Dog food can be a little tricky to pick these days since there are so many vast recipes and brand options on the market. If you have a Cocker Spaniel, you are probably looking for the best choice for your pup to fit your budget and your beloved breed.

For your convenience, we have hand-picked 10 of the best dog food options for Cocker Spaniels based on their bodily needs. While many fabulous options exist, these reviews contain our personal favorites, and we think you’ll love them, too.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2024 Update)

The 10 Best Dog Foods for Cocker Spaniels

1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food Subscription – Best Overall

Our pick for the best overall food for Cocker Spaniels is The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Turkey. This company is unique because it offers fresh, gently cooked dog food full of whole ingredients. You won’t find any unhealthy grains or fillers, and all of the ingredients are human-grade. If you want your Cocker Spaniel to eat (almost) as well as you do, The Farmer’s Dog makes it easy!

One thing we love about this dog food is that the first ingredient is USDA turkey. Another great reason to try The Farmer’s Dog is how easy it is to order, store, and serve. The company ships the food frozen, and you can thaw the pre-portioned packets as needed. Plus, everything is customized to your dog’s individual needs!

The only negative is that you have to commit to a subscription, and it is not cheap. But we think The Farmer’s Dog is well worth it since it offers excellent nutrition and convenience.

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2. Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Beef, Pea & Brown Rice Recipe – Budget Buy

If you’re looking for savings while choosing a solid recipe for your Cocker Spaniel, we have to suggest Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Beef, Pea, and Brown Rice Recipe. We think it is the best dog food for Cocker Spaniels for the money.

This particular recipe has a comprehensive list of ingredients, including two protein sources as the first additions. Interestingly, this recipe is gluten-free, but it contains easy-to-digest grains like brown rice, grain sorghum, and whole corn.

This recipe is flavored beef, pea, and brown rice with beef, beef meal, soybean, and whole corn as the first several ingredients. In one serving, there are 326 calories. The guaranteed analysis reads 25% crude protein, 14% crude fat, 4% crude fiber, and 10% moisture.

While we love this recipe, it does contain ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy—all of which can be triggering to some canines’ allergies and digestive systems.

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3. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Cocker Spaniel

If you don’t mind paying a little extra, Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Cocker Spaniel is an excellent choice to consider. It was specially formulated precisely for the breed by veterinary nutritionists that have studied extensively. So, if you want very targeted nutrition, check it out.

The amounts per nutrient depend on exactly what the breed needs to thrive. This recipe contains a list of essential ingredients with added bonuses like DHA, EPA, glucosamine, and chondroitin—all of which nourish joints, bones, and organs for optimal health.

This recipe uses brewers rice and brown rice as the first two ingredients followed by chicken by-product meal. There are 304 calories in a 1-cup serving. The guaranteed analysis reads 23% crude protein,12% crude fat, 3.3% crude fiber, and 10% moisture.

It has the ideal amount of grain, protein, and antioxidants to promote total body support. While they made the kibble perfectly sized for your Cocker Spaniel’s mouth, it will likely be too hard for pups with dental issues.

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4. Purina Beneful Healthy Puppy – Best for Puppies

Puppy nutrition is crucially important, which is why we recommend Purina Beneful Healthy Puppy. It has all the critical ingredients your pup needs with a delightful crunch. Your pup is sure to gobble it up and reap the benefits–it’s the best dog food for Cocker Spaniel puppies.

The kibble is the perfect size for your Cocker Spaniel baby. It comes with 23 essential vitamins and minerals to strengthen bones, improve the coat and skin, and aid in mental and physical development—including calcium, DHA, and antioxidants.

This recipe is flavored with farm-raised chicken with no added antibiotics or steroids. The guaranteed analysis of the product reads 28% crude protein, 14% crude fat, 4% crude fiber, and 12% moisture.

The kibble is an ideal size for puppies, providing a delicious crunch that cleans their teeth and satisfies their chewing need. But since some Cocker Spaniels can be picky eaters, it might not be aromatic or flavorful enough to satisfy some palates.

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5. Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food

If you’re looking for a top-notch grain-free recipe option for your Cocker Spaniel, we recommend Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food. It has all the nutrients your dog could need without any gluten, creating a more natural diet for your floppy-eared friend.

This recipe contains key ingredients like real fruits and superfoods. It also contains K9 strain proprietary probiotics, live prebiotics, and chicory root to promote prime gut health.

This recipe uses novel proteins like water buffalo and bison to avoid common allergies related to common proteins. It contains 422 calories per cup, totaling 3,719 per bag. The guaranteed analysis of this product reads 32% crude protein, 18% crude fat, 4% crude fiber, and 18% moisture.

In addition to no grain, this dish is also free of artificial additives. It also contains 80,000,000 CFU live probiotics. There is some controversy over using grain-free recipes unless your dog absolutely requires the elimination of grains. So, it’s only recommended it if your vet thinks it is an appropriate diet choice.

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6. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula

If you want a well-balanced diet for your dog that uses no nasty ingredients that could potentially impact their health, we love Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula. It is geared toward everyday nutrition for normal pups with no special health concerns.

This recipe contains LifeSource Bits, which are meaty morsels of antioxidant-packed pieces that are cold-formed to maintain potency. Each ingredient is carefully selected, eliminating potentially negative ingredients like corn, wheat, soy, animal byproducts, and artificial additives.

This formula is flavored with chicken and rice, using real deboned chicken as the first ingredient and easily digestible grain. In one cup, there are 377 calories, totaling 3,618 calories per bag. The guaranteed analysis reads 24% crude protein, 14% crude fat, 5% crude fiber, and 10% moisture.

If your dog is particularly active, it might not contain enough protein to replenish their muscles. For a higher energy Cocker Spaniel, look for a recipe with higher protein content.

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7. Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat All Life Stages

If your dog experiences hot spots or skin issues, look into Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat All Life Stages. It has just the right combination of ingredients to promote healthy skin and improve overall coat quality. This recipe can be especially useful for Cocker Spaniels with sensitive skin or poor digestion.

This formula has species-specific K9 strain proprietary probiotics to nourish the digestive tract. It contains no triggering ingredients that commonly cause skin problems, such as corn, wheat, soy, and chicken.

This bag is flavored with salmon and sweet potato to boost omega fatty acids and protect your pup from gastrointestinal irritation. In one cup , there are 408 calories. The guaranteed analysis of the product reads 25% crude protein, 14% crude fat, 5.5% crude fiber, and 10% moisture.

Because this dog food is for all life stages, you can feed it to your dog regardless of age. But this recipe is designed for dogs that have digestion or skin issues.

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8. Chicken Soup for the Soul Adult Weight Care

If you want a delicious recipe for your chunky Cocker Spaniel to try, check out Chicken Soup for the Soul Adult Weight Care. Dieting doesn’t have to be difficult or tasteless. Now, your pup can reduce their caloric intake with a healthy meal that they will enjoy every time.

This formula is packed with superfoods bursting with antioxidants like blueberries, apples, and leafy spinach. The L-carnitine turns fat into energy so they can burn off those extra pounds. