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85 of 85 found the following review helpful:
Thank You, Thank You, Sandy Arora! Dec 04, 2006
By BN Jaffa
My bookcase is full of volume after volume of cat-related reading material. Some of this material dates back several years, even decades; however, most is much more current than that, touting some of the biggest names in the "industry." Even as current as most of this material is suppose to be, I have difficulty trusting some of it, especially the discussions on diet. Many of these authors are highly regarded as experts in the animal health field, yet, I still cannot find myself trusting a lot of what I read. Actually, some of the information has even been confirmed as outright dangerous and should not even be said in the same breath as "cat," let alone be recommended for use with a cat.
Sandy Arora's book, "Whole Health for Happy Cats," fills the void that has existed for so long on my bookshelves. She demonstrates herself to be articulate and informative--(it appears she has good background and training in research methodology),-- backing up her information with plenty of documentation, references, and resources.
Being interested in nutrition most of my life, I truly appreciate her guidance on diet. In particular, her knowledge of raw feeding transcends most of what is being offered up by the expert gurus. Here is a lady who really understands what "species appropriate" means (without being dictatorial about it).
I've been practicing holistic methods with everyone in my household, furry or non, for over twenty years. I can only come to the conclusion that Ms. Arora proverbially "eats, sleeps, and *you know what*" cats (holistically, of course) because she seems to have covered just about every imaginable area of SAFE holistic cat care remedies, cat well-being, and cat health: from the nutritional end to the herbal end to the homeopathic end to, well, there is practically no end to what Ms. Arora covers in "Whole Health for Happy Cats." And her book is soooooo much fun to look at while you read it, with beautiful pictures (not just drawings) and informative sidebars and tables. (The picture on page 45 is especially amusing.) As an added bonus, I can actually go over to her discussion forum and ask her for clarification of anything in her book. (Pretty cool, eh?)
I do have one request: At the end of the book, Ms. Arora has added an appendix that outlines a few infectious diseases. You know the ones: FIV, FIP, FeLV; the ones that, when your vet diagnoses them, cause the contents of your stomach to leap into your throat. Sandy provides some wonderful info to assist those who have to bear the burden of that kind of news concerning their kitty. She helps to take away some of the feeling of helplessness that seems so prevalent with these diseases. And she gives the reader treatment options to help extend not only the life, but the quality of the infected kitty's life. My request? Please, Ms. Arora, if you have another book in you, take this subject of disease/illness/conditions and expand upon as many as you can, extending what you have already hit upon in your appendix and nutritional sections: FIP, FIV, FeLV, IBD, CRF, diabetes, and cancer, to name a few that you've touched upon already. It would be wonderful to have a "trustworthy" up-to-date cat-specific book that details different diseases and conditions, holistic treatment options, and nutritional support. It would probably save a lot of kitty parents a lot of grief and frustration, and give a lot of ill kitties a higher quality of life.
"Whole Health for Happy Cats." I would think your cats would indeed be happy if you followed Sandy Arora's advice. Less trips to the vet, tastier, healthier food choices, beautiful fur and skin, healthier teeth, healthier immune systems, and, most importantly, HAPPIER CATS: 'Cause "If kitty ain't happy, noooooobody's happy................"......or something like that.
33 of 33 found the following review helpful:
What a great book! Oct 07, 2006
By Jules
"Jules"
I received my copies of Sandy Arora's book last night and I was up until midnight reading it ~ and I had to get up at 5am!
I am at a loss to describe how fantastic I think this book is...um, since I am hardly ever at a loss for words, let me try: it is *especially* informative with regards to information on using more natural means to care for our kitties by the use of a more natural meat-based diet and holistic/homeopathic remedies (just to name a couple examples ~ 'cause it is jam-packed with tons of info), it is easy to read and understand for us "lay persons" not well-versed in homeopathy, the presentation is thoughtfully well-laid out, the photos are incredible, it is too hard to put down because you become so engrossed in it, it is colorful ~ where most kitty books in the genre of holistic/homeopathic are somewhat dull by comparison, and you want to keep reading and reading and learning and learning!
This is the most treasured book for kitties that I own by far. Kitties everywhere are thanking you, Sandy; as are their parents! And Boo is purring with happiness for his mama giving back to other kitties in his honor...
So, if you love kitties and you don't have a copy of this book, please get one or two (or more) and share them with other kitty lovers!
22 of 22 found the following review helpful:
cat-specific diet and holistic health (testimonial) Nov 04, 2006
By Sally in CA
"Sally"
This book is gorgeous! Well laid-out and informative and all those pictures of cats! The photos make it a delight to look at, the text makes it a delight to read.
This book is a gift to cat-lovers by a woman who combines her passion for cats, talent for research, and desire to communicate knowledge she has painstakingly gained, both through study and personal experience, to help all cats.
