Do you have a Cocker Spaniel who needs to shed some weight?
The problem of obesity is rife amongst dogs in the United Kingdom, leading to a range of potential health problems.
You may be accustomed to feeding your dog store-bought kibble but such dry food can contain additives, fillers or nasties.
Some Cocker Spaniel owners may be eager to switch their dog onto fresh dog food that is tailored to meet their pet’s specific needs.
The good news is that there are a lot of dog food delivery companies who provide balanced and complete meals made of healthy ingredients in recipes that have been formulated by vets and animal nutritionists.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the best dog food for Cocker Spaniels in the UK at the moment, taking a look at some of the leading fresh dog food, tailored dry food and raw dog food options.
Editor's note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as veterinary, medical or professional advice. The content of our articles does not constitute veterinary advice. It’s always best to speak with your vet or a certified pet nutritionist before making any changes to your pet's diet or feeding routine.
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Best Dog Food For Cocker Spaniels UK
| Rating | Summary | Website | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butternut Box |
|
• Rip-and-serve • Six recipes • Human grade | Buy Now | |
| Pure |
|
• Air-dried food • Backed by vets • Customised | Buy Now | |
| Poppy's Picnic |
|
• Quality raw meat • British ingredients • No nasties | Buy Now |
Cocker Spaniel Diet
Butternut Box recipes (Photo: helloBARK!)
Cocker Spaniels, just like any other dog breed or mix, will benefit from a balanced and complete diet that is comprised of fresh and healthy ingredients.
However, dog owners will have different preferences when it comes to the type of dog food that they feed their canine companion.
This breed tend to be relatively active dogs, especially given they were traditionally bred as working dogs centuries ago.
Cocker Spaniels will need lots of mental and physical stimulation – as well as a diet that provides them with sufficient fuel for their active lives.
Their diet should contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and minerals to ensure they’re eating a complete diet.
While you may be accustomed to feeding your Cocker Spaniel kibble bought from your local supermarket, you may be surprised to learn that such dry food can contain additives and fillers.
Therefore, you may prefer to go for a dog food delivery company that can provide tailored meals for your Cocker Spaniel in a range of different formats.
For instance, you could opt for fresh dog food meals, tailored dry food or raw fed diet. It’s important you do thorough research and consult with your vet before you make a change to your Cocker Spaniel’s diet.
The great thing about signing up to a dog food delivery company is that they’ll usually tailor your Cocker Spaniel’s meals to meet their specific requirements. Some brands will even go as far as storing their food in pre-portioned pouches so you won’t be tempted to overfeed.
The American Kennel Club warn on their website that a lot of groomers and veterinarians report encountering a lot of overweight Cocker Spaniels.
The AKC outline that the average weight range of a Cocker Spaniel is from 25-30 pounds for a male and a 20-25 pounds for a female.
It’s important to be control the portion size where your Cocker Spaniel is concerned given obesity can be a problem that affects members of the breed.
Cocker Spaniel Health Problems
You may be surprised to learn that 46% of dogs are overweight in the UK, according to a report by PDSA in 2018.
Perhaps of even more concern is the fact that 40% of British pet parents don’t know their dog’s current weight or body condition score.
PDSA write in their report that pet obesity continues to be one of the key welfare issues facing pets in the UK.
Furthermore, vets and vet nurses in the UK estimate that nearly half of the overweight and obese dogs they see in their practice have health issues which could be related to their weight. These include:
• Musculoskeletal problems
• Respiratory problems
• Diabetes
So obesity is an issue that Cocker Spaniel owners will need to be aware of.
Overall, the AKC writes that the Cocker Spaniel has a good longevity, with an average lifespan of around 10 to 14 years. The organization writes:
A conscientious breeder can furnish records of the sire’s and dam’s health testing, for example for hips, patellas, and eyes. Breeders often have years of data regarding testing done in these health areas.
Cocker Spaniels can be prone to pancreatitis when they hit middle age.
Fetch by WebMD explain that pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed. They explain that some of the symptoms of the condition include loss of appetite, vomiting and belly pain.
If you’re concerned your Cocker Spaniel could be suffering with pancreatitis, you should contact your vet immediately.
Another condition that can affect senior Cocker Spaniels is arthritis.
The Kennel Club offer the following definition of arthritis.
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints and is a common problem for many dogs, causing pain, discomfort and stiffness.
The Kennel Club go on to write that arthritis is commonly worse in overweight and unfit dogs, underlining the importance of weight control and exercise management.
What Cocker Spaniel Owners Say
Leo the Cocker Spaniel (Photo: _leo_the_cocker_ / Instagram)
Some dogs can be fussy eaters, which is something I have experienced with my Alaskan Klee Kai. If you own a picky Cocker Spaniel, you’ll be able to relate to the concern and frustration associated with witnessing your dog refusing to eat their food.
We spoke to a number of Cocker Spaniel owners to learn more about their dogs and whether they’ve shown any fussiness at mealtime.
Leo (@_leo_the_cocker_) the Cocker Spaniel isn’t picky at all with his food.
