Cavapoo Care

The Cavapoo (also called the Cavoodle), like its Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle parents, is a happy, energetic little crossbreed that's beloved by owners everywhere. And one of this hybrid's best attributes is that Cavapoo care doesn't really take a lot of work; in fact, owners probably spend more time providing these dogs with love and companionship than doing anything else!

Below you'll find plenty of details about owning a Cavapoo: puppy care and development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more. For answers to all your questions about Cavoodle care and maintenance, keep reading!

Because they're usually energetic, enthusiastic little dogs, Cavapoo exercise needs aren't too extensive. Most Cavapoos will get a lot of their required daily physical activity by simply running around being their friendly little selves, and should be fine with a couple of short walks along with a few minutes of dedicated playtime.

Specifically how much exercise does a Cavapoo need on any given day? The typical adult Cavapoo, depending on its age and overall activity level, will need 30-45 minutes of proper exercise on a daily basis. You can start exercising a Cavapoo puppy at three months old by taking it on short (5- to 10-minute) walks, then increasing the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.

Some things to consider when exercising your Cavapoo: first, puppies younger than 8-9 months old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing bones and joints. And regardless of age, a leash is recommended when your Cavapoo is in public. These dogs are intelligent and curious, and may run off if given the chance; they can also be seen as prey by larger dogs and other predators. For both these reasons, it's best to leash your Cavapoo when you're out and about. These dogs also form strong bonds with their humans, and will easily suffer separation anxiety if left alone--which means that Cavapoos respond best to exercises in which their human family members also participate. (Simply putting your Cavapoo out to play alone in the yard, in other words, probably won't do any good; the dog is likely to spend the entire time barking and scratching at the door to be let back in!)

Precautions aside, it's important to give your Cavapoo some exercise every single day. If bored or restless, this hybrid will exhibit behavioral problems like hyperactivity, disobedience, constant barking, and destructiveness (especially if left alone). Consistent daily activity is good for the dog's peace of mind--and your own as well. A few exercise ideas:

• Walking: Two 15-minute walks per day is a good target
• Fetch: Can be played indoors or out
• Hide-and-Seek: Good indoor, rainy-day activity; give the dog a healthy treat when it finds you
• Dog Park: Your Cavapoo will enjoy the company of other dogs
• Blowing Bubbles: These dogs love "attacking" the bubbles you blow

When indoors, it's a good idea to give your Cavapoo access to one or more balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn off excess energy (which it'll likely have). It's also recommended that you establish a regular exercise schedule for your Cavapoo, such as walks after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.

Care needed for these dogs in terms of shedding and drooling is pretty low overall. Depending whether the dog's coat is like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's or the Poodle's, Cavapoo shedding is low to almost non-existent; drooling isn't an issue at all.

Cavapoos can have longer, silky coats like the CKCS or curly ones like the Poodle's--or most likely, somewhere in between. Does a Cavapoo shed at all? It does--all dogs, even ones considered hypoallergenic, shed at least a bit of hair and skin dander--but the amount of shed hair is pretty small. If your Cavapoo's coat greatly favors the Poodle's, you might not notice any shedding at all. Those greatly concerned with shedding can try to find a breeder who offers F1B Cavapoos (a Cavapoo-Poodle cross, meaning its coat will be more Poodle-like). In any case, owners say regular brushing and bathing of a Cavapoo keeps the shedding to a minimum.

And a Cavapoo may drool a bit in anticipation of food or when particularly excited, but almost never otherwise. If your Cavapoo is drooling excessively, it may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care might be required.

With this crossbreed's small size comes a small diet--but Cavoodle diet and nutrition are still important in maintaining these dogs' happiness and longevity. Cavapoos need food that has plenty of animal proteins and carbohydrates for energy, vitamins and minerals for digestive and immune health, and possibly some omega fatty acids for coat and skin wellness. This means the most sensible food for Cavapoos is premium dry kibble, particularly the kind formulated for small breeds. (Wellness CORE Natural Dry Grain-Free Small Breed and NUTRO Small Breed Dry are two recommended brands.) High-quality foods, while more expensive and difficult to obtain, contain balanced ingredients that will sustain your Cavapoo for the long term. Cheap, generic foods are not recommended for these dogs, because they contain mostly empty "filler" ingredients that won't keep the dog healthy, and may even shorten its lifespan.

Another reason premium dry kibble is best: Cavapoos, like their Cavalier and Poodle parents, are prone to dental issues like cavities, gingivitis, and tooth loss. Feeding a dog dry food is better for their teeth because the chewing action "scrapes" the teeth clean. You can also provide your Cavapoo with dental chew-toys or treats (available at most pet stores or online) for extra dental health.

In regards to portions: the typical adult Cavapoo, depending on its size, age, and activity level, will need about a cup of dry food each day, divided into two meals. Cavapoo puppy food portions are a bit smaller: again depending on its age, a Cavapoo pup will need about ¾ cup per day, divided into three meals (not two) until the age of six months. For further details on feeding a Cavapoo from puppyhood through maturity, reference this chart:

*--Around this time, transition to adult food by first mixing in a little adult formula with the puppy formula. Over the course of a week, with each meal add a bit more adult food to the mixture, until the dog is eating it entirely.

If possible, try to stick to the above-listed portions; though they may seem small, they're ample enough for these little dogs--and a Cavapoo that's constantly overfed can easily become obese. A fat Cavapoo will have breathing, digestive, and joint problems, not to mention a shortened lifespan. You can control your Cavapoo's weight by establishing consistent feeding and exercise schedules, by not feeding the dog table scraps, and by not leaving food in its bowl all the time, thereby allowing the dog to eat anytime it wants. It's better to put your Cavapoo's bowl down only at mealtimes, then pick it up a few minutes after the dog begins eating.

If you're worried your Cavapoo is overweight, give the dog this simple test: run a hand along its side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's diet time. Reduce the dog's daily food consumption by one-fourth, and add an extra walk or play period to its daily exercise schedule.

Though opinions differ, a majority of veterinarians, breeders, and owners agree that the best dog food for Cavapoo mixes is premium dry kibble. While this high-quality food is more expensive, it contains balanced portions of the nutrients necessary for your Cavapoo to live a longer, healthier, happier life.

The best food for Cavoodles is the kind formulated for small breeds. Wellness Core and Nutro are recommended brands that carry excellent lines of small-breed premium food.

The cavapoo can tolerate cooler temperatures than people, but risk overheating in hotter climates as their coat can make them warmer than Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.