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Work Wonders: Feed Your Dog Raw Meaty Bones
Practical how-to instructions on feeding the popular raw food diet from the Australian veterinarian who has made it his life's work to improve the health of our canine companions through raw feeding. Customize the diet for your dog's needs.
- GenresNonfictionDogsHealth
118 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2005
About the author
Dr Tom Lonsdale
4 books3 followersDr Lonsdale graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1972. And thus began a varied career in veterinary medicine commencing as a volunteer in Nairobi, Kenya followed by work in farm animal, zoo animal and small animal private practice in the United Kingdom. In 1980 he emigrated to Australia and established a group of mixed animal veterinary clinics in Western Sydney.
In the early years Dr Lonsdale adhered to conventional veterinary teaching and practice. However by the late 1980s his career took a different turn. Together with veterinary colleagues, dubbed the Raw Meaty Bones Lobby, a new perception, a new set of values took hold. It became clear to Dr Lonsdale that the modern fashion of feeding dogs and cats industrial, highly processed products was in fact the reason a majority of domestic carnivores suffer from putrid breath and a host of diet related diseases. By changing his patients' diet from packaged food to a diet of raw meaty bones puppies and kittens gained a new vitality. Old dogs and cats gained a new lease on life.
Dr Lonsdale took up the challenge by blowing the whistle on the pet food industry/veterinary profession/fake animal welfare alliance. From 1991 to the present he has been the leader of the Raw Meaty Bones Lobby for better pet health, veterinary teaching and an end to the junk pet food fraud.
In the early years Dr Lonsdale adhered to conventional veterinary teaching and practice. However by the late 1980s his career took a different turn. Together with veterinary colleagues, dubbed the Raw Meaty Bones Lobby, a new perception, a new set of values took hold. It became clear to Dr Lonsdale that the modern fashion of feeding dogs and cats industrial, highly processed products was in fact the reason a majority of domestic carnivores suffer from putrid breath and a host of diet related diseases. By changing his patients' diet from packaged food to a diet of raw meaty bones puppies and kittens gained a new vitality. Old dogs and cats gained a new lease on life.
Dr Lonsdale took up the challenge by blowing the whistle on the pet food industry/veterinary profession/fake animal welfare alliance. From 1991 to the present he has been the leader of the Raw Meaty Bones Lobby for better pet health, veterinary teaching and an end to the junk pet food fraud.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 10, 2007
Dr. Tom Lonsdale is not only the author of this book but a personal friend as well. This books makes raw feeding our dogs simple, concise and plain common sense. Dr. Lonsdale dispels all the myths of raw feeding and actually shows how feeding commercial packaged foods are really the demons behind the ill health of our beloved pets.
October 17, 2011
Work Wonders is a very easy to follow, and understand, explanation of what we should all be feeding our canine companions and the reasons why. Every other sub species of the Grey Wolf such as the Dingo, Arctic Wolf and Arabian Wolf seek out a diet very similar to that of the parent species Canus Lupus (the Grey Wolf) so why are we not all providing a similar diet to our dogs, Canus Lupus Familiaris? They are after all essentially modified house wolves.
Work Wonders is simplified for the layman. I, with my simple mind read it in a few hours and misunderstood nothing (as far as I know).
For those wanting more in depth scientific, mind blowing information, I recommend Raw Meaty Bones, also by Tom Lonsdale.
Work Wonders is simplified for the layman. I, with my simple mind read it in a few hours and misunderstood nothing (as far as I know).
For those wanting more in depth scientific, mind blowing information, I recommend Raw Meaty Bones, also by Tom Lonsdale.
April 17, 2026
Here’s my review for Work Wonders by Tom Lonsdale
This was an informative and very detailed book which has been researched over many years by the author. It’s for dog owners of any size dog and even puppies. It covers in great detail why a raw meaty bones diet over ‘mush’ or pet industry processed products is better for your pets health and teeth, although there may be one or two exceptions to this. It mentions places to try to get your raw meat for your dog, bulk buying and storage options. Even how, when and where to feed your dog. This was most certainly a thought provoking read and although I love horror books with all the blood and gore, the thought of touching raw meat, like pigs trotters and offal, made me feel squeamish! Even visiting the places to buy them didn’t appeal. The book goes into a lot of detailed information on several areas that would interest dog owners looking at trying their pets on raw meaty bones.
