Dr. Pitcairn

[Ellie May]

So, the more I read this book the more I want to .

There are sooooooooo many people on YT and on the internet that think this book is the best ever, so what am I missing???

If you use this book just for some of the tips in the back and for the Healthy Powder that is understandable. For those who use more than that, how do you trust what he says when there are a few things in there that are obviously wrong? Do you just ignore it? I have a very hard time ignoring misinformation about dogs because I figure the next person who reads the book may not know that the information is wrong and their dog could be hurt... Maybe it's just me...

So far he has said it is okay to feed onions, garlic, raisins, leftovers (like gravy), vegetable cores and peelings (I guess this includes green potato peelings) and bug-infested grain.

There are a few things that are good and it is nice to have the book so I can explain to other people what not to take from him but I find it so strange that this is considered one of the best homecooking books.

Just venting and trying to figure out what's so great about the book.

[diggy4]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

So, the more I read this book the more I want to .

There are sooooooooo many people on YT and on the internet that think this book is the best ever, so what am I missing???

If you use this book just for some of the tips in the back and for the Healthy Powder that is understandable. For those who use more than that, how do you trust what he says when there are a few things in there that are obviously wrong? Do you just ignore it? I have a very hard time ignoring misinformation about dogs because I figure the next person who reads the book may not know that the information is wrong and their dog could be hurt... Maybe it's just me...

So far he has said it is okay to feed onions, garlic, raisins, leftovers (like gravy), vegetable cores and peelings (I guess this includes green potato peelings) and bug-infested grain.

There are a few things that are good and it is nice to have the book so I can explain to other people what not to take from him but I find it so strange that this is considered one of the best homecooking books.

Just venting and trying to figure out what's so great about the book.

I have not read it but was thinking of getting a good book on homecooking. So this one id definatley out....Do you have one u recommend???

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by diggy4

I have not read it but was thinking of getting a good book on homecooking. So this one id definatley out....Do you have one u recommend???

No
I haven't seen any that are good (that doesn't mean they don't exist).
Then again, Dr. P's is the only one I have.
I think it was Ellie's nutritionist who said there is no book she would be comfortable recommending, so I'll have to go with her on this.
The one she would recommend is a textbook (Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 4th Edition...she is one of the authors) but it doesn't really have recipes.
For anyone who wants to homecook I recommend a nutritionist.
That way you know everything is exactly right...

And please don't rule out Dr. P's just because I don't like it.
So many people get good results from it.
Maybe it's just me...

[Yorkieluv]

I know what you mean...There are a few things on this book that are off the wall...

The thing is that you have to be able to decipher what's good and what's bad for yourself...I always research every single thing to death.

It's just like when you read things online...You can't believe everything that you read and you have to be able to distinguish things for yourself.

There is a lot of good information in that book regarding how important it is to keep cleaning products and smelly things and pesticides away from your dog. It includes good info on natural cleaning products that won't harm your dog.

It talks a lot about how awful those chemicals in flea products are...
While you and I know this, not everybody pays attention to little things like that and it's good info for them to read the effects of each and every single ingredient that comes in those products.

He explains the benefit of supplements thoroughly. He goes through the vitamins and minerals and other things that are good for them.

The Healthy Powder Mix is a good one for a lot of people, but especially people first learning to homecook.

Also, I have not seen where he recommends that dogs be given grapes or raisins...In fact, I'm looking at the book right now, and it says on pg 48 that there have been reports of grapes and raisins making dogs sick, so it's best to avoid them.

When it talks about potatoes on pgs 42-43, it says to make sure to cut out all the green and sprouting parts because of the toxic substanc that contains.

He had one book that came out a long time ago, I believe....The third edition is the newest one, I believe..It says its revised and updated, so maybe you have an older edition.

[mistyinca]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

So, the more I read this book the more I want to .

There are sooooooooo many people on YT and on the internet that think this book is the best ever, so what am I missing???

If you use this book just for some of the tips in the back and for the Healthy Powder that is understandable. For those who use more than that, how do you trust what he says when there are a few things in there that are obviously wrong? Do you just ignore it? I have a very hard time ignoring misinformation about dogs because I figure the next person who reads the book may not know that the information is wrong and their dog could be hurt... Maybe it's just me...

So far he has said it is okay to feed onions, garlic, raisins, leftovers (like gravy), vegetable cores and peelings (I guess this includes green potato peelings) and bug-infested grain.

There are a few things that are good and it is nice to have the book so I can explain to other people what not to take from him but I find it so strange that this is considered one of the best homecooking books.

Just venting and trying to figure out what's so great about the book.

I have to agree with you a billion percent. When he suggested feeding cats a vegetarian diet, I knew the guy was full of psyllium husks and wheat grass .

Originally Posted by diggy4

I have not read it but was thinking of getting a good book on homecooking. So this one id definatley out....Do you have one u recommend???

And Paula, if you are looking to do homecooking, there is a fabulous homecooking group on dogster. Go to groups and search for homecooking. These people know their stuff, and I would trust what they have to offer wayy wayy before this book.

[Yorkieluv]

Yes, the cat information is completely off the wall....I can't stand that!

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Yorkieluv

I know what you mean...There are a few things on this book that are off the wall...

The thing is that you have to be able to decipher what's good and what's bad for yourself...I always research every single thing to death.

It's just like when you read things online...You can't believe everything that you read and you have to be able to distinguish things for yourself.

