 A large law firm places an ad in the paper: "Assistant required. Applicant should be able to type, prepare coffee and be bilingual." The next day, a dog walks into the office holding the paper in his teeth. "Are you here for the job?" they ask him. The dog nods his head. "Can you type?" He walks over to the word processor, sits down, and surprises everyone with 65 words per minute. "Can you prepare coffee?" The dog runs over to the coffee machine, instantly changes the filter and prepares a fresh pot. "Very impressive, but are you bilingual?" The dog returns and says, "Meow."  10 Ways a Dog is Better than a Man
These are the answers from dogs when asked "How many dogs does it take to put in a light bulb" Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned-out light bulb?  Border Collie: Just one. And I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code. Dachshund: I can't reach the stupid lamp! Toy Poodle: I'll just blow in the Border Collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry. Rottweilter: Go ahead! Make me! Shih Tzu: Puh-leeze, dah-ling. Let the servants do it! Lab: Oh, me, me!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Can I? Malamute: Let the Border Collie do it. You can feed me while he's busy. Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark. Doberman Pinscher: While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch. Mastiff: Mastiffs are NOT afraid of the dark. Hound Dog: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb. Irish Wolfhound: Can somebody else do it? I've got a hangover. Pointer: I see it, there it is, right there! Greyhound: It isn't moving. Who cares? Australian Shepherd: Put all the light bulbs in a little circle. Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? Light bulb? That thing I just ate was a light bulb? www.lilpoodles.com |
Poodle Puppies, Toy Poodles, Teddy Bear Poodle puppies,Teacup Poodle puppies from Lilpoodles - your trusted toy poodle breeder. Information on all poodle breeds and more!
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Poodle joke, Poodle humor
Where to put your dog crate.
Where Should the Crate be Located?
Position the crate in an area that is easy to supervise, not in an isolated area. At night your bedroom is an ideal place so the dog can feel secure near their owner. Avoid drafts or direct heat, and experiment with crate drapes on the top and/or sides for added security. Multiple crates throughout the home makes training much easier. Be sure to never leave a puppy unattended. If you can't watch them -- crate them.
A crate should never be overused or used as a form of punishment. Crates must always be regarded as a safe and special retreat for your dog. Is your dog crate trained?
www.lilpoodles.com
Position the crate in an area that is easy to supervise, not in an isolated area. At night your bedroom is an ideal place so the dog can feel secure near their owner. Avoid drafts or direct heat, and experiment with crate drapes on the top and/or sides for added security. Multiple crates throughout the home makes training much easier. Be sure to never leave a puppy unattended. If you can't watch them -- crate them.
A crate should never be overused or used as a form of punishment. Crates must always be regarded as a safe and special retreat for your dog. Is your dog crate trained?
www.lilpoodles.com
When to spay or neuter your poodle.
Neutering or Spaying
We suggest that you have your puppy spayed (females) or neutered (males) at a young age. Generally, about 4-6 months of age is recommended for poodle puppies -- but we suggest you speak with your veterinarian.
Important note: if male poodle puppies are neutered at a young age, generally six months or younger, it will help to prevent them from developing the habit of lifting their leg to leave a territorial "marking" when they are older.
www.lilpoodles.com
Trusted breeder of Poodles.
We suggest that you have your puppy spayed (females) or neutered (males) at a young age. Generally, about 4-6 months of age is recommended for poodle puppies -- but we suggest you speak with your veterinarian.
Important note: if male poodle puppies are neutered at a young age, generally six months or younger, it will help to prevent them from developing the habit of lifting their leg to leave a territorial "marking" when they are older.
www.lilpoodles.com
Trusted breeder of Poodles.
Poodle training
Become a Positive Leader for Your Dog
The following information is excerpted from a book we highly recommend:
Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
By Dr. Richard H. Pitcairn
Rodale Press, Inc., Emmaus, Pennsylvania
Note: Over 200,000 copies sold
So how do you become the good leader your dog needs? Wolf packs succeed best when their members are happy, healthy, and in relative harmony with each other. If they were constantly squabbling over their rank, they’d be at a disadvantage for rounding up food. So, to maintain social stability, wolves use ongoing nonviolent signals to remind each other of their standing in the pack.
