What to feed a spaniel: how to give natural and dry food at different ages (105 photos and videos)

№	Name	Rating	Nomination
The best dry food for cocker spaniels
1	Go! Natural Holistic Carnivore 4	4.89	The best ratio of price and quality
2	Acana Heritage Adult Small Breed	4.78	The best composition. Ideal balance of vitamins and minerals
3	Now Fresh Small Breed	4.75	Made from 100% fresh meat
4	Purina Pro Plan Optidigest	4.71	The most popular. Suitable for sensitive digestion
5	Monge Specialty line Mini Adult Salmon and Rice	4.65	For animals prone to allergies
Best Wet Foods for Cocker Spaniels
1	Grandorf Natural and Healthy	4.80	Hypoallergenic
2	Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal	4.79	For gastrointestinal diseases
3	Go! Grain Free Turkey Stew	4.75	100% natural canned food
4	Belcando	4.71	The most canned meats
5	Royal Canin Medium Adult	4.55	Best price

Spaniels are unpretentious eaters and do not require much variety. However, due to their good appetite, pets are prone to overeating. To maintain health, it is necessary to properly balance the diet and strictly control the amount of food. Since this is a very active breed of dog, the food must contain enough carbohydrates to provide energy. It is important that the proportion of proteins exceeds 20% for the growth, development and maintenance of muscle mass.

For spaniels, only premium and super-premium class products, as well as holistic products, are suitable. This is due to the fact that animals need a lot of meat, vegetables, macro- and microelements, which are contained in such feeds. Economy-class products contain a minimum of useful substances, and they often contain artificial additives and preservatives that can harm your pet. American and English cocker spaniels differ in body structure and character traits, but they require the same nutrition and care. Diets for small, medium and long-haired breeds are suitable for them. We analyzed the market and selected the best dry and wet food that will allow your pet to always remain healthy, vigorous and cheerful.

The best dry food for cocker spaniels

Dry food forms the basis of a spaniel's diet. Veterinarians and professional breeders recommend feeding the animal with it due to its optimally balanced composition, since self-combining products is inferior to high-quality food and does not cover the energy needs of an active dog. Dry diets contain all the necessary proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the correct proportions. Such food not only saturates, but also prevents pathologies of internal organs, protects against obesity and allows you to establish a healthy diet.

What to feed an older dog

Older dogs are less active, so their caloric intake is reduced. To do this, the amount of cereals is kept to a minimum, replacing them with healthy vegetables and light fermented milk products.

To ensure that food is better digested, the cocker spaniel is fed small portions 4-5 times a day. When feeding dry food, products for older dogs are used.

Top 5. Monge Specialty line Mini Adult Salmon and Rice

Rating (2020): 4.65

279 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, IRecommend, Otzovik, OZON

Nomination
For animals prone to allergies A special line from Monge is represented by five dry foods with a single source of protein: salmon, lamb, beef, chicken, duck. This allows you to choose the best option and eliminate components that cause an allergic reaction.
Characteristics
Country: Italy
Main ingredient: salmon
Protein percentage: 25%
Side dish: rice
Weight: 2.5 kg

Specialty line is a special line of super-premium dry food from the Italian company Monge. It is intended for animals prone to allergies and digestive disorders. The basis of the diet is only one source of protein, which allows you to choose the optimal nutrition. The version with salmon and rice is very popular. This is due to the fact that they are easily digestible and do not burden the digestive system. Salmon is also a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have a beneficial effect on the skin and coat. This is especially important for American, English and King Charles spaniels, whose coats require careful grooming. The only drawback is that Monje products are difficult to find in pet stores.

Advantages and disadvantages

Rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6, which are important for healthy skin and coat
Suitable for sensitive digestion
Contains glucosamine, chondroitin, calcium and phosphorus for joint health
Optimal granule size
Does not cause allergies

Hard to find in pet stores

Top 4. Purina Pro Plan Optidigest

Rating (2020): 4.71

477 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, IRecommend, Otzovik, OZON, Wildberries

Nomination
The most popular Purina Pro Plan became the most popular dry food in the ranking, based on the number of reviews and search queries. This success is due to excellent quality, useful properties and, of course, an attractive price.
Suitable for sensitive digestion Ideal solution for digestive problems. Easily digestible and does not burden the digestive system. Helps restore proper bowel function and normalize stool.
Characteristics
Country: France (made in Italy)
Main ingredient: poultry, lamb
Protein percentage: 25%
Side dish: corn, rice
Weight: 3 kg

Good premium dry food from the famous brand Purina Pro Plan. Veterinarians recommend it for sensitive digestion, as it helps get rid of increased gas formation, periodic vomiting, and normalizes stool. The product does not burden the digestive system and is easily digestible, and prebiotics have a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora. Judging by the reviews, the effect is noticeable after 2-3 days, which is good news. Also for a premium diet there is a good composition: there is high-quality lamb protein, vitamins and minerals. However, there is corn, which does not have much nutritional value, and gluten, which is also not very healthy.

Advantages and disadvantages

Ideal for sensitive digestion - easy to digest
Prebiotics improve the balance of intestinal microflora
Quickly normalizes stool
Popular, widely available food - available in most pet stores
Excellent taste - animals like it

Contains Corn and Gluten
Inconvenient packaging without fastener

How many times a day should you feed a cocker spaniel?

What to feed an American Cocker Spaniel?
An active and energetic dog needs proper nutrition, which affects the growth and development of bones, muscles and internal organs. Spaniels are not particularly picky about food, so the owner will be able to choose natural food for the dog or professional food, the composition of which has already been selected in ideal proportions. What to feed an American Cocker Spaniel puppy for 2, 3 months? For the first time after weaning from their mother, the puppies are fed the same thing that the breeder fed them, this will make it easier for them to get used to moving to a new environment. The leading part of the diet is milk and lactic acid products, then meat cut into small pieces is gradually added. A puppy up to 2 months is fed 6 times a day in small portions, the volume of which is 3-4 tablespoons. Subsequently, the number of feedings is reduced, and portions begin to increase.

It is recommended to give the spaniel beef, lean lamb, boneless chicken, the meat is given raw or boiled. It is not recommended to give minced meat to dogs, as they do not chew it well, resulting in serious digestive problems. The American Cocker Spaniel is fed at the same time every day. This will “tune” the digestive system and ensure good digestion.

When feeding, it is recommended to carefully secure the ears with a clothespin (only by the fur) or secure them with an elastic band so that they do not get dirty in the bowl. When the puppy grows up, the diet needs to be varied with porridges from various cereals; many spaniels enjoy eating vegetables. Pieces of raw vegetables are added to the porridge to provide the animal with the necessary fiber. The diet should also contain an egg once a week, cottage cheese, kefir and other fermented milk products.

