The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an active, sporty, regal breed that has been popular in royal circles for centuries. As such, they have become one of the most popular breeds of dogs in recent years, but because they are so popular, there are a lot of different products on the market that claim to be the best shampoo for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs.
With so many pet shampoo options available, choosing the right one for your Cavalier may be challenging. In this review, we’re going to take a look at five of the best shampoos for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and help you choose the right one for your furbaby.
The Cavalier King Charles Coat
The Cavalier has a silky, long coat with feathering on the ears, feet, back of the legs, and tail. The coat coloring can be black and tan; rich ruby red; white with chestnut markings (Blenheim); black, white, and tan (tricolor).
The AKC explains that most coats do not develop until 18 months. They add that “the coat is single, soft, silky, and free from curl or cottony character, although a slight wave is permissible. With undesirable curly coats, the texture is often coarse, and with too dense coats, the hair is often short with less feathering. “
The best shampoo for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel pups will take into account the characteristics of your dog’s fur. Let’s look at the top picks.
In a rush? Here are the top picks!
- Pros
- Natural shed control
- Safe for use with topical flea control products
- Made in small batches
- Hypoallergenic
- A long-lasting scent that's not overwhelming
- Organic, eco-conscious pet product
- Allows for optimal sheen and coat health
- Does not use harsh chemicals or preservatives
- Made in the US
- 100% safe for pups 12 weeks and older
- Cons
- The lavender scent may be too mild.
The We Love Doodles 4 -1 is a premium quality organic dog shampoo, conditioner, and detangler perfect for low-shedding dogs like the Cavalier King Charles. This superior product has been designed to provide your dog with the cleanest, healthiest, and shiniest coat possible.
The We Love Doodles 4-in-1 dog shampoo is made with organic ingredients and is free of harmful chemicals. It is also safe for use on Cavalier King Charles puppies and dogs with sensitive skin. This product will leave your pet’s coat looking and feeling its best.
We like this shampoo for King Charles Spaniel because the shampoo is blended with organic lavender and chamomile extracts and is designed for a quick cleanup. So instead of having to deal with multiple products, you’ve got it all in one.
The We Love Doodles 4-in-1 is also great for dogs with allergies. If your dog has been scratching a lot, has hot spots, or is losing hair, this organic shampoo will help to soothe the skin and provide relief. Although this pet shampoo is specially designed for Doodles and Doodle mixes, it works well for all dog breeds, including the Cavalier. This product features no chemicals or dyes of any kind.
Features
- 100% certified organic
- Sulfate-free
- Made in federally regulated manufacturing facilities
- pH balanced
- Crafted with organic ingredients for hypoallergenic benefits
- 4-in -1 pet shampoo
- Used by professional groomers in the US
- Recommended by veterinarians
- Suitable for skin allergies and regular grooming
- Contains no toxic chemicals
- Pros
- Helps with severe dog itching, skin allergies, mange, black skin disease, hair loss, hot spots, dandruff, or seborrhea.
- Safe to use
- Fast-acting and soothing
- Completely non-toxic to pets and people
- Cons
- Some may not like the scent.
The DERMagic System Skin Condition Kit for pets keeps your pet’s skin and fur healthy. The kit includes a 12 ounce bottle of peppermint and tea tree oil shampoo, 12 ounce bottle of peppermint and tea tree oil conditioner an 8 ounce bottle of skin rescue lotion, 2 ounce jar of hot spot salve, and a 4 ounce jar of cell restoration crème.
This is another must-have for all skin allergies and yeast infections. All products are made with natural ingredients and gentle enough for sensitive skin pets. The ingredients include:
- Crafted organic whole-leaf aloe vera gel
- Vitamin E
- Organic shea butter
- Soothing essential oils
- Fast-acting florets of sulfur
Features
- DERMagic system skin condition kit for pets
- 4-step process for aggressive skin conditions
- It helps with skin allergies and yeast infections
- Natural and organic ingredients
- Made in the USA with domestic ingredients
- Pros
- Hydrates skin, relieves itchiness, and promotes a soft, healthy, clean coat.
- Concentrated formula
- Very gentle and mild on skin and coat
- Easy to use and rinses clean
- Contains no tea tree oil for optimal pet safety
- Hypoallergenic
- Made in small batches for optimal quality and ingredient freshness
- Suitable for other small pets like rabbits, ferrets, and guinea pigs
- Cons
- This is a cheaSome may not like the fragrance.aper version of the MidWest Double Door Dog Crate
J.R.Liggetts features a hypoallergenic biodegradable formula that is 100% detergent-free and eco-friendly. Arguably the best shampoo for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs, this product is non-GMO and relieves dry, itchy skin. It is also great for sensitive skin. It’s crafted with virgin coconut and almond oils that penetrate deeply to hydrate skin.