Leo in particular is NOT fussy when it comes to food, He’ll eat absolutely anything… which is great when he thinks his worming tablet is a treat… but not so great when he comes in off the garden munching on pieces of twig!
Sev admires his Butternut Box (Photo: @stephandthespaniels / Instagram)
Stephanie explained why she feeds her Cocker Spaniels (@stephandthespaniels) fresh dog food meals from Butternut Box.
We love Butternut Box. It’s so easy for the humans, not having to re-order is a dream- it just turns up on subscription. This is a dream for a busy person. It’s all natural and healthy. What I feed the dogs is really important.
Best Fresh Dog Food UK: Butternut Box
Where To Order: www.butternutbox.com
Alaskan Klee Kai Copper and Skye with their Butternut Box delivery (Photo: @lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
Butternut Box are offering a fresh take on dog food.
They offer fresh dog food that is comprised of 60% meat and 40% vegetables, lentils and minerals – and none of the nasties.
Butternut Box is vet approved, grain free and made in the UK and can cost from as little as £1.31 a day – that’s less than a cup of coffee!
They even go as far as to taste test their meals to ensure all their recipes meet their high standards.
The Pros
• High-quality ingredients
• Customised meals
• 6 different recipes
• Pre-portioned pouches
• Eco-friendly approach
• Value for money
The Cons
• Costs more than store-bought kibble
• Can only order from their website
We can offer helloBARK! readers an exclusive 50% discount off their first order and 50% discount off their second order of Butternut Box through this link.
What Are Dog Owners Saying
Butternut Box have an average of 4.9 stars out of 5 based upon over 6,500 reviews on independent review website Trustpilot.
Carolyn explained that her Cocker Spaniel is really enthusiastic about his Butternut Box meals.
I decided to try Butternut Box as my Cocker Spaniel was getting a bit bored with the wet food he was already on. The Butternut Box food is just like I’d cooked it fresh myself. I warm it up (he’s a bit of a fussy eater, and this helps) and it smells delicious. He’s very enthusiastic about it and really tucks in. I recently ordered a bag of treats and he loves those too. Wilf and I can highly recommend Butternut Box, the quality is excellent and he loves it!
Christina outlined the difference Butternut Box has made to her nine-year old Cocker Spaniel.
I use Butternut Box dinners and treats for my dog Brian, who is a working Cocker Spaniel, and is 9 years old. Since feeding him Butternut, he has more energy, his coat is glossy and he has lost weight. People think he’s around two years old when he’s out as he is now the healthiest he’s ever been, and this is a dog that we nearly lost to pancreatitis a while ago. Also their customer service is fantastic, I wish all companies would have the same level of care for their customers. Would highly recommend using them for a healthy, happy dog.
Chloe believes Butternut Box does represent value for money.
Our working Cocker Spaniel puppy was SO fussy with any food we tried to give her and we were so worried as she was not eating! After our 14-day trial of Butternut Box, there is no way we can ever go back to normal dog food. Luna has so much energy and goes crazy for mealtimes which is so nice to see. At first, we were worried as it can seem expensive when compared with normal dog food, but with great customer service, easy storage, good packaging and convenient delivery; it is completely worth it! Couldn’t be more thankful to Butternut Box!
Our Verdict
Alaskan Klee Kai Copper with his Butternut Box delivery (Photo: @lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
I’ve been feeding Butternut Box to my fussy Alaskan Klee Kai for nearly two years. Before I was introduced to this company, my Klee Kai would be picky with their kibble. It was a battle to get them to eat their meals, leading to a bout of stomach problems.
However, my Klee Kai love their Butternut Box meals. I like that I can pick and choose from their range of recipes to keep my mini huskies guessing at mealtime.
Butternut Box store your Cocker Spaniel’s food in pre-portioned pouches – so there’s minimal fuss at mealtime. You just rip and serve straight into your dog’s bowl.
If you care about the environment like, you’ll appreciate that Butternut Box have adopted an eco-friendly approach to feeding British dogs their balanced and complete meals.
We can offer helloBARK! readers an exclusive 50% discount off their first order and 50% discount off their second order of Butternut Box through this link.
Best Dry Food Dog Food UK: Pure
Website: www.purepetfood.com
Pure Pet Food scooper (Photo: www.hellobark.com)
Some Cocker Spaniel owners may prefer to stick with a dry dog food diet, but they’re eager to find a company that will provide dry food free from additives and fillers.
Pure Pet Food are a dog food delivery company based in Yorkshire where they operate from their human-grade kitchen.
They use an air-dried method to cook their high quality ingredients, which removes moisture but retains all the nutritional goodness.
Backed by vets, Pure will tailor their dry food to meet your Cocker Spaniel’s specific needs, whether they need to gain or lose weight.
The Pros
• Air-dried method
• Customised
• British ingredients
• Vet approved
• Different flavors
• Convenient storage
The Cons
• Price
• Preparation
• Can only buy on their website
What Are Dog Owners Saying
Pure Pet Food get 4.8 stars out of 5 based upon nearly 2,000 reviews on independent review website Trustpilot.
Gill shed light on the positive impact Pure had on her Cocker Spaniel.