To diversify your diet, you can have two fish days a week. Dogs are given only boiled sea fish without salt. Monitor the size of the portions: if the puppy has a very bloated belly, or he does not finish the food from the bowl, the portion size should be reduced; if he licks the bowl for a long time, on the contrary, increase it.

It is difficult to constantly maintain an ideal diet for an adult dog, so many owners prefer to switch their pets to professional food. It is better to select a brand of food, taking into account the opinion of an experienced veterinarian, in addition. food should only be premium class and higher. Popular supermarket foods are often made from low-quality raw materials, and they can cause great harm to a dog's health.

If you are switching your pet to dry food, make sure that he always has access to clean water, in addition, it is advisable to diversify his diet with various treats. These are canned dog food, as well as special chewing bones that are sold in stores. As a reward for following commands, you can give your dog pieces of meat, which will become the most delicious prize for him.

Any dog should not eat scraps from the human table, since our usual diet contains too much salt, spices, flavor enhancers and chemical additives. In addition, you should not give spicy, smoked, salty foods; this also applies to sausages, sausages and other human food.

Pork should not be given as a meat product, as it is too fatty. You should not give your dog long bones, as they can seriously damage the esophagus and stomach. A wisely selected diet will not only be tasty, but also safe for the dog.

To properly feed a Cocker Spaniel puppy, you need to study the characteristics of the breed. Next, you need to decide what to feed your Cocker Spaniel puppy, that is, choose between ready-made food, natural and mixed diet. The next step is to create a sample menu by age. Don't forget about vitamins and supplements, the role of water in your cocker spaniel's diet, and the dangers of prohibited foods.

When choosing what to feed your Cocker Spaniel puppy, you need to decide on a key area – the type of diet:

Natural.
Industrial.
Mixed.

All three types have advantages and disadvantages. Let's look a little more closely.

Natural diet

The more natural diet for a Cocker Spaniel puppy has always been and remains natural products. A natural diet for a Cocker Spaniel puppy includes:

Feeding raw and cooked foods.
Feeding meat porridge.
Feeding exclusively raw foods is a raw food diet.

Benefits of a natural diet for a Cocker Spaniel puppy:

High-quality natural products can be given to your puppy from a very early age.
A natural diet is cheaper than high-quality industrial feed.
You can always control the quality and freshness of products.
The natural diet can be adjusted at any time.
Taste variety.

Disadvantages of a natural diet for a Cocker Spaniel puppy:

You need to spend time preparing food for your dog.
Porridge and other natural products should not be left in a bowl for the dog to eat during the day.
The puppy may develop an allergy, although cocker spaniels are not prone to this disease.

A Cocker Spaniel puppy can be switched to natural products from the age of one month. If the puppy is orphaned, it can be fed with special formulas based on milk, glucose, eggs (and other options) or homemade goat milk.

Ready-made feed

Ready-made food for a Cocker Spaniel puppy is an excellent and sometimes the only alternative for working owners. Having opted for an industrial diet, you need to understand the nuances. Ready-made food for Cocker Spaniel puppy is divided into types:

Dry (granules).
Semi-moist (pieces with gravy).
Moist (pate or paste).
Treats.

Naturally, the main indicator that you need to focus on when choosing food is quality. Industrial food for Cocker Spaniel puppy is divided into classes:

Economy
Premium
Super premium.
Holistic.

If your dog has individual characteristics, you need to choose specialized food lines.

According to their intended purpose, ready-made feeds are divided into:

Everyday.
Supportive.
Preventive.
Medicinal.
For exhausted animals.
Hygienic (usually treats).

Advantages of ready-made feed:

No need to cook.
They are stored for a long time.
Easy to dose.
High-quality feed contains enough proteins, vitamins and minerals.

Disadvantages of ready-made feeds:

Good food is more expensive than natural feeding.
Holistic class food is almost never sold in retail.
Expensive food is often counterfeited.
A Cocker Spaniel puppy should not be switched to dry food until its teeth change.
The dog should not be fed only dry or only wet food.

A cocker spaniel puppy can be switched to high-quality, canned food from 1–1.5 months of age. To feed puppies from birth, a substitute for bitch's milk is used - ready-made food in the form of a powder that is diluted with water.

Mixed diet

A mixed diet is the simultaneous feeding of prepared and natural products. Within the framework of mixed feeding there are:

Mixing food - dry or soaked dry food and natural products.
Separate feeding - for example, dry food in the morning, porridge in the evening.

Benefits of a mixed diet:

Owner convenience.
Quick satiation of the pet.

Flaws:

The threat of vitamin deficiency when using low-grade feed.
The threat of excess vitamins and an allergic reaction to proteins when using high-quality food.
Dysbacteriosis, indigestion.
Gaining excess weight.

Important! A Cocker Spaniel puppy can be switched to mixed feeding no earlier than 4–5 months of age. However, veterinarians and feed manufacturers do not recommend a mixed diet.

Cocker spaniels are the cutest and fun-loving creatures who love active games and delicious food. Moreover, in the latter they are absolutely picky. This gives another reason to take the choice of diet more seriously, because an overfed cocker is a lazy, lethargic dog with poor health. Let's figure out what to feed your cocker spaniel and understand how to avoid overeating your pet.

Due to the gluttony of cockers, owners have to strictly monitor the portion size and strictly adhere to the feeding regime. A puppy is given an average of 4-5 tablespoons of food per meal, an adult dog consumes an average of 1.5-2.5 glasses.

We suggest you read: Feeding the Rhodesian Ridgeback

According to age indicators, spaniels are fed as follows:

For babies up to two months of age, five or six daily feedings are appropriate. Puppies from 2 to 4 months old are given food at least 4 times a day. From 4 months to six months – from 3 to 4. Up to a year you can switch to two meals a day, but it is still acceptable to feed three times. Over a year old - 1-2 feedings daily, and some experts recommend one-time feeding as the most optimal for cockers.

The owner chooses the feeding time based on convenience, since the main thing in this matter is that the dog should receive food regularly at the same time.

The frequency of feeding spaniel puppies and adults depends on their age. The daily amount of food consumed is often determined by the owner of the animal.

Under no circumstances should you overfeed an animal or feed your dog more than normal. In the intervals between feedings, you should not give the animal food from the table, but pampering your pet with a treat during training as a reward is simply necessary.

Up to two months, puppies need to be fed 6 times a day every 3.5 hours. From 3 to 4 months, the frequency is reduced to 5 times a day, from 4 to 6 months - to 4 times a day, from 6 to 10 months - to 3 times a day.