Blurb :
If dogs could talk, what would they say is the best diet to keep them healthy, happy and in tiptop condition? Would they suggest highly processed packaged food from the supermarket, or would they recommend half a chicken or a fresh rabbit?
For more than three decades, veterinarian Dr Tom Lonsdale has given voice to the voiceless - revealing that when it comes to your pet's diet, nature's teachings set the standard.
From years of experience as a leader in his field, Dr Lonsdale knows that pet owners need simple, clear and practical advice on natural feeding. Work Wonders does just that, examining dietary needs from a dog's perspective, based on easily understood science and sound common sense.
It dispenses all the essential information you need to give your pets the very best. You will learn about the critical importance of your pet's dental health, about the deficiencies and dangers of highly processed 'junk pet food' and how raw meaty bones provide the ideal remedy.
First published in 2005, Dr Lonsdale's no-nonsense guide is packed with timeless truths. Try it and be amazed at the transformation. Your dog will be forever grateful.
This was an informative and very detailed book which has been researched over many years by the author. It’s for dog owners of any size dog and even puppies. It covers in great detail why a raw meaty bones diet over ‘mush’ or pet industry processed products is better for your pets health and teeth, although there may be one or two exceptions to this. It mentions places to try to get your raw meat for your dog, bulk buying and storage options. Even how, when and where to feed your dog. This was most certainly a thought provoking read and although I love horror books with all the blood and gore, the thought of touching raw meat, like pigs trotters and offal, made me feel squeamish! Even visiting the places to buy them didn’t appeal. The book goes into a lot of detailed information on several areas that would interest dog owners looking at trying their pets on raw meaty bones.
Blurb :
If dogs could talk, what would they say is the best diet to keep them healthy, happy and in tiptop condition? Would they suggest highly processed packaged food from the supermarket, or would they recommend half a chicken or a fresh rabbit?
For more than three decades, veterinarian Dr Tom Lonsdale has given voice to the voiceless - revealing that when it comes to your pet's diet, nature's teachings set the standard.
From years of experience as a leader in his field, Dr Lonsdale knows that pet owners need simple, clear and practical advice on natural feeding. Work Wonders does just that, examining dietary needs from a dog's perspective, based on easily understood science and sound common sense.
It dispenses all the essential information you need to give your pets the very best. You will learn about the critical importance of your pet's dental health, about the deficiencies and dangers of highly processed 'junk pet food' and how raw meaty bones provide the ideal remedy.
First published in 2005, Dr Lonsdale's no-nonsense guide is packed with timeless truths. Try it and be amazed at the transformation. Your dog will be forever grateful.
February 26, 2026
While I appreciate the author's sentiments on 'healthier eating', the idea of having a large piece of meat/carcass on my bathroom floor for my dog to tear apart is frightening and irresponsible. Surely this encourages the dog to be aggressive in eating, which in a household with children is downright bloody dangerous...as is stating that the occasional slice of Victoria Sponge is okay for them to have? So chocolate isn't allowed, but an occasional slice of sugar laden cake is? And then...in the chapter on Dentistry Matters talking about dental disease he states that 'Sometimes to relieve suffering, it's kindest to administer an overdose of anesthetic and, humanely, euthanise the patient.' WTAF?! Is this man actually for real? I would love to know where he sources his information from? He then goes on to say that in almost every case of 'dog bites' that the dog eating junk food is to blame - over 13000 bites happen every day 'apparently'. I have two dogs who eat what he deems as junk food who are both in their golden years, are happy, healthy, and have never bitten or attacked anyone!!
It wasn't all in all a negative read as there were chapters that I did find particularly interesting; those on bacteria and the diseases they can harbour.
It's also worthy of note that as a kid born in the seventies I remember the streets being strewn with piles of white dog excrement...somehow I don't think this was through people feeding their dogs raw meaty bones though...
I found it an interesting concept to read about, but going forward it's not one that I'm willing to try and I would advise anyone looking to try a drastic diet change such as this to consult their vet.
Absolutely shocking!
It wasn't all in all a negative read as there were chapters that I did find particularly interesting; those on bacteria and the diseases they can harbour.
