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Cavapoo temperament

 

Cavapoo (cavoodles) have spread all over the world as one of the most popular and loved cross-breeds. Apart from cute appearance, their popularity can be explained by the cavapoo temperament.

Cavapoo tend to be remarkably smart (remember, part of their ancestral genes comes from poodle, and poodles are one of the smartest dogs in the world). Cavapoo are very trainable, capable to learn new tricks and commands with ease.

Cavapoo temperament: a small dog with a big personality

They are also people-orientated breed and are likely to have a desire to please, which makes them obedient and pleasant dogs, a good combination a lot of pet owners want to see in their animal.

Cavapoo temperament is well-suited to be one of the best breeds for people who want a close, loyal companion. Cavapoo love their people and love being around them at all times. Sometimes that can translate into a bit (or a lot) of separation anxiety, so it is very important to properly train your puppy to avoid separation anxiety. Companionship is great – but you might not want a very “clingy” dog.

Along the same lines, cavapoo really do best in households where their owners are around them most of the time. They love their people – normally the whole family, although they might pick one or two favourites. If you are the only person living in the house and you spend lots of time at work, a cavapoo might not be the best idea for you.

If you tend to travel a lot and plan on putting your cavapoo in a kennel, that might also be not ideal as cavapoo prefer not to be separated from their owners for a long time.

What are the good sides of having a cavapoo?

Their temperament is a huge positive. Also they are very smart and training has been so much fun. She’s an absolute sweetheart and completely adorable.

Tina, mom of Maggie, the Cavapoo from Hoboken, NJ

Cavapoo temperament - affectionate and loving

Your cavapoo will will show you lots of love and affection. If you are away, they will wait for you and greet you back with enthusiasm. They will often follow you around your house, trying to be a part of everything you do. They aren’t a standoffish type of breed. Instead, they will try to become the center of your world, while you will definitely be the center of theirs.

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Cavapoos are very affectionate and outgoing dogs. They are good with children, because they tend to be very playful just like children. However, be careful introducing your cavapoo (especially a puppy) to your kids. Kids can get rowdy, especially in presence of a puppy, and could accidentally hurt of frighten your cavapoo.

That may cause a sense of fear towards children in your dog which may be hard to deal with later.

Apart from children, cavapoos are great companions for older people. Really, a person of any age can find cavapoo temperament very suitable for their lifestyle and for what they are looking for in a dog.

Cavapoo temperament: energy levels

Like some other small breeds of dogs, cavapoo may have an incredible amount of energy for their size. This is not necessarily true for all cavapoo and really depends a lot on their genetics. Some can be more high energy than others. F1 Cavapoo (bred from King Cavalier spaniel crossed with poodle) will likely have a bit more excitement tendencies, and more energy.

A cavapoo that has two cavapoos as parents will normally have a more stable, level personality without excessive excitability. If you are looking for particular temperament of your cavapoo – do ask a breeder about your potential puppy’s parents.

If your cavapoo is bred from poodle and spaniel, you can also find out whether the poodle parent was a miniature poodle or toy poodle. If the parent was a miniature poodle, you will likely get a cavapoo with a more solid, stable temperament (less irritability, more patience).

Would you recommend other people to have a cavapoo, why or why not?

Yes I would definitely recommend this breed. I think they are great dogs if you are looking for one that is on the smaller side.

Tina, mom of Maggie, the Cavapoo from Hoboken, NJ

Cavapoo temperament: puppy vs adult

Although adult cavapoo are fairly laid-back, young cavapoo puppies can be quite a bit more energetic! If you are having a hard time looking after your cavapoo puppy due to their high energy levels, be assured that it will likely pass as the puppy matures. It is very common among all types of dogs, and is especially so with cavapoo. Like human children, puppies simply have lots and lots of energy and excitement exploring their new world for the first time.

Although cavapoo are generally not overly barky, some may be more vocal than others. That will also depend on the dog’s genetics as well as their environment and training. Some cavapoo may bark when a stranger is at the door, but they are normally entirely non-aggressive and will likely meet the stranger with enthusiasm just like they would a family member.

Cavapoo temperament: not a guard dog

Don’t expect your cavapoo to be a guard dog, that will likely not happen 🙂 However, in some cases the cavapoo might have more tendency to protect the house and the people if it has inherited a lot of the poodle genes. (Poodle can and sometimes do make great house guards).

All dogs need stimulation, interaction with their owners and play time, as well as physical exercise. Because cavapoo often do tend to have higher energy levels, it is especially important for you as an owner to meet their needs in terms of being able to let that energy out.

That may mean taking your cavapoo on regular and long walks, providing them with active play time ( with toys, sticks, or just running around with them – a cavapoo will happily play with you if they don’t have any other toys 😉

Don’t think that your cavapoo is a little lap dog  – they aren’t. They are active little creatures thriving in high energy activities such as walking, running, playing, play-fighting, fetching things, swimming in the lake, etc. A walk in the park will likely be your cavapoo’s favorite activity. Hopefully it will become your favorite activity too, because your cavapoo will really need it 🙂

What do you love most about your cavapoo?

They are warm, loving little creatures who just want to be cuddled. They are smart, quick to learn, affectionate and such well-natured dogs.

Yvette and Mat, pawrents of Thelma and Louise, the two cavapoo puppies from Sydney, Australia

A cavapoo will need a 30-60 minute walk at least once a day! You can also take them for a few shorter walks throughout the day. Your cavapoo will be very happy if you can take them for hikes or long walks during the weekend too. Whether you live in town or in the countryside, just take your cavapoo with you when you go for your daily errands.

Your dog will be very happy, and you will have a companion! Some employers even allow small dogs like cavapoo in the workplace! (Although don’t expect your cavapoo to get your work done for you 😉

Apart from physical activity, it is important to maintain your cavapoo mental abilities as well. Remember, cavapoo are bred from poodles, who are extremely intelligent, and king cavalier spaniels, who are also very smart. Cavapoo need mental stimulation.

This may involve playing games, learning tricks and commands, and simply socialising with you, members of your family or other people around you.

The more you take your cavapoo out and invest time in their well-being, the happier and smarter they will be. If you as an owner are unable to provide enough mental stimulation, your cavapoo may get bored and sometimes even depressed.

That is not the situation you want to end up in, as depression and boredom often translates into negative behaviours in dogs, such as destructive chewing, excessive barking, nervousness and aggression.

What are the good sides of having a cavapoo?

Goods are that he’s lovable and so easy to train. He’s playful and always up for an adventure but also happy to relax and laze around and do nothing. He gets on with everyone and doesn’t malt.

Arshiyah, Pawrent of Merlot, the cavoodle puppy from Manchester, UK

Like with any other dogs (and even children!) socialisation matters greatly when it comes to your cavapoo. Socialisation means exposing your dog, from early puppyhood, to various situations and everyday activities and people, so that your dog gets used to its new environment, feels safe around people and grows up to be a confident, stable dog.

A good breeder will play a big role in your puppy’s socialisation, by spending lots of time with them, introducing them to new objects and toys, and exposing them to normal sights and sounds of the household since birth and until the moment you pick your cavapoo puppy up. From then on, it’s your job to continue the puppy’s successful socialisation.

This means, again, spending lots of time with them yourself and exposing them to other people  – members of the family, friends, guests, strangers outside the house. If you puppy gets used to seeing lots of different people, it will learn to not be too excited / excitable around people.

It is important to expose your puppy to different kinds of people, including men, women, children and older people (have you met dogs that are afraid of children, for example?)

It is also important to take your puppy into different situations, such as car rides, bus rides, walks outside in various environments. If you do that since your puppy is young, you will raise a confident, calm dog that feels at home in any environment and makes you proud as an owner. It’s great to have a dog that you can take anywhere with you and know that it will behave exactly as expected and be friendly and nice to everyone. Ultimately that should be a goal of any and every owner.

With cavapoo, you will likely be able to raise a fantastic dog, a loyal and loving companion and a true friend. Cavapoo temperament has been carefully bred and is well-suited  for exactly this purpose – which is why these little dogs are so popular and so loved all around the world. If you combine cavapoo natural temperament, their kind, loyal and loving nature and their high intelligence, with some training, you will be absolutely be happy with the kind of dog you will get from it.

What are the good sides of having a cavapoo?

We like that they are calmer dogs. She definitely has energy as a puppy but she is pretty chill half the time and we like that she is a nice balance of being active and laying low.

