The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel shedding process is similar to that of most single-layered medium-length dog breeds.
They shed all year round, losing a small amount of dead hair every day.
If you want to get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, you should know they are moderate shedders. But they also have reduced grooming needs.
This article explored the Cavaliers’ hair growth cycle. You will find out why Cavaliers shed and what you can do to prevent excessive shedding.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Shed?
Yes, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed. They shed a minimal amount all year round. On a scale from 1 to 5, Cavaliers are a two in terms of shedding.
King Charles Cavaliers are single-coated. This means they shed less than double-coated breeds.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have medium-length hair. Because of this, it seems like they shed more than short-haired dogs. The truth is that Cavaliers shed low amounts of hair every day.
Compared to double-coated dogs, Cavaliers shed the same hair amount all year round. They are not seasonal shedders, so your house will not be filled with hair every spring and autumn.
Regular grooming significantly reduces the amount of hair your Cavalier leaves behind every day.
Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Have Hair or Fur?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have fur, not hair. The main difference between the two is that fur grows to a certain length. Their coat stops growing when it reaches a medium length. After that, it falls off.
The term “hair” means a thread line that grows out of the skin of humans and animals. It is usually used to describe human hair. In animals, the term is often used to describe their fur.
Some breeds have hair similar to humans. It never stops growing so they need monthly trimming. These breeds include the Maltese and Yorkshire Terrier.
Medium-length single-layered fur, such as that of Cavaliers, needs minimal grooming and doesn’t need any trimming.
This table illustrates the difference between fur and hair.
| Characteristics | Fur | Hair |
| Specific to | Animals | Animals and humans |
| Layers | Single or multiple layers | Single-layered |
| Growth | Stops growing when it reaches a certain length | Grows continuously |
Cavalier Spaniel Hair Growth Cycle
Knowing more about a Cavalier’s hair growth cycle can help you understand why and how much they shed.
The role of Cavalier Spaniels’ hair is to protect their skin from injury and UV rays. It also aids with sensory perception and regulates their body temperature.
Hair grows from small openings in a Cavalier’s skin, called hair follicles. Double-coated dogs have more than one type of hair growing from each follicle.
As single-coated dogs, Cavaliers have only one type of hair growing from each hair follicle. One follicle can still produce one or more hairs of the same type.
Cavalier Hair Growth Stages
The hair follicles of dogs have four growth stages[1]:
- Anagen
- Catagen
- Telogen
- Exogen
The sequence of these stages causes Cavaliers’ hair to fall out.
1. Anagen
The anagen stage of Cavaliers’ hair growth cycle is also called the growing phase. During this phase, new hairs appear and grow at a normal rate. The duration varies, depending on the length of your dog’s hair.
2. Catagen
The catagen stage is a transitional phase during which the growth of a Cavalier’s hair slows down.
3. Telogen
During the telogen phase the hair of Cavaliers stops growing. After this phase ends the dead hair falls out.
4. Exogen Stage
The exogen stage is another name for Cavaliers’ shedding.
Why Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Shed?
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed to protect their skin. Their coat protects their skin from UV rays and injuries. When their hair deteriorates, Cavaliers need to grow new hair to keep their protective layer.
This is a conservation mechanism in dogs that contributes to survival.
Causes of Excessive Shedding in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Excessive shedding in Cavaliers is caused by certain health issues or parasites. Poor nutrition and increased stress levels also causes more shedding. There is also a correlation between exposure to artificial light and excessive shedding in dogs.
In some dogs, it is hard to notice they shed more than usual. Especially if you are not used to brushing them daily.
Certain factors cause your Cavalier to shed a bit more than usual and others cause entire patches of hair to fall out at the same time.
Observe your cavalier’s shedding patterns to detect specific issues in time.
Health Issues
Cavaliers can experience health issues that make them shed more than usual. Some diseases cause Cavaliers to lose wide patches of hair all at once.
Endocrine disorders are health issues that cause excessive shedding in Cavaliers. These disorders are most common among lactating or pregnant females.