We like this product because of the natural ingredients like almond, cedarwood, lemongrass, lavender, and rosemary oils that smell great and leave your pet’s coat shiny, soft and manageable. It’s also made in the USA. This is a high-quality shampoo that we highly recommend for the Cavalier. Here’s the takeaway:
Features
- Eco-friendly and biodegradable
- 100% non-GMO
- An extensive array of formulas to choose from
- All-natural liquid shampoo
- Fresh, clean scent
- Detergent free
- Affordable
- Sensitive skin formula
- Made in the USIt’s
- Pros
- Suitable for light-colored coats
- pH balanced
- Safe for use with topical flea control products
- Controls matting, fly away hair, and tangling
- Leaves hair smooth and manageable
- A rich lather washes out easily
- Tropical scent
- No harsh bleaching
- Cons
- Some may not be a fan of the piña colada fragrance
This tearless shampoo is specifically designed to bring out the natural brightness of white and lighter colored fur in Cavaliers. It’s a protein-enriched pet shampoo that gently washes away dirt and debris, leaving your pup’s coat clean, soft, and healthy-looking. Piña colada scent leaves your furry friend smelling fresh and tropical.
We like this shampoo for the Cavalier because it’s breed-specific, and it does an excellent job of brightening up their coat. The takeaway from this shampoo is that it cleans your dog thoroughly while adding luster to his fur!
Features
- Affordable for multi-pet homes
- Protein-enriched
- Bright whitening pet shampoo formula for Cavaliers
- Crafted with natural colloidal oatmeal
- Tropical fragrance
- Pros
- pH balanced for puppies over six weeks.
- Gentle enough to use often
- Will not wash away topical spot-on flea and tick treatments
- Paraben-free
- Crafted with premium ingredients
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Cons
- Some may not like the baby powder fragrance.
Looking for a tearless shampoo for your Cavalier puppy? Next on our list of the best shampoo for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a good bet. Veterinary Formula Solutions Puppy Love Extra Gentle Tearless Shampoo is perfect for puppies with sensitive skin. This ultra-mild, hypoallergenic shampoo cleanses without drying or irritating delicate skin. It is enriched with vitamin E and aloe vera to soothe and condition the skin.
Puppy Love Shampoo has a fresh, clean scent that lasts long after bath time. It is safe to use on puppies over six weeks old. We like this shampoo for pups because vets recommend it for their first year.
Features
- Baby powder scent
- Extra tearless formula
- Vet shampoo formula for pups
- Affordable
- Sulfate and DEA-free
- 100% safe for all puppy breeds
The American Kennel Club
The AKC notes that “The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel wears his connection to British history in his breed’s name. Cavaliers are the best of two worlds, combining the gentle attentiveness of a toy breed with the verve and athleticism of a sporting spaniel.”
The first Cavaliers were sent to the US in 1952, and by 1954, a club was formed. By 1996 the Cavalier became the AKC’s 140th recognized breed. The AKC explains that the natural appearance with no trimming, sculpting, or artificial alteration is essential to breed type.
This graceful, well-balanced toy spaniel features its larger cousin’s fearless, sporting temperament. This breed is regal in appearance and has a typically happy temperament. The Cavalier has a soft sweet, and gentle expression that is an important breed characteristic. The American Kennel Club says that “no head would be correct without the soft melting expression.”
HOW TO GROOM YOUR DOG AT HOME | Cavalier King Charles grooming
Video Credit: Herky, the Cavalier
Grooming and the Cavalier King Charles-human bond
When you adopt or purchase a pup from a young age, you can get him used to being groomed. For example, if you start grooming your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel during puppyhood, you’ll be building trust and confidence between pup and pet parent that establishes a bond for the rest of your dog’s life.
In the beginning, you’ll need to keep grooming sessions short and focus your attention on any problem areas until your dog is used to being touched and groomed. Your dog may resist grooming because he’s not used to it, so start slowly and gradually increase your grooming sessions.
How to wash your Cavalier King Charles?
Before bathing with the best shampoo for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dogs, you should brush all the tangles and knows out of your pup’s coat. When the coat is wet, it’s much harder to get the knots out. Tangles also multiply when the coat is wet.
Start by wetting your dog’s coat all over with lukewarm water. Then, apply the shampoo to their back and work it in gently. Be careful not to get any shampoo in their eyes, nose, or mouth.
