Frequently Asked Questions about Cava Inus

Can Cava Inus be Guard Dogs?

Whilst Cava Inus will whimper and cry like any other puppy, unless they feel there is a particular threat, they will rarely bark and will continue to get much quieter as they get older. You can train them to bark on command, and they are blessed with a wide range of vocalisations, but they are not suitable as a guard or deterrent dog as they are more likely to quietly approach an intruder and beg for treats.

Can Cava Inus live with Children?

Cava Inus are absolutely brilliant with children and will treat them like littermates, playing with them and even cleaning them up! Like any puppy, they will explore the world with their teeth at first, so there may be some nipped fingers and chewed cables. With positive reinforcement and "gentle" commands, a Cava Inu will usually be past this stage as soon as their adult teeth break through.

Can Cava Inus live with other animals?

Cava Inus have a high prey drive, inherited from their Shiba Inu genes, but they can be trained to live with any animal. Look on forums for more advice on how to introduce your pets and get them used to each other. Kira was living with chickens when we got her. Cats, she's fascinated by and always wants to sniff/chase them but I think that's because I've not let her get anywhere near the neighbours' cats so it's a mystery.

How much exercise do Cava Inus need?

In the first year, a Cava Inu will have a lot of energy to burn off (games, fetch, tug of war) - and require around 45 minutes of walking a day, which can be broken up over two walks. Adult Cava Inus are a lot more mellow - they can be content with having free run in a large and safely enclosed garden and 30 minutes of exercise a day. However, they will always love it if you can offer them even more exercise and have good stamina and speed.

How big do Cava Inus get?

This is a very mixed bag! I expected Kira to max out around 10kg and to be able to fly with her when I got her as a puppy, but she grew to 20kg! (her stable weight is 18kg). Other Cava Inus from the same litter have weighed in at 12kg and 15kg. You can tell from around the 2nd week after birth which are going to be the larger dogs in adult life.

Do Cava Inus have any behavioural issues or dietary needs?

Cava Inus can be very fussy eaters and may spend more time trying to get some of your food instead of eating their food. Should your Cava Inu not be eating to your liking, first try using a wooden "chomping" board for them to eat off instead of using a bowl. Try pretending you are "accidentally dropping" their food onto the board, and then turn your back to them (maybe take a seat and read or listen to an audiobook). When they know you are not looking, and believe that the food isn't really theirs, they are much more likely to start eating.

Should your Cava Inu not eat for more than 2 days, consult your vet for advice, as they can prescribe appetite stimulants (although no dog in good health will let themselves starve to death when there is food available and it is often us worrying more than they are).

Kira prefers raw food to kibble, but she eats a mix of each, along with little bits of human food that are considered "safe" for dogs to eat. Oddly, her inner Shiba Inu rules when it comes to her favourite human food, and she will wolf down Japanese food such as sushi (cooked fish only) and noodles, even if she isn't supposed to.

Cava Inus also love to rip things up, and this can continue into adult life if not corrected by positive reinforcement training. Keep things like pizza boxes, passports, and important paperwork out of their reach.

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