Iam the author of Pet Food Nation. I have clients all over the world with whom I consult without a fee! I am available via e-mail 24/7 for all that wish to comment or seek assistance. There is NO completely correct answer and NO RIGHT OR WRONG that is 100%. This book is meant to make you think, to give you the confidence to feed your pets on your own. I do not condemn anything or tell you one way is perfect.
The art of medicine for any living creature is just that, an ART, helped by science. Our medical community is pressed to the limit and completely lacking in nutritional information. Medicine whether human or animal is dictated by big business, including pharmaceutical giants.
The pet food industry is self-regulated, so don't be fooled. Great advances as far as requirements have been studied and great information has been learned, but the application by these giants has been not as wonderful.
Requirements can be met in many ways ... natural or not. I attempt to make you think and remind all owners of our dear companions that in the not-so-distant past we did NOT have isles of fancy packaged feeds there for the picking. I remind you that dogs and cats were developed in specific regions for a specific purpose. People domesticated dogs to work for them at some task. Originally dogs came to man's campsites where they ate what the humans ate. Early man hunted and scavenged, did not have refrigerators and microwaves but did have fire.
Vets for the most part are good men and women, but not perfect and they have just so many tools at their disposal. YOU are the providers and all decisions reside with YOU in the end. Think, people, ask questions; don't just follow blindly.
Good health and good nutrition are a lifelong quest. No meal is perfect every day. It takes a lifetime to fall into some disease states and 1 pill or 1 shot or 1 bag of prescription food will NOT cure the ills.
My last comment is that a bit of time spent in thought or preparation here is another way to build your bond. Enjoy and love your companions, as their biggest flaw is the brief time they are here to share with us! No medicine can ever change that!
My e-mail is peremi@earthlink.net and I am happy to help beyond feeding with general health issues or supplements or whatever you seek to question.
My publisher, Harper-Collins, well all I can say is ... there are a group of people in that company so caring and so dedicated to provide help for our companions that they pushed this book out without sleep for many of us , not with profit motive but with genuine concern in their hearts; at least one was saved because of this and for me, one is a giant step!
Enjoy and remember I am not a stranger, I am a voice and can be found through e-mail or at many dog shows across our beautiful country. I am a real person just like most of you, terribly concerned for the lives of favorite 4-legged souls.