Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Cocker Spaniel Food Calculator
- Cocker Spaniel Feeding Chart
- Best Food for Cocker Spaniel. Cocker Spaniel Feeding Guide
- How Much Food to Feed the Cocker Spaniel
- How Many Times to Feed the Cocker Spaniel a Day
- Conclusion
Introduction to Feeding the Cocker Spaniel
Most dog owners do not know how to properly feed their dogs.
Also, most dog owners overfeed their dogs.
That explains why 59 percent of dogs and cats are overweight, according to research.
Overfeeding your Cocker Spaniel will make your Cocker Spaniel overweight and obese. Obesity leads to worse health problems for your Cocker Spaniel.
Unfortunately, the Cocker Spaniel is a dog breed that can become overweight very easily.
Therefore, you need to pay careful attention to what you feed your Cocker Spaniel and how much food you feed your Cocker Spaniel.
Furthermore, when you overfeed your Cocker Spaniel, you waste dog food. Wasting dog food is the same as wasting money. Dog food is a recurring expenditure that adds up to a lot of money over the lifespan of your Cocker Spaniel.
The average lifespan of the Cocker Spaniel is 10.3 years.
When you feed your Cocker Spaniel the right type of food and the right amount of food, your Cocker Spaniel will be of the right body weight and the right body condition (not overweight or underweight).
Similarly, underfeeding your Cocker Spaniel is as bad of a problem as overfeeding your Cocker Spaniel.
When you underfeed your Cocker Spaniel or feed your Cocker Spaniel an incomplete or unbalanced diet, you reduce your Cocker Spaniel`s quality of life.
The right amount of food that your Cocker Spaniel needs depends on six important factors.
You need to take all these factors into account when developing a meal plan for your Cocker Spaniel. These six factors are:- The life stage of your Cocker Spaniel (puppy, adult, or senior)
- The current weight of your Cocker Spaniel
- The body condition of your Cocker Spaniel (normal weight, overweight, underweight)
- How active your Cocker Spaniel is (inactive/obese prone, or active/athletic)
- If your Cocker Spaniel has been spayed/neutered
- The type of dog food that you feed your Cocker Spaniel
This article will provide you with a detailed guide on how to properly feed your Cocker Spaniel based on the above factors as recommended by veterinarians.
This article also includes the Cocker Spaniel food calculator that you can use to estimate how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel based on the six factors we have just mentioned.
Our Cocker Spaniel food calculator uses the dog food formula and feeding guidelines developed by the veterinarians from The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center and by veterinarians from the Mark Morris Institute.
Moreover, our calculator knows the calorie content per cup in over 800 popular dog foods (data from the Frankin Animal Clinic). Thus, the calculator can automatically calculate the right amount of each popular dog food that your Cocker Spaniel needs daily.
Importantly, since the nutrient requirements of the Cocker Spaniel puppy are different from the nutrient requirements of the adult Cocker Spaniel, this article contains recommendations on the best food to feed the Cocker Spaniel at different ages.
Cocker Spaniel Food Calculator
The Cocker Spaniel Food Calculator above lets you estimate how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel.
Similarly, to calculate how much water your Cocker Spaniel needs, check out our Cocker Spaniel water calculator
.Our dog water calculator lets you estimate how much water your Cocker Spaniel needs to drink in a day.
How to Use our Cocker Spaniel Food Calculator
To use the dog food calculator:✔ Select the name of the dog food that you feed your Cocker Spaniel from the list.
✔ If the name of the dog food that your feed your Cocker Spaniel is not on the list, then find the bag or can of your dog food, the bag should have written on it how many kcals per cup is in the dog food. Enter this value in the calculator in the place of the dog food name.
✔ Enter the current weight of your Cocker Spaniel.
✔ Select your Cocker Spaniel`s age range, activity level, and neuter status.
✔ If your Cocker Spaniel is overweight or underweight, and you want your Cocker Spaniel to lose or gain weight, enter the ideal weight of your Cocker Spaniel for its current age in the `How much you wish your dog currently weighs` box. Leave this box blank if your Cocker Spaniel is of normal weight.
To know how much Cocker Spaniels typically weigh at different ages, check out our article and calculators on Cocker Spaniel weight and growth.
CONSULT A LICENSED VETERINARIAN FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR DOG ON A WEIGHT LOSS OR WEIGHT GAIN DIET.
