Do Cavapoos Shed? The TRUTH About Cavapoo Shedding
Photo courtesy of @__milothecavapoo__ on Instagram.
One of the most frequently asked questions potential owners have about this breed is, “do Cavapoos shed?”
There is a lot of misinformation and confusion out there about Cavapoo shedding and whether Poodle mixes in general tend to shed.
Luckily, this article will tell you everything you need to know about your future pup and whether you should be concerned about shedding!
Do Cavapoos Shed?
Cavapoos have the potential to shed and are not guaranteed to be non-shedding. However, many Cavapoos, especially those closer to a Poodle in DNA, shed very little or not at all.
The variation in shedding is because Cavapoos are a blend of both one non-shedding breed, the Poodle, and another shedding breed, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Because of this DNA mix, it’s not always guaranteed that they will be completely non-shedding. Despite this, they do typically shed a little less than a standard Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
A big determinant when it comes to how much your Cavapoo will shed is how close in DNA they are to each of their parent breeds. This is also known as a Cavapoo’s “generation.”
Not only will we answer the question of, “why do Cavapoos shed?” but you’ll also learn about how much your Cavapoo puppy might shed based on various factors.
Lastly, we’ll give you some tips and tricks, as well as great product recommendations for dealing with any unwanted Cavapoo shedding you may encounter.
Why Do Cavapoos Shed?
Cavapoos shed for the same reasons as many other dog breeds. There are four main types of shedding you should be on the lookout for…
Year Round Cavapoo Shedding
Shedding is a normal trait among many mammals, even people!
As old hair particles die and are replaced with new ones, the old ones fall out. You may have noticed this when you brush your hair or shower.
Shedding is a normal and generally healthy process. However, excessive or sudden shedding can be a sign of stress or illness.
Dog breeds that are known for their lack of shedding, like the Poodle, have hair that is continuously growing. Their hair shafts have longer life spans, making shedding very infrequent.
When shedding does take place, it’s so minimal that it’s barely noticeable.
Seasonal Cavapoo Shedding
A lot of dogs, possibly including your Cavapoo, will shed more during the spring and fall. This is because their coats are responding to the changes in weather and becoming lighter or heavier to keep their temperature well regulated.
Health Issues
f you notice your adult Cavapoo shedding significantly more than what’s normal for them, it may be because of a health issue.
Excessive shedding is a common symptom for a variety of health problems including things like parasites, general allergies, and cancer.
If you notice that your dog is constantly scratching, licking their feet, has open sores, or general skin irritation, you should consider making an appointment with your vet.
When puppies of any breed are born, they have a different coat than they will when they are fully-grown.
Cavapoo puppies usually have coats that are very fine and soft. Once they become adults, their coats will become longer and thicker to protect them from the elements.
Cavapoos will begin to shed their puppy coat when they’re about 5-12 months old. This is normal for most dogs, and doesn’t mean that your Cavapoo puppy will keep shedding in the future.
You can’t be sure of whether your Cavapoo will shed as an adult until they’ve reached about 1.5-2 years of age. This is when they’re definitely done growing and are considered an adult. At this point, their entire puppy coat will have been replaced by the adult version.
How Much Do Cavapoos Shed?
Cavapoos aren’t guaranteed to be non-shedding, however, if they shed it usually isn’t a lot. If they shed, it’ll usually be significantly less than a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel would.
As mentioned earlier, Cavapoo shedding depends a lot on what generation your dog is born into.
If you encounter a breeder promising a guaranteed, non-shedding Cavapoo, they’re either lying purposefully or lack the knowledge of a good breeder. Regardless, this misinformation should be seen as a red flag.
Cavapoos can, in fact,be non-shedding, there’s just no way to know for sure, especially before they’re born.
Keep reading to learn how to choose a Cavapoo that will have the least chance of shedding.
F1 Cavapoos
Cavapoos from the F1 generation are generally the most likely to shed. This is because dogs from this generation have one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent and one Poodle parent. This means that their coat can resemble one parent more than the other.
F1 Cavapoos coats could be wavy, flat, or curly. Just like their probability of shedding, the type of coat they will grow up to have is highly variable.
You may end up with an F1 Cavapoo that is either completely non-shedding or at least sheds very little. In other cases, your F1 Cavapoo may shed as much as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel! Most likely, your dog will fall somewhere in the middle.
To sum things up, if you decide on an F1 Cavapoo, you should prepare yourself for at least some shedding. If you suffer from allergies or prefer a hair-free house, you may be better off with a different generation or even a completely different breed of doodle that is fully non-shedding.
F1b Cavapoos have a genetic makeup that is, on average, closer to the Poodle than to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They’re are often referred to as 75/25 Cavapoos due to the theoretical split of Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel DNA respectively.
To compare, F1 Cavapoos have a 50/50 theoretical DNA split.
So, what does this mean for shedding? F1b Cavapoos are likely to shed a little less than an F1, but there is still no guarantee.
If you don’t suffer from severe allergies, and F1B may be a safer bet when it comes to shedding. However, if shedding is a deal-breaker for you or your family, an F1bb may be the best Cavapoo option for you.
