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As a cavoodle owner you can definitely get swept up in the whole “teddy bear” look and letting their coat grow out over winter. However once the warmer weather starts it’s time to think about getting them clipped and ready for tick season. 

I can tell you first hand how hard it is to lose a cavoodle due to one little nasty tick. It’s absolutely heart wrenching and that’s why I want to share my story with you so you don’t have to go through the same terrible experience. 

Here are the 3 main reasons it’s important you get your cavoodle trimmed to a manageable length during spring, summer and also groom them daily. 

 

1. More comfortable for your cavoodle:

If you like to take your cavoodle out for daily walks or runs, as the weather gets warmer it's a good idea that you get the groomer to clip their coat shorter than usual so they don’t overheat. But be sure they don’t shave them down to the skin otherwise this can lead to sunburn, rashes or skin sensitivities. 

 

2. Easier to maintain coat daily: 

With the warmer weather also brings out things in the grass like bindi weeds. All Australians know these little prickly things can be such a pain, but when they get stuck in the coat of a cavoodle with fleece or even woollen hair it can be a disaster and the source of some very large matting, especially on their belly hair and behind the ears! If your cavoodle’s coat is clipped shorter these bindis will have less to hold onto and you will be able to spot them straight away and remove them. 

 

 

During summer it’s also common to let your cavoodle jump in the pool or take them to the beach. With a long coat if you don’t wash them with fresh clean water straight away the chlorine, salt or sand starts to make the coat stiff, dull, dry and can irritate the skin causing it to become flaky. A dry stiff coat can lead to knots or matting, so with a shorter coat it’s a lot easier to maintain. 

 

3. Easy to spot ticks early:

 

As mentioned I personally have lost my own beautiful cavoodle girl (Roxy) to tick paralysis years ago. Even though she was always clipped short and on tick prevention, we spent a weekend down the south coast of NSW in summer and she loved going on long beach walks with me, but little did we know a small tick had hid itself in her facial hair near her moustache (between the nose and mouth). 

 

When we got home she was perfectly normal up until about 48-72 hrs later when we noticed she was vomiting up green liquid and we could see she was dragging her hind legs on the floor like she was becoming paralysed and couldn’t lift herself up. We quickly rushed her to the vet and they had found the tick and said they needed to treat her for tick paralysis. A couple thousand dollars later, the vets managed to save her, but because they needed to keep her on fluids at the vet for a few days, she was so fragile and stressed about being in a new environment away from us her little heart gave out and she passed away. 

 

It was a really sad and tough time for my family to go through this so that’s why i want to share with you the importance of keeping your cavoodles coat maintainable and what to look out for. 

 

So, what’s a tick?  Ticks are small parasites that range from a brown, grey to black colour and sometimes can look like a wart on the cavoodle skin, if you look closer on inspection it has eight tiny legs. They are usually between 3mm and 10mm in diameter and attach with their mouth making a hole in the skin which can often be painful or itchy while they inject small amounts of toxic saliva into your cavoodle. See pictures below:

 

Are ticks deadly to cavoodles? YES, ticks are extremely dangerous parasites to cavoodles that can result in paralysis, heart failure and death within a few days of signs presenting. If you find a tick on your cavoodle or even if you are not sure if it is a tick, we STRONGLY recommend you take your cavoodle to the vet ASAP! 

 

Symptoms of tick paralysis: 

• Wobbly back legs
• Reluctance to jump or walk
• Weakness climbing stairs
• Coughing or grunting
• Retching, regurgitating or vomiting
• Change in bark or meow
• Difficult or fast breathing
• Complete paralysis or collapse

The tick can live up to three weeks before it is fully engorged and begins injecting its toxin. Hotter weather will cause faster engorgement and thus quicker paralysis. 

 

What is the treatment from the vet?

