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The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, often simply referred to as the 'Cavalier', is a breed that exudes elegance and charm.
Their ancestor, the King Charles Spaniel, adorned many a monarchal lap in the English royal courts of the 16th and 17th centuries. Cavaliers, who have a less flat face and a more athletic build, were bred in the 20th century.
Nowadays, these elegant pups tend to grace the homes of everyday families, not just royal ones. Their silky coats, expressive eyes, and affectionate nature make them popular pets.
But with all that regal beauty comes a set of health challenges that every current or would-be owner should be aware of. These health challenges can be so considerable that at least one country, Norway, has banned the breeding of Cavaliers.
That’s a bit extreme. But understanding your furry confidante’s health risks will help you give them a life filled with joy and vitality.
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The most common Cavalier King Charles Spaniel health conditions
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Heart disease
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to some heart conditions. Mitral Valve Disease is a very common condition seen in this breed and is caused by the weakening of one of the four heart valves: the mitral valve.
Symptoms often begin as a heart murmur and progress to:
Heart failure
Respiratory distress
Coughing
Exercise intolerance
Your vet may refer your dog to a cardiologist for a scan to examine the heart structure and function.
Treatment is usually medical to reduce symptoms, monitored by stethoscope examination or repeat scans of your dog's heart alongside monitoring clinical signs.
Eye disease
Eye disease is fairly common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels too, namely cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and dry eye.
Hereditary cataracts appear as cloudy spots in your dog’s eyes, often noticed in early puppyhood, which causes sight loss.
PRA is a genetically inherited condition caused by a gene mutation, in which the cells in the back of your dog’s eyes degenerate, eventually leading to blindness. Thankfully, genetic conditions aren’t painful and sight loss can often be very well tolerated so your dog can still lead a happy life.
Dry eye occurs when your dog isn’t producing sufficient tears. It results in chronic eye inflammation. Dry eye leads to chronic infection, painful eye irritation and corneal ulceration when the eye surface is damaged. Dry eye treatment is possible but often lifelong.
Orthopaedic disease
There are a few orthopaedic conditions Cavaliers are likely to suffer from, namely luxating patella and hip dysplasia.
Hip dysplasia is where the hip joint doesn't form properly, causing bones to rub together. It occurs when the femur (leg bone) and pelvis grow at uneven rates, which causes looseness in the joint. It results in arthritis and severe pain.
Luxating patella is often a result of leg bones growing abnormally. It causes the kneecap to become displaced. Eventually, it stretches the ligaments and causes osteoarthritis.
Dogs can be affected to different degrees and treatment may be medical management with physiotherapy, exercise, supplements and pain medication. A vet may recommend surgery to restore normal anatomy depending on the severity of the disease.
Chiari malformation and Syringomyelia
Chiari malformation and Syringomyelia is a common condition Cavaliers suffer from. It's when a malformation squeezes the brain due to skull abnormalities.
The condition blocks cerebrospinal fluid (fluid around the brain) from flowing properly, and the abnormal pressure creates fluid-filled cavities, or syringes, near the brain.
It then forms something called a Chiari malformation. Symptoms include:
Yelping in pain
Sudden changes in posture
Scratching their ears, chest, neck, and shoulders uncontrollably.
Excessive licking and chewing of their paws
Excessive shaking or rubbing of their head
Weakness and poor coordination
Sadly, there's no cure.
Ear disease
Due to their long, floppy ears, external and inner ear infections are common in Cavaliers. Their ear flap shape and length mean they are prone to chronic, painful inflammation of the ear canal and resultant infections.
The shape of their skull also causes poor drainage and leads to fluid accumulation in the inner ear. Inner ear infections cause intense pain from pressure on the ear drum and may result in head tilt and facial nerve damage.
Vets may recommend surgical intervention for recurrent outer or inner ear infections and those with severe changes due to ongoing infections.
How to care for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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Start with proper breeding
No breeder worth their salt will ever breed a Cavalier with known health conditions, no matter how adorable they are. They'll also make sure to test potential breeding dogs for hereditary conditions.
If you're at the beginning of your journey to find your own sweet Cavalier, take the time to find a reputable breeder, and you'll be off to a solid start.
Provide a healthy diet in the right proportions
Nutrition is the foundation of good health. For Cavaliers, a balanced diet tailored to their specific needs can make all the difference. It's incredibly important to choose high-quality brands with meat as the primary ingredient.
Supplements, especially those rich in omega-3 fatty acids, can boost the health and shine of your dog’s coat. Your vet will be your biggest resource for diet questions, so consult them first.
Don’t neglect grooming
A proper diet is essential for internal health, but your Cavalier’s internal care is just as important. The breed’s long, silky coats require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling. And their floppy ears, while undeniably precious, can be a breeding ground for smelly ear infections if you don’t clean them regularly.
Keep them social
On the behaviour front, early training and socialisation harness your Cavalier’s natural sociability, ensuring that they're well-mannered and responsive throughout their lives. If they ever get off their lead near a busy road, you'll thank yourself for providing great recall training.
Screening
Heart screening can be performed by The Kennel Club from the age of 18 months and every two years afterwards. Vets check for any abnormal heart sounds such as murmurs. They'll also use an echocardiogram (ultrasound) to check the structure and function of the heart.
Breeders typically use a traffic-light system to assess the risk of a parent passing down heart disease. Those that have severe heart disease shouldn't be bred.
Genetic testing is also available for inherited disorders like PRA, so it's important to make sure breeders have the relevant checks.
Hip scoring is a screening test for adults intended for breeding, those with lower scores are less likely to produce affected offspring. Those with higher scores shouldn’t be bred from.
Dogs with Chiari malformations or syringomyelia shouldn't be bred.
Regularly monitor eyes and ears
Monitor eyes and ears, making sure they're clean, clear, and free of discharge and foul odours. You may notice your dog bumping into things, which can indicate vision loss.
You may also see your dog not responding to you when you call their name due to ear disease or generally being unwell.
How dog insurance helps
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel insurance can help you prepare for unforeseen health issues.
Dog insurance helps with up to £15,000 vet fee cover, unlimited 24/7 vet calls with FirstVet and a host of other perks.
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