F1bb Cavapoos
F1bb Cavapoos are the closest Cavapoo generations to being a purebred Poodle. In theory, their DNA consists of around 87.5% Poodle.
Because of this lopsided split in DNA, they’re the safest bet for most allergy sufferers and those strongly desire a non-shedding Cavapoo.
If you know for sure that you want a Cavapoo, but can’t compromise on the shedding aspect, you should go for an F1bb.
F2 Cavapoos
The worst generation when it comes to shedding is usually the F2 Cavapoo. Because a lot of different pairings can result in F2 Cavapoo puppies, their coats are super variable and hard to predict.
As with F1 Cavapoos, it’s not impossible to get a non-shedding F2 Cavapoo puppy—it’s just not a guarantee.
F2b Cavapoos
Similarly to F1b Cavapoos, F2b Cavapoos have more Poodle DNA than Cavalier King Charles Spaniel DNA. This generation is pretty close to the F1b generation when it comes to their likelihood to shed.
F2b Cavapoos will generally shed less than F2 Cavapoos, but still have a higher chance of shedding than Cavapoos from the F2bb or F1bb generations.
Managing Cavapoo Shedding
If you’re getting a Cavapoo, you should go into it knowing that there is a chance that they could shed no matter which generation you get. Luckily, we’ve got some great tips for managing Cavapoo shedding!
Feed Your Pup Healthy Foods
A healthy diet is important for any dog, not just Cavapoos. A diet that lacks the necessary vitamins and nutrients your Cavapoo needs can result in excess shedding.
Your Cavapoo needs a balanced, complete dog food. There is also some research that recommends giving your dog supplementary omega-3 fatty acids, as they can aid in healthy hair growth among other benefits.
It’s important to always consult with your veterinarian before adding any new vitamins or supplements to your pet’s diet.
It is also important to make sure your Cavapoo is drinking enough water. Water helps keep skin healthy and hydrated, which minimizes shedding.
Generally, dogs should drink about an ounce of water daily for each pound of body weight.
Bathe & Brush Often
Grooming is a great way to manage Cavapoo shedding, as it loosens dead hair and allows it to be freed in a controlled setting. Brushing can prevent matting and distribute healthy oils across your dog’s skin, both of which can help minimize shedding.
Cavapoos are fluffy dogs that need to be brushed at least once a week, but the more you brush them the less excess shedding you’ll have to deal with.
Baths are another important part of your Cavapoo’s grooming needs. While bathing shouldn’t be done too frequently, regular baths for general cleanliness will help remove excess hair that isn’t removed through brushing. A bath once a month should do the trick, provided your Cavapoo isn’t extra dirty or smelly.
One common myth when it comes to Cavapoos and other Poodle mixes is that shaving your dog is an easy way prevent shedding altogether. This simply isn’t true! Trims and haircuts can keep their coat from becoming unruly, but shaving your dog down completely can actually do more harm than good.
The equipment you use to groom your dog is just as important as how frequently you do it. If you’re looking to reduce shedding, there are three products that are good to have at all times: a slicker brush, a de-shedding tool, and a de-shedding, hydrating shampoo.
A slicker brush is a basic necessity when it comes to Cavapoos, regardless of how much they shed. Many owners opt for the cheapest option from a generic brand, but in my opinion, spending a little extra on a high-quality brush can save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
By far, my favorite slicker brush for Poodle mixes like the Cavapoo is the Big G Slicker Brush by Chris Christensen.
Next, let’s talk about a de-shedding tool. Not every Cavapoo owner is going to need one of these, but if you find that your dog does shed a little bit, these tools are a great help.
The Furminator De-shedding tool is a great, highly-rated option that is both easy to use and long-lasting. For a Cavapoo, you should choose the long hair option in the small size.
Finally, a good de-shedding shampoo can be so helpful, and leave your dog feeling great. One of my favorites is the Burt’s Bees Shed Control Shampoo because of its puppy-safe, all-natural ingredients that make it easy on dogs with sensitive skin.
Despite everything we’ve talked about so far, it’s important to keep in mind that if your Cavapoo sheds, you can manage it, but you can’t ever eliminate it.
A good vacuum is sometimes key to keeping your house clean, and some are built specifically to deal with pesky pet hair. I always encourage investment in a high-quality vacuum made to handle pet hair, like one of these great Amazon options:
Buy an Air Purifier
Did you know that if you suffer from pet allergies, an air purifier can help minimize the problem? Air purifiers can help remove the things that are making you itch and sneeze from the air, like excess hair and dander.
There are some great brands choose from online, but these are some of my favorites:
Final Thoughts
So now you know the answer to the complicated question of “do Cavapoos shed?”
In the end, Cavapoos aren’t always a non-shedding breed. It’s hard to know for sure if yours will shed or not until they’ve reached adulthood. However, researching your dog’s generation beforehand can help you pick a puppy with the least likelihood of shedding.
If you end up with a Cavapoo that does shed, consider trying options to mitigate it like healthy eating and grooming. Investing in devices to help you live more comfortably with your new pup, like an air purifier or a pet hair vacuum, can also help.