My sweet Maine coon cat, Emma, benefitted from advice in the first chapter. Em came to me several years ago traumatized from years of abuse, not the least of which involved litterbox use/non-use. Em learned that the litterbox is a filthy, stinking disgusting mess and a source of pain and humiliation.
Emma's better about using the litterbox now than she was when she first joined us. I make sure it's not a filthy, disgusting mess and do NOT hit, kick, or scream at her for not using it. When she first joined us, I tried every litter on the market. She didn't use any of them equally.
The ONLY method that has had any effect on her litterbox use has been positive reinforcement. I sweep her up, which she loves, dance around with her singing our "litterbox song" when she uses it. She loves the attention and almost laughs out loud, she's so happy to receive such lavish praise.
After reading Sandy's book, I realized that the litter I was using *could* be problematic. Obviously, I'd thought it was okay or I wouldn't have used it. Digging through a closet, I found a bag of clay litter and dumped some in two of Em's six litterboxes. When I showed it to Em, she looked at it, touched it with a paw, walked around the litterbox and used in it!
I was flabbergasted. Has Emma's "problem" all these years been that she didn't recognize the litter as litter? I realized that when I'd tried out all the litters Em was in no shape to make any decisions or choices. She wasn't ready for such a "test." Em wants clay litter? Em gets clay litter. I'm hoping to switch to something more environmentally friendly but, for now, we're going with what works.
So, Sandy, thanks again and again! I'm not claiming Emma's problem is "solved," it may never be, but the prognosis for mutual happiness is better.
14 of 14 found the following review helpful:
From another cat lover - leeomahoney Mar 16, 2008
By R. Fong
Whole Health for Happy Cats has become my cat bible. It lives in the kitchen with my `human' recipe books. Like them, it's covered in...ahem... `stuff', as I refer to it so often, particularly with regard to making nutritionally-balanced, cat-appropriate food.
My three cats are benefiting greatly from the info on nutrition and gentle holistic means for treating illness and disease. I'm also benefiting by saving a fortune on vet visits and expensive drugs that often just treat the symptom, not the cause. I feel so much more empowered knowing that I can treat common ailments myself, using items readily available from most health food stores. The book also explains when I should go to the vet without delay. The book is thoroughly researched using the latest information available. For this reason, it's far more useful than older books on the subject.
Without this book, I wouldn't have the confidence to make my animals' food myself. This book has all the information I need to know that the food I'm giving them is not only enjoyable for them to eat, but is nutritionally balanced, based on the latest research in cat nutrition. Given the tragic pet food contamination that killed thousands of cats and dogs, I can sleep at night knowing that my guys won't be the victims of less-than-optimum quality control and cat-inappropriate `filler' ingredients that are in so many commercial pet foods.
I particularly love the `mix and match' table which shows you how to nutritionally balance various types of meat with the other things cats' need.
For those who don't want to make their cats' meals, the book includes details on what to look for in commercial cat food, and what to avoid.
The book covers a whole raft of issues including diet, first aid, treating minor ailments, behavioural issues, reducing stress during vet visits, cat-toxic plants, how to introduce cats to each other to minimise hissing, spitting and flying fur, solving toilet troubles and how to resolve conflict in multi-cat households. There's even a recipe for safe, cat-appropriate tooth paste to maintain good teeth and gum health (I'm psyching myself up to try that out) and a gentle tummy soother.
The book is very easy to read, with lots of gorgeous photos, side bars, graphs and tables and interesting facts and figures. An absolute winner. I've given copies of this book to others and it's also in my public library.
My cats are healthy, lean, purring machines and they have this book and the author's extensive knowledge to thank for that. Every purrson should have a copy.
14 of 14 found the following review helpful:
Opened my eyes! Jan 24, 2007
By Cathy Mc.
"Librarimom"
I love my cats and always want to do what is best for them. Imagine my surprise when the author proved logically to me that I wasn't helping keep my pets happy and healthy.
One of my cats has food allergies, and I thought I would have to deal with his sensitive stomach for the rest of his life (15+ years, hopefully). My other cat is overweight. Now they are on a raw diet (commercially produced). Even though it took some persistence, both cats are healthier and happier. Our sensitive stomach cat has thrown up a grand total of once in the last six weeks (when he started the raw diet); he used to throw up at least every other day, even on the hypoallergenic food. Our fat cat has lost weight and has much more energy. She still gets dry food at night, but we treat it like dessert and she only gets a tiny amount.
Both cats also have terribly anxiety about going to the vet. We have successfully used Rescue Remedy (suitably diluted) to calm their stress. My vet thinks I'm crazy, but she can't argue with the results.
Thanks, Ms. Arora, for helping me improve my cats' quality of life. If my cats are happy, I'm happy.
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