Abbe, mom of Ellie the cavapoo from Chicago

If you are looking for a cavapoo to adopt, check out our articles on how to find a reputable breeder. You can find such breeders in: Reputable cavapoo breeders UK, Cavapoo breeders in Ontario, Canada, and Cavapoo breeders in Alberta, Canada. You can also adopt a puppy from Cavapoo Rescue. Don’t forget to read about Cavapoo pros and cons.

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Cavapoo pros and cons

Having a pet can be one of the most fulfilling things in a person’s life. It can be a constant source of love, affection and belonging. It’s a good way to keep loneliness at bay which can be a great help to people that find themselves lacking company of others for any reasons.

Cavapoo pros and cons

It may also be the purest and most unconditional love of your life. Cavapoo are fantastic pets both for families and single people, for younger people and seniors, for city-dwellers and those that prefer countryside living.

Is your pup destructive or just bored and sad when you are away? Wouldn’t it be nice to know exactly what your pup is doing at any moment, regardless of where you are? Honestly my favorite invention of this century when it comes to pet care and well- being: a camera + treat dispenser + communication device from Petzi – check it out here. Talk to your dog when you are away (and see the happiness and excitement on their face), give them treats (even more happiness) and know exactly what they are up to 🙂 

But then there are always downsides. Potential shedding, having to take care of someone all the time, potential vet bills and other issues. When it comes to pet ownership, there are always some downsides.

Cavapoo pros and cons: as answered by our interviewees

What is particularly special about having a cavapoo? And what aspects of cavapoo ownership aren’t so great? I asked a few cavapoo owners this question, and got some great answers.

Cavapoo pros and cons: as answered by our interviewees

Pros: They truly are compassionate, and I see the love he has for our family, especially me. I love his curls, his personality, his awkward moments such as not enjoying the grass. He will walk on the bricks to avoid touching the grass. He gives the best hugs when he hasn’t seen me for a little bit.

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Coming home from work to him is one of my favorite moments of the day. They are Great companions, their personalities will make you laugh. Training is very simple and they pick up quickly. We worked on handshake and he was able to do the command in less than twenty minutes.

Cons: Separation anxiety! Gus will have anxiety when I leave for a long period of time such as vacation. He went on a no eating binge and was a little depressed according to my caretaker. However this is very common in many dog breeds.

Cavapoo pros and cons - barking

The barking, he will bark at every little noise he hears and at everyone walking past our house.

Katie, mom of Gus, the cavapoo from Vienna

Pros: We love her company and her cute, funny, cuddly self. A cavoodle is family friendly, energetic and cuddly and funny. We like that she’s small enough to take her everywhere and doesn’t shed too much.

Cons: At the moment, she bites a lot, but all puppies do that! She loves to be around us, so it’s sometimes tricky leaving the house. Lucky I work from home, so she’s got company most of the time!

Karina, mom of Harlow Pippa, the cavoodle from Australia

Pros: We all love that Jasper is a very happy dog, not many things can turn his mood sour. He is 99% of the time, happy. They are pretty much hypoallergenic. They are very loving, loyal and very cute.

Cons: They are very dependent and cannot be alone for too long.

Dita, mom of Jasper, the cavoodle from Darwin, Australia

Pros: I just absolutely love her temperament. She is unbelievably sweet and tremendously friendly. She loves absolutely everyone she meets. Not to mention she is super snuggly. Their temperament is a huge positive. Also they are very smart and training has been so much fun. She’s an absolute sweetheart and completely adorable.

Cons: I think the downside is Maggie is very attached to us so we have been working on keeping her from developing separation anxiety. Also you have to watch her with big dogs just because she is so little.

Cavapoo pros and cons - cute cavapoo

Tina, mom of Maggie the cavapoo from New Jersey

Pros: He’s very affectionate and extremely intelligent. Other good sides are that he’s lovable and so easy to train. He’s playful and always up for an adventure but also happy to relax and laze around and do nothing. He gets on with everyone and doesn’t malt. He enjoys being playful, he’s a lovable little baby and still snoozes a lot too.

Cons: He can be somewhat clingy and attention seeking but with time and persistence this can be managed.

Arshiyah, pawrent of Merlot, the cavapoo from Manchester, UK

Pros: The best part is that he loves us more than anything. He’s always wanting to snuggle up. Always have a loving companion by your side. Extremely trainable and lots of fun. We did a lot of research into low shedding dogs and dogs that were good with kids.

At first we thought we’d go for a Cockapoo but then we came across a page about Cavapoos. KC Spaniel has always been a favourite with us but I worried about certain health issues and shedding.

Cavapoo pros and cons - separation anxiety

When we came across the Cavapoo that was it! Instantly knew it was the breed for us. We wanted a dog to be a part of our family and to be loving and cuddly.

Cons: Never wanting to leave your side. They can get separation anxiety and so don’t get one unless you’re committed to spending lots of time with them.

Lani, mom of Milo the cavapoo from London, UK

Pros: I love spending time with her! She’s so affectionate she can cheer me up on my worst days. A nice walk in the park with your best bud at the end of a long day is just the right pick me up! Shedding is minimal which is great for lots of cuddles but fur free clothes. I’ve had a cavapoo previously and she had such a lovely temperament I knew it was the breed for me!

Cons: They are very social and people orientated. She doesn’t like being alone and there can be separation anxiety issues. Working in a school means I get the bonus of all the holiday time and finish early so I have lots of time to spend with Perri, however leaving her at the start of the day is difficult for us both!

Lauren, mom of Perri the cavoodle from UK

Pros: We did research on the best breed to have around kids and cavapoo came up top! I love absolutely everything about him! He’s just super lovable and loyal and loves us so much! He loves humans and dogs just the same! The curly coated ones don’t moult at all, they’re playful, gentle, lovable, loyal little things and we couldn’t imagine being without him now!

Cons: There aren’t many 😂 typical dog things like cleaning up poop and finding chewed up shoes and socks!

Cavapoo pros and cons - love

Jodie, mom of Teddy the cavapoo from UK

Pros: I have asthma and they are great for people with respiratory issues and allergies. Plus they are super cute and so cuddly. They are warm, loving little creatures who just want to be cuddled. They are smart, quick to learn, affectionate and such well-natured dogs. They are also funny. 

They are completely mystified about cut cucumber ends! They’ve spent hours pawing at them and watching them roll around the floor barking and circling thinking they are little animals! I also witnessed Louise giving Thelma a piggy back a couple of weeks ago which was such a sight. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t get a pic! They love walking and going in the car.

We take them everywhere and they love cuddles from their family. My mum plays fetch with them when she baby sits and they love going down the slippery slide on my niece’s lap!

Cons: Having to get up early to take them out to the toilet, but one look at their little faces and all the tiredness goes away.

Yvette and Mat, pawrents of cavapoo Thelma and Louise from Sydney

Cavapoo pros and cons - a good companion

Pros: She has such a loving and playful personality. She is everything I want in a puppy and more!

Cons: I don’t think this is a downside of the breed, but I highly suggest puppy school! We are starting this month and I am excited to learn how I can be the best puppy/dog pawrent!

Korin, mom of Charlie Louise, the cavapoo from Seattle

Pros: We love how sweet she is, that she loves people, and that she is absolutely adorable to look at and play with! We like that they are calmer dogs. She definitely has energy as a puppy but she is pretty chill half the time and we like that she is a nice balance of being active and laying low.

Cons: As a puppy, she is a little scared right now of random objects like things that roll (ex: suitcases). We think it’s because she is getting used to all the noises in the city so hopefully she grows out of it.

Abbe, mom of Ellie the Cavapoo from Chicago

Pros: She is just the loveliest, sweetest cuddle-bug out there. Honestly I don’t know how we lived without her. We don’t have kids and she is like our child, except she doesn’t take that much work of course! She follows us everywhere, goes for walks and trips with us, eats with us, sleeps with us.

She is just this integral part of our life. I owned dogs before her and she maybe my “heart” dog, but she really is something special. Except now we are thinking of getting a second cavapoo! Well, I am thinking. I still need to convince my husband.

Cons: She does have a bit of separation anxiety. But we like her anyway, so that’s OK.

Alana, mom of Jackie the cavapoo

If you are looking for a cavapoo to adopt, check out our articles on how to find a reputable breeder. You can find such breeders in: Reputable cavapoo breeders UK, Cavapoo breeders in Ontario, Canada, and Cavapoo breeders in Alberta, Canada. You can also adopt a puppy from Cavapoo Rescue. Don’t forget to read about Cavapoo pros and cons.

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Best food for cavapoo

One of the most important decisions you will ever make when it comes to you cavapoo health and wellness is which food to feed them. Just like with humans, diet is a major factor that may make or break your cavapoo’s health. It’s very important to make the right choices about your pet’s food.

