Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I like a lot of things about this book. It is well-researched and the author has drawn on his own experience with his own recipes, which I really appreciate. I think he has put more effort into trying to provide a balanced diet than do most authors on the subject. This is an author who cares very much about his dogs, and about his readers. This book is a great alternative for folks who want to home-feed but who prefer cooked meats over raw. I think the section for ailing dogs, those with cancer, kidney ailments, etc is especially good. If you have a very sick dog who does not want to eat, then especially this book is for you. It's not perfect though and as someone who has used and relied on herbal medicines for years a few of the ingredients used or recommended here cause me concern: A lot of the recipes call for Rosemary. Rosemary is a great plant with likely some anticancer properties, but it is also traditionally used as an abortificant, and it generally avoided by women who suffer from endometriosis, cysts, fibroids and other hormone related conditions - it's antiestrogenic properties may be helpful in some cancers, but I do not believe it is a safe thing to give to female dogs unless they do have cancer and even then only under the direction of a vet. Ditto for Yucca - although none of these recipes call for Yucca it is listed as a good ingredient in dog food. I disagree. Yucca may be antiinflammatory, and might be okay to give an arthritic old dog now and then, but it acts as a steroid. I do not agree that it belongs in dog food. Millet is easy on the tummy and nutritious but it supresses the thyroid -something I had personal and very bad experience with. Millet may be allright now and then, but be prepared for thyroid damage if you give a food that has it on a regular basis. Avoid this ingredient like the plague if you have a breed that tends to have hypothyroidism. The whole reason I quit buying commercial food for my dogs was to get them back on a more natural and simple diet and to get them away from having to eat this kind of stuff. Although I have no doubt the intentions are good, I would personally urge some caution when it comes to some of these nontraditional plant ingredients unless your dog has a specific medical need. They do indeed have medicinal properties but are not good for normal, healthy dogs to be eating every day. That said, overall this is a good book, most of the recipes are sensible and its loads of fun to make tasty and nutritious meals and treats for your dogs. I think most of the recommendations here are still a much better alternative than what the dog food companies are giving to us lately. Your dog will thank you for the fresh home cooking and you will likely see a healthier dog for it. The author has worked hard to come up with these recipes, has put them through the ropes with his own dogs and it is evident that his work comes from the heart -which automatically puts him well ahead of most of the dog food companies!