Many other health issues cause excessive shedding in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels:
- Follicular dysplasia
- Immune disorders[2]
- Kidney disease
- Allergies
- Cancer
- Liver disease
- Bacterial or fungal skin infections
Parasites
Cavalier Spaniels experience hair loss around flea bites. This happens to cavaliers who are allergic to fleas.[3]
Other parasites, such as the French Heartworm, also cause excessive hair loss in Cavalier Spaniels.[4]
Poor Nutrition
Nutrition is essential to maintaining a healthy coat. If Cavaliers are poorly fed, they shed more.
Dry skin and poor skin health caused by bad nutrition lead to excessive shedding. Lack of biotin is also correlated with alopecia.[5]
The following nutrients keep Cavalier King Charles Spaniels’ hair and skiing healthy:
- Vitamin A
- Copper
- Zinc
- Biotin
- Selenium
Elevated Stress Levels
Increased stress levels determine excessive shedding in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Stressful prolonged periods disturb the hair life cycle of Cavaliers. As a result, the hair enters its rest phase sooner than normal.
When Cavaliers go through a shock, all their hair follicles can enter the telogen phase all at once. This leads to extreme hair loss.
Exposure to Artificial Light
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more if they spend most of their time indoors. This happens because their day-night cycle is disturbed.
Cavaliers who spend most of their time indoors shed larger amounts of hair every day.
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Hypoallergenic?
No, King Charles Cavaliers are not hypoallergenic. They shed more than hypoallergenic dogs, this is why they are not listed by the AKC as hypoallergenic.
People are not allergic to dogs’ hair but to components in their dander, saliva, urine, and bodily fluids.[6]
Because dogs who shed less are considered hypoallergenic, there is a misconception that humans are allergic to dogs’ hair.
The reality is that dander attaches to Cavaliers’ hair. When dogs shed, dander becomes airborne and causes allergic reactions.
There are no 100% hypoallergenic dogs, but Cavalier Spaniels are on the lower end of the shedding scale. People who suffer from this type of allergy can manage to live with Cavaliers by reducing the allergens in their homes.
How to Manage Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Shedding
You can manage a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s shedding by reducing their stress levels and providing a healthy diet.
Daily brushing and reducing the frequency of their baths are essential to avoid excessive shedding.
Reducing the Stress Levels
Stress is a cause of excessive shedding. Keeping your Cavalier’s stress levels under control requires some effort on your part but the results are significant.
One major stressor is when you leave them alone for prolonged periods. They have a predisposition for separation anxiety[7]. It is best not to leave them alone regularly.
Cavaliers are not suited for people with busy schedules because of this.
Here are other strategies to reduce stress levels in Cavaliers:
- Introduce a daily routine.
- Provide enough physical exercise[8].
- Schedule playdates with other dogs.
- Remove environmental stressors.
- Don’t change their living space too often.
Daily Coat Brushing
Brushing the coat of your Cavalier daily will reduce the amount of dog hair in your house.
Cavaliers are not seasonal shedders. They shed a small amount of dead hair every day. If you brush them daily, you’ll remove them before it falls off by themselves.
Daily brushing also has the role of spreading your Cavalier’s skin oils. This will keep their skin hydrated and their coat healthy. As a result, they shed less.
Reduce Cavaliers’ Bathing Frequency
Cavaliers have a problem with the production of skin oils. They make less than other breeds. As a result, their skin can become dry if they are bathed often.
Research[9] suggests that the level of skin oils present on a dog’s body fully rebuilds 72 hours after bathing. This means that daily baths are not recommended.
Cavaliers should be bathed every 2 to 3 weeks, or even less.
It’s best to avoid the following substances present in dog shampoos or conditioners:
- Perfume
- Parabens
- Formaldehyde
- Sulfates
Conclusion
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are moderate shedders. They shed to protect their skin from damage. There are various factors that cause excessive shedding in Cavaliers, such as stress and certain health issues. Still, you can prevent some of the causes by providing a balanced lifestyle.