The need to train your dog provides a perfect context to mimic this repeated posturing and to make your leadership clear to your dog again and again. The idea is to convey to your dog that he gets what he wants in life when he listens to you first. You make this work by applying it dozens of times daily, in little ways.
First, make it fun for your dog to watch you for signals. Whenever he sustains eye contact with you, constantly reinforce him with treats, affection, and whatever he loves to do (playing ball, going for a walk, and so on). Associate it with a command like, “Rover, watch!” Make it fun, and soon the command itself will be enough to get your pet’s attention. Once you can get his attention in this way, you’re ready to proceed to other lessons.
Next, show the dog in lots of little ways that he must look to you first to get what he wants. If your pet wants to go outdoors, you tell him to wait. You walk out first. Then he gets to go out. If the dog wants to eat, first tell him to sit. When he sits, you feed him. If your dog wants affection, first tell him to lie down and have him stay for 30 seconds. Then you release him with a code word like “okay” and play together. Once the routine gets going, and your pet knows a few simple commands and learns that getting it right earns him lots of praise plus the thing he wants, he’ll love it.
Every time you tell your dog what to do and he listens, it gently reinforces the idea that you’re in charge, so he doesn’t need to be concerned. It constantly signals to the dog that you’re the leader, and it provides an ongoing supply of the attention he loves. Some dogs will accept this at once, others will put up a struggle about who’s top dog. But consistent, daily, enjoyable reminders of your roles will lead to a more relaxed and confident pet. Make praise and reward the cornerstone of your relationship. Simply by applying the central command to “Watch,” you will soon be past the struggling stage in teaching your dog the basics. Learning itself will become an enjoyable game for him. Your pet will eagerly try to figure out what you want so he can do it!
www.lilpoodles.com
The following information is excerpted from a book we highly recommend:
Natural Health for Dogs and Cats
By Dr. Richard H. Pitcairn
Rodale Press, Inc., Emmaus, Pennsylvania
Note: Over 200,000 copies sold
So how do you become the good leader your dog needs? Wolf packs succeed best when their members are happy, healthy, and in relative harmony with each other. If they were constantly squabbling over their rank, they’d be at a disadvantage for rounding up food. So, to maintain social stability, wolves use ongoing nonviolent signals to remind each other of their standing in the pack.
The need to train your dog provides a perfect context to mimic this repeated posturing and to make your leadership clear to your dog again and again. The idea is to convey to your dog that he gets what he wants in life when he listens to you first. You make this work by applying it dozens of times daily, in little ways.
First, make it fun for your dog to watch you for signals. Whenever he sustains eye contact with you, constantly reinforce him with treats, affection, and whatever he loves to do (playing ball, going for a walk, and so on). Associate it with a command like, “Rover, watch!” Make it fun, and soon the command itself will be enough to get your pet’s attention. Once you can get his attention in this way, you’re ready to proceed to other lessons.
Next, show the dog in lots of little ways that he must look to you first to get what he wants. If your pet wants to go outdoors, you tell him to wait. You walk out first. Then he gets to go out. If the dog wants to eat, first tell him to sit. When he sits, you feed him. If your dog wants affection, first tell him to lie down and have him stay for 30 seconds. Then you release him with a code word like “okay” and play together. Once the routine gets going, and your pet knows a few simple commands and learns that getting it right earns him lots of praise plus the thing he wants, he’ll love it.
