Cavalier King Charles is one of the most loving, pleasant, and distinctive dogs you can have around. This dog breed needs a nutritious diet to support their health and playful nature. So, how can you find the best dog food for your Cavalier King Charles?
To make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best dog foods.
Let’s dive in!
The Best Dog Foods For Cavalier King Charles
CANIDAE Grain-Free Petite Lamb Formula Small Breed PURE Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: Lamb Meal, Canola Oil, Garbanzo beans, Freeze-Dried lamb, vitamins and Probiotics mix
This meaty recipe is perfect for small breed adult dogs like your Cavalier King Charles. The recipe features a well-rounded blend of essential micronutrients and antioxidants to keep your dog healthy and active. It contains lamb meal, chelated minerals, and garbanzo beans to help satisfy the dietary requirements of your small dog. Also, this recipe contains probiotics to improve your dog’s digestive health. Let your dog enjoy the raw-coated, freeze-dried lamb with added meaty crunchiness.
Nutro Natural Choice Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Barley, Split Peas, Brewers Rice
If your small dog is big on flavorful meals, this may just be the dog food you’ve been looking for. This GMO-free dog food features farm-raised chicken as the primary ingredient. The recipe has a special focus on skin and coat health, making it one of the best dog foods for a Cavalier King Charles. Plus, this recipe is completely devoid of artificial flavors, preservatives, and by-product meals.
The small kibble size and crunchy texture are ideal for your little dog. Also, the kibble helps remove plaque buildup on the teeth and improves your dog’s dental hygiene.
Blue Buffalo – Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley
If you’re searching for the ideal dog food for your Cavalier King Charles, look no further than Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dog Food. It provides excellent nutritional value for your Cavalier King Charles and is also a budget-friendly choice. The formula features high-quality chicken protein to nourish your dog’s lean muscles and carbohydrates like brown rice for all-day energy.
Additionally, vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots deliver essential vitamins and minerals to support your dog’s overall health and wellness. The recipe also has antioxidant-rich blueberries and glucosamine for a healthy immune system and increased mobility. And finally, the recipe has omega fatty acids to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Chicken, 2. Chicken Meal, 3. Brown Rice, 4. Barley, and 5. Oatmeal
This nutritionally balanced recipe is ideal for the special needs of senior dogs. Antioxidant-rich ingredients and deboned chicken make it suitable for your aging dog’s digestive system. The carbs and proteins provide essential micronutrients for optimal health and activity level of a senior Cavalier King Charles. The recipe also features calcium and phosphorus to promote healthy teeth and strong bones. Finally, this small-sized kibble is easy to eat and completely free of by-products or fillers.
Wellness CORE – Small Breed Turkey & Chicken Grain-Free Recipe Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas
Food intolerances and allergies can wreak havoc on your dog’s digestive health and overall wellness. That’s why Wellness CORE made this allergen-free recipe to provide your dog with high-quality nutrition. This dog food features essential nutrients sourced from premium-quality chicken and turkey to support lean muscle development and complex carbohydrates to provide energy for daily activities.
Fruits and vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, broccoli, and apples deliver vitamins and minerals necessary for optimum health. Finally, this recipe is enriched with glucosamine and chondroitin for bone health and includes fatty acids for a shiny coat and smooth skin.
Taste of the Wild – Appalachian Valley Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Venison, 2. Lamb Meal, 3. Garbanzo Beans, 4. Peas, 5. Lentils
If you’re searching for a grain-free option for your Cavalier King Charles, consider this dry dog food from Taste of the Wild. This dog food features a wide selection of protein sources such as lamb, duck, fish, and real venison. It also provides multiple essential vitamins and minerals for a healthy body.
Additionally, the formula has a blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber. These probiotic bacteria help to strengthen the immune system and aid in better digestion. Apart from this, your Cavalier King Charles gets a healthy supplement of omega fatty acids derived from ocean fish meal and salmon oil, and ocean fish meal.