Here is a list of actions vets will take to treat your cavoodle for a tick according to the Australian Animal Emergency Services:

1. Sedation to help calm your pet. Pets get very distressed when they cannot move or have trouble breathing. Sedation will help in removing any anxiety
2.  Oxygen therapy if having difficulty breathing
3. Emergency intubation and manual ventilation - If your pet is having a lot of trouble breathing, either from severe paralysis or there is vomit inside the lungs (aspiration pneumonia) tube is placed down your pet’s airways and a nurse will breath for them.
4. Tick search and removal of any remaining ticks
5. Medications - Tick antiserum or Antibiotics (if suspected lung infection from breathing in vomit).
6. Blood tests - Assess your pet’s ability to breath, Monitor hydration status and electrolyte levels (commonly lost through vomiting).
7. X-rays - If your pet is having trouble breathing
8. Intensive nursing care - your pet won't be able to urinate as their bladder is paralysed; a nurse will need to help empty their bladder regularly, help change your pet’s position to prevent pressure sores since they cannot move, provide medications for your pet’s eyes when they cannot blink to prevent development of eye ulcers, perform multiple tick searches throughout hospital stay, conduct full-body tick clip – this helps in finding further ticks, use anti-parasitic shampoos to eliminate any remaining ticks, in case they are too small to be found by hand
9. Mechanical ventilation - For pets too paralysed to breathe or severe lung disease they cannot breathe (from breathing vomit into their lungs)

 

How much can treating tick paralysis cost?

Some tick treatments can be very simple and inexpensive. While others can range from $5,000 up to $10,000 in the most severe cases according to budget direct pet insurance.

 

Does pet insurance cover tick paralysis?

Some pet insurance policies have an annual limit for paralysis tick treatment, so insurers will only cover you up to a certain amount. It's really important that you make sure it is included in your policy and the higher amount you can get covered for the better! 

Here are just a couple insurance companies and policies that show how much cover they provide for tick paralysis online along with the limit amount per year:

• Medibank 
• Essential Pet care - $1000
• Ultimate Pet care & Emergency Pet Care - $1,200
• Bow wow meow
• Peace of Mind Plan - $2000 
• Ultimate Care Plan $3000
• RSPCA
• Ultimate Accident & Illness Cover $ 1,200
• Economy Accident & Illness Cover $1,000
• General Accident & Illness Cover $2,000
• Budget Direct Dog Insurance - $1500

 

How to prevent your cavoodle from getting tick paralysis?

1. Use tick and flea treatments consistently. Some brands include:

• NexGard
• Bravecto
• Advantix
• Simparica

 

2. Keep their coat short and well maintained during tick season (anywhere from September to the end of summer). 

 

3. Check for ticks on your cavoodle daily and especially after going to the park, on walks or the beach.

The most reliable way to locate ticks according to Pittwater animal hospital is to systematically run your fingers through their coat. Press your fingertips down to the skin level and draw systematic little circles trying to cover the whole skin surface. Start at the nose and move along between the nose and eyes. Search in the lips and around the ears. Especially important to search long haired dogs very thoroughly between the eyes and the end of the nose as this is a common area for ticks to be missed.

If you have a cavoodle that loves to get into everything and chew on anything, you want to ensure the plants in your backyard or in the house they can reach aren’t toxic for them. Even if you don’t have a chewer on your hands, cavoodles can be curious, and if you’re not watching them 24/7, you never know what they could put into their mouth. The consequences of them ingesting a plant that is even mildly toxic for them could end in you having a very sick cavoodle and a large bill from the vet hospital. 

Common symptoms to look out for if you think your cavoodle has eaten a toxic plant include vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, lack of appetite, skin irritation, lethargy, difficulties breathing and in extreme cases seizures.

However, this can be completely avoided by choosing plants that are non-toxic to your cavoodle! We have put together a cheat sheet with an extensive list of toxic plants you want to avoid, along with coloured pictures to help you spot if you have these lying around your property, along with a few non toxic ones you can add to your collection!

Download here

 

Does your cavoodle suffer from itchy skin issues, arthritis or their coat looking a little dull?

Hemp Seed Oil contains natural fatty acids omega 3,6 & 9 that is a natural anti-inflammatory, can help improve skin conditions and also boost brain development in cavoodle puppies!

