Keeping your Labradoodle’s claws in check can be a daunting task, but it is absolutely necessary. You must trim your dog’s claws on a regular basis, usually once or twice a month. Don’t forget the dewclaws on the inner side of the front paws! They are easily forgotten but must be trimmed like every other nail. If you do not trim them, your dog much more likely to snag them on something and tear them. A torn dewclaw is a very painful thing for your dog and often results in a trip to the vet.

The frequency with which you trim your dog’s nails will vary depending on its lifestyle and activity level. If you are not comfortable trimming or feel unprepared to do so, have a groomer or vet show you how.

Cleaning your dog’s ears isn’t the world’s most entertaining job, but it should be part of your normal grooming routine. Your dog’s ear health depends on you. Infections come on quickly, and keeping your dog’s ears clean and dry is the best way to ward them off.

If you notice your dog scratching at his or her ears, or if you see redness in the ear or detect an unpleasant odor coming from the ear, your dog may have developed an ear infection. Visit your vet if you notice any of these symptoms, as cleaning alone won’t clear up the issue.

The frequency with which you trim your dog’s nails will vary depending on its lifestyle and activity level. If you are not comfortable trimming or feel unprepared to do so, have a groomer or vet show you how.

Examining and cleaning ears, from the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. More terrific pictures!

For natural ear cleaner and treatment, IT’S FOR THE ANIMALS has wonderful information and a recipe for Blue Powder Ear Treatment you can make for holistic care of dog ears.

Take these three simple steps to prevent eye infections in your dog. Regular cleaning and care is a must. Keep hair trimmed away from your dog’s eyes using blunt tipped scissors.Thinning shears work best.Hair that rubs against the eye can introduce bacteria, leading to infection.

Keep your dog’s eyes clean by using an eye wash or pads designed to wipe away debris and gunk.Check your dog’s eyes regularly, and schedule an appointment with your vet if you detect any irregularities.

Your dog absolutely requires good dental care. Fortunately, preventing oral disease is easy by brushing your dog’s teeth regularly. Learn more:

Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth

Dental Care: What to Include in a Complete Program by Holly Nash, DVM MS

Dogs need exercise for their physical health and mental well-being. Each dog has different exercise needs, but Labradoodles generally need an hour of physical activity every day. Good options include running, playing a good game of fetch, taking a long walk, or jogging or biking with your dog.

Exercise paramount for your dog’s health, but it’s good for the human-dog bond, too If your dog has any pre-existing health issues, discuss your dog’s exercise regimen with your vet. Talk to him or her about what type of physical activity is appropriate at your dog’s age and joint condition. Some exercises can actually harm developing joints.

When exercising your dog, remember:

 If your dog is still growing, do not take him or her for long jogs, and definitely do not take him or her with you for a run. Developing joints can be harmed by repetitive motion on hard surfaces.

 Avoid exercising in extreme heat. If you plan to take water along for you, remember that your dog will need water, too. If your dog seems tired, discontinue what you are doing and allow him or her to rest.

Planning your dog’s diet is an important and occasionally challenging decision. Canine health depends on the appropriate balance of nutrients and calories sufficient for prime growth, activity level and cellular repair.

Whether you decide on a dry kibble diet, a raw food diet or a combination of the two, be sure that the diet is complete and balanced. We suggest choosing food with high-quality animal proteins, whole grains and vegetables from organic sources. Avoid foods with unidentified fat or protein sources; byproducts; artificial colors, flavors or preservatives; and added sweeteners.

When considering dog foods, don’t forget to look at what’s in those treats you buy for your four-legged friend! Buy healthy, and again, avoid preservatives, fillers or byproducts.

Read more about dog diets and health:

 Whole Dog Journal provides an annual review of the best of the best dry kibble foods.

 Dog Food Analysis provides reviews of dry kibble foods.

 Margaret Muns, DVM, has written an article about PRACTICAL CANINE NUTRITION for those who want a serious primer in nutritional analysis of dog food.

 Dog Food Analysis provides reviews of dry kibble foods.

 Shirley’s Wellness Café provides a lot of information and links to raw feeding.