At the age of 10 months and older, the frequency of feeding is reduced to 2-3 times a day. Adult dogs consume food twice a day (morning and evening).

Top 3. Now Fresh Small Breed

Rating (2020): 4.75

288 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, IRecommend, Otzovik, OZON

Nomination
Made from 100% fresh meat One of the few holistic products that is made from 100% fresh turkey, duck and salmon.
Characteristics
Country: Canada
Main ingredients: turkey, duck, salmon
Protein percentage: 27%
Garnish: peas, potatoes
Weight: 2.72 kg

An excellent grain-free holistic product that will appeal to both American and English dogs and even King Charles Spaniels. It is made from 100% fresh meat and provides the optimal amount of protein for health and vitality. Due to pre- and probiotics, the food has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract and normalizes the functioning of the digestive system. According to reviews from breeders, with Now Fresh you will forget about nutrition problems and allergies. Of course, certain difficulties may arise due to the large number of legumes, which provoke increased gas formation. But in general, dog owners recommend this holistic treatment and call it one of the best, even despite the high cost.

Advantages and disadvantages

Does not contain grains
Made from 100% fresh meat
Small clover-shaped granules
Normalizes digestion
Helps get rid of bad breath

Eating legumes can cause increased gas formation
High price

See also:

10 Best Holistic Dog Foods

Prohibited Products

Some foods can significantly undermine the health of an animal:

You should not feed your English Cocker Spaniel or American Cocker Spaniel raw fish with sharp bones. It is not allowed to give dogs tubular bones.
River fish is harmful. Corn, legumes, and potatoes are difficult to digest. They also cannot be added.
Fresh cabbage should be heat-treated or fermented, and it is better to avoid broccoli.
Smoked meats and sausage are not healthy.
Homemade canned food, pickled, spicy and too salty food is harmful to the dog.
It is not recommended to feed your American Cocker Spaniel beets. This vegetable is often an allergen.

Food and dog food are completely different. Even if the pet loves it and begs for a “treat,” this cannot be abused.

A dog, especially a puppy, should not be fed:

sausage, frankfurters and smoked meats;
raw offal, chicken and fish;
sauces;
fried meat and fish products;
fat meat;
flour and confectionery products (including pasta).

Top 2. Acana Heritage Adult Small Breed

Rating (2020): 4.78

158 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, IRecommend, Otzovik, OZON

Nomination
The best composition The Akana dry diet contains only natural ingredients. The composition is as transparent as possible and even indicates the percentage of all animal components.
Ideal balance of vitamins and minerals The manufacturer does not use additional vitamin and mineral supplements. This means the essential ingredients contain all the essential vitamins and minerals to keep your pet healthy and active.
Characteristics
Country: Canada
Main ingredients: chicken, turkey, flounder
Protein percentage: 31%
Garnish: lentils, peas
Weight: 2 kg

One of the best holistic without grains and allergenic additives. Contains only natural ingredients, the main share being meat products, including fish, which is considered the best option for a dog’s daily nutrition. Also, instead of cereals, the composition contains fruits and vegetables with a low glycemic index, which allows you to maintain a stable weight and avoid obesity. But there are as many as six types of legumes here, which can cause increased gas formation. Veterinarians and breeders recommend this dry food as the basis of the diet for pets of any breed, but urge caution, since high-protein foods sometimes provoke allergic reactions.

Advantages and disadvantages

The composition contains 60% poultry and fish and 40% vegetables and fruits
No grains or fast carbohydrates
The percentage of all animal components is indicated
Dogs like it, it has a beneficial effect on the condition of the coat, skin, joints, and digestive system.
Optimal granule size

Allergies may occur due to the high percentage of protein
Contains a lot of legumes, which can cause increased gas formation

See also:

10 Best Foods for Small Breed Dogs

How many times a day should you feed a cocker spaniel?

Before you understand what to feed your cocker spaniel, you need to understand the types of feeding. All three types of feeding are suitable for feeding cockers - dry food, natural food, or you can combine the first two types and use mixed feeding. In our country there are adherents of all options, and the choice lies solely with the dog owner. But most often, preference is given to a more convenient method - feeding with industrial feed.

With a mixed type, ready-made wet, canned food and (or) natural food are added to the dry food diet. It is worth remembering that not everything that is useful for humans is vital for dogs.

Today, feeding pets dry food is quite common, but what should cocker owners know about it? Industrial feed has a balanced composition, enriched with useful additives, but only if it is a high-quality product. For cockers, it is recommended to use premium and super-premium brands, as well as special food for pets with food allergies.

Food for spaniels must be of high quality, contain everything necessary for the health of the pet, and not cause digestive disorders or allergies. To avoid choosing food on your own for a long time and without success by experimenting on an animal, you can consult on this issue with professional breeders of the breed.

Having found one that suits you, stick to it and stop; changing food can have a negative impact on the dog’s health. You must adhere to the age criteria.

Before we find out what to feed the English Cocker Spaniel, and of course the American Cocker Spaniel, let’s talk about what types of dog feeding there are.

Feeding pets involves choosing one of three types: natural food, industrial dry food or mixed food. And here you should figure out for what purpose you purchased your cocker.

For sporting dogs that will be faithful companions during competitions, hunting, fishing and hiking, it is necessary to choose premium dry food. Firstly, the dryer is easy to take on the road and organize your spaniel’s meals in nature.

Secondly, modern feeds are balanced according to the needs of the animal, containing the optimal amount of proteins for the development of the skeletal system, muscles and ligaments, as well as carbohydrates to ensure energy balance.

You can feed your pet “couch” friend with natural food, after consulting with your veterinarian. Perhaps the health and energy needs of your pet will require a well-chosen menu, in which there will be no room for improvisation.

It is advisable to feed Cocker Spaniel puppies natural food. The baby’s digestive system must become stronger and its teeth must be completely renewed before switching the pet to dry food.

As for the mixed type of feeding a dog, many breeders leave it for several reasons:

it is costly and troublesome to create a menu;
it is almost impossible to balance the diet;
the animal’s body does not accept this type of feeding (digestion of natural food or dry food requires different enzymes and, accordingly, time for absorption).

Do not feed your spaniel your own diet. The needs of animals and humans in the type, quantity and quality of food are different!

The characteristics of the breed require compliance with certain rules and recommendations so that the diet is composed competently and nutritiously, both for the American Cocker and for the English.