It also:

• Improves gut health & helps with digestion
• Improves hip & joint support, helps with arthritis in ageing cavoodles
• Is an anti-inflammatory & natural stress reliever
• Produces a healthy, shiny looking coat
• Relieves itchy skin

Our mycavoodle hemp seed oil is 100% Australian product and does not contain CBD or THC. It's the perfect supplement to add to their meals daily or apply to dry, cracked paws or noses.

 

FAQ's

Is hemp seed oil a drug?

No, our hemp seed oil is not a drug. It is made from pure hemp seed oil and contains no CBD or THC. It is 100% pure with no side effects, only nutritious benefits! Hemp, cannabis and marijuana are the same plant species, Cannabis Sativa, but they are different varieties that have been bred for different purposes. The main difference is that marijuana contains high THC levels, and the hemp that's in our hemp seed oil has no THC content.

 

What does Hemp Seed Oil taste like?

Hemp oil has a smooth, nutty taste and is a yellow-green colour. Fussy-eating cavoodles may notice straight away something is different when put in their food. We recommend putting on high-value foods when first introducing to your pup so they can't say no! Feeding with food that also already has a potent flavour or scent may also work better e.g. on Tuna/Salmon. Be persistent if they refuse to eat it, the nutritional benefits it will bring will outweigh the trouble!

 

Will this help with my cavoodles separation anxiety or calm them down?

Our hemp oil is not for treating anxiety as it does not contain CBD or THC which are the parts of the hemp plant that contain the phytochemical compound. If your cavoodle does suffer from conditions, including severe skin irritations, severe arthritis causing pain, separation anxiety and mood disorders, seizure disorders, or cancer then speak to your vet about a prescription for CBD oil (we do not sell this - The laws around CBD oil in Australia make it very difficult to access except through a medical practitioner).

 

Other benefits of hemp seed oil include:

 

Going back to 2009, my parents bought me my first cavoodle puppy, Roxy, for a whopping $800 from a breeder 4-5 hours away from Sydney in Forbes. Back then they weren’t a popular dog being a cross-breed and being considered a “mutt” (a mutt is a mixed breed of dog, which have more than 2 breeds in their genetic make-up, sometimes even more than 3 or 4).

Their average going price back then was around $800-$1200 in NSW, still pricey for a breed that wasn’t around long, but because they were bred specifically for allergy sufferers (which my sister and I were) dad did his research and thought a cavoodle would make the perfect family pet!  

Skipping forward 12 years to 2021, cavoodles are now Australia’s #1 breed according to Hill’s. The average price for a cavoodle puppy in NSW can go anywhere from $4500-7000 thanks to coronavirus inflating the prices! 

We’ve put together 3 main reasons why we believe the price of cavoodle puppies has increased by $2-5k in the last 18 months:

#1. The Perfect breed for covid-19 lockdown in Australia & Access to our super!

When Australia first went into lockdown in March 2020, instantly the prices of so many dog breeds, especially the cavoodle puppy skyrocketed from an average price of $2000-3000, all the way up to $4500-7000! We believe many factors arose due to this happening including Australians being able to access their super early. This made for a great deal of disposable income if people still had their jobs, so if we couldn’t go on holidays with this money what else was there to do besides buy a new car (not that we could go far with it!), how about buy a new puppy for the family instead? Seems like a great idea to keep the kids occupied and for couples who may have had to put off their wedding it makes the perfect nesting scenario before having kids (we fell into the later category with bambi!)

Due to smaller land sizes in metro cities across Australia and the rise in apartment buildings, it also makes sense that people would want a pet that can live inside or in small backyards while we were all told to stay inside during the lockdowns. So looks like our perfect little secret got out… That cavoodle’s made a great family pet, companion and pandemic puppy! With their teddy bear appearances, how could a child not love this breed and for parents buying a dog that is gentle, friendly, doesn’t grow very big, eats smaller meals, can live inside, is smart, trainable, loyal, good with kids, what are the reasons people wouldn’t consider a cavoodle the best family pet and the perfect breed to buy in a lockdown!

