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Best Dog Food for Cocker Spaniels 2024
Written by Ellie Roddy
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/29/2024, edited: 02/29/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Did you know there are two types of Cocker Spaniel — the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel? Plus, there’s also the Colonial Cocker Spaniel which is a mix of the two.
But, whichever Cocker Spaniel you have, their dietary needs are pretty much the same. As with all breeds, you’ll need to take into account their age, size, activity level and any health conditions when choosing their food.
This breed is a medium-sized dog, depending on their exact size, so you may be able to feed them food for small breed dogs. But, for medium-sized dogs, your best option is often those not formulated for a specific size and instead choose food for all life stages.
There are a few things you need to consider when choosing the right food for this breed. Firstly, this breed loves to eat so they can become overweight — if they do, you may need to consider low calorie food. They can also suffer from food allergies so you may need to avoid allergens such as chicken and wheat. There’s a chance they will develop issues with their joints, so food with added chondroitin and glucosamine will help to support this.
They will also benefit from food that contains Omega 3 fatty acids — as they can have issues with their skin, but it will also help to look after their beautiful coats.
So, with that in mind, what is the best dog food for Cocker Spaniels?
Overview
Ollie
Ollie is a fresh food brand. We’ve placed it among the best dog food for Cocker Spaniels because the recipes are developed by a veterinary nutritionist. This food will look good enough to eat yourself because it’s made with whole meat, vegetables, fruits and grains. They are slow-cooked at low temperatures and there are no by-products or fillers.
The fresh recipes, which are formulated for all life stages, are:
- Chicken with Carrots
- Turkey with Blueberries
- Pork with Apples
- Beef with Sweet Potatoes
- Lamb with Cranberries
They also recently added baked products which are the same high-quality as the fresh food and available in two flavors: chicken and beef.
You can be sure your dog is getting exactly what they need as when you sign up you’ll let them know your pup’s age, breed, weight, activity level and any allergies and they will create them a personalized meal plan.
Ollie Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Made with human-grade ingredients
- A meal plan that caters to your dog's specific needs
- Delivered straight to your door
Considerations & Concerns
- You must have a subscription
- It can be quite expensive
- Must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer
What pet parents say about Ollie
"I absolutely Love this product! I’ve been feeding my dogs this brand for quite some time now years actually! They absolutely love this food. I love to mix the frozen food with the dry food and use some treat toppers as well. However, my dogs love this food so much it’s really not necessary to do that. I just like to do it., I love how you can actually see the ingredients and I love all the different options."
“Recently we decided to give Ollie's chicken dish a try and our pups love it!!! Not only does it arrive conveniently frozen, but we also really love the quality of the food. You can actually see the chunks of real chicken and carrots, unlike some other dog foods. More importantly, our dogs absolutely love it. They're picky eaters but they actually get excited at meal times now. If you're considering making the switch to a fresh dog food brand, we highly recommend Ollie!”
Read more reviews on Petco.
Image sourced from the OIllie website. Copyright Ollie Pets, Inc.
Merrick Grain Free Real Salmon & Sweet Potato
Vet recommended
This Merrick dog food is both salmon flavor and grain-free which makes it ideal for Cocker Spaniels with allergies.
This adult recipe includes Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat. High protein and healthy fats help to maintain an optimal weight, muscle mass and energy levels. Plus, the recipes include healthy fruits and vegetables such as sweet potato and blueberries.
If they don’t like the salmon, there are other flavors including beef, duck, chicken and lamb.
You can be safe in the knowledge that this is good dog food for Cocker Spaniels because it is approved by vets. Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants says: “Merrick products are made with high-quality, whole food ingredients, and they use no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.”