Dimensions of the dog. Starting from puppyhood, the amount of food should be selected according to the height and weight of the animal, and the degree of activity. Your veterinarian will help you choose the optimal dose.
Age. Keep in mind that puppies are actively growing and developing, so they need to receive enough proteins to build their musculoskeletal system. Given their metabolism, feeding should be frequent (up to 5 times a day). For an adult dog, carbohydrates are important for normal functioning. In addition, she can independently regulate the frequency of feeding and the volume of portions - here it is important to show systematic observation. An older dog moves less than a younger dog, and accordingly, the need for calories continues to decrease.
Activity. Spaniels-hunters, as well as agilists (participate in special competitions) should receive more high-calorie and nutritious food that will replenish their energy needs. The Apartment Cocker needs to be fed moderately to avoid becoming overweight.
Health. The most nutritious and fortified menu is necessary for puppies during the period of active growth. In the postoperative period (castration, Caesarean section, etc.), as well as after scheduled vaccinations and illnesses, the cocker should be prescribed a diet. Additionally, pregnant or lactating spaniels should be provided with vitamins.
Having allergies. Both English and American Cockers are decorative breeds, which means frequent cases of allergic reactions. Be sure to test every new dish introduced into your pet’s diet. The presence of an allergy can be indicated by itching, redness of the skin, hair loss, active lacrimation, refusal to eat and shortness of breath. In case of active scratching, a staphylococcal infection may develop. In this case, you must definitely contact a veterinarian.

Cunning and voracious manipulators, spaniels will wait for you in the kitchen during family dinners, cooking, joyfully wagging their tails and placing their paws on the laps of the household.

If you want to see your pet playful, active and healthy, then you should not overfeed, even if the animal’s eyes are extremely plaintive and sad.[

How to feed an English Cocker Spaniel puppy? What is the optimal serving size? How is feeding puppies different?

For puppies from 2 to 4 months (the period of weaning from their mother), 4-5 meals a day in the amount of up to 2 tablespoons of natural food at a time will be optimal.

For babies from four months to six months, 3-4 meals in the amount of 4-5 tablespoons per meal will be enough.

By the first year of life, transfer the spaniel to a standard two meals a day in a volume according to the weight, age and activity of your pet. A veterinarian will help balance natural feeding. As for dry food, all the necessary information about dosage is usually located on the packaging or the manufacturer’s website.

After a year, you can leave the dog on 2 meals a day.

Dog handlers believe that one-time feeding is most optimal for a cocker spaniel. And one more important nuance. Feeding times are set by the dog owner, however, they must be the same for each day.

The eternal dilemma “dry food or natural food” causes numerous disputes among spaniel breeders. Both remain right; it all depends on the personal preferences of the owner and the dog, as well as the health of the latter.

What to feed a Cocker Spaniel puppy and an adult too? Which food should you choose? If you have chosen ready-made mixtures, you should make sure that the manufacturer produces an exceptionally high-quality product.

Examine the composition of the feed for the presence of vitamins, minerals, macro- and microelements. Pay attention to the ratio of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats in the food. The optimal protein content is as follows: for a puppy up to 30%, for an adult dog – 23-25%.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with: Keeping goats: choosing a breed, maintenance, care, feeding

For decorative breeds, such as the cocker spaniel, you should purchase premium and super-premium food. Yes, such a diet can “hit” the owner’s wallet, however, you will never worry about issues of nutrition, usefulness, and balance. Also, most foods are hypoallergenic.

For feeding both English and American cockers, select food marked “for small breeds”. Don’t forget to periodically introduce vitamin and mineral complexes into your diet for thick coats.

Now we’ll find out what should be present in a dog’s natural feeding and, first of all, what to feed an American Cocker Spaniel puppy.

Meat. Boiled chicken or beef (pulp only) is the main food for any dog. It is not advisable to give pork. Up to 300 g of meat per day. Cartilage and tendons are very useful for an active animal. It will be useful for the puppy to give scraped meat.
Offal. Several times a week you can replace a meat dish with boiled liver, heart, stomach or chicken yolk. The serving size for a dog can be increased by 30%. For puppies, especially at the beginning of their development, by-products are undesirable.
Fish. You can pamper your pet with boiled sea fish, but only fillets (exclude even the smallest bones). 3-4 such feedings per week are acceptable. Do not include seafood in your diet!
Dairy and fermented milk dishes. Milk and kefir can be given as a snack (but not instead of water). Start training your cocker as a puppy to prevent dairy foods from having a laxative effect in the future. Particularly useful are natural low-fat milk, cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt, and cheeses (control portions).
Cereals, cereals, bread. Under no circumstances should you make porridge the basis of your dog’s menu. Carbohydrates should be included in up to 50% of the total diet. You can boil rice, buckwheat, and oatmeal in water or milk. Carefully monitor the absorption of cereal foods. Allergic reactions are also possible!
Fruits and vegetables. The spaniel's body also needs plant fiber. You can get it from carrots, pumpkins, zucchini, cucumbers, and herbs. For fruit, a slice of apple, pear or melon is preferable. Occasionally treat your dog to berries (seedless) and banana. But citruses and tropical fruits should not be included in the diet - allergies are possible.
Treats. Dried fruits and natural rye crackers without seasonings perfectly improve digestion.

Crushed garlic can help prevent parasites in spaniels. Add it in small quantities to porridge or meat stew. No more than 1 clove per week.[

Useful video

Finally, watch this adorable, entertaining and helpful video of two little girls talking about their Cocker Spaniel puppy.

sweets (cakes, cookies, chocolate);
bones (ribs, tubular, and fish bones), otherwise there may be stomatitis or periodontal disease;
river fish;
smoked meats and sausages;
vegetables: beets (allergy possible), potatoes, beans, lentils, broccoli;
drinks (tea, coffee, energy drinks, alcohol);
“yesterday’s” food, food from the table;
rotten vegetables and fruits;
moldy cheese;
missing and darkened meat;
pasta and white bread;
homemade canned food, marinades, pickles;
spicy or salty foods.

Mixed diet

Top 1. Go! Natural Holistic Carnivore 4

Rating (2020): 4.89

230 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, IRecommend, Otzovik, OZON, Wildberries

Nomination
Best value for money This is a quality holistic product made from 100% fresh and natural ingredients. At the same time, the price is 1.5 times lower than that of the closest analogue.
Characteristics
Country: Canada
Main ingredients: chicken, turkey, salmon, trout
Protein percentage: 34%
Side dish: potatoes, peas, tapioca, lentils, chickpeas
Weight: 1.6 kg

The best holistic dog for the active cocker spaniel. It contains 85% natural meat: chicken, turkey, trout, duck and salmon. Moreover, it is not dehydrated, but 100% fresh, which is perfect for a little meat-eater. In addition, the composition contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals for growth and development. Another plus is that there are no grains and, accordingly, gluten. Breeders note that the food is very nutritious and therefore is consumed quite sparingly. However, it is not suitable for everyone - if your dog is not very active, then a high-protein diet can trigger allergies. In this case, it is better to give preference to more dietary products.