Fleas and ticks are a nuisance, but if they aren’t taken care of right away, they can infest and possibly kill your dog. They spread disease, cause allergic reactions and transmit blood and intestinal parasites.

There are many ways to tackle fleas and ticks, and most chemical products are safe if used properly. Specialized products treat individual issues, and some products prevent and kill both fleas and ticks. One product treats for both and also prevents heartworm.

A few of the most studied and well-known products:

Read more about dog diets and health:

 Advantage treats fleas only. Monthly topical.

 Frontline Plus treats fleas and ticks. Monthly topical.

 Revolution treats fleas, ticks and heartworm. Monthly topical.

 Sentinel treats fleas only. Monthly oral.

For those who prefer holistic care, frequent bathing and manual removal of fleas and ticks can help prevent infestation of your home and yard. Use a flea comb and tick remover after each bath.

See ALAA website or ask your Veterinary clinic

Plain patches of grass aren’t the most exciting places for dogs, they benefit greatly from enriching and stimulating natural environments, just like we do.

A bit of dog-friendly landscaping can help decrease boredom and encourage natural behaviours, so here are a few simple things you can do to set off their senses.

The first thing you need to do is check your boundaries. Make sure that all the fencing surrounding your garden is intact and secure. Check where foxes could have dug underneath a fence where your dog could slip out.

As you’ll be encouraging your dog to spend more time outside interacting with nature, you will also want to check that your garden doesn’t already contain any plants which are harmful to dogs.

Rosemary and lavender are two potent plants that your dog will love to sniff, and their aromas will leave them feeling zen. Their woody, robust structure makes them hard-wearing so perfect for any dog that likes to zoom around in your garden.

On top of that, they grow all year round in poor soil and survive well in a draught. You will also enjoy their scent and all the beautiful insects they will bring to your garden.

When your dog is in need of a little pick-me-up, they’ll enjoy sniffing and chewing on mint or lemon balm. In moderation, these are both said to aid your dog’s digestion too! They will enjoy the herbs more when planted in clumps, so avoiding mixing as you could send your dog into a sensory overload!

Easy to grow, these plants will die back in winter but they are invasive so you may want to plant them in a sunken plant pot to keep them under control. There is one species of mint, English pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) which is known to be toxic to dogs, so avoid this.

If you have an active dog that likes to jump and climb, then natural agility may be right up their street. Wooden stumps can be perfect for this, and your dog may also enjoy the nice woody aroma.

You can often source wood for free from a Tree Surgeon, so it doesn’t have to cost you anything. Ensure that the tree species is safe for dogs and free from disease before you bring it into your garden.

Wheatgrass is super simple to grow and packed full of nutrients. It’s been shown to help with dog digestion and help boost energy levels. Lots of dogs can’t help but have a munch when they find it!

It can be grown in seed trays during the winter and then planted in the ground in the summer, and it loves a nice bright spot in the garden.

Dogs can’t see the same spectrum of colors like us, but they are able to see blues and yellows. Pansies commonly come in these colors, are safe for dogs and grown all year round, so planting them can provide a bit of visual stimulation.

Remember, pansies are rather delicate, so be prepared for your dog to potentially destroy them!

Lots of dogs love to dig, so a sand pit can be a great solution and may discourage them from digging up your actual garden. If you decide to make your own doggie sand pit there are a few things to remember: Use soft, children’s play sand and avoid sharp builders’ sand, a weed supressing membrane will keep unwanted growth at bay and the pit will need proper drainage.

You will also want to bear in mind that your dog may use the sand pit as a toilet too, so make sure it is for your dog only and cleaned regularly.

Information taken from: battersea.org.uk

Life’s Abundance is providing the best possible products to help your dog live longer, healthier and happier lives. They provide an array of superior quality, safe and effective products that are inspired by nature, informed by science and born of a commitment to improving the health of your pet.

As dog lovers ourselves, we understand that you always want the best for your pup. From nutritional dog food to grooming, our uniquely formulated products focus on ingredients that help your canine live to their full potential. From zoomies to cuddles, we consider all of your dog’s needs.