Merrick Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Real salmon is the first ingredient
- Chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint health
- Recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, Wag!'s pet nutrition expert and veterinary consultant
Considerations & Concerns
- Some dogs don’t like the taste
- It’s not the cheapest dog food on the market
What pet parents say about Merrick Grain Free Real Salmon & Sweet Potato
“My cocker spaniel took a few days getting used to it, but after a week his stomach and bowel movements normalized. He eats it and the probiotics in it help him a lot. Give your dog time to make the transition to new food. You'll be glad you did. My vet highly recommended it and my dog is doing better than I expected with the change. I would recommend feeding it to your fur baby!”
“I've transitioned {my} 13 month cocker spaniel to this food and she absolutely loves it. She was eating Royal Canin for medium dogs her entire life and she hated it, I even had to give it by hand to make her eat and she was burping and having digestion issues with that food. Now, the bad times are {gone!} . She eats her new food like crazy and {loves} it. No more burping, no upset belly. The fiber is great % so she poops {regularly}. I should {have} transitioned a long time ago. I think she was having {allergies} to some ingredients of her food since she used to scratch a lot. Now she's {comfortable} in her own skin. I'm very satisfied with this product”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Lamb & Brown Rice
Vet recommended
If you’re looking for grain-inclusive food, then Blue Buffalo is a great option for your Cocker Spaniel.
This food for adult dogs contains high-quality protein as well as carbohydrates to meet their energy needs. It also features vegetables and fruits plus LifeSource Bits — a specific blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to support their immune system. Plus, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.
If your pup isn’t a fan of the lamb flavor there is also beef, chicken and fish to choose from.
“Blue Buffalo dog food products cater to different life stages, sizes, and breeds of dogs. They offer formulations containing limited ingredients, which may be beneficial for dogs with certain dietary sensitivities.” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah.
Blue Buffalo Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Real meat is the first ingredient
- Glucosamine for joint health and mobility
- Recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, Wag!'s pet nutrition expert and veterinary consultant
Considerations & Concerns
- It has been recalled in the past, the most recent was in 2017
- Some dogs turn their nose up at this food
What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo Life Protection Lamb & Brown Rice
“My cocker spaniel babies love this one!! {The} food smells nice and their digestion is {working} wonderfully. They are so happy when it's yum yums time. I'm very pleased and highly recommend this food.”
“My dog was being fed a very expensive kibble and he would not eat it without wet food in it. Even then he'd try to eat the wet around the kibble. It was suggested I try this. He gobbles it up without any wet food. To me that says a lot, he likes the taste. Of course every dog will have different preferences just like us. I'm comfortable about the nutrition and price components of it.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie
Vet recommended
If your dog has a poultry or grain allergy, this is another great option for them. The dry food, which is grain-free and formulated for adults, is roasted bison and venison flavor — which really does offer your furry friend a taste of the wild.
This dog food, which is suitable for all breeds, is high in protein. It includes vitamins and minerals from real fruits and superfoods. Plus, it has antioxidants and prebiotics to support their digestion and immune system.
If your picky pup doesn’t like this flavor or fancies a change then you have other options including salmon and duck. Likewise, there’s canned food in this range if you want to mix it with the dry food.
This is another vet-approved dog food. “Taste of the Wild offers both wet and dry dog and cat foods for all life stages incorporating species-specific probiotics, antioxidants from ancient grains, fruits and seeds, and omega fatty acids," notes Dr. Georgia Jeremiah.
Taste of the Wild Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- Real meat is the first ingredient
- Species-specific K9 Strain Proprietary Probiotics
- Recommended by Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, Wag!'s pet nutrition expert and veterinary consultant
Considerations & Concerns
- Meat meal is the second ingredient
- It’s grain-free which won’t be suitable for all dogs
What pet parents say about Taste of the Wild High Prairie
“My dogs love this food. My cocker spaniel has a sensitive tummy, and he has skin issues, and once I switched to this food it seemed we haven’t had problems.”
Read more reviews on Petco.
“My dog has eaten this for over 12 years - she is in great health and a beautiful coat.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC.
FAQ
Should Cocker Spaniels eat food formulated for small breed dogs?
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