Advantages and disadvantages

Grain-free balanced diet
Lots of animal protein
Relatively low price for a holistic practitioner
Enriched with nutrients, microelements, vitamins, oils
Economical consumption due to high calorie and nutritional value

Very high protein content - not suitable for low-active dogs

See also:

10 Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods

to the beginning of the rating

What to feed your American Cocker Spaniel

If a spaniel is accustomed to daily hairdressing procedures from the age of a puppy, then later this will work into your hands, since not all members of the barking family like such manipulations.

The puppy should be groomed using a regular comb, but as the dog grows and matures, a massage comb will be required. To maintain the beauty of an adult, you will need a whole set: a slicker brush, a comb-rake, a massage comb and a brush.

In addition, your coat care should include regular bathing of your spaniel, at least two to three times a month.

In addition to shampoos, Cocker Spaniel wool needs to be treated with balms and conditioners:

“Bio-Groom”: “Protein-lanolin” shampoo and “Silk” balm.
“Ectodes Velvet” - from tangles.
"Crown Royale" - air conditioning.
"API-SAN" grooming spray "silk".
"Vitex" conditioner "Silk".
"Pchelodar" is a shampoo for long-haired dogs.

You can also use any baby shampoo or cosmetics for dry and brittle hair.

This breed is characterized by rapid fouling, so they need to be cut once every 1.5-3 months. In addition, caring for an American Spaniel includes hygienic trimming of the hair around the ear canal (so that the dog does not scratch its ears due to irritation), between the toes, and around the anus.

Due to the fact that representatives of this breed have long ears, owners should pay increased attention to the cleanliness of the auditory organs. You need to regularly treat them with a cotton pad soaked in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.

Long, overgrown nails cause the dog a lot of discomfort, and the risk of paw injury also increases. Therefore, the Cocker Spaniel's nails need to be trimmed once a month.

The American Spaniel's diet should be strictly rationed, since these dogs do not know when to eat in moderation, so it is easy to overfeed them.

An adult should be fed twice a day, and it is also necessary to ensure that the pet always has clean water in its bowl.

Since cocker teeth are prone to wear down quickly, you should not spoil them with bones often. To keep the canines strong and healthy, it is necessary to enrich your four-legged friend’s diet with fish and dairy products, avoiding fresh milk.

Among meat products, it is better to give preference to lamb, beef and chicken.

For a one-month-old puppy, 3-4 tablespoons of natural food is enough per feeding; for an adult dog, up to one and a half glasses. When feeding dry food, you must strictly follow the directions on the packaging. It is also important to never give anything from your table.

There is one more funny nuance. When the spaniel eats, his long ears get dirty in the bowl. To prevent this from happening, you can put an elastic band made of golf on your dog’s head while eating. You can also secure the ears at the back of the head with a clothespin by the fur of the ear.

The dog should always have a bowl of water. However, it is important to remember that milk is not water, but food. In general, it is better not to give it to an adult dog. Can be replaced with yogurt or kefir. The main products for a spaniel should be:

meat,
fish,
porridge (buckwheat, rice, rolled oats),
fresh and stewed vegetables (carrots, onions, cabbage, turnips, pumpkin),
cottage cheese.

It is better to give meat or fish in the evening. Vegetables, cereals, salads, cottage cheese should be given in the morning. It is better not to give semolina to spaniels due to its high calorie content. The most suitable meats are lean lamb, fatty beef and boneless chicken. An adult dog should be given meat 5 times a week, fish twice.

As for eggs, puppies are given a hard-boiled yolk, which is best diluted with milk. But just one egg per week is enough. A puppy up to two months is fed 6 times a day, up to 4 months - 4 times a day, by six months they switch to three feedings a day, and by a year you can switch to twice a day.

An adult dog is fed once (more often in summer) - twice a day (in winter). When feeding naturally, it is worth adding specialized vitamins for dogs to the diet.

Some manufacturers produce special foods for spaniels that are as balanced as possible for dogs of this particular breed.

They are not divided for specific breeds, so when choosing a diet for a spaniel, you should choose food designed for dogs of medium breeds and for dogs with long hair. If the dog is used for hunting, then it should be given

In this article I will look at what to feed a cocker spaniel. The energy and cheerfulness of these original hunting dogs largely depends on the quality of their maintenance and nutrition. I will list foods that are contraindicated for spaniels. I will consider approximate feeding rations for puppies and adult animals of this breed.

From the first days of a Cocker Spaniel puppy’s stay in a new home, it must be taught the correct diet and regimen, and it doesn’t matter whether it is a member of the Cocker breed or another.

First month

As a rule, the puppies are under the care of the breeder for the first 4-6 weeks, and the first 4 weeks are nursed by the bitch. For the first two weeks, puppies feed exclusively on their mother's milk. From 14 days you can start feeding babies a special formula from a bottle.

As complementary foods, you can use a mixture of natural cow's or goat's milk and dried egg yolk. Babies are fed this mixture up to 3 times a day.

From the 21st day of life, puppies are taught to independently consume warm milk, to which a small amount of bread pulp can be added.

After a week, you can add semolina porridge with milk, finely chopped lean meat, and calcined cottage cheese to your meal plan.

Second

At the age of 1.5–2 months, the baby enters a new home and experiences stress.

If the puppy was purchased from a breeder, during the first months of its stay in the new home, you should stick to the original diet of the breeder. Otherwise, the puppy may lose appetite or develop digestive problems.

In the second month, it is recommended to gradually introduce new foods into your pet’s diet. Small amounts of raw meat, soft meat bones (very carefully), raw vegetables, and a small amount of mashed potatoes are gradually added to the feeding plan.

We suggest you read: Main diseases of quails

Up to 1 year

The daily consumption of natural food for spaniel puppies up to 6 months of age is calculated based on the weight of the animal. It should be 6-7% of the actual weight of the animal, and at the age of 7-12 months - 3-3.5%.

A grown puppy should consume at least 50g of fresh meat per kilogram of animal weight. Lean meats, such as beef, turkey, and horse meat, can be used as the main source of protein.

From an early age, your pet must be taught to eat vegetables, such as pumpkin, raw potatoes (small amounts), carrots, and beets. It is better to do this in combination with cereals, such as rolled oats, buckwheat and rice.

It is undesirable to feed the animal boiled potatoes and millet, as this can lead to intestinal volvulus.

Among fermented milk products, preference should be given to calcined cottage cheese and kefir. Twice a week you can give the animal 2-3 chicken eggs, but no more.

