Cavachon Breed Maintenance
Do Cavachons shed? They do — try finding a dog that doesn’t — but they are a fairly low-maintenance dog in most departments including hair and makeup. Cavachon grooming is important though, even if you don’t aspire to enter yours into any competitions.
Trim their nails a couple of times a month if you can; clean their ears at least once a month; brush their teeth every day (Cavachons can be vulnerable to dental problems); and trim their hair regularly, especially around their eyes. You’ll probably want to book regular grooming sessions for your furry friend, so that their coat can be properly looked after.
As far as exercise goes, the Cavachon loves to run and play as much as the next dog but doesn’t need more than half an hour a day. Be mindful of how cold the weather outside is, however, as this isn’t a breed that loves putting on its winter coat.
When it comes to leaving your Cavachon alone, try to do it as little as you reasonably can; it’s not a dog that’s famous for loving solitary time and is an ideal pet for parents who will be home a good deal of the time. When it’s left alone for too long, it will tend to become a little destructive — like lots of dogs and, let’s be honest, plenty of humans.Cavachon health risks
A typical Cavachon life expectancy is around 13 years, and it’s a dog that should be about as healthy as any other. But they’re not superhuman, so now and again their immune system will fail them and they will fall ill, as every dog can do from time to time.
Here are some of the specific conditions that you might describe as Cavachon health issues:
Heart murmurs
A general term that refers to something going a little bit wrong in the heart, a heart murmur can mean a number of things for your Cavachon. First off, it means that there is turbulent blood flow in the heart, whether the result of something in your dog’s DNA or a bodily change that occurred after birth.
This abnormal flow needn’t be anything to worry about: plenty of puppies have heart murmurs that simply go away by themselves within a couple of months. Having detected the murmur with a stethoscope, a vet may perform diagnostic tests. If these indicate that there is a structural problem with the heart, your furry friend may need medicines and a specialized diet in order to keep the problem from flaring up.
But the problem can vary wildly between dogs, so don’t jump to any conclusions; if you have any reason to think your dog may be suffering from a murmur (symptoms include breathing problems, weight less and coughing), call your vet to book in for a check-up.
Mitral valve disease
Also called mitral valve dysplasia, this problem is another one pertaining to the heart. On the left side of your heart you have your left atrium and your larger left ventricle. The one-way mitral valve connects the two, in us and in dogs, and prevents blood flowing backwards around the body.
Vets don’t know exactly why but sometimes a dog’s mitral valve will degrade and become floppy. There may be no symptoms initially — thanks to the incredible ability your dog’s body has to keep things working — but congestive heart failure occurs after a while: fluid leaks into your dog’s lungs and abdomen, creating a serious problem.
This tends to happen more often in smaller breeds, of which the Cavachon is of course one. If experiencing heart failure, your pup will probably need medicines to help its heart work properly, and will need treatment for the rest of its life.
Syringomyelia
If you notice your Cavachon seeming a little withdrawn, or incessantly rubbing their face, or crying out in pain when running, they may have an unpleasant problem called syringomyelia. Syringomyelia occurs when cavities in the spinal cord fill with fluid because of a discrepancy between the space in the animal’s skull and the size of the animal’s brain. As a result, the back of the brain is crowded and the flow of cerebrospinal fluid to the brain and spinal cord is obstructed. This condition tends to disproportionately affect toy breeds, including the Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier and Brussels Griffon.
Though surgery is possible for this condition, it can be more of a hindrance than a help, so pain relief tends to be prescribed as an alternative.
As you can see, pet health has the potential to get complex and expensive. Wondering what kind of pet insurance you might need to help you if any of these conditions arise in your furry friend? Check out quotes from all the best companies here and browse wellness plans here
Feeding a Cavachon — what’s the best diet?
A fully grown Cavachon doesn’t need any particular kind of food — just high-quality dog food with great ingredients. One thing to be aware of, however, is that you need to be a little careful when feeding this breed of dog as it does have a tendency to put on weight easily.
If you want comprehensive information about the best dog foods available, check out our friends at Dog Food Advisor — they have everything you need to know, and more.