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yodamom's review against another edition
5.0
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
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
lynguy1's review against another edition
3.0
BIG KIBBLE by Shawn Buckley and Dr. Oscar Chavez is a non-fiction book that explores the pet food industry and offers their recommendations for improvements that should be made. Do you know what is in your pet’s food? How is it made? What does “premium” really mean?
This was a thought-provoking book that talks about the history of the pet food industry, the process used for making that food, what goes in that food, the lack of proper regulations, and seems to posit that much of the commercial pet food on the market is not adequate for a healthy pet.
The book is focused on dogs and recommends food for them that is made from human grade ingredients like they sell through their company JustFoodForDogs. There are also a few other niche suppliers that use these ingredients. They even provide some recipes at the end of the book to make your own dog food.
One thing that was an important distinction in pet food that the authors emphasized is that pet food is regulated as “feed” not “food”. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) shapes feed laws and regulations. While states set their own rules, they need consistency since this trade crosses state boundaries. Dog feed has been classified as feed versus food since its origins. The FDA has a memorandum of understanding with the AAFCO which is not a governmental agency.
I found that the book was somewhat repetitive with some of the early text repeated near the end. However, there were also stories that were heart-wrenching, heart-warming and gave this reader insights into many of the medical challenges dogs can face. The authors also give recommendations for improvements within the pet food industry. The book is easy to read for a lay person and doesn’t require one to be a veterinarian to understand it.
Overall, it was a book that I am glad I read. It seemed one-sided to me, but perhaps for a good reason. If you are a dog parent, this will be a thought-provoking and potentially shocking read.
St. Martin’s Press and the authors provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 1, 2020.
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Review to be posted around November 1, 2020
This was a thought-provoking book that talks about the history of the pet food industry, the process used for making that food, what goes in that food, the lack of proper regulations, and seems to posit that much of the commercial pet food on the market is not adequate for a healthy pet.
The book is focused on dogs and recommends food for them that is made from human grade ingredients like they sell through their company JustFoodForDogs. There are also a few other niche suppliers that use these ingredients. They even provide some recipes at the end of the book to make your own dog food.
One thing that was an important distinction in pet food that the authors emphasized is that pet food is regulated as “feed” not “food”. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) shapes feed laws and regulations. While states set their own rules, they need consistency since this trade crosses state boundaries. Dog feed has been classified as feed versus food since its origins. The FDA has a memorandum of understanding with the AAFCO which is not a governmental agency.
I found that the book was somewhat repetitive with some of the early text repeated near the end. However, there were also stories that were heart-wrenching, heart-warming and gave this reader insights into many of the medical challenges dogs can face. The authors also give recommendations for improvements within the pet food industry. The book is easy to read for a lay person and doesn’t require one to be a veterinarian to understand it.
Overall, it was a book that I am glad I read. It seemed one-sided to me, but perhaps for a good reason. If you are a dog parent, this will be a thought-provoking and potentially shocking read.
St. Martin’s Press and the authors provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 1, 2020.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Review to be posted around November 1, 2020
littlehouse88's review against another edition
2.0
We love our dog, but our dog is not a child. I did appreciate learning about what is in kibble and how dogs can be healthier by eating real food, but when the author recommended tax credits for “pet parents” that was just too much.
simoneclark's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
I have to say that I was torn about this one. On the one hand, it felt--just as other reviewers before me said--like advertisement for the authors' products. Maybe this could have been avoided by adding other alternatives to the big kibble industry products. However, I have to say that the authors brought up some very interesting points and the facts they presented can for the most part be verified easily by doing your own research. As a pet owner, I have to admit that there were a lot of statements/facts I did already know or assumed but I did learn a lot of new things as well. The authors also included a lot of stories about people's first-hand experience with the issues. Overall, I'd give this book 3.5 stars if Goodreads had half stars (hint hint, Goodreads!!!). I rounded up to 4.
I have to say that I was torn about this one. On the one hand, it felt--just as other reviewers before me said--like advertisement for the authors' products. Maybe this could have been avoided by adding other alternatives to the big kibble industry products. However, I have to say that the authors brought up some very interesting points and the facts they presented can for the most part be verified easily by doing your own research. As a pet owner, I have to admit that there were a lot of statements/facts I did already know or assumed but I did learn a lot of new things as well. The authors also included a lot of stories about people's first-hand experience with the issues. Overall, I'd give this book 3.5 stars if Goodreads had half stars (hint hint, Goodreads!!!). I rounded up to 4.
chanelmeadows's review against another edition
5.0
This book inspired me to start my own post treat company!!! I am forever fearful to the writers.
kimmeyer's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for inviting me to read an ARC of this title. Dogs may be the one thing I love more than reading. As the writers disclose early on, they started a pet food company making fresh food for dogs, so as a critical thinker I was immediately searching for self-serving bias. This book is full of information on the history of pet food production, its ingredients and sourcing practices, and how its manufactured. It occasionally repeats itself or refers to future chapters, but it was more tightly written than I was expecting. I already knew a LOT about pet food (or, "pet feed", more accurately) and found the book to be both true to what I know and to add to it, although there were a few statements throughout that I'd challenge or like further clarification on. This would be an excellent primer for people wanting to know more about what's in their pet's bowl, and it makes a pretty convincing case for food that's closer to what we eat ourselves.
cyireadbooks's review against another edition
5.0
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.
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.