How the Cocker Spaniel Food Calculator Works
First, the calculator estimates what is known as the Resting Energy Requirement (RER) of your Cocker Spaniel.
The RER is the amount of energy that your Cocker Spaniel needs when it is `resting`, that is when doing nothing. The calculator uses the current weight of your Cocker Spaniel to calculate your Cocker Spaniel`s resting energy.
Next, the calculator scales up the resting energy by a factor that corresponds to your Cocker Spaniel`s life stage (puppy or adult) and lifestyle (activity level, spayed/neutered, etc). This scaled up energy value (called the maintenance energy) is the energy that your Cocker Spaniel needs to maintain its life when not resting.
Finally, the Cocker Spaniel food calculator divides the maintenance energy by the amount of energy in one cup of dog food to calculate how many cups of dog food your Cocker Spaniel needs.
Monitoring Your Cocker Spaniel`s Growth
The answer from the Cocker Spaniel food calculator is a starting point number on how much food you need to feed your Cocker Spaniel.
Start by feeding your Cocker Spaniel the amount of food recommended by the Cocker Spaniel food calculator every day.
While feeding your Cocker Spaniel this daily amount of food, weigh your Cocker Spaniel at least once a week to ensure that your Cocker Spaniel is not on its way to becoming overweight or underweight.
If your Cocker Spaniel is becoming overweight, reduce the amount of food your feed it by 10 to 15 percent, if underweight increase its food by 10 to 15 percent.
You can use our dog weight tracking tool to keep records of your Cocker Spaniel`s weight. This tool will let you know if the feeding plan is making your Cocker Spaniel grow normally or abnormally.
You can also check your Cocker Spaniel body condition score to find out if it is overweight or underweight. Learn how to check your Cocker Spaniel body condition score here.
Cocker Spaniel Feeding Chart
Below is the typical feed chart for the Cocker Spaniel. This chart provides you a rough guide on how much dry dog food (kibble) to feed your Cocker Spaniel.
If you want a more accurate estimate of how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel, use this Cocker Spaniel food calculator.
| Age | Typical Weight | How Much Food |
|---|---|---|
| 12 weeks | 9.8 lbs (4.5 kg) | 1.7 cups per day |
| 13 weeks | 10.7 lbs (4.9 kg) | 1.8 cups per day |
| 15 weeks | 12.4 lbs (5.6 kg) | 2.0 cups per day |
| 16 weeks | 13.2 lbs (6.0 kg) | 2.1 cups per day |
| 5 months | 15.9 lbs (7.2 kg) | 1.6 cups per day |
| 6 months | 18.0 lbs (8.2 kg) | 1.7 cups per day |
| 7 months | 19.6 lbs (8.9 kg) | 1.9 cups per day |
| 8 months | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) | 1.9 cups per day |
| 9 months | 21.8 lbs (9.9 kg) | 2.0 cups per day |
| 10 months | 22.4 lbs (10.2 kg) | 2.0 cups per day |
| 11 months | 22.8 lbs (10.3 kg) | 2.1 cups per day |
| 12 months | 23.1 lbs (10.5 kg) | 2.1 cups per day |
| 1 years | 23.2 lbs (10.5 kg) | 2.1 cups per day |
| 2 years | 23.3 lbs (10.6 kg) | 1.7 cups per day |
| 3 years | 23.3 lbs (10.6 kg) | 1.7 cups per day |
How to Measure the Right Amount of Dog Food for Your Cocker Spaniel
Research has shown that most owners over-measure a cup of dog food. As a result, most dogs owners overfeed their dogs. This is because dog owners do not level off the cup when measuring out the food they give to their dogs.
See how and how not to measure ONE cup of dry dog food in the picture below:
Note that one cup of dog food equals 8 oz of dog food or ~237 milliliters of dog food.
You can buy standard dog food measuring cups here on Amazon.
Best Food for Cocker Spaniel. Cocker Spaniel Feeding Guide
The Cocker Spaniel has different nutrient needs at different life stages. Therefore, the dog food that you feed your Cocker Spaniel at different ages should be the type that is appropriate for its age.
For example, during its puppy stage, your Cocker Spaniel needs the type of dog food that has been designed to help boost a puppy`s weak immune system.
On the other hand, the adult Cocker Spaniel should have already developed a good immune system. So, during the adult stage, you should feed your Cocker Spaniel the type of dog food that has been designed to prolong the life of a dog.
