Cocker Spaniels are one of the most beloved dog breeds around the world!
Being a pet parent, it is important to make sure your Cocker Spaniel is getting the right nutrition they need to stay healthy and happy. A Cocker Spaniel feeding guide can help you determine how much should a cocker spaniel eat each day. Knowing how much food your pup needs will go a long way in keeping them healthy and active for years to come!
The amount of food that you feed your Cocker Spaniel depends on factors, such as their age, size, activity level and health condition. With this guide, you can determine exactly how much food they should be consuming every day.
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Cocker Spaniel Feeding Guide
After exploring the Cocker Spaniel feeding chart as per their life stage, and weight. Let’s have a look at the feeding tips, which are also needed to be taken care of before you select the feeding ratio for your furry pal.
PetMD states, “Most English Cocker Spaniels do not require any special feeding instructions. Typically, feeding two meals (in the morning and evening) is recommended for this breed. Because they can have long, lush coats, it’s important to clean off any food that may have collected in their fur to prevent matting.“
Along, with a feeding chart, feeding tips and feeding frequency are also important to give a healthy lifestyle to your furry pal.
Also Read: Full guide to Dachshund feeding chart, it will help you to feed the correct amount of food.
1. Nutrients Guidelines
This medium size dog breed needs a properly balanced diet for a healthy lifestyle. Just like other breeds, they also require an adequate amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals in their diet followed by other essential nutrients. Furthermore, Cocker Spaniels are prone to allergies, if not taken care of properly they can impact their skin and coat.
We have jotted down the essential nutrient list, which should be there in your Cocker Spaniel food in an appropriate ratio.
- Meat Protein
- Omega-3
- Omega-6
- Carbohydrates in moderate amount
- Grain-free
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin
- Vitamins and Minerals
One thing always keeps in mind, when Cocker Spaniel is in the puppy or seniority stage, their body will need a high percentage of protein. This is because, during the puppy stage, they require protein for the proper development of the body. During senior hood, protein helps to maintain their health and boosts their immune system to fight against diseases.
2. Activity Level
Well, Cocker Spaniels are a lively, and high-energy breed, they like to take part in physical activities, and go out for their daily walk. But, once their body is affected by any severe disease, it will slow down their metabolism, and activity level.
So, if from the initial days, you feed him the correct amount of food and calories, it will keep him healthy for a longer period of time.
Furthermore, the advantage of feeding correctly to your Cocker Spaniel, it will not add fats to his body. Plus, during adulthood, their metabolism works effectively, so food will be digested easily.
3. Weight Consideration
Cocker Spaniels easily gain weight if their daily exercise routine is not completed, and he keeps on eating food without any physical activity. In addition, they are prone to Hypothyroidism, which directly impacts their metabolism and activity level. This is also one of the reasons he starts gaining weight and encounters other severe health issues.
It’s very important to keep a track of his weight, and accordingly feed him. All you can do is check his weight with the help of a bathroom scale, or consult the vet for exact weight numbers. Then you can refer to our Cocker Spaniel feeding chart, which is bifurcated into life stages, weight-wise.
For instance, if you are raising an adult Cocker Spaniel, whose weight is 11-12 kg, for him 207 grams of food with 787 kcal per day is more than enough. In this way, you will not overfeed him, and maintain his weight, which will help you give him a healthy lifestyle.
Read Also: Guide to Border Collie feeding chart UK for better understanding.
4. Foods to Avoid
There can be days when you want to spoil your Cocker Spaniel with yummy treats, or human foods. However, you should keep in mind that there are human foods which are toxic to your furry pal’s health. It can lead to serious health issues, and can even increase the risk of life if taken in large quantities.
For your reference, we have jotted down a few toxic human foods, which you should avoid feeding to your cocker spaniel pal.
- Dark Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Dairy Products
- Avocado
- Brewing Hops
- Fatty foods (chicken skin, fatty meats, biscuits, leftovers, etc…)
- Macadamia Nuts
- Onion and Garlic
- Grapes
- Raisins
Now, you are pretty much clear with the list of toxic human foods. Before, purchasing commercial food or preparing homemade food for your Cocker Spaniel, you know which ingredients to avoid, preventing his life from getting affected by it.
Note:- Consult the vet, if you are unsure about the ingredients, they will guide you better. You can follow our Cocker Spaniel feeding guide UK, it will help you to feed him the correct amount of food.
Cocker Spaniel Puppy Feeding Guide UK
Well, initial four weeks, your Cocker Spaniel puppy will rely on their mother’s milk. One of the reasons behind this is that their mother’s milk boosts their immune system, and makes their joints strong. So that in future their body doesn’t easily get impacted with severe health issues.
Since they are at the developing stage, they will require more food. There are chances he will demand small kibbles and little munching during the daytime or evening.