I wasn’t sure about changing my dog’s food but he has very dry skin and although he is 9, he just seemed to have no energy anymore. So glad I did as within a week his coat was shinier and so soft and he’s got his bounce back! He absolutely loves the food, he’s so excited to get fed now and although it seemed quite a bit more expensive than his previous kibble it isn’t actually when you work it out by daily price. The difference in his health is worth every penny anyway.
Miggins was astounded by the change in her Cocker Spanile when she made the switch to Pure.
Our Cocker Spaniel has never been bothered by food. When he was a puppy we realised he had an allergy to chicken and was quite poorly so we thought his lack of interest in food had come from this. During the pathetic lockdown, we were unable to get his normal sensitive food so opted to use Pure. I couldn’t believe the difference. He now eats his food straight away and is really happy when he sees me making it. When I sent the query email, they replied the same day. I’d recommend this food and the company too.
Jane had no qualms that Pure is worth the money.
My extremely fussy working Cocker is like a different dog at meal times now she’s on Pure! The first time I opened the packet before it was even hydrated she was over like a shot to find out what I was doing!! She licks the bowl shiny clean which she hasn’t ever done with any other food. I think it’s definitely worth the money.
Our Verdict
Pure Pet Food (Photo: www.hellobark.com)
If you’re looking for a dry food option for your Cocker Spaniel, you may want to consider Pure Pet Food.
As the customer reviews highlight above, Pure appear to have successfully transformed fussy Cockers into food motivated Spaniels.
While Cocker Spaniel owners will need to do some of the work by combining water with their dry food, it’s a straightforward preparation process.
While my Klee Kai prefer fresh dog meals, they really enjoyed Pure when I carried out a taste test on my picky mini huskies.
Best Raw Dog Food
Website: www.poppyspicnic.co.uk
Alaskan Klee Kai with Poppy’s Picnic (Photo: lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
Poppy’s Picnic are one of the leading raw dog food companies in the UK, operating from their HQ in Wiltshire.
They source their ingredients from local butchers in Wiltshire, while the rest of their ingredients are all sourced from British suppliers.
Raw dog food is a controversial form of pet nutrition so it’s important you consult with your vet and do lots of research before you make the switch.
Editor's note: It’s important to be aware of the risks associated with raw pet food, as it can be contaminated with harmful bacteria (such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and E. coli). The UK government website offers the following advice to pet owners: wash your hands with hot water and soap immediately after handling raw pet food or treats; clean and disinfect all surfaces and utensils that the raw pet food touches; store and defrost raw pet food away from where human food is stored. Young children should not touch or eat raw pet food, as they’re more at risk of illness because their immune system is still developing and they’re more likely to put their hands in their mouth. You can check out the UK government’s guidance in full via this link.
The Pros
• Wholesome recipes
• Vet formulated
• Meat sourced from local butchers
• Tailored
The Cons
• Freezer space required
• Risks of raw dog food
• Can only order from their website
What Customers Are Saying
Poppy’s Picnic get an average rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 based upon over 100 reviews on Trustpilot.
Angie gave Poppy’s Picnic a glow five-star review.
Poppy’s are fantastic and nothing is too much trouble. The food is loved by my two boys and the customer service is exemplar. Thanks so much – we love your products.
Helen revealed both of her dogs love Poppy’s Picnic.
Both my dogs absolutely love their Poppy’s Picnic meals! I have one fussy dog and one who will eat anything but now they both wait for dinner licking their lips and lick their bowls clean. I’ve noticed such a difference in their health in general but mainly their fur which is now super silky and soft!
Adele rated Poppy’s Picnic as the best raw dog food company.
Excellent customer service, value and quality products which are easily superior to many of the raw food competitors.
Our Verdict
Alaskan Klee Kai with Poppy’s Picnic (Photo: lifewithkleekai / Instagram)
If you’re thinking about adopted a raw fed diet, you should do a lot of research about this particular type of pet nutrition.
Poppy’s Picnic are one of the leading raw dog food companies in the UK, providing a range of different recipes.
I used Poppy’s Picnic as a tasty topper on my Klee Kai’s regular meals and it proved to be a big hit!
Anything Else To Consider?
If you’re thinking about making the switch to a new type of dog food, it’s a good idea to consult with your vet to learn about the best options for your Cocker Spaniel.
You don’t want to make an immediate switch to a new type of dog food as you could risk upsetting your Cocker Spaniel’s stomach.
The best dog food delivery companies featured in this article offer guidelines on how to make the transition from your Cocker Spaniel’s old food onto the new balanced and complete meals.
Wrapping Up
Cocker Spaniel enjoys some exercise (Adobe Stock)
We’ve reached the end of our feature on the best dog food for Cocker Spaniels in the UK.
Cocker Spaniels a healthy breed but they can be prone to some potential health problems.
As obesity is such a big problem amongst British dogs, it’s important to ensure you’re feeding your Cocker Spaniel balanced and complete meals that have been appropriately portioned to meet your dog’s needs.
If you’re looking for a fresh approach to your Cocker Spaniel’s dog food, you may want to consider fresh dog meals such as Butternut Box, customised dry food such as Pure or a raw fed diet such as Poppy’s Picnic.