 

# 2. Supply and demand of Cavoodles from breeders and pet shops 

Due to reason #1 Australian’s flocked onto cavoodle breeder waiting lists which caused a supply and demand problem. Seeing as responsible breeders might have only between 1-4 breeding girls at a time, they can only breed once a year and they must be over the age of 1.5-2 years old ideally. 

With the many factors that play a part in this it also means litters can sometimes be unpredictable or the numbers of puppies birthed can be low. Cavoodles are smaller dogs, so litters can be as low as two, or as high as 10, but the average tends to hover around four- six puppies per cavoodle litter. 

This means people on waiting lists could be waiting for months or a year to receive a puppy depending how far down the list they are. So the obvious thing is to obviously put yourself down on a number of waiting lists to see which opens first, creating a big supply and demand problem driving prices up and up! This along with the general expenses of caring for a cavoodle and their puppies can add up with constant vet checkups, x-rays, increase in food purchases and stud fees.

#3. Scammers and Puppy flipping from cheap puppy prices

Another key reason the price of cavoodles increased dramatically in a short amount of time was because of scammers and puppy flippers online and on social media.

Cavoodle scammers and puppy flippers are people who set up fake profiles, websites or socials to trick people into putting down large deposits for cavoodles that don’t exist (they aren’t real breeders), they do this by stealing other breeder photos of puppies online. 

Being aware of cavoodle scammers is really important as during the covid-19 pandemic, the ACCC says scammers were targeting people seeking a furry companion during social isolation. With 1047 reports of puppy scams between 1 January and 31 July, 2020, with almost $1 million in reported losses and 184 cavoodle scams specifically.

Puppy flippers are people who would purchase a cavoodle for a lower rate for example $4500 and then as soon as they pick them up from a breeder or pet shop they would have another buyer lined up already who was willing to pay $6000-$7000. This means the “puppy flipper” would automatically make between $1500-2500 by being a middle man and scamming desperate Australians who are after a cavoodle puppy to join their family. 

Due to this happening frequently across Australia during the early stages of the pandemic, breeders increased their prices so then it would deter scammers and puppy flippers. 

While we TOTALLY agree the prices did go up ridiculously high in such a short amount of time, we believe this breed is worth every cent. Bambi has brought so much joy into our lives, especially in this 2021 three-month never ending NSW lockdown and I personally wouldn’t get any other breed as they make the best companion and family member who you will cherish forever!

The first time you see your cavoodle reverse sneeze, it's quite confronting and is one of those scary moments where your heart drops and you go oh my god what's happening to my dog?

If you’ve never seen your cavoodle reverse sneeze before it sounds and looks like they are gagging or snorting and resembles a spasm like episode that can sometimes go on for about 5 to 30 seconds.

If you’ve never heard and seen it before, here’s a video we caught of Bambi doing it:

 

So what is a reverse sneeze exactly? 

A reverse sneeze is a respiratory event that's semi-voluntary behaviour caused by irritation or inflammation of the nasal/ sinus passages and is a way for cavoodles to remove particles from their upper airways. 

What causes a cavoodle to reverse sneeze?

There are a number of things that can cause a cavoodle to reverse sneeze including pollen, dust, allergies, reduced airspace, nasal mites and can also occur when they get really over excited. 

Does it hurt them?

Reverse sneezing isn’t painful but some cavoodles can become anxious or uncomfortable if it lasts for too long, but they are usually perfectly fine before and after a reverse sneezing event. 

It's common that if your cavoodle does reverse sneeze they will likely do it again in the future, but if it occurs on a daily basis then it's a problem and you will need to speak to your vet about it. 

What should I do if my cavoodle sneezes and how do I stop it?

Some common ways to stop your cavoodle reverse sneezing is to pinch or hold their nostrils closed for a second and calmly massage their throat. Other ways include blowing lightly in their face, verbally calm them down, call out their name or distract them with a toy or treat. 

There is so much information out there on google it’s hard to know what kind of diet is best for our cavoodles. You would have heard through your breeder, pet shop, friends, family, vet or just other dog owners talk about if they feed their dogs a fresh, raw or packet food diet. We are going to run through each of them, the benefits and the risks/cons so you can decide what diet is best for you and your cavoodle. 