It's also worthy of note that as a kid born in the seventies I remember the streets being strewn with piles of white dog excrement...somehow I don't think this was through people feeding their dogs raw meaty bones though...
I found it an interesting concept to read about, but going forward it's not one that I'm willing to try and I would advise anyone looking to try a drastic diet change such as this to consult their vet.
Absolutely shocking!
April 17, 2026
As a pet parent and pet ‘sister’ to my mother’s pets it’s safe to say we love our pets. Needless to say this includes trying to find the best food for them. It’s only in recent years with the increasing number of ingredients it’s become increasingly clear that even the best pet food seems to come with lots of fillers, crude ingredients and more. Dr Tom Lonsdale tackles this head on and introduces pet owners to the benefits of feeding your pets a natural diet including ‘Raw Meaty Bones’. I think sometimes we can lose sight of the fact that dogs (omnivores) and cats (carnivores) are used to eating raw meat. With the growing love for our pets certain corporations have used this to offer the best pet food and treats and seemingly blindsided us into forgetting that the best is right in front of us with natural raw food. Showing the benefits and science behind it, this series is a must read for any pet owner. It’s certainly given us lots of pointers and I can report our fur babies are already loving the changes. Fantastically presented, easy to understand and backed by real searching and case studies this is a must for any pet owner.
As always thank you to ZooLoo’s Book Tours, publishers and author for the copy to review. My reviews are always given freely and my honest opinion of the book is given.
#DrTomLonsdale #WorkWonders #ZooLoosBookTours #BookTour #Review #FreeReview #AdPR #Gifted #BookBlogger #BookHoader #FantasticRead #BookDragon #BookTourReview #BookReview #FreeReview #AdPR #Gifted
As always thank you to ZooLoo’s Book Tours, publishers and author for the copy to review. My reviews are always given freely and my honest opinion of the book is given.
#DrTomLonsdale #WorkWonders #ZooLoosBookTours #BookTour #Review #FreeReview #AdPR #Gifted #BookBlogger #BookHoader #FantasticRead #BookDragon #BookTourReview #BookReview #FreeReview #AdPR #Gifted
April 18, 2026
🦴 Sharper teeth, louder voice 🦴
⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Where Raw Meaty Bones felt like a manifesto, Work Wonders reads more like a field guide—distilled and deliberate, sharpening the message.
Dr Tom Lonsdale leans even further into clarity, stripping back some of the heavier rhetoric in favour of practical, actionable advice. The core argument remains unchanged: raw, meaty bones as the biological gold standard—but it’s delivered with a slightly steadier hand, grounded in everyday application. There’s something undeniably persuasive in that simplicity; it’s harder to dismiss it when it feels this accessible.
And yet, that same unwavering conviction still leaves little room for grey areas. The science is presented as settled, the alternatives as fundamentally flawed. For some, that clarity will feel refreshing. For others, it may still read as inflexible.
Having already wrestled with these ideas, this book didn’t necessarily shift my position—but it did deepen the conversation. It reinforces rather than redefines, offering reassurance to adopters of this feeding method, and further persuasion to the undecided.
Verdict: A cleaner, more practical companion to an already controversial philosophy—less confrontational, but just as uncompromising.
⭐⭐⭐⭐️
Where Raw Meaty Bones felt like a manifesto, Work Wonders reads more like a field guide—distilled and deliberate, sharpening the message.
Dr Tom Lonsdale leans even further into clarity, stripping back some of the heavier rhetoric in favour of practical, actionable advice. The core argument remains unchanged: raw, meaty bones as the biological gold standard—but it’s delivered with a slightly steadier hand, grounded in everyday application. There’s something undeniably persuasive in that simplicity; it’s harder to dismiss it when it feels this accessible.
And yet, that same unwavering conviction still leaves little room for grey areas. The science is presented as settled, the alternatives as fundamentally flawed. For some, that clarity will feel refreshing. For others, it may still read as inflexible.
Having already wrestled with these ideas, this book didn’t necessarily shift my position—but it did deepen the conversation. It reinforces rather than redefines, offering reassurance to adopters of this feeding method, and further persuasion to the undecided.
Verdict: A cleaner, more practical companion to an already controversial philosophy—less confrontational, but just as uncompromising.