Every time you tell your dog what to do and he listens, it gently reinforces the idea that you’re in charge, so he doesn’t need to be concerned. It constantly signals to the dog that you’re the leader, and it provides an ongoing supply of the attention he loves. Some dogs will accept this at once, others will put up a struggle about who’s top dog. But consistent, daily, enjoyable reminders of your roles will lead to a more relaxed and confident pet. Make praise and reward the cornerstone of your relationship. Simply by applying the central command to “Watch,” you will soon be past the struggling stage in teaching your dog the basics. Learning itself will become an enjoyable game for him. Your pet will eagerly try to figure out what you want so he can do it!
www.lilpoodles.com
A Little Yogurt Fights Off Intestinal Parasites
One of the best things you can do for your puppies health is to add a teaspoon of yogurt to their raw food diet mix. We strongly suggest that you add a little bit of all natural organic yogurt daily. Your dog will love it, and the "live culture" present in yogurt will work wonders in your dogs intestinal tract. The intestinal tract is home of the always present coccidea parasites and organic yogurt works wonders in fighting of coccidea growth. It doesn't cost much, and the Horizon Organic Yogurt pictured here is available at Walmart grocery stores – but any organic yogurt will suffice.
www.lilpoodles.com
One of the best things you can do for your puppies health is to add a teaspoon of yogurt to their raw food diet mix. We strongly suggest that you add a little bit of all natural organic yogurt daily. Your dog will love it, and the "live culture" present in yogurt will work wonders in your dogs intestinal tract. The intestinal tract is home of the always present coccidea parasites and organic yogurt works wonders in fighting of coccidea growth. It doesn't cost much, and the Horizon Organic Yogurt pictured here is available at Walmart grocery stores – but any organic yogurt will suffice.
www.lilpoodles.com
Caring for Your New Poodle Puppy
Vet Appointment
Your puppy will be up to date on vaccinations and wormed. Your vet will continue a vaccination schedule, which you must follow and keep up with. Puppies get a series of vaccinations just like children go through immunizations. It is typically one booster shot per month until they are about 16 weeks of age. All pups are born with round worms so we worm them often. They should not have any worms by the time they go home but it is always a good idea to take a fresh stool sample to your vet to have it checked for protozoa’s and parasites just in case.
Vet Appointment
Your puppy will be up to date on vaccinations and wormed. Your vet will continue a vaccination schedule, which you must follow and keep up with. Puppies get a series of vaccinations just like children go through immunizations. It is typically one booster shot per month until they are about 16 weeks of age. All pups are born with round worms so we worm them often. They should not have any worms by the time they go home but it is always a good idea to take a fresh stool sample to your vet to have it checked for protozoa’s and parasites just in case.
Coccidiosis (aka Coccidia)
We also want all of our customers to be well aware of the signs of stress in a puppy. Lots of puppies can stress out from the move. Think about it, new sounds, new smells, new voices, new faces and absolutely everything is different. This can cause a little puppy to become very scared. Even though you shower your puppy with attention and love, he or she can still become stressed from the changes. The first sign of stress is a loose stool. First it can get loose, then mucousy or even a tint of pink may appear in it (blood). Not to worry, it is very curable! This is what is diagnosed as Coccidiosis (aka Coccidia). I have done lots of research on this and the best way I can describe it is as follows. Coccidia is a protozoa that is dormant like in the intestines. It is commonly referred to as a parasite but it is indeed a protozoa. Not that it matters, they are treated pretty much the same. When a puppy gets upset, this protozoa can become active and irritate the intestinal lining which thus causes the loose stool, mucous and blood. If ignored, it can be very serious and fatal. If you know what to watch for, you can catch it and treat it right away.
Most vets prescribe an oral antibiotic called Albon. Albon is a sweet tasting oral antibiotic that is given once a day for about 10 days. It is remarkable how quickly it takes affect. Within 24 hours usually you will see a big change. Now remember this is if you are keeping watch on your puppy and looking for signs. If ignored, a puppy will get diarrhea and it only goes down hill from there. Worse case would be not only the diarrhea but also vomiting and eventually becoming lethargic and dehydrated. The smaller the puppy, the quicker you can lose them. Although this may be very scary to you, we have never lost a puppy to coccidia. We have only seen it show up in pups at two times. The first time is when they are being weaned from the mom if it happens too quickly and the other is when they move to their new home. I have read that it can come on in a matter of only seven hours! The way we try to prevent this is by sending a bottle of Albon home with your puppy when he or she leaves if we believe there is a high chance of them getting it. My vet thinks it is a good idea to just use the Albon as a preventative as well as a treatment. If you have any questions at all on this subject, please ask!
