Cavapoo

• Coat care: Jess Rona, a professional dog groomer in Los Angeles, advises Cavapoo pet parents to plan on monthly visits to a grooming salon for a bath, haircut, and nail trim. Keeping your dog’s long curls trimmed short makes at-home upkeep a lot easier for pet parents.
  • Between grooming appointments, brush your dog at home a few times each week. A slicker brush is a good choice for Cavapoo coats.
• Bathing: Your Cavapoo will likely only need a bath during their grooming appointments—unless they roll in something stinky or dirty.
• Dental care: Brush your Cavapoo’s teeth every day with a dog-safe toothpaste. This is the best way to prevent dental disease, which small dogs are highly susceptible to.
• Ear care: Cavapoos who have long ears like a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel require diligent ear cleaning, Rona says. These floppy ears can easily become dirty, smelly, and infected. Ask your vet which ear-cleaning product is best for your dog.
• Nail care: Trim your dog’s nails if you hear them tip-tapping across the floor when they walk. Your groomer can do this at your monthly appointment, too.

Most Cavapoo dogs are eager and intelligent. They’re often a good fit for first-time pet parents because they want to make their family happy. So house training, obedience training, and learning new tricks all come quickly to this pup.

But like with every dog, consistency is important in your training efforts. Without patience and positive reinforcement, a Cavapoo may struggle to learn. Find what gets your dog excited, like a special treat or toy, and reward them for good behavior.

When meeting new people, a Cavapoo is a social butterfly who relishes the opportunity for attention and affection. But even the friendliest dog needs early and consistent socialization to be comfortable in different scenarios, so chat with your vet about how to socialize your puppy. This is just as important as training!

Along with grooming and training, food is a super important part of Cavapoo care. These pups need a high-quality dog food made for their life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). Look for food that meets the AAFCO’s nutritional standards.

But feeding your dog the right food is just one piece of the puzzle; you also need to make sure your Cavapoo is eating the right portions on the right schedule.

Use your Cavapoo’s weight and the feeding guidelines for the dog food you choose to gauge how much you should feed your dog each day, then divide that daily total into meals. Don’t overfeed your dog; obesity can lead to health and mobility problems.

Most adult Cavapoos do well with twice-daily feedings. Cavapoo puppies may need to eat more often to prevent hypoglycemia, so chat with your vet about what’s best.  

And don’t forget that treats contribute to your dog’s daily calorie intake! Training treats and dental chews serve a purpose but can be a sneaky source of calories that add up quickly. Treats should not make up more than 10% of your Cavapoo’s daily calorie intake.

While a Cavapoo enjoys a brisk walk around the block or romp in a fenced backyard, these pups don’t won’t need a marathon to tire them out. “They have moderate energy, so while they require daily exercise and activity, they are also comfortable chilling at home,” says Askeland.

Mental stimulation is just as important as exercise, and these smart dogs need the opportunity to problem-solve regularly. Use a puzzle toy or set up dog-friendly games, like a scavenger hunt, to encourage your Cavapoo to use their brain.

Other favorite Cavapoo pastimes include playing fetch, tug-of-war, neighborhood walks, food puzzles, and nose work.

If you’re looking for an adaptable and easygoing dog breed, the Cavapoo is a great choice. They’re an excellent match for single people, bustling homes with kids, or an older adult looking for an affectionate companion.

As small and friendly dogs, Cavapoos do well in small homes and apartments with close-by neighbors they’ll be happy to meet. But be watchful for signs of separation anxiety. Crate training can help, but dogs with severe separation anxiety may need the help of a certified animal behaviorist.

Make sure there’s room in your budget for monthly grooming sessions, too. Or, roll up your sleeves and handle their extensive grooming (which requires bathing, brushing, clipping the coat, and trimming their nails) on your own.