Now if you’re a person who gets easily offended this article might not be for you! Cavoodles are quite a special dog and only cavoodle owners truly know how fussy, sensitive, smart and cheeky they can be! There is never going to be one “right” answer for everybody about this topic due to household budgets, beliefs and the fact that not all cavoodles are the same, so let's dig into it!

What is a raw diet?

A raw diet is very straight forward, it's “raw” food! Usually in the form of raw organ meats, raw bones, raw eggs, fruits, vegetables, seeds and some dairy products. 

Examples of foods in a raw food diet: sardines, liver, chicken bones, raw egg yolk + shell, kidney, pumpkin, sweet potato, green beans, peas, spinach, broccoli, blueberries, raspberries, grounded chia seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds. 

3 Reasons people believe feeding their cavoodles a raw diet is better? 

1. According to Veterinary Practice News the most common reason for feeding your dog a raw diet is that it is a “natural” and some argue because dogs descended from wolves it's the natural evolution and is “healthier” for them. 
2. Some claim raw diets have specific health effects like a better, shinier coat, better stool quality, lower risk of diabetes, allergies, cancer and other serious illnesses. 
3. Lastly as cavoodles and dogs in general become more part of the family and household routine then ever before owners believe that packaged commercial or supermarket dog food you can buy at woolworths and coles is nutritionally unhealthy, full of preservatives, additives and is not good enough for their furbaby as its the equivalent of feeding them Mcdonalds!

 

Benefits of a raw diet explained by 7 experienced vets

1. Can improve skin and coat appearance 
2. Can mprove anal gland and gut problems 
3. Keeps teeth and gums healthy, free from plaque
4. Can improve chronic diseases
5. Helps to get exercise with their jaws, muscle and tongue

 

 

The risks & hazard of feeding your cavoodle a raw diet

1. Bacteria in Raw Meat: Raw dog food has been found to contain salmonella and E. coli. The bacteria is shed in the canine’s stool and can be transferred to humans. Both E. coli and salmonella bacteria can be especially dangerous to people with auto-immune diseases, the elderly and small children. 
2. Unbalanced Diet: When switching to a raw food diet, lots of people believe they only need to feed their cavoodle meat only. But a cavoodle needs more than a high protein diet. The meat needs to be balanced with nutrients from grains, fruits and vegetables. 
3. Choking hazard from eating whole bones: Dogs can choke on bones. If swallowed, sharp bones can also cause lacerations and obstructions in the intestinal system. While there are some risks to feeding meat containing bones, there are also many benefits such as improving oral health and calcium intake.
4. Gastrointestinal problems: Changing the diet too suddenly can cause diarrhea and other intestinal issues including vomiting for a few days during the transition.

Note: cavoodles have naturally sensitive tummies its very common with this breed so if you are going to try a raw diet you need to introduce it to them slowly with a mix of their old food with the new food and wean it off them checking with your vet what age is best to do this. 

 

 

What is a fresh food diet?

A “fresh” diet is one that's made with natural, real ingredients such as chicken mince, breast, tenderloins, thigh, beef, lamb, some vegetables and fruits which are cooked and easy for them to eat. See below fruits and vegetables your cavoodle can and cannot eat, along with toxic human foods to keep them away from and examples of a fresh meal.

 

 

 

Benefits of feeding your cavoodle a fresh food diet:

• According to the AKC can do wonders for their overall well-being including:
• Improved heart health
• Increasing energy level
• Making coats shiny
• Breath smell better
• Improving eyesight
• More solid stool

 

Cons of feeding a fresh food diet to you cavoodle:

• These ingredients including mince, and protein can be expensive and add up over time
• These meals are time consuming to prepare and not always convenient, especially when travelling and on the go
• If not prepared right can lead to an unbalanced diet meaning you cavoodle may have nutrient deficiencies if there is not a good mix of the six basic nutrients including water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. These essential nutrients are required as part of the dog’s regular diet and are involved in all of the basic functions of the body.

 

What is a packet food diet?

