Regardless if you are a newbie pet owner or a seasoned one, you may still need guidance in figuring out how much to feed your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels belong to the toy breed category. However, this dog breed is among the largest toy breeds, which means they may not have the same food requirement as the toy dog breeds.
In this guide, we will go through the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel feeding guidelines — from how much you need to feed your dog according to its age, the best food for your puppy, to the foods you should avoid giving.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Feeding Chart by Age
On average, puppy Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need to eat ¼ to 1 cup of dog food daily. As the dogs grow older, their owners will need to increase the meal size and give adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniels around 1 to 1 ½ cups each day. Senior dogs will need slightly less, ¾ to 1 ¼ cups daily.
In addition to changing your dog’s food proportion or size, you may need to provide different dog food for an adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. This is because the nutritional requirements of an adult Spaniel differ from that of a puppy.
Likewise, your dog’s dietary requirements can also vary based on its size and activity level.
While these are some of the factors that determine how much to feed your dog, it is important that you do not solely base on this.
You must consider your dog’s dietary requirements, preferences, and veterinarian’s advice.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppy Feeding Chart (2 to 12 months)
During the first two weeks of age, owners should avoid feeding their newborn Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies with actual dog food.
Puppies of this age solely rely on their mother for nourishment, especially on colostrum.
However, if the mother is unable to breastfeed her puppies, you can provide a substitute mother’s milk and feed the puppies through a tube or bottle.
At around four weeks old, it is ideal that you start introducing puppy food to your dog. However, you must handle this transition very carefully, as it can be difficult for the puppy.
Ensure that the food is soft enough not to hurt the puppy’s mouth. To do this, you can try softening the dry kibble first before giving it to your puppy.
Refer to the chart below to know how much puppy food to feed your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:
The puppy stage is the most crucial part of your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s growth since this is the time their bones grow and develop. This is why you must ensure your dog receives the nutrients it needs.
That said, it is also equally important that you watch your dog’s weight to avoid obesity, as this may lead to bigger health problems later on.
Along with making sure that your puppy receives the right nutrients is ensuring that the dog food you feed them contains correct percentages of protein and fats.
Additionally, water is also very important to your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy. Keep in mind to always give them access to fresh water at all times.
Adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Feeding Chart (1 to 7 years)
Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should reach its full adult weight by its first birthday and its full adult weight around 18 months. Still, you must continue to nurture your dog even if it is already fully grown.
By the time it reaches one year old, you will need to transition from puppy food to adult dog food. This is because the nutritional contents of puppy food do not match what your adult Cavalier needs.
The table below will help you determine your adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s daily consumption needs:
In addition to your dog’s size, weight, and age, you also need to consider your Cavalier’s activity level in determining how much food your dog needs. Generally, these dogs have low to average energy levels.
If your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a highly active dog, you may need to adjust its food intake accordingly. The same is true for when your dog is a couch potato.
Likewise, you need to monitor their calorie, protein, and carb intake and make sure they meet what is required of them, as this will help regulate their energy. If you’re unsure about this, you can always visit the vet.
You can also add vitamins and supplements to your Cavalier’s diet to help them maintain their health as adults. Further, giving them a good source of omega fatty acids is proven to boost your dog’s immune system.
To have an idea about what daily feeding a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel looks like, you can watch this video:
WHAT WE EAT IN A DAY | Dog Nutrition & Diet<a href="https://youtu.be/sc6iE0N2dv0" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fsc6iE0N2dv0%2F0.jpg" alt="WHAT WE EAT IN A DAY | Dog Nutrition &amp; Diet" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Senior Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Feeding Chart (8 years and above)
As with any other dog, your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s activity level will drastically drop as they get older.
It is also during this time when your dog’s physical functions slow down, and they begin to battle with health issues.
The chart below shows how much food a senior Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should consume in a day:
Generally speaking, you should limit your senior Cavalier’s calorie intake during its senior year. Older dogs are more prone to obesity due to their slowed-down metabolism, which is why you should closely monitor their intake.
