The Complete Poodle Care Guide

Seven Tips for Poodle Care That Most Poodle Parents Don't Know

Poodles are intelligent. Poodles are elegant. Every poodle, you may be surprised to learn, is a descendant of German—not French—hunting dogs from 500 years ago. Poodles were originally bred to swim after ducks shot by archers on the shore. Only in the last century have they become the small, precious, and precocious pets so many dog lovers can't resist.

In this article, we will give you seven tips about how to care for a poodle that you may not have heard before. We will start with the one thing every poodle owner needs to know, and most don't.

1. Poodles are prone to tooth decay

No common breed of dog is more likely to develop tooth decay than the poodle. And the smaller the poodle, the greater the likelihood of dental problems. Miniature poodles are especially susceptible to gingivitis, gum infections, and loose teeth. Over 90 percent of poodles develop serious problems unless you brush their teeth several times a week.

Don't use people's toothbrushes and people's toothpaste on poodles. Dogs in general need a different kind of toothpaste, free of the sodium lauryl sulfate that makes toothpaste for people foamy. They also prefer liver flavor in their toothpaste, never mint. You can find the products you need online or in a pet supply store.

2. Poodle puppies need constant nourishment

For the first three weeks, the best puppy food for poodles is mother's milk. Puppies will nurse just about every chance they get.

Once poodle puppies are weaned and ready to eat from a bowl, they still like to eat small amounts of food all day long. Only when they are about four months old will they be satisfied being fed just twice a day.

Cornucopia formulates the best organic dog food for your poodle with chicken, turkey, and egg. These are all high-protein foods with just enough fat to help your puppy absorb vitamins and maintain a healthy coat. Even if you feed your poodle puppy kibble, give them some wet Cornucopia dog food to make it all go down more easily.

3. Poodles need to spend their lives on the level

As a breed, poodles just aren't well adapted to going up and down stairs, and certainly not to climbing ladders or playing on steep slopes. As puppies, poodles are prone to hip dysplasia. This is a condition in which the cartilage around the hip joint just isn't strong enough to keep it in place.

Sending a young poodle up and down stairs all the time interferes with the normal growth of the joint. Climbing and going up and down stairs can be painful for older poodles with hip joint problems. But there is a playtime activity that relieves this problem.

4. Poodles love to swim

Poodles are bred for the water!

Poodles have water-proof coats. Those tiny tufts of hair on top of their heads make them easy to locate when they are out on the water. They have webbed feet. (Actually, all dogs have webbing between their toes, but poodles have more.) The fluffy hair underneath their coats keeps them warm in the water.

Not every poodle, of course, takes to water play without some coaxing. Always make sure your poodle knows how to swim before taking her into deep water.

5. Floppy ears are a fact of life for poodles

Poodles have floppy ears. Their flat, relaxed ears unfortunately can become mite magnets, and they are easily damaged in a fight.

Check your poodle's ears on a regular basis. Ear problems are more common in poodles that share a home with cats.

6. Expect your poodle to crave your company

Poodles aren't dogs that like to be left alone all day. They thrive on attention from their humans. If you don't have a living situation in which someone will be around all day to take your poodle out to potty or go on a walk, you should consider adopting a different breed.

7. Picking your poodle's food doesn't have to be complicated

There are hundreds of brands of wet, dry, fresh, and frozen foods for your poodle. Every one of them makes some claim that they are the best for your poodle's health.

The truth is that there is no single food that is best for every poodle. Dogs need variety in the food they eat. They thrive on treats, and they are happier when you keep them guessing about which great food they will get next.

There is, however, a single brand that is best for every poodle. That brand is Cornucopia.

Start with Superbowl for Dogs. Packed with nutrition, it now comes in 6-ounce cans you can use every day. Then stock up on Slow Roasted Chicken and Liver for those times you want to serve a special treat, and the Cornucopia 24-Small Can Variety Pack, so you can discover the combinations your poodle loves best.

Dog-tested and veterinarian-approved, Cornucopia Pet Foods cares about your poodle. We offer only the best for the care of your dog, so contact us in Huntington, NY today.