Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are happy, active little dogs that require a moderate amount of care and maintenance. This page will provide plenty of details on Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy and adult care, including info on growth and development, exercise requirements, diet and feeding, and much more. To learn exactly how to care for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, read on!
Often called "the only Toy Sporting breed," these dogs are small but active and athletic. Even so, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel exercise requirements are quite moderate compared to the average dog breed. Owners can begin exercising their Cavalier puppies at about three months of age by taking them on short (10-15 minute) walks; by the time they're adults, these dogs do well with at least an hour of physical activity each day.
As with most breeds, though, there are some precautions that need to be taken when exercising your Cavalier. Younger puppies have still-growing bones and joints, so they shouldn't undertake activities that include a lot of running and jumping. And regardless of a Cavalier's age, it'll need to be leashed when outdoors, particularly when near traffic; these dogs like to chase and run quite a bit, and an unleashed Cavalier may run into the road without a second thought.
So exactly just how much exercise does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need? The precise amount depends on the individual dog's age and general activity level--but a good target for an adult Cavalier is two moderate walks of about 30 minutes, along with an extended "play period," per day. And like all dog breeds, sufficient exercise is key to a Cavalier's overall emotional balance and happiness. An under-exercised Cavalier will exhibit behavioral issues including chewing, rough play, excessive attention-seeking, and even aggression. So that hour of physical activity with your Cavalier is time well spent. Here are a few exercise ideas:
When indoors, it's a good idea to have a ball or chew toy for a Cavalier to play with to burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you have a consistent daily exercise routine for your Cavalier, such as walks after breakfast and dinner combined with a play period in the morning and/or afternoon.
For the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, shedding frequency is moderate overall, while drooling is basically a non-issue. But just how much does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel shed? For most of the year, it's a medium amount--but during the spring and fall shedding seasons, when a Cavalier loses its winter sand summer coats, the shedding is heavier. Regular brushing and bathing can reduce the amount of shed hairs for most of the year; during shedding season, daily brushing (and a bath in the middle of the 2 to 3-week shedding period) will reduce the hair volume. Even so, Cavalier owners will need both a good vacuum cleaner and at least one lint roller to deal with excess hair.
In regards to drooling: these dogs may slobber a bit in anticipation of food, but not much otherwise. A Cavalier that drools excessively may be a sign of a health issue, and may need a veterinarian's attention.
Like all breeds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need a healthy diet--but more so than most dog breeds, eating high-quality food is important for Cavaliers. Not only are these dogs prone to obesity, but they can easily suffer immune system and digestive disorders, which will occur more frequently if a Cavalier's diet consists only of inexpensive food that contains a lot of additives and carbohydrates. This means that Cavaliers need to be fed dog food that is very high in natural products--but unfortunately that also means it's more expensive. Suffice it to say that Cavalier owners will need to allow more room in their budget for dog food than for that of most breeds.
Opinions are mixed, too, on the best type of food for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Many trusted sites say that feeding dry kibble like Royal Canin to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is fine; others believe that all commercial dog food should be avoided entirely, as they contain too many additives and are unsafe for the dog, and insist a Cavalier should only eat raw or home-prepared foods. Still others believe that high-quality wet or canned food is best. So perhaps a moderate approach is most fitting: feeding a Cavalier both high-quality kibble and high-quality wet/canned food, either mixed or separately. Regardless of your preference, an adult Cavalier will need an average of 550 calories (approximately 1.25 cups of food) per day, divided into two meals. Growing puppies and adolescent Cavaliers will actually need as much or more; a nine-month-old Cav weighing 10 pounds, for example, will need almost 1,000 calories (about 2 cups) per day. A quick Cavalier King Charles Spaniel feeding guide:
The above-listed measurements are simply guidelines--but make sure not to over-feed a Cavalier. Obesity is a common issue for these dogs, and can lead to respiratory and digestive issues and a shortened lifespan. One reason for Cavaliers' weight problems, breed experts believe, is that owners often "free-feed" their dogs (they leave food in the Cavalier's bowl all day, in other words, allowing the dog to eat whenever it wants)--and before they know it they have a fat Cavalier King Charles Spaniel waddling around. Avoid free-feeding by removing a Cavalier's food dish from the floor after 15-20 minutes.
One basic test to determine whether your Cavalier is overweight is to run a hand along its side--and if you can't feel ribs, it's diet time. Decrease the dog's daily food intake by one-fourth, and add an extra walk or play period to its daily exercise schedule.
Opinions differ on what's best to feed these dogs--everything from dry kibble to strictly raw or home-prepared food. Regardless, though, because of Cavaliers' delicate digestive and immune systems they'll need to eat only high-quality food. Thinking moderately, the best dog food for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a combination of dry kibble and wet/canned food, either mixed together or as separate meals, i.e. kibble in the morning and wet food in the evening.
Because Cavaliers are extremely social and love their people, these are strictly indoor dogs. A small- or medium-sized yard will be fine for exercise or playtime, but make sure the yard is fenced, as Cavaliers like to chase and wander--and a Cavalier will be miserable if left in the yard alone. If provided with some daily outdoor exercise, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in an apartment is fine; in regards to climate, these dogs will be okay in colder temperatures, but due to their short noses they will overheat easily in hot weather.
Read the grooming requirements for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels including coat care and other maintenance.
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