There are a variety of brands that provide quality food for Cocker Spaniels. Most brands include the right nutrients that your dog needs. The best you feed your Cocker Spaniels are foods that provide the most energy.
I have made sure to dig deep to bring you the finest food and all the information you need regarding Cocker Spaniels.
After extensive research, I believe Orijen Regional Red is the perfect brand for your Cocker Spaniel.
Every Cocker Spaniel has its preferences, which is why I put the best brands in every category of food.
Let’s get going!
What Are The Best Dog Food For Cocker Spaniels?
- Merrick Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato (Best Overall Dog Food)
- Orijen Regional Red (Best Dog Food for Older Cocker Spaniels)
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection (Best Dog Food For Coat Health)
- Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food (Best Dog Food For Cocker Spaniel Puppy)
- Royal Canin Cocker Spaniel Adult Dry Dog Food (Best Premium Dog Food For Cocker Spaniels)
- CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food (Best Budget Dog Food For Cocker Spaniels)
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness Beef & Chicken Grill Grain-Free Canned Dog Food (Best Dog Food For Joint Health)
- Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Best Dog Food For Cocker Spaniels with Allergies)
- Fromm Family Dry Dog Foods (Best Dog Food For Weight Control)
- Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food, Turkey & Barley Recipe (Best Wet Dog Food For Cocker Spaniels)
10 Best Dog Food For Cocker Spaniels
You sure need to have the best products to feed your dog. Here is a list of the best products available in the market.
1. Merrick Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato
Merrick produces dog foods suitable for every kind of breed. However, this product is particularly for Cocker Spaniels, who love eating a combination of a variety of foods. It is a 22 lb bag that comes in salmon meal flavor and one of Cocker Spaniel’s favorites.
It is packed with all vital nutrients that your Cocker Spaniel should eat to maintain good health. The impeccable protein source ratio, carbs, fibers, and minerals render it an excellent treat for your pup. It also contains more omega-3 fats (omega fatty acids), which you will later learn is important for your dog’s skin and hair.
It is a sweet potato recipe for your cocker spaniel dog and easy to digest food. It contains omega 6 fatty acids too for cocker spaniel adult.
Moreover, essential supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin are added to the product to help your Cocker Spaniel build stronger joints and hips to prevent patellar luxations or dislocation of the hip joint.
This pack of dry food is perfect for all ages. It keeps your dog active, and your dog seldom has digestive problems. However, some Cocker Spaniels may develop some allergies to it after regularly feeding on it.
2. Orijen Regional Red
Orijen sells the best dry dog food out there. The formula contains every essential nutrient as if a special meal came out of the kitchen for you, Cocker Spaniel. Your dog is going to be happy with the new food you will treat your dog with.
Chances are, they may like it more than their previous food. Orijen pet food has this amazing smell that will make your dog come running to you from another room. It is all-natural dog food, and the best part is that it contains no fillers. Your Cocker Spaniel will surely feel more energetic with a shinier coat and a happy dog overall!
The only downside is that some Cocker Spaniels reported getting severe diarrhea after consuming Orijen dog food. Even though the food is great and comes in excellent packaging, it is a tad more expensive than most dog foods. We can easily say that this is the best food for cocker spaniels.
3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection
Another incredible addition of dry dog food packed with all the crucial animal ingredients your Cocker Spaniel needs to stay healthy and active. Given how easily Cocker Spaniels can develop some common health problems, Blue Buffalo Life Protection prepares its dog food under strict health policies. It makes sure to provide your Cocker Spaniel with every nutrient needed for its growth.
Plus, it is important to mention here that this brand is perfect for all ages. Your dog is going to devour this treat and love this brand for a very long time. You just have to spend a little more to make sure you are feeding the right ingredients to your dog and not compromising their health.
Blue Protection will keep your dog for a very long time. It won’t cause any allergic symptoms or reactions in most Cocker Spaniels. However, some exceptions are expected. Either way, if you are going for this brand, it is a marvelous choice to make.
4. Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
If you just got a new Cocker Spaniel who is young and has to grow exponentially, this is the time when you feed them with the best ingredients to ensure that they have all the appropriate nutrients. It is especially important because if their diet lacks certain components during this time, it will dramatically affect the health of your dog.
For this reason, Hill’s Science dry dog food is manufactured with the right ratio of protein content, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals that your pooch needs while growing. It will help in the growth of their bones, hair, teeth, and muscles.
Moreover, if you think your pet is very sensitive and finds it hard to digest most dog food, this is a sensible choice. This dry food promotes better digestion, but we can never be sure in the case of every Cocker Spaniel, but most Cocker Spaniels love the product with no allergic triggers.
