The Forever Dog Book Review

Update – The Forever Dog just became the first dog health book to hit #1 on The NY Times Best Seller List. History is made!

Several months ago renowned veterinarian Dr. Karen Becker and pet health leader Rodney Habib announced their new book The Forever Dog. When I heard, I got so excited, I began doing zoomies in my living room!

I have long been a fan of Dr. Karen Becker and her advocacy for pet health and engaging style of explaining health topics. I can’t tell you how many times I was worried or confused after one of Miles’ veterinary appointments and was able to find a video of Dr. Becker clearly explaining the topic. Dr. Becker has empowered me to ask the right questions, and I thank her for helping me have such productive relationships with every veterinarian and veterinary specialist I have worked with.

Around the same time I became aware of Dr. Karen Becker, I started seeing game-changing infographics and videos about pet health by Rodney Habib. Like Dr. Becker, Rodney Habib has had a profound effect on my and Miles’ life. And we are not alone: Rodney’s infographics and videos have been viewed by millions upon millions of people. Dr. Becker and Rodney Habib have been collaborating for a long time now, and I couldn’t be a bigger fan or more deeply grateful on a personal level for their work.

When my copy of The Forever Dog arrived, the sheer weight of the book impressed me. As I dove in, I noticed that nearly every page references at least one scientific study. It absolutely boggles my mind how they put this book together!

The Forever Dog doesn’t stick to a set agenda or method, but rather lays out clear scientific data and explains how that data relates to pet health. Dr. Becker and Rodney Habib focus on steering the ship of pet health forward, rather than laying down rules that are bound to be unraveled the more and more we learn. One of the most refreshing and freeing aspects of this book is that it moves away from the old rule-based approach we’ve had with pet health care for so long. If you aren’t quite sure what I mean, think of the last time you didn’t understand a “rule” about pet health, but followed it anyway because you felt confused and afraid… And you still felt confused and afraid after? It is time that pet people have the opportunity to feel empowered with knowledge rather than feeling in the dark, confused, and afraid.

For so long, we’ve been told what to do for our pets’ health, and so much of that information hasn’t been based on science. The Forever Dog is a trailblazer in offering a new science-based approach to pet health care.

Early on in reading the book, I found the information about the gut microbiome fascinating. Very recent studies on the gut microbiome are completely changing research and understanding of health. Inside our gut resides a diverse ecosystem of tiny digestive helpers. When we eat, we aren’t just feeding ourselves; we are also feeding our precious gut microbiome. This ecosystem can be rich, robust, and can lay the foundation for our best possible physical and mental health, or, it can be the first source of the unraveling of our health. Another concept that was wildly interesting to me is that one of our biggest areas of exposure to the outside world is through our gut. If you’ve ever thought about washing your hands when coming home, consider that what you eat is just as important. We take in the outside world intimately through our gut when we eat.

As the book details, pets are particularly vulnerable to the outside world through both their external and internal bodies because they are much closer to the ground than we are, and because they do not get to chose what they eat. Even when talking about difficult subjects such as the food industry, The Forever Dog always takes a positive approach: education is empowerment. As Rodney Habib says, “When pet owners know better, they will only do better.”

The book lays a very clear groundwork of where we have been, where we are, and where we can go to help ourselves and our dogs live longer, healthier lives. The reality is, statistically pet dogs are suffering from shocking levels of chronic ailments and illnesses, and they are dying prematurely. As The Forever Dog details, it doesn’t have to be that way, and change doesn’t have to be bewildering or cost prohibitive.

As a behavior consultant whose only desire is to see fewer people and dogs struggle with dog behavior challenges, I have seen with my own eyes how crucial a role health and diet play in behavior. As the book details, recent studies have shown that dogs who suffer from aggressive behavior often have a less diverse gut microbiome than dogs who appear emotionally stable. We all know that eating food that is minimally processed and avoiding environmental toxins help us lead healthier longer lives. Not surprisingly, the same is true for dogs. When you feel physically good, you will be better equipped to deal with whatever life throws at you. Just as for us, less physical and emotional stress also can lead to a longer life for our dogs. One of the most heartening aspects of the book is that the practical suggestions are extremely accommodating and flexible for any budget and any lifestyle. The book focuses on setting everyone up with attainable options towards offering our dogs the best we possibly can.

The Forever Dog offers a detailed, clear, and science-based guide to how to help your dog lead a longer, healthier, happier life.