Everyday Tips for Healthy Pet Care

Keeping your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel healthy is easy and fun. But it pays to be alert for any signs of potential canine health problems.

• Maintain a Health Record for your pet as an easy reference in case of emergency. Include your pet's medical history as well as key contact information for you, your veterinarian, pet sitter and other key people in your pet's life. Your can download a complimentary copy of our Pet Record.

• Dog health starts on the inside with sound canine nutrition. Feed your dog a high quality dog food and nourishing treats. Be careful to avoid foods that are difficult for your Cavalier to digest.
  

• Keep an eye on your dog’s weight and general physical condition. Take an “aerial view” of your dog to determine whether your dog is under-nourished, overweight or at a healthy weight. Dogs that appear under-weight may be suffering from parasites that your vet can generally treat quite easily. Being over-weight places unnecessary strain on your dog’s bones and heart and should be similarly avoided.  How do I know if my pet's overweight?.
  

• Groom your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel daily. Not only will daily brushing keep your pet’s coat free of snarls and looking its silky best, but grooming gives you a chance to check his skin for sores, lumps, swelling or other dog health problems that you would want to bring to your vet’s attention.
  

For more grooming tips, click here. For advice on how to give your Cavalier a bath, click here.

• Changes in your Cavalier King Charles Spaniels behavior (lethargy, loss of appetite, trembling) should also be investigated. If these dog health problems symptoms seem to persist with no apparent explanation, call your vet..

• As early as possible, begin letting your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy become accustomed to having you hold and manipulate his paws. Once your pet gets used to this, examine his paws occasionally and clip his nails as necessary. Don't forget the dewclaws on his front feet will actually grow much faster than the claws on his paws!
  

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies are born without teeth. Their puppy teeth begin to fill in at about 5 weeks of age and will be replaced by their adult teeth at around 4 months old. Cavalier Spaniel puppies tend to swallow their puppy teeth (which is rarely harmful). Once their adult teeth are established, you can begin to brush your Cavalier King Charles Spaniels teeth several times a week. Dogs are subject to plaque and gum disease just as much as humans. Ask your vet or pet supply store for flavored toothpaste to make the experience easier for both you and your pet!

• Make sure your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel gets lots of healthy exercise on a regular basis. Cavalier Spaniels are happy, energetic creatures who love to take walks, play catch and enjoy life! Keeping your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel active on a regular basis will prolong your pet’s life.