Nevertheless, some dogs still do well eating the same food at every stage of their lives.
However, feeding your Cocker Spaniel dog food that has been optimized for its age will ensure that your Cocker Spaniel grows well, lives well, and lives long.
Feeding Guide for the Cocker Spaniel Puppy: 12 weeks to one year
The dog food that you feed your puppy should have the nutrients that will boost a puppy`s immune system since puppies easily get infected with the disease at this age.
Also, a good puppy food should have the nutrients that support brain development and good vision.
Finally, a good dog food for the Cocker Spaniel puppy should be the type that will not make your Cocker Spaniel fat. The puppy food should also help increase the health of your puppy`s bones.
See our list of the best dry dog food and the best wet dog food for the Cocker Spaniel puppy below.
These dog foods have all the right amount of nutrients that the Cocker Spaniel puppy needs to grow well during its puppy years.
Best Dry Food For Cocker Spaniel Puppy: Hill`s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Puppy, Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe
Best Wet Food For Cocker Spaniel Puppy: Purina Pro Plan High Protein Wet Puppy Food
Feeding Guide for the Young Adult Cocker Spaniel: Ages 1 year to 6 years
The dog food that you feed a young adult Cocker Spaniel should have the nutrients that will make a dog live longer.
A good dog food for the young adult Cocker Spaniel should also have the nutrients that will minimize the chances of your Cocker Spaniel getting infected with common dog diseases.
Also, a good dry dog food for the young adult Cocker Spaniel should help clean your dog`s teeth as your dog chews on the food.
Below is our best dog food recommendations for the young adult Cocker Spaniel
Best Dry Food For Young Adult Cocker Spaniel: Hill`s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult Oral Care for Dental Health Dog Food, Chicken Rice & Barley Recipe
Best Wet Food For Young Adult Cocker Spaniel: Hill`s Science Diet Wet Dog Food, Chicken & Barley
Feeding Guide for Mature Adult Cocker Spaniels: 6 years and older
You should feed the mature adult Cocker Spaniel food that has been formulated to improve their quality of life, increase their life expectancy, and increase their overall health.
Older dogs are prone to age-related health problems. A good diet is essential to minimize the possibility of becoming frail with age.
See our recommendation on the best food for the mature adult Cocker Spaniel below:
Best Dry Food For Mature Adult Cocker Spaniel: Hill`s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult 7+ for Senior Dogs, Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe
Best Wet Food For Mature Adult Cocker Spaniel: Hill`s Science Diet Wet Dog Food, Adult 7+ for Senior Dogs, Beef & Barley Recipe
Feeding Guide for Senior Dogs
One way to slow down the effects of aging in dogs is to reduce the amount of food you feed old dogs by 20 to 30% of normal while meeting essential nutrient needs.
Reducing a senior Cocker Spaniel`s food slows the aging process and reduces the risk for cancer, kidney diseases, arthritis, and immune-related diseases.
AAFCO-Certified Dog Food for the Cocker Spaniel
No matter which commercial food that you feed your Cocker Spaniel, make sure that the food is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
AAFCO is an expert body that rigorously tests dog food to make sure that the dog food is safe.
Also, AAFCO ensures that a dog food has all the nutrients (not just calories) that a dog needs to grow well before AAFCO approves the dog food.
Unlike homemade dog food, most commercial dog foods are AAFCO-approved. Double-check the label of your dog food to make sure it has been certified by AAFCO before feeding it to your Cocker Spaniel.
How Much Food to Feed the Cocker Spaniel
How Much Food to Feed a 13-Week-Old Cocker Spaniel Puppy
You should feed your 13-week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy 1.8 cups of dry dog food (kibble) every day.
You may divide this food into two or three separate meals and give it to your Cocker Spaniel puppy over the day.
Our recommendation on how much food should feed your 13-week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy assumes that the weight of your Cocker Spaniel is typical for its age.
The typical weight for a 13-week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy is 10.7 lbs (4.9 kg).
Our recommendation on how much food you should feed your Cocker Spaniel also assumes that you feed your Cocker Spaniel a dog food with a calorie content of 389 kcal per cup.
If you want a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel puppy based on its exact weight, the exact type of dog food that you feed your Cocker Spaniel, and other factors, use our Cocker Spaniel food calculator.