Lather long coats with the lay of the coat so that you don’t create knots when you work up the lather and scrub. With fluffy dogs, you need to do the opposite so that the swirling is against the grain to make the coat stand up during lathering.
Once you’ve worked the shampoo into a lather, rinse it off thoroughly. Keep in mind, though, that you should begin rinsing at the head and work your way down your dog’s body. Rinsing properly is probably the most important part of bathing because any shampoo left in the coat will result in an itchy dog.
If you’re using a conditioner, repeat the same shampooing process, also rinsing thoroughly until the water runs clear. Then, you should gently squeeze the moisture from the ears and legs of long-coated dogs before towel drying.
Finish up by giving your dog a good rubdown with a towel to remove excess water. Curly-haired breeds do well with a pat-down dry instead of rubbing to prevent matting.
And that’s it! You’re now ready to enjoy quality time with your clean and fresh-smelling pup.
Skin and coat care
Skin allergies and yeast infections are common issues. If your dog has issues, the best shampoo for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the following option:
- DERMagic specializes in natural and organic skincare for pets and addresses skin issues with all-natural pet products called Skin Rescue.
Bathing
Although bathing is simpler at a grooming salon than at home, it can be a fun bonding experience for you and your pet if you’re well prepared. Here are a few tips to make sure the process goes smoothly. There are hundreds of pet shampoos to choose from but to make things simpler, always try to opt for a natural botanical pet shampoo without harsh chemicals.
Look for pet shampoos with the right pH balance so that your dog’s skin does not cause an allergic reaction. Tearless shampoos also work well, and if you’re fussy about fragrances, opt for hypoallergenic and odorless shampoos that are colorless and odorless. If your pup has dry skin, ask your vet about products for chronic skin conditions.
Flea and tick rinses
If you’re using medicated or flea and tick shampoos, these need to stay on for as long as 15 minutes to do their job. You should always monitor your dog closely when using these products because they contain chemical or botanical pesticides. Sometimes dogs can have an allergic reaction to a medicinal pet product, even if it’s a botanical pesticide.
Conditioners
Conditioners or cream rinses are a must-have because they help dogs combat static electricity while adding body and plenty of brush ability, allowing the grooming experience to be positive.
You can mix the conditioner or cream rinse in a gallon jug with the water- usually at the rate of 1 cup per gallon of water. We like to use the organic 4 -1 We Love Doodles pet shampoo to save time. It’s just as effective in maintaining optimal coat health and sheen, and you don’t have to purchase four products. It’s all there in one bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels easy to groom?
An easy-going and happy breed, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a joy to groom. Although they require regular grooming, it is not an overly demanding process. In fact, many pet parents find the experience relaxing and therapeutic for both them and their dogs.
Should a Cavalier King Charles be clipped?
While some people opt to have their Cavalier King Charles clipped, it is unnecessary. No clipping of the coat, except on the feet, is allowed by the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA. However, many pet owners choose to have their dog’s coat clipped for easier maintenance. For more information about becoming a CKCSC member, visit the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA.
How do you groom a King Charles Spaniel?
Please watch our video (above) on grooming this great breed.
What kind of grooming do Cavaliers require?
The Cavalier does require regular grooming. They should be brushed and combed thoroughly at least once a week. If you plan to show your dog, more frequent grooming will be necessary.
In addition, the Cavalier’s ears should be cleaned regularly, and their nails should be trimmed every month. Ears need particular attention and should be checked and given a quick combing every few days, daily in shedding season.
What products do you recommend for Cavalier grooming?
For general upkeep, we recommend a good quality dog shampoo like the We Love Doodles 4-in-1 organic dog shampoo, a We Love Doodles slicker brush, and a medium bristle brush appropriate for a small breed. This is beneficial for brushing out their hair evenly throughout their body.
Do you have any tips for making Cavalier grooming easier?
Get your Cavalier used to being groomed from an early age. Set aside some time each week to brush and comb her thoroughly. Make it a positive experience by using treats and praise. If you start early, grooming will become a regular part of your dog’s routine, and they will be more likely to accept it.
Can I groom my Cavalier myself, or do I need to take them to a professional?
While you can certainly groom your Cavalier yourself, we recommend taking them to a professional groomer at least a few times a year for a thorough trimming and bathing. Professional groomers have the experience and expertise to properly care for your dog’s coat and make it look its best.
Claudia Bensimoun is a writer who specializes in dog content and veterinary topics! Aside from writing for We Love Doodles, Claudia also writes for other major dog blogs like Fido Friendly, Animal Wellness Magazine, and the United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA). She has a ghostwritten over 50 different dog e-books. Her passions include animal welfare, veterinary research, and wildlife conservation.
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