Owning dogs, especially taking care of the poodle, is a specialty of humans. Some historians believe dogs were first domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and twenty five thousand years ago—and that canines evolved from the wolf. Since those days, people have selectively bred more than four hundred different breeds, which vary in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose three-foot stature has earned them the distinction of tallest pooch. But the most popular dogs are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The poodle is also a favorite choice with canine owners. Some owners are oblivious, however, of some of the most common poodle care tips.
General cost of care for the poodle
The annual budget for providing for your poodle—including food and treats, to doctor bills, toys and license—could range between $420 and $780. This is not even including capital costs for sterilization procedures, collar and leash, carrier and a crate. Note: Be positive you have all of the required items before you bring your poodle home.
General poodle Care
poodle Feeding Routine
- poodle puppies between 8 and 12 weeks old need 4 meals in a twenty-four hour period.
- poodle pups 3 to 6 months old should be fed 3 meals every twenty-four hour period.
- Feed pups six months to 1 year old two bowls of food in a 24 hour period.
- By the time the poodle makes his or her 1st birthday, one bowl in a twenty-four hour period is sufficient.
- Many times poodles, however, do better with two lighter servings. It is your duty to learn your poodle’s eating schedule.
Premium-quality dry dog food provides balanced nutrition to adult poodles and may be mixed with water, canned food, or broth. Your poodle may have a taste for fruits and vegetables, cottage cheese, and cooked eggs, but these additions should be less than 10 percent of his daily nutrition. poodle pups need to be fed top-quality, name brand puppy food. You should try to cut down on “table food”, though, since it can result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies, bone and teeth problems, and may result in very picky food choices as well as obesity. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times, and make sure to wash food and water bowls very often.
poodle Care Tips: Make sure to get your poodle some daily exercise
poodles need physical activity in order to burn calories, stimulate their minds, and remain in good health. Daily physical activity also tends to help poodles avoid boredom, which can often lead to difficult behavior. Playing outside would cure many of your poodle’s instinctual urges to herd, dig, chase, retrieve and chew. Exercise needs will vary based on your poodle’s level of health and his age—but 10 minutes outside and a couple of walks around the block every day probably will not cut it. If your poodle is a six to eighteen month adolescent, her requirements will be higher.
Grooming tips for poodles
You can help keep your poodle clean and reduce shedding with brushing. Inspect for fleas and ticks every day during the summer or other warm weather. Sometimes poodles don’t need to be bathed more than a few times during the year. Prior to bathing, cut out or comb any mats from the poodle’s coat. Rinse all soap from the coat, or the dirt will stick to the soap.
How to Handle Your poodle
Pups, as opposed to adults, are obviously easier to manage. To carry the poodle puppy, place one hand beneath your dog’s chest, either with the forearm or other hand supporting his hind legs and rump. Don’t ever attempt to lift or grab your puppy by her front legs, back of the neck or tail. When you must pick up a larger, full-grown poodle, lift from underneath, supporting her chest with one arm and rump with your other arm.
poodle housing
Your poodle needs a cozy quiet place in order to rest apart from all the drafts and off the ground. You might wish to buy a dog bed, or feel like making one from a wooden box. Put a clean comforter or pillow in the bed for cushioning. Wash the poodle’s bed covering frequently. If your poodle will be outdoors much, be certain he has plenty of cool water and shade in the summer, and a dry, warm, covered shelter in the cold.
poodle Licensing and Identification
Your community has licensing rules to follow. Make sure you affix the license to your poodle’s collar. This, together with an ID tattoo, can possibly help you recover your poodle if he happens to go missing.
poodle Behavior Information
poodle Training
Well-mannered, companion poodles are truly a blessing to raise. However, when left untrained, your poodle will most likely be a headache. Training your poodle on the minimums—”Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, and “Leave it”—will bolster your relationship with both your pooch as well as your neighbors. If you have a puppy, begin training him on the appropriate responses as fast as you can! Food should be used as a lure and recognition. Puppies should commence obedience class when they have been sufficiently immunized. Call the community SPCA or humane society for training classes. It is best to walk your poodle on a leash while in public, even while a pup. Just be certain your doggie will come to you whenever you tell him. A disobedient or aggressive poodle shouldn’t play with kids.
Knowing Your poodle’s Health
poodles should visit the vet for a thorough exam, shots and heartworm exam annualy, and as soon as possible if she is sick or hurt.
