What do Springer Spaniels eat?

The Springer Spaniel was first bred to assist hunters in catching birds. The breed is athletic and agile, with unrivaled stamina.

Your Springer Spaniel will love going for hikes and camping trips and would love agility classes! And yet, Springer Spaniels are also happy to snuggle up and show some affection.

But what do Springer Spaniels eat? What should you feed them, and what sort of bowls should you use? In this article, we’ll answer all these questions and more. So, read on to find out all about what a Springer Spaniel should eat!

What kind of dog is the Springer Spaniel?

The Springer Spaniel is a dog with a long history of hunting. They are medium-sized dogs with a white, patchy, silky-haired coat and broad-chested, aerodynamic body. The Springer Spaniel’s body has impacted what and how the breed needs to eat.

What kind of nutrition does the Springer Spaniel need?

Did you know that the Springer Spaniel is genetically prone to a condition called seborrhea? A Springer Spaniel with seborrhea may have itchy, flaking skin, as well as oily fur. Due to the breed’s propensity towards this condition, the Springer Spaniel must get the suitable oil in their diet, namely Omega 3 like this here.

And, of course, Springer Spaniels need all the same protein and good carbohydrates other dog breeds need. Oats, brown rice, and barley are good carbohydrate options for your Springer Spaniel, with the additional benefit of extra plant protein!

Chicken or turkey, as well as flaxseed oil and safflower, are an excellent way for your Springer Spaniel to get the healthy fats that will provide the energy they need. Plenty of vegetables and fruit will give your Springer Spaniel fiber, too.

How many calories do Springer Spaniels need?

The ideal weight range for the Springer Spaniel is anywhere between 44 to 55 pounds. However, your Springer Spaniel’s recommended daily calorie intake varies considerably based on their current activity levels.

According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, a less active Springer Spaniel needs only 989 calories a day. In comparison, more active Springers need to be fed 1,353 calories a day. Sporting Springer Spaniels or Springers who are used for hunting will need more calories still.

The Springer Spaniel is also genetically prone to hip dysplasia. If your Springer Spaniel becomes overweight, hip dysplasia becomes more likely or gets exacerbated.

Being overweight can also cause other joint issues and health problems in your Springer Spaniel. So, managing your Springer Spaniel’s weight and calorie intake is extremely important.

Do Springer Spaniels need raw food?

There has been much buzz in recent years about the benefits of raw feeding for dogs. After all, raw meat is what your Springer Spaniel would have eaten in the wild, right?

However, getting your Springer Spaniel used to raw food can take quite some time. Raw food is also expensive, and it can be time-consuming and tedious to defrost such food and keep it fresh.

How can I find the right food for my Springer Spaniel?

If you’re at the store looking for wet food or dry kibble, take a look at the packaging’s ingredients list or composition section. Good dog food will list a meat ingredient as the first ingredient, whether whole meat or a meat meal.

Meat should be your Springer Spaniel’s primary protein source in every meal.

That being said, meat by-products are more difficult to digest than whole meat proteins. So, make sure your chosen food doesn’t list any of these as a major ingredient. Foods with added sugar should be avoided, too.

Another concern is preservatives. Mixed tocopherols are natural preservatives that also contain vitamin E.  This preservative is preferable to artificial chemical preservatives.

Here are some recommended wet food or dry kibble for your Springer Spaniel

Iams Proactive Health Adult Minichunks Small Kibble

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Adult Wet Dog Food

Can I make food for my Springer Spaniel?

You probably looked at some of the previously mentioned ingredients and thought about making food for your Springer Spaniel at home. Oats, brown rice, chicken – these are all foods we can eat ourselves, after all.

Indeed, it is possible to cook food for your Springer Spaniel at home, making meals that actually end up quite like yours! There are plenty of recipe books out there to help you get an idea of what to do. Yes, you can definitely make delicious meals for your Springer Spaniel at home that you might be jealous of!

Recommended dog food recipe books

• Home Cooking for Your Dog: 75 Holistic Recipes
• Feed Your Best Friend Better: Easy, Nutritious Meals and Treats for Dogs

How should I feed my Springer Spaniel?

Just like the Greyhound and the Labrador, Springer Spaniels are dogs with deep, broad chests. This makes the Springer Spaniel more prone to a condition called bloat, also known as volvulus, or gastric torsion.

Bloat causes gas to build up in a Springer Spaniel’s stomach, expanding it, and it begins to rotate. As a result, blood stops flowing to the Springer Spaniel’s stomach, and the built-up gas cannot escape. Any dog suffering from gastric torsion needs swift veterinary attention.

You can see, then, how severe the condition bloat can be. But thankfully, preventing bloat is easy. One thing you can do is feed your Springer Spaniel smaller meals spread out through the day. Don’t use raised bowls for your Springer’s food and water, either. Instead, slow feeding options like a slow feeder bowl or mat will help a Springer Spaniel who gulps down food.

Feeding your Springer Spaniel at the same times of the day every day will help their stomach get used to the routine, and keeping plenty of water freely available for your Springer will prevent them from drinking too much at mealtimes. As well as this, avoid feeding your Springer Spaniel just before or after any energetic exercise.

Your veterinarian will be able to give you more advice on what is suitable for your specific pooch. Prebiotics, for example, may help with digestion.

What foods do Springer Spaniels like?

Did you know that Springer Spaniels love to chew? Your Springer Spaniel may chew up their toys and enjoy playing with empty plastic water bottles, for example. So, why not let your Springer Spaniel fulfill their need to chew through their food?

Dry food is a good option for Springers who feel the need to chew. Plus, dry food has the added benefit of keeping your Springer Spaniel’s teeth clean!

You can also feed your Springer dry food as part of their daily calorie needs in a treat-dispensing puzzle toy or ball, but make sure they don’t just chew the toy up, too. Read our full post on this Choosing the best interactive toys and food puzzles.

If your Springer Spaniel isn’t interested in their food, adding a little hot water or wet food will create an aroma they can’t resist! Alternatively, dog-friendly herbs and spices like basil, cinnamon, ginger, parsley, and turmeric will create flavors to get your Springer’s tail wagging, as well as bringing their own unique benefits.