As a holistic veterinarian and scientist, Dr. Gary Richter helps dog and cat owners to navigate the thicket of treatment options and separate the fact from the fiction. He wants you to use what actually works, not just what Western science or alternative medicine say “should” work. This multifaceted approach to health is known as integrative health care.

In this easy-to-follow guide to your pet’s health, Dr. Richter examines traditional medicine from many cultures alongside modern medical techniques, describing the best of complementary care and the best of conventional veterinary medicine. Each treatment recommended in this book has the backing of scientific research or years of successful outcomes his clinical practice. After explaining each treatment, he offers specific recommendations for an integrative approach to common diseases, including allergies, skin conditions, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

An integrative approach to health includes nutrition, as it sets up the foundation for your pet’s health, so Dr. Richter cuts through the hype in the pet-food world to explain how to make your own food or choose the best commercial foods and supplements. He also explains how you can use the right foods and supplements to “hack” the body’s processes, including the immune system.