Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Grooming is fast and easy. A 10-minute daily coat brushing and toothbrushing and bi-weekly nail trimming, ear cleaning, and bathing is needed though. It can be unpleasant for your dog, but it is essential to keep them healthy.
This article explores the five essential steps you need to take to groom your Cavalier:
- Hair brushing
- Bathing
- Nail trimming
- Teeth brushing
- Ear cleaning
You will also learn what tools work best and how to perform each procedure.
Supplies for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Grooming
If you decide to groom your Cavalier Spaniel at home, you need to purchase some supplies made especially for dogs.
This table lists the main supplies needed for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Grooming.
| Purpose | Supplies |
| Hair brushing | Brush, de-shedder tool |
| Bathing | Shampoo, conditioner (optional) |
| Nail trimming | Nail trimmer |
| Teeth brushing | Toothbrush, toothpaste |
| Ear cleaning | Cotton balls, ear cleanser |
1. Brushing Cavalier Spaniels
Cavalier Spaniel Coat Type
Cavalier Spaniels are single-coated with medium-length, soft, and silky hair. The coats of Cavaliers need moderate grooming to keep them fresh.
Cavaliers are moderate shedders. They shed small amounts of hair every day.
They are not seasonal shedders. During spring and autumn, they might shed a bit more, but the difference is insignificant.
Despite popular belief, cavaliers are not hypoallergenic.
How Often Should I Brush My Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
Cavaliers should be brushed daily for at least 10 minutes. This will keep their hair shiny, healthy, and tangle-free.
The procedure requires a medium soft brush to avoid making your Cavalier uncomfortable.
Use a de-shedding brush once a week to remove the dead hair from your dog’s coat.
What Is the Best Brush for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?
The best brush for Cavalier Spaniels has the following traits:
- An ergonomic handle.
- Gentle tips to prevent scratching your Cavalier’s skin.
- Sturdy pins that don’t bend easily.
You need a medium bristle brush to stimulate and spread your Cavalier’s natural skin oils evenly onto the coat. This will keep your Cavalier’s hair healthy and shiny.
What is The Best De-shedding Tool for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?
The best de-shedding tool for Cavalier Spaniels should have:
- A comfortable grip.
- Strong bristles.
- An easy-clean feature that helps you remove the hair faster.
- A broad surface to reduce grooming time.
A de-shedding tool is a brush with sturdy pins. It helps detach dead hair from the coat.
A good de-shedding brush eliminates dead hair without hurting your dog’s skin.
How to Brush a Cavalier Spaniel
Here’s how to correctly brush a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:
- Start by brushing the ears and the hair on the belly, also known as the skirt.
- Make gentle moves to avoid hurting your dogs, as the ears and the skirt are the most sensitive parts.
- Brush the back of the legs and the hair below the dog’s tail. This is where the hair has a higher chance of becoming tangled.
- Finish by gently brushing the dog’s back and head.
Should I Trim My Cavalier’s hair?
No, you don’t need to trim your Cavalier Spaniels’ hair. Doing so can ruin their chances of being accepted in shows. The only trimming allowed for competitions is clipping the coat on their feet.
You should leave your Cavalier hair as it is in terms of length. Keep in mind that Cavaliers are single-coated and only have one layer of hair to protect their skin.
2. Bathing Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Cavalier Spaniels should be bathed twice a month, or less.
The amounts of fatty acids present in Cavaliers’ skin oils decrease to 60% after a bath[1]. They come to their original concentration after 72 hours.
During this period, cavaliers’ skin and hair are not fully protected and become dry. Dry skin can lead to more shedding and itching.
Frequent bathing makes the hair of Cavalier less shiny. This can also lead to more tangles.
What Are the Best Shampoos for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels?
A good shampoo for Cavalier Spaniels is hypoallergenic and made of natural ingredients. Avoid products with storm scents, as they can cause neurological problems over time.
Choose moisturizing shampoos that have calming ingredients, such as Aloe Vera.
To keep your Cavalier Spaniel healthy, avoid the following shampoo ingredients:
- Sulfates
- Formaldehyde
- Parabens
- Perfume
Sulfates
Sulfates dehydrate the skin and cause irritation, itching, redness, and a reduced amount of skin oils.
Avoid these types of sulfates when buying a shampoo for your Cavalier:
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES)
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS)
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is linked to a higher risk of cancer[2]. In dog shampoos, formaldehyde is used as a preservative.
The most common types of formaldehyde used in dogs shampoos are:
- Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
- Bronopol
- DMDN Hydantoin
- Diazolidinyl urea
- Imidazolidinyl urea
Parabens
Parabens can disrupt the endocrine system of dogs.[3]
They are preservatives used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Their role is to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi in a product.
