What Should I Feed My Cocker Spaniel Puppy?

by Tanya
(South Africa)

Good day. My cocker spaniel is 5 weeks old and I'd like to know what should I give him to eat and drink? It is my first Cocker and I want him to be a happy puppy.

My child is 4 years old and wants him to really love her.

I also want to potty train him but I will read your post.

Thank you for such a nice stunning web site!

Reply from Pauline (Web Owner)

Hello Tanya!

Thank you for your kind words about my website, and congratulation on your new Cocker Spaniel puppy!

If I were you, I'd check with your breeder and ask them what your puppy has been eating prior to coming home with you (assuming he's fully weaned).

Puppies tummies are pretty delicate and you should continue with what they are used to.

If you can't find out what he was eating, I recommend you check with your vet who will confirm whether or not your puppy should be eating a combination of gentle puppy food and a powdered milk mixture or if he can go directly onto specially formulated mild puppy food, dry or wet.

Personally, I recommend kibble (very small, dry, complete meal of croquets) as it's a complete meal - all you need to do is to ensure that there is plenty of water available for your puppy as kibble doesn't contain much water - certainly not enough for your puppies needs.

Until you can get to see your vet, you could try feeding him a little plain boiled rice (no salt in the water) and a little cooked chicken or lamb (no fat), just until you can get some professional advice about puppy nutrition from your vet. But don't leave it for long, make an appointment now and get his advice.

You might find our page on feeding your puppy quite helpful.

Good luck - I'm sure you and your family are going to have many great times with your new Cocker puppy!

PS: Don't forget to start the socialization process now - please don't delay as it's very important. Socializing your puppy will help him to develop a good temperament!

Why not share a photo of your Cocker Spaniel with our visitors - you can share your favorite dog pictures here.

Take care.

Comments for What Should I Feed My Cocker Spaniel Puppy?

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Food for a cocker puppy
by: Jemma

Hi, I think you've done the right thing by taking your puppy off Pedigree chum. What he needs is exactly what you're feeding him now - proper puppy food. Good for you. I can't believe the previous owner (I'm assuming the 'breeder') was feeding a puppy wet food that wasn't formulated for puppies.

Keep up the good work, you're doing fine.

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Food for a cocker puppy
by: Anonymous

Hi everyone, please can you recommend best food for a cocker spaniel puppy. He is 10 weeks old, we have had him 4 days now. The previous owner fed him on tinned pedigree chum. We brought our own choice which was wet & dry. Wainwright dry puppy food and the same but in the wet formula. Teddy isn't fussed to eat it and is a lazy eater. We are just concerned is it because he doesn't like it, or us it because he's JUST Lazy.
We would love to hear some advise on what is best to fed a cocker spaniel puppy on, so we can get it right.. thankyou

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Separating a Pup from Mom before 8 Weeks Old
by: Nancy

Buy an 8-10 week old puppy. Don't buy a puppy younger than 8 weeks of age, no matter what the breeder tells you. 5-6 week old puppies may very well be eating plenty of solid food, but this alone does not mean they are ready to be on their own. There is a difference between when a puppy is physically able to leave its mom, and when it is emotionally able to.

Be extremely wary of any breeder willing to sell a pup less than 8 weeks old... this is usually a good indication that the breeder is more interested in quick turnover than in the welfare of the puppy. It also is common in inexperienced breeders.

Also, only buy a puppy that you can pick up directly from the breeder... don't buy from a breeder willing to ship the puppy to you. Being separated from mom for the first time is traumatic enough for a puppy... but to spend the first day away from mom in the cargo hold of a jetliner is cruel beyond belief. Imagine yourself a two year old child, taken from your mother for the first time, placed in a cage and put in to the cargo hold -- not the passenger compartment -- of an airliner. Do you think they have heating and air conditioning (or even lights?) in there for the luggage? Read some horror stories here. Be extremely wary of any breeder willing to ship a young puppy to you... this would certainly tell me that the breeder was not truly concerned for the welfare of the dog.

Any breeder that can't find local buyers for their puppies and has to resort to shipping puppies by air is breeding way too many puppies.

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Feeding A Cocker Spaniel Puppy
by: Anonymous

I'm really surprised that your breeder didn't give you some puppy food to tide you over until you could get some for yourself.

I'm also surprised that the breeder didn't tell you what your puppy was eating before your brought it home.

Breeders usually give new puppy owners a 'puppy pack' to help the new owner through those first few weeks. Their feeding regime is usually a fairly high priority.

You can buy puppy food at most supermarkets, just make sure it's meant for puppies and that the food has a high protein content and not full of fillers like corn.

Hope you have a great time with your new puppy!

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