Are Cavapoos Hypoallergenic? (An Allergy Sufferers Guide)

Do you love the idea of having a canine companion but worry about the runny nose and itchy, watery eyes? Allergies can prohibit you from purchasing a dog due to your physical discomfort. However, that may not have to limit you for long. Many people advertise so-called hypoallergenic dogs that are great for allergy sufferers. Are Cavapoos hypoallergenic?

As a general rule, Cavapoos are considered to be primarily hypoallergenic. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, but Cavapoos do shed less than the average dog. This makes them ideal companions for those who suffer from allergies as their bodies release less dander and fur into the air of your home.

If you have been thinking about getting a dog despite your allergies, a Cavapoo might be the right breed for you. Read more about what sets this dog apart in this detailed breakdown.

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Are Cavapoos Hypoallergenic?

Many people want to purchase a hypoallergenic dog because they believe it will be easier on the sinuses. Even if you suffer from dog allergies, you might still have a deep desire for the unconditional love of a canine companion. This might not be good news for allergy sufferers, but there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Even many of the designer dogs marketed as hypoallergenic may not be as allergy-friendly as they seem.

It is a common misconception that these dog allergies are caused by the fur of the pet. In reality, the allergy is most often caused by a specific protein present in the saliva and urine of these common household pets. When your dog licks or grooms itself, these proteins are transferred to the dead skin flakes or dander of your dog.

Dogs who don’t shed much are often marketed as hypoallergenic. Why is this? Because these dogs shed less often, they release less dander that is coated with the allergy-causing protein. As a result, you have less of the triggering substance floating around your home or on your furniture.

Dander is more challenging to clean because it is often invisible. Unlike fur that can easily be swept or vacuumed, dander is more likely to be breathed in and trigger allergy symptoms like a runny nose or watery eyes.

Cavapoos are a popular breed that is often marketed as hypoallergenic. Many dogs of this breed take after the Poodle parent and have little to no shedding. They can still be excellent companions for those who suffer from allergies. This breed is as close to hypoallergenic as dogs can come, so you shouldn’t rule it out if you want to get a dog that doesn’t interfere with your allergies.

If you suffer from allergies, you should look for a dog like the Cavapoo that is primarily hypoallergenic. Because they do not shed much, they also do not release as much dander into the air and therefore spread fewer allergens around your home. They are smaller dogs, which means they will shed less than larger breeds and have less dander.

In addition to shedding, you should also pay attention to how much a dog drools. Because the allergy-causing protein is present in their saliva, a dog who drools a lot like certain hound dog breeds may trigger more intense allergies. The good news is that Poodles do not generally drool much, and their offspring like the Cavapoo tend to inherit this excellent characteristic.

Do They Shed? Shed a Lot?

The amount of shedding a Cavapoo does often has to do with their breeding. They will have both a Poodle parent and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent if they are a first-generation Cavapoo. It would help if you kept in mind that the Poodle is where the Cavapoo inherits its mostly hypoallergenic attributes.

Many dogs inherit the wavy or curly coat that does not shed much from the Poodle parent in this breeding. However, it is still possible that they will not be as hypoallergenic as you might like. If you genuinely want a Cavapoo who does not shed much, you might want to consider getting one with more Poodle genetics than Cavalier King Charles Spaniel genetics.

How do you do this? Well, you might want to consider getting an F1B Cavapoo that has three-quarters of its genetics inherited from the Poodle and only one quarter inherited from the Spaniel side.

The more Poodle genetics your Cavapoo has, the less likely it is to shed. The wavy or curly coats that many Cavapoos have may shed a little but not much. Curly-coated Cavapoos are the least likely to shed out of all the available coat types.

Managing and Mitigating Allergies

If you are determined to get a dog despite your allergies, there are a few things you can do to mitigate your symptoms. Cavapoos are a mostly hypoallergenic breed. However, some of these tips and tricks can help to eliminate the remaining chance that you will suffer from allergies around this breed.

Regular Grooming

If you want to minimize allergies, the best thing you can do is groom your Cavapoo regularly. You might decide to do the grooming and bathing at home if you are handy and your dog is used to being handled. However, most people prefer to take their dog to the groomer.

Keep in mind that you might stir up lots of dander and loose fur while brushing and bathing your pup. Those who suffer from allergies may prefer to let someone else handle this task to minimize their symptoms.

Be careful that you do not accidentally dry out your dog’s coat and skin by bathing too regularly, though. Dry, flaky skin can lead to more dander and an increase in allergy symptoms. Some experts recommend only bathing your dog once a month, but you can experiment with doing it more regularly to see if it makes an impact on your allergies.

When you do bathe them, make sure you use a nourishing shampoo good for the skin. Consider using a conditioning shampoo such as Burt’s Bees for Dogs Oatmeal Shampoo that contains colloidal oat flour and honey.

Keep Cavapoos Out of Bedrooms

Since there is no avoiding the fact that you may still have a mild allergic reaction to your pup, make sure you have a safe space where you can rest from your symptoms. One way to do this is to keep your Cavapoo out of the bedroom. This allows you to still get some rest without giving in to annoying symptoms like a runny nose that will keep you up all night.

While it may be hard to stay away from your canine, consider banning them from rooms where you spend a lot of time. For example, you might want to keep them out of your office as well. As long as they have a safe and comfortable space to spend their days, they won’t mind being kept apart from you while you work.

Sweep and Vacuum Regularly

It probably goes without saying, but you will need to clean a bit more regularly if you have both dogs and allergies. Carpets tend to trap pet dander and hair. If you have the option, choose hard surface floors like laminate, tile, or wood. These are easier to sweep and keep free of pet allergens.

In a similar vein to the last tip, you might consider confining your dog only to areas with hard surface floors. It can make cleaning a breeze and eliminate some of those lingering allergy issues you might be encountering.

Purify the Air

Depending on how sensitive your allergies are, you may still suffer from some mild symptoms with your Cavapoo. You can eliminate the airborne allergens causing your discomfort with an air purifier or the proper filters for your HVAC system. An air purifier can draw out those pesky allergens while a vent filter traps them in its grid. Most experts recommend using a high-efficiency particulate air purifier, most often abbreviated as a HEPA filter.

If you have dogs and allergies, you will have to change this filter more regularly than ordinary. Swapping it out every sixty days should help you to minimize the impact of allergens in your home. If you have more than one pet, you might need to swap it out even more regularly. Monthly would be a safe option if you have a Cavapoo and another animal in the home.

FInal Thoughts – Keeping Allergies to a Minimum with Cavapoos

Cavapoos are as close to hypoallergenic as you might be able to get when it comes to a dog. Particularly if they have more Poodle genes and curly coats, they shed very little or not at all. This releases less dander in the air and minimizes your allergy symptoms. You can also minimize your symptoms through routine grooming, air purifying, and limiting where your dog can go in the house. Don’t let allergies keep you from getting your new best friend!