Thought-provoking call to action from the founders of JustFoodForDogs, engagingly if somewhat repetitively written. The thesis is that regardless of cost, brand, or market niche, commercial dog food is undifferentiated, poorly regulated, potentially dangerous, and insufficient for a healthy, happy dog. Instead, the authors recommend fresh food made from human-grade ingredients, such as that sold by the authors' JustFoodForDogs and a few other suppliers. The authors also provide recipes and suggestions if you want to make your own food for your dog, and they debunk common myths about what dogs should and should not eat.

I found this book interesting, compelling, and frustrating. I started the book in agreement with the authors' overall premise but without understanding the background behind it. I just figured that when you know what goes into your dog's food, you will know what goes into your dog. From this book, I learned a lot about the pet food industry and how and why dog food is regulated as animal "feed," not food - a critical distinction. I learned that no matter what the picture on the bag or the box, the source of "meat" in commercial dry dog food is overwhelmingly likely to be meat "meal." I learned more than I really wanted to about how that meal is made, with warnings that are particularly stark in light of current concerns about animal-human transmission of disease. I learned about canine nutritional needs and how they differ from humans'. The tone is personal and engaging, and the stories about dogs are warm, funny, and touching.

This book seems padded in spots. The long introduction is cogent and detailed, almost like a stand-alone article. But significant parts of the introduction are repeated in the book. After what seemed like a long discussion on pet food company consolidation, the punchline was that the size of the company didn't make a difference when it came to the safety or sufficiency of the dog food they produced. Big was bad; small was just as bad. It seemed like a long journey to get there.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to any dog lover. The recipes are meat-focused and sound dog-friendly. As the authors' put it, food plays such a large role in our dogs' lives: "Food is one reliable source of joy, a highpoint of every single day."

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

So much information. Great resource. This is a must read for all pet parents.

Thanks to author,publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free,it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.

What goes in our dogs kibble is gross, unhealthy and should be illegal , but it's not this kibble is all okay in the eyes of the law. I knew it was scraps, left over parts and ugly veggies, I had no idea it went so far beyond that. From the items used to the transportation, the tainted products, over processing, dangerous materials, misleading to outright lying on the labels, and a total lack of accountability, it's disgusting. I am shocked, horrified and ashamed that America has not stepped up it's standards.
The authors cover the history of pet food, before, the beginning and now. They cover the process from suppliers, to bag. The tests, responsibilities and legal requirements (and lack of) are covered. There is a great deal of information on byproducts, molds, chemicals, and more found in kibble. Vitamins are covered as well as minerals and starches. Then the big grain controversy, covered. Some information on canine heart disease known as Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). There is so much more, most of the book is education for us the readers to take and use before we make choices
The authors are in the dog food business. A small portion of the story talks about a fresh food product they have developed and sell. I expected the book to be a sales pitch, it's really not they don't push it at all they even have a couple recipes for you to make your own. They want you to have the knowledge that has taken them years to find so you can help you dog and others.
If you own a dog, you need to read this book.
I was gifted a copy of this book by the publisher for an honest review

This is an excellent (and horrifying) look at what really goes into dog food (or "feed" according to legal definitions, as it is not food), including that expensive stuff that you might think is good for your dogs. The authors do a great job of explaining not only why the stuff in there is very bad for them, but how it keeps getting contaminated and killing off dogs by the thousands in all different ways (yes, even the expensive stuff).

I was already aware of the recalls due to pentabarbatol (a euthanasia drug that is used on pets but keeps showing up in such large doses that it keeps poisoning dogs), so I kind of figured that shelter pets were ending up in dog food, but I had no idea of how many recalls there have been lately and how awful dog feed is for dogs even when it isn't contaminated. Interestingly, the authors go into details about some other contaminations that caused thousand of dog deaths, but they don't talk about the pentabarbatol one that I followed so closely a couple of years ago.

This book definitely feels padded at times. It could be half the length and give all the good info. I appreciate the detailed look at the industry though, and really appreciate that the authors give all the recipes for the dog food they sell (which is cooked fresh in Petco stores and other locations from USDA approved foods instead of the recycled and rendered products allowable in animal feed). People can buy their dog food or they can easily use the recipes here to make up big batches of their own for the fridge or freezer. They still say you need to add a multivitamin powder, though I would prefer just adding real foods. The authors say that we humans also need vitamins in addition to our foods, but I don't take multivitamins and my blood tests always show great levels -- same with my husband and kids.

I do wish the recipes included a vegan or vegetarian formula. The second oldest living dog in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records was a border collie who lived to be 26 on a homemade vegan diet that her owner made for her, so I know it's doable. I've already started cooking dinners for our dog, Moose (feeding kibble in the mornings for now anyway) using ingredients I'm cooking up anyway for the family but I tend to cook vegetarian and would prefer to have at least a large part of his diet be composed of healthy plant proteins for financial and ethical reasons (it seems wrong for animals to suffer to feed another animal). That's just a small suggestion though. In all, I found it helpful and motivating.

I read a digital ARC of this book for review.

Very eye opening look at what actually goes in your pets food. I found it revolting in some instances and makes me much more aware of what to look for when purchasing food and i found several recipes for my furry family members that I have added to our feeding routine. This is a great resource for both educational purposes and for those wanting to make their own pet food.

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Do you, like many pet owners, feed your dog commercially-made dog food? [Did you know that technically it isn’t “dog food,” it’s “dog feed” because it’s made with the same ingredients as livestock feed and oversight . . . such as it is . . . of the pet food industry comes from the Association of American Feed Control Officials?]

And did you know that [much to the surprise of pet owners], “Made in America” does not necessarily mean that all of the ingredients in kibble come from America . . . with the AAFCO being complicit in this “deception” and leaving consumers woefully ignorant about what they’re buying for their pets?

“How can this be?” you ask. It’s possible, generally speaking, because while our beloved pets may be an integral part of our families, legally they are simply property. And, although we may read nutrition labels and ingredient lists, we are profoundly uninformed about the making of the kibble we feed our dogs. [And, of course, no company would include dead, diseased animals, chicken beaks and feathers, and sawdust in their list of ingredients, even if those despicable items actually were part of the horrific mixture they used to make the kibble they put in the bag for consumers to feed their dogs.]

