Poodle Info and Puppy Care from Tiny Treasures Toy Poodles

Toy Poodle Info

Caring For Your New Best Friend
Poodles are special dogs and, in some respects, have unique needs. Keep in mind
you and your puppy’s individual needs.

General Care & Safety
Poodles, particularly Teacups and Tiny Toys, are FRAGILE. They have delicate bone
structure and bumps or falls that would not hurt other dogs can break bones. Also, puppies
do not “stay out of the way” when you’re walking and they don’t know about gravity. Take
extra care walking around them and do not leave them unattended in high places (beds,
sofas, etc.) Small children and other pets can be a serious hazard, especially for smaller
puppies or teacups. Even when they’re just playing, they can be too rough and cause
permanent injury.
Puppies and lean dogs may have trouble regulating body temperature. They cannot be left
outside, in the garage or on an enclosed porch for extended periods. They may even get too
cold in the house and need a sweater. Make sure their sleeping area is warm and away from
drafts; remember the floor is colder than where you are. If your puppy gets chilled, warm them
gradually – ideally with your own body heat or a heating pad. They can also get overheated,
so watch them carefully in hot weather.
Puppies tire quickly and don’t have a lot of reserve energy. They need plenty of rest and
quiet time. Watch them carefully for signs of fatigue and give them a quiet place to rest with
no distractions.
Toy Poodles are great indoor dogs and do not require walks, especially if they have a good
yard to play in. However, most will enjoy a walk and the exercise and time with you is excellent
for them. We recommend harnesses rather than collars for walks, as toy poodle necks are thin
and a sharp tug could injure the neck.
In addition to these precautions, you must understand that your adorable puppy looks like
lunch to most other dogs. Even friendly, non-aggressive, smaller dogs may not recognize toys
and teacups as dogs. We have seen attacks on our own and other toy/mini dogs mistaken
for squirrels or toys. NEVER assume your puppy is safe around strange dogs, leash or no
leash, even if the owner assures you they are friendly. If you see an unfamiliar dog, pick up
your puppy immediately and keep her out of reach. Also, keep in mind that many Toy
Poodles are attacked and carried away by coyotes, owls, foxes, etc. - Even in the middle of
the city and even in an enclosed yard. They should be supervised outside, especially around
dawn and dusk.

Finally, poodles require people-time. If you live alone and are a workaholic, you
either need to change your schedule or get a different pet. Poodles often prefer
the company of people to other dogs and without the attention and love they need,
they will become depressed and may develop behavior issues. While having puppy
playmates helps, time with you is essential.

Feeding & Nutrition
We feed Royal Canin Dog Food - found at most pet stores or see the Links page.
We recommend free-feeding (24-hour access to as much food as she wants), especially for
tiny toys, teacups and younger puppies. They have tiny stomachs, but use lots of energy; it
is impossible for them to eat enough in one or two meals to meet their nutritional needs. If you
can’t leave food down round-the-clock, you will need a rather demanding schedule of at least
3-4 feedings per day, with snacks/supplements in between and possibly even midnight
feedings. It is easier for everyone if you can find a way to free-feed. An exception to this is
a stout dog who eats too much; you may need to discuss her intake with your veterinarian to
find the right diet. The amount of food your puppy needs can vary greatly based on size,
body-type and activity level. If you are concerned that she is not eating well, contact us or
your veterinarian.
Puppies must be fed a puppy formula dog food until at least one year old. If you change the
brand of food at any time, remember to do it slowly, mixing the old and new over a week or
two. Sudden changes in diet can cause stomach upset, diarrhea and stress.
Dry dog food should be the main source of food for your puppy. A quality dry dog food
provides balanced nutrition – most treats do not. The kibble (dry food pellet) should be the
smallest available, as their tiny teeth can’t chew big pieces. For occasional treats, we
recommend chicken jerky as it provides good lean protein rather than fillers. For some lean
puppies, teacups or picky eaters, it may be necessary to supplement with canned food or
cooked meat (preferably chicken.) Keep this to a minimum as canned food promotes tooth
decay. If you supplement with canned food, it still must be a puppy formula. In addition to
canned food, you may supplement your puppy’s diet with Nutri-Cal, a dietary supplement.
This can be used as a daily vitamin (pea-sized dab) or a calorie boost if you suspect
hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar, an often sudden illness that can be deadly.
However, it is completely preventable (and thus not covered in the Health Guarantee.) The
causes of hypoglycemia are stress, lack of food or infrequent eating, a chill, or too much
activity. This is a particular concern for tiny toy and teacup puppies and they MUST be
monitored carefully, especially in the first weeks after coming home with you. Symptoms may
be fatigue, listlessness, trouble walking, seizure, and coma. Signs may be subtle at first but
can worsen rapidly – a puppy can go from playing energetically to comatose within hours.
The best way to prevent hypoglycemia is frequent feeding and plenty of rest. If your puppy
is uninterested in food, try using Nutri-Cal or karo syrup (you need to force-feed this if the
puppy is reluctant.)
If your puppy does become hypoglycemic, raising her blood sugar is vital. Use the Nutri-Cal
immediately and monitor her closely. If her condition does not improve within 30 minutes, take
your puppy to your veterinarian or an animal hospital. In severe cases, your puppy will need
rapid stabilization and monitoring that cannot be provided at home.

Grooming
One reason poodles are wonderful is that they do not shed. However, this means their hair
never stops growing and they must have frequent haircuts to prevent matting and skin
irritation. In addition to general grooming, you will need to pay special attention to her
bottom to prevent “poop plugs” that can cause irritation and illness. Check frequently to
assure no poop accumulates in the hair around the bottom (or on the skin) and keep it
closely groomed. Your pet will need regular ear cleaning as well. This is important to prevent
odor, mites and infections. Use an ear cleaning solution and Qtips, and trim/pull hairs
INSIDE the ear to keep them clean. Another area that needs special attention is tear
stains. Regular grooming will minimize them and they can be further controlled with a cleaning
solution made specifically for tear-stains. Last, but not least, is the issue of blocked anal
glands. There is a myth that a dog dragging her bottom on the floor is a sign of worms; the
truth is it is much more likely that the dog needs her anal glands expressed. Ear cleaning,
tear stain care and anal gland expression can be done at home or by a groomer or vet. Keep
in mind: there are wonderful, conscientious groomers, but there are also inexperienced or
lazy groomers who do not always pay close attention to the specific health-related issues of
each dog. Monitor your dog's grooming to make sure all of these areas are being addressed.
If you have any questions or concerns about grooming, please ask us or your vet.

Spaying & Neutering
Non-breeding, companion dogs should always be spayed or neutered.
A spayed/neutered dog is MUCH easier to live with, and has fewer health/behavior
issues. In female dogs, spaying prevents bleeding and eliminates the risk of INJURY in
birth. It also eliminates the risk of uterine cancer and decreases the risk of other cancers and
health problems. In male dogs, it decreases the tendency to mark territory (pee on everything)
and the risk of cancers and other health problems.

There are many care issues and specific situations not discussed here;
many issues must be considered with you, your puppy and your environment
in mind and are not well served by generalizations. As always, if you ever
have any questions about any care issue or are concerned about the health
of your puppy, please feel free to contact us anytime or talk to your
veterinarian.

We are a licensed, reputable breeder located in Colorado, specializing in Toy Poodles, Tiny Toy Poodles,
and Teacup Poodles bred for companion traits. We typically have Toy Poodle Puppies in a variety of colors,
including: Cream, Black, Parti, Phantom, Chocolate, Apricot, Red, White, Silver and more!
We are the best place to find a Toy Poodle Puppy for sale in Colorado!