How Much Food to Feed a 18-Week-Old Cocker Spaniel Puppy
You should feed your 18-week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy 1.5 cups of dry dog food (kibble) every day.
You may divide this food into two or three separate meals and give it to your Cocker Spaniel puppy over the day.
Our recommendation on how much food should feed your 18-week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy assumes that the weight of your Cocker Spaniel is typical for its age.
The typical weight for a 18-week-old Cocker Spaniel puppy is 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg).
Our recommendation on how much food you should feed your Cocker Spaniel also assumes that you feed your Cocker Spaniel a dog food with a calorie content of 389 kcal per cup.
If you want a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel puppy based on its exact weight, the exact type of dog food that you feed your Cocker Spaniel, and other factors, use our Cocker Spaniel food calculator.
How Much Food to Feed a 6-Month-Old Cocker Spaniel Puppy
You should feed your 6-month-old Cocker Spaniel puppy 1.7 cups of dry dog food (kibble) every day.
Ration this food into two or three separate portions and give it to your Cocker Spaniel puppy over the day.
Our recommendation on how much food you should feed your 6-month-old Cocker Spaniel puppy assumes that the weight of your Cocker Spaniel is typical for its age.
The typical weight for a 6-month-old Cocker Spaniel puppy is 18.0 lbs (8.2 kg).
Our recommendation on how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel also assumes that you feed your Cocker Spaniel dog food that has an average calorie density (389 kcal per cup).
Use our Cocker Spaniel food calculator to calculate a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel.
How Much Food to Feed a 10-Month-Old Cocker Spaniel Puppy
You should feed your 10-month-old Cocker Spaniel puppy 2.0 cups of dry dog food (kibble) every day.
Ration this food into two or three separate portions and give it to your Cocker Spaniel puppy over the day.
Our recommendation on how much food you should feed your 10-month-old Cocker Spaniel puppy assumes that the weight of your Cocker Spaniel is typical for its age.
The typical weight for a 10-month-old Cocker Spaniel puppy is 22.4 lbs (10.2 kg).
Our recommendation on how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel also assumes that you feed your Cocker Spaniel dog food that has an average calorie density (389 kcal per cup).
Use our Cocker Spaniel food calculator to calculate a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel.
How Much Food to Feed a 11-Year-Old Cocker Spaniel
You should feed your 11-year-old Cocker Spaniel 1.7 cups of dry dog food (kibble) every day.
Ration this food into two or three separate portions and give it to your Cocker Spaniel over the day.
Our recommendation on how much food you need to feed your 11-year-old Cocker Spaniel assumes that the weight of your Cocker Spaniel is typical for its age.
The typical weight for a 11-year-old Cocker Spaniel puppy is 23.3 lbs (10.6 kg).
Our recommendation on how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel also assumes that you feed your Cocker Spaniel dog food of that contains 389 kilocalories of energy per cup.
Use our Cocker Spaniel food calculator for a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel.
How Much Food to Feed a 12-Year-Old Cocker Spaniel
You should feed your 12-year-old Cocker Spaniel 1.7 cups of dry dog food (kibble) every day.
Ration this food into two or three separate portions and give it to your Cocker Spaniel over the day.
Our recommendation on how much food you need to feed your 12-year-old Cocker Spaniel assumes that the weight of your Cocker Spaniel is typical for its age.
The typical weight for a 12-year-old Cocker Spaniel puppy is 23.3 lbs (10.6 kg).
Our recommendation on how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel also assumes that you feed your Cocker Spaniel dog food of that contains 389 kilocalories of energy per cup.
Use our Cocker Spaniel food calculator for a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel.
How Much Food to Feed a 18-Pound Cocker Spaniel
You should feed your 18-Pound Cocker Spaniel 1.5 cups of dry dog food (kibble) every day.
Ration this food into two or three separate potions and give it to your Cocker Spaniel over the day.
Our recommendation on how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel also assumes that you feed your Cocker Spaniel a dog food that has an energy content of 389 kilocalories per cup, and that your Cocker Spaniel is reproductively intact.
Also, we assume that your Cocker Spaniel is not overweight or underweight.
Use our Cocker Spaniel food calculator for a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel.
How Much Food to Feed a 22-Pound Cocker Spaniel
You should feed your 22-Pound Cocker Spaniel 1.8 cups of dry dog food (kibble) every day.
Ration this food into two or three separate potions and give it to your Cocker Spaniel over the day.
