The Natural Dog: A Complete Guide for Caring Dog Lovers

Brennan, a veterinarian who supports holistic as well as conventional treatments, and Eckroate (the coauthor, with Anita Frazier, of The New Natural Cat ) offer an unusually informative and candid compendium on dog care. Succinct discussions of how to choose and train a dog lead to details about grooming--including advice on how to find the correct brush, shampoo and method of flea control, and nutrition (homemade meals are best, the writers conclude, but commercial food can easily be supplemented; plastic food bowls can harm a canine diner). The standout sections, however, are those dealing with medicine. Brennan and Eckroate weigh the benefits of acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, lasers and other alternative methods, both as primary treatments and as supplements to standard veterinary care, and substantiate their claims for holistic approaches with case studies. They also provide guidelines for selecting qualified practitioners. Another welcome feature: Brennan, who practices in Georgia, pays particular attention to the conditions occasioned by Southern climates. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Jan.)