While, at first, it might seem rather disingenuous for the authors to expound on the merits of fresh dog food at the expense of the kibble produced by the companies that are part of this multi-billion dollar industry, they are forthright and upfront about their involvement with the fresh dog food movement [having founded JustFoodForDogs]. Nor is this a “buy my product” pitch. The authors clearly state their mission [advocating for dogs from “a sense of responsibility to dogs”] with no effort to hide any connection to JustFoodForDogs, thus debunking any conflict of interest thoughts that might arise with readers.

For every pet owner who lost a beloved dog [or cat] during the debacle with contaminated kibble from China, it’s clear that this “Big Kibble” narrative is not about selling dog food. It’s not necessarily about pointing fingers [although there is some discussion about pet food recalls]. Rather, it’s about educating, about making pet parents knowledgeable, about helping to protect those pets from a repeat catastrophe.

This captivating, informative narrative is a revelation, a sort of “here are the facts; you make the decision” premise that fully informs the reader about this important question. It’s difficult to ignore story after story after story of sick dogs switched to human-grade ingredients formulated into food especially for them and then improving to the point of thriving.

Even if you were to decide to accept as truth only a portion of the information contained in this account [but why would you choose such a limitation?], you would find yourself with serious questions about the kibble you give your beloved pet. [There are half a dozen recipes included so that you can cook nutritious meals for your dog should you choose to go that route.]

The authors give a history of the development of pet food, look at the supply lines for ingredients, examine the making of kibble, address some myths about feeding pets, and answer some frequently asked questions, all with the intention of informing the reader. There are strong feelings expressed here, not necessarily belligerent but fervent; determined to reveal the truth and to work for better oversight and regulation of the pet food industry.

Meticulously researched [and footnoted], “Big Kibble” is eye-opening food for thought [pun intended] . . . and a harbinger for change in what we place in the bowls of our beloved pets.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley
#BigKibble #NetGalley

I received an advance copy of, Big Kibble, by Shawn Buckley: Dr Oscar Chavez. This book is very informative, I never realized how dog food is made, whats in it, and if its regulated. Its eye opening for sure.

I've read a few non-fiction titles this year but nothing quite like this. As an anima lover, though, I read the blurb and found my interest piqued, so I quickly dove in.

Big Kibble is a years-long culmination of data about dog feed, the food we give to our four-legged family members, the process by which this food is made, and the economic side of the industry.

Structurally, this book is user-friendly, well-written, and accessible. Each section is mapped out and divided into a presentation that flows, so there's no disjointed feeling of skipping around or backtracking before things make sense.

There's a lot of good, relevant information here. I was particularly drawn to the financial aspect of Big Kibble, as I've also wondered how dog food supposedly made with human-grade ingredients could be the same price when one uses lamb and the other uses chicken. Why is there no price discrepancy when the price differs a great deal on the market? I recently read a fiction title that delved into meat processing, and let me tell you, it changed the way I think of offal. Given the context, I found myself questioning whether I knew what was in my own dog's food. There are several facebook posts making the rounds discussing a well-known brand of dog food and treats that made several dogs sick and caused others to become fatal. With so many brands available and little insight as to which ones can be trusted--and even then, why they should be trusted--Buckley and Chavez break down the rationale behind branding, ingredients, and profits and why you can't always take marketing and product description at face value.

This is a book anyone with a dog should read. While some parts felt a little anecdotal and long-winded, I appreciated the recipes, personalization, and insight. My own eleven year old lab chow mix will surely be reaping the benefits soon, as I plan on trying several of the recipes included, as well.

Overall, Big Kibble is an interesting dive into the pet food industry that strives to put the health and safety of man's best friend first.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.

I remember when JustFoodForDogs opened in my neighborhood, I eyed it with some skepticism. How expensive will it be? Why can't you just get you dog regular food? Fast forward to today, and I am actually a regular customer, with a dog that really, really likes their food. I decided to give it a try because she got sick (as I suspect happens with many of their customers), but even though my personal observations with my dog already lead me to try their natural food, I was still impressed by the extensive information laid out in this book. It goes into some well-know examples of pet food recalls, the history of the kibble industry and lays out the issues with the low regulations contrasting with what pets actually need in their bodies to stay healthy. It's interesting, informative, and even includes recipes. A good book for anyone who has a beloved pet and wants to know what goes into their food.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. This book will definitely make you think about the food we are feeding our dogs. This book came right after having to put my little chihuahua down just shy of his 13th birthday due to bone cancer which spread to his lungs. Makes me wonder if the food I fed him contributed to the cancer. This book is worth the read and recommend it to any dog and even cat owner out there...

Big Kibble is an eye opener. Anyone who owns a dog should definitely read this well researched book. It even contains recipes for making your own food for your pet. I was asked to read this book, as an advanced reader copy, and I agreed and am very happy I did. I am not a pet owner myself, but have many family members and friends who do own pets. I will be recommending this enlightening book to all of them. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

A few years back, I started seeing lots of social media feeds featuring costumed and extremely pampered pets that seemed way over the top and silly. Around this time, I began hearing about celebrities who hired chefs to cook for their pets. When I started seeing refrigerated and frozen food items at my local pet stores, I thought it was part of this same over the top silliness, and went on feeding the high quality kibble I was feeding.

Then I was offered the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of Big Kibble. I had no preconceptions about the book, but when I saw that it was written by the founders of Just Food For Dogs, one of those boutique refrigerated brands that I had seen in the pet stores, I thought that it was going to be a preachy book directed at wealthy people who have the free time and extra income to cook gourmet food for their pets. But I decided to give it a chance anyway.

And I was quite surprised. This book is an in-depth look at the history and development of the dog food industry. It is also an expose about the real lack of oversight and lax regulations that have allowed issues like melamine contamination to occur within the food we feed our dogs. The biggest eye-opener to me was when they said that the average life expectancy of a Labrador (I think that was the breed they named) has dropped from about 17 years in the 1970s to about 12 years today.

I found the book much easier to read than I expected. They often used examples of real people and their pets as an introduction to each chapter/topic. The background they present, and the information that they provide seems well-researched, and is not at all dry or difficult to understand. The information that they provide is extremely persuasive, and underlies their choice to create their company. Although cynics could still see this book as a marketing ploy to sell more of their products, I found it very convincing, and am seriously thinking about trying out their recipes for my dog.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in learning more about how to provide the best care and nutrition to keep your loved canine companion healthy and happy for as long as possible.