We also want all of our customers to be well aware of the signs of stress in a puppy. Lots of puppies can stress out from the move. Think about it, new sounds, new smells, new voices, new faces and absolutely everything is different. This can cause a little puppy to become very scared. Even though you shower your puppy with attention and love, he or she can still become stressed from the changes. The first sign of stress is a loose stool. First it can get loose, then mucousy or even a tint of pink may appear in it (blood). Not to worry, it is very curable! This is what is diagnosed as Coccidiosis (aka Coccidia). I have done lots of research on this and the best way I can describe it is as follows. Coccidia is a protozoa that is dormant like in the intestines. It is commonly referred to as a parasite but it is indeed a protozoa. Not that it matters, they are treated pretty much the same. When a puppy gets upset, this protozoa can become active and irritate the intestinal lining which thus causes the loose stool, mucous and blood. If ignored, it can be very serious and fatal. If you know what to watch for, you can catch it and treat it right away.
Most vets prescribe an oral antibiotic called Albon. Albon is a sweet tasting oral antibiotic that is given once a day for about 10 days. It is remarkable how quickly it takes affect. Within 24 hours usually you will see a big change. Now remember this is if you are keeping watch on your puppy and looking for signs. If ignored, a puppy will get diarrhea and it only goes down hill from there. Worse case would be not only the diarrhea but also vomiting and eventually becoming lethargic and dehydrated. The smaller the puppy, the quicker you can lose them. Although this may be very scary to you, we have never lost a puppy to coccidia. We have only seen it show up in pups at two times. The first time is when they are being weaned from the mom if it happens too quickly and the other is when they move to their new home. I have read that it can come on in a matter of only seven hours! The way we try to prevent this is by sending a bottle of Albon home with your puppy when he or she leaves if we believe there is a high chance of them getting it. My vet thinks it is a good idea to just use the Albon as a preventative as well as a treatment. If you have any questions at all on this subject, please ask!
Hypoglycemia
If you are in the market for a Teacup or Tiny puppy, you may have read already about the risks of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in the smaller puppies. First of all there has to be a reason for a puppy’s blood sugar level to drop. A happy, healthy puppy is not going to just get low blood sugar for no reason! It can be brought on by poor diet or an illness. First and far most important, they must be eating well. If a puppy refuses to eat because they are still adjusting, we recommend feeding them pretty much whatever they will eat! I have found that puppies will eat their dry kibble much easier if there is something moist mixed in with it. Try adding cottage cheese or yogurt, some canned puppy food or baby food chicken out of the jar along with some corn syrup. This is much more enticing than just a bowl of dry puppy food. You can even add this syrup to you puppy’s drinking water as a constant source of sugar. You can even put a little warm water or pedialite over their food. Some people will boil chicken for a puppy or brown some ground beef and add rice to it. This is great for a puppy and they love it! There are many different things you can make up for a puppy but these are what I know have worked in the past.
Typically a puppy is scared when they get home, not for long but they may not want to eat on the first evening. Don’t be alarmed. This is very common and by the next day they eat like they are starving and everything is back to normal. If your puppy is pretty small, we send a tube of Nutra Cal home with the pup. This is a vitamin supplement that the main ingredient in it is corn syrup. This is what saves a lot of puppies that stand a chance of getting hypoglycemic. It can be given every two hours if needed but typically not but maybe 4 times a day. When the puppy is eating well and into his/her routine, Nutra Cal can be given once a day as a vitamin supplement. Some people have used corn syrup when there is nothing else available and their puppy is very weak (becoming hypoglycemic). If your puppy seems to be acting normal one minute, running and playing and then all of a sudden they are so tired they cannot lift their head, this is a sure sign of hypoglycemia. If ignored, the puppy will become almost lifeless, have seizures and lose conscience. This would be near death and nothing to be ignored. A puppy can die very quickly if not treated. The best thing to do is get some corn syrup down them quickly (pancake syrup …something very sweet) and rush the puppy to your vet. After giving them the sugar, they should respond within 30 minutes. They can almost return to normal but you need to find out what the cause is.