Regardless of the type of food, the animal must have access to clean drinking water around the clock.

Top 5. Royal Canin Medium Adult

Rating (2020): 4.55

76 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, IRecommend, Otzovik, OZON

Nomination
The best price of Royal Canin Medium Adult is 3 times cheaper than the closest analogues. Moreover, this is premium food with a decent composition and excellent properties.
Characteristics
Country: France
Main ingredient: meat and meat by-products
Protein percentage: 7.5%
Garnish: cereals
Weight: 140 g

The famous French brand Royal Canin produces good premium wet food for medium breed dogs. Appetizing pieces in sauce will delight even the most picky cocker spaniel and will be an excellent addition to the main diet. For the owner, regularly purchasing canned food will not be too expensive, since the cost of the product is more than moderate. Moreover, if we talk about quality, then, according to the breeders, the diet is very good: it is easily digestible, normalizes stool and even improves the condition of the coat. Of course, the composition is far from ideal, but overall for the money this is a decent option.

Advantages and disadvantages

Easily digestible - suitable for sensitive digestion
Excellent taste - will please even the most picky pet
Low cost
Improves the condition of the coat and skin
Optimal consistency

Opaque composition

Features of feeding

The Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized dog. Active, playful, agile, energetic with well-developed body muscles, she will require careful attention to her diet.

This breed has a good appetite. They are not picky and are easy to please with food. Raised and trained, she will not beg for food, but will always gladly accept it. The dog is very attached to the owner and family. Strangers cannot always communicate friendly with a four-legged animal, but this does not prevent her from taking food from strangers.

Possessing hunter abilities, spaniels can rummage through garbage heaps in search of food.

The nutrition of the English and American cocker should depend on the following parameters:

Dog size. When setting the size of the food portion, you should take into account the height and weight of the pet. An English Cocker that eats too much will soon become fat and clumsy. A small portion of food will cause a constant feeling of hunger, which is very unhealthy for the puppy’s growing body.
Age. When preparing a diet, the age of the cocker is very important. It is recommended to feed your Cocker Spaniel puppy a balanced diet. Up to a year, internal organs and bone apparatus are actively developing. The food must contain a sufficient amount of proteins as well as nutrients. Feeding frequency – 5-6 times a day. Adult cockers eat less often - 1-2 times a day.
Physical activity. Active, mobile dogs that walk a lot and participate in competitions need high-calorie food that will replenish all energy costs. Older dogs with reduced physical activity should eat dietary food.
Health status. Any illness, rehabilitation period, pregnancy, require adjustments to the diet. Depending on the pathology, one or another diet is prescribed. During pregnancy, enhanced nutrition is offered. During the recovery period, vitamin preparations are added to the main diet. The introduction of a new type of food begins with testing it, identifying the risk of developing an allergic reaction.

Feeding the puppies

An English and American cocker puppy begins to feed at the age of 4-6 weeks. Weaning from the mother's breast occurs no earlier than the baby learns to eat adult food.

To begin with, give soaked dry food. One serving is 3-4 tablespoons. Gradually the amount of solid food in the feed should increase.

A one-month-old puppy is introduced to meat, fish, vegetables, and cottage cheese. At 1 month he is fed 5-6 times a day, at two months - 4 times.

The number of feedings should decrease with age. At 8 months, a Cocker Spaniel puppy is given food 2 times a day, and when it reaches a year, it is transferred to a single meal.

An older puppy should be fed based on its weight. The formula for calculating the size of one portion of food is simple. Before six months, 6-7 percent of body weight, and after six months – 3-4 percent.

A Cocker Spaniel puppy must be given specialized food for young animals for up to one year. It is recommended to follow the feeding conditions, which can be read on the packaging.

You should feed your cocker spaniel at the same time, avoiding intermediate snacks and treats with “sweets” from the table.

If you feed your English Cocker puppy after a walk, he will happily rush home, knowing that he will receive a delicious lunch.

What to feed an English Cocker Spaniel after he is one year old is up to the owner himself. At this age, the pet is transferred to two or one meal a day. The daily portion of an adult dog can be 1.5-2 liters. The dog must always have access to water, regardless of the type of food.

The health of a pet depends on whether its food contains enough nutrients, vitamins and microelements. When choosing a diet for an adult cocker spaniel, you should be guided by the following rules:

The volume of protein food should decrease slightly and amount to 20-30 g per kilogram of weight, since the active growth of the body has already completed.
The average volume of food eaten should be approximately 50 grams per kilogram of body weight. A dog leading an active lifestyle needs more food.
Milk and dairy products are not beneficial for an adult dog. You can replace them with low-fat kefir and cottage cheese.
If the dog is overweight, then the size of the food portion should be reduced to eliminate the risk of developing obesity.

Top 4. Belcando

Rating (2020): 4.71

112 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, Otzovik, OZON

Nomination
The most canned meat Canned food consists of 98.8% meat and is perfect for a small active predator.
Characteristics
Country: Germany
Main ingredient: meat and meat by-products
Protein percentage: 14%
Garnish: depends on the chosen flavor (vegetables, liver, noodles)
Weight: 400 g

The German company Belcando produces five types of canned meat for dogs of all breeds. According to the manufacturer, they are 98.8% meat, and this is a priority when choosing wet food. There really is nothing superfluous in the composition, and additional components depend on the chosen flavor. At the same time, buyers confirm the quality of the product and note the dense consistency and pleasant smell. There is nothing artificial here: no additives, preservatives or dyes. The only complaints are that canned food is difficult to find in pet stores, as well as the packaging, which can be difficult to open due to a weak key.

Advantages and disadvantages

High percentage of meat - 98.8%
Five flavors
No grains, preservatives or artificial additives
Thick consistency and pleasant smell
Has a beneficial effect on digestion

Not sold in all pet stores
Sometimes the key comes off and you have to use it to open the can.

Top 3. Go! Grain Free Turkey Stew

Rating (2020): 4.75

56 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, IRecommend, Otzovik, OZON

Nomination
100% natural canned food These are the highest quality canned foods on the market. They belong to the holistic class and are as close as possible to the dog’s natural diet. Plus, there are no artificial additives, gluten or grains.
Characteristics
Country: Canada
Main ingredient: turkey
Protein percentage: 9.8%
Side dish: potatoes, vegetable broth, sweet potato, peas
Weight: 400 g

Go! Grain Free Turkey Stew is the best holistic canned food with a natural composition and high meat content. They are easily digestible and do not burden the digestive system. Due to the large proportion of protein, the feed can be used as the basis of the diet. Canned food does not contain grains or artificial additives and does not cause allergies. You can feed them to your cocker spaniel starting from the age of one year. According to customer reviews, the product has a pleasant smell and will appeal to even a picky pet. However, due to the high price, it is more of a tasty supplement for once a week, rather than a complete nutrition for every day.

