three dogs "real food." I've now been feeding this way since October 2003 and my dogs couldn't be doing better. My oldest dog is a Labrador, about 8 years old. She's lost 15lbs and has more energy than ever. My other dogs are two Beagles, 2 yrs and 6 yrs old. They're also doing great and LOVE their new diet!!! And I got a new kitten for Christmas who keeps stealing the dog's food, so I guess she likes it too! The book is easy and quick to read, but has a ton of really practical tips and very clear instructions. It made me realise this diet doesn't have to be complicated, it just makes sense! I had some additional questions about things that weren't in the book so I contacted the author through her website and she was very prompt and helpful. I bought some extra copies to give to friends, too. Hopefully I can persuade them to start feeding their dogs a better diet too!

The Raw Facts:
This is a great book, full of insights into where in the evolutionary chain a real pet fits, expressing itself in fresh ideas presented in a wonderfully humourous and no-nonsense approach. In fact the only bull is in the diet! I got a copy in transit but believe it should be in the bookshops everywhere over here. Its easily digestible - buy it now!