Skip to content

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel grooming: brushing, bathing and shedding

A practical grooming routine for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: coat care, baths, nails and ears.

The silky coat tangles mainly in friction spots: behind the ears, in the armpits and through the leg and foot feathering. Brush two or three times a week with a pin brush and a metal comb, working those areas first. Shedding is moderate all year with a heavier spell in spring.

Bathe every four to six weeks with a dog shampoo and dry the ears thoroughly, because the heavy ear flap traps moisture. Check inside the ears weekly for odor or redness. Trim the hair between the pads so your dog does not slide on wooden floors, and keep nails short, since the foot feathering hides overgrown ones. Show dogs keep full feathering on their feet; many pet owners prefer a tidy trim.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel grooming in numbers

This is an illustrative schedule based on our editorial grooming score, not a breed-specific care protocol. Coat condition, skin problems and professional advice may call for a different routine.

TaskPlanning example
Brushing2 to 3 times a week
BathingEvery 6 to 8 weeks
SheddingModerate, year round
Nail trimEvery 3 to 4 weeks
Ear checkWeekly
TeethDaily brushing; introduce gently and ask your vet if the mouth seems painful

Coat

Silky, medium-length coat that lies flat, with long feathering on the ears, chest, legs and feet.

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Grooming guides for similar-sized breeds