Principles of Companion Animal Nutrition, 2nd Edition
by John P. McNamara
March 2013
Principles of Companion Animal Nutrition, Second Edition, covers basic biological principles and day-to-day practices of pet nutrition in a scientifically accurate, yet easy-to-read, format. Practical applications throughout the text help students make a direct connection between the daily practice of animal nutrition and the underlying biological processes and research that support those practices. Ample illustrations and real-world applications make difficult concepts easy to understand for students and bring to life the role of scientific research in improving the nutrition and health of companion animals.
This is a textbook but it’s not hard to follow if you’re looking to learn about animal nutrition for pets like dogs and cats. Working in the pet supply industry, I found it very valuable while educating myself on pet foods and how to choose the best foods. It helps if you remember some biology from high school or college, namely proteins and amino acids. But even without that, being able to google the terms is enough to keep up. It is a great book if you’re looking to learn about what makes a pet food better for your particular animal as well as what your pet needs in food.
Granted, this book is probably loads more than the average person wants to know about feeding a dog, but I found the material very accessible and interesting, even surprising in some cases. Full disclosure: I went to high school with the author’s wife. Still, if the book didn’t work for me, I’d say so. After reading a fair number of books by nut cases who didn’t really know what they were talking about, it’s refreshing to read someone who (a) knows the subject very well, and (b) addresses it in such a way that I understand it. Both are unusual, and the two together make this book worth the price.
PDF 19.3 MB fn