Best food for cavapoo - decisions

How do you make those choices? There is so much advertising and marketing pushing dry kibble, wet kibble, organic dog food, natural dog food – it’s easy to get confused. Corporations out there are very well aware that you care a lot about your dog, which makes you a great source of potential revenue for them.

It’s up to you to be well educated and well-informed about what really is and isn’t good for your cavapoo.

This is exactly what this article will attempt to help you with.

Let’s start with the very basics – that is, what are dogs naturally supposed to eat?

Dogs are carnivores in nature. This means, they are supposed to eat meat. There has been a significant amount of debate as to whether dogs are carnivores or omnivores – since, unlike cats, they can and do survive on foods other than meat.

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However, according to the latest research, it is becoming more and more clear that dogs were originally predominantly carnivores. They are not obligate carnivores like cats, who need only meat in their diet. Dogs can survive on other foods, such as grains or vegetables, but the key word here is survive.

Feeding your cavapoo:

That means, your dog won’t necessarily get sick right away if you feed it vegetables or cereal. However, if you want your cavapoo to thrive, it needs meat, like any other carnivore. The more meat in their diet, the healthier your cavapoo will be.

Vegetables, corn and other grains in a dog’s diet may serve as “filler”, which will make for a bigger portion and make your dog poop more (Cause we all love to pick up that poop, right?). But they won’t add to your dog’s health and well-being. Moreover, they may very well be harmful for your dog’s health, as they aren’t your dog’s natural food.

Besides, a lot of dogs are actually allergic to grains and even some vegetables.

What is your dog’s favorite food? Any recommendations on food for other cavapoo owners?

Origin puppy food! High in protein and she absolutely loves it. Otherwise, we recently started giving her a large cold carrot because it keeps hers busy and feels good on her little piranha teeth!
Korin, mom of Charli Louise, the cavapoo puppy from Seattle, Washington

 

Feeding your cavapoo: best food for cavapoo

Dry kibble is one of man’s greatest inventions, as it’s so easy to store, transport, and use in the every-day feeding of your puppy. However, you have to pay attention to what’s in your dry kibble. To do that, you may want to start to read labels if you weren’t before. Remember, your cavapoo is a carnivore, and its diet has to be predominantly meat. Now, how do you know if the well-advertised kibble consists of just that – predominantly meat?

What is Sheppard’s favorite food? 
Boiled chicken! Can smell it from a mile away!

You read labels!

If the label on the kibble says “beef”, or ‘turkey”, or “bison” – you are in luck. According to regulations, this food has to consist of at least 70% beef, bison or any other type of meat stated on the label. Now here is the catch, and here is where you have to be careful. If the label on your kibble says “Bison dinner”, “beef platter” or anything vague like that –  this means that the food has to have only 10% of the said meat to qualify.

The rest will be filler! If the label says “with bison”, that means there is less than 3% of the said bison meat in the food. Nowhere near enough meat for the needs of your carnivore cavapoo! Remember, marketing is here to sell the product, and marketers use all kinds of sneaky ways to make you think you are buying nutritious food for your dog, when in reality you are buying a much lower quality product.

Feeding your cavapoo: best cavapoo food choices

Obviously, the more meat the kibble contains, the better it is for your dog.

What is Teddy’s favorite food? Any recommendations on food for other cavapoo owners?
He loves a good gravy bone! He had tummy troubles at first so he’s on special gastric food from our vet and is thriving on it!
Jodie, mom of Teddy the cavapoo from South Wales, UK

What’s in the kibble?

cavapoo health and wellness

When you read the label on the kibble, pay attention to which ingredients are listed besides meat. Are there grains like corn? Are there vegetables? While a little bit of vegetables or fruit may be OK for your cavapoo, some dogs may have allergies to corn or grain. In any case, the smaller the percentage of “filler” in your cavapoo’s food, the better.

Look for “Complete and Balanced” label

Although marketers tend to make many promises to us consumers, “complete and balanced” label on the bag of dog kibble is not an empty promise. It is an actual true statement that companies can only say about their product if it meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines for the balanced dog food containing all the necessary nutrients in the correct amounts. If you see that on the label – it is a good sign.

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Food for small vs large dogs

Some brands mark their product as food for small or large dogs. Cavapoo are small dogs and you should pick the small dog food. Large dogs have different nutrient requirements from small dogs.

best cavapoo food choices

Similar guidelines apply for wet food for your cavapoo. Pay attention to the label, the list of ingredients, and whether the food states to be “complete and balanced”. Wet food also has some advantages over dry kibble, in that it usually has more taste, so even picky eaters will probably eat better on wet food. Wet food also often contains fresher ingredients than dry kibble food. This may be why wet food tends to be a little more expensive. Of course, it also needs to be refrigerated, and it does take a bit more effort in handling than dry kibble.

What is Maggie’s favorite food? Any recommendations on food for other cavapoo owners?

It’s a tie between hot dogs and peanut butter.  Our puppy in particular loves playing with puzzle toys that dispense kibble. She doesn’t really care for eating out of a bowl. We feed her Royal Canin.

Tina, mom of Maggie, the Cavapoo from Hoboken, NJ

Raw or all meat diet for your dog

Update:

I was advised by a concerned and very helpful Cavapoo breeder that just feeding your cavapoo raw meat from the store can be problematic and can make some of the dogs sick. She pointed out the importance of feeding a balanced diet which is hard to achieve if you don’t know what you are doing. I am researching this question further at the moment, and I’d like to apologise for the advice I am providing below in regards to just feeding raw meat – please do your own research on balanced dog food and / or talk to your vet. I am hoping to provide a better recommendation based on new research as soon as I can.

Some people avoid commercial dog food altogether and cook their dog the food themselves. By doing that, they avoid chemicals and preservatives that are abound in the commercial foods, which is great. However, if you are going to make your own food for your cavapoo, remember – meat has to be the main ingredient. Really, your cavapoo doesn’t need any other ingredients but meat. Too often people think they can feed their dogs vegetables and oatmeal.

The dog will of course eat those things –  dogs are generally not picky eaters. But these types of food are never optimal for dogs being predominantly carnivores. So if you can afford the time and money – the all cooked meat diet would be perfect for your cavapoo.

Some people go one step further and give their dogs raw meat. You can buy raw meat at the store / butcher. While this is very healthy for the dog, be careful while handling and storing raw meat, as there is always a chance of bacterial infection for both you and the dog.

Just like with human children, age really matters in trying to establish an optimal diet for your four-legged child. Here is a brief guide.

Best food for cavapoo puppies up to 4 months old

Best food for cavapoo

The first important thing here is that normally by the time you pick up your cavapoo from a breeder, they have already been eating a certain food for a while and are very used to it.

The breeder would normally let you know what brand they have been feeding, the amount, how many times a day etc. Follow recommendations of the breeder.

If you don’t agree with the brand they have been feeding the puppy, you can slowly (slowly!) transition them to a different brand.

However, such a transition needs to be very slow and careful, because switching foods tends to easily upset a dog’s stomach, and may cause your cavapoo to have diarrhoea or vomiting if done too fast.

Puppies up to four months old would normally eat 4 times a day. Free feeding (leaving food out for a whole day) is not a good idea at this point. Remember that at this time you are also trying to house train your puppy.

Feeding at strict intervals will help you manage when your cavapoo puppy needs to use the bathroom. Free feeding only works for older dogs. Raw diets are not recommended for puppies due to their fragile digestive system.

You will often see special “puppy food” kibble or wet food out there. Most breeders I know discourage the use of puppy food. It can be too rich in proteins, which can overly speed up your cavapoo development and actually hurt their musculoskeletal system.

What is your dogs’ favorite food? Any recommendations on food for other cavapoo owners?

They love Ivory Coat puppy kibble mixed with Greek yoghurt for breakfast and mixed with Wellness Core Puppy formula wet food at dinner. They love a raw chicken wing or premium beef steak mince ball as a special treat.

Yvette and Mat, pawrents of Thelma and Louise, the two cavapoo puppies from Sydney, Australia

 

Best food for cavapoo – 4 months and older

As your cavapoo grows and matures, you can start feeding them twice a day. This is also a good time to introduce bones. Be careful with those! Only let your puppy have raw bones. Cooked bones can easily split and harm your dog! Some cavapoo breeders recommend to only use artificial bones – those aren’t as dangerous for your dog while still satisfying your cavapoo’s need to gnaw.

Bones are also very helpful for those times when your puppy is teething.

