How much should I feed my Cavachon?

Start with the feeding guide printed on your specific food and adjust based on body condition rather than a fixed amount. Your vet can help you judge whether your dog's current weight and shape look healthy.

How many times a day should a Cavachon eat?

Two to three smaller meals generally suit the breed better than one large meal, given their small stomach size and tendency to beg or overeat if food arrives all at once.

Are Cavachons prone to weight gain?

Yes, the breed is generally food-motivated and prone to carrying extra weight, particularly given the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel side of the cross. Careful portion control and limiting treats make a real difference.

Should I see a vet about my Cavachon's weight?

Yes, if you are ever unsure whether your dog is a healthy weight, or if they seem to be gaining despite controlled portions. A vet can check body condition properly and rule out anything else that might be contributing.

Cavachon feeding guide

A Cavachon does best on a small-breed complete food, fed as several smaller meals rather than one or two large ones, with the amount judged against their current body condition rather than a fixed number. The breed is genuinely prone to weight gain, so getting portions right matters more here than for many dogs.

Why portion control matters so much for this breed

Cavachons are a cross of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise, and Cavaliers in particular are widely known to be food-motivated and prone to carrying extra weight. That tendency often carries through into the cross, and a small dog's extra kilo shows up as a much bigger percentage of their body weight than it would on a larger breed.

Rather than fixing on a single number, use the feeding guide printed on your specific food as a starting point and adjust based on body condition — you should be able to feel your dog's ribs easily under a thin layer of fat without them being visible from above.

How often to feed

Small breeds generally do well on two to three smaller meals a day rather than one large one, which suits a Cavachon's small stomach and helps avoid the begging behaviour that can develop around a single big mealtime.

A slow feeder bowl or a simple puzzle feeder is worth considering for a breed this food-motivated, since it stretches mealtimes out and gives a naturally enthusiastic eater something to work for rather than finishing a bowl in seconds.

Choosing the right food

A small-breed formula, sized and calorie-balanced for a dog that is unlikely to exceed around 9kg fully grown, generally suits a Cavachon better than a food designed for medium or large breeds. Check with your vet before making any specific change if your dog has a known health condition or is already overweight.

Treats count towards daily calories just as much as meals do, which matters for a breed this prone to weight gain — keeping treats small and factoring them into the day's total makes a genuine difference over time.

Feeding kit

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Alpha Sensitive Salmon & Rice

A salmon and rice dry food for adult dogs with sensitive digestions, made without wheat gluten, soya or dairy.

£49.00

Alpha Working Dog Maintenance Chicken

An energy-controlled chicken dry food for working dogs with lower energy needs or a tendency to put on weight.

£29.00

James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg

Grain-free turkey kibble for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin for joints

£82.35

Lily's Kitchen Dog Lean Machine — 10 x 150g Trays

Sold as a case: 10 x 150g trays. Lily's Kitchen's lowest-calorie wet recipe for adult dogs, in a 150G foil

£16.89

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Common questions

How much should I feed my Cavachon?: Start with the feeding guide printed on your specific food and adjust based on body condition rather than a fixed amount. Your vet can help you judge whether your dog's current weight and shape look healthy.
How many times a day should a Cavachon eat?: Two to three smaller meals generally suit the breed better than one large meal, given their small stomach size and tendency to beg or overeat if food arrives all at once.
Are Cavachons prone to weight gain?: Yes, the breed is generally food-motivated and prone to carrying extra weight, particularly given the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel side of the cross. Careful portion control and limiting treats make a real difference.
Should I see a vet about my Cavachon's weight?: Yes, if you are ever unsure whether your dog is a healthy weight, or if they seem to be gaining despite controlled portions. A vet can check body condition properly and rule out anything else that might be contributing.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.