Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

• Bathing: Give your dog a bath once a month. 
• Brushing: Brush them every day to prevent tangles. Their fur—especially on their ears—can get matted, so use a slicker brush, like the Safari Flexible Slicker Dog Brush that can detangle mats while reducing shedding.  
• Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily with a dog toothpaste, like Petsmile Professional Toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start the routine when your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is young so they get used to the experience. You’ll need a pro cleaning at your vet once a year, too. 
• Ear care: Check your dog’s ears every day. If there’s redness, swelling, debris, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection that needs vet attention. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears and whether this should be part of your grooming routine. (You’ll at least need to clean their ears after every bath).  
• Nail care: Trim your Cavalier’s nails once a month. If you can hear the nails clacking on hard surfaces when they walk, it’s time for the nail clippers.   

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels aspire to please their pet parents, so they’re typically easy to train.  

They’re quite smart, too, so they tend to pick up basic obedience cues—like sit, stay, down, and come—quickly. Begin training when your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is young and continue regular sessions throughout their life. Make sure to use positive reinforcement—that is, training treats, favorite toys, and enthusiastic praise—when you train them.  

Though they’re usually naturally friendly, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies still need their pet parents to socialize them to new situations and environments. It’ll help them thrive—and be extra-polite and charming when guests show up. Talk to your vet for socialization tips. 

There’s no one perfect nutrition plan for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but every dog needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).  

Your vet can help you pinpoint the perfect diet for your pup. But in general, Cavaliers do well with a food for small dog breeds. Royal Canin even sells dog food made specifically for Cavalier King Charles puppies and adults.  

Remember that treats have calories, too, and they can quickly add up in small dogs. Treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories. Blueberries or string beans might be a healthier snack for your dog, but chat with your vet before adding any new foods to your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s diet. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a moderate energy level. A couple of 20- to 30-minute walks each day, combined with regular playtime and training, should be enough to keep their tail wagging.  

Even though they’re not star athletes like Border Collies, Cavaliers do descend from sporting dogs and enjoy spending time out and about. They like long walks (give them the opportunity to stroll and smell the flowers) and anything that doesn’t rely too much on speed (they’re not particularly known for being fast dogs).  

Because Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are so intelligent, they need mental stimulation, too.

They love interactive toys and games, and they’re also great at dog sports like flyball and agility trials, which offer both physical and mental engagement. They’ll probably also love scent work. 

But be warned: These bright, curious pups often get a whiff of something and absolutely must know what it is—their instinct is to run toward it. So, if you’re at the park or anywhere else in public, it’s very important to keep your dog on a leash.  

Consider a dog harness instead of a collar to secure their leash; a harness reduces the chances that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will try to slip out of the collar and run (as an added bonus, a harness also protects their neck from straining).  

Single, married, living with roommates, or a family of eight? A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel doesn’t really mind who you are: As long as they have you as their devoted best friend, no one else matters.  

These extremely adaptable pups love being close to their person or family, though, so they do need doting people all around them.  

While they’ll appreciate their walks and trips to the dog park (most would even love a doggy playdate or two), they also won’t mind staying inside as you watch TV. If they can cuddle with you on the sofa, they’ll even let you choose the show.   

They can thrive in an apartment or house. But if you have a yard, get it fenced; these curious dogs have an affinity for smelly new things, and they’re likely to run off if they get a whiff of something exciting.  

Despite this, Cavaliers don’t need acres to run around in—they just need you. Always happy to tag along, this breed would love to join you at the office, brunch, or on errands (if they’re allowed in the stores you’re going to). They’re delightful companions who easily charm everyone they meet.