Adult dog

A cavapoo can be considered “adult” after about 12 months of age. An adult cavapoo should be fed once or twice a day, normally the same brand/ type of food you’ve fed them since puppyhood. Pay attention to how your cavapoo is doing on the food you’ve chosen for them. Is their hair shiny? Are they healthy and happy? Do they have diarrhoea or vomit often, or do they seem to have no issues digesting their food at all? Are they energetic and playful?

All those signs will tell you if you are feeding your cavapoo right. If your cavapoo shows signs of nutritional deficiencies, please consult your vet!

Snacks and treats

We all love our dogs just like we do our kids (some people even more so, apparently!). And of course we want to treat them. Cavapoo is a very smart breed and they also love treats a lot, so they will put a lot of effort into begging treats from you 🙂 You need to put some effort into not giving in. For one, it is best for your dog to be disciplined around food, i.e. be fed strictly at certain times of day.

This is good for the dog’s digestion and will make their behaviour more pleasant (no one likes a dog that’s constantly begging for treats.) If you need to use treats, use them when you train your cavapoo, instead of just giving them treats for no reason (other than your love for them of course!). The other consideration is that a lot of commercially-made treats are not that good for your dog’s health. They are often full of carbohydrates which may negatively affect your dog’s blood sugar levels and can cause obesity.

To round this up, it is important to understand, that, when it comes to your cavapoo nutrition, natural is best. Dogs are carnivores, and do best on meat, although they can tolerate small amounts of other groups of food such as carbohydrates. Whether you choose wet or dry food, choose the brand that has the most content of meat and the least content of filler and artificial flavors and preservatives.

Don’t give your dog too many treats. Give them plenty of fresh air and exercise to maintain their calorie expenditure and help their digestion. You will have a happy and healthy cavapoo.

If you are looking for a cavapoo to adopt, check out our articles on how to find a reputable breeder. You can find such breeders in: Reputable cavapoo breeders UK, Cavapoo breeders in Ontario, Canada, and Cavapoo breeders in Alberta, Canada. You can also adopt a puppy from Cavapoo Rescue. Don’t forget to read about Cavapoo pros and cons.

 

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Why is my cavapoo losing hair?

Have you been noticing your cavapoo’s hair all over the house? And your pup looks like he’s getting less fluffy?

Why is my cavapoo losing hair?

Cavapoo in general are a low- to no-shedding breed due to the genetics it inherits from the non-shedding poodle, which is a dream come true for many dog lovers. While some cavapoo may still shed minimally (if they have inherited more of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel genes), a lot of shedding in the cavapoo can be a reason for concern.

Your cavapoo may shed somewhat significantly around the age of 5 – 6 months old, but that is just their puppy coat shedding to change into their adult coat. That type of shedding is not a reason for concern but a natural state of your pup’s growth. If and when that happens, you can simply try to increase the effort you put in your cavapoo grooming. Combing out the hair will prevent it from spreading all over your house, or getting stuck and matting your cavapoo’s coat.

Your cavapoo may also lose hair during certain times of the year such as spring and summer, when a lot of animals naturally shed more than at other times of the year. Again, you will notice more hair if you cavapoo has inherited more of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel coat, and less if it has more of a poodle coat.

Finally, if your cavapoo is older, they may also shed more simply due to age-related coat degeneration. That is perfectly normal, and unfortunately, something that probably is going to happen to all older dogs (and sometimes older people too!)

Those are all natural reasons for your cavapoo losing more hair than you may like, and you should just accept them as necessary evil.

Why is my cavapoo losing hair: Nutritional deficiencies

Here are the cases where you should worry, though.

Your cavapoo may be losing its hair due to nutritional deficiencies, lack of vitamins and minerals in their system that is probably harming other body organs and systems, and the hair loss is just one of the symptoms. Nutritional deficiencies are usually the result of a poor diet and can severely affect your cavapoo’s health.

To try and fix this issue, re-assess your cavapoo’s nutrition. You can read this article to find out about best food for cavapoo. Correct nutrition is extremely important in keeping your dog healthy overall, and their coat shiny and thick in particular.

There isn’t really a single vitamin or mineral that is likely missing from your dog’s diet, but a whole array of nutrients, which is why it’s important to look at nutrition instead of supplementing artificial vitamins/minerals.

Your cavapoo may be losing its hair due to nutritional deficiencies

Hormonal issues often directly affect the state and quality of your cavapoo hair. Hormonal dis-balances, for example, a dis-balance of nitrogen, may cause your dog’s hair to thin and fall out. Sometimes this happens to neutered or spayed dogs. It can also happen if a dog has thyroid issues. This is one of the reasons to take your cavapoo to the vet if you notice that they are losing a lot of hair.

You probably know a lot of people suffering from various allergies. You might have one yourself! In the modern world, dogs are just as likely to develop an allergy as humans are! It may be an allergy to a certain food you are giving your pup, or your cleaning detergents, a the dog shampoo you are using, and anything else you can think of.

Allergy can easily cause a dog to lose hair simply because they will itch and scratch their skin more than necessary. How do you know if your cavapoo has an allergy? They might sneeze, cough and itch just like humans. If you notice your cavapoo displaying these symptoms, they are likely allergic to either their food, or something in their environment.

Why is my cavapoo losing hair: allergy

Time for you to do some sleuthing! Switch their food to something different and see if that helps. If it’s not food, try to see if your dog is chewing on something that may make them allergic, or is maybe regularly in contact with some chemicals in your house.

If your cavapoo has mites or fleas, it can scratch itself to the point of losing patches of hair regularly. Mites in particular cause patchy hair loss, and may be hard to see if you are not paying attention. If your cavapoo scratches itself obsessively and you notice their hair falling out in patches, take them to the vet to see what type of parasite they have and what you can do about it.

The problem could also be inside, not outside. This probably isn’t something you want to hear, but your dog may very well have worms or other intestinal parasitic infections. Worms in particular can release so many toxins in the dog’s body that the dog’s overall health may greatly suffer, including their coat.

If worms are your problem, your vet will do some tests on your dog to see what type of worms they have and prescribe a powerful dewormer to hopefully help you pup.

To move to a more pleasant topic, one simple reason your cavapoo is losing hair may be that you make them wear their dog clothes too often. Are you one of those owners that loves seeing their cavapoo wear a cute sweater in winter? That cute sweater may irritate your pup’s skin and cause increased hair loss as well.

It’s good to keep you cavapoo warm, but they are still a dog and most of the times can really regulate their body temperature without the help of clothes. While some cavapoos happily wear their sweaters or t-shirts without an issue, some more sensitive ones may develop skin and coat problems from constant friction and potentially sweating that happens when they are too warm in the clothes you put on them.

They can also be allergic to something in the clothes! If you have a habit of dressing your cavapoo, try to let them go “naked” for a while and see if that will improve their skin and coat condition.

I hope this article was helpful to you in your quest of figuring out why your cavapoo losing hair. Things like this always involve a bit (or a lot!) of sleuthing work. It’s not always easy, but I hope you will find your reason and help your cavapoo keep their beautiful coat!

If you are looking for a cavapoo to adopt, check out our articles on how to find a reputable breeder. You can find such breeders in: Reputable cavapoo breeders UK, Cavapoo breeders in Ontario, Canada, and Cavapoo breeders in Alberta, Canada. You can also adopt a puppy from Cavapoo Rescue. Don’t forget to read about Cavapoo pros and cons.

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Cavapoo vs goldendoodle

Cross breeds are all the rage lately! Yet another cross breed you might be interested is a Goldendoodle. What is a goldendoodle and how does it compare to cavapoo? Which one should you choose? Or, if you already have a cavapoo, should you add a goldendoodle to the mix? Let’s find out!

Cavapoo vs goldendoodle: what is a goldendoodle

A goldendoodle is a breed that results from crossing a golden retriever with a poodle. It’s a cross of probably the two of the most popular and loved breeds out there, and so there is no wonder that the hybrid dog has gained such popularity in the recent years. It was first bred in the early nineties, and now it has spread all over the world, being particularly popular in North America, UK and Australia.

Since one of the goldendoodle’s parents is a Golden Retriever, it can be quite a bit larger than a cavapoo. Goldendoodles may reach 26-40 lb of weight, whereas cavapoo are generally around 6-20 lb. A goldendoodle would probably be a great dog for you if you have larger space – such as your own home.

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A cavapoo is definitely a more compact dog, so you might want to choose a cavapoo if you live in an apartment. Having said that, goldendoodles may also vary in size, and it is possible to find a small goldendoodle bred from miniature or toy poodle.

Cavapoo vs goldendoodle: what is a goldendoodle

Just like cavapoo, goldendoodles may have straight or curly hair. That depends on which parent they inherited their coat from: Golden retriever or a poodle. If a goldendoodle has curly hair, it is less likely to shed, just like poodle. It may shed a little more if it inherited straight hair from Golden, but it will still shed less than other breeds.

