Cavapoo Lifespan Complete Guide – How Long Does a Cavapoo Live

The sweet-faced Poodle Mix of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle has stolen many hearts. The Cavapoo has surged in popularity as people have realized and shared with others just how amazing this mixed breed is. 

If you are interested in owning a Cavapoo, you may have some questions about them. People wonder how long does a Cavapoo live? How can you make a Cavapoo live longer? 

cavapoo lifespan how many years to cavapoo live

While there are no easy answers to these questions, you will find in our article the best information regarding the Cavapoo’s lifespan. We also detail what you can do to ensure that your Cavapoo has a long, healthy, happy life. 

How Long Does a Cavapoo Live?

The average Cavapoo lifespan is between 10 to 15 human years. Smaller Cavapoos will live longer, and the larger sized Cavapoos trend towards the lower end of the range.

The oldest known Cavapoo lived for over 20 years!

You can calculate the age of a Cavapoo in relative human years using our puppy age-to-human age calculator and tables. The two methods (traditional and scientific) and discussed in the article attached to the calculator.

cavapoo puppy haircut
The haircut and grooming choice will define the appearance of the Cavapoo puppy. Photo Mia Anderson/Unsplash

The Cavapoo is both a healthy and happy dog and, in general, should live a relatively long life with low health costs. It is a recommended dog breed for children, and also as a small dog for seniors.

Since the Cavapoo is a Poodle cross-breed, it can experience health problems that commonly afflict both Cavalier King Charles Spaniels or Poodles. Such health problems include cataracts, ear problems, or even epilepsy. 

The overall Cavapoo is healthy – and these conditions are rare. Your Cavapoo is NOT going to “automatically” suffer from those conditions, just that they are at a higher risk for them, according to Vet science.  

How Can You Increase Cavapoo Lifespan

The Cavapoo, like most dogs, can be kept healthy with exercise, clean eating, and overall awareness of your pet’s health.

There are, however, some things you can do to help extend the lifespan of a Cavapoo. 

  • You can regularly exercise and walk your Cavapoo
  • Pick appropriate dog food and restrict calorie intake to prevent obesity
  • Avoid fatty human foods like pork as dog treats
  • Lock away poisons and dangerous household items (like Q-tips!) that small dogs often consume

Make Sure You’re Feeding Your Cavapoo Good Food

Often times, owners don’t consider what food they’re giving their dog. This can be a big mistake, as a dog’s nutrition is essential to its overall health.

In general, you want to make sure that your dog is getting the right amount of nutrients per day. That means feeding them the proper balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. 

For the most part, this can be easily achieved by simple buying decisions.

Stay away from cheap dog foods that are teeming with fillers and meat by-products. Such shoddy dog foods can also cause health problems in your pup, and the vet bills are going to be much more expensive than better food. 

parti multi colour cavapoo
How amazing is the split colour coat on this Cavapoo puppy! Roberto Nickson/Unsplash

Being mindful of the volume of treats given to your Cavapoo is essential. Given than well over half of all dogs (56%) in the United States are obese, managing the weight of a dog starts in the doggy kitchen.

No more than 10% of the daily calorie intake for a dog should be in treats.

Treats are a necessary reward and a regular part of daily Cavapoo training. If you think you may be overfeeding your dog with treats – consider the following options. 

  • Break down premade treats into smaller sizes – you don’t have to give a whole every time! Even with training small treat sizes are just as effective
  • An all-natural liver treat can be a treat in a minimal volume. It is exceedingly difficult to overfeed a dog with liver treats given how little the treat can be
  • It is possible to use vegetable leftovers from cooking as a treat. Yes, dogs can eat bell peppers! In fact, dogs LOVE the taste of capsicum/bell peppers (particularly the sweeter red variety). Dogs can also eat carrots (but NEVER onion)

When the nutrition needs of a Cavapoo are met, you can expect a longer Cavapoo lifespan.

Checking Your Cavapoo’s Weight

Although the optimal weight for a Cavapoo can vary, there are guidelines you’ll want to follow concerning how heavy your dog gets to increase the Cavapoo lifespan. Your Vet will be able to give you specifics for the type of Cavapoo you have.

A breeder shared that for their Cavapoos from a Toy Poodle line, the average weight is around 5 kilograms (11 pounds). For Cavapoos from a Miniature Poodle line, it’s about 10 (22 pounds).

There are no strict rules, and your Vet will make the call based on scientific measurements and the unique features of each individual dog.

If you’re not sure what your Cavapoo should weigh, your best bet is to check with your Vet! They will weight your pup for you and make sure that they’re of the appropriate size and mass to boost the Cavapoo lifespan.  