Our recommendation on how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel also assumes that you feed your Cocker Spaniel a dog food that has an energy content of 389 kilocalories per cup, and that your Cocker Spaniel is reproductively intact.
Also, we assume that your Cocker Spaniel is not overweight or underweight.
Use our Cocker Spaniel food calculator for a more accurate estimation of how much food to feed your Cocker Spaniel.
How Many Times to Feed the Cocker Spaniel a Day
When it comes to how many times to feed a dog, there are three different ways to feed the Cocker Spaniel
One way is to make food available to the Cocker Spaniel at all times (free-choice feeding).
Another way is to feed the Cocker Spaniel two or three times a day (food-restricted feeding). This is the feeding method that works the best for most Cocker Spaniels.
The third way is to make food available to your Cocker Spaniel for a short time (about 10 minutes) once or twice a day (time-restricted feeding).
Each of these feeding methods has its advantages and disadvantages, which will be discussed next.
Free-Choice Feeding
This is a feeding method when you make food available to your Cocker Spaniel all the time.
Food-Restricted Meal Feeding
Food-limited feeding requires feeding a measured amount of food based on the Cocker Spaniel’s daily energy requirements divided into two or three meals per day.
This is the method of choice for feeding puppies that are at risk of developing bone diseases due to rapid growth. Restricting the food of a rapidly growing dog will ensure that the dog grows normally.
Time-Limited Feeding
This is a dog feeding method in which dogs are allowed access to food for a short period, usually 10 to 15 minutes, once or twice daily (three times per day for the first month after weaning, then twice per day).
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Free-choice feeding |
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| Food-restricted feeding |
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| Time-restricted feeding |
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Effect of Neutering/Spaying on How Much Food your Cocker Spaniel eats
Neutered/spayed dogs tend to get fat twice as easily as intact dogs.
Studies have shown that neutering/spaying may increase your Cocker Spaniel`s appetite for more food. Also, your Cocker Spaniel`s physical activity decreases after neutering/spaying. These factors lead to weight gain.
Neutering may lead to more weight gain in male Cocker Spaniels because neutered dogs roam less (which means less exercise).
Therefore, the amount of food that you give to a neutered Cocker Spaniel should be reduced after you neuter your Cocker Spaniel to prevent weight gain.
Use our Cocker Spaniel food calculator to calculate how much food to feed a neutered/spayed Cocker Spaniel.
Effect of Weather on How Much Food Your Cocker Spaniel Needs
Cocker Spaniels that live in cold environments need more food (especially, food high in fat) than Cocker Spaniels that live in hot environments.
Hot weather, on the other hand, does not increase the amount of food your Cocker Spaniel needs. Hot weather only makes your Cocker Spaniel need more water.
Since most Cocker Spaniels live in a temperature-controlled environment as their owners. Therefore, owners do not need to increase or decrease the amount of food they give to their Cocker Spaniels based on the outside weather.
Important Note on Treats and Table Food
Because meeting a dog`s nutrient requirements is not the primary goal of dog treats, most commercial dog treats do not contain the essential nutrients that your Cocker Spaniel needs.
However, a few treats are complete and balanced and are approved by AAFCO, or some other credible dog food regulatory agency. Check the label on your dog treat to know if the dog treat has a complete and balanced nutrient profile.
Nevertheless, dog treats, either balanced or unbalanced in nutrients, are valid sources of calories for your dog. Therefore, if you give your dog lots of treats, you should reduce the amount of the regular dog food that you give your dog accordingly to account for the treats. That way, you will not overfeed your dog.
Also, human table foods do not contain the important nutrients that your Cocker Spaniel needs for healthy growth.
Also, human table foods may contain very high levels of fat or sodium and other minerals that are harmful to your Cocker Spaniel.
Moreover, know that when you feed your Cocker Spaniel table food, you fill your Cocker Spaniel`s stomach with dog `junk food`. This will suppress your Cocker Spaniel`s appetite and thereby make your Cocker Spaniel unable to eat its normal dog food that contains the essential nutrients for your Cocker Spaniel`s growth.
We do not recommend giving your Cocker Spaniel table food.
Conclusion
Most commercial dog food labels contain recommendations on how much of the food to feed a dog. However, their recommendations are very general.
Therefore, in this article, we have provided your specific advice on how to properly feed your Cocker Spaniel.