Goldendoodles were bred with the idea of making them hypoallergenic and non-shedding, like poodles, but of course they may still shed minimally, and you may still be allergic to them if you have a dog allergy. The best way to find out is to visit a breeder and spend sometime around adult goldendoodles.

Cavapoo, as you may already know, can also have curly or straight coat and be more or less low-shedding and close to hypoallergenic as well, due to those magical poodle genes.

Cavapoo vs goldendoodle: grooming

A cavapoo may feature a wide range of colors – they can be white, apricot, cream, black, brown, red and multi-colored. You can find the same variety of colors in goldendoodles.

Both cavapoo and goldendoodle will require regular grooming. You can read more about your cavapoo grooming here. A goldendoodle, regardless of coat type, will need regular grooming sessions as well, including washing, combing their coat, cleaning their ears, trimming their nails etc.

Since goldendoodles are significantly larger than cavapoo, expect to spend more time on grooming or grooming services than with a cavapoo. Your goldendoodle will probably also be prone to bringing more dirt from the outside than a cavapoo, again, due to its large size and higher energy levels.

As with any big dog, keeping them clean will be an important part of your life. If you prefer less grooming, go with a cavapoo.

Cavapoo vs goldendoodle: grooming

You probably already know a lot about cavapoo personality if you have been reading this blog for any amount of time. They are wonderful companions: loyal, affectionate, easy to live with, funny and eager to please. They also fit well in families with children and do especially well in families that can spend enough time to spend with them playing or walking outside, or just being in the same space.

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But what about goldendoodles?

Goldendoodles were bred to be perfect companions as well. Both of the parent breeds (Golden Retriever and poodle) are extremely people-oriented breeds and are very loyal. The resulting goldendoodles are an extremely social hybrid, adoring their people and needing a lot of socialisation and time spent together with their owners. Goldendoodles have been traditionally used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, agility dogs, as well as search and rescue dogs.

These are not stand-offish, independent dogs. While they are rarely nervous and can hardly be characterised as clingy, like cavapoo, they are not the dogs that do well on their own. Goldendoodles crave time with their family. They were born to be companions and don’t do very well when left alone.

If a goldendoodle is left alone for prolonged periods of time, they may develop destructive behaviours such as barking, whining or chewing everything in sight, which can be not only irritating for the neighbours and bad for your furniture, but also dangerous for the dog as they tend to swallow the things they chew up.

In that sense, goldendoodles are very much like cavapoo who also don’t like being left alone and can become sad and destructive. Ideally, with any dog you would first make sure you have enough time to spend with your pet and only then bring your pup home. If you work too much or are constantly on the go, any dog may not be the best idea.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a loyal companion to share your days with, both cavapoo and goldendoodle could be a great choice.

Goldendoodles, just like Golden Retrievers, can be a little too enthusiastic in their play or while socialising. They do have a lot of energy and will often test their limits unless they have a strong pack leader (you!).

While cavapoo are a smaller dog and are normally not extremely energetic (although they still do have plenty of energy), goldendoodles require a confident leader to keep them in check. You don’t want a dog that jumps at everyone enthusiastically or drags you on the lead wherever it wants. Goldendoodles may be like that – not because they are out of control, but just because of lots of positive energy they possess. So be prepared to invest time and energy into training and teaching your dog to behave if you get a goldendoodle.

Temperament and personality

Both goldendoodles and cavapoo are fairly athletic, but goldendoodle is a larger dog, so it would need a larger area to frolic in than cavapoo. With their fountain of energy, goldendoodles thrive with owners who can regularly take them for long walks or runs in the park, or simply give them a ride to a dog park. Extremely curious and social, goldendoodles do best if they have plenty of opportunity to spend time outside meeting new people and dogs and exploring the area. They are not homebody dogs!

Due to their affectionate personality and absence of aggression, both cavapoo and goldendoodle are great dogs for families with young children. (Except you have to mind cavapoo around very young children as a small cavapoo might get hurt by accident.)

Both cavapoo and goldendoodle have poodle in their ancestry, which means both hybrids can boast outstanding intelligence. With goldendoodles, it reflects in the fact that they really do need plenty of mental stimulation along with physical exercise. Boredom and loneliness are not good for goldendoodles.

Their inquisitive and eager minds need constant stimulation in the form of socialisation with you the owner, games, being outside, or even just watching their family go about their day. If you leave your goldendoodle alone without anything to do for long periods of time, two things may happen.

First, your goldendoodle will find something to do, such as shred your couch or swallow your TV remote. And second, it may get depressed, which will result in a whole host of other health and behavioural issues.

Cavapoo are slightly better equipped with dealing with boredom or lack of stimulation than goldendoodles, but it doesn’t mean they don’t need stimulation. Again, be sure you will be able and willing to put the time and effort in your dog and spend enough time with it to meet their requirements. If you are that type of owner, you will be happy with either cavapoo or goldendoodle. Due to their high intelligence, they are great dogs to teach tricks and games – easily trainable and eager to please.

The thing with cavapoo and their health is that they can inherit some of the fairly grave health issues from their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ancestry. Those may include Mitral Valve Disease and syringomyelia, as well as Hip Dysplasia, epilepsy and a number of others. Not every cavapoo (far from it!) will have any of these diseases, but Cavalier King Charles Spaniel itself is probably one of the less healthy breeds out there. So there is always that risk with a cavapoo, unless you purchase your pup from a very reputable cavapoo breeder.

Goldendoodles, similarly, can inherit health issues from both poodle and golden retriever. Although both of these breeds are quite healthy, they can and do sometimes have issues. Some of the diseases that can be somewhat common to goldendoodles include Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, epilepsy and Atopic Dermatitis. However, all in all goldendoodles do seem to be pretty healthy and carry low risk of inherited diseases.

This was a little overview of cavapoo and goldendoodle, and how the two cross breeds compare to each other. I hope it will help you pick the one dog that’s best for you, and whichever one you pick, I know you’ll be happy with your choice!

If you are looking for a cavapoo to adopt, check out our articles on how to find a reputable breeder. You can find such breeders in: Reputable cavapoo breeders UK, Cavapoo breeders in Ontario, Canada, and Cavapoo breeders in Alberta, Canada. You can also adopt a puppy from Cavapoo Rescue. Don’t forget to read about Cavapoo pros and cons.

 

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Why does my cavapoo smell?

Every dog smells sometimes. If you have just come inside from the heavy rainfall and your dog is wet, or you just haven’t dried their coat enough after a shower, you will smell a bit of a wet dog scent in your house. But what if your dog smells all the time, and what if the smell, let’s put it nicely, isn’t that pleasant?

Why does my cavapoo smell: skin issues

Some cavapoo owners, unfortunately,encounter this very issue with their dogs. They usually try to fix the smelly issue by hiding the smell. They may try to wash their dog often and use special scented shampoos to cover their dog’s  odour. Or they may use various sprays and other solutions to get rid of the smell in their house.

However, all those solutions simply mask the symptoms, without addressing the main problem. And the problem is: if your dog has a nasty smell all the time (not just when they roll in something smelly in the backyard) – that means there is something wrong with their health.

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While every dog gets dirty or wet sometimes, which can definitely can cause it to smell, constant smell from your dog is a reason to worry. Almost always it means there is something going on with your dog’s health, and that’s what you need to pay attention to.

Mouth hygiene and your cavapoo smell

Here are the five main areas to look at when you smell something “fishy” about your dog.

One of the reasons your cavapoo may smell is potential skin issues. This may include over-production of skin oils due to a wrong diet. It may also be a yeast infection or candida, especially if the dog’s odour has sweet undertones in it.

Both of these issues are due to a wrong diet. If you are feeding your dog wrong dog food (such as brands full of carbohydrates, grains and additives), your cavapoo may very well develop digestive issues, which immediately reflect in the state of its skin (along with other body systems). In this case, try changing the dog’s diet to eliminate the odour problem.

Dogs are carnivores and thrive on meat. Try to choose kibble with meat as a main ingredient, and no or minimal other ingredients and additives. Many people say they have been able to get rid of bad odour from their dog by feeding them raw diet. I would definitely recommend that, as raw meat-based diet is very natural for dogs. Read more about the best food for your cavapoo in this article.

If your dog has a yeast infection, it can sometimes be seen on the surface of its body, for example, inside their ears, or on their belly and under the arms and legs. Take your dog to the vet immediately if you notice something wrong with its skin.

