Apart from sound genetics, nothing is more important for the quality and longevity of your Cockapoo’s life than their health and nutrition. Excellent food sources, superior supplements, filtered water, and exercise are usually what people think of when they hear the words “health” and “nutrition”. And to be sure, they are primary; but it doesn’t stop there. Grooming and dental care are vital to your Cockapoo’s health and nutrition, too. Though I could write pages on each of these topics, I will hit on each just briefly, below. 

Nutrition:  After years of spending a small fortune on what was supposed to be the absolute best in dry and canned dog food, I suspected food that goes through processing, extrusion, and high heats is probably food that has suffered a lot of nutrient losses. The more I read, the more I came to believe a dog’s diet is so key to their health, that it would probably be best to keep it as close to its natural “state” as possible - just like our diet. I resisted doing it for years, and for many reasons, but I finally began to feed my Cockapoos a raw diet - - and wow! The difference in them is nothing short of astonishing.

I suppose I cheat just a little bit because instead of feeding them everything in its absolutely raw (wet) state, the majority of what I feed them is a raw dehydrated food that is reconstitued with liquid. The dehydration process is done very gently so the food retains its color, its freshness, and its nutritional potency. It is also food that is easy to travel with because it requires no refrigeration (until you re-hydrate it), and a ten pound box actually makes 43 pounds of fresh food. Additionally, this food affords the pups and adults the benefits of raw food without “grossing out” some of the more squeamish folks who take home my pups. It is also much easier to control contamination and bacteria.
If you love the idea of this dehydrated food but you have qualms about raw meats, choose the food that provides you with everything BUT the meat - - and add your own form of protein. You can add gently cooked turkey, fish, chicken, beef, lamb, buffalo, etc...These superb dehydrated foods come from a company called The Honest Kitchen; you can find out all about their foods, their mission statement, their USDA-inspected facility online at www.thehonestkitchen.com.

Supplementation: Regardless of how good their food is, I can't even imagine not adding a supplement to my dog's health regimen.

There are so many preservatives and pesticides in our dogs' vaccinations, flea and tick treatments, foods, treats, chews, toys, lawn, and overall environment that regardless of how good their food is and how careful and protective we try to be with them, poisonous, toxic "free radicals" are assaulting our dogs and their immune systems on a daily basis.

In fact, those free radicals have been implicated in more than fifty health problems in humans and animals including various forms of cancer, heart disease, arthritis, cataracts and premature aging.

Though it literally took me years to find a supplement I am completely satisfied with and which I feel honestly combats those disease-inviting free radicals, I finally did find one: NuVet Plus Canine Supplement by NuVet Labs.

This supplement took eight years to develop and is one of the world's few pet products made in an FDA (human grade) pharmaceutical facility. It focuses on supporting the all-important immune system. Every one of my dogs and pups gets one on a daily basis and will for the rest of their life because the results of this product are amazing; and it is guaranteed or your money back.

If you are interested in speaking with NuVet about their exceptional supplement,  reach them at (800) 474-7044. 
If you would prefer to just order the supplement directly online you can do so by clicking this link: http://www.nuvet.com/94028

NuVet's supplements are available to the public through a dog professional's referral only, which means you will never find them in a store.

Dental Care:  Briefly stated, if your Cockapoo’s mouth isn’t healthy their body can’t be healthy. Plaque-covered teeth and inflamed gums are a recipe for “poisoning” your Cockapoo’s vital organs. You must keep your Cockapoo’s teeth and gums clean and healthy! Brushing them regularly helps and so does providing them with good chew toys and chew treats. Dried green tripe treats are like flossing and brushing wrapped in a healthy treat your Cockapoo will love! Avoid rawhide; instead, choose natural tendon chews, etc…Rawhide is often “cured” with formaldehyde and colored with chemicals. Merrick makes some wonderful natural chew treats: flossies, bully sticks, etc…whose source is USA….another thing that is key! Get online, search, buy USA source products, and check the ingredients to be sure there is NO GRAIN in the treats you give your Cockapoo.

Though we were told for years that dry dog food and grain-filled biscuits were good for our dog’s teeth, the truth is quite the opposite: dry dog food actually sticks to dog’s teeth longer than wet food does (think of what happens to your teeth when you eat pretzels or graham crackers). And food that is filled with grain is not healthy for your Cockapoo.
Corn, wheat, soy, gluten, corn starch, potato starch….all terrible for your Cockapoo and used as cheap filler in their food that may actually be causing them allergies.
If you are going to feed your Cockapoo grain, make it be a grain that doesn’t act like any other grain: give them organic quinoa (keen-wa). It is gluten-free, it is filled with healthy fiber, it is packed with protein, it has every amino acid a food can have, it is heart-healthy, full of iron, and it is very easily digested. And yes: it is delicious and dogs love its flavor. 

Grooming:  You may be wondering why this is part of health and nutrition, but trust me…it is!  Your Cockapoo’s skin and coat speak volumes about your dog’s overall health. The best way to stay informed about those two vital indicators is to groom your Cockapoo on a very regular basis. Groom your Cockapoo to keep the hair free of knots - - knots become matts and from matts your dog can develop hot spots and skin issues. Groom your Cockapoo to keep the skin stimulated and the oils distributed. Groom your Cockapoo to re-establish bonding and “place in the pack”.  Groom your Cockapoo to be sure it is tick and flea-free. Fleas and ticks are parasites that you do not want on your Cockapoo or in your house!! And groom your Cockapoo to look for any changes in its skin and coat. Does the skin look dry or flaky? Pink or irritated? Lumpy or thick? Does the dog’s hair seem to be filling the brush or comb more than normal? Does the coat feel healthy, thick and strong - - or does it seem to be dry, brittle, or thinning? Skin and coat are important indicators of overall health, so pay close attention to what they are telling you!