There is a lot of good information in that book regarding how important it is to keep cleaning products and smelly things and pesticides away from your dog. It includes good info on natural cleaning products that won't harm your dog.

It talks a lot about how awful those chemicals in flea products are...
While you and I know this, not everybody pays attention to little things like that and it's good info for them to read the effects of each and every single ingredient that comes in those products.

He explains the benefit of supplements thoroughly. He goes through the vitamins and minerals and other things that are good for them.

The Healthy Powder Mix is a good one for a lot of people, but especially people first learning to homecook.

Also, I have not seen where he recommends that dogs be given grapes or raisins...In fact, I'm looking at the book right now, and it says on pg 48 that there have been reports of grapes and raisins making dogs sick, so it's best to avoid them.

When it talks about potatoes on pgs 42-43, it says to make sure to cut out all the green and sprouting parts because of the toxic substanc that contains.

He had one book that came out a long time ago, I believe....The third edition is the newest one, I believe..It says its revised and updated, so maybe you have an older edition.

Okay, it is probably an older edition then.
He did say it was okay to feed raisins in this one.
I don't know if he said to cut off the green parts of potatoes but he said you can feed cores and peeling to save money.

I search everything out waaaaaay more than I should, so it isn't a big deal to me. But, I definately see the potential for someone to trust everything in the book because it was recommended to them. Then their dog is going to be in trouble... I went into homecooking not knowing how to supplement or anything. I had read some about it but not nearly enough and thankfully Ellie is okay but I can see it happening (doing something without researching). Someone gets the book off of ebay (especially the old version) after it is recommended to them and does what he says because that is what they see other YTers doing but what they don't know is these YTers pick and choose from it...

[Yorkieluv]

I agree...


And about the older edition...That's scary!! The version I have says none of those things...

[chachi]

I use it to for making the healthy powder and a general source for home cooking. I dont agree with everything in the book

[Suzy]

Originally Posted by chachi

I use it to for making the healthy powder and a general source for home cooking. I dont agree with everything in the book

I agree with you, Chachi. I don't like everything in the book, nor do I agree with some of the things he preaches. Though, overall, I think it's a great reference book to have on hand, and I love the tips in the back. I use the HP recipe, as well as some of the recipes as a basic meal plan and for the ratios of ingredients and supplements. I sub out most of the ingredients, and use less carbohydrate.

[marcerella02]

I found it to be a great starter book. I also agree that some things are way out in left field. I mainly use it for the Healthy Powder and when i want to look up the fat content of certain meats. I also like it for the fun recipes. I think you can only take what you want out of certain books and then put all of that info together in a way that works for you. however, when i was starting home cooking i found it to be agreat source of info for a beginner. I found the info at the begining on commercial food very interesting and the part in the back on what to do with certain health situations.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by marcerella02

I found it to be a great starter book. I also agree that some things are way out in left field. I mainly use it for the Healthy Powder and when i want to look up the fat content of certain meats. I also like it for the fun recipes. I think you can only take what you want out of certain books and then put all of that info together in a way that works for you. however, when i was starting home cooking i found it to be agreat source of info for a beginner. I found the info at the begining on commercial food very interesting and the part in the back on what to do with certain health situations.

I think the major problem is with the old version.
No wonder people aren't having as big a problem with it as I am.
You all have the new version.
It is just when someone tells me it is okay to feed my dog bug-infested grain, I get a little bit confused.

[diggy4]

Okay here is where I get overwhelmed with homecooking....

As I am sure you have read I deal with Clostridium. So now I have them on petflora and enzymes. When I read about the possible causes of clostridium Stress and change in diet is usally listed #1 and #2 with home cooking isnt that changing their diets all the time? Like Marci said, fun recipes I'm assuming that means you change recipes a lot? How would this factor into dont change diet a lot.....

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by diggy4

Okay here is where I get overwhelmed with homecooking....

As I am sure you have read I deal with Clostridium. So now I have them on petflora and enzymes. When I read about the possible causes of clostridium Stress and change in diet is usally listed #1 and #2 with home cooking isnt that changing their diets all the time? Like Marci said, fun recipes I'm assuming that means you change recipes a lot? How would this factor into dont change diet a lot.....

I don't really know a lot about clostridium but kibble isn't going to do much good I would guess. I don't know if you saw the reports by the CDC that they are linking/have linked salmonella poisoning in humans to handling dog food. Well, if the salmonella isn't killed, other bacteria may not be either during processing or just because it is dried meat in a bag could have something to do with it.

You don't have to change recipes often but it is good for the variety.
How about fish, potato and green beans?
Haven't you been using that one?

[Yorkieluv]

Miko ALWAYS eats the same thing because he has a very short list of foods he can actually eat safely due to his liver condition and bladder stone history.
As far as Emma goes, I make enough food to last about a month...She gets a variation in the veggies and/or starches...I think she's allergic to beef, so she can't have that.
She only does well with ground turkey breast which is pretty lean and chicken so I alternate between those.
When you're feeding real foods that are good for them, they don't seem to have a hard time with small changes. It's not the same as switching from one commercial dog food to another.
An example of what Emma eats...
One recipe might be ground turkey breast, white potatoes, green beans. She'll have this for about a month and then the next month's recipe might be chicken, rolled oats, carrots.
Variety is good for them. It helps ensure that they're getting the nutrients that they need. If you think they'll have a hard time, the last week of each recipe, start mixing the new food in with the last month's food little by little so that by the beginning of the new month, they'll be transitioned to the new recipe.