Advantages and disadvantages

Natural Holistic
High protein content
Does not contain grains or artificial additives
Does not cause allergies
Excellent digestibility

High price
Difficult to find in pet stores

Types of food for spaniels

Before you understand the basic principles and rules of dog nutrition, you should understand the types of food:

Dry food.
Natural food.
Mixed feed.

Absolutely any type of food listed is suitable for the Cocker Spaniel breed. What food should I feed my spaniel? Only the owner himself decides what food to choose for his pet.

Natural food, of course, is more balanced and beneficial for the dog, but industrial food costs owners much less, and besides, it’s also convenient; you don’t have to rack your brain every time about what to prepare for your pet.

There is also a mixed method of feeding dogs. It consists of adding natural products to dry food.

In all cases, it is necessary to remember that food must be of high quality and fresh, and not all foods that are healthy for humans are suitable for feeding a dog.

The nutrition of the English and American cocker should depend on the following parameters:

Dog size. When setting the size of the food portion, you should take into account the height and weight of the pet. An English Cocker that eats too much will soon become fat and clumsy. A small portion of food will cause a constant feeling of hunger, which is very unhealthy for the puppy’s growing body.
Age. When preparing a diet, the age of the cocker is very important. It is recommended to feed your Cocker Spaniel puppy a balanced diet. Up to a year, internal organs and bone apparatus are actively developing. The food must contain a sufficient amount of proteins as well as nutrients. Feeding frequency – 5-6 times a day. Adult cockers eat less often - 1-2 times a day.
Physical activity. Active, mobile dogs that walk a lot and participate in competitions need high-calorie food that will replenish all energy costs. Older dogs with reduced physical activity should eat dietary food.
Health status. Any illness, rehabilitation period, pregnancy, require adjustments to the diet. Depending on the pathology, one or another diet is prescribed. During pregnancy, enhanced nutrition is offered. During the recovery period, vitamin preparations are added to the main diet. The introduction of a new type of food begins with testing it, identifying the risk of developing an allergic reaction.

Feeding the puppies

An English and American cocker puppy begins to feed at the age of 4-6 weeks. Weaning from the mother's breast occurs no earlier than the baby learns to eat adult food.

To begin with, give soaked dry food. One serving is 3-4 tablespoons. Gradually the amount of solid food in the feed should increase.

A one-month-old puppy is introduced to meat, fish, vegetables, and cottage cheese. At 1 month he is fed 5-6 times a day, at two months - 4 times.

The number of feedings should decrease with age. At 8 months, a Cocker Spaniel puppy is given food 2 times a day, and when it reaches a year, it is transferred to a single meal.

An older puppy should be fed based on its weight. The formula for calculating the size of one portion of food is simple. Before six months, 6-7 percent of body weight, and after six months – 3-4 percent.

A Cocker Spaniel puppy must be given specialized food for young animals for up to one year. It is recommended to follow the feeding conditions, which can be read on the packaging.

You should feed your cocker spaniel at the same time, avoiding intermediate snacks and treats with “sweets” from the table.

If you feed your English Cocker puppy after a walk, he will happily rush home, knowing that he will receive a delicious lunch.

What to feed an English Cocker Spaniel after he is one year old is up to the owner himself. At this age, the pet is transferred to two or one meal a day. The daily portion of an adult dog can be 1.5-2 liters. The dog must always have access to water, regardless of the type of food.

The health of a pet depends on whether its food contains enough nutrients, vitamins and microelements. When choosing a diet for an adult cocker spaniel, you should be guided by the following rules:

The volume of protein food should decrease slightly and amount to 20-30 g per kilogram of weight, since the active growth of the body has already completed.
The average volume of food eaten should be approximately 50 grams per kilogram of body weight. A dog leading an active lifestyle needs more food.
Milk and dairy products are not beneficial for an adult dog. You can replace them with low-fat kefir and cottage cheese.
If the dog is overweight, then the size of the food portion should be reduced to eliminate the risk of developing obesity.

Before you feed your American Cocker Spaniel, you need to organize a place for food. The dog should eat in a specially designated, clean area. For natural food, two bowls are useful - for liquid and solid food. For dry food, one is enough. There should always be drinking water here. You must strictly follow your diet.

We suggest you read: What makes a Chihuahua sneeze?

During the feeding period, it is better to fasten the hanging ears of a spaniel from behind with an elastic band so that they do not get into the food. The bowl should be on a raised surface. As the puppy grows, the stand should also become higher so that the dish is always at the level of the dog's chest. Before serving, food should be heated to a temperature of 36-40°C.

The owner will be perplexed as to what to feed his cocker spaniel if he has not been taught the correct diet since childhood. The dog will refuse healthy food. An adult dog willingly eats only the food to which it has become accustomed since infancy.

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It is important to decide what is more convenient for you and better for your dog: dry food or natural food. Each type of feeding has its pros and cons.

High quality dry food (premium and super premium) is already balanced, and you don’t need to think about creating a diet. It is convenient to store and take on the go. When choosing dry food, you need to take into account the dog's age, activity level and body condition.

However, dogs often eat natural food more readily. But at the same time, you need to spend time preparing food and creating a diet so that it is balanced and complete, and this is not easy.

One thing you should definitely not do is feed your English Cocker Spaniel food from your table. The digestive systems of humans and dogs function differently, and the needs for quality, quantity and types of food are very different.

English Cocker Spaniels are prone to allergies, so each new ingredient is introduced gradually, and you need to carefully monitor for signs of allergies: itching, redness of the skin, watery eyes, hair loss, etc. If you notice any of the above, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

English Cocker Spaniels have an enviable appetite and love to beg. You will need incredible strength to resist the pleading gaze of an eternally hungry pet - and yet you will have to show it. Otherwise, the dog will quickly gain extra pounds, and this is harmful to health.

This breed does not have any special feeding requirements. Having considered all the pros and cons, you can find the most acceptable one for a particular owner and depending on the situation. The main thing is that it should be:

useful for four animals;
did not greatly burden the owner;
did not cross the line of common sense.

Granules from a bag are becoming more and more common, and this is understandable. The manufacturer is trying in every possible way to “persuade” the owner that the food has the highest performance, and his puppy will not grow up without granules. Meanwhile, independent laboratory testing constantly proves that the feed does not have the properties and composition specified in the recipe and annotation.

The puppy eats the granules with pleasure. However, the number of flavors and flavoring additives is so great that it cannot be otherwise.

