Do Cavachons Shed?

(photo: lifeofrosiethecavachon)

Are you considering a Cavachon for your next family pet but need to know a little more about them before you make your final decision? Like are they hypoallergenic or do they shed? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Today we’re going to tell you all about them.

A Little Bit About Cavachons (What Are Cavachons?)

Cavachons, are a fairly new cross-breed between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Fries. They are one of the more popular cross-breeds given the fact that their parents are often known as excellent companion dogs.

What is a Cavachons Coat Like?

While there’s no guarantee that all Cavachons coats will be the same, they typically have a soft silky type coat that is medium-to-long in length. Their colors can vary but the most common color coat you will see on this breed are white, black, tan, apricot, and cream.

Do Cavachons shed?

Cavachons are typically a low-to-no shed breed. However, this isn’t true for all Cavachons. As puppies, they can shed a lot before they transition into being an adult. It’s similar to the way we lose our baby teeth before we get our adult teeth. They shed their baby coat before they get their adult coat.

There’s also a number of other factors that come into play here like genes. Since they are a cross-breed it can be difficult to say what genes they will get from which parents. Because while Bichons don’t really shed, Cavaliers do. So you may be getting mixed information on this subject, and this is why. It’s hard to determine which genes ended up where.

Another thing to consider here is what time of year it is. Just like humans who get dry skin during the winter, some dogs shed more during different seasons. So even though Cavachons aren’t considered a shedding breed, they can shed.

Health Reasons for Increased Shedding in Cavachons

There are a number of reasons that your pet may be experiencing an increase in shedding. In this case, one of the first things you should do is take a good look at their skin and coat. Look for signs of dryness, flakiness, or discoloration.

If you notice anything unusual, consider the following reasons your Cavachon may be experiencing excessive shedding:

• Allergies – Just like human allergies, dog allergies can cause an array of reactions. Some of which we may be unaware of while they are happening. In other words, if you notice something unusual, like excessive shedding, get your dog checked for allergies. They may have developed an allergy to something in your household causing them to shed more.
• Unbalanced Diet – According to Dr. Roy Cruzen of Phoenix AZ, “The number one reason for excessive shedding is a poor diet.” He goes on to say that people often buy their pets cheaper food, which can cause them to shed more than usual. Consider what you’re feeding your Cavachon. Are you buying them premium food?
• Hormonal Imbalance/Stress – Another reason for increased or excessive shedding in Cavachons could be that they have a hormonal imbalance. Sometimes breeds experience a hormonal imbalance after they give birth or when it’s that time of the month. It can also happen if the animal is undergoing a lot of stress.
• Underlying Diseases – Though uncommon, one last time to consider is that your dog may have an underlying disease. If you happen to notice that they are shedding in clumps or on various parts of the body and there’s discoloration it could mean something more serious. Some underlying diseases to look out for are: parasites, ringworm, fungal infections, bacteria infections, and genetic conditions.

(photo: coopandlinc)

Are Cavachons Hypoallergenic?

Cavachons are considered to be hypoallergenic meaning they are unlikely to cause an allergic reaction from those who suffer from allergies. This is great because they make excellent pets for dog lovers. And you don’t have to worry about allergies.

How to Groom My Cavachon

Proper grooming is essential for a healthy and shiny coat on any dog, but it’s especially necessary for a Cavachon. This should be done on a regular basis and should include ear cleaning, dental hygiene, and face cleaning to prevent tear stains.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to groom your Cavachon:

1. Start by gently massaging your Cavachon so that you can get them ready to take a bath. During this massage, be on the lookout for anything unusual such as flea bites or skin irritations.
2. Next, take a soft-bristle brush or a de-shedding glove to help remove any tangles or matted hair. Start from their head and move your way down to their tale.
3. Check their ears to see if they need to be cleaned and their nails clipped before bathing them. It’s important that you use proper canine clippers and cut just above the quick to avoid hitting a nerve. In dogs with a lighter color coat, the quick is typically pink and can be pointed out. But in dogs with darker color coats, it’s not always that easy. So in this case, you’ll just cut small pieces until you spot a pink or gray oval on the surface of the nail.
4. After you’ve cut their nails you can brush their teeth using a canine toothbrush. This helps prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease just like it does with humans.
5. Once all that’s finished you can give your Cavachon a nice lukewarm bath. Generally speaking, this should be done every 2-3 weeks. But depending on where you live and how light of a coat your dog has, you may need to bathe them more often than not.

Other Tips For Maintaining A Cavachons Coat

In order to maintain your Cavachons coat, you’ll want to make sure they are kept well-groomed. Here are a few tips to consider:

• It’s good to get in the habit of brushing them with a soft bristle brush two to three times per week to prevent their coat from becoming matted or tangled.
• Their coat needs to be clipped from time to time, so having them professionally groomed once every 7-8 weeks is essential.
• Cavachons often shed tears and need their eyes cleaned to prevent tear stains. This can be done using a lukewarm washcloth.
• If your Cavachon has a white coat, you may have to bathe them often to prevent their coat from staining. This is particularly important if you live in a wet or muddy environment where they’re more like to get dirty more often.

Final Thoughts

While Cavachons require a lot of grooming to keep their coat well-maintained, this doesn’t stop them from being friendly, fun-loving pets. So if you’re looking for a small companion that’s never short on love, these pups are certainly it!