Some extremely tiny teacups need to be watched constantly because they have to eat often and get lots of TLC or they can stress and die. A very small dog is not a good idea to own if you and your family are gone a lot and have busy schedules. A teacup needs a human around and should not be left alone for more than a few hours at a time. A larger teacup is not as fragile but they do still require lots of TLC. If you like the little dogs but cannot afford the big price, check out maybe a Tiny Toy or Toy size. They are still lovely little lap dogs that can travel well and be great companions.
If you are in the market for a Teacup or Tiny puppy, you may have read already about the risks of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in the smaller puppies. First of all there has to be a reason for a puppy’s blood sugar level to drop. A happy, healthy puppy is not going to just get low blood sugar for no reason! It can be brought on by poor diet or an illness. First and far most important, they must be eating well. If a puppy refuses to eat because they are still adjusting, we recommend feeding them pretty much whatever they will eat! I have found that puppies will eat their dry kibble much easier if there is something moist mixed in with it. Try adding cottage cheese or yogurt, some canned puppy food or baby food chicken out of the jar along with some corn syrup. This is much more enticing than just a bowl of dry puppy food. You can even add this syrup to you puppy’s drinking water as a constant source of sugar. You can even put a little warm water or pedialite over their food. Some people will boil chicken for a puppy or brown some ground beef and add rice to it. This is great for a puppy and they love it! There are many different things you can make up for a puppy but these are what I know have worked in the past.
Typically a puppy is scared when they get home, not for long but they may not want to eat on the first evening. Don’t be alarmed. This is very common and by the next day they eat like they are starving and everything is back to normal. If your puppy is pretty small, we send a tube of Nutra Cal home with the pup. This is a vitamin supplement that the main ingredient in it is corn syrup. This is what saves a lot of puppies that stand a chance of getting hypoglycemic. It can be given every two hours if needed but typically not but maybe 4 times a day. When the puppy is eating well and into his/her routine, Nutra Cal can be given once a day as a vitamin supplement. Some people have used corn syrup when there is nothing else available and their puppy is very weak (becoming hypoglycemic). If your puppy seems to be acting normal one minute, running and playing and then all of a sudden they are so tired they cannot lift their head, this is a sure sign of hypoglycemia. If ignored, the puppy will become almost lifeless, have seizures and lose conscience. This would be near death and nothing to be ignored. A puppy can die very quickly if not treated. The best thing to do is get some corn syrup down them quickly (pancake syrup …something very sweet) and rush the puppy to your vet. After giving them the sugar, they should respond within 30 minutes. They can almost return to normal but you need to find out what the cause is.
Some extremely tiny teacups need to be watched constantly because they have to eat often and get lots of TLC or they can stress and die. A very small dog is not a good idea to own if you and your family are gone a lot and have busy schedules. A teacup needs a human around and should not be left alone for more than a few hours at a time. A larger teacup is not as fragile but they do still require lots of TLC. If you like the little dogs but cannot afford the big price, check out maybe a Tiny Toy or Toy size. They are still lovely little lap dogs that can travel well and be great companions.
Training
There are options to choose from when it comes to training your new puppy. One option is to crate train. Another option is to train the puppy to go potty on a piddle pad (aka wee wee pad or puppy training pad) or on newspaper. The last option that has become pretty popular now is litter box training. Here are some useful links on the different types of training:
There are options to choose from when it comes to training your new puppy. One option is to crate train. Another option is to train the puppy to go potty on a piddle pad (aka wee wee pad or puppy training pad) or on newspaper. The last option that has become pretty popular now is litter box training. Here are some useful links on the different types of training:
- http://www.tonypassera.com/thedogsite/www//new/article.php?article=11
- http://www.barkbytes.com/training/crate.htm
- http://www.bichon.org/crate.htm
- http://www.dvah.com/crate.htm
Dos and Don'ts
- No matter what way you choose to train your poodle puppy, be sure to always praise the pup and give him/her a treat when the job is well done. Using a stern, lower voice is enough scolding to a small breed dog. Please do not harm your puppy in any way when getting frustrated in training. Remember, they are only going to learn if you are consistent in teaching them. So many people give up or do not try hard enough to properly train a dog. A poodle is one of the most intelligent breeds out there and they are not difficult to train if the trainer is consistent.