Your Cavapoo’s Hygiene Is Important

To ensure your Cavapoo remains happy and healthy, you’ll have to keep their hygiene in top condition, ensuring their coats, teeth, and ears are all clean and in tip-top shape.  

Since dogs of the Cavapoo’s size are prone to dental diseases, it’s essential to keep an especially close eye on their teeth; brush them with regularity! Also, dogs with floppy ears are prone to ear infections, so make sure you’re carefully drying your dog’s ears whenever they get wet. 

Make Sure Your Cavapoo Gets Regular Exercise

Although small, a Cavapoo will have ample energy. That being said, they don’t need an excessive amount of exercise to stay healthy. Daily walks should be enough to keep your pup in great shape. 

That said, if your Cavapoo is overweight, or even obese, your Vet might recommend extra daily exercise to combat the weight gain.  

black and tan cavalier King Charles spaniel dog image
An image of a black and tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Photo Mitchell Gaiser/Unsplash

Keep On Top Of Your Cavapoo’s Vet Check-Ups

Most importantly, get your Cavapoo into the Vet for regular check-ups. Despite taking excellent care of our dogs –  we are not dog health professionals. We must keenly monitor our Cavapoo dogs for signs and symptoms that something might be wrong.

Regular vet check-ups allow you to catch illnesses before they begin, and hopefully get the right treatment before they progress. Early identification can decrease the severity of problems, and help increase Cavapoo lifespan expectancy.

Mental Exercise Is Just As Important As Physical

While physical activity is vital in an elder Cavapoo lifespan, so is exercising their mind. Brain training and an active mind are essential to maintain throughout the entire lifespan of the Cavapoo. This can be done through various tasks, including food puzzles that help keep your dog’s mind sharp. 

A fun at-home DIY brain game example is the Muffin Tin game. There are plenty of simple DIY brain games you can play with your dog. Our article  35 Indoor Dog Games and Activities includes many simple, fun brain training games to keep the mind of a Cavapoo active.

A puzzle toy can be as simple as a frozen Kong. A Kong is really a versatile brain trainer and distraction that can suit a Cavapoo from puppyhood through to old age.

Make Sure Your House Is Fit For An Older Dog

Just as a home needs “puppy-proofed,” so does your home need “seniorized.” This can include keeping food and water in easily accessible areas or adding heated beds.

Some owners make sure slippery surfaces in your home are protected by non-slip mats, so an older Cavapoo doesn’t fall. 

If you have a dog that is elderly and a move is on the cards, pay attention to the future needs of your Cavapoo when choosing a new residence. For some older miniature Cavapoos stairs become a real problem. IF the stairs are a barrier to the toilet spot – this can cause issues.

Training a Cavapoo to use a porch potty (here are the best DIY options) can help limit risk of injury and increase Cavapoo lifespan.

Extra Vet Trips

For older Cavapoos, going to the Vet is even more critical than when they were young. Vet check-ups should occur at least twice a year; blood tests, dental care, and examinations should all be done regularly. 

Older dogs are more prone to arthritis, hip dysplasia, cancer, and diabetes. This is true of all Poodle mix breeds, even larger ones like the Labradoodle, Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle.

As the years go by, we must check with your Vet to make sure your dog is staying healthy. Early detection of these illnesses can be the difference between minor problems and major ones.

When dental problems are allowed to get out of hand early on in life –  the overall health of a Cavapoo will suffer. Establishing a toothbrushing routine (yes seriously, it is worth the hassle) at home for a Cavapoo will save you and your puppy much heartache (and cost) in the future.

Pay Extra Attention

Although this may seem obvious, it’s important to note that you’ll need to pay closer attention to your Cavapoo as it enters old age. Be on the lookout for changes in appetite or behavior in general, as well as monitor your pet’s weight and dental hygiene. 

Finally, make sure you’re searching for any lumps or bumps on your Cavapoo while petting them so that you can bring them to your Vet’s attention. 

Growths and skin troubles more prevalent for Cavapoos in old age. A further concern is that insects or ticks will have a much more dangerous effect on elderly dogs. We need to acutely monitor older dogs to avoid putting their health at risk.

Cavapoo Lifespan Conclusions

Cavapoo’s are healthy and happy dogs with long lifespans. They routinely live from 10-15 years and have been known to live even longer.

The oldest Cavapoo ever was over 20 years old!

Cavapoos are well regarded as appropriate dogs for small children, the elderly, and even as a small dog for kids with autism.

Like all dog breeds regular exercise and careful diet management is necessary for long life. Mental stimulation and brain training are also essential parts of the longevity puzzle for Cavapoos.

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