Animal Nutrition Reading List
The pet food industry is absolutely disgusting! With little regulation it is no wonder our companions are dying from cancers, kidney failure, urinary infections and crystals and other unexplained illnesses. I am always buying new books and staying up to date with the latest animal nutrition information as well with books that the pet food industry and veterinary schools to teach their students. Being informed on all levels and from all perspectives is important.
Here is a list of book I personally have read and will be reading to get you started:
*Warning: If you love your companions some of these books will most likely piss you off and make you want to boycott the pet food industry as well.
Books I have read:
Raw Meaty Bones by Tom Lonsdale- This book is written by an australian veterinarian. It gives insight not only into law making for regulations with the pet food industry, but focuses on dental disease (the number illness suffered by cats and dogs) and how raw meaty bones can postively impact your companions health for the better.
Canine Nutrigenomics The New Science of Feeding your Dog for Optimum Health by W. Jean Dodds-Although not raw based, this book is a great insight into how nutrition can positively or negatively impact your companions health and how it actually can cause or prevent disease and illness.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Liz Palika-
This book isn't all about animal nutrition nor raw feeding based, infact most of it isn't but it has a small section giving readers a very basic understanding of nutrition
The Ultimate Pet Food Guide by Liz Palika-This book is dedicated to animal nutrition. Although it is not raw feeding based it's a great reference for general nutrition for animals and how it healthfully impacts your companions health
Food Pets Die For by Ann N. Martin-This is a brutally honestly book about how terrible the pet food industry is. It is extremely eye opening full of personal accounts, definititions of the toxic and harmful ingredients you will find in most pet foods and much more about what is legally allowed in your pet food
Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs by Lew Olson - Although not 100% raw (includes the use of vegetables) it's a great reference to get started on feeding raw and what is involved including how to feed different life stages and pre exisiting illnesses.
Feline Nutrition: Nutrition for the Optimum Health and Longevity of your Cat by Lynn Curtis-This book is based on a raw diet for cats. It describes a cats history that makes them oligate carnivores and how important a species appropriate diet is for our felines companions
The Raw Meat Cat Food Cookbook: What Your Cat Wants to Eat Whether They Know It or Not by Holly Ollivander-This is a very quick read only about 40 pages. Mainly it informs the reader how to prep raw food and a few recipes. It's very brief but a good easy handbook to have on hand.
Buyer's Beware, The Crimes, Lies and Truth About Pet Food by Susan Thixton- informs readers of the laws that allow dead and euthanized animals, toxic addictives, and defines other harmful ingredients that your pets are legally consuming in their pet foods.
Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats by Kymythy Schultze - This is an older book, but will most likely hold some good information. Sometimes old school is better ;P
Canine and Feline Nutrition-Linda P. Case- Another veterinary college based textbook about canine and feline nutrition. It has been informative but is heavily based towards relying on pet food companies for proper nutrition. It completely discounts raw feeding assuming the feeder is ill informed, yet throughout the book has noted countless times that animal protiens and little/too no carbs. is the way to go.
Currently Reading:
Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 5th Edition- This is a very large 1000+ page textbook used in vet school. It is solely based on animal nutrition. It is sponsored by Hill's Nutrition so we'll see how this book goes.
Paleo Dog-Jean Hofve and Celeste Yarnall-This book is primarily about raw feeding the ancestral diet of the wolf. Although it heavily focuses on the canine it is a great read so far. It also talks more about other methods of natural living like the effects of GMOs and vaccinations have. I am excited to read more about the authors have to say about raw diets.
Will be Reading:
Nutrient Requirements for Dogs and Cats-This is also a college text book produced by the NRC. It describes all the nutritients and the values they are supposed to need to live and thrive.
Unlocking the Canine Ancestral Diet
Optimal Nutrition Raw and Cooked Canine Diets: The Next Level
To Your Dog's Health!: Canine Nutrition and Recent Trends Within the Pet Food Industry
My knowledge of animal nutrition doesn't just come from these books, but also lots and lots of research and personally experience. Ask me anything I'll be happy to answer and discuss!
Updates December 14, 2016