A packet or commercial diet can also be known as wet or dry dog food that you buy either from the supermarket or specialist veterinary branded ones in the form of trays, sachets, tins, prime rolls and dry kibble in bags. See examples of pictures below:

 

 

Benefits of feeding your cavoodle a packet food diet:

According to North Bundaberg Vet Surgery, the benefit of feeding a premium or veterinary branded food is that the product has been scientifically designed to meet the nutritional requirements of your pets for each stage of life/lifestyle or to manage health conditions. 

This is dependant on the brand, but they can also provide:

• The correct amount, balance and availability of nutrients to sustain physical and mental health and activity.
• Are pre-portioned to avoid over feeding which can cause obesity. 
• Tastiness (palatability) to ensure the food is eagerly consumed.
• Convenience of storage, and for going on weekend trips when you might not have access to a kitchen.

 

Cons of feeding a packet or commercial food diet to your cavoodle:

According to The Healing Vet here are a few reasons why you might think twice before feeding your cavoodle commercial dog food. 

1. They can be high in carbohydrates - High carb food means your pets are running on a sugar metabolism. This is a chronic stress on their metabolism, and can lead to all sorts of health problems over time.
2. The proteins in commercial foods can be processed at very high temperatures - This process denatures the proteins, making them less digestible and more likely to damage the immune system.
3. Unhealthy additives - Commercial pet foods are designed to be addictive. They are made highly palatable by adding salt (bad for the kidneys, dehydrates the body, very harmful), and flavourings to make it taste better. 
4. Pet shops and Vets have a financial interest in selling you commercial foods -  pet food is big money and these big companies that make these foods (especially the ‘prescription’ diets) influence the curriculum at universities. With the healing vet discussing that they were “lectured on nutrition” by these companies, and they own all the research.

 

Our own experience with all these diets feeding Bambi our cavoodle

One challenging experience we found when we got bambi as a pup was what to feed her! Because she was from a pet store they told us she was on packaged wet food and dry food, so we bought their recommendation and didn’t think twice about it. 

 

When it was time for dinner, I gave her a sachet of this packet of food and she basically turned her nose and wouldn’t go next to it! It sat in her pen all night till the very next morning which made me so worried! She refused to eat it even when I tried spoon feeding her (talk about spoilt!). Getting worried I called the pet shop and voiced my concern about her not eating their recommended wet pre-packaged food, they told me to try shredded boiled chicken and to see how i go. 

 

Boiling a pot of water and cooking the chicken until white all the way through, I shredded it up and next thing you know she was licking her lips at the sight of this fresh food and finished it all, which was a relief! Continuing to feed her this boiled chicken and dry small kibble, she would lick the bowl! 

 

However if you’ve ever smelt boiled chicken it's not that nice and stinks the house out a bit so to stop myself dry-retching every day preparing her meals, I tried alternating and re-introducing her to packaged food I could get from coles or woolies as it was convenient on weekend trips away and easy on the household budget, fresh protein gets quite expensive and adds up over time, plus i didn’t see the health benefits of always feeding her chicken! But meeting more and more dog owners who would talk about raw and fresh diets I felt guilty I wasn’t going to the effort to also feed her raw or fresh food. 

 

So we decided that we would try feeding her a raw diet starting by giving her raw turkey mince, well next thing you know… there was diarrhea everywhere! The change was too fast and her little sensitive tummy couldn’t handle it, so we went back to packet food. 

 

In the meantime we visited our vet and discussed all these options of feeding between a raw food, fresh food and packet food diet. She informed me that raw seemed to be the new fad and that if not done correctly, can actually cause more health issues as she wouldn’t get the right nutritional balance she needed. She explained that high quality brands like royal canin, the hills, black hawk, all these brands you can also find at vets have been formulated and developed by pet nutritionists to meet high standards and that if it says on the packaging it contains a “complete balanced diet” then it's perfectly fine to feed your cavoodle.

 

But slowly she started to get bored of the packet food and we were at a bit of a crossroads as she was getting turned off her wet food and only would eat the dry kibble. 