The Dental Health of Your poodle
Although we might simply dislike our poodle’s bad breath, it’s important to be aware of what it might represent. Halitosis usually suggests that your poodle should get an oral check up. Plaque brought on by germs creates a foul smell that can only be freshened with treatment by a professional. Once you have given your poodle a professional dental cleaning, the teeth and gums may be maintained by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. Your veterinarian can provide you other data on reducing periodontal problems and bad breath. You should clean the poodle’s teeth using a doggie paste or a paste made of baking soda and water twice weekly. You can brush them with a sterile gauze pad, a piece of nylon pantyhose wrapped around your finger, or a soft, child’s toothbrush. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, sometimes affects poodles. Often, loss of teeth happens because of periodontal disease. Infections will sometimes also spread to other areas of your poodle’s body. The vet can brush his teeth as a regular part of your poodle’s health program.
Breeds with Halitosis (bad breath)
Although dental disease by itself is not critical when caught early enough, the foul odors may be indicative of fairly serious, persistent issues. Liver or intestinal diseases sometimes cause unpleasant breath, and a fruity, even pleasant smell may frequently be indicative of diabetes. Kidney disease may be the cause if your poodle’s breath smells like ammonia or urine. When you find your poodle has smelly breath in conjunction with other symptoms of disease, such as diminished appetite, nausea and vomiting, loss of weight, bad mood, excessive urination and drinking, set a trip to her veterinarian.
Dealing with Ticks and Fleas in poodles
Daily inspections of your poodle for ticks and fleas throughout the warm seasons are important. Use a flea comb to remove and find fleas. There are numerous new methods of tick mitigation. Speak to your vet about his options.
Heartworm problems in poodles
Your poodle is at risk of developing heartworms if he is exposed to mosquitoes often. Mosquitoes transport the worm from dog to dog. Several poodles die each year because of heartworms. It is extremely important to ensure your poodle has a blood screening for heartworms each spring. A once-a-month tablet given during the warm, wet time of the year will help to protect your poodle. If ever you vacation south with your poodle during the winter, he must be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some of the milder climates, vets recommend preemptive heartworm medication throughout the year.
Toxins and Medicines
If you’re pondering giving your poodle pills that was not prescribed for her by his vet, forget about it. Just one ibuprofen tablet is known to cause stomach ulcers in poodles. Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your poodle. When you suspect that your doggie has eaten a poisonous substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 24 hours a day for help.
poodles: Neutering and Spaying
It is recommended that male poodles should be neutered – the removal of the testes – and females spayed – the removal of the ovaries and uterus – by six months old. You usually will significantly reduce your female’s breast cancer risk by spaying prior to maturity. The risk of a diseased uterus, which is also a serious affliction that impacts more mature females, will be removed by spaying before 6 months. Neutering male poodles prevents prostate and testicular diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
poodle Vaccinations
- The combination vaccine (also called the “5-in-1 shot”) should be given to your poodle at 2, 3, and 4 months of age and again once each year. This immunization protects your pup from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. The poodle puppy’s vaccination program cannot be completed before four months old.
- If your poodle has not been vaccinated and is older than 4 months, he will need to be given 2 immunizations asap, two to three weeks apart. After that you must innoculate annualy.
- poodle puppy vaccination and socialization should coincide. You can take your poodle pup to socialization classes by 8 or 9 weeks old, as recommended by most doctors. They should have received their first vaccinations by then.
Rules are so different around the country, that it’s best to contact your local doctor about rabies immunization details. For instance, NYC rules declare that pets older than three months be innoculated for rabies. After the first immunization, she must get another immunization the next year, and then every 3 years. There are a variety of vaccines, many of which are effective for your poodle. There are others that are not, however. Ask your poodle’s vet for his opinion. Note, if your poodle happens to get ill because she is not innoculated, the shot can be given once your dog is back to health.
Tapeworms in poodles
poodles are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—in all areas, both urban and rural. Tiny eggs created by roundworms and hookworms are passed in an infected poodle’s feces. Most pups, from all environments, even those with healthy mothers, carry intestinal worms. The key to effective treatment is early diagnosis. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed treatment will be effective against your poodle’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates roundworms, for example, will not kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best determine the culprit—and decide the appropriate treatment.
Additional poodle Care Tips
Checklist of poodle Supplies
- Excellent-quality dog food and treats specifically designed for poodles and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water dish
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Comb and brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with license and identification tag
- Quality leash
- Dog carrier (for puppies)
- Crate for training
- Box or dog bed with warm sheet or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
Do not feed your poodle the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate, coffee, or tea
- Grapes and raisins
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Poultry bones
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit and stems
- Yeast dough
Final Thoughts
Unless you are at home, or in a secured, fenced-in area, keep your poodle on a leash at all times. And please, when your poodle defecates on your neighbor’s lawn, remove and dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about poodles
Was this post helpful? If so, please take a minute to Tweet and Share below on Facebook. I would also love to know your thoughts so leave me a comment 🙂
Follow