How to Take Care of a Papillon Dog

A Papillon is a small dog with a tiny bone structure of the toy variety. They have long, fine hair, particularly around their ears which stand up straight causing them to sometimes be referred to as a "butterfly" shaped. Their hair is white usually with brown and black patches and is relatively simple to care for despite its length. Papillons are friendly dogs that can live around 15 years and make ideal companions for anyone who is gentle and affectionate with dogs.

Things You'll Need

  • Quality dog food
  • Pin style dog brush
  • Dog nail clippers
  • Conditioning dog shampoo
  • Toothbrush for dog
  • Toothpaste for dog
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Instructions

    • 1

      Schedule regular appointments with a veterinarian to keep your papillon current with its vaccinations and parasite prevention. Vaccinations should include distemper, parvo and rabies among many others. Parasites such as hook, whip and round worms require a monthly treatment. Your veterinarian will outline a recommended worming and vaccination schedule for you to adhere to.

    • 2

      Feed your Papillon a nutritious, quality dog food formulated for toy breeds. A puppy should be fed three times per day until they reach 6 months of age. After 6 months your Papillon can be fed one meal each day. Always refer to the dog food manufacturing guidelines, but in general a papillon eats no more than ¾ cup of food per day. Dry food is recommended to prevent tartar build up on its teeth. Keep a fresh supply of water available at all times.

    • 3

      Brush your Papillon's coat weekly to prevent tangles and search for parasites such as ticks. The American Kennel Club recommends dogs not be bathed unless dirty or has odor to avoid stripping natural oils needed for healthy skin and hair. However, when bathing is necessary, use a conditioning shampoo to minimize tangles. Trim the Papillon's nails with dog nail clippers when you begin to hear a "click" sound when he's walking; usually every two weeks.

    • 4

      Clean your Papillon's teeth once daily with a toothbrush and toothpaste specially formulated for dogs. This can reduce future tooth loss and health problems.