5. Royal Canin Cocker Spaniel Adult Dry Dog Food
I love the fact that Royal Canin put many thoughts into creating this formula. This premium dog food formula is dedicated to Cocker Spaniels over 12 months, to be precise. If you own a Cocker Spaniel, you probably know how sensitive this breed is compared to other dog breeds.
They have a penchant for getting sick easily if the slightest thing goes wrong with their food. Every ingredient that it contains is exclusively made, keeping Cocker Spaniels in mind. It improves their coat, allergic problems, digestion, bone health, and overall your puppy will love it for its incredible aroma and taste.
On the other hand, the packaging may be of trouble to you. Some buyers find it hard to keep the bag tightly packed because of the zip lock. Similarly, it is also important that you secure its sealing to maintain the food’s nutritional value.
6. CANIDAE Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Dry Dog Food
The best thing you can do for your poodle is to feed them a balanced diet. Canidae aims at making dog food that has all important ingredients. This way, your dog can relish delicious food and gain every nutrient imperative to their growth.
With no artificial flavor or fillers, Canidae is a good choice for sensitive stomachs. Cocker Spaniels are a tad more sensitive than most dog breeds. It is better for them if you do not feed them wheat-based products for a long period. If you do, they will become allergic to it very soon. For this reason, this dog food company produced a formula that does not sensitize your dog’s tummy. These are the best dog foods because of their limited ingredient features.
It wards off any allergic trigger as it does not contain wheat, soy, or corn. Even if your dog has become allergic, you don’t need to fret because this food won’t cause your pooch any trouble.
7. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Beef & Chicken Grill Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
If your dog suffers from bone or joint problems, this pet food may do the trick for you. Most vets recommend foods rich in minerals to feed your Cocker Spaniel. Blue Buffalo has packed every crucial mineral and vitamin in this bag to give your dog a complete diet that does not lack anything.
It particularly aims at improving the health of your dog’s bones and joints. Your big guy would also enjoy eating the flavorsome wet food, as most Cocker Spaniels love eating wet food. The cans preserve the natural ingredients, so once the can is open, you must encourage your pooch to eat all of it. Wet foods tend to fill stomachs much earlier than dry food. It also contains the water quantity to keep your pet well hydrated.
Conversely, some buyers claim that the dog food’s fat content is a bit too much than what their poodle would prefer. But then again, every dog has its choice. If your dog is not a picky-eater, Blue Buffalo is not a bad choice at all.
8. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
You know you need to feed your dog from a brand that maintains hygiene and has a safety policy. Natural Balance not only promises manufacturing dog food in a quality-controlled environment, but they have increasingly succeeded in preserving the best natural ingredients in the food they are making.
Knowing how sensitive Cocker Spaniels are, you have to be extra cautious about what components a brand food contains. There should not be such an ingredient that can provoke an allergic reaction in your dog, which is why Natural Balance focuses on producing pet food that does not include allergens like lentils, peas, legumes, corn, wheat, or soy.
Plus, its salmon flavor is extremely popular amongst Cocker Spaniels. So, even if your dog is a picky eater, you will not find it hard to feed this product to your Cocker Spaniel. However, do make sure to check its formulae before your purchase. Some buyers would still recommend the older recipes over the new ones.
9. Fromm Family Dry Dog Foods
Your dog’s visit to the vet is linked with what you feed them. Food brands that are unknown or only claim to sell nutritious pet food options only to increase their sales can increase the number of your pooch’s visit to the vet.
However, Fromm Family receives one of the greatest reviews from pet owners. Most buyers are confident with the brand and say that their dog has never liked any other dog food more than this one. It is a bag full of healthy nutrients that promote healthy skin and coat. It also significantly improves digestion, and your dog may not find it hard to munch on this.
On the contrary, dog owners say it is one of the most expensive products available online, while the bag’s weight has reduced compared to the previous batches. Do look at the formulae to make sure it does not have any product that can ruin your dog’s digestive mechanism.
10. Hill’s Science Diet Wet Dog Food, Turkey & Barley Recipe
It is common for Cocker Spaniels to have bone problems. After all, Cocker Spaniels are of the most sensitive dog breeds out there. With Hill Science Diet, you can ensure a good amount of healthy ingredients are fed to your dog. Especially when they contain fortified nutrients and other important elements like chondroitin and glucosamine that great;y works on promoting better bone health in Cocker Spaniels.
Your four-legged friend may find it hard to move around with weak bones, but once you start feeding them Hill Science’s wet food, they will become far more energetic than they were before. You will notice that your pet has become more active and playful than the times you fed them different food.
