COCKER SPANIEL: A COMPLETE GUIDE WITH TIPS FOR CHOOSING THEIR IDEAL DIET

Cocker Spaniel: Specific Dietary Needs

The Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized dog with medium to long hair. This is a very active dog, who is generally robust and has characteristically long ears.

Feeding your Cocker Spaniel requires special attention because the breed has specific physiological and nutritional needs! These are some of the factors that you should consider when choosing the right food for your Cocker Spaniel:

• The Cocker Spaniel is known for its sensitive skin and silky coat. Their food should therefore provide them with sufficient strength to keep their skin and coat well protected.

• These doggies tend to gain weight easily. Excess weight and obesity are aggravating factors that can lead to many disorders. As such, their diet should have a well-balanced composition to prevent weight gain.

• Finally, Cocker Spaniels are predisposed to the risk of heart problems.

These factors must be taken into account when choosing the right dog food for your Cocker Spaniel. Providing them with a diet adapted to the specific nutritional needs and requirements of the breed is a great way to ensure they live a long and healthy life.

What type of food should I give my Cocker Spaniel?

In addition to the basic nutritional needs of every dog, your Cocker Spaniel's dog food also needs to meet all the aforementioned requirements of the breed. Therefore, when considering your Cocker Spaniel's diet, you should look for:

• Food that promotes healthy skin and coat: Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA strengthen the protective function of the skin and guarantee a healthy cutaneous barrier. Likewise, borage oil and biotin promote a soft, silky coat.

• Food that helps regulate their weight: A well-balanced fat content, and the addition of L-carnitine, allow for optimal fat burning, reducing the risk of weight gain in your Cocker Spaniel.

• Food that promotes good heart health: Dog food containing taurine and L-carnitine helps improve cardiac contractility.

When and how should I feed my Cocker Spaniel?

Once you've chosen the perfect dog food for your Cocker Spaniel, you also need to learn when and how best to feed them. There are certain guidelines to help you feed your dog optimally and, in particular, avoid digestion issues. Good dog food is one thing, but how you feed your pooch is also very important! Poor food intake can cause feelings of discomfort, such as gas or other digestive disorders.

Here we outline some recommendations for feeding your Cocker Spaniel in the best way possible:

• Give them their meals at the same time each day and, if possible, in the same quiet place: This helps to establish a feeding routine, which is important for facilitating digestion, as well as promoting a balanced diet.

• We recommend that you split your Cocker Spaniel's daily ration of food into two or three small meals: The idea is to distribute their food throughout the day, so as not to overload their digestive capacities. It's ideal for greedy dogs like the Cocker Spaniel because it makes them feel less hungry.

• Give them the correct amount of dog food: This will depend on different factors, such as your dog's age, weight, activity level (normal or sustained), and reported illnesses. Your vet or an animal nutritionist specialist can help you determine the appropriate amount of food for your dog.

• Treats: In addition to their regular food, you can certainly offer your furry friend a healthy treat from time to time. This is a good way to reward them and let them know you care. Little pieces of fruit or cooked vegetables are a great healthy, balanced option! However, be careful with this if your dog is overweight.

• Forbid certain foods: Of course, some foods are toxic to dogs. Sugar, cold meats, and chocolate should be avoided as part of a healthy diet. Likewise, chicken or rabbit bones should also be avoided.

• Finally, don't forget that hydration is key and that it's important to make sure your dog is drinking enough water, especially if they mainly eat dry food! Your pooch should drink an average of 40 to 60ml of water per kg of body weight per day. If they're drinking more than 100ml per kg of bodyweight, consider taking your Cocker Spaniel to see a vet, as this may be a sign of diabetes or kidney failure. If you want to encourage them to drink more water, try placing ice cubes in their water bowl. They'll be attracted to the movement created by the ice cubes and be tempted to drink more.