How Much to Feed a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniels typically weigh 13–18 lb. A spayed/neutered adult needs about 424–541 kcal a day, roughly 1¼–1½ cups of a typical 375 kcal/cup dry food. The full chart covers puppy through senior, and below it, what's specific to feeding this breed.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel feeding chart
| Weight | Puppy 4–12 mo | Adult (neutered) | Active / working | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 lb | 530 kcal (1½ cups) | 424 kcal (1¼ cups) | 662 kcal (1¾ cups) | 371 kcal (1 cups) |
| 16 lb | 619 kcal (1¾ cups) | 495 kcal (1¼ cups) | 774 kcal (2 cups) | 433 kcal (1¼ cups) |
| 18 lb | 676 kcal (1¾ cups) | 541 kcal (1½ cups) | 845 kcal (2¼ cups) | 473 kcal (1¼ cups) |
Calories from RER = 70 × kg0.75 × life-stage factor; cups assume 375 kcal/cup; check your bag, foods range 325–450. Run the exact numbers for your dog →
Feeding notes for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Most Cavaliers eventually develop mitral valve disease, and extra body weight makes a compromised heart work harder, so leanness is a genuine longevity lever in this breed. They're sweet-natured beggars and most homes over-treat them; keep treats under 10% of calories and use part of the kibble ration for training.
Portion numbers use the same RER/MER formulas as the main calculator. Full formula sources and limits: About & methodology.
Breed notes above are about feeding management (portions, meal timing, leanness), not diagnosis or treatment. Sources for the health risks mentioned:
- Myxomatous mitral valve disease in small-breed dogs: ACVIM consensus guidelines on canine myxomatous mitral valve disease (2019)
Related tools and guides
- Dog food calculator: exact cups from your dog's weight and your bag's kcal/cup
- Puppy feeding calculator: age-adjusted portions for a growing Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Raw feeding calculator: grams per day at 2–3% of body weight
- Wet + dry mix calculator: leftover kibble after cans, without double-counting calories
- How dog calorie needs actually work
- Monthly dog food cost: kibble vs fresh vs raw by size
Frequently asked questions
How many cups of food should a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel eat per day?
A typical spayed/neutered adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (13–18 lb) needs roughly 424–541 kcal per day, which is about 1¼ to 1½ cups of an average 375 kcal/cup dry food, split into two meals. Use the calculator with your dog's actual weight and your food's real kcal/cup for a precise number.
How much should a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy eat?
Puppies need far more per pound than adults: 3× resting energy before 4 months and 2× from 4–12 months, spread over 3–4 meals. Because the amount changes as they grow, weigh your puppy every week or two and re-run the puppy calculator with the current weight.