 

That's when we met a beautiful lady at the dog park who owned two cavoodles told us about this local Sydney business called Your Best Friends Butcher . They sell fresh raw pet food in 1kg containers, mixing through ingredients with their protein like coconut oil and stock 100% Australian produce that doesn’t cost the earth or your pocket! 

 

 

Not feeling extremely comfortable completely feeding her raw again, we decided we’d cook these up in a pot and feed it fresh with some dry kibble mixed through. She went crazy over it and finished her meal in like 60 seconds licking the bowl clean! She’s never loved her food more and we continue to feed her this now. The great thing is we are also supporting a local business, one container is only between $8.60-$9.10 and feeds her for 5-6 days morning and night which is so reasonably priced and we no longer personally feel guilty about not giving her a wholesome balanced diet that's fresh!  (Not saying if you feed your cavoodle packet food you should feel any guilt, this is just coming from our own experience.) 

 

After recently taking her to the vet again for a check up, they said she's the perfect weight, is a healthy and happy pup which ticks all our boxes. 

 

So at the end of the day, we always suggest you speak to your vet, pet nutritionist and research what you think is best for your own cavoodle puppy and whether a raw, fresh or packet food diet is right for your budget, time and your beliefs. 

 

Disclaimer* - we are not vets or animal nutritionists just simply providing knowledge so you can make an informed decision about what is best for you and your cavoodle, always speak to your vet before making any changes to your cavoodle’s diet. 

This question seems to pop up alot amongst cavoodle facebook groups and everyone always seems to have a different answer or recommendation of which pet insurance company to go with! In this article we are going to provide you with information about different pet insurances and what main health issues cavoodles suffer from so you can go off and make your own informed decision about what is right for you, your family, your budget and your new cavoodle puppy. 

Just like health insurance for us humans we don’t always know what the future holds and if we will need extra cover to protect us and our family when our health deteriorates or accidents occur which might put us in hospital. The same goes with pet insurance, it's there when we need it and still there when we don’t!

Pet insurance is an insurance policy bought by us cavoodle owners to help lessen the overall costs of expensive veterinary bills. Depending on the pet insurance we pay for we can have the entire or part of the procedure covered.  

No matter how careful or responsible we might like to think we are, accidents can happen or even genetic diseases may be present in our cavoodles that we don’t always know about (can occur if not breed with clear DNA tested parents). 

As a cavoodle parent it is our responsibility to care for our cavoodle the best we can, this includes taking care of them when they get ill or for routine check ups and vaccinations. Veterinary procedures and treatments like x-rays, anaesthesia, antibiotics, treating fractures or infections are very hard to always predict the cost of but can add up to be thousands of dollars over time. 

 

Research from the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) found that on average dog owners will spend over $25,000 over the course of their pet’s life and the average cost of vaccinations every year for an adult dog cost between $80-$90 and for puppies between $170-200 for their initial ones and standard vet checkups costing between $50-100

 

According to recent data on the most common pet accident and claims,  RSPCA Pet Insurance statistics show the average claim amount in FY2019 are for cancer ($3,503.74), tick paralysis ($1,156.87), diabetes ($1,952.39) and snake bites ($2,133.31), these are significant costs and would be quite a burden financially without the support of pet insurance for an average earning australian household. 

See below table of common accident and illness claims from the RSPCA:

 

It’s always a good idea to start socialising your cavoodle as soon as you can once they are fully vaccinated at 14 weeks. This includes at dog parks! 

 

I feel so lucky that within a 5km distance from us we have two dog parks that have sectioned off areas for small and big dogs. I love this idea as cavoodles tend to be on the smaller side of the scale. 

 

It makes me feel more at ease when we go to a small dog park where I can easily asses the situation and know that Bambi will be safe around dogs her own size and of similar breed, if anything did happen I could confidently step in. 

 

And it’s not that I have anything against bigger dogs but some just don’t know their own weight or size and we’ve been in situations where she just goes into the submissive position on her back and a big dog gets excited and is in the position where they could trample her. 

 

I don’t know about you but I don’t want any unnecessary vet bills from broken bones or unsolicited dog fight either! 