I received an advanced reading copy from the publisher via NetGalley. Thanks!

Can Big Kibble do to the dog food industry what The Jungle did for human food? I'm sure authors Shawn Buckley and Dr. Oscar Chavez hope so.

This book was fascinating. I'm not currently a dog owner, though I have been in the past and one of the most important things for us was picking a food we thought was healthiest for him. Certainly we worry about what we put in our own bodies; shouldn't we do the same for our pets?

And the truth of the matter is that we have so many options. Unfortunately, as this book points out, there are very few parent companies that own them all, so if the supply chain is bad, everyone suffers. And it's startling that there is no regulation in the industry. And the difference between "feed" and "food" is vast.

Big Kibble contains much more than a treatise against large dog food manufacturers. It's a well-researched book about the rise of dogs as our number one companions and the history of their care and feeding. But it's first a foremost a call to be vigilant: dogs are getting sick from their food because of a lack of oversight and regulations. Sure, Congressional hearings and other investigations take place--finding things like illegal antibiotics and plastics well *after* many find their pups on the vet's table.

One thing to keep in mind--the authors of this book are not simply unbiased observers. They have a stake in this game: they are the founders of JustFoodForDogs, a specialty pet food company. They are quite open and upfront about this, but it should be noted. Their food is not cheap. It's the conundrum many people face when trying to feed their families: highly processed stuff that's inexpensive, or the nutritious fare that is quite costly. Unfortunately, that is a larger problem than just the conglomerates themselves.

Special thanks to St. Martin's Press for offering me this copy to review. It was definitely eye opening, and will certainly enhance my research the next time we welcome a new bundle of fur to the family.

This is a very well written, super informative book. At the same time it is very infuriating to learn about the lack of regulations and the disgusting ingredients that make it into food for our furry friends. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with pets. Thanks to NetGalley for the privilege to read and review this book.

God I hate corporations! No accountability. I've had two dogs on my life, but it was way back in the day and I'm not sure what they were fed anymore. I currently have cats and feeding them has been an adventure of food the vet recommended, to food my family and friends recommended, to foods I've researched and combinations of them all. Frustrating. pet parents know how picky cats can be, even some dogs, I'd bet. I've had to abandon food on several occasions due to recalls. (really doesn't make sense, if your furry baby is deathly ill from it, does it? and only a paltry payout from company.) There is need for a change in the industry. I try to do local pet foods, but it's hard to say how the nutrition is in it. Just tragic. This is a well researched book about the pet food industry and how awful our furry babies foods are. maybe we should just feed them foods we eat....

I don’t ordinarily read non-fiction, but I’m an animal lover and when told about this book couldn’t jump into it fast enough. Big Kibble is in many ways similar to Big Tobacco. For years we, the public, were told how bad smoking was for us, yet we still smoked. After Big Tobacco was made public and the public learned the hows and whys of smoking’s dangers things began to change. Big Kibble pretty much does the same thing for pet food. In reading some of the real contents of dry, canned and frozen feed (pet food is considered feed the same as livestock food) any reader will be shocked and dismayed that they are expected to give this to their four legged family member. Other suggestions made in the book such as making pet food categorized into food the same as human food with equal care and consideration put into it, decent insurance for pets and, wonder of wonders, a tax write-off for some medical expenses would be wonderful. Thanks to Net Galley, the authors and St. Martin’s Press for an e-galley for an honest review. This book is going on my Christmas list for my pet parent friends.

This directly applies to what I am studying in school for career 2 as veterinary assistant. Fancy labels do not equate to proper nutrition for your dog or cat. Owners beware and read labels for your pets. If you cannot pronounce an ingredient, most likely it is a chemical additive which is not good for your pet!

Back when I unsuccessfully did a a vet tech nursing program, I did a Hill"s nutrition pet at home class, and learned proper nutrition for dogs and cats. ALWAYS use a measure for dry food, and do not overfeed your pet dry food. Dogs are omnivores and need a combination of both. Cats are true carnivores, and benefit more from a wet canned food. Dry food is garbage for your cat, fyi. Always talk to your vet about proper nutrition before any diet changes.

Thankfully, I am in a stronger accelerated program for veterinary assisting. Maybe I will revisit the same school in 5 yrs or so and do their Vet Tech nursing program. I truly want to help owners and their pets of all kinds.

I really learned a lot from this book and highly recommend it for every dog and cat owner.

Thanks to Netgalley, Shawn Bickley, and St Martin's Press for an ARC and reaching out to me directly to read a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 12/1/20

This is a book about the horrible things we are feeding our pets. There are so many dangers in the pet food industry. Many of which are hidden from us as the consumer. Many of us don't know of the fecal matter mixed into the kibble we feed our pets. That is only one of the mass of dangerous ingredients that could be in the pet food.
A lot of the illnesses that our pets are developing are because of the food they ate fed.
This book alerts us to the dangers of some of these foods. It is informative and interesting.

Review Copy

This is an excellent book for anyone who cares about the health of their dog or cat kids. I thought I knew a lot about pet food; I'm a label reader when it comes to both my food and my cat food, I've been feeding cats and dogs for 50 years and quite simply, I pay attention.

Turns out before reading this book I was totally ignorant. It freaked me out and scared the hell out of me like no horror novel has been able to do. I was nearly in tears at a couple of secti0ns as I realized that my worst fears regarding the recent deaths of my beloved cats were entirely founded. There was a lot that I was already aware of regarding what the cheap foods contain. What I didn't know was that it got worse. You might think you're buying American sourced ingredients, but you're probably not. You might think you're buying pure ingredients. Nope. And the poison. Oh yeah, the poison.

I spent the morning reading up on how how to make my own cat food. After all, I made my own baby fo0d. I make my food and don't eat processed food. why should my furbabies? It's not as hard or as expensive as it might seem to appear on the surface. It does require research and caring.

Yes, the author of the book is a pet food manufacturer. But he cared enough to wise the public up to a very toxic situation. Everyone has options about the food they put in their mouths and in the mouths of the beings they care for. Knowledge is power. Take back some power now and extend the lives of those you love.

I have no words to thank St. Martins Press for offering me BIG KIBBLE or Shawn Buckley for researching and writing it. Pleasder check for this excellent book and buy it today.

this is really an eye opening experience. I use to have a dog and this book really made me question what kind of food I was giving them.

