This is a book that gives pet owners facts which can be used to feed their dogs and cats intelligently and economically. Terri McGinnis

{HISTORY}

Ever since the commercialization of pet food in the United States, beginning in the 1860's, there have been debates about what to feed dogs and cats, how much, and for what reasons. Motives have not always been scrupulous in the industry. And our pets have not always been considered worthy of high-quality ingredients. When mass farming and feed lots came into play in the mid-20th century, pet food manufacturers turned their focus towards cheaper ingredients and filler products rather than wholesome, natural foods. Even today when consumers are more educated than ever on balanced nutrition, this area of the food industry still remains complicated, obtuse and not altogether transparent. Luckily, beginning in the 1970's small rumblings of a grass-roots movement began to emerge among pet owners - those who were concerned that their pets were not getting the nutritional attention they deserved. 

That's when veterinary doctor Terri McGinnis decided to write her own book on cat and dog health in relation to the food they consumed on a daily basis. This is not a book that is strictly for homemade food makers or a testament against the value of commercial pet food, yet instead it is simply a comprehensive look at the daily nutritional needs of both cats and dogs. Offered in easy to understand language, it provides pet owners with enough information to decide how they want to handle the feeding of their dogs and cats whether it be store-bought solutions or homemade from scratch and if it is the latter, includes recipes for both food and treats for cats and dogs. 

With so many pet food recalls today, expensive vet visits and food product companies importing unregulated dog food from other countries, this book is especially timely even though it was published in 1977. In order to give our pets the best possible life, we have to understand how their bodies work and what they need to not only survive but also thrive in our modern day world. We live in a time where it is no longer just important to feed your animals but to know what is essential for their overall health and nutrition. You might think that all this info would be laid out simply somewhere on the internet but surprisingly it is not. Especially when it comes to homemade pet food, the internet is still rampant with inaccurate, uninformed and misguided information that is both daunting and time-consuming to figure out. This book explains it all, easily and simply (and also includes a bevy of cute illustrations). 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

- 96 pages complete with index, recipes, charts, graphs, and diagrams

- Includes information for both dogs and cats

- Also covers special circumstances including feeding needs of older pets, pregnant dogs and cats and stray animals

- Recipes include both complete meals and snacks. There's even a holiday recipe for pet-approved eggnog! 

{CONDITION}

In great vintage condition. Paperback binding. Cover bears some chippy spots along edges. Spine is tight. All pages intact. Clean pages and umarked worksheets. 

{SIZE}

Measures 8.5' inches (width) x 8.5" inches (length) x .25" inches (thick)

{WHY IT IS ESPECIALLY GREAT}

If you look at a lot of recipes on the internet for homemade pet food,  especially cat food in particular) a lot of sites call for the need of special equipment including scales and meat grinders, which can seem overwhelming, expensive and intimidating, but this cookbook breaks down recipes  & nutritional requirements using basic, easily accessible ingredients that can be found at most grocery stores. If you are just venturing into the world of homemade pet foods this is a great jumping off place!