Cocker Spaniels are playful dogs with an amazing array of colors and markings. Their small size and lively personalities make them the ideal companion. But, this tiny breed also needs a diet that supports their active lifestyles and provides them with the nutrition they need. That’s why I’ve created a feeding guide on the best dog food for Cocker Spaniels. I’ve selected 5 different brands from the largest pet food manufacturers, as well as one brand from an independent pet food manufacturer.
My top choice is Merrick Grain-Free Real Chicken -. It’s a complete dog food with high-quality ingredients and superior digestibility.
The other 4 options provide a variety of flavors for your little pup. Some of the foods on this list are grain-free, while others include grains. But every option on this list is high-quality and nutritious.
Now, let’s look at the details.
A Quick Comparison of The Best Dog Foods for Cocker Spaniels
- Merrick Grain-Free Real Chicken – Best Overall
- Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Formula – Best for Small Breed
- Orijen Regional Red Dog Food – Most Affordable Option
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free -Best for All Breed Sizes
- Forthglade Complete Natural Wet Dog Food – Best Wet dog food
The Best Dog Food for Cocker Spaniels — Our Reviews
#1 Merrick Grain-Free Real Chicken – Best Overall
Best Overall
Pros
- It is high in protein
- It is made from only natural ingredients
- It is 100% grain-free
- It is high in omega 3 fatty acids
- It is low in carbohydrates
- It has no artificial flavors or preservatives
Cons
- It is a bit expensive
As a dog parent, you know how much you want your dog to be healthy. When it comes to feeding your puppy, this is the first recipe you should choose. Unlike other commercial pet food, this recipe doesn’t contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It is also free of any corn, wheat, or soy, making it an excellent option for Cocker Spaniels. As the name suggests, it includes both chicken and sweet potato. These two ingredients are not just added for the sake of it. They have a synergistic effect on each other. Chicken helps to maintain bone density, and sweet potato provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
With this recipe, your dog will receive plenty of protein, calcium, and vitamins. These are essential nutrients for any dog. The manufacturer uses only the finest ingredients that meet all safety standards.
#2. Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain Formula – Best for Small Breed
Best for small breed
Pros
- The product is 100% organic and contains no artificial flavors or colors.
- It has a low glycemic index, which means that it is easy to digest and will not cause spikes in your blood sugar levels.
- It is made from organic ingredients.
- It provides an excellent source of protein.
- It contains 39% of your daily recommended intake of protein.
Cons
- No cons
Do you know Cocker Spaniels are known for their intelligence? Well, they should be. This breed is highly intelligent and is also very easy to train. The challenge is finding the right dog food that provides all the nutrition your dog needs to stay healthy and smart.
Most Cocker Spaniels love the Taste of the Wild Sierra Mountain formula. It provides a balanced mix of proteins and fats that support brain, muscle, and bone development. In addition, it is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids to keep your dog’s body in peak condition.
This recipe is a complete and balanced dog food that includes no grains, carbohydrates, or artificial flavors. It is also a 100% natural dog food that uses only real ingredients. This recipe is also a bit rich in protein and therefore, it should be fed as a once-daily food. You can feed it on an empty stomach or with meals.
If you have a Cocker Spaniel who needs to gain some weight, this recipe is a good choice. It provides a good balance of nutrients, making it a must-have for your dog. Your dog will definitely love this dog food. This is good dog food for your Cocker Spaniel is Siera Mountain Taste of the Wild. I would highly recommend it.
#3. Orijen Regional Red Dog Food – Most Affordable Option
Most Affordable Option
Pros
- It is good for dogs that are sensitive to artificial flavors.
- It is low in sodium.
- It contains only natural ingredients.
- It can be used as a treat.
Cons
- It is not suitable for cats
Are you looking for a complete dog food formula for your Cocker Spaniel? If yes, then Orijen Regional Red Recipe is the best choice.Â
Orijen is the number 1 brand in pet foods across the United States. Its reputation is well-earned as its formulas have been carefully crafted with quality ingredients only.Â
Since it is grain-free, Orijen is ideal for dogs who are prone to digestive issues. For instance, some dogs tend to experience bloating and diarrhea because of high-carbohydrate diets. This particular recipe is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains a range of antioxidants to protect your dog from oxidative damage.
If you want to ensure your dog’s overall wellbeing, choose a product that is rich in nutrients like taurine, zinc, and B vitamins.Â
Orijen also has the highest levels of the essential amino acid, leucine. This means your dog will get a muscle-building boost. With a wide variety of proteins and carbohydrates, it is easy to see why this recipe is a must-try.
#4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free -Best for All Breed Sizes
Best for all breed size
Pros
- It is free of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or additives.
- This food is made with only natural ingredients.
- It is free of any chemicals, pesticides, and hormones.
- It is made with organ meats.
- The product is safe for cocker spaniels dogs
- This dog food is made with 100% quality animal ingredients.
Cons
- No cons
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Dog Food is a top-rated dry dog food and a recommended brand for your Cocker Spaniel. The dog food is packed with the highest protein levels and all of the nutritional requirements for a healthy adult dog.