 

It also creates a scaring and fearful experience for your cavoodle if they feel unsafe or are constantly being pinned on the ground. That’s why we highly recommended taking your cavoodle to small dog parks only in their early days so they can get used to the space and the idea of socialising. 

 

They might not like it straight away and be timid at first, but if you pick a park you like and keep a routine of going on a weekly basis or organising a meet up time with a friend and their dog then your cavoodle will get familiar with it! 

 

You will tell they are getting used to it once they don’t stand at your feet or in between you legs 24/7 while you’re there and actually start playing with other dogs. It gives them a good run around and is great for their social skills too! 

 

Here are 4 great small dog parks we like: 

• Catherine fields: Rowland Ave, Catherine Field NSW 2557
• Emerald hills:  https://www.camdenadvertiser.com.au › ...Web resultsNew Emerald Hills dog park now open | Camden-Narellan Advertiser | Camden ...
• Shale hills in Cecil hills: Second Ave &, Mannow Ave, West Hoxton NSW 2171
• Elderslie: 44 River Rd, Elderslie NSW 2570

There are three types of coats a cavoodle can have because they are a crossbreed.

When bred their appearance is never guaranteed or predicted as some might take more of the traits of one parent, just as us humans can!

These 3 coats include:

1. A Straight-haired Cavoodle - Straight haired cavoodles take after their cavalier king charles spaniel parent. This means their legs may be shorter and their ears droopy like the characteristic of the cavalier. This also means their coat is quite short in appearance, may have a slight wave and resembles a coat of a long-haired terrier. Straight haired cavoodles will shed more, however, require a lot less grooming compared to cavoodles with thicker coats which get matted easily. Can be seen in first or second generation cavoodles.

 

2. A Fleece haired cavoodle - this is the most common coat in first-generation cavoodles. They appear to have long wavy coats or very loose curls that remind you of a teddy bear! Cavoodles with a fleece coat rarely shed, however, they do need to be more frequently groomed so matting of the fur does not occur and require clipping every few months. 

 

3. A Woollen haired cavoodle - These cavoodles tend to take more of the likening to a poodle, their legs are thinner and longer in nature, their fur is made up of extra tight curls, they have a longer snout and their ears are shorter like a poodle. They may also weigh less due to their small frame. These tend to be seen when bred as a F1b cavoodle (cavoodle x poodle).

The first big decision after bringing your new cavoodle puppy home is naming him/her!

Naming a new pup can be hard, especially when the family can’t agree on a mutual name!

Here are some don’t’s when naming your cavoodle, some things to help you choose the best name for your pup and also the top 10 most popular female, male and unisex cavoodle names we’ve heard on the facebook groups and at the park that suit our beautiful breed!

Don’t:

• Choose a name that's really long and is more than one to two syllables - it will be difficult for your new pup to understand
• Don’t choose a name that's offensive or you won’t want to say out in public at the dog park!
• Let young children call your puppy a name they will think is funny now but in 10 years time it might not be so suitable 
• Use names you might want to use for your next child or use the same name as some one in your extended family  

Things to name your cavoodle pup after:

• Your favourite movie character 
• Thor – Marvel
• Bond – James Bond
• Your favourite singer or band
• Prince – guitar player / musician
  Queen – band
• Your favourite actor 
• Denzel - Denzel Washington
  
• Leo - Leonardo DiCaprio
• Your favourite brand or fashion label
• Chanel
• Calvin
• Your favourite tv show or movie franchise
• Disney Names - Nala & Simba
• Your favourite food
• Saffron – expensive spice
• Whisky – after alcohol
• Your favourite city or country
• Rio - city in brazil 
• Cali - short for california
• Your favourite sports team or player
• Kobe – basketball player
• Venus – tennis player

Top 10 Cavoodle Names 

Female Names:  Lola Roxy/Roxie Millie Belle/Bella Minnie Daisy  Luna Ruby Nala Ivy

Male Names: Ollie/Olly Archie Oscar/Oska Bear  Milo/Mylo Teddie/teddy  Arlo Hudson Murphy  Kobe

Unisex Names: Bambi Frankie Charlie//Charli  Marley Bailey Waffle Nugget Peanut Koda Cookie