It is also important to note that dogs of this age can be very fragile, which means they may need extra care and effort in feeding them. They may not have a big appetite as usual and may no longer be able to finish meals.
When this happens, you can try experimenting with different foods to entice them while also making sure that they eat a well-balanced meal.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Feeding Frequency
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s feeding frequency depends on its age. Puppies should be fed three to four times daily. Meanwhile, adult Cavaliers should be fed twice daily. Seniors, on the other hand, should be fed once or twice daily.
Note, however, that this may not be the case for every Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as each dog may have different needs and routines depending on its size and activity level.
This all boils down to making sure that you are not overfeeding or underfeeding your dog, as it can be detrimental to their health.
Here’s a quick look at the recommended Cavalier feeding frequency for both male and female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel based on their age:
Since puppies need nutrients to grow and develop, you may need to feed them more often. Even so, you must follow the recommended feeding amount and divide this into three to four times daily.
As your dog grows, you can gradually transition them to feeding them up to three times each day.
By the time they reach one year old, you can establish feeding them up to two times a day since their energy level will reduce too.
Meanwhile, senior Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should be fed even less than adults and puppies. Though they can be fed twice per day, veterinarians advise feeding senior dogs only once.
This is because older dogs must follow a strict feeding schedule to maintain their weight and general health. This is also very helpful in making sure they maintain regular bowel movements.
Optimal Feeding Times for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Cavalier puppies must eat every four to six hours daily. Meanwhile, adults should be fed 12 hours apart, with their first feeding schedule in the morning and the other in the evening. On the other hand, senior Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be fed once in the morning and/or once in the evening.
Dogs are creators of habits, so feeding them on a consistent and strict schedule will be beneficial not just for the owner but also for the dog.
Refer to the table below for the optimal feeding times for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:
Since puppies are still developing and growing, feeding them often with the right amount of food is only right and reasonable.
Adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniels should be fed at a 12-hour interval. The same schedule must be followed for senior dogs that are fed twice daily. Dogs fed once daily can be given food either in the morning or evening.
Keep in mind that your dog’s routine can be different from the above. You can tweak this schedule, but you should make sure to avoid feeding them too soon or too late at night, as this could result in indigestion or loss of appetite.
Similarly, be cautious about scheduling your exercise shortly after eating. By doing so, you are putting your dog at risk for bloat and other serious digestive problems.
Best Dog Foods for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Unlike other toy breeds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not much of a picky eater. Still, as dog owners, we want to provide them with the best dog food that will sustain their nutritional needs.
Here’s a list of the best food choices for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:
Dry Food: Dry dog food or kibble is the most practical option for any dog owner. Kibbles are proven to benefit your dog’s oral health as it reduces plaque and tartar buildup. It is also important to choose smaller-sized kibbles, especially if you own a teacup Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Wet Food: Wet food is a popular alternative to dry dog food. Though this is generally more expensive, wet food is more appetizing than kibble, which makes it a great option for fussy eater dogs.
Raw or BARF Diet: Also known as the BARF Diet, Biologically-Approved Raw Food Diet involves feeding your Cavalier with a mixture of fresh, uncooked vegetables, fruits, crushed bone, muscle meat, and organ meat. This diet based on raw animals is intended to replicate what a dog could consume in the wild.
Home-cooked Dog Food: Home-cooked food for your Cavalier can be quite tricky. This is because dog nutrition is different from human nutrition. Although tricky, home cooking is totally possible. Speaking with a licensed veterinarian will also be very helpful in ensuring you are providing your dog with the right nutrients.
Whether you choose to feed your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with wet, dry, raw, or home-cooked meals, the most important thing is to make sure that it gets all the nutrients it needs.
Still, it is best for you to contact your licensed veterinarian so you can discuss options for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They can assess your dog’s needs to have a personalized diet plan for them.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Like other dog breeds, your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prohibited from eating several human foods. Despite being incredibly healthy for humans, some of these foods are harmful to dog consumption.
