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Care (Main Page)

Maltipoo Care Tips

(that owners don't always follow)

Overview

Every pet parent's goal is to take exceptional care of their canine family member, but still, it's not always easy to juggle everything that needs to be done. So, routinely reassessing your Maltipoo's care can help you see where something may be lacking and allow you to get back on track. 

Let's go over the top 5 Maltipoo care tips that owners do not follow, but should. These will help bring balance, safety, emotional happiness, health and a fulfilling life to your amazing puppy or dog.
pure white Maltipoo

Loki, at 1 year old, photo courtesy of Yvelyse Santiago

Care Tip #1 Puppy-proof the house & yard, no matter your Maltipoo's age

Why pet parents may not do this:


Unfortunately, this care guideline is usually implemented right before a new pup arrives home, but then it's gradually forgotten.

Why this care tip is important:

Dogs of any age can suffer from injuries, poisoning, and even fatal accidents if the house and yard are not routinely kept free of dangers. 

How to implement this care tip:

• At least once a month, do a sweep of the entire house; try to look at it from your Maltipoo’s viewpoint. What is within reach? What has fallen to the floor? What is under furniture? What has rolled to the corners of the kitchen? Remove any items that could be chewed or accidentally swallowed. 

• Even if your Maltipoo never showed interest before, all electrical cords should be kept completely out of reach or covered with a cord protector like the PetCords Cord Protector which is meant to keep dogs and other pets from chewing on electrical cords and suffering death by electrocution. 

• If your Maltipoo has matured since the last ‘puppy-proofing’ session, see what they may be able to achieve now that they are older. If it is even remotely possible that they could use their nose or paws to open lower cabinets in the kitchen or bathroom, place child-proof locks on them.


• Finally, survey the yard. It’s not uncommon for dogs to swallow pebbles or weeds, or chew on open bags of fertilizer. Any sharp objects are concerns as well. And since some types of bees, wasps and hornets make their homes at ground level or under the ground with ground-level entrances, check for newly built nests; stinging insects are always a potential danger for small dogs.

Care Tip #2 Schedule and keep yearly wellness checks with the vet

Why pet parents may not do this:

Some puppies come with health guarantees and pups see the veterinarian a lot when young for vaccinations, but then as a Maltipoo matures, owners may not see the need for vet visits if everything seems fine, especially if the budget is tight. Another problem, particularly with senior dogs, is that pet parents can be in denial; they believe something may be wrong, but are afraid to find out.

Why this care tip is important: 

A Maltipoo of any age, at any time and without any warning, can develop a health problem. With many canine health conditions, early detection is vital. Skipping wellness checks can mean needless suffering, delayed treatment, and worsening prognosis. 

How to implement this care tip 
  • Make the call to the vet and schedule a day/time that is convenient for you (so you are less likely to cancel) and make a pledge to follow through. 
  • Is money an issue? It is for many pet parents; but keeping a canine family member healthy is priceless. Some dog owners choose to obtain pet insurance and others opt to budget $20 to $30 a month for future checkups and other costs that may come up.
  • If you know that something is wrong with your older Maltipoo, postponing a checkup will never be the better option. It's always best to face issues head on and obtain treatment for your senior as soon as possible.

Care Tip #3 Clean your Maltipoo's teeth on a daily basis

Why pet parents may not do this:

Some people mistakenly believe that cleaning a dog's teeth is not necessary and others simply let this care task fall to the wayside due to lack of commitment to their dog's dental hygiene.

Why this care tip is important:

Canines can and do suffer very painful and life-altering dental issues. With dogs, plaque is produced in the mouth around-the-clock. If it is not removed, it hardens into tartar. While you may not see the full consequences until years down the road, plaque and tartar eat away at a dog's tooth enamel, can lead to gingivitis (gum disease), jaw bone deterioration, painful infections (which can also travel to the sinuses and/or lead to full-body sepsis), and eventual tooth loss which can severely affect a dog's ability to take in enough nutrition. 

How to implement this care tip:

1) Start fresh. If your Maltipoo is overdue for a wellness check with the vet, make an appointment. Find out exactly where your Maltipoo stands in regard to their dental needs. If the vet needs to do a professional ‘full dental’, the teeth will be cleaned & scraped and x-rays will identity any issues. Then, you can follow a daily routine (see next) that will keep your Maltipoo's teeth healthy and can even extend their life span.

2) Brush the teeth. This is one of the most effective methods to keep a Maltipoo's teeth clean and should not be bypassed unless a dog has proven to have zero tolerance to it (and many can become acclimated to this care task). Use a canine toothbrush (handled or finger brush) and a canine paste (non-foaming and without fluoride; it is meant to be swallowed). For this, a good option is the Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Puppy Dental Kit which contains both types of brushes and a delicious, safe and effective cleaning paste.   

3) A dental spray. This is not as effective as brushing but is an option that can work, especially if you offer a daily dental chew as well (see below). Not all dog dental sprays are the same; some only work to freshen the breath. But one like Pets Are Kids Too Dental Spray can help can diminish plaque when sprayed directly onto the teeth and gums.