Merrick Grain-Free Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Beef, 2. Lamb Meal, 3. Salmon Meal, 4. Sweet Potatoes, 5. Potatoes
Merrick’s Grain-Free Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food provides allergen-free nutrition for your Cavalier King Charles. This recipe features real, deboned beef to support muscle growth and development. It also has sweet potatoes, apples, peas, and blueberries to provide balanced nutrition for your active dog.
This dog food is a great choice if your dog is a picky eater. It’s a delicious recipe that is gentle on your dog’s stomach and can prevent bloating or severe allergic reactions. The addition of omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin help encourage healthy hip and joint function. It is also grain-free and contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Chicken & Sweet Potato Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Cassava Flour, Potatoes
If your adult Cavalier King Charles has a sensitive digestive system, this limited-ingredient dog by Natural Balance is all they need. Fill your dog’s bowl with the best nutrition for a lifetime of health and happiness. The flavorful recipe features chicken and sweet potato as primary ingredients, which offer great nutritional value and add unique flavors to this food. The grain-free recipe does not contain pea protein, peas, wheat, lentils, soy, or legumes. It is crafted to provide the quality, nutrition, and taste that your little dog deserves.
Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Small Breed Formula Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Rice, Poultry By-Product Meal, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal
Give your canine companion the best nutrition that’s rich in glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and mobility. The Purina Pro Plan dog food includes balanced ingredients to offer weight management solutions for your adult and senior dogs. The small-size kibble is easy to consume and fully digest. This recipe is loaded with complete and balanced nutrition for your Cavalier King Charles. This recipe is also ideal for senior dogs as it contains rich botanical oils to promote mental alertness and sharpness in dogs that are 7 years or older.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero-Grain Natural Turkey & Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Turkey, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Chicken Meal, 4. Dried Peas, 5. Whole Dried Potatoes
This protein-rich diet by Rachel Ray has everything your dog needs for a happy and healthy life. The organic, grain-free formula features high-quality ingredients such as turkey, chicken meal, and whole dried potatoes. The farm-raised turkey is the main source of protein and is slowly roasted to lock in the flavor. Other ingredients include a wide array of wholesome and easily digestible fruits and vegetables. These ingredients are essential for your dog’s overall health and wellbeing. And lastly, the diet omits grains, gluten, by-products, and fillers and is a healthy option for your little dog’s daily nutrition.
Iams ProActive Health Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Dried Plain Beet Pulp
This dog food by Iams includes premium-quality ingredients to support your dog’s nutritional needs. It’s suitable for small breed dogs like your Cavalier King Charles.
The recipe features real chicken as the primary ingredient to help promote strong and healthy muscles. It also contains a precise blend of antioxidants to help strengthen your dog’s strong immune system. Pick the Iams ProActive dog food and let your dog enjoy a great-tasting meal and get maximum health benefits!
Royal Canin Healthy Development Small Breed Puppy Dog Food Trays – Case of 24
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken, 2. Pork By-Products, 3. Pork Liver, 4. Rice Flour, 5. Wheat Gluten
This pate-style dog food is an excellent choice for picky eaters. It is suitable for small-breed puppies and fulfills their needs from puppyhood to maturity. This high-protein meal is nutritionally balanced with vitamins and chelated minerals. It features real chicken as the primary ingredient to keep your pup healthy from the inside out. The selection of unique and natural flavors helps guarantee optimal palatability. Also, this recipe includes a precise nutrient blend to help regulate your puppy’s intestinal transit.
Hill’s Science Diet Small Bites Chicken & Barley Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Corn, Whole Grain Sorghum
This dry dog food from Hill’s Science is a complete nutrition solution for small dogs like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. It combines premium-quality proteins from chicken and plenty of whole grains, including corn and wheat, to nourish muscles and enhance energy levels. Additionally, the recipe features antioxidants and vitamin C and E to strengthen your dog’s immune system.
The recipe also includes a healthy blend of omega fatty acids and vitamin E to promote the growth of a shiny coat. It has highly digestible ingredients and eliminates artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives to ensure easy digestion.
Purina Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend Small Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Ground Rice, Poultry By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Beef Tallow Naturally Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols
Purina’s Pro Plan Savor dry dog food is a nutrient-packed, premium-quality dog food that ensures that your dog only gets the best nutrition. The main protein source here is chicken, which provides plenty of amino acids to nourish and support the growth of your dog’s muscles.
The recipe contains linoleic acid and vitamin A to promote softer skin and a healthier coat. Complex carbs like ground rice help your dog stay active and thrive. Plus, the formula has prebiotic and probiotic fibers to enhance your dog’s digestive health and ensure faster nutrient absorption.
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Ground White Rice, Chicken Fat, Dried Beet Pulp
This dog food option by Diamond Naturals provides loads of nutritional goodness for small breeds. It’s a nutrient-dense dry dog food and is a great choice for your Cavalier King Charles. The primary ingredient is real chicken, which provides essential amino acids for muscle development. Other wholesome ingredients include cracked pearl barley and white rice to fuel your dog’s body throughout the day.
The dog food also contains probiotics, omega fatty acids, and minerals sourced from whole foods. Chicory root, pumpkin, and kelp help support and strengthen your dog’s digestive system. Plus, seeds and flaxseed enhance their skin and coat health. Give your dog the highest quality nutrition by choosing Diamond Naturals dry dog food.
Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Real Beef and Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: Deboned Beef, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes
Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Dog Food is a highly nutritious and reliable food product for your Cavalier King Charles. The major protein source here is real deboned beef, which aids in muscle development and maintenance. This formula is completely grain-free and substitutes grains with peas and potatoes to give your dog balanced nutrition.
A combination of fruits such as blueberries and apples provides your dog with vitamins and chelated minerals. The smaller kibble size and the crunchy texture help reduce plaque and keep teeth clean. Finally, this formula has prebiotics and probiotics to improve your dog’s digestive health.
Nutro Ultra Toy-Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
Top 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Brown Rice, Brewers Rice, Lamb Meal
Nutro’s holistic dog food uses premium-quality ingredients. This recipe has whole grains and fiber to support your dog’s digestive system. Farm-raised chicken and pasture-fed lamb provide quality, lean proteins for muscle repair and maintenance.
Nutro’s dog food has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, so your dog’s delicate digestive system shouldn’t have any issues. Also, this recipe contains complex carbs to fuel your dog’s daily adventures. Try this dog food if you want to improve your dog’s mental abilities, eyesight, and coat health.
Earthborn Holistic Small Breed Adult Formula
Top 5 Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Brown Rice, Dried Egg, Tapioca, Canola Oil
The Earthborn Holistic dog food provides well-balanced nutrition from high-quality ingredients. It contains digestible proteins and fresh vegetables to help support the overall health and wellbeing of your Cavalier King Charles.
This dog food is perfect for dogs that weigh less than 25-pounds at adulthood. The formula contains poultry meal, whitefish meal, and oatmeal as the top ingredients. This formula also features essential antioxidants and omega fatty acids for stronger immunity and a healthy coat.
Health Extension Little Bites Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe
Top 5 Ingredients: Organic Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Chicken Fat, Lamb Meal
Health Extension provides premium nutrition to support your dog’s health. The Little Bites Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is the best choice if you want to give your Cavalier King Charles a balanced and complete diet.
This dog food features natural, free-range chicken as its main ingredient. Other nutritious ingredients include lamb, flaxseeds, and brown rice. Additionally, the recipe contains superfoods such as apple cider vinegar, blue-green algae, vitamins, minerals, ginger, and CoQ10 to support your dog’s immune system. This hypoallergenic formula has no carbs, wheat, soy, and corn. It’s perfect for sensitive dogs with food allergies.
Buyer’s Guide – Understanding A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s Dietary Requirements
Proteins
The Cavalier King Charles dog breed is an energetic and playful breed that will follow you everywhere you go. These dogs need high-quality proteins in their diet to stay active and thrive. That’s because proteins are the most important of all nutrients in dog food. They contain amino acids for muscle development, tissue repair, and supporting the immune system. Also, proteins help obese dogs in burning fat and losing weight.
Look for dog food containing premium protein sources such as chicken, lamb, turkey, beef, lamb, and fish. Premium animal-based protein sources ensure the bioavailability of nutrients. You can also choose a dog food with protein meals like turkey or chicken meal.
Highly Digestible Carbohydrates
Look for easily digestible carbohydrates such as whole grains, beans, starchy vegetables, and legumes. These foods provide essential nutrients and dietary fiber to meet your dog’s energy requirements and ensure overall wellbeing.
Fats
Fats play an important role in the wellbeing of your Cavalier King Charles dog. They provide your dog with energy and are essential for the normal functioning of nerves, tissues, and muscles, and tissue. For example, Omega-3 and Omega-6 are two fatty acids that help nourish your dog’s skin, promote the growth of a smooth and shiny coat and ensure healthy heart and brain function. The best dog food for Cavalier King Charles dogs has at least 10% fat content. Some of the best sources of healthy fats include fish oil, flaxseed oil, and animal fat.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and Minerals are essential for a complete and balanced diet. They help support your dog’s immune system and improve the overall quality of life.
Most of the essential vitamins and minerals come from whole foods like meats, fruits, and vegetables. Look for dog foods that feature whole foods as the primary supplier of essential micronutrients.
Many dog foods on our review list include nutrient-rich formulas featuring vegetables such as spinach, kale, potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, and carrots. These vegetables provide a wide spectrum of vitamins to your Cavalier King Charles. The formulas also include fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, pumpkin, and apples to provide antioxidants and minerals.
Ingredients to Avoid
Preservatives
Manufacturers use preservatives to extend the shelf-life of commercial dog food. However, these artificial preservatives can trigger allergies in dogs that can cause skin problems like itching and drying. Some preservatives can also cause organ damage and behavioral changes in dogs.
The best dog food contains natural preservatives and is safe for consumption by your Cavalier King Charles.
Fillers
Cheap dog foods contain fillers to increase the calorie content and to make your dog feel fuller. These fillers can cause allergies or stomach upsets, especially if your Cavalier King Charles has a sensitive stomach. Corn bran, rice hulls, corn cobs, citrus pulp, and wheat pulps are the most common fillers found in cheap dog foods.
Artificial Additives
Dog food manufactures use additives to enhance the dog food’s color, taste, and appearance. However, most of these artificial additives don’t have any nutritional value and may harm your Cavalier King Charles.
When dogs consume these artificial additives, they can experience digestive issues like diarrhea, bloating, and loose stools. Plus, these additives can trigger adverse allergic reactions leading to skin problems like rashes, dryness, and itching. They can also cause your dog’s fur to start thinning.
The best dog food for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs to feature natural and quality ingredients to maintain optimal health and help manage food allergies.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Feeding Guidelines
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a very fast metabolism. This small breed dog requires an average of 35 to 45 calories per pound of body weight per day. This equates to about ½ to 1 cup of food per day for most dog foods. Keep in mind that the calorie content of commercial food is different, so you’ll need to refer to the feeding guidelines on the food package.
Puppy Cavalier King Charles Diet: As a puppy, your Cavalier King Charles needs a high-energy diet that provides a minimum of 8% fat and 22% protein. Look for a small or toy breed puppy recipe to ensure the best macronutrient ratio.
Adult Cavalier King Charles Diet: Your adult dog needs a minimum of 5% fat and 18% protein from high-quality animal sources. A small-breed adult recipe can help you meet your dog’s macronutrient needs.
Senior Cavalier King Charles Diet: Senior Cavalier King Charles dogs have a slower metabolism and may need a diet for older dogs. Obesity is always dangerous, but particularly so for senior dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I feed my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?
Cavalier King Charles dogs don’t need high-calorie treats because they gain weight too rapidly. Royal Canin dog food is a good choice for your Cavalier King Charles. Alternatively, chicken meal or boiled liver work perfectly as the best food for Cavalier King Charles.
To add a crunchy texture and sweet taste, you can feed your King Charles small raw carrots. Adding vegetables to your pet’s diet ensures they get fiber and other essential nutrients.
Are Cavaliers picky eaters?
