A feeding guide for Cavapoo puppies and adults
Cavapoos are a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle cross, and because the cross itself varies — a Toy Poodle parent gives a smaller dog than a Miniature Poodle parent does — there is no single feeding number that fits every Cavapoo. The reliable approach is the same one that works for any small or toy-sized dog: feed against your dog's actual weight and body condition, checked regularly, rather than against the breed name.
Why size varies so much within the breed
A Cavapoo's adult size depends heavily on which size of Poodle was used in the cross, so two dogs both correctly called Cavapoos can end up meaningfully different sizes as adults. Feeding guides on food bags are built around weight bands for exactly this reason — they work whatever a particular Cavapoo turns out to weigh, as long as you check the puppy's actual weight rather than assuming from the breed name.
This matters more in the first year than at any other point, since a puppy that will end up small should not be fed the same amount as one that will end up considerably larger, even if both are called Cavapoos and both started at a similar birth weight.
A friendly, food-motivated breed
Cavapoos are typically sociable and eager to please, which often comes with a genuine enthusiasm for food and treats. That friendliness is part of what makes the breed popular, but it also means weight can creep up gradually if treats are given freely on top of a full daily portion rather than counted within it.
Weighing food rather than guessing by eye, and treating training rewards as part of the day's total food rather than extra, is worth doing from puppyhood onward with a breed this keen to eat whatever is offered.
Checking you have it right
Weigh a Cavapoo puppy regularly through their first year and move up the feeding chart's weight bands as they grow, rather than sticking with an early figure. Feeling along the ribs for a thin covering rather than a visible or hard-to-find set of bones is a useful ongoing check once they reach adult size.
If your Cavapoo's weight gain looks unusual for their age, or they seem constantly hungry despite eating a reasonable amount, that is worth mentioning to a vet, who can weigh the puppy against a proper growth expectation rather than a general guide built for the breed as a whole.
Feeding kit
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Tarhong Concentric Circle Slow Feeder Bowl for Dogs & Cats
A stylish slow-feeder bowl that encourages healthier, calmer mealtimes — available in blue, grey, or white.
£14.99
Tarhong Medallion Slow Feeder Puzzle Dog Bowl
A stylish BPA-free puzzle bowl that slows down greedy eaters — available in three sizes and a choice of colours.
From£10.99
LickiMat Wobble & Splash Enrichment Bowls for Dogs
Wobbling rubber enrichment bowls that add movement and challenge to treat time, encouraging slower eating and longer-lasting fun.
£16.99
Beaphar Lactol Milk Replacer for Puppies
A milk replacer for newborn and orphaned puppies, and for nursing or recovering dogs
From£20.23
Common questions
- Why do Cavapoos vary so much in adult size?
- It depends on which size of Poodle was used in the original cross — a Toy Poodle parent produces a smaller adult than a Miniature Poodle parent does. Because of that, feeding by your own dog's actual weight works better than assuming a fixed size or amount for the breed.
- How often should I weigh a Cavapoo puppy?
- Every couple of weeks through the first year is a sensible rhythm, moving up the feeding chart's weight bands as your puppy grows rather than keeping to an amount that suited them a few months earlier.
- Are Cavapoos prone to putting on weight?
- They can be, mostly because the breed is typically food-motivated and treats are easy to give freely. Weighing food rather than guessing, and counting treats within the daily total rather than on top of it, helps keep weight in a healthy range as they grow.
- When should a Cavapoo move onto adult food?
- Most small and toy-sized crossbreeds are ready sometime around nine to twelve months, once growth has largely levelled off, though the exact point varies with how big your particular dog turns out to be. A vet can confirm based on your dog's own growth.
Related
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.