- Puppies sleep a lot so make sure you have an area designated just for puppy. A blanket, towel or doggy bed in the corner of a room will work just fine. If you are crate training your puppy, the crate is a safe place for the puppy to nap. Once the crate training is finished, you can always remove the door from the crate and that will remain the puppy’s safe spot to rest. Dogs like small confined spaces like this. Make sure your crate is not too big (just enough room for them to lay down and turn around).
- Children should be supervised when playing with puppies. If a puppy is mistreated, it could change that puppy’s personality for the rest of his or her life! Make sure that the puppy is never left unattended with children you are unsure about. Some children are very respectful of animals and as we all know, some are never taught to be respectful.
- Never leave a puppy unattended on furniture. A poodle puppy can think he is very brave at times and may try to jump. To avoid any broken bones or worse, be sure to make a house rule of never leaving your puppy on the sofa or bed. Stairs are something that a poodle can learn to go up and down, as they get older. Even a teacup can run up and down stairs if they put their mind to it. I have some very small teacups that run up and down the stairs safely and quickly. However, I also have some full size Toy Poodles that are scared to death of a flight of stairs. It is all in what you expose them to and what they feel safe doing.
- As most of us know, Toy Poodles are very popular dogs. Never leave your puppy unattended to outdoors. I have actually had a customer report that their dog was stolen from their yard! Don’t take any chances; keep a watchful eye on your poodle no matter what his/her age is. Also be careful of large birds. Eagles, Hawks and Owls are large enough to swoop down and grab a puppy. That is a horrible thought but it has happened!
- Lastly, do not take your puppy anywhere in the public that an ill animal could have been until they are fully vaccinated. This usually means at least 16 weeks of age. Once they have all of their vaccinations in them, they are usually immune to the diseases. Public parks, pet stores that allow you to bring your pets in and vet clinics are the main places to be careful of. Of course you have to take your puppy to the vet clinic for vaccinations. However, do not put him/her down on the floor. Make sure the office is clean and the tables are cleaned with a disinfectant that tills viruses. You can never be too safe!
Benefits of Apple cider vinegar for dogs
What's new in holistic pet care? Try apple cider vinegar – or, as its fans call it, ACV. OK, it isn't new, but this centuries-old product is enjoying new popularity in canine circles.
Those who are old enough remember when Dr. D.C. Jarvis of Vermont made apple cider vinegar a household word with his 1958 best seller, Folk Medicine. According to Jarvis, native Vermonters used cider vinegar to cure migraine headaches, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, indigestion, and a host of other ailments.
ACV enthusiasts say that the amber liquid has a multitude of actions and benefits for both dogs and people, including:
| The most potent form of apple cider vinegar is raw and unpasteurized. The brands that are made from organic apples may be even better. |
• Relieves or prevents arthritis
• Improves digestion
• Acts as a urinary system tonic, clears urinary tract infections, and prevents the formation of kidney and bladder stones
• Improves the growth and condition of fur and hair
• Clears the skin of bacterial and fungal infections
• Reduces skin flaking and dander
• Makes one less attractive to biting insects
• Helps prevent food poisoning
• Acts as a natural antibiotic by interrupt- ing the development of infectious bacterial and viral diseases
• Relieves muscle fatigue
• Alleviates itching
• Improves ability to adapt to cold temperatures
• Reduces hock and elbow calluses
• When applied to the ears, clears and prevents ear infections.
Many orthodox veterinarians scoff at such claims because they have never been subjected to the rigors of double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Instead they are supported by personal experiences, testimonials, and other anecdotal evidence.