It is imperative to mention here that even though Hill Science contains adequate vitamin levels, it can still cause vitamin toxicity in some Cocker Spaniels. It presents as diarrhea, drooling, weight loss, thirst, low appetite, and vomiting.
Related:
Buying Guide To Buying Dog Food For Cocker Spaniels
If you plan to buy a Cocker Spaniel, you should get an idea about the breed. It will make you understand your dog better. Below is a list of things that you should know.
Common Health Concerns For Cocker Spaniels
Cocker Spaniels get sick. You need to know their common health problems to avoid them.
Obesity
Animals tend to eat a lot if you feed them a lot. They have no idea when they need to stop, which is why you need to make sure they do not overeat.
Overeating leads to obesity, and obesity is not something to be happy about. Obesity gets your Cocker Spaniel some health issues that you do not want in them.
Like humans can develop some complications, obese Cocker Spaniels have a higher risk of suffering from heart diseases, kidney stones, fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, where bones demineralize to become spongy. Another added risk in Cocker Spaniels is joint dislocation.
Take good care of your friend if you want them around for a long time. Regulate their eating patterns and make sure they have a sufficient calorie intake. Moreover, you may also add fiber to their diets to allow healthier digestion.
Also, avoid artificial color combinations in dog food brands or adult food to keep your dog healthy, especially for adult dogs and dog breed.
Ear Infections
Ear infections are another unfavorable medical issue. It happens because of a fungal or bacterial invasion in your dog’s ears. Cocker Spaniels have a penchant for ear problems, so you better look out for them and observe for signs of ear infection in your dog.
Your dog may have redness in the ear canal, along with itching. The dog may shake their heads a lot to get rid of that unpleasant feeling. Plus, if you let wax build in their ears, it will give off a pungent smell.
To prevent ear infection in Cocker Spaniels, ensure punctual ear cleaning and feed them fewer carbs. In case your dog got an infection, be extremely gentle when handling your dog because their ears may hurt a lot.
It is best to seek a professional vet’s advice on this. However, if you want to figure out a way to help your dog till then, you may use a cleanser and a cotton ball to clean your dog’s ears.
Food Allergies
Unfortunately, Cocker Spaniels are allergic to various kinds of food. The most common of them is beef. These protein sources are added to pet foods in a large amount. It is a common allergen because every pet food has it.
Hence, if you are precariously feeding your dog foods that are high in protein content, the chances are that your Cocker Spaniel may become allergic within a year.
Other top-most ingredients are dairy which causes lactose intolerance, wheat, eggs, chicken meal, lamb meal, corn, soy, excessive carbs, or cheap fillers.
Hip Dysplasia
It is a congenital disease. It means a dog is born with it, and it is common in Cocker Spaniels. Normally, the hip joint includes the femur head, firmly placed within a socket in the pelvic bone. In hip dysplasia, the socket fails to develop completely. It can cause the femur to lose attachment to the socket, so the head easily dislocates.
It can render your dog limp while walking, and they may have severe pain in the hip. You may also notice asymmetry in the length of their legs. You should immediately visit a vet to cure this condition.
Also, remember not to overfeed your dog. Obesity will add extra pounds to the hip joint, and it’ll be harder for your dog to walk.
Above all, make sure your cocker spaniel food has good ingredient diet that makes the puppy food or adult dog food feel happy and satisfied.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a disease where a thyroid gland produces little amount of the hormone it has to make. In a Cocker Spaniel, hypothyroidism can present with weight gain. They may not remain as active as before and become lethargic.
It may also shed a lot of hair and may experience balding as well. Plus, Cocker Spaniels suffer from cold intolerance when they have hypothyroidism.
You need to see your dog’s vet if you feel your dog has similar symptoms. Treating hypothyroidism is crucial to avoid long-term complications. You may also look for different kinds of food you can feed your dog to correct this problem.
Primary Seborrhea
Primary seborrhea is an autoimmune condition where a Cocker Spaniel’s skin becomes smelly, itchy, oily, and inflamed. At times, these lesions may also become infected. Even though there isn’t a permanent cure for primary seborrhea, you can control the disease from getting worse.
For this, the vet may suggest you use a medicated shampoo. Most of the time and oatmeal shampoo is recommended to work on itching and scaling.
On the other hand, you should consider feeding them food rich in omega-3 fatty acids according to the feeding recommendations provided to you by your doctor. Moreover, you can maintain your pet’s hygiene and make sure they shower a week thrice and have their hair regularly combed.