Two major takeaways came from reading this book. First, the industry that bags, tags and cans the "stuff" people give their dogs for dinner needs some serious regulation to make it way healthier than it is. And second, I wish the people who are telling the world about this travesty didn't have a dog in the fight.

But do not misunderstand: Even though the authors' company is in the business of selling freshly cooked "real" dog food and in direct competition with the corporate giants whose practices they're exposing, this is an important, well-researched and documented book. In fact, nearly 15% is devoted to notes and research citings, and I don't hesitate to say it's one that every pooch owner - or "pet parent," as the authors prefer to call them - should fetch, sit and read. I'll also assume that cat-lovers like me who consider puppies akin to grandkids - they're cute for an hour or two but I'm happy to see them go home - can infer that the same applies to the the feline feed industry (and for that matter, pets of any kind like ferrets, horses and pot-bellied pigs). But since the authors - and something like 63 million U.S. households with pets in residence - are dog-lovers, it seems like an a good place to start.

And trust me, it's an eye-opener; I learned a lot, most of it unpleasant to say the least. The rules and regulations of the industry - from start to finished products - haven't changed much since the early days. It's important to note that for regulatory purposes it's still considered "feed," not "food" - and still made from tons of ingredients you'd never for one second consider putting in your own mouth. And to that end, the authors make a good point: If we wouldn't eat it, why would we want to feed it to the doggies we love and treat as family members?

Another important point they make is that quality does not increase with price (or at least not appreciably). Some of the blame, they say, has come by way of industry consolidation; to that end, there's a list of which companies own which brands - and that basically boils down to six conglomerates. As for oversight, infractions of what regulations exist rarely are enforced by meaningful punishment.

Industry history and practices are outlined in great detail and comprise most of the pages, but that's not all; there's a helpful section on nutritional needs for dogs, some of the FAQs from the company's website (the most common of which is, "Can my dog eat popcorn?") and even a section of recipes for the do-it-yourselfers out there. All in all, well done - and thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

I was asked by the publisher to read and review this book, I was very interested in it because I have 2 German Shepherds that require a lot of feeding and could have health problems if not feed properly. Since, having both my dogs I have always gone above and beyond with their food probably to the point of extreme.

This book was another eye opener at how disgusting and horrific the dog food industry really is. What goes into the dog kibble is unhealthy and should be illegal. No one should eat what they are eating. It is scraps, waste and even sometimes pentabarbatol which is a euthanasia drug- that has been recalled many times but I'm sure it still slips in. Even the expensive dog food isn't safe or the food that is marketed or labeled "grain free" or no "by products". Read the labels on these bags and you'll see, would you want to eat these things? Chicken meal or by product? I don't even know what that is!

This book was heavy on the marketing for "Justfoodfordogs" fresh ingredients, wholesome. The company has done their research but I make my dogs food so I know what goes in their mouth. I will check out the company but I don't think it will change my mind.

The book was overall interesting and I would recommend it to those looking to adopt or get a dog for information.

Thanks to the publisher, St. Martins Press for my advanced ebook copy.

Interesting read for pet lovers. Everyone knows how big pet food business has become and we’ve all seen recalls and horror stories on the news of pets being sick by products. I’m glad someone finally decided to stand up and expose this. I like the idea of buying a pet food that is real.

What did I like? These people aren’t in it for the money.... they act like they genuinely care and even go so far as to give you pet food recipes in the book. I don’t live on the west coast So no store pickup for me but Petco will deliver this Justfoodfordogs product. I’d like to try it! I have a cat... and I’m constantly changing his food because he will start throwing up and refuse to eat. He just turned 13, and some cat foods make him really sick. Like despondent and throwing up. No matter how expensive or cheap I’ve tried just about every food on the market. I think it’s sad these pet conglomerates can’t make safer foods, and I agree there should be more regulations. Kudos to the great job on this book and your passion for pet food guys.

Would I recommend or buy? Yes, pet lovers need to understand what they are feeding there dogs could kill them. Nothing worse than losing a doggie best friend because someone was trying to make a buck. I was shocked that AAFCO feeding trials are not more closely monitored. So do you and your pet a favor and buy this book!

I received a complimentary copy to read and voluntarily left a review, five stars!

If you have a pet or plan to have a pet, I recommend reading Big Kibble. The authors are not unbiased - they have created their own dog food company that uses whole foods fit for human consumption. However, their interests in drawing attention to the problems in the dog food by Big Kibble are aligned with the interests of regular dog owners. They raise important points and draw our attention to facts that are easy to gloss over.

There are currently a small group large food and agricultural companies that produce most of the dog food. Feed is not subject to the same level of regulation or supervision as human food and the ingredients and processing of dog food as described in Big Kibble is horrifying. Reading it reminded me of reading Upton Sinclair's The Jungle about the early days of canned meat production.

Big Kibble also contains recipes for dog food so as you try to figure out what to feed your pet, you're able to make healthier food from home.

From stupidly added plastics (your grandma's Melamine plates) to fillers causing kidney disease to an additive that causes heart failure to known allergens (serious mold) the conglomerates that make big money off of you and me are not helping your pets. This book lays it all out for pet parents to feel sick about.
Think it's only the cheap brands?
No.
Think it doesn't include canned food?
No.
Think about all the discarded parts of animals that get stewed and ground up for the pet food. Then think about the incredibly vile smell it creates. Stick your nose in the bag and you get only what it smells like after they add flavor enhancers.
We all need to understand that this is big business and some of those businesses are only concerned with their own bottom line. And there is no government agency to protect the consumer or its pet parent.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. Thank you.
One reference is https://www.poisonedpets.com/

