Cocker spaniels, a medium-size dog breed with adorable ears and a silky coat, are one of the most popular dog breeds amongst dog owners currently. They are also friendly, bubbly, and overall, a very active dog breed. If you have a cocker spaniel puppy, one of the things you will notice is that they are always hungry. Whilst you don’t want to starve your cocker spaniel, you also don’t want to overfeed them as overfeeding a them may lead to the pet being overweight or obese, which is very common among cocker spaniels.
With these concerns in mind, one of the most common questions amongst new cocker spaniel parents is how much and how often to feed their puppy. In this article, we are going to tell you all about it.
How much should you feed your cocker spaniel?
There is no one straightforward answer to this question unfortunately. Feeding requirements differ from dog to dog. The amount of food you should feed a cocker spaniel puppy is different from the amount you should feed an adult cocker spaniel. The amount of physical activity your cocker spaniel gets will also determine how much food they need.
The best determinant, according to the vets, is a dog’s weight. Dog food manufacturers usually indicate the amount of food to feed your puppy depending on their weight. This means you need to measure your cocker spaniel’s weight and check the food packaging to know the amount of food you ought to feed your cocker spaniel.
Read next: When should you switch your puppy to two meals a day from three meals
How many times in a day should you feed your cocker spaniel?
If you schedule your cocker spaniel’s meals, how many meals you should feed your cocker spaniel will depend on their age. Young puppies need to eat more often and you can split their daily amount of food into 3 or 4 meals. This is because young puppies need to eat more often than adults. As the puppy grows, you should reduce the meals to two.
If you are scheduling your cocker spaniel meals, it is important to keep the feeding time constant. Try as much as possible to feed your cocker spaniel at the same time and if you are not around for any reason, arrange to have them fed by a family member or a friend. If you don’t have someone to come over and feed them, an automatic pet feeder would be a handy alternative. With an automatic feeder, you can guarantee your puppy is fed on time.
You can check out my recommended automatic feeders in this guide here
Which is better for your cocker spaniel, dry or wet food?
Dry food dog food is usually small dry biscuits containing every nutrient your dog needs. In terms of caloric value, dry food usually has more calories because it’s compact. Unlike wet dog food, dry food usually lasts longer. Wet food will go off quite quickly after you open the can. Dry food can also be a lot less messier compared to wet food and some dog owners have claimed that as the dog chews the dry food, it dislodges food and debris stuck in the dog’s teeth eliminating bad breath in the process. Dry dog food also usually contains all the dietary supplements your cocker spaniel needs.
Wet food, on the other hand, usually has fewer calories. If your cocker spaniel is overweight, wet food might help them lose the extra weight as they can eat more food but with fewer calories. The wet food also provides your dog with some fluids that they need. If your puppy isn’t drinking much water, wet food will help supplement it. Wet food is also usually smelly, which dogs love. The food also tastes better for the dogs. If you decide to feed your dog wet food, check that the food has everything your pet needs and supplement it with any missing nutrients.
Can you mix dry and wet food?
Now that we have laid down what you need to know about both types of dog food, you might be wondering whether you need to choose and stick to one. No, you don’t. You can feed your puppy both dry and wet food. You could offer dry food for one meal and wet food for another. You can also mix the two in one meal if your dog likes the combination. Keep in mind the nutritional requirements of your cocker spaniel and ensure you don’t overfeed or underfeed them.
Homemade dog food for cocker spaniels.
Some pet parents prefer to make food for their dogs at home. With the recent pet food mishaps, it is all understandable. The best thing about homemade dog food is that you get to know every ingredient in the food. You can also use fresh ingredients.
A homemade dog meal should contain carbohydrates, proteins, use meats like pork, chicken, or beef, dog-friendly vegetables like carrots, cabbage, and cucumber, and dietary supplements like calcium if the food is lacking these supplements. You can find homemade dog food recipes online. Whilst making a meal for your furry friend is a great idea, you may not have the time to do it every day and that is okay.
You should also be aware of common human food that is toxic to dogs, such as raisins, chocolate, avocado, grapes, onions, and garlic. These should never be included in your dog’s homemade meals.
Read next: Why Is My Cocker Spaniel Always Hungry?
In conclusion,
How much food to feed your cocker spaniels depends on a few things starting with their age and their level of activity. If you are buying dog food the amount of food to feed your puppy is always indicated on the food packaging depending on their weight. If you notice your cocker spaniel is always hungry even when you think you are feeding them enough food, you should consult your vet. How many meals to feed your cocker spaniel in a day will depend on the age of your cocker spaniel.
Puppies need to eat more often so, 3 to 4 meals a day will do. Past 6 months, reduce your puppies meals to 2 in a day. Whether you prefer to feed your dog dry or wet food, ensure their food includes everything they need in their diet. If you want to make your dog food at home, be aware of some human food that is toxic to dogs.
Other posts you may be interested!
Why Is My Cocker Spaniel Always Hungry? 
How Much Should a Cocker Spaniel Weigh? 
How to Train a Cocker Spaniel: The Ultimate Guide & Easy To Follow Steps 
Why is my cocker spaniel so hyper? And how to deal with a hyperactive cocker spaniel 
When to Switch Puppies to Two Meals a Day 
How long should you walk cocker spaniel puppies? 
When Is A Cocker Spaniel Fully Grown? By Weight and Weeks 
What is a blue roan cocker spaniel? 