The Health of Poodles

Poodles are a dog breed known for their stylish coats, intelligence and playful nature. The dogs are bred in three different sizes: standard, miniature and toy. Standards are over 15 inches tall, while miniatures stand over 10 to 15 inches tall. Toy poodles stand 10 inches or less. Poodles are generally hardy animals that can live up to 14 or 17 years. Deciding to own a poodle means that you must actively tend to the dog's health and take into consideration basic grooming, feeding, medical conditions and safety.

  1. Basic Hygiene and Grooming

    • Poodles need their teeth brushed once a week with a soft brush and canine toothpaste to prevent tartar buildup. Check your dog's ears each day for wax, inflammation, discharge or foreign objects such as grass seeds. Remove any wax buildups by using a tissue. A poodle's coat must be brushed or combed daily to keep it clean. The dog also needs its coat bathed regularly, and a veterinarian can recommend which type of shampoo to use. Clipper rash, a form of skin irritation that occurs after a dog's fur is cut, occurs in some poodles with light-colored coats. After trimming its fur, check your poodle's skin for redness or irritation.

    Eating and Appetite

    • A poodle's dietary needs depend on its age, health, metabolism and energy requirements. Poodles need well-balanced diets, and veterinarians can suggest which type of manufactured commercial food or home-cooked meal best suits a poodle. Any slight changes in a poodle's appetite or eating habits can indicate illness. If your poodle develops increased thirst, it may have an infection, diabetes, liver or kidney disease. A poodle that eats sloppily or asks for food but does not eat may suffer from tooth pain. A decreased appetite can signify boredom or illness, while an increased appetite can indicate a possible thyroid problem.

    Medical Conditions

    • Standard poodles, more than any other type of dog breed, suffer from a hereditary disorder known as sebaceous adenitis. This disorder causes an inflammation in the sebaceous glands and hair follicles and leads to flaky skin and hair loss. All different sized poodles can suffer from skin, intestine, eye, joint and stomach problems. Toy poodles can inherit Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, which is when the blood supply to the femur bone is cut off. This leads to decreased mobility and joint pain. Toy poodles sometimes have too soft of windpipes that collapse and necessitate medical surgery. Eye problems, such as glaucoma and progressive retinal atrophy, can affect Miniature poodles.

    Preventative Measures

    • Taking your poodle to the veterinarian every year can help prevent illness or disease in your dog. A veterinarian will examine your poodle and give it the appropriate vaccinations to immunize your dog against viruses. Veterinarians often perform dental examinations when poodles are three or four years old. Poodles are inquisitive, excitable dogs, and it is important to walk your dog on a leash to prevent it from getting hit by a car or from injuring itself. Lock up swimming pool, household or garden chemicals so that your poodle does not ingest these products.