This is a must-read for all dog (and cat) owners. Although this book focuses on dogs, the information within applies to the manufactured garbage that unsuspecting pet parents are feeding their loved ones. Big Kibble offers an interesting history of the beginnings of dog feed, right up to today's despicable manufacturing processes. As I was reading, the authors briefly mentioned that they have developed and sell ”better” food for your dog. I rolled my eyes and said to myself, ”here we go, they're trying to sell their own line of product”. I kept reading and learned an incredible amount of information about the few (5) companies, that make almost all brands of dog food on our grocery store shelves, pet stores, pet websites, etc. Garbage byproducts are processed to the point of no discernable flavor, no visual identification & loss of nearly all nutrients. Flavor and nutrients have to be added at the end of manufacture, before it's pushed through an extruder. Often these substandard byproducts are tainted, as are the additives (flavorings & nutrients), with nonedible substances that can make our pet sick, and can kill them. The method of marketing is should be illegal and feeding these products should be considered abuse. As pet parents believe the pictures and ingredient lists, they should not necessarily be considered the abusers, but the makers know and they are the abusers getting rich (billions & billions of dollars) off of selling product that should not be ingested by any animal. One if the goals of this book is to draw attention to the fact that what we feed our dogs and cats is considered feed (not food) and therefore is not subject to decent standards. Because of this these manufacturers are hardly held accountable for any illnesses or deaths that occur because of their product. The biggest blow that they incur is to their image. I learned why veterinarians recommend & sell dog feed to us for our beloved pets. They're not evil or mean, I believe they are uneducated, therefore ignorant. By the time I got to the end of this book, which by the way, there are 5 or 6 recipes for making your own human-grade dog food, I started to think about all my friends that I want to read this book. You don't need to buy expensive dog food or ingredients to do right by your pet. Either save time and buy it or spend some time and make it yourself. You wouldn't cheat your human child, don't cheat your 4 legged child. My husband and I have been making our own dog’s food for about 8-1/2 years. It's not the same as the recipes in this book, but I thank God that we haven't been feeding our 9-1/2-year-old German Shepherd this commercially manufactured garbage. I've also learned that we should tweak his food for better nutrition. When all is said and done, do your homework about your pet's food. There are many blogs mentioned in this book for additional information as well. I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

And you thought you knew what goes into that bag of dog food. Think again. Sure, you've learned that the first ingredient listed on that bag of kibble is the "tell all" of its contents. But, what about the rest of the ingredients? Are you sure all the ingredients are safe?

In the book Big Kibble, the reader will learn about the historical background of how kibble came into being along with how corporate acquisitions and mergers played a major role in the manufacturing processes of dog feed. We already know about Big Pharma. Now you will learn about Big Kibble.

As a pet parent, I was appalled to read about some of the ingredients that gets added to kibble as well as those canned dog foods. If you think that the ingredients are human grade, you will be in for a surprise.

Although most of the book concentrates on the manufacturing processes, there are other interesting chapters that focuses on facts versus fiction in dog nutrition. And should you decide that you want to switch to a fresh food dietary program for your "fur baby," there's even a section dedicated to fresh, wholesome recipes.

I found Big Kibble to be very informative and it is certainly a book that every pet parent should read. Five stars. Kudos to the authors!

I received a digital ARC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

This review is concurrently being posted to my Goodreads account; and will post to my blog and Twitter (with a mention on my Instagram,) on 11/24/20. Reviews to retail sites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble will occur on publication day.

Thank you to the publisher for emailing me to invite me to view this title. This was a subject I am sad to say I don't know that much about. I give my dog the food that her breeder gave her when she was a puppy. I try to offer her treats that "looked" good, but wow was I amazed. "Big Kibble" sells dog feed, not food, and it is sickening what they can get away with. Thank you to the authors for bringing this information to the public, and I hope that dog and cat owners will read this to learn more about what they are feeding their pets.

A much needed frank look at dry dog food, the companies who make it, and what exactly is in the food we’re feeding our dogs. A must read for dog owners.

Animal lovers must read this explosive and alarming tell-all. As a dedicated pet parent, I was disgusted and aghast at how little control we have over their diet even when we think we're purchasing quality ingredients. Name brand or a large bag from the discount store, I now know there's little to no difference between the many varities and that we may as well be feeding our animals food from the dumpster. I often had to take breaks from reading since I was so overwhelmed and completely sickened as I read about what the majority of pet food companies think is acceptable to feed to our beloved animal companions. From melamine to rotten, diseased meat, it's a world of anything goes, our animals' health be damned.
Filled with extensive research, Big Kibble lays it all out and isn't afraid to include the most disturbing of details. In an industry that seems to have no standards, this book is sure to become the Supersize Me of the pet food world. Despite the anxiety inducing lack of control I felt while reading this, the authors do offer many solutions, not just at a corporate level, but also for individuals. Included in the back of the book are pet food recipes that can be scaled up or down to create large servings that can be refigerated or frozen ahead of time. With ample evidence provided to argue for a more back to basics diet, dog parents everywhere will rejoice at these easy to follow recipes after being awash in unsettling information surrounding the world of kibble production.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy. This did not impact my review.

Big Kibble
Wow! I thought I knew a lot about dog food but this book really took it to another level. There is a lot of great information inside. It does take a little bit to get through all of it. This book is divided into parts which make it easy to find the information you’re looking for. I’m amazed at the history of how dog food became the food we feed our pets. The authors show and tell us how they came to be involved in making and presenting a food that sounds good enough for people to actually eat. They obviously cared enough about their own pets and that turned into an adventure to change the way we think, make, buy and feed our pets. There are many success stories inside. At the end of the book they have included recipes that you can do at home. That’s really a gift. Also the proceeds from this book go to pet rescue organizations. I think it’s fair to say that while their ‘Just Food For Dogs’ products is making money for them, it’s not really all about the money. Very well done and very informative. Highly recommend if you’re looking at changing the way you feed your pet or just interested in finding out how the pet food industry is regulated and how it ticks.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This book is perfect for pet parents, pet lovers, dog lovers, animal lovers, parents who are going to adopt a puppy or senior dog. Such an eye opener, thought provoking, very informative, it tells us “what is really going on” behind the big market of processing food for dog food/pets out there.

There is a detailed story about how the process began, how we should be aware about the label in the can food/dry food, the hidden danger behind all the processed food that is being sold in the market, it is in this book. I’m just sad that there are many of us still not realized for this “hidden danger” every time they feed their pets with processing food.

However, despite this book being good enough for pet parents/pet lovers, unfortunately it did not offer/write an alternate solution for the low income pet parents out there. The actual cases that are being written down here mostly happen in a big city (i.e New York), which technically has enough budget for extra care for their pet (fresh food supplies, vet visit etc). There are many low income families that also have pets and treat them as a family, but failed to provide them good food or vet visits. So processed food pretty much is the fast and easier solution for them, in my opinion this book lacks information/not discussed for that section. Overall, this is a well written, full information book for pet lovers. Any pet parent should read this for a better life for their fur baby.