To give you a clear view of their feeding schedule, we have prepared a Cocker Spaniel puppy feeding chart. It is bifurcated into young and old puppy stages, which will help you to select the feeding ratio as per his weight and life stage.
For instance, if your Cocker Spaniel puppy is at a younger stage, he weighs around 4-5 kg. Then for him, it is suggested to feed 113 grams of food daily. Make sure the total calorie intake ratio should be around 649 kcal per day. On the other hand, if he is at an older puppy stage, then his feeding ratio will vary as per his weight.
Note:- Make sure at least thrice or four times a day you feed your Cocker Spaniel puppy with high-quality food. Follow our Cocker Spaniel puppy feeding guide UK, and accordingly feed your puppy.
We have also done an analysis of the feeding guide for the French Bulldog puppy feeding chart.
Adult Cocker Spaniel Feeding Proportion
Just like other breeds, the Cocker Spaniel reaches their adolescent stage when they turn one year old. With time, and age, many changes come in their body, their activity level fluctuates, nutrient needs vary, feeding frequency differs, etc…
Furthermore, it is recommended to switch from puppy-formulated food to adult dog food at the right time. This will help your dog’s body get all the nutrients at the correct age and time, which helps to keep them healthy.
We have attached a PDF of an adult Cocker Spaniel feeding chart, it will guide you in a better way. And you won’t jumble up while feeding your furry pal.
Let me explain it to you with an example, suppose you are raising an adult Cocker Spaniel whose weight is around 11-12 kg, he is highly active by nature, likes to go out for a walk, carries out daily exercises, etc… In such a scenario, it is recommended to feed 207 grams of food, and total calorie intake ratio should be around 787 kcal per day.
On the other hand, if your adult Cocker Spaniel is carrying a similar weight but is less active. Then you have to feed him lower calories, and the feeding cup ratio will also gradually decrease as compared to the active one.
Read Next: Guide to Shih Tzu feeding chart for a healthy lifestyle.
Senior Cocker Spaniel Feeding Proportion
With age, it becomes a bit tricky to feed your Cocker Spaniel pal. As there are high chances, his body is already fighting against the diseases. Which results in less appetite, reduces activity levels, and impacts metabolism. So, you have to feed them according to their body requirements.
For your better reference, we have prepared a senior Cocker Spaniel feeding chart, which will give you a fair estimation of the food and calorie ratio.
Suppose your senior Cocker Spaniel’s weight is around 13-14 kg, with a moderate activity level. For him, 162 grams of food, and a total calorie intake ratio of 690 kcal per day is more than enough. On the other hand, if he weighs the same but is not active in physical activities, then it is suggested to cut down the calorie ratio.
Note:- When your Cocker Spaniel reaches the senior hood, it is recommended to feed him senior dog food. This is because with age, nutrient percentage varies, it’s important to seek a vet’s advice while switching from adult dog food to senior dog food.
FAQs
How much food should I feed a cocker spaniel?
Generally, it is recommended that if you are raising an adult healthy Cocker Spaniel, then 787 kcal daily is enough for him. But this feeding ratio varies and depends on your Cocker Spaniel’s life stage, weight, and activity level. For more reference, you can check our Cocker Spaniel feeding chart UK, it will give you a clear view regarding the feeding, and calorie ratio.
What not to feed a cocker spaniel?
Cocker Spaniels are prone to obesity, and pancreatitis issues. Make sure you don’t feed them chicken skin, fatty meats, dairy products, etc… All these are not good for their health and can add only unwanted fats to their body, which leads to severe health issues in the future.
Can Cocker Spaniels eat bones?
Yes, you can feed bones to your Cocker Spaniel, but it should be raw meaty bones. So, that your furry pal can only chew it and not swallow it. In case, you provide him with cooked bones, there is a high possibility, it will create stomach issues for them.
How often should you feed a 12-week-old puppy?
Well, in the first four to six weeks, your puppy will rely on his mother’s milk. After that, you can start feeding him high-quality puppy-formulated food. During the puppy stage, it’s recommended to feed them at least three or four times a day. This is because their body is at a developing stage, and they cannot have a whole meal at a time. You need to divide that feeding ratio into four equal intervals.
Well, It’s a Wrap!
Now, referring to the Cocker Spaniel feeding guide, you will easily be able to feed your pup the correct amount of food, and calories.
Remember, every breed’s food habits are different, it solely depends upon their lifestyle. Similarly, Cocker Spaniel of different ages does not consume one type of food and calorie. Their feeding ratio also varies as per their weight, life stages, and activity level.
Along with the feeding chart, we have also covered the feeding tips. If you follow that, you won’t get confused about how to fix the feeding schedule of your furry pal. From there, you get an idea of nutrients, activity level, weight considerations, foods to avoid, etc. Accordingly, select the appropriate food for your Cocker Spaniel and feed him.
Feel free to download our PDF of a Cocker Spaniel feeding chart UK, and share your experience with us in the comment box.
