Cavapoo Lifespan Guide – How Long Do Cavapoos Live?

The Cavapoo (AKA Cavoodle or Cavadoodle) is a cross breed between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. As it is a mixed breed dog there can be a bit of variation in lifespan depending on the generation, size, gender as well as genetics.

If you want to know more about the lifespans of Cavapoos, keep reading this article to find exactly how long Cavapoos live.

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How Long Do Cavapoos Live?

On average, Cavapoos live for 9 to 15 years. There are many factors that play into the lifespan of a Cavapoo including size, gender, whether they are desexed or intact as well as their generation. Give your Cavapoo the best chance of living the longest life possible by exercising them daily, feeding them a healthy diet and keeping on top of vet appointments.

Factors That Affect Cavapoo Lifespan

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a Cavapoo. This includes but is not limited to:

Size (Teacup, Toy, Miniature or Standard)
Gender (Male vs Female)
Desexed vs Intact
Generation (F1, F1b, F1bb, F2, F2b etc.)

Cavapoo puppy - cavapoo lifespan — Cavapoo Puppy

How Size Affects Cavapoo Lifespan

Size has a massive impact upon the lifespan of a Cavapoo. Teacup Cavapoos have the shortest lifespan while Miniature Cavapoos have the longest followed by Standard Cavapoos. The main effect of size on lifespan is due to size-related health issues, especially for Teacup and Toy Cavapoos.

Teacup Cavapoo Lifespan

Teacup Cavapoos have a lifespan of 7 to 9 years. While it is a general rule that a smaller dogs have longer lifespans, this is not the case for Teacup breeds. Compared to Toy Cavapoos, Teacup Cavapoos have a shorter lifespan as they suffer from many health issues due their tiny size.

Toy Cavapoo Lifespan

On average, Toy Cavapoos live for 9 to 12 years. Their lifespan is slightly longer than Teacup Cavapoos however they can still suffer from size related health issues as they are still a very small breed. Their lifespan can greatly vary depending upon genetics, health conditions, lifestyle, diet etc.

Mini Cavapoo Lifespan

Miniature Cavapoos have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. They have the longest lifespan of all Cavapoo sizes as they are a smaller size yet not so small that they have excessive health issues. Again, their lifespan can vary depending upon their genetics, health conditions, lifestyle, diet etc.

Standard Cavapoo Lifespan

Standard Cavapoos have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. They have the second longest lifespan of all Cavapoo sizes, Miniature Cavapoos generally live for 1 to 2 years longer than Standard Cavapoos.

How Generation Affects Cavapoo Lifespan

Mixed breed dogs such as Cavapoos are thought to be healthier than their purebred parents and therefore may have a slightly longer lifespan.

F1 Cavapoos (50% Cavalier King Charles Spaniel & 50% Poodle) have the most hybrid vigor of all the Cavapoo generations as they are the first generation. F1 Cavapoos are therefore considered to be the healthiest which may indicate a longer lifespan however not necessarily as there are so many other factors that influence lifespan.

As generation number increases, the health benefits of cross breeding decreases as breeders are not mixing two separate gene pools anymore. Therefore F2 and F3 Cavapoos may have a slightly shorter lifespan than F1 Cavapoos as they are more likely to have hereditary health conditions.

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Female vs Male Cavapoo Lifespan

Do Female Or Male Cavapoos Live Longer?

Male Cavapoos may live slightly longer than female Cavapoos however gender does not have a major effect on lifespan. Differences in longevity is mainly seen in desexed versus intact dogs.

Desexed vs Intact Cavapoo Lifespan

On average, desexed (AKA neutered or spayed) Cavapoos live for 1.5 years longer than intact Cavapoos. Desexed Cavapoos live longer because the procedure can reduce health risk such as cancer and obesity in both male and female dogs. It is also thought that desexed dogs live longer because they get into fewer fights and therefore get fewer injuries.

Cavapoo Life Stages

Puppy Stage

Cavapoos are puppies until they are 6 months old however most people still call their Cavapoo a puppy until they are 1 year old. The puppy stage is further broken down into two periods called the socialization period and the testing period. The socialization period is from birth until they are 3 months old. The testing period is from 3 months to 6 months of age.

Socialization Period (until 3 months old)

The socialization period is one of the most crucial times in a Cavapoo’s life. The first eights weeks is spent with their mother and littermates. During this time they learn so much about their world. Breeders will begin introducing new experiences to the puppies in the litter and then at eights weeks the puppies will go to their new homes where their owners will continue the socialization process.