Thank you to St.Martin Press for the invitation to read and review the eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for the honest review.

4 stars

This is a book all dog owners need to read. What we are feeding our dog is absolutely gross. Grab this book and you will never buy commercial dog food again. Thank you St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Quite interesting read. It will make you read all the labels on your dog food bags and cans. Hopefully changes will be made in the quality of pet food by result of exposure of their practices and additives. They include recipes for making your own pet food & information to buy from them. Pet owners, vets and staff should read this book and it should be added to a reading list at vet schools. I was provided an advanced reader copy of this book and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

Whether you have a pet or just love animals, Big Kibble by Shawn Buckley and Oscar Chavez is a book for you. The authors present a thorough examination of the pet “food” industry that is as eye opening as Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle.

I enjoyed learning about the history of manufactured pet food, which is really pet “feed”. Whether it is canned or dry kibble, the stuff in your dog’s bowl is considered feed that is loosely monitored and regulated. The byproduct, junk (like plastic) and random body parts that can be found in your pet’s meals is absolutely disgusting!

None of these “ingredients” is specifically called out in labeling. Additionally, many popular brands add misleading information on their packaging so that consumers believe the pet feed is manufactured in the USA. Authors Buckley and Chavez maintain that the ingredients come from overseas (primarily China) and are just combined into kibble form in the USA. Further, the authors state that overseas factories are notorious for amping up protein content by including plastics in their dog feed product. The examples of how this has sickened pets is heartbreaking.

Big Kibble turns from the history of the industry in general to the history of the fresh dog food trend. It focuses on the Just Food For Dogs company, which the authors have a financial interest in. While the content is good, the author’s arguments would be more convincing if they had given equal focus to other companies producing fresh dog food. That said, I greatly appreciated the inclusion of recipes for readers to make meals for their dogs in their own kitchens. The recipes include common food found at the local grocery store, and you can be assured that what your beloved pet is consuming is food not feed.

3.5 -4 stars

Okay, so this is not an easy book to read, but a relevant and important one. Some of the info is scary and disturbing, but so very important for us all to be made aware of so we can ultimately make the best choices for our beloved pets. What I mean by scary is that people are the architects of some truly heinous behavior in the name of the almighty dollar at the expense of our furry family members. I think of myself a a responsible caring dog mom and try to make sure my sweet girl eats well. Most of the time I am more concerned with what I feed her than I feed myself and yet some of this information was new and horrifying to me. I does seem at times slightly biased, but is still a wealth of very illuminating information. Every pet family should read this to avail themselves of this information and make choices that are best for our pets and lifestyles. Laws and regulations really need to change. Pets should never be considered and treated as property. NEVER. It allows this heinous behavior. As pet families we need to do better and this is a great place to start.

The book, Big Kibble, by Shawn Buckley and Dr. Oscar Chavez, has really opened my eyes to the ingredients inside the majority of the dog food kibble and wet food packages. I had always assumed the package ingredients listed were the true ingredients inside the package but come to learn they are only a representation of what we might think is in there. This book has taught me that you can’t assume and that corporate America doesn’t love and care for pets as family members do.
This is an amazingly written and notated book about the health of our beloved pets and how we can keep them that way.
Pet food is considered feed and is not regulated by federal oversight. Many of the additional fillers are from China which has very different regulations than what is considered healthy and can (and has) contained ingredients harmful and toxic to dogs. Thus the numerous recalls even from the highest rated dog food companies. Mr Buckley is trying to show the general pet lover exactly what is being fed to our animals we consider family members. This even includes those that claim the food is all natural and healthy from the most expensive to the least expensive.
The recipes included are great and include items you generally have on your shelf. The recipes vary greatly so your pet is not eating the same brown kibble every day of his life.
Thank you Shawn Buckley and Dr. Chavez for your hard work, in-depth research and insight to keep our pets healthy.
#Netgalley #BigKibble #StMartinsPress

The title itself reminds me of dog food, which is exactly what the book is about! What’s the big deal with dog food anyway? Have you ever thought about why dog food is advertised with delicious sounding foods us humans love, yet it comes in a bag full of hard, dry, crunchiness with an unappetizing scent? And why is it that the dog food with chicken is the same price as with salmon?

This book is very eye-opening! While I do not have a dog anymore, it does make me wonder what I was feeding my pooch when I did have one. I mean, seriously. What’s really in that bag of dog food? This book teaches readers about the requirements in the labeling and regulations as well as how these ingredients are transported and manufactured. It makes me sick to my stomach that this is what I fed my precious and loving best friend.

If you are a dog owner or dog lover, you will come to a realization of what we’ve all been misinformed about for years. You’ll find that there are several bloggers who go out of their way to find out what’s going on and what’s in all this dog food. The dog food companies also investigate one another and sue each other for millions. I am so appalled at how dog food companies have taken advantage of consumers all these years!

The supposed “high-quality” dog food you’ve been serving your pet pooch (or even cats) could be laced with chemicals that can kill your pet! There’s even evidence that there’s ingredients that came from China that contains chemicals not allowed in the US. Some of these victims do major investigating and you’ll never believe what they’ve found. Why should your pet(s) be rushed to emergency after eating a treat that you were trying to reward them with?

You’ll also find recipes towards the end of the book. While you won’t want to make just one meal, cooking a batch and saving some in the refrigerator and freezer will make the rest of the week easier. Feeding your pet human-grade foods is way healthier than what’s in that dry bagged or canned dog food. I love that I could feed my best friend food that I can make in my own kitchen. Knowing exactly what my pup would eat is so refreshing.

A digital copy of Big Kibble by Shawn Buckley and Dr Oscar Chavez was provided complimentary by St Martin’s Press via NetGalley. I give this book 5 our of 5 tiaras because it’s very informative and I learned so much about dog food. This is the start of a dog food revolution!

This book was incredibly well researched and eye opening. It’s a book every dog lover and pet owner should read.

Though advances in medicine and treatments have advanced exponentially over the years, our dogs are still only living approximately 12 years, and often times have shorter life spans than they did 50 years ago. Much of this is likely due to what they’re consuming.

