Health | My Cavvy

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are known for their calm and sweet natures, which means that the majority of potential Cavalier owners believe their energy levels are lower than that of other breeds of dogs. But is this assumption true, or is it misinterpreted? Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are classed as a low-energy breed of dog compared to other breeds. However, during the puppy and adolescent stages of their lives, they can be very energetic and only tend to slow down with their energy levels in later life. This doesn’t mean that adult Cavaliers don’t need exercise, on the contrary, they require regular exercise to stay healthy. So how much exercise do they need, and what are their energy levels at each stage of their lives? We investigated this further to find out the answers. Cavalier Puppies Like all young animals, as puppies Cavaliers have sudden bursts of puppy energy, which is quickly followed by a calm phase. But the calm phase doesn’t last long. Soon enough, they’ll be bouncing off the walls again with more energy than before. During their active and playful times, it’s best if you have plenty of toys for them to play with to provide them with lots of mental stimulation. If not, then they can become mischievous, and tease their owners by casually stealing things, such as the TV remote, or tools whilst doing DIY tasks around the house. Just like us humans, they need mental stimulation, and if they don’t get it then they will find ways to entertain themselves. At this young age, they are very curious and playful and so they tend to investigate things, and if they are the wrong things, it can lead them into trouble. If left alone in the house, they might chew on wires or other household items, so to prevent this from happening, it’s best if they have plenty of toys to play with to prevent any boredom from seeping into their minds. Cavalier Adolescents In their teenage years, Cavaliers start to get more independent but they also become more playful as they learn more about their environment. They will want to explore the outdoors more often, so it’s important that you keep them under supervision when in this stage of life. Cavalier adolescents are at their most rambunctious and mischievous. They are very active, playful, energetic, and full of life, so they need plenty of stimulation and exercise to keep them busy. They will also enjoy playing games with you and other members of their family. They are very intelligent dogs, so they love to learn new tricks and commands. If you want to teach your Cavalier a new trick or command, be sure that it’s something fun for them to do so that they don’t lose interest in learning any more tricks. Cavalier adolescence can be a difficult time for both Cavaliers and their families. They have a lot of energy and need to burn it off, which means they may try to get into trouble or cause mischief. It’s important that you keep them under supervision when in this stage of life. When we used to go camping a few years ago when Lady, our cavalier, was much younger, she used to run off at the slightest movement in the camping field, chasing after butterflies or other dogs trying to make friends. To them, it's just a bit of fun, but there are dangers everywhere, so you must have the eyes of a hawk during adolescence. Cavalier Adults As adults, Cavaliers are content to just run around the backyard, playing with other dogs or their toys, but if there is no place for this kind of play at home it is vital that you take your Cavvy out on walks every day so they can enjoy the fresh air, new smells, and meeting other dogs and people. Remember that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not known as high-energy dogs, and so this means they don't need a lot of exercise and will happily lounge on their owner's lap all day if given half the chance. Although they don't need to run marathons, this breed should still get some exercise every day. As an adult, a walk around the block should be enough. Also, a daily walk is a great way to keep your Cavalier from becoming overweight, and it will also help you to shift a few pounds too. As we all know, Cavaliers like to eat, snacks, treats, main meals, and even your meals. Given the choice of eating at any given opportunity, they will grab it with both paws. So, if you don't take them on walks at least once a day, they might end up overindulging and gaining weight. Cavalier Old Age The older a Cavalier gets, the less likely they are to want to play and exercise, but it’s still important for them to get some daily exercise. Unfortunately, this isn’t as easy as it sounds because Cavaliers can be stubborn when it comes to walking on leashes or playing fetch. The good news is that there are things you can do to help combat this problem. If he or she doesn't want to walk very far at first don't worry - just try again in a couple of hours or so when they have had more time to rest up from their nap. But a word of warning, Cavaliers love their naps so make sure you don't interrupt their nap time to take them for a walk, you will get a very frosty response from them if you do. Instead try to persuade them to go for a walk in between naps, or even play a game with them. Small amounts of exercise should suffice in old age, as long as they are getting some exercise, then you shouldn't worry too much about it. Conclusion Cavaliers are not classed as highly energetic dogs, even though in their younger years they run circles around you with their boundless puppy energy. But this doesn't last forever, they would rather spend their days snuggled up on your lap or at your feet as opposed to running around outside. If you want a high-energy dog, then this might not be the breed for you. However, if you enjoy spending time with a furry friend who loves being close by then this could be the perfect match.