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Yet another issue that can cause bad odour in dogs is parasites, such as mites, fleas or ticks. Give your dog a thorough inspection, especially if you notice it scratching itself often or expressing any other signs of discomfort. Of course, the best thing you can do is take your cavapoo to the vet and run a panel of tests.

Another sensitive area that can develop a nasty smell is your cavapoo’s ears. In a healthy dog, there is constant production of sebum and earwax in the ears both of which serve certain functions in your dog’s health. However, if the secretion of these substances is increased for any reason, a build-up may occur, which in time can lead to some unpleasant smell.

Your dog may also have a yeast infection on the inner surface of their ears. To avoid ear issues, clean your cavapoo’s ears regularly, and take them to the vet if you see anything unusual in their ears.

Your cavapoo’s mouth can be yet another “smelly zone”, both due to digestive issues and teeth issues (which really is the same issue). If you never let your cavapoo “kiss” you because you can’t stand the smell of their breath – this may be your problem. Your cavapoo may develop multiple digestive issues where the food isn’t digested properly and sits in your cavapoo stomach longer than it should, in which case your pup may develop bad breath.

Another reason for bad breath is your dog’s teeth. Your cavapoo teeth may develop a large amount of build-up and tartar, especially if your dog’s diet is full of carbohydrates and additives that aren’t natural for dogs. Excess tartar may cause bacterial infestations which in turn will produce a powerful odour from your pup’s mouth.

Yet another reason, just like with humans, could be tooth decay in your cavapoo, which is also directly connected to the dog’s diet and lack of minerals in it to maintain your cavapoo’s teeth in optimal healthy state. You can brush their teeth every day, but if their diet is wrong, it won’t help against tooth decay. Cleaning your puppy’s teeth professionally to get rid of tartar and build-up may help temporarily, but not in the long term. Unless you change your cavapoo’s diet,  they will continue having stomach and teeth issues.

Now that’s a stinky subject! Yet another reason for bad odour coming from your cavapoo can be anal glands that need squeezing. Every dog has anal glands located – you guessed it – right near your dog’s bum. Anal glands secrete various smelly substances that serve several functions in the dog’s body. In a healthy dog, anal glands get squeezed every time the dog defecates so there is never an issue. However dogs often experience issues with plugged anal glands, when the act of defecation does not empty the glands.

If you have ever seen your dog dragging its bottom on the carpet – they are trying to empty their anal glands. Overfilled anal glands can cause a dog discomfort and pain. It can also make your pup stink! To help the matter, you can empty your dog’s anal glands yourself (there are plenty of videos on youtube on how to do it), or take them to the groomer or vet.

If you often found yourself in a cloud of bad odour every time you are near your cavapoo – perhaps they are just flatulent? Flatulence occurs in dogs just like it does in people. And, as with people, a little bit of it is normal and healthy. But too much gas is indicative of digestive issues. This takes us back to your cavapoo diet. If you are feeding them high-carbohydrate foods, that can cause proliferation of bacteria in their intestines (bacteria feed on sugar!). That bacteria, in their turn, produce a lot of gas as one of the products of their life cycle.

If your pup is constantly farting, it may be funny, but it’s also a sign that you should look at your cavapoo’s diet and come up with a healthier, more natural alternative to the kibble you may be using now. Your dog will thank you by becoming healthier, stronger, happier and less smelly!

Although changing their diet may help your cavapoo health and the odour in your home, you should still take them to a vet if you notice unpleasant smells or other health-related issues. A dog’s health is complex and nipping issues in the bud is often easier than trying to fix a full-blown disease. Since smells are often a sign of disease, don’t wait to ask for professional help.

 

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How to clean cavapoo ears

Cleaning your cavapoo’s ears should be a regular part of its grooming routine. All dogs need to have their ears cleaned on a regular basis. Cavapoo can have long, floppy ears which makes them more prone to infections and parasites due to the build-up of wax, other ear secretions and dirt.

How to clean cavapoo ears - instructions

This is why you should clean your cavapoo ears once or twice a week. While cleaning, not only can you help your cavapoo get rid of extra debri and secretions that have built-up in their ears – you can also regularly inspect their ears and notice any changes/issues early enough to be able to quickly help your cavapoo.

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Such issues may include redness, inflammation of the ear, or an unpleasant odour, which may mean that your dog already has an ear infection and needs professional help of a vet. Most often though you will just find some wax build-up and will be able to deal with it yourself.

The younger your cavapoo is, the less build-up you will see in their ears. However, it is still important to do regular ear inspections in your cavapoo from the time they are very young, simply to get them used to the sensation of their ears being handled. As they get older, you will have to start to actually clean their ears after inspecting them.

you shouldn't clean your cavapoo's ears too often

Don’t overdo it

However, you shouldn’t clean your cavapoo’s ears too often either. Build-up of wax is natural for the dog’s ears, and serves its own functions. If you see a moderate amount of dark brown build-up  in your dog’s ears – it’s normally not dirt but earwax which actually helps to protect your dog’s ears from dirt and microbes. 

You don’t have to get rid of it if there isn’t too much of it. If you inspect your dog’s ears and notice red or inflamed surface and bad odour, don’t attempt to clean ears in such condition either. Your dog likely has an ear infection and needs to be treated by the vet.

Prior to cleaning your cavapoo’s ears, gently swab the inner surface of the ear with a cotton ball. If it leaves a yellow trace on the ball, you can leave your cavapoo alone for a  while – their ears don’t necessarily need cleaning just yet. If you see a lot of earwax on the cotton ball, then gentle cleaning might be a good idea.

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One thing that complicates ear cleaning in cavapoo is that dogs normally don’t like the procedure very much. An ear is a very sensitive organ, and if your cavapoo isn’t used to having their ears cleaned, they will not cooperate. This is why it is important to train them to let you clean their ears from the time they are still young.

If your cavapoo is still a puppy, you might have an easier time getting them used to grooming their ears. The important thing is to make them feel comfortable and get them to associate the procedure with something nice. How do you do that? You use treats, of course. Treats are the best way to get the animal to relax and accept what is being done to them, and even enjoy it.

Supplies

Have all your supplies nearby. You will need something to clean your cavapoo ears with such as a soft tissue or cotton ball, or gauze (but choose the type that doesn’t leave threads). Do not use cotton swabs or anything hard. It is very easy to damage the dog’s ear using any hard objects while cleaning. Be very careful! You really don’t need anything hard, as wax or other secretions in the dog’s ear can be removed just using soft material like gauze.

You will also need to use a special rinse or a lotion that you can purchase in any pet store or at your vet. Don’t use soap in your dog’s ears! Do not use vinegar either, it can irritate your dog’s ears.

The procedure itself

To clean your cavapoo’s ears safely, first stabilise the dog to make sure it won’t bolt away from you or make any abrupt movements. A good time to clean your dog’s ears is right after a warm shower, when they are still relaxed. If the dog is visibly disturbed and anxious, you might want to pick another time for the procedure.

It is important that your dog is relaxed and calm. You don’t want to traumatise them, either emotionally or physically. Pet them and offer them treats while touching and playing with their ears to let them get used to the sensation of their ears being touched. You can also offer them a chew toy or a kong filled with treats for the time of the procedure. Use anything that will get them happy and occupied for a few minutes.

While getting ready for the procedure, make sure you have all the tools and supplies ready and close to you. You don’t want to have to go fetch a pack of cotton balls or lotion and risk your dog getting too excited or anxious again.

When your dog is ready for the procedure, inspect your cavapoo’s ears. See if there are any signs of infection or inflammation. Use a cotton ball or gauze with lotion to carefully clean the inner surface of the dog’s ear. Try not to get too close to the ear drum. All you are doing is removing the surface dirt and build-up. Do not let water get in the dog’s ear canal. You only need a slightly wet tissue/cotton ball to get most of the dirt and wax out.

To help get rid of the wax, you can gently massage your dogs ears, which helps the build-up to soften and separate from the surface of the ear. A massage will also help further relax your cavapoo.

When you are done with cleaning your cavapoo’s ears, praise them once again, offer a treat, and let them shake – which they will! Dogs like their ears nice and dry and will try to get rid of any wetness/moisture in them.

If you are intimidated by the procedure, worried about hurting your cavapoo’s ears or if you have a cavapoo that is particularly stubborn and won’t let you clean their ears, you can always take them to the groomer and ask to include ear cleaning in the scope of the grooming procedures. Professional groomers know how to approach a dog and how to clean their ears safely and with minimum discomfort. 

