Cocker spaniels love and enjoy their food a lot. Because of how enthusiastic they are when it comes to feeding time, they are at risk of obesity and other weight-related conditions and complications as they age.
Since food is an essential aspect of growth and development, it is important to consider what food should your cockers eat, how much should they eat, or how often they should eat in a day.
If you are wondering what those are, here’s a cocker spaniel feeding guide to help you know what’s best for your pet.
Important Factors to Consider When Feeding a Cocker Spaniel
Diet or food type
As you start caring for your puppy cocker spaniel, you should have bought and brought with you the breeder’s recommended food for them. Breeders often create a specialized formula for puppy food because of their delicate stomachs.
Make sure you have enough of this puppy food until it gets older. It will support them for healthy bone growth, strong teeth, healthy skin, glossy coat, and improve motor development and organs as they grow old.
The recommended amount of food a two to six months puppy cocker spaniel should take is around 150 to 250 grams per day. After that, reduce the portion to about 130 to 190 grams per day for the next five months.
Once your dog becomes a year older, you can now introduce it to the required adult dog food. This dog food should have an optimal level of 25% protein and has all the necessary nutrients for it to stay healthy and active. Check out our best diet for Cocker Spaniel guide to help your friend stay in shape and enjoy a healthier, and happier life.
Feeding time
Many owners find it confusing when they should feed their young cocker spaniel. A quick answer for that, there is no definite time and schedule. It depends on how many times a day you should give your pet a portion.
For an eight-week-old puppy, the suggested portion is four small meals a day. As they grow older, at least four months to eight months old, you can serve fewer portions of two meals a day.
Once your dog celebrates its first birthday, it is okay to feed it at least once a day. Most owners choose to give them at least two meals a day, one in the morning and one in the evening. You can schedule their eating time similar to yours, so they will not bother you when you are eating.
Calorie requirements
Another important factor you should know in this cocker spaniel feeding guide is the daily calorie requirement. Make it a habit to always check the serving guide on the pet food pack before purchasing. It will help you know how many calories the whole pack contains and how you should measure each portion you will feed to your pet.
Take a measuring cup to ensure you get the right measurement. It will avoid you from overfeeding your dog.
There are also certain factors you should consider when deciding on the portion of your cocker spaniel’s food. Male cockers should receive more amounts compared to female cockers.
For example, a one-month-old male cocker spaniel needs at least 208 calories, while a female needs 194 calories. A one-year-old male cocker needs 884 calories and a female cocker needs 803.
Again, please always read the serving guide to know how many calories are there in every serving of dog food you will give to your pet.
Weight
Cocker spaniels are prone to obesity. And just like for us, humans, being obese make us prone to several medical conditions. Therefore, check your cocker spaniel’s weight regularly.
A one-year-old male cocker spaniel should have at least 26 pounds. For female cockers, 23 pounds is ideal. Do not judge them by just looking at their body. Sometimes, a dog may look thin or bony when in fact it only has the ideal weight for its breed and age.
Always check with your vet, so they can also monitor your cocker’s weight and advise you on their proper diet.
Potential allergies
One of the causes of dog allergies is the food they eat. If you notice any allergic reaction to your dog, especially if they do not have any before, you can check their food to know if it contains anything that triggers your cocker’s food allergy.
Most dog owners asked that is chocker spaniels hypoallergenic dog. Yes, they are. Check with your vet to know what exactly it is and recommend you to give hypoallergenic food instead. It will remove any allergens that can cause your dog to suffer. It will also help you find out if there are other allergies your cocker has been experiencing.
Make sure they will only eat the food you will give them and not any other. Some owners let their cocker spaniel eat leftovers from their meal. If you do this, you may cause more harm to your dog’s health than good.
Physical activities
Physical activities are also essential to your cocker spaniel’s well-being. Aside from focusing on feeding them, taking them out for a walk or spending time playing with them is also part of their diet. They will be less likely to experience obesity if they also move around and exercise their muscles after a satisfying meal.
For cocker spaniel puppies, balance their daily schedule with feeding time, sleeping time, playtime, or a brisk walk. This will help them further grow and develop.
Conclusion
As a responsible cocker spaniel owner, do not let your beloved fur baby experience being sluggish or unhappy. Let them eat a proper diet and also allow them to do activities that will boost their energy and stay active. In this way, they will not experience body complications at an early stage and will remain active as they grow older.
Another important thing you should learn in this cocker spaniel feeding guide is to have a regular visit to your vet. Whenever in doubt about what dog food you should give your pet, seek your vet’s recommendation. It will keep your cocker from any health issues and will make sure that the dog only receives the best care it needs.
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