Most important facts
- Group
- Toy
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 6–8 kg
- Lifespan
- 9–14 years
- Coat
- Silky, feathered
- Energy
- Moderate
- Height
- 30–33 cm
- Colours
- Blenheim, tricolour, ruby, black and tan
- Shedding
- Moderate
- Est. feeding cost
- ~£19/mo
- Gear to consider
- Slicker brush, tall spaniel bowl, cosy supportive bed
Typical dry food, adult
About the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a twentieth-century recreation of the small toy spaniels seen in Stuart-era portraits, named for King Charles II and his famous fondness for them. Breeders in the 1920s set out to restore the older, longer-nosed type, and the Cavalier was recognised as a breed in its own right in 1945. It has been a companion first and last for its whole history.
Cavaliers are gentle, affectionate and people-oriented, patient with children and other pets and happiest wherever their family is. Of all the toy breeds they are among the easiest to live with, which is much of why they are so loved. They were bred to be companions and it shows in everything they do.
They have more energy than they look and still enjoy a good daily walk and a potter round the garden, but they are equally content curled up beside you for the rest of the day. Company is the thing they cannot do without.
Common health conditions
Things Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owners commonly watch for. Guidance, not veterinary advice.
Mitral valve disease (heart)
The breed's leading concern, with most developing a heart murmur as they age. Annual heart checks matter, and a lean weight eases the load.
Syringomyelia
A serious inherited spinal condition. Watch for scratching at the air or sensitivity around the neck and raise either with your vet.
Ear infections
Long, feathered ears do best with routine cleaning and a proper dry after wet walks.
Weight gain
Easy to overfeed on a small frame, so weigh the portions and portion to their waistline to protect the heart and joints.
Feeding a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A complete food portioned to their waistline suits most Cavaliers, and at 6 to 8 kg the portions are small enough that weighing them matters. Keeping them lean takes load off the heart and joints as they age, which is the breed's best long-term investment.
There is no special diet for a healthy heart, but a sensible weight genuinely matters, and so does keeping treats inside the daily total. Weight, age and activity are exactly what the Food Finder weighs up when sizing a portion. Little and often suits many, with the day's total fixed first.
Every dog is different — weight, age and activity all shift what a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs. The turns these breed tendencies into a shortlist matched to your dog’s age, size, budget and needs.
Typical adult weight
6–8 kg
Est. daily calories
320–530 kcal
A broad guide for an average-activity adult in good body condition — not veterinary advice. Real needs vary with age, neutering, activity, health and body condition, so no two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels eat exactly the same. Get a personalised estimate or estimate feeding costs.
- Per day
- ~£0.62
- Per month
- ~£19
- Per year
- ~£226
A broad typical monthly budget guide, not a live price quote. Food format, calorie density, pack size and retailer pricing all change the real cost.
Find the right food for your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Foods ranked to your dog
Answer a few quick questions and the Food Finder ranks foods to your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel by score, price, life stage and fit.
Breed at a glance
- Exercise needs5/10
- Appetite6/10
- Trainability7/10
- Good with children9/10
- Shedding6/10
- Tolerates being alone3/10
The good & the worth-knowing
The good
- Gentle, affectionate and adaptable
- Wonderful with children and other pets
- Moderate exercise needs
Worth knowing
- A high risk of heart disease with age
- Prone to inherited neurological problems
- Hates being left alone
Best matched accessories
All accessories →The collections that suit the breed, judged by the same independent standard.
Common owner questions
How much should I feed a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
Feed a complete food to their waistline and keep your Cavalier lean to ease the load on the heart. Weigh the portions, because on a 7 kg dog the difference between trim and heavy is a few grams a day. What that means in grams varies from dog to dog, and the Food Finder sizes the portion to yours.
What is the best food for a Cavalier?
A complete food that names its protein clearly suits the breed well, portioned to keep weight sensible. There is no special diet for a healthy heart, but a healthy weight matters more with every year, and smaller kibble suits smaller mouths. Start with the matched foods below, or run the Food Finder for a shortlist built around your dog.
How do I keep my Cavalier at a healthy weight?
Measure the portions, count the treats inside the daily total and check their waistline every few weeks. You should feel ribs under a light covering. Regular gentle exercise plus portion discipline protects both the heart and the joints, and it is far easier to hold a good weight than to walk one off later. If the weight has crept up, trim portions by a tenth and check again in a month.