April 17, 2026
Work Wonders: Feed Your Dog Raw Bones by Dr. Tom Lonsdale is a great book about feeding your dog a more natural diet including bones. No more pre-packaged food or processed foods for your older dog or puppy, and great news you can start at any age! You will get your dog healthy and they will be less sick and have to go to the Vet, so much. I really like this author's style in writing. He has been a vet for many years before retiring and now wants to pass on his knowledge about feeding your animals and making them healthy and living a long time. The research that is in this book about bones and what to feed your dog is well thought out and there are so many awesome points in this book, including the marketing industry and wanting to make more money for themselves and other industries, like the veterinary field workers also. I also quite liked the chapters on non natural products and what to stay away from, regarding your pets. This is a great read for people who love their pets and want them to be around for a very long time!
April 12, 2026
Work Wonders is a easy to follow and understand guide on what we should and shouldn't be feeding our canine companions for them to obtain a happy and healthy life. With research and knowledge Dr Tom Lonsdale has created a book that makes sense because it is mostly natural and just plain common sense. It provides evidence and scientific based facts. It opened my mind up to a whole new world and I think my dogs will benefit.
April 19, 2026
This book, y'all. Ok, more like - this whole series.
Those will open your eyes in case you ever thought that commercial pet food is the best thing for your four-legged best friend.
It makes dog food actually simple and easy. And, it explains in detail why it's the best your dog can get.
The author really knows what he is talking about here. He has really researched it. In depth. Also - the dental health part!
Those will open your eyes in case you ever thought that commercial pet food is the best thing for your four-legged best friend.
It makes dog food actually simple and easy. And, it explains in detail why it's the best your dog can get.
The author really knows what he is talking about here. He has really researched it. In depth. Also - the dental health part!
April 21, 2026
Lots of interesting information on feeding your dog a raw diet, there has been a lot of press recently on raw food for our furry companions and this helps on examining that.
Not as complex as the first book but more a guide to version giving a simplified benefits to this diet.
I find all the history and various wild animal food really compelling and I found this a fascinating read.
Not as complex as the first book but more a guide to version giving a simplified benefits to this diet.
I find all the history and various wild animal food really compelling and I found this a fascinating read.
November 28, 2022
Everyone should read! All dogs would be healthier and happier! Please if you care for your pet consider changing their diet to this.
July 6, 2012
Great book to get you started down the road of feeding raw to your dogs. Since I'm so detail oriented, I wish that it had a little more specific "how-to" in it and it left me with some questions that I'll have to go to my instructors to answer. Just afraid that I'll get the same vague answers from them! Definitely convinced me even more that I need to move from the raw diet I've been feeding (ground beef and a veggie mash) to raw meaty bones. My dogs are pretty healthy, but I can see where some of the health issues they do have may have to do with dental problems that could be helped by feeding raw meaty bones.
January 25, 2012
This is an outstanding book for introducing raw feeding. It is written in an easy to understand manner and his points are well documented. What he says makes sense. It was a great start for me to put all of our dogs on a raw diet. I would NEVER go back to commercial pet foods. I'm grateful to Dr. Lonsdale for writing this book.
couldn-t-finish-it
August 21, 2012I really want to finish it, but it grosses me out. If I can't even read about it, how could I feed it? I understand the raw diet, the pros, the need to get back to the more natural way a dog eats, but let's face it, I won't be throwing a carcass out back to let them have at it. They'll have to stay on there high end kibble and I will have to keep up on their teeth.
August 6, 2009
Everyone should read this book. The ideas presented here could change the world.
July 23, 2011
It didn't work!
October 3, 2011
Everyone who keeps a carnivore should read. It takes like half an hour to read... the companion book Raw Meaty Bones goes into deeper scientific detail and is also fantastic.
December 4, 2011
I keep this book on my shelf as a loaner. It's a fast read and provides good foundational working knowledge.
April 18, 2017
Outstanding
I would give this book 10 stars if I could. This is a no nonsense, no holds barred book about raw feeding and the dangers of "junk dog food." The book implores the reader to use common sense in the face of all of the marketing both we, and unfortunately our Vets are exposed to.
I would give this book 10 stars if I could. This is a no nonsense, no holds barred book about raw feeding and the dangers of "junk dog food." The book implores the reader to use common sense in the face of all of the marketing both we, and unfortunately our Vets are exposed to.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews