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Four Paws, Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs
Welcome to the world of traditional Chinese medicine—for cats and dogs! For the growing number of animal lovers seeking an alternative to Western medicine, this thoughtful and comprehensive approach to home animal care is a virtual godsend. FOUR PAWS, FIVE DIRECTIONS includes descriptions of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatments, with special emphasis placed on clear, uncomplicated approaches to acupressure and diet that you can do at home. And just wait till you see the photographs! These vivid color portraits accurately chart the meridians and acupressure points of thirty-two gorgeous, furry models. Pet owners and students of veterinary medicine alike will appreciate this unique and upbeat guide to interacting more holistically with our beloved feline and canine friends.
406 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1996
17 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Cheryl Schwartz
12 books1 followerDr. Schwartz is the author of "Four Paws Five Directions A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats & Dogs" (Celestial Arts Press: 1996), the first book of its kind to be used as a textbook by veterinarians learning Chinese Veterinary Medicine and by the public to help their own animals. Four Paws has been translated into German, Russian and Japanese. Dr. Schwartz’s second book Natural Healing for Dogs & Cats from A-Z (Hay House 2000), also user friendly, is dedicated to quick at home treatments for common problems and has recently been translated into Japanese.
As one of the founding members of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, and an educator for over twenty years, Dr. Schwartz has taught veterinarians acupuncture and herbal medicine across the U.S. and around the world.
Dr. Schwartz is part of the teaching team for accreditation courses of the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and foreign courses of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. She has shared her unique blend of knowledge, experience and sense of humor with graduate veterinarians in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Latin America, Australia, China, and Japan.
As one of the founding members of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, and an educator for over twenty years, Dr. Schwartz has taught veterinarians acupuncture and herbal medicine across the U.S. and around the world.
Dr. Schwartz is part of the teaching team for accreditation courses of the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and foreign courses of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. She has shared her unique blend of knowledge, experience and sense of humor with graduate veterinarians in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Latin America, Australia, China, and Japan.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 21, 2023
“Four Paws Five Directions: A Guide To Chinese Medicine For Cats And Dogs” was a Godsend when we suddenly needed to save our precious cat Son, at nearly 22 years-old. We gratefully tried the basics together. He went to the afterlife at home in March 2022. I gradually finished this book in honour of our dear McCartney and the cats who are still here.
I adapted Donna Eden’s methods for felines and was thrilled to find this manual for them. Humorously, I need a human introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Dr. Cheryl Schwartz noticed pets returning for different issues that had been treated separately. She realized that our health works in unison on physical, emotional, energy levels and also has seasonal connections. I know organs have an energetic part and can be adjusted electromagnetically via “meridian tracing” and by pressing acupressure points along the organ groups. This groundbreaking 1996 animal health guide goes further, suggesting herbs to alleviate problems, massage patterns, and a new way to measure food.
We interpret food by vitamin content. TCM practitioners thousands of years ago, observed that organs and conditions have seasonal, elemental, hot or cold, excess or deficient, and dry or wet traits. Heal a dry, excess, or hot condition with a wet, mild, or cool food. Emotional and physical symptoms pinpoint problems. Energy testing can aid us and prevent dysfunction even earlier.
Dr. Schwartz and Donna Eden value modern doctors but differentiate that they are “allopathic”. They observe a problem after it persisted in our energy and caused a physical dysfunction. They target a physical issue, missing the source and overall imbalance inside. TCM concepts often solve problems that common doctors did not. How hopeful, to know there are many additional options that are proven to work! These two healers are essential reading.
I adapted Donna Eden’s methods for felines and was thrilled to find this manual for them. Humorously, I need a human introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Dr. Cheryl Schwartz noticed pets returning for different issues that had been treated separately. She realized that our health works in unison on physical, emotional, energy levels and also has seasonal connections. I know organs have an energetic part and can be adjusted electromagnetically via “meridian tracing” and by pressing acupressure points along the organ groups. This groundbreaking 1996 animal health guide goes further, suggesting herbs to alleviate problems, massage patterns, and a new way to measure food.
We interpret food by vitamin content. TCM practitioners thousands of years ago, observed that organs and conditions have seasonal, elemental, hot or cold, excess or deficient, and dry or wet traits. Heal a dry, excess, or hot condition with a wet, mild, or cool food. Emotional and physical symptoms pinpoint problems. Energy testing can aid us and prevent dysfunction even earlier.
Dr. Schwartz and Donna Eden value modern doctors but differentiate that they are “allopathic”. They observe a problem after it persisted in our energy and caused a physical dysfunction. They target a physical issue, missing the source and overall imbalance inside. TCM concepts often solve problems that common doctors did not. How hopeful, to know there are many additional options that are proven to work! These two healers are essential reading.
June 12, 2015
This is the first book that I have read about Traditional Chinese Medicine (for animals or for people) and I really enjoyed it. It was thorough and detailed while still managing to be engaging, easy to read, and clear to understand. I feel like I learned a great deal about TCM and how it can help animals, and at the same time I gained some insight into my own health. I highly recommend this book to animal lovers!
January 12, 2011
I love this book and often recommend it to people who are interested in learning more about holistic health and TCM as it applies to their pets. I think it gives a great basic introduction to 5 element theory to people whom have never even heard of this way of thinking before.
Currently reading
October 23, 2008Always refer to this book for information.
November 21, 2012
My most often consulted reference book for symptoms to ailments.
Great info and user friendly too.
Great info and user friendly too.
January 22, 2018
Yes I’m studying traditional Chinese medicine for my dog. Don’t judge. She is finally growing her hair back and gaining weight again after 8 mos on pharmaceuticals in 2016. This stuff works.
October 30, 2024
Well, once again I find myself recommending this book to someone who has found that allopathic medicine alone has not helped their pet. So I thought it was time for me to write a review.
I have had it since it was first published in the 1990s and am now on my second copy!
While I am lucky enough to now have a holistic vet trained in TCM, who has treated my cat and my dog, for years I didn't have that luxury.
This book was a godsend. I have used it time and again to help improve my pets' health, their quality of life and length of life.
It is not organized in exactly the same way as most medical books, because TCM has a different way of looking at illness, but it is possible to find what you need in almost all cases, and the methods of administering acupressure and using diet and supplements for your pets are straightforward and very useful.
Gave it 5 stars.
I have had it since it was first published in the 1990s and am now on my second copy!
While I am lucky enough to now have a holistic vet trained in TCM, who has treated my cat and my dog, for years I didn't have that luxury.
This book was a godsend. I have used it time and again to help improve my pets' health, their quality of life and length of life.
It is not organized in exactly the same way as most medical books, because TCM has a different way of looking at illness, but it is possible to find what you need in almost all cases, and the methods of administering acupressure and using diet and supplements for your pets are straightforward and very useful.
Gave it 5 stars.
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December 2, 2011I'm going to re-read this book at a later date. As I'm going through it now, I'm having difficulty jiving my western herbal understanding with her explanation of CHM...
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews