Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: healthy weight & calories
A healthy adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel usually weighs 5.5 to 8.5 kg (12.1 to 18.7 lb). That is a wide range because frame size varies a lot even within one breed, so how they feel under your hands matters more than the number alone.
Estimated for a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at 7 kg, a healthy weight in the middle of the breed range. Resting energy is 70 × weight0.75 kcal; the multiplier below scales it up for how much they move and whether they are desexed.
| Activity | Desexed | Entire |
|---|---|---|
| Mostly restsa few short potty walks | 361 kcal | 422 kcal |
| Short daily walks20 to 30 minutes total | 422 kcal | 482 kcal |
| Active most days45 to 60 minutes, some play | 482 kcal | 542 kcal |
| Very activeruns, hikes or dog sport | 542 kcal | 602 kcal |
Puppies get roughly twice their resting energy while growing, about 602 kcal a day at this weight, but puppy needs change every few weeks so this is a starting point, not a fixed number. Seniors typically need about 10% less than an adult at the same activity level.
UK vet records show Cavaliers are about 1.5 times as likely to be overweight as crossbreds, and many love food. Go by feel rather than by eye, and keep weighing portions.
Studies of dogs a similar size to a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel found overweight dogs had a shorter median life span than lean ones, by 1.0 to 2.3 years (Salt et al. 2019). That is an association from observational data, not a promise, but it is one of the largest studies of its kind.
This page gives a breed-level estimate. For portions in grams, a calorie target adjusted for your dog's own age, activity and desexed status, and a 7-day activity plan, take the free 60-second check.
Check Cavalier King Charles Spaniel free →How much should a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weigh?
A healthy adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel typically weighs 5.5 to 8.5 kg (12.1 to 18.7 lb). Frame size varies a lot within a breed, so body condition (can you feel the ribs?) matters more than the number on the scale.
How many calories does a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel need a day?
A desexed adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at a healthy weight typically needs roughly 422 kcal a day with short daily walks, more if they are very active or not desexed, less if they mostly rest. Use the calculator below for a number tailored to your dog.
Similar breeds: Miniature Schnauzer, Bichon Frise, Cairn Terrier
Also see: the dog calorie calculator · is my dog overweight? · all breeds
This is an estimate, not a diagnosis. Talk to your vet before changing your dog's diet or exercise. How we work this out