Ready-made food is easy to use. By purchasing a large bag with a long shelf life, you can feed your puppy without any problems. There is no need to even wash dishes. Only the question of the dog's health remains open.

Ready-made foods are derivatives with the addition of artificial protein. High temperatures in the extruder kill all biologically active substances and vitamins. When feeding ready-made food, you need to be careful about the puppy’s water balance. The manufacturer warns on the package that there must be water in the drinking bowl at all times, since the feed causes thirst.

Advantages

The food has a number of advantages:

with its help you can feed the puppy quickly;
clean dishes will remain after the meal;
feed is easy to buy and store.

Flaws

When feeding with prepared foods:

inability to control the composition independently;
in a coma there may be allergens that are difficult to identify;
non-compliance of the formulation with the results of laboratory tests (even for expensive samples) casts doubt on its usefulness.

If these arguments are not arguments, then when choosing food you should at least ask:

labeling (manufacturer, address, telephone);
date of manufacture;
deadline for implementation;
read the manufacturer's recommendations.

Mixed diet

This is the type of feeding that many owners prefer. Feeding with natural food is constant, and in times of need they are fed with ready-made food. Ready-made food is used for:

travel;
inability to purchase food;
Difficulties with preparing food.

Whatever diet the owner chooses, it is necessary to monitor the state of the gastrointestinal tract. At the slightest “failures,” you should reconsider the feeding program and seek help from a specialist.

Top 2. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal

Rating (2020): 4.79

76 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, IRecommend, Otzovik, OZON, Wildberries

Nomination
For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract Medicinal canned food that helps quickly restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract after gastritis, enteritis, pancreatitis. In good standing with veterinarians and breeders.
Characteristics
Country: France
Main ingredient: meat and animal by-products
Protein percentage: 8%
Garnish: cereals
Weight: 400 g

Medicinal canned food from Purina Pro Plan will be a good choice if your cocker spaniel suffers from gastrointestinal diseases. They contain a minimum of fat, thereby reducing the load on the digestive system. Also, the composition contains only highly digestible components, so there will be no problems with stool. Veterinarians often recommend food for recovery from gastritis, enteritis and pancreatitis. Judging by the reviews, the beneficial effect is noticeable almost immediately, which is good news. The only complaint is that the consistency is too thick, which is why the contents have to be diluted with water.

Advantages and disadvantages

Low fat content makes digestion easier
Easy to digest
Helps restore digestion after gastrointestinal diseases
Quick effect
Improves skin and coat condition

Consistency too thick - needs to be diluted
Contains grains that have no particular nutritional value

See also:

20 Best Dog Foods

Organization of feeding area

READ What to feed an Abyssinian cat

The owner will be perplexed as to what to feed his cocker spaniel if he has not been taught the correct diet since childhood. The dog will refuse healthy food. An adult dog willingly eats only the food to which it has become accustomed since infancy.

Top 1. Grandorf Natural and Healthy

Rating (2020): 4.80

54 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, IRecommend, Otzovik, OZON

Nomination
Hypoallergenic Recommended by veterinarians for sensitive digestion and allergies. Consists of dietary meat, which is easily digestible.
Characteristics
Country: Belgium (made in Italy)
Main ingredients: beef, turkey
Protein percentage: 10.5%
Side dish: own broth
Weight: 400 g

Some of the best canned food in the holistic class. Completely hypoallergenic and grain free. According to veterinarians, this is an ideal solution for American and English cocker spaniels with sensitive digestion or prone to allergies. The line includes eight flavors, so you can choose the optimal nutrition and diversify your pet’s diet. The food consists of 80% meat, but remains dietary and normalizes the functioning of the digestive system. It also contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals that are so important for an active pet. Finding Grandorf Natural and Healthy in regular pet stores will not be easy, but ordering online will not be difficult.

Choosing a place and dishes

Before starting to feed cocker spaniels, they undergo a procedure of “covering” their ears. Being long, they “climb” into a bowl of food, or water if it is nearby and cause unnecessary problems in caring for them.

Owners, when solving this problem, go in two ways:

The hanging ears are tied up (fixed) with a special mesh, wearing it like a collar and tucking the ears;
Equip a place for receiving food and water, taking into account the peculiarities.

While the puppy is small, there are no special requirements for the feeding area. Over time, when the puppy grows up, the owner begins to solve the problem.

This can be done as follows:

set up the feeding area on a hill so that the ears “do not drag along the floor”;

The bowl should not just be placed on a stand, but should be deepened into it so that it does not move from its place. The dishes are selected from food material, durable, heavy;

The bowl should be deep, but not wide. In this case, when eating food, the ears will hang outside the bowl and not get dirty, and they will also not reach the floor;

There is no need to place a bowl of water nearby. Otherwise, when the dog eats, even if the ears do not end up in the food bowl, they will “climb” into the water bowl.

We suggest you read: Feeding chickens, features of feeding young animals

All of the above “wisdom” will not help if the dog gets used to taking food out of the bowl and eating where he wants. However, Cocker Spaniels are very trainable.

The “canteen” for a dog should be:

with easy to clean surfaces;
in a place where the dog will not disturb household members;
in a place easily accessible to the pet.

In order for feeding to give positive results, the pet does not starve, but also does not overeat, several important factors must be taken into account:

Pet size. This parameter varies quite a lot among cockers; for example, a Russian spaniel is significantly larger in size than a Japanese or toy spaniel. Therefore, the volume of food must correspond.
Age of the dog. Puppies, especially during the period of active growth, require a lot of nutritious food, and in this case, abundant feeding will only be beneficial (provided that all the foods are “correct”). In older dogs, physical activity decreases, and therefore calorie consumption also decreases.
Physical activity. A lot also depends on the load the pet receives. If a spaniel performs hunting duties or participates in sports competitions, then its activity requires a more high-calorie and nutritious diet than for its less active counterparts.
Character traits. Although the majority of cockers are tireless runners and gamers who can independently entertain themselves, and even set up a playground in a small apartment, it is rare, but there are still lazy individuals for whom dozing all day is the best way to spend leisure time. For this category, the portion of food can be safely reduced by a quarter; this will not harm energy-saving dogs.
Physical state. Enriching the diet with protein products, as well as food containing large amounts of microelements and vitamins, is necessary in the postoperative period, as well as during recovery from illness, bearing and feeding offspring.
Tendency to allergies. Cockers, especially the decorative types, are prone to this condition. Therefore, all new products must be tested with very small amounts and then observed for the reaction. If the body reacts negatively - skin irritation, itching appears, the dog tears profusely, or has trouble breathing - the irritating product should be strictly prohibited.