The types of parabens used for dog shampoos are:
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
Perfume
Perfume is neurotoxic if used too often. Fragrance can also lead to skin dehydration and cause skin allergies.
Even if it seems like it covers the natural scent of Cavaliers, the effect doesn’t last long.
Should I Brush My Cavalier Before or After a Bath?
Cavalier Spaniels should be brushed before baths.
Wet hair easily tangles and is more prone to knots. To avoid this, make sure to not skip brushing before bathing your cavalier.
Tips for Bathing Cavalier Spaniels
Here’s how to correctly bathe your Cavalier Spaniel:
- Use warm water to make your dog comfortable.
- Don’t place the shower head above your dog if they are uncomfortable with water.
- After your Cavalier is completely wet, massage them using shampoo.
- Rinse off the shampoo without getting water into your dog’s ears.
- Use a dog hair dryer set at a low temperature.
3. Trimming the Nails of Cavalier Spaniels
Nail trimming is essential, especially if your dog spends most of its time indoors. Long nails can cause pain and often leads to a problematic posture in your dog’s legs.
Tips to cut your Cavalier’s nails:
- Trim your Cavalier’s nails every 3 to 4 weeks.
- Use a sharp nail trimmer.
- Cut your Cavalier’s nails only when they protrude their paws.
- If your dog’s nails touch the ground, they are too long.
4. Brushing Cavalier Spaniels’ Teeth
Brushing your Cavalier Spaniel’s teeth is essential for their health. Researchers have found that daily toothbrushing in dogs is more efficient than weekly brushing in keeping their gums and teeth healthy.[4]
What Is the Best Toothbrush for Cavaliers?
The best toothbrush for your Cavalier has soft bristles.
There are three types of dog toothbrushes:
- Fingertip toothbrushes
- Angled toothbrushes
- Double-headed toothbrushes
Fingertip toothbrushes are best for Cavalier puppies or for Adult Cavaliers who don’t enjoy toothbrushing.
What Is the Best Toothpaste for Cavaliers?
The best toothpaste for Cavaliers does not have Xylitol. Xylitol is toxic to dogs. It is an artificial sweetener that can cause severe reactions.
The majority of toothpaste made for humans contains Xylitol. This is why it’s best to use toothpaste specially made for dogs.
How to Brush Cavalier Spaniels’ Teeth
Brush your Cavalier’s teeth by taking the following steps:
- Make sure your dog is calm.
- Choose a well-lit space.
- Start by touching your Cavalier’s gums and teeth with your fingers.
- Use a toothbrush to touch their teeth so they get used to the feeling.
- Brush the font of their teeth without toothpaste for a few seconds.
- Put toothpaste on the brush.
- Brush the front part of the teeth.
- Brush the sides of the teeth.
- Brush the back of the teeth.
- Give your dog a treat to reinforce good behavior.
5. Cleaning Cavaliers King Charles Spaniels’ Ears
Cleaning your Cavalier’s ears is essential to prevent ear infections. Ear infections are among the most prevalent health conditions dogs face[5]. You can use an ear cleanser to make the process more efficient. Avoid superficial cleaning and Q-tips.
Ear cleaning is important to remove microorganisms that attach to residual wax. These pathogens can cause infections.
How Often Should I Clean My Cavalier’s Ears?
Cavaliers’ ears should be cleaned:
- At least once a month
- After swimming
- After bathing
- Every week if your dog has allergies
What Is the Best Ear Cleanser for Cavaliers?
You should choose the best ear cleansers for your Cavalier based on their ear condition.
For Waxy Ears
Waxy dog ears should be cleansed with a product that contains squalene. This component is irritating if used frequently, so use a gentle cleaner to rinse off the squalene after cleaning.
For Dirty Ears
Dirty dog ears should be cleansed using antibacterial ear cleansers. Products with antifungal properties are also recommended.
How To Clean My Cavalier’s Ears
Take the following steps to clean your Cavalier’s ears:
- Fill your Cavalier’s ear canal with the solution recommended by the vet.
- Massage the bottom of the ear for at least 30 seconds.
- Avoid touching their ear with the applicator to avoid bacterial contamination.
- After your dog shakes their head, make sure to wipe the solution off its face.
- Use a cotton ball to clean any residue.
Conclusion
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Grooming is easy. You need to brush their hair daily and bathe them twice a month. They need daily toothbrushing and regular ear cleaning. Trimming their nails on a regular basis is also essential to prevent pain in their feet.