Eye Disorders
A Cocker Spaniel can develop multiple eye disorders during their life. It includes ectropion where the eyelid turns outwards. The eyelids protect the eye. With ectropion, the eye is exposed, and there are higher chances of acquiring eye injuries.
Furthermore, the cherry eye is unique to animals. It is where the third eye gland prolapses and shoes near the sclera. Similarly, cataracts are another eye condition where the pupil gets clouded and become s hard to see. Cataracts can even cause permanent blindness if not treated on time.
Unfortunately, there is not much that you can do with these eye conditions. You need to strictly adhere to and follow what the vet says to improve symptoms.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where the dog has seizures because of an underlying medical condition. Cocker Spaniels tend to suffer more from this disorder than any other dog species. Most of the time, vets can’t find a cause for your dog’s epilepsy.
However, some medications can control the seizures and prevent your dog from having long-term complications of epilepsy.
Patellar Luxation
Cocker Spaniels are highly prone to develop patellar luxation. It is a pathology where the kneecap dislocates from its anatomical position. Your dog will not show any signs of pain, but it may have problems walking or bearing weight on the affected knee.
Most dogs tend to live their lives with a luxated patella without aggravating the condition. Others may have to get treatment according to the pathological severity ranging from medical treatment to surgery. There is no treatment that you can provide at home.
Dietary Factors And Ingredients That May Help Common Cocker Spaniel
Animals have health problems just like those found in humans. Thus, you must consider every factor when you take care of them. Here are a couple of ways for you to optimize your care towards your pet.
Health Problems
Taking precautions before your pet develops a health problem is the best thing you can do for them. A checklist of things below may help you with ensuring proper vigilance of their health.
Have An Appropriate Number Of Calories
We now know how much harm there is in making your dog obese. As you read above, feeding more calories to your Cocker Spaniel is not a great idea. So, if your dog does not understand this, you must.
Speak with a vet and know the number of calories that your pet must take every day. It should not go beyond that number. The vet will give a precise calculation, and you must stick to it.
For this, you can also check the calories mentioned on every pet food that you buy. It will make it smoother for you to keep a check of how much your pet is consuming.
Contain Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Your Cocker Spaniel needs omega-3 fatty acids to build a stronger immune system that can help them fight diseases. Your pet can prevent inflammation, skin issues, and heart diseases if they have adequate amounts of omega-3 in their food.
Are Fortified With Joint-Supporting Supplements
Cocker Spaniels need a large amount of food that stimulates the proper growth of their bones and joints. Without such fortifying supplements, there are chances your dog can have joint diseases like arthritis. Arthritis can hurt a lot in its late stages.
However, it is preventable by adding sufficient amounts of supplements that enhance joint health.
Are Made Without Allergic Triggers
Your pet can be allergic to certain things. You can only know if they react to an ingredient in their food, which is why it is better to avoid common allergy triggers found in dog food.
An allergic reaction may present as excessive hair loss, itching, skin rashes or hives, and many other symptoms if they regularly eat processed foods or proteins.
Manufactured In A Country With Quality-Control Standards And High Safety
This factor is important. You need to know the food you are feeding your Cocker Spaniel and what safety measures the company takes when producing food products. Special breeds of dogs need special and high-quality food only.
You can’t feed poor quality food. It will only make your dog sick and spend most of their lives at a vet’s office. Make your pup’s and your life easier by ensuring that you get pet food from a renowned company only.
Do not trust meager dog food manufacturing companies because a lot is at stake when it comes to food quality.
Made Without Improperly Identified Meat Meals Products
How can you feed your Cocker Spaniel something you have no information about? You already know the allergens, and it becomes an absolute must that your dog eats the proteins in the right amounts.
Do not take chances with your pet and learn everything about the product before you even put it in your cart. Wrong proteins and improperly regulated amounts of proteins can cause allergic reactions.
Made With Antioxidant-Rich Fruits And Vegetables
Animal bodies release innumerable free radicals in the system as a by-product of the metabolism of various nutrients. Your Cocker Spaniel needs something to battle such free radicals that are harmful to its body cells.
If these radicals build up in their system, they will eventually become toxins. It later imposes significant health risks on your pet. Therefore, you need to feed them food that is rich in antioxidants.
Antioxidants help fight these free radicals and prevent the accumulation of toxins in their system. In fact, antioxidants work as a detox to revamp the body’s health status and strengthen the protective mechanism.
Fortified With Probiotics
Probiotics are the healthy bacterias that the gut needs for better digestion. These bacterias help absorb food and improve the overall health of your Cocker Spaniel. It will also help fight the harmful bacteria that may invade your dog’s digestive system. Human grade food.