Barbara Werner first tried apple cider vinegar when her Golden Retriever, Kate, was ten months old. Because the puppy was allergic to chemical flea products, Werner was looking for a nontoxic repellent, and a show judge recommended cider vinegar.
Werner began adding ACV to her dogs' food and drinking water, and she diluted it with water to spray on their coats. That was 11 years ago. Werner has been using it ever since, and Kate is still flea-free.
“In combination with a raw diet and garlic, it keeps biting insects away,” she says, “and I think it improves the dogs' digestion and makes their coats glossy. I usually add it to the food processor when I puree their raw vegetables, and each dog takes about one tablespoon of cider vinegar per day.” Because ACV is a natural preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria, it extends the refrigerator shelf life of pureed vegetables to a week or longer, making the blend convenient as well as nutritious.
Because it has a distinctive taste, Tellington TTouch practitioner Karen Doyle, of Chester, New York, recommends cider vinegar as a flavoring agent. “When dogs travel,” she explains, “they are sometimes unwilling to drink water that smells and tastes different from what they are used to at home. Most dogs adapt quickly to the taste of apple cider vinegar and will drink any water to which small amounts have been added. Cider vinegar is inexpensive insurance against dehydration.”
The vinegar controversy
Although promoted as a nutritional powerhouse and an unequaled source of vitamins and minerals, especially potassium, cider vinegar contains less potassium than many if not most unprocessed foods. It has only minute amounts of other minerals, and its vitamin content is negligible. Raw, unpasteurized cider vinegar does contain enzymes and other fragile nutrients that are destroyed by the heat of pasteurization or distillation. Advocates of cider vinegar usually recommend raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized vinegar that comes complete with traces of the “mother,” a slimy sediment that contains the bacteria necessary for conversion from hard cider to vinegar (see sidebar).
Although promoted as a nutritional powerhouse and an unequaled source of vitamins and minerals, especially potassium, cider vinegar contains less potassium than many if not most unprocessed foods. It has only minute amounts of other minerals, and its vitamin content is negligible. Raw, unpasteurized cider vinegar does contain enzymes and other fragile nutrients that are destroyed by the heat of pasteurization or distillation. Advocates of cider vinegar usually recommend raw, unfiltered, unpasteurized vinegar that comes complete with traces of the “mother,” a slimy sediment that contains the bacteria necessary for conversion from hard cider to vinegar (see sidebar).
| ACV can be used externally to improve the growth and condition of a dog's skin and coat, and to repel fleas and ticks. The result is a happy dog with a shiny, smooth coat. |
Unpasteurized ACV's enzymes are said to improve digestion. “In addition,” says Beverly Cappel, D.V.M, “apple cider vinegar acidifies the gastrointestinal tract and promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria. All of these factors are important to digestion.”
Stomach acid is essential to the breakdown and assimilation of proteins, and when age, stress, or other factors reduce the stomach's secretion of hydrochloric acid (HCl), the result is incomplete digestion. Jonathan Wright, M.D., often writes about the links between HCl production and the condition of human hair and nails.
According to Wright, the incomplete digestion of protein caused by insufficient HCl is the leading cause of weak, brittle nails and hair. Nutritionally oriented physicians often recommend vinegar, lemon juice, or HCl supplements with meals for patients who complain of digestive distress or who have weak, splitting fingernails. When dog owners add small amounts of apple cider vinegar to their animals' feed and notice a gradually improving coat, stronger nails and firmer muscle tone, the reason may be improved protein digestion resulting from an increase of acid in the stomach.
Some disagreement
However, not everyone agrees that apple cider vinegar should be given to dogs. Pat McKay, canine nutritionist and author of the natural diet book Reigning Cats and Dogs, doesn't like cider vinegar, and she doesn't mince words; she calls it poison.
However, not everyone agrees that apple cider vinegar should be given to dogs. Pat McKay, canine nutritionist and author of the natural diet book Reigning Cats and Dogs, doesn't like cider vinegar, and she doesn't mince words; she calls it poison.
