Canine Nutrigenomics: The New Science of Feeding Your Dog for Optimum Health Paperback – January 13, 2015

Excellent book, and a much-needed addition to this field. It is clearly written, with heaps of information based on sound evidence and analysis of the latest research. There's so much opinion in the field of 'what you should feed your dog' and not enough unbiased, factual information has been available. Until now. The writers do an excellent job of laying out what is known and what the findings suggest, in an unbiased manner. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to check what I am doing now, and confirm where I was doing things right, as well as make notes about things that I will change, because I feed a home-based and primarily raw diet.Unlike too many others with extreme biases at either end of the spectrum (such as "you should only ever feed dogs a prey model diet! All commercial diets are poison! No, you should feed the best commercial cooked food! Raw will give your dogs diseases!" and so on) this book avoids the hysteria, and presents the facts and the evidence. A lot of what they have to say about many of the commercial kibble does not make for comfortable reading at all. But it does need to be known more widely.The best thing is that no matter what main diet you choose, they offer plenty of advice on what you can add/subtract/modify in order to offer your dog the best possible chance of good health, and explain why it matters and how it works. There is also much guidance on feeding for special conditions, including arthritis, diabetes or cancer.The only things that detracted a bit for me is that it is wholly USA based, so all brands mentioned are only those in the USA. Plus, I could have done with a bit less information on the lab test available, especially in a book. It felt a little bit like pushing one's own barrow and sat a bit uncomfortably for me - particularly since I'm in another far away country. But these gripes aside, brilliant book. One I'll reread several times, I suspect. I'm already recommending it to others and quoting bits.

I love this book! I'm about to buy another copy as a "puppy warming" gift. There are a lot of nice things out there to buy for people who have gotten a dog, but what is better than knowledge that may help you have your dog with you a little longer? (It's never long enough, is it?) This is for someone who lost her Golden Retriever last year, and just got another one. Goldens have A LOT of cancer issues, especially the scary ones like cardiac and splenic hemangiosarcs, and osteosarcomas, This puppy got a good start, from a good breeder who understands the importance of actual good nutrition, verses marketed nutrition, and who understands the dangers of over-vaccinating, and is now in a home where his "mom" is willing to learn and read.Dr. Dodds is amazing, and sweet! Before my vet learned how much is out there that most vets are still clueless about (I was not his client until he changed from skeptic to, "There's so much out there that can help animals. How do I figure out what to focus on?") he thought Dr. Dodds had "lost it." Then, about 10 years ago, he realized she hadn't lost it, but was years ahead of her time.This book covers some things as it applies to dogs that NO other book that I have ever read, and I read a lot, covered before this book was published. (Many books sort of rehash stuff that is in many other books.) Dr. Dodds loves dogs, especially, and works very hard to help us fellow dog-lovers do the best we can! The principals of this book apply to other animals, also, and to people!(I have 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a parrot, all rescues, but I am not anti-breeder like some rescuers are. I'm anti-breeders who over breed and who care about the money more than the animals, and who don't care enough to educate themselves about how to give the animals in their care, and that they bring into this world, the best care possible. I know that if it wasn't for good breeders, there wouldn't be some of the amazing animals with whom I have shared my life. As for bad breeders, I believe they will eventually be held accountable...I also believe Proverbs 12:10!)

Actually I am Marvin's wife, Donna, and the dog fanatic in this family. As a 12-year raw feeder I was curious as to what Dr. W. Jean Dodds and the co-author, Diana R. Laverdure, had to say about canine nutrition and to be honest, I thought they would be against raw feeding too. I have heard all the praise and negative comments about raw diets and read many books on the subject before becoming convinced it was a good choice for my own dogs. Their improved health and long lives have validated that choice, however, I understand it takes a commitment that many cannot manage so I appreciate the authors delving into how to make kibble diets more beneficial for dogs and cats and offering sources for commercially made raw foods. There are easy ways to augment non-raw diets in order for them to also improve your pets' health. The authors guide you through knowing how to read dog food labels and what ingredients to avoid so that the kibble you do feed is the best possible for your pets. This is not a judgmental book or a "do as I say" book instead it is loaded with valuable information that you can use immediately.I think the best part of this book is that it provides solid scientific explanations as to how food acts and reacts in the system and does so in terms that scientists will appreciate while allowing lay persons to also understand the concepts. Sources are provided throughout the book and thecomplete index helps you find the subject you wish to visit again quickly and easily.This is a very positive book filled with meaningful information that is sure to become a continual reference for dog and cat owners and will be appreciated by parents who want to provide good nutrition for themselves and their children.I cannot recommend it any more highly; a must have for your personal library.