11th July 2025
Cavalier King Charles spaniel health problems
The Cavalier King Charles spaniel adores nothing more than spending time with their pet parents (unless there’s food around)!
For centuries, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel has been a devoted canine companion who gets along well with children and cats. Although you’re unlikely to find them diving into the sea or hiking up mountains, many Cavalier King Charles spaniels enjoy staying active by participating in canine sports, like agility.
Since they have such long hair, Cavalier King Charles spaniels require daily brushing to prevent uncomfortable knots from developing throughout their coat. They’re also likely to need regular clipping appointments with a professional groomer – especially during the warmer months.
Explore our Cavalier King Charles spaniel breed guide for more information about this charming breed!
Potential health conditions linked to the Cavalier King Charles spaniel breed
Please remember that while the following health concerns are frequently seen in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel breed, each dog is a unique individual. So, your canine companion isn’t necessarily going to suffer from any of the health conditions commonly experienced by the breed. But, if you’re considering pet insurance, you could read our guide to insuring your Cavalier King Charles spaniel for more information.
Always speak to your vet if you’re concerned about your dog’s health.
Don’t forget to visit our dog first aid guide to discover the basics of canine first aid.
Obesity
Obesity is a well-known term that describes the condition of being overweight to the point there’s an increased risk of health problems and a decreased quality of life.
While any dog who overeats and isn’t exercised enough is at risk of putting on weight, some breeds can be more prone to obesity than others. It’s worth noting, however, that there are several factors involved in the risk of canine obesity, like a dog’s health, which might influence their diet or ability to exercise.
Some of the many health risks associated with obesity in dogs include diabetes, arthritis, and breathing problems.
Vets can diagnose obesity by weighing your Cavalier King Charles spaniel and factoring in appropriate influencing factors, e.g. whether or not they’re neutered.
To safely support your Cavalier King Charles spaniel to maintain a healthy weight, your vet can:
- Offer support by providing nutritional advice.
- Give guidance as to how best to exercise your dog.
- Book regular appointments to monitor your dog’s progress.
Cataracts
Cataracts are one of the eye conditions commonly seen in Cavalier King Charles spaniels.
Although cataracts in humans are often associated with getting older, that’s not the case for dogs. Your Cavalier King Charles spaniel may inherit cataracts from birth, though they could also develop cataracts at any age as a result of eye inflammation, diabetes, or nutritional issues.
A cataract can lead to blindness over time. So, if you notice your Cavalier King Charles spaniel’s eye(s) becoming blurry, it’s important to take them to the vet for a check-up.
Ear infections
Due to the shape of their ears, some dog breeds tend to be more prone to ear infections than others – including the Cavalier King Charles spaniel.
There are many potential causes of ear infections in dogs, including:
- Excess wax, hair, or moisture in the ear.
- Allergies
- Foreign objects, e.g. grass seeds.
- Ear mites.
- A bacterial infection, e.g. otitis externa.
An ear infection is both irritating and painful for your dog. So, if you notice any of the following symptoms in your Cavalier King Charles spaniel, it’s important to contact a vet for advice:
- Head shaking.
- Scratching (e.g. rubbing their face along the ground).
- Redness and inflammation.
- Heat and/or swelling.
- Discharge and/or a foul smell from the ear.
- Pain (they may not let you touch their ear).
- Head tilt and/or loss of balance.
To treat your dog’s ear infection, a vet will begin by finding out what’s caused it. Along with examining your Cavalier King Charles spaniel’s ear, a vet might perform tests to determine whether a specific type of bacteria is causing your dog’s ear infection.
Once your vet understands the cause of your Cavalier King Charles spaniel’s ear infection, they can advise as to the best course of treatment, which could include:
- Ear drops.
- Ear cleaning.
- Anti-inflammatory and pain relief medication.
- Antibiotics.
- Dealing with the underlying cause, e.g. surgery to remove a grass seed.
Dental disease
Some dog breeds, including the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, are prone to dental disease.
Most dogs have their full set of 42 permanent adult teeth by the age of around six months, so dental disease could start to develop at any time after this.
You can help prevent dental disease by following vet advice to brush your dog’s teeth, provide dental-care toys, and offer dry dog biscuits as part of a balanced diet. However, certain breeds, like Cavalier King Charles spaniels, are at higher risk of dental disease due to factors including the shape of their mouth or the way they chew food.
Signs of canine dental disease can be easily missed – since some dogs won’t display symptoms – so, it’s essential to take your dog to a vet for regular dental check-ups. For dogs who are suffering from dental disease and do show symptoms, you might notice:
- Bad breath.
- Tartar build-up around their teeth.
- Red, inflamed, or bleeding gums.
- Excessive drooling.
- Repeatedly head shaking or rubbing their face.
In more advanced dental conditions, like periodontal disease (a bacterial infection of the gums and teeth caused by the build-up of plaque), you may notice additional symptoms, including:
- Difficulty eating and/or lack of appetite.
- Swelling around their face.
- Behavioural changes, e.g. refusing to play or irritability.
- Loose teeth.
- Tooth loss.
A vet can diagnose dental disease by examining your Cavalier King Charles spaniel’s mouth. Sometimes, vets recommend dental x-rays (under general anaesthetic) to assess the health of your dog’s teeth in more detail.
Usually, canine dental disease is treated by a vet through a scale and polish performed under general anaesthetic. Following a dental procedure, your vet may prescribe pain-relieving medication and/or antibiotics, alongside a long-term aftercare plan for your Cavalier King Charles spaniel.
Mitral valve disease
Mitral valve disease, commonly known as ‘MVD’, is a condition affecting one of the four valves of a dog’s heart. Each of these valves open as the heart beats to allow blood through, then close to prevent blood from leaking. When one of these valves (the mitral valve) thickens and causes blood to leak backwards, it forces the heart to work much harder to pump blood around the body.
Since it’s a degenerative disease (that worsens over time), MVD develops in stages (A, B1, B2, C) and can eventually progress to heart failure.
The most common symptoms of MVD include a heart murmur, coughing that’s worse at night, and breathlessness or panting.
Vets tend to use several diagnostic tests to confirm MVD in dogs, including:
- Ultrasound scans and X-rays.
- Blood tests.
- ECG (electrocardiogram).
Treatments for MVD in dogs could involve weight management, medication, and surgery.
Looking for more dog advice?
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