If your dog’s ears get excessively dirty, have too much build-up or  unpleasant odour, that might mean some ear issues such as infection or parasites, which is always best to discuss with your veterinarian. Don’t let your cavapoo’s ear issues go unattended. Ears can be extremely sensitive, and, in some dogs, really prone to infections and other issues. It is best to pay attention to this area of your cavapoo grooming to avoid potential complications. 

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Do cavapoo shed and what to do about it

Cavapoo is often marketed as a cross breed that doesn’t shed (and is hypoallergenic). But is that really so? How much do cavapoo shed?

Do cavapoo shed and what to do about it

To begin with, each and every dog sheds. To put it even better, every animal sheds, including humans (you know all that hair in your bathtub?) Cavapoo is a mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle. As is always the case with mixed breeds, it’s hard to predict how many genes a particular puppy will inherit from the spaniel, and how many (and which) from poodle.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed fur in moderate amounts, like most dogs. Poodles are considered a fairly low-shedding breed with their wiry and curly coat.

cavapoo shedding

Whether your cavapoo puppy will be more on the high or low shedding side, really depends on how much of his or her coat genes are inherited from the poodle as opposed to the spaniel. If the poodle genes dominate in this particular puppy, you can expect your new love to be fairly low-shedding. Their coat will look and feel much more like a poodle’s sleek and curly coat than a spaniel’s soft one.

If your puppy has inherited more of a spaniel’s goat genes, you will be able to see it too. It will have longer and smoother fur and will likely shed about as much as a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel would.

Now, even if your puppy has more of proud poodle genes in them and their coat is totally coily and curled, it doesn’t mean they won’t shed. You will likely still notice minimal shedding – on your clothes, carpet or a new couch. As it will be minimal, it probably won’t bother you too much (and cavapoo are so worth it anyway!)

Cavapoo shedding during puppy-hood

One thing you need to know when you have a new cavapoo puppy is that puppies have their own puppy coat that is different from the coat the adult cavapoo will have. Cavapoo puppy coat is a softer, fluffier coat which your cavapoo puppy will have until they are around six months old.

The puppy coat protects your little cavapoo from cold and also serves as a soft padding for the clumsy puppy exploring the world. As your cavapoopuppy matures, it will gradually lose its puppy coat which will slowly be replaced by a harder, denser adult coat. In the process of maturing and changing coats, your cavapoo will shed.

How much will depend on the genes and some other individual factors, however this period of shedding may be quite noticeable. It shouldn’t worry you though: this is a very natural process for a puppy and you likely won’t notice so much shedding at any other stage of your cavapoo’s life again, especially if they inherited more of the poodle genes.

As your puppy loses its puppy coat, it is important to regularly groom them. Brush your cavapoo out every day if you can, for as long as 10 – 20 minutes.

This is a really great habit both short-term and long-term. Short term it will allow you to help your cavapoo puppy get rid of the fur that can otherwise get trapped in the still growing hair and cause matting. Matting can be hard to deal with and painful for the dog: it’s not very easy to get those tangled hair clumps out of their fur!

Brushing your puppy will also help you trap all that loose hair before it gets spread all over the house, your carpet, your sofa and your clothes. If there is anyone in the house with dog hair allergies, preventing hairs from spreading will help curb those.

The other bonus is that, by brushing your cavapoo, you cause more shedding to happen more quickly thus reducing the length of this shading stage of your puppy’s life. Shorter shedding = happier owners = clean house!

In addition to that, if you groom your cavapoo regularly for prolonged periods of time since puppy-hood, your dog will get used to it and grow to enjoy it. This will ensure better bonding between you and your puppy and also will make it easier for you to groom them in the future.

Do cavapoo shed as adults?

And if you have lots of other types of bonding time with your puppy and would like to delegate the brushing responsibility to someone else, you can always contact a groomer and take your puppy for a professional grooming! A lot of cavapoo owners provide regular professional grooming sessions to their dogs, and it can be beneficial to start your puppy young!

Yes, even after the puppy shedding stage is over, your adult cavapoo will still shed. The amount of shedding in an adult dog will depend on several factors.

Spaniel/ poodle genes

As we already mentioned, you may get yourself a very low-shedding cavapoo if it has inherited more of the poodle hair genes than that of a spaniel. That pesky spaniel fur will require more care/grooming to minimise shedding effects.

Temperature/season/day light

You may have noticed that your dog (or cat!) sheds more in the spring/summer season than in any other season of the year. That is because the amount of shedding in all animals is influenced by the length of day light time. As the day light time begins to increase in spring, so does the amount of shedding for almost all animals. That happens whether the animal lives outside or in the house, although it is more pronounced in outdoor animals.

But even indoor dogs and cats start shedding more in the spring time. Temperature may also be a factor, although less important than day time. This type of seasonality is simply to be expected. You will notice that your cavapoo sheds much less during winter and fall!

Nutrition

Nutrition plays a huge role in the overall health of your cavapoo, and particularly in the health of their coat. Unbalanced nutrition can cause nutrient deficiencies in your pet. For example, protein deficiency will exacerbate shedding, as hair follicles and hair growth in general depends on the amount of protein your cavapoo gets in their diet.

Too little protein will lead to weakened hair follicles and thus more shedding. (It can also cause faded, matted look of your cavapoo coat.) Dry kibble is often to blame for lack of protein in your cavapoo’s diet (and overabundance of carbohydrate which can cause your dog to gain weight!) We talk more about best food for cavapoo in this article, but here it’s enough to say that it’s always a good idea to do thorough research on the food type (kibble / wet food / natural food / raw food) that you want to feed your cavapoo, and the brand.

Whatever type / brand of food your choose, make sure it has at least 20 – 25% protein content which is necessary for the health of an adult dog.

The other important minerals and nutrients for your dog’s coat health and low shedding are zinc, chrome and B vitamins.

Just like puppies, older dogs can experience more shedding. If your cavapoo is middle-aged and older, it may have age-related shedding, as dogs will shed more when they get into their older age. Some age-related diseases can also cause excessive shedding.

Hormones

Hormonal changes can cause shedding, as it is highly effected by the hormonal status of the animal. Female cavapoo will experience higher periods of shedding after being in heat or if she has just had puppies and is lactating. Unbalanced thyroid hormones can also cause extra shedding if your dog suffers from hypothyroidism.

Stress

Have you ever heard of people losing their hair during difficult and stressful life situations? Dogs can experience the same! If your cavapoo has to deal with a lot of stress (such as a high conflict home, lots of noise, abuse, or even boredom and lack of stimulation!) it may cause some additional shedding! It is just as important to help your pet maintain their psychological health as it is with their physical health.

Washing/ bathing your dog is a great habit that ensures proper hygiene and often can be an enjoyable activity for both the dog and their human. However, if you bathe your cavapoo too often, it can dry out their skin which will cause excessive shedding. The other reason behind your cavapoo losing too much hair can be using the wrong bathing products such as soap or shampoo.

Never use human shampoos on dogs! Dogs and humans have different skin pH levels and it is necessary to choose the shampoo that will work well with that pH balance. Use only specialised dog shampoos, and try to pick the brand that won’t dry out your cavapoo’s skin. If you notice any changes in your dog’s skin or coat after bathing them (such as dry skin, red patches, any type of inflammation or sore spots), discontinue the shampoo.

You can also get professional advise from a groomer or even a vet as they always know the best products and best approaches to keeping your cavapoo’s coat healthy, shiny and minimally shedding.

If you are just getting (or thinking about getting) your first cavapoo, don’t buy into the promises of a 100% non-shedding dog. That is never the case, and in fact should be a red flag in terms of how much you can trust a breeder, if they promise such thing as a non-shedding dog. There is just no such thing 🙂 Even poodles shed, and they are considered one of the most minimally shedding dogs on the planet.

Expect your new cavapoo puppy to shed a moderate amount. However, don’t be intimidated by that. You will not be finding huge clumps of hair all over your house, even if your puppy sheds more than minimally. They are still a very small dog and the amount of shedding is really quite tolerable for most of cavapoo owners.

If you are looking for a cavapoo to adopt, check out our articles on how to find a reputable breeder. You can find such breeders in: Reputable cavapoo breeders UK, Cavapoo breeders in Ontario, Canada, and Cavapoo breeders in Alberta, Canada. You can also adopt a puppy from Cavapoo Rescue. Don’t forget to read about Cavapoo pros and cons.

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Cavapoo grooming

Every new cavapoo owner will have this question: how often, if at all, should you groom your cavapoo?

The answer is, you definitely should groom them, both with a professional and at home by yourself. How often really depends on several factors, including the type of coat that your cavapoo has inherited from its parents.