Testing Period (3 to 6 months old)

The testing period is when a Cavapoo starts testing boundaries to figure out what is acceptable behavior and what is not. It is best to start training your Cavapoo during this time.

When training your dog it is important to use positive reinforcement techniques as dogs repeat good behavior when it is followed by a reward such as a treat or their favorite toy. Clicker training is another type of positive reinforcement training that is a good method for learning new tricks. You use a clicker device so your dog can associate a new behavior with a click and then a reward.

Cavapoos will also start teething during this period so make sure you give your Cavapoo lots of chew toys. The classic Kong Toy is really popular as you can fill it with peanut butter or other treats inside to keep your Cavapoo busy for hours on end.

Adolescent Stage (6 to 18 months old)

During the adolescent stage, Cavapoos may start displaying some regressive behavior like not listening to your training commands, being a bit aggressive or chewing up stuff. This is especially the case if your Cavapoo is not desexed as their hormones will start to kick in. Just remember that this won’t last long and be patient as your Cavapoo is a teenager.

During this period, your Cavapoo will reach their full adult size, they’ll get their adult coat and you’ll have to eventually swap over to adult food.

Adulthood (18 months to 10 years old)

Cavapoos will start to calm down and settle into their adult personality during adulthood however they will still be very active as this is a feature of the breed. You’ll start to notice that all your earlier training has paid off but you should still keep it up as Cavapoos love learning new tricks and it’s great mental stimulation.

Senior (10+ years old)

From 10 years of age, a Cavapoo is considered to be a senior dog. During this time they will start to slow down due to age. For example, your Cavapoo may prefer going for a walk instead of a run at the dog park. As they are rapidly ageing, your Cavapoo will need to get extra nutrients to support their system. For that reason, you may decide to switch out their adult kibble for a senior formula. They may also start suffering from health issues like arthritis so you may consider getting your Cavapoo a dog ramp to help them get in and out of the car and also up onto furniture.

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Extending The Lifespan Of A Cavapoo

1. Feed Them A Healthy Diet That Is Age Appropriate

Aim to feed your Cavapoo a premium diet to ensure they get all their nutrients as health is essential to a longer lifespan. Cheaper dog food usually contains very low quality meat as well as fillers which is unhealthy.

You should also aim to feed your Cavapoo food that is suitable for their life stage, depending on whether they are a puppy, adult or senior dog. Kibble formulas are customised for different dog ages as producers adjust the nutrients and supplements for each life stage. For example, senior formulas have nutrients that support bones and joints.

Try to keep snacking to a minimum. While your dog may love their treats, don’t go overboard with rewarding them with treats, especially if your Cavapoo is starting to get overweight. Consider swapping out treats for their favorite toys as a reward for training exercises. You can also cut your dog treats into smaller pieces than what is provided in the packet so they last longer.

2. Take Them Out For Daily Exercise

Cavapoos may be a small dog but they still need plenty of daily exercise – both physical and mental. Take your Cavapoo out for daily walks and let them run around at the dog park or in your backyard so they use up all their energy.

As for mental exercise, you should keep training your Cavapoo into adulthood and also play some brain training games like an interactive treat puzzle or give them a classic Kong Toy that is filled with treats.

3. Keep Up Grooming

Grooming your Cavapoo is vital to keep them hygienic and healthy. The grooming routine for your Cavapoo should include steps for their coat, ears and teeth.

Regularly brush your Cavapoo as they have a thick, curly coat which can easily get tangled and matted. If untreated, tangled and matted hair can lead to skin infections or irritations. Brushing your Cavapoo is also a good chance to check their skin for any injuries, fleas or ticks. Slicker brushes are generally the best for Cavapoos.

Cavapoos have floppy ears so they are prone to getting ear infections. If you Cavapoo gets wet, make sure to dry their ears well to prevent them from getting infected.

4. Keep On Top Of Vet Appointments

Take your Cavapoo to regular vet check-ups to make sure everything is going well and so you can treat any health issues quickly as early identification can help increase a Cavapoo’s lifespan.

Additionally, make sure you keep on top of yearly vaccinations as well as flea, tick and worm treatments.

5. Make Your Home Fit For An Older Cavapoo

As your Cavapoo gets older, there is an increased risk of arthritis and joint issues which can make mobility more difficult. For these reasons you may need to modify your home to accomodate for your senior dog.

If your Cavapoo finds it difficult to lower their neck to eat food or drink water you may want to invest in raised dog bowls to make feeding easier. If it is becoming difficult for them to jump up onto your bed or couch you may want to get a dog ramp. You may also decide to invest in an orthopedic bed if your Cavapoo has joint issues to ease the pain.