I have compiled the following list of useful and informative books for your convenience. Each of the books on this page have been individually selected for it's quality and is recommended personally by Molly.

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Note: "My personal comments about each book are written in purple."
-Molly

Herbs For Pets
by Mary L. Wilff-Tilford, Gregory L. Tilford, Mary Wulff-Tilford
Paperback - 384 pages (November 15, 2001)

The Tilfords' book introduces readers to hundreds of plant medicines that can be used in the daily care of animals. The authors, both herbalists, begin with a chapter on the principles and practices of herbalism, explaining the basics of herbal preparations and what they call the "ethical use of herbs." They discuss the connection between herbs and diet and give guidelines for feeding dogs and cats. The bulk of the book is a 191-page guide to herbs for animals. Each entry includes a description of the plant, its habitat and range, its cycle and bloom season, preparation, common uses, availability, and propagation and harvest techniques. Also included are a warning of its side effects--if any--and a photograph of the plant.

"I LOVE this book. I can't say that enough. It's full of great information, wonderful photos and helpful recipes. When I need to know something on treating animals with herbs, this is the first book I reach for. The information presented here can also be applied to humans as well as animals. If you are interested in learning about using medicinal herbs, for you as well as your pet, this book is a great place to start. This book is a must have."

The Nature of Animal Healing : The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat
by Martin Goldstein D.V.M.

As an accomplished doctor of veterinary medicine, Martin Goldstein is well respected for his 25 years worth of experience in the field--experience he effectively utilizes in conjunction with his expertise in holistic medicine in his book, The Nature of Animal Healing. Goldstein begins with a broad explanation of the origins of diseases in pets, then moves on to taking action against those diseases, not only offering thorough discussions of specific ailments--including cancer, allergies, and arthritis--and the holistic medicines available to help in the healing process, but also speaking to the "dubious legacy of vaccines" as well as the questionable quality of pet food. Finally, Goldstein turns his attention to the spiritual realm, addressing both the bonds that we have with our pets--and how those bonds aid in preventing and fighting our pets' health problems--as well as dealing with the death of a beloved pet. Goldstein's expert advice, inclusion of inspiring real-life cases, and thorough resource "compendium of holistic books, newsletters, Web sites, veterinarians, and associations" make this book a valuable addition to any pet owner's library.

"A great book on holistic animal care. Very informative and provides a good explanation of what holistic care is and it's practice. His section on vaccines is a must read."

Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats : Your A-Z Guide to Over 200 Conditions, Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements
by Shawn Messonnier

Incredibly well thought-out and organized. This bible serves as an excellent reference for veterinarians and pet owners alike. Good, practical information is presented in "real person" language.

Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
by Richard H. Pitcairn, Susan Hubble Pitcairn

A classic natural pet-care book from two celebrated veterinary specialists in chemical-free nutrition, treatment, and natural healing for pets, Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats offers valuable natural and holistic advice on a host of pet topics, including, but not limited to, diet, exercise, environment, coping with a pet's death, and how to care for a sick animal. In addition to their thorough discussion of the above, Richard Pitcairn, D.V.M., and his wife, Susan Hubble Pitcairn, M.S., offer a comprehensive "quick reference" section on animal illnesses, organized alphabetically and including a brief description of each illness, preventative measures that may be taken, and holistic and natural treatment options for both dogs and cats--treatments that should always be discussed with one's vet before being used. Occasional line drawings, informative graphs, and the Pitcairn's intelligent prose make this guide a must-have for pet owners interested in a natural lifestyle for their pets.

"I originally bought this book over 20 years ago when it was the only book on this subject to be found. It's stood the test of time and is still right up there at the top of the list of books dealing with natural care for pets."

Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Cat Care
by Randy Kidd, Randy, DVM Kidd

Randy Kidd, DVM, PhD, practiced traditional veterinary medicine for more than 10 years before he began incorporating homeopathy and herbal medicine into his practice. He served as president of the American Holistic Veterinary Medicine Association and is a consultant to several pet supplement companies. Kidd maintains holistic veterinary practices in Kansas and in the San Francisco Bay area. He lives in Lawrence, Kansas.

Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Dog Care
by Randy Kidd, Randy, DVM Kidd

Dr. Randy Kidd, a holistic veterinarian and herbalist, explains how herbs can be used as a practical, safe, and efficacious part of dogcare. This guide to complete herbal care for dogs includes simple introductions to holistic dog care, how herbs work, dosage and potency, and methods for delivering herbs into a dog's system. Herbal Dog Care includes chapters on common ailments and how to address each of them herbally. Kidd covers preventive care, approaches for age-related problems, and the treatment of chronic conditions - from calming a nervous animal to getting rid of parasites, addressing urinary tract conditions to

Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to the Use of Essential Oils and Hydrosols With Animals
by Kristen Leigh Bell
Paperback - 192 pages

Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals is a reliable and trustworthy holistic aromatherapy sourcebook for pet owners, aromatherapy lovers and all petcare-related professionals. This book fills a growing need for effective aromatherapy information and treatments that improve and maintain animal health, as well as prevent common ailments in dogs, cats, horses and other animals. This comprehensive guide will focus on safety and common uses of essential oils, application methods, recipes for various ailments, and in-depth information on the safest and simplest essential oils to use for everyday aromatic animal care.

Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable
by Juliette De Bairacli-Levy, Juliet De Bairacli Levy, Juliette De Bairacli Levy
Paperback - 471 pages 4th edition (June 1991)

This fascinating book is a valuable guide for farmers and the general public concerned about the overuse of nonnatural medicine, herbicides, and insecticides in farm management and animal husbandry. The author, Juliette de Baïracli Levy, offers detailed directions for treating all farm animals with natural methods, while stating her evidence that "mechanized" farming methods have led to the demise of domesticated animals' overall health. She asserts that poor and inadequate natural habitat, unnatural feeding practices, and a reliance on medicine to fight individual symptoms of disease without addressing the whole animal have weakened farm animals' innate disease-fighting ability. Her argument for a return to reliance on the natural and away from the synthetic and artificial rearing and feeding methods of farm animals becomes more urgent and relevant given the outbreaks of "mad cow disease" and other ailments caused by these practices. This book, used in conjunction with proper consultation with a veterinarian, can help animal owners and farmers move back to natural and healthy farming practices. --Julia King

"A got this book because it sounded "right up my alley". I agree with her theories and enjoyed reading it for a while, but lost interest as I found other sources to be more useful (such as Herbs for Pets).

Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative
by Donald R. Strombeck

This is an excellent book on animal nutrition. It's clear enough for a layperson to understand, as long as they have some background in biology and nutrition. If you plan to feed your pets home-prepared diets, this book is a must-have reference.

"Proper diet is the key to holistic health care. This book is somewhat technical and reads kind of like a text book, but very useful if you wish to prepare your pet's meals at home. Has a good section on adjusting the diets for various health problems and diseases."

Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food
by Ann N. Martin, Shawn Messonnier, Michael W. Fox

Food Pets Die for: Shocking Facts About Pet Food by Ann N. Martin was the first expos of the shocking practices within the pet food manufacturing industry. Since the book's publication in 1997, she has been calling attention to the dubious ingredients and methods employed by many firms. And in this updated guide, Martin continues to put pressure on the big companies to find alternatives. She suggests that if acceptable commercially prepared food is not available, food can be made at home using safe and human-quality ingredients, and she provides recipes and suggestions for supplements.

Protect Your Pet: More Shocking Facts
by Ann N. Martin

Today's concerned pet owners worry about the contents of their companion animals' food; wonder whether they should provide homecooked meals or raw meat instead of commercial pet food; agonize about annual vaccinations, which some believe are the cause of an increased incidence of cancer in dogs and cats; and weigh the risks and benefits of giving certain drugs to their pets. Martin addresses these issues and updates her investigation of the unsavory and unhealthy practices of the pet food industry, which she began in Food Pets Die For (New Sage, 1997). She implicates diet in the increase of certain conditions, including the spread of Mad Cow disease across species. Martin provides a commonsense approach to the vaccination schedule, and her recommendations are based on solid research and are carefully footnoted. She concludes her book with recipes for healthy, homemade pet food, a listing of pet food and pet health-related web sites, and a state-by-state list of agencies concerned with food safety. Recommended for public libraries. Florence Scarinci, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY

"Fascinating and scary. You'll never feed your pet commercial pet food again. Very informative; highly recommend."