Cavapoo grooming

If your cavapoo has inherited its coat from the Cavalier king Charles spaniel, its hair will be softer and wavy, as opposed to curly. If they inherited poodle coat, the hair will be curly rather than wavy, and more prone to tangling and matting. With this type of coat, it is recommended that you brush your cavapoo daily or 3-4 times a week if your schedule is tight, to prevent matting and tangling.

Grooming your cavapoo's coat

It is best to start your cavapoo on grooming when they are still young. That way, your puppy will get used to grooming procedures and will learn that they are completely normal. When you begin brushing you cavapoo puppy, give them a small treat to show them that grooming is a pleasant event.

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Once your cavapoo associate grooming with treats, they will start looking forward to it and behave better while you are doing it which will make your job easier. Your every day grooming sessions should include gentle brushing of the cavapoo hair until it’s soft and all matting and tangling is gone.

Your cavapoo will eventually start to enjoy it – brushing and scratching can be very pleasant on their skin. It’s a great way to bond with your cavapoo.

cavapoo grooming - Trimming your cavapoo's hair

Besides brushing, you can (and should) also trim certain areas of your cavapoo coat, such as on the ears and around their mouth , where the hair often gets too long and gets in the way. Pay attention to your cavapoo’s “other end” as well – trimming hair around its bum is a good idea if you notice that that area sometimes gets dirty. If you are too squeamish, you can leave this part for the professional groomer, but it’s really easy to learn to do it yourself and canbe really handy too. You probably really like seeing your cavapoo clean, don’t you? 🙂

Trimming nails is also an important part of grooming your cavapoo. You don’t want them to grow too long as they can affect your cavapoo walking and can break and hurt your cavapoo. Nail trimming won’t always be met enthusiastically by your cavapoo and might even scare them if it’s their first time. As with the rest of grooming, it is a good idea to start them young.

Cavapoo grooming - Trimming your cavapoo's nails

Try trimming their nails when your cavapoo is still a puppy. Some cavapoo really don’t like their feet and paws being touched, so you may need to start slowly. Begin with just touching their paws while also encouraging your cavapoo with voice and/or treats. Let them get used to it. Show them the nail clipper and let the smell it so they are less afraid of it.

Then try trimming their nails while still talking to your cavapoo in a soft voice. 

Cavapoo nails have to be trimmed pretty short, but you also have to be careful not to cut into the quick of the nail. The quick is the thicker base of the nail with blood vessels and nerves. If you cut into that, it will hurt your cavapoo! Only trim the sharp ends of the nails! Do it slowly. If your cavapoo expresses fear or tries to escape, try encouraging them with small treats when you manage to clip their nail.

Eventually, your cavapoo will get used to having their nails trimmed as it’s normally completely painless. They may also start looking at nail trimming time as bonding time with you, and if you add treats in the mix, grooming might just become your cavapoo’s favorite thing.

Cavapoo grooming - Bathing your cavapoo

Should you bathe your cavapoo? Well of course! Our dogs spend lots of time outside and can bring a lot of bacteria and dirt on their coats and feet, which isn’t good for you or your pet. Bathing is an excellent way to maintain hygiene and also can be a pleasant time you and your pup have together.

Besides, most dogs love water, and cavapoo is no different. Of course, some dogs may be a bit comprehensive of water, especially if they haven’t encountered it before. As with the rest of grooming procedures, it is wise to start bathing your cavapoo when they are still young. Fill your bathtub with water (not too much, only a few inches), and put your cavapoo in the water.

Let them get used to the sensation, and again, encourage them with your voice and pets. If your cavapoo seems just fine in the bathtub, start washing its coat with warm water. Don’t let the water get into their face or eyes. When bathing your cavapoo, use specialised dog shampoo (never use human shampoo on dogs! Same goes for soap.) Wash their coat thoroughly and then wash the shampoo of.

You can repeat the process a few times. After bathing your pup, help them get dry again with a towel, and praise them, or give them a treat. It is very likely that your dog will really love bathing time!

One of the less pleasant aspects of grooming your cavapoo is taking care of their anal glands. Anal glands in dogs produce certain smelly liquid which is used for marking (yes, dogs mark their territory with poop just like they do with pee).

This is a normal, natural function, even though it may seem a bit gross to us humans. Anal glands normally get emptied automatically when your dog poops, but sometimes that doesn’t happen and your dog may need help squeezing the stuff out. You will notice it when your dog starts scooting it’s other end on the floor or carpet or starts to excessively lick under its tail.

If you see that behaviour, your cavapoo may have an issue with emptying their anal glands and you may need to help them. You can squeeze out their anal glands yourself (I will not go into details here, just search for a video on youtube!) or you can leave this “dirty” job for a groomer. (Just kidding, there is nothing dirty about your cavapoo’s natural anatomy!)

Whatever you do, don’t let this issue go unattended. If your dog’s anal glands aren’t squeezed properly, it can cause great discomfort to the dog, or even infection! (Which will be hard, painful and expensive to treat!)

You can do some or all of the grooming yourself, or you can go for professional grooming services. You will easily be able to find a groomer in your town/city. Pet stores often have a groomer’s office affiliated with them, or you can go to a private groomer. Although it can be costly, I would recommend taking your cavapoo to a groomer at least once.

That way, you can watch what the groomer is doing – and learn! Apart from learning some tricks, you can also buy some of the tools for better and easier grooming from the professional groomer. Who knows, maybe you’ll get so inspired you could open your own grooming salon 🙂 In any case, doing a lot of grooming for your cavapoo at home will help you save money and get more bonding time with your pup.

But if you struggle with any aspect of grooming, such as trimming your cavapoo’s nails – the groomer is a great answer to that.

Whether you choose to do it yourself or use professional help, I recommend maintaining regular grooming sessions for your pup to keep their hair, skin and nails in great condition.

If you are looking for a cavapoo to adopt, check out our articles on how to find a reputable breeder. You can find such breeders in: Reputable cavapoo breeders UK, Cavapoo breeders in Ontario, Canada, and Cavapoo breeders in Alberta, Canada. You can also adopt a puppy from Cavapoo Rescue. Don’t forget to read about Cavapoo pros and cons.

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Can cavapoo swim?

Do cavapoo dogs swim?

Do you love spending time on the water and would like your cavapoo to share the fun with you? If so, the question you might ask is: can cavapoo actually swim?

Can cavapoo swim?

Well, the answer is: almost all dogs can swim. And your cavapoo is likely a capable swimmer as well. Whether they like swimming or not is another matter. Most dogs I have ever met, including cavapoo, adore water. Splashing in the water park or swimming with you in the lake or ocean can become one of your cavapoo’s favourite things to do.

If you want your cavapoo to share the fun of spending time on the water with you – start them young. If your cavapoo is still a puppy, this is the best time to get them acquainted with water.

Take them to your favourite beach and let them explore the shoreline for a while, while still holding them on the leash of course. You may notice that they will express interest towards water right away. They may try to sniff it, lick it or play with it. Particularly brave little cavapoo may even try to jump in it. If that happens – let them do it.

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They will likely swim right away as swimming is instinctive in dogs. Make sure that doesn’t happen in winter, of course, as the water could be too cold for your cavapoo, even if they are enthusiastic about swimming. You should also make sure the current isn’t too strong: you don’t want to put your cavapoo in danger if being swept away. Even though your cavapoo can swim, they could still have an accident on the water, so keep an eye on them.

Teaching a timid cavapoo to swim

If your cavapoo is intimidated by water, you might need to help them get acquainted with it. Get in the water with them! You can take them in your arms or lead them behind you on the leash, whichever works for your puppy. If they seem frightened, encourage them with your voice, by petting them or by offering them treats. Eventually they will start associating water with good things and will grow to like it. They may actually like it so much you’ll have a hard time pulling them out of the water!

Don’t forget to take care of your cavapoo after every swimming session. If the weather is cold, you may need to help your cavapoo to get dry again so they don’t get sick. If you and your cavapoo like swimming in the ocean or any other body of salt water, make sure you give your puppy a good shower afterwards, especially if your cavapoo hair tends to get tangled. Salt can definitely make it worse. You can use special dog shampoo to make the process easier on you and your puppy.

Summary

Can cavapoo swim? Yes, and usually they love it. Don’t leave your cavapoo home on a sunny day – take them to the beach so you can have fun in the water together!

If you are looking for a cavapoo to adopt, check out our articles on how to find a reputable breeder. You can find such breeders in: Reputable cavapoo breeders UK, Cavapoo breeders in Ontario, Canada, and Cavapoo breeders in Alberta, Canada. You can also adopt a puppy from Cavapoo Rescue. Don’t forget to read about Cavapoo pros and cons.