Chocolates are on top of the list of foods to avoid giving your dog. Chocolates, along with coffee, contain large amounts of theobromine and caffeine, which has a very detrimental effect on the dog’s central nervous system.
Consuming chocolates and coffee may result in panting, increased heart rate, high body temperature, and seizures in your dog.
While dogs are allowed to eat fruits, there are several fruits that you should avoid feeding them, including citrus fruits like oranges, mandarins, grapefruits, and lemons.
These fruits contain irritating substances that cause stomach and intestinal wall defects that may lead to gastric ulcers, inflammation, and vomiting.
Grapes, raisins, and prunes, on the other hand, are also very toxic to dogs as they contain an unknown substance that triggers choking and kidney failure. Sadly, even small amounts of these foods can cause lethal outcomes.
Vegetables can be very healthy, but onions, garlic, and leeks are very harmful to your dog since they contain a thiosulphate compound that causes weakness and pale gums in dogs.
Be sure to keep soda and alcohol out of reach too. Your Cavalier may experience gastrointestinal problems, flatulence, and diarrhea if they consume these products.
Prevention is better than cure. That is why it is important that you start rearranging your kitchen to make sure that these food items are not accessible to your dog to avoid unwanted accidents.
How to Transition Your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to a New Food
Although most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not picky eaters, introducing a completely different diet should be done gradually as this may result in an upset stomach.
It is advised to give your dog a 10-day transition period to help your dog get used to the new diet until its body is completely comfortable with it. You can start this by mixing the new dog and gradually adding more each day.
Here’s a food transition chart you can use as a guide for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:
Gradually mix and start adding 10% for the first few days and increase it to 25% later on until your puppy has fully adjusted.
It is important to monitor your dog’s response during and even after the transitioning period. Immediately contact your veterinarian for any signs of diarrhea and worsening upset stomach.
Feeding an Overweight Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Unfortunately, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to obesity which is why it is important that you monitor how much food and treats you give your beloved dog.
Feeding an overweight Cavalier is simple. You can start by gradually cutting back on your dog’s food intake. Note that you do not have to be aggressive in cutting back as it may cause your dog to get sick.
Start by lessening the recommended amount of food intake and opt for low-calorie, high-fiber foods instead. By doing so, your dog eats less but still feels full.
Check with your vet about your dog’s health condition. They will be happy to provide advice on what food to feed and how much exercise your dog needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Not Eating?
There could be several reasons why your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not eating, which may include boredom over the same food, a sudden change of diet, a lack of physical activities, or an underlying problem.
However, if your dog is experiencing symptoms like vomiting and discomfort, you may need to contact your vet immediately so they can check and test for any health problems.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Eat a Lot?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel tends to eat a lot. These dogs are known to love their food. This is also one of the reasons why free-feeding them is not recommended, as it may result in obesity.
That said, it is important that you strictly monitor how much food and treats they consume.
Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Eat Bones?
Generally, feeding raw bones to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels has some benefits. However, it is not advised to give them cooked bones since these bones break easily, which can be dangerous for your dog.
These bones splinter into shards which can result in choking and serious damage to your dog’s mouth, throat, or intestines.
Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Be Vegetarians?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can be vegetarians since dogs, in general, are omnivores. This means they are mainly fed on meat, fish, and poultry, but they can also get nutrients from vegetables and fruits.
If you plan on getting your dog on a vegan diet, it is best to check with your veterinarian first. They will run tests to make sure this diet is what is best for your dog.
Final Thoughts
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel feeding can be overwhelming, especially for new dog owners. As much as possible, we want to give our dogs the best dog food there is.
However, feeding these dogs is actually pretty simple and straightforward. Just like humans, all they need is the recommended nutrients in order for them to grow and be healthy.
Dog owners need to be informed about the nitty-gritty details of feeding their pooches, as feeding plays an important part in their health.
Let us know in the comments what you think about this Cavalier King Charles Spaniel feeding guide!
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