The premise of the novel is the benefits of feeding dogs fresh, whole, human-grade food. It turns out, the kibble and food widely available for animals is feed-grade quality and therefore, really not food at all. On top of containing fillers, animal by products, and really anything but the lovely meats and vegetables featured on the packages, they often contain chemicals and incredibly harmful toxins that have repeatedly been found to harm or even kill our pets.

Recall after recall has changed little in the industry. With almost no oversight, Big Kibble is free to use cheap products, chemical processes, and poor hygienic and transport practices. You would think that killing your customer base would be bad for business, but convenience, low price points, and a lack of knowledge have made kibble an attractive option for many pet owners.

The authors Shawn and Oscar opened JustFoodForDogs in 2010 so they are actually practicing what they preach and are seeing the benefits in their own dogs and their clients’ dogs on a first hand and daily basis. Oscar has a history as a veterinary nutrition professor at a reputable college and Shawn originated the idea of cooking fresh, whole food for his dogs with his girlfriend and they realized they had a solid business idea.

I was worried going into this that it would basically be a promo for their brand. Though of course profits are important, it’s abundantly clear that this is not the sole mission of JFFD. So clear that their recipes are included for free online (and in the book), the authors openly admitted to blunders including a recall due to contaminated green beans they had purchased from a wholesaler, and they also mention other businesses with similar products on a repeated basis. This helped make the book feel more genuine and honestly made JFFD that much more attractive to me as a consumer.

I really enjoyed the personal stories about people’s dogs, especially the ones with happy endings! With my legal background, I was also particularly interested in hearing about the various lawsuits brought against Big Kibble and the comparisons between Big Kibble and Big Tobacco. There was also a lot of history - about kibble itself, dogs as pets, etc. - that I suspect many readers will really enjoy.

If you were debating whether or not to buy a copy of this book please be aware that the authors are donating 100% of the royalties to pet rescue organizations. I mean, WOW.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this insightful novel.

I don’t have any pets, but if I did I would definitely fix the recipes included in the book. Pet food quality needs to be controlled. You think you are feeding your pet the best food and it turns out to be junk.

Wow.
I knew going into this book that things weren't always kosher with the dog/cat food business - this is touched on in the book "Fast Food Nation" when they talk about feedlots and slaughterhouses and what happens with the run-off and the leftover "bits" when animals were slaughtered. What I didn't know was just how BAD it really is. And folks, it is R E A L L Y bad. Bad enough that I will tell you here - if you are pet owner, chances are you are feeding your pet with food that isn't classified as food, but as feed, it doesn't have the ingredients shown on the label and there is a good chance there are things that are both illegal and poisonous in the "feed". 6 big companies own ALL [yes, that is ALL] of the major pet feed brands [even the "healthy" ones] and you have to really search out small, family owned companies to get pet food that isn't feed and isn't adulterated. And I will also tell you, that if I owned a pet, I would absolutely be changing their food or start making it on my own.

You need to know [and the authors are very open and transparent about this and about their food as you can go and watch it be made if there is a facility near you] that the authors have developed their own fresh food for dogs and they do tout that [and other examples of fresh food companies as well]. They will also tell you that they are making no money off this book - this book developed from their love of their animals, the issues previous pets had that led them both to their professions and then to the dog food movement and all the money from the book is going to animal rescue, which is amazing. Those rescues are always in need of funds and to know that this book on the horrors of the pet food world will help fund them is glorious. I do not know that I would purchase their food [if I was a busy working person, I just might] over making it myself, but I am so glad that they [and the others committed to our beloved pets eating well] are providing this service.

This is not an easy book to read. It is tough to realize that, in feeding our beloved pets, we have been doing them a huge disservice. It is V E R Y tough to realize just how big a disservice. And it certainly horrific to realize that there are people out there, running these companies, that don't give 2 figs about animals and the "feed" they make for them. I would bet almost all the money I own that if any of them have pets, they are NOT feeding them the "food" they are making and selling to the rest of them [and if they are, they don't really care about their pets]. There are several really sad stories in here and I spent quite a bit of time in tears. When I wasn't be horrified. It was a really, really, rough read.

All that said, I think that this is a necessary book. I think all pet owners and future pet owners should read this. And then they should learn how to read the labels of their pet feed. And then then they should learn how to better feed their beloved pets. For all the devotion they give us, they deserve nothing less.

Thank you to NetGalley, Shawn Buckley, Dr. Oscar Chavez, and St. Martin Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a important read for all dog owners . I highly recommend this book. Thank you to. the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

I started educating myself on pet food ingredients after the death of thousands of pets across America from contaminated gluten from China. A friend fed her cat and it died less then 24 hours later from the poisoned Chinese gluten. I called pet food companies and found they are legally bound to not give consumers any information. They all lie to consumers and its a widespread cover up. While working at a vet decades ago I had a vet that informed us that pet foods did indeed include the deceased pet bodies that were bought at rendering plants from pet food companies. SO this is not a new con that the companies have been doing to poison our animals. Imagine feeding your pet deceased pets bodies. This has been a unregulated industry and a money making industry for years at the expense of the health of our beloved pets.

This book is important for dog owners to understand that the commercial grade dog food is poison. The author includes not just ingredients but history of abuse by pet food companies. The deregulation of pet food companies that the author researched here is true to fact and critical knowledge. A must read if you love your pet.

This is an informative and eye-opening expose on the history and manufacture of dog food, fondly called kibbles. As I was reading the manufacturing process and the actual makeup of these foods I felt quite foolish. I can’t guess the number of hours I’ve wasted over the years in the pet food aisle, poring over the various colorful food bags, the promises of health, happiness, beautiful coat, long healthy lives of the critters so lucky to have loving owners who care to purchase only the very best.
As it turns out, the majority of dog food is all made by about five huge kibble makers in this world. Switching from one brand to another probably doesn’t accomplish a thing. Admiring the beautiful photos on the bag of beef, lamb, vegetables, and so on is so amazingly deceiving. The regulations bird-dogging (get the pun?) these nefarious methods are nonexistent, to say the least. So your pet dies and after a long costly court battle, you finally prove the food did it? The huge conglomerate is only liable for the cost of replacement of your dog, nothing else. No lesson learned there.
You don’t EVEN want to know what’s actually in those colorful little nuggets of doggy delights. Instead of what you envision after studying the packaging and glowing reviews, you’ll be shocked at the smorgasbord of filthy, long dead, worthless, diseased, and dangerous crap that’s fed into those big kibble-making machines.
It’s a sad set up for a country like America, which prides itself on being ahead of the curve, to learn that we’re so amazingly clueless when it comes to the health and welfare of our furry friends.
Oh, but wait! Your vet says it’s good? Read that chapter. Surely these big companies can’t tell such blatant lies? Read THAT chapter. This stuff may not be the best but it can’t be deadly, right? You know the drill by now…read this book.
(I dropped to four stars due to the repeated advertising of the author’s company/products. A mention would have been sufficient.)
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The release date is December 1, 2020.