4) Daily dental chews. This should be used in conjunction with another cleaning method (brushing or spray, as seen above). Dental chews are specifically designed edible treats that can help to remove some (but not all) plaque. Note that these have a hard consistency (in order to do their job), so dogs should be supervised, with any small pieces that may break off tossed in the trash. One that we recommend is the very popular Greenies Teenie Natural Dog Dental Treats which is made for dogs 5 to 15 lbs.

Care Tip #4 Exercise your Maltipoo every day

Why pet parents may not do this:

There's lots of possible reasons this care task is skipped over, ranging from wanting to avoid bad weather in the wintertime to having time constraints; in some cases, both human and dog may have gotten a bit lackadaisical with their activity levels.

Why this care tip is important:

It simply cannot be overstated how vital regular exercise is for dogs.


Exercise helps keep a dog's bones strong, muscles in good shape and the heart healthy. It can delay the onset of canine arthritis, and prevent certain cancers, canine diabetes and many more common diseases. Exercise helps keep a dog at a healthy weight, keeps digestion working well with regular bowel movements, and plays a huge role in both behavior and self-contentment. Without a doubt, it helps to improve quality of life and extend life span.

How to implement this care tip:

1) Daily walks. While there are other cardio activities that can be fun (see more ahead), walks are the easiest and most straightforward method. It gives you a clear goal (go from A to B) and you can easily control the pace. Aim for two walks per day, at a minimum of 20 minutes each and at a pace that is considered brisk for your Maltipoo.


Note that puppies should be two weeks past the completion of all puppy shots in order to venture out into public areas and no matter what your Maltipoo's age be sure to have them wear a harness, not a collar. Maltipoos and other small breeds are prone to collapsed trachea and other related issues and a harness, like the Puppia Soft B Harness Vest, helps to prevent stress on the neck (and offers you better control).

2) Be ready for inclement weather. If you let rain, the cold, or even some snow stop you, your Maltipoo's exercise schedule may be lacking. So, although severe weather may call for indoor exercise, do head outside if at all possible. Even a simple vest like the Kuoser British Style Windproof Water Repellent Coat can help keep a dog dry and warm (be sure you are also properly dressed).

Alternatively or in conjunction with that, the use of a large umbrella can be helpful. One originally designed for golfers, such as the ZOMAKE Double Canopy Umbrella, can work great for two friends out on a walk.

3) Other activity. For days with hazardous weather, including winter snowstorms or extreme heat in the summertime, or to add some extra fun to your Maltipoo's activity, other cardio exercise such as a game of fetch can be played.

Use a timer to ensure sessions last at least 20 minutes (breaks are okay). For this, something as simple as Midlee X-Small Dog Tennis Balls can be used either indoors (down a hallway, etc.) or outdoors (safe fenced in area or while on a long leash). 


Note that a dog walking about the house, doing command training, and other such motion does not count as exercise

Care Tip #5 Offer quality food

Why pet parents may not do this:

We've found that in most cases, it's a matter of pet parents not realizing how detrimental some dog food is and/or mistakenly trusting certain well-known (yet subpar) brands.

Why this care tip is important:

Sadly, there is a lot to avoid with today's dog commercial dog food. Synthetic preservatives are linked with everything from allergies to cancer. Artificial coloring dyes and flavoring are linked to liver, brain, and kidney issues, as well as allergic reactions. By-products and generic meats/oils usually equal low nutritional value. And fillers can cause intestinal distress, allergies and malnutrition.

How to implement this care tip:

There are many elements that all come together in order to provide a healthy and complete diet; much of this can be summarized in our Maltipoo feeding guidelines article. However, a lot of this revolves around sticking to a wholesome, all-natural diet for meals, snacks, and training treats. In essence, you will be avoiding all of the previously-mentioned detrimental ingredients and opting instead for clean, additive-free foods with optimal nutritional intake.

An example of a high-quality kibble is Wellness CORE for Small Breeds which is sized for dogs like the Maltipoo, is 100% all-natural and contains healthy extras including omega-3 fish oil and antioxidants.

Things to do now:

Become a free Member so that you'll receive a friendly reminder via a newsletter, when we add new pages and sections to the site. It's a great way to ensure that you don't miss any information. 
Request your copy of the PetMaltipoo eBook - The most comprehensive Maltipoo care book that exists. This is a 'must have' book for all Maltipoo owners (PDF format).
You May Also Like:

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Safe Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Prevention for Maltipoos - Clearing the confusion about the various products in order to avoid adverse side effects and using all-natural products that are surprisingly effective year-round. 
Taking Care of a Maltipoo in the Summer - The summer season can be a challenging time to take care of a dog like the Maltipoo. See our top care tips for hot, sunny weather. Applies to both puppies and adult dogs. 
When a Maltipoo Won't Eat - Small breeds can't afford to go long without sufficient food. Learn why a dog may start to refuse food and what you can do to resolve this. 
Top 10 Maltipoo QuestionsAnswers to the most commonly asked questions about this incredible hybrid dog. Includes queries about being hyper, being yappy, tear stains, licking, shedding, growling, shivering and sleep.
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