The recipe includes the finest natural ingredients such as sweet potatoes and peas to help your dog’s body build and maintain lean muscle mass. There are no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives in the food which is a great advantage for your dog.
The dry dog food also has a healthy ratio of carbohydrates and fats which helps to fuel your dog’s active lifestyle. This food is also packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help support your dog’s immune system and overall health.
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for your Cocker Spaniel. It’s highly recommended by veterinary professionals, pet store owners, and dog owners.
#5. Forthglade Complete Natural Wet Dog Food – Best Wet dog food
Overall Best Wet Dog Food
Pros
- It is made from natural ingredients
- It is great for cocker spaniels dogs that have sensitive tummies
- It is made from high-quality ingredients
- It is affordable.
Cons
- No cons
Forthglade Complete Natural Wet Dog Food is the best dry dog food for your cocker spaniel.
It’s made from natural ingredients like wheat, potato, and meat which makes it nutritious and healthy. It also contains some essential nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, protein, zinc, and vitamin B.
This product comes in different sizes and flavors to suit your dog’s appetite. The best part of this dry dog food is that it doesn’t contain any artificial colors, flavours or preservatives.
Overall, if you’re looking for a natural and nutritious dry dog food for your cocker spaniel then look no further than Forthglade Complete Natural Wet Dog Food.
Buyer’s Guide: Must-have Ingredients in Cocker Spaniel Diet
Moderate Protein:Â
Cocker Spaniels are medium-sized dogs. They have relatively short legs, and they are typically low to the ground.
Cocker Spaniels are great apartment dogs. Their active lifestyle requires lots of energy, and a high-quality protein diet can provide your dog with the necessary energy.Â
To get the most out of your dog’s diet, choose a formula that features real meat as one of the primary ingredients. That way, your Cocker Spaniel will be able to absorb the amino acids found in the protein and the fats in the food.Â
Healthy Fats:Â
The main source of fat in a Cocker Spaniel’s diet is animal fat, like chicken fat, beef fat, and fish oil. It’s important that you feed your dog fat to ensure a shiny coat and healthy skin. Fat helps keep your Cocker Spaniel lean and agile.Â
Carbohydrates and Fiber:
 Cocker Spaniels do well on a moderate-carbohydrate diet. This includes both whole grains and refined carbs.
Beef, chicken, and fish are the best options for carbohydrates. All of these sources are high in quality protein and low in fat.
Vitamins and Minerals:Â
Your dog does not need a specialized vitamin and mineral supplement. Instead, feed them balanced, high-quality commercial dog food.
Cocker Spaniels feeding guide
Puppies:
Cocker Spaniel puppies will need a diet that’s formulated for their life stage. This will allow them to grow strong, healthy bones and muscles.
Cocker Spaniel pups will require approximately 1,400 calories a day from birth until they’re weaned at around 8 weeks old. And it’s important to split these calories into 3 to 5 separate meals to avoid bloat.Â
The right food for your puppy will contain the appropriate percentages of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Puppies need more of these macronutrients than adults. you can check some specific dog breed food.
As your Cocker Spaniel pup gets older, they’ll begin to need lower-calorie diets and less protein. So, your dog will need about 15 to 18 calories per pound. They’ll also need a lower percentage of protein. And their daily requirement of carbs will start to decrease after they’ve reached adulthood.
Adults:
Cocker Spaniel puppies will need around 12–16 calories per pound. Their adult diets should be lower in fat and have the same carbohydrate and protein ratio as before.
Your Cocker Spaniel will need to switch to an adult formula by 8–9 months of age, and this dog food will help support their bones and joint health.Â
Seniors:
Your Cocker Spaniel will become a senior around 11 years old. By then, your dog will likely need to lower their calorie intake to about 11 to 13 per pound.
This is because their metabolism slows down, and they’ll be more prone to obesity and other health conditions.
Common Health Issues: Health Risks and Allergies
Cocker Spaniels dogs are prone to many of the same health issues such as hip dysplasia, allergies, and digestive disorders as other dog breeds.
In addition, there are a few health conditions that are more common in the Cocker Spaniel breed.
The most serious condition that occurs in this breed is epilepsy. Epilepsy is often misdiagnosed and not treated adequately. Epilepsy may cause seizures that are similar to those experienced by humans.
The second is an inner ear disorder known as Meniere’s disease. It is characterized by episodes of vertigo and hearing loss. These symptoms typically occur after a period of months or years of increased activity and exercise.
The third is a type of cataract called progressive retinal atrophy. It is not common in the Cocker Spaniel breed, but it does occur in a small number of dogs. It can cause blindness.
It is important to note that some dogs are prone to certain diseases and health issues that do not affect humans. For example, dogs with bloat are prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). This condition can cause sudden, life-threatening breathing problems.
Final Verdict
Cocker Spaniel puppies need a good source of energy to develop the strong muscles they need for agility and jumping.
They also need a complete, balanced diet with added vitamins and minerals to support optimal health. Good kibble is the best way to do that.
But if your dog isn’t an enthusiastic kibble eater, or you want to make sure your puppy gets extra nutrients, select a canned food with good quality ingredients. Merrick Grain-Free Real Chicken – is a great option for your puppy.