Wet Food Vs. Dry Food? Which One Is Best For Cocker Spaniels And Why!
Dog owners ask this question a lot. If dry or wet food is better for their dogs. Nonetheless, the choice lies in your hands, but we are here to break down the benefits of both types of food so that you can make a better decision.
The major difference between dry and wet dog food is only the water content. Dry foods contain only or less than 12%, while wet foods have 85% of water.
Wet foods have an incredible aroma to them to attract your dog. The high water content translates to better hydration and low-calorie intake since wet food fills your dog quicker than dry food. Most Cocker Spaniels love wet food.
Furthermore, a can with more moisture has a reduced shelf life. You can’t keep the can for long. You should feed wet food to your dog right away before it spoils. It is important to point out that wet food is not as healthy for your dog’s teeth as they are not biting into any substance that can clean their teeth as they eat.
Conversely, dry food has no aroma to it but helps in cleaning their teeth and strengthening them. It is also cheaper and environment-friendly. It is best to give Cocker Spaniels a mix of both kinds. They can benefit from each type of food.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.S)
Here are a few frequent questions that every Cocker Spaniel’s owners ask. These may help you, as well.
Do Cocker Spaniels Have Various Health Problems?
An American Cocker Spaniel has several health problems. Some of the common issues are explained above. However, a Cocker Spaniel still has many other diseases, unlike other dog breeds.
It may include:
- Congestive heart failure
- Liver diseases
- Stones in the urinary tract
- Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia
- Gastric torsion
- Cardiomyopathies
Since multiple health problems persist in a Cocker Spaniel, it is advisable to get a health certificate and clearance when you get your dog.
It is easier when you are adopting it from its parents. It is comparatively hard when adopting a Cocker Spaniel from rescue shelters.
Grain free dry dog foods for cocker spaniels is also a wise choice. For this you may try taste of the wild grain free dry dog food.
How Long Do Cocker Spaniels Usually Live?
If your Cocker Spaniel is an American breed, then the average life expectancy is 12 to 15 years.
Do Cocker Spaniels Sleep A Lot?
Sleep is a preference of every Cocker Spaniel, and there are no definite hours of how much your dog can sleep. Most dogs have nothing to do unless you keep them physically active. And if they have nothing to do, they will sleep a lot during the day.
Nonetheless, an adult and healthy Cocker Spaniel sleeps on an average of 14 hours a day.
Is A Cocker Spaniel A Good Family Pet?
Cocker Spaniels have a friendly nature. They have the purest heart and do not have a temper. Cocker Spaniels tend to bond easily with every family member. If you worry you have children and safe to have a dog around them, then Cocker Spaniels are the best choice.
Moreover, as long as you keep treating your pet dog right, they will never become aggressive or fearful. These tempers develop when they do not bond with their Cocker Spaniels out of indifference and neglect or violent behavior.
Otherwise, they love attention and are very playful.
Are Cocker Spaniels Intelligent?
Yes, they are.
Cocker Spaniels are one of the most intelligent dogs breeds out there when it comes to obedience and working intelligence.
Are Male Or Female Cocker Spaniels Better?
Male Cocker Spaniels are active, playful, and buoyant. They get into fights, love staying outdoors, and have fewer mood swings than female Cocker Spaniels. She loves attention and is boisterous, too!
Do Cocker Spaniels Bark A Lot?
You can expect a Cocker Spaniel to bark a lot since it is their only way of communication. They are a delightful breed. Your new pup can be a little piece of sunshine as they are always excited and happy, which is why they bark a lot out of joy.
If your doorbell rings, your Cocker Spaniel is going run to the door barking all the way.
Do Cocker Spaniels Like To Cuddle?
Absolutely!
Cocker Spaniels love to cuddle. It is a perfect companion for people looking for affection and a playful partner. You just need to call out to them, and they will be ready for a cuddle.
Are Cocker Spaniels Easy To Train?
It is very easy and fun to train Cocker Spaniels. They are a smart breed who learns training pretty quickly. They show a positive attitude towards training, and it only means that Cocker Spaniels are willing to understand what you teach them.
Final Word
Dogs are a human’s best friend. The most loyal being anyone can have by their side. If you want to keep them by your side for a very long time, you need to ensure you are taking really good care of them in every way. You must love and protect them so they can nurture and grow to become your ultimate partner.
Animals need love just like humans do. Animals are the friendliest, kindest creatures on the planet when you behave nicely with them. Therefore, it is your job to ascertain that you provide them with the finest quality of life that they deserve.
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