“I believe Peter J. D'Amado is on the right track in his book, Eat Right for Your Type,” she says. “Each of the human blood types has an ideal diet, and the diet recommended for type O most closely resembles the meat-based diet on which dogs evolved. D'Amado warns that cider vinegar is very damaging to this type, and I agree with him. I happen to be a type O, and apple cider vinegar has always made me feel miserable. I never knew why until I read his book. I believe dogs have a similar reaction because even small quantities of vinegar can throw their bodies' pH out of balance.”
Marina Zacharias, pet nutritionist and publisher of Natural Rearing newsletter, shares McKay's concern about pH levels. She recommends that owners have their dogs' blood and urine tested before adding cider vinegar to their daily diet.
“If a dog's system is too alkaline,” she says, “cider vinegar will help, but by itself it may not correct the problem and the dog will need additional support. If the dog's system is too acidic, which is a condition called acidosis, the result can be stress on the pancreas and adrenal organs, which are important regulators of blood pH levels. The symptoms of acidosis range from diarrhea or constipation to low blood pressure, hard stools, and sensitivity of the teeth and mouth. Often we see acidosis in combination with other conditions, such as kidney, liver, and adrenal problems. In certain cases, adding vinegar to a dog's food could aggravate an already-existing problem in the body.”
Are adverse side effects likely? If a dog is allergic to vinegar, he might vomit, scratch furiously, or have a similarly obvious reaction. Although there is much debate on this issue, some believe that vinegar may worsen chronic ear infections.
“You have to apply common sense,” says Sue Ann Lesser, D.V.M. “Most dogs are notoriously over-alkaline, and cider vinegar will help them. If a dog's system is overly acidic, you'll see clinical signs, such as obvious symptoms of illness. I know quite a few dogs that take cider vinegar according to the directions in Wendy Volhard's book, and I don't know of any that have had bad results.”
In her book, The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog, author Wendy Volhard recommends using pH paper strips (for purchasing information, see Resources) to check the dog's first morning urine. “If it reads anywhere from 6.2 to 6.5, your dog's system is exactly where it should be,” and no ACV is needed, she says. “But if it is 7.5 or higher, the diet you are feeding is too alkaline, and apple cider vinegar will reestablish the correct balance.” Volhard recommends one teaspoon to one tablespoon twice daily for a 50-pound dog.
Topical applications
Apple cider vinegar can be diluted half-and-half with water for external application, and, when stronger measures are needed, it can be used full-strength.
Apple cider vinegar can be diluted half-and-half with water for external application, and, when stronger measures are needed, it can be used full-strength.
When the male dogs attending a New England dog show experienced an incapacitating allergic reaction that made their testicles swell, Volhard declined the steroid shot offered by the attending veterinarian and instead applied ACV to the legs, testicles, and exposed skin of her male Newfoundland, Cato. The next morning he was completely well and took a High in Trial, while the other affected dogs needed weeks to recover. Volhard recommends ACV as a hot spot preventive, itch stopper, general disinfectant, virus deterrent, food poisoning preventive, and flea and tick repellent.
Apple cider vinegar can be sponged onto a dog's coat after bathing to remove soap residues and improve hair condition. Vinegar's acidity and live enzymes are said to kill bacteria that cause flaking skin conditions. Soak the coat to the skin and let it air-dry. This same treatment is said to repel fleas and ticks.
Apple cider vinegar cools the skin when applied to burns, wounds, or hot spots. It can be massaged into sore or sprained muscles and is the foundation of many herbal liniments that relieve pain and inflammation.
Although vinegar's promoters recommend raw apple cider vinegar for topical and internal use, distilled white or cider vinegar can be used as a cleaning agent, reducing your dog's exposure to cleaning chemicals. In her book, Apple Cider Vinegar, Patricia Bragg, N.D., Ph.D., lists dozens of uses for vinegar in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and garden.
Apple cider vinegar may be an “unproven remedy” by FDA standards, but many dog owners swear by its internal and external benefits. Because it is inexpensive, widely available, nontoxic, and easy to use, apple cider vinegar will remain a popular remedy through the 21st century
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