Yes. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are picky eaters, especially owing to their sensitive stomachs and other health issues.
Can Cavalier King Charles dogs be therapy dogs?
Yes. Cavalier King Charles dogs are known to be good therapy dogs. Their gentle and affectionate personality makes them a perfect companion for people living alone.
Do Cavalier King dogs have sensitive stomachs?
Yes. Cavalier King Charles dogs have trouble digesting fats and animal protein.
Why has my Cavalier King Charles stopped eating?
Loss of appetite may sometimes mean your Cavalier King dog is sick. Check if they are displaying other indications such as diarrhea, weight loss, and vomiting.
If you notice these symptoms, it’s best to take your dog to the vet for a physical examination to determine the underlying cause.
What foods are bad for Cavalier King Charles?
Here’s a list of foods that are bad for Cavalier King dogs:
- Grapes
- Coffee
- Fruit seeds
- Onions
- Nuts
- Mushrooms
- Cow’s milk
- Garlic
What vegetables are good for Cavalier Kings?
Vegetables are fantastic sources of fiber and are good for a dog’s digestion. The best vegetables Cavalier Kings include:
- Raspberry
- Baby carrots
- Peas
- Sweet potato
- Green beans
- Zucchini slices
- Bell peppers
Which proteins are best for Cavalier Kings?
Proteins such as fish, chicken, turkey, lamb, and venison are great sources of proteins for Cavalier King Charles dogs. We recommend you avoid any animal by-products and look for whole protein sources.
Is home-cooked food suitable for Cavalier King Charles dogs?
Yes, you can feed your Cavalier King home-cooked food. It has several benefits over commercial dog food. So if you enjoy cooking dog food every day, you can switch your dog to a homemade diet.
Are eggs healthy for Cavalier Kings?
Yes, cooked eggs are a great protein source, and you can start by providing them with a moderate amount. This will help you keep an eye on their digestive health and prevent stomach problems.
Is milk healthy for my Cavalier King Charles?
No. milk contains lactose that can upset your dog’s stomach. Most Cavalier King Charles dogs are lactose intolerant. They will suffer from digestive discomfort and diarrhea if fed milk.
Are carrots good for Cavalier Kings?
Yes, carrots have plenty of minerals and vitamins, making them great for your dog’s health. You can cut them into bite-sized pieces so your Cavalier can easily chew and digest them.
What should I feed a Cavalier King Charles with dental issues?
Dry dog food with a crunchy texture can remove tartar and maintain good dental hygiene. But if you think your Cavalier King is having serious dental issues, you should consult with your veterinarian.
Can Cavalier Kings eat grains?
Yes. Dog food containing grains is safe for your Cavalier King Charles. However, if your dog has a sensitive digestive system, it may be better to choose grain-free dog food. That’s because some grains may trigger an allergy.
Is sweet potato good for Cavalier Kings?
Yes. Sweet potatoes are good for Cavalier Kings and are on the ingredients lists of most dog foods.
Can Cavalier Kings eat chocolate?
No. Chocolate is toxic to Cavalier Kings and may have fatal consequences. Especially small breeds like the Cavalier King Charles.
Can my Cavalier King Charles eat rice?
Yes. It’s safe to let your Cavalier King Charles have rice. Some of the best dog foods for Cavalier Kings include rice as their primary ingredient. That’s because rice is bland and easily converts into usable energy for the dog’s body.
What’s the best dog food for Cavalier Kings with a sensitive stomach?
If your Cavalier King Charles has a sensitive stomach, Hills Science Diet’s Sensitive Stomach, and Skin recipe is a great choice for you. It contains a lower protein content and high fiber content for easier digestion.
Is smaller kibble necessary for my Cavalier King Charles?
Yes. Cavalier Kings are small dogs that need smaller kibbles for easy chewing. Large kibbles may pose a choking hazard to this small dog breed.
Is bread bad for my Cavalier King Charles?
Yes. Dogs can safely eat bread in moderation. Plain white and wheat bread is safe for dogs to eat, provided they don’t have any gluten allergies.