Know What You’re Feeding Your Dog

Many pet parents think they’re giving their dog the best nutrition when they purchase a more expensive brand of dog food. After reading this book, you’ll know that isn’t the case. Although there appear to be many brands of dog food. in effect there are few. Through acquisitions and mergers almost 80% of the brands are made by the same companies. However, this isn’t the worst problem.

Dog food is classified as feed allowing substandard, cheaper ingredients, often things like dust, diseased meat, or harmful chemicals to be present in the food. The authors have heartrending stories of dogs sickened and killed by ingredients in dog food that no pet owner would feed their pet if they were aware of the consequences.

This book while somewhat repetitive is well worth reading. The authors are advocates for dog food using human ingredients. They have a company that manufactures and sells this type of dog food, but they also provide recipes so pet lovers can make their own food at home.

I highly recommend this book if you love your dog.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

this is an interesting story it tells about the dog food makers and what they put and dont put in the food i was given a copy by net galley but this is an honest review this is an eye opener

For years I have been feeding my Pomeranian a higher-priced dog food, believing that I was doing the best for my pet by giving her a better blend of food and vitamins. In pet stores, I looked at the thousands of pounds of dog food I considered inferior and something I would never feed to my dog. “Big Kibble” opened up my eyes and let me see that the brown bits I was giving my Pom were not much better (if better at all) than those thousands of pounds of food I had refused to purchase.

Written by Shawn Buckley and Dr. Oscar Chavez, with Wendy Paris, “Big Kibble” offers an important look into how dog food (and more correctly designated as dog feed) is substandard and can actually be detrimental to the health of our pets. Dogs are considered members of the family, and I know I am not alone when I will not feed the human members of my family food that would be harmful to them. Why would I knowingly consider feeding them to a canine member?

The authors explain their personal history as well as the story of how today’s dog food came to be. It is an illuminating and scary story, one that at times might cause anger when one learns exactly what is going on inside a hugely profitable industry. There is also a section enlightening readers on some of the myths we might have believed (such as, is it okay for a dog to eat cooked food or can I feed my dog popcorn).

At first I thought this book might be nothing more than a huge advertisement for the authors’ dog food company, Just Food For Dogs, but by the middle of the book my thoughts had changed. The in-depth information came from folks passionate about changing the way dogs are fed. One could argue that the book encourages pet owners to visit the Just Food For Dogs website, though the detailed recipes at the end of the book (a make-your-own-healthy-food-for-dogs chapter) would not be included if all the authors wanted to do was make a profit. The book, taken as whole, was written by people who want to make a difference.

Interesting book for anyone who has curiosity about the food processing industry (including what happens to the waste product when human food is made). A must read for anyone who has a dog and cares about the health of their pet(s). Five stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.

This is a very informative book that talks about what's inside our pet food and the process of how they are made. It also discusses several factors and laws that can serve as a guidelines in the pet food industry. What fascinates me the most is the discussion that evaluates the differences of nutritional needs of our pets. It is important for pet owners to read this book to better care for their pets and to be more educated.

I received a free electronic ARC of this awesome animal lovers self-help book from authors Shawn Buckley and Dr. Oscar Chavez, Netgalley, and publisher St. Martin's Press - Health, Mind, and Body. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Big Nibble is especially welcome to my family's research shelf and an eye-opening look at how we manage our household and maintain the health and nutrition of our animal members.

My daughter started making a nutritious mix including meat or fish, legumes, spinach, or kale, and assorted grains about 6 months ago, supplementing their Purina brand dried foods. We have found some things out by experience - our critters have all suffered from food anxiety in their younger years - our ten-year-old track rescued greyhound can manipulate that lovely long nose around getting everything in the bowl but the brown lintels and carrot shavings. The eight-year-old rescued feral cats will eat almost anything as long as there is kibble in the kibble bowl, though they seldom eat much of that dry food. All of the critters are grateful for the interesting additional recipes that can add variety to their meals.

We have stuck with Purina brand foods supplemented with table scraps for the last 50 years without any problems, but this bunch are getting older and were noticeably slowing down, and stuck home through this pandemic without daily bark park runs and leisurely walks through the local hardware stores our greyhound Marie was doing noticeably less running and playing in the yard as the days passed. And the cats are, according to their vet, getting fat. We honestly didn't notice until we saw them on the scales. And after that awakening, we got on our own scales and realized our clothes were not shrinking in the new washer. Protein-pushing became a way of life around here. Reading Big Kibble has moved that method of feeding into the fast lane.

And feeding aside, there are so many hints and tips on keeping your animals healthy and happy! This is a lifestyle change that can only improve and extend the days of our fur buddies. It is a book I will refer to often, and one I will gift to my animal-loving sisters. You can't go wrong, following the advice of Shawn Buckley and Dr. Oscar Chavez. Your critters will thank you for reading it.

This book explains a lot of things about food and other dog-related subjects. Very informative, but I keep thinking that it is just a guideline for pet owners. If you read other books you will get other viewpoints. Do what you think is best for your pet. I reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Big Kibble by Shawn Buckley and Dr. Oscar Chavez is an interesting book that clearly gives the reader food for thought. Living in the state where Big Tobacco was king when I was growing up. I can say that the big companies are capable of hiding the truth, using questionable ingredients, while caring little about consumers and more about the profit. Have the big dog food companies done that? The evident in this book is compelling. It will be interesting to see how and if the companies respond. It is clear that accountability, some regulation and total transparency is needed to protect man’s best friend.

While the authors have their own fresh dog food company, I did not see this as to why they were trying to shame Big Kibble. They were up front about that. Mostly they seem to be true dog lovers who believe owners are being tricked, manipulated or are simply unaware of the product that they are giving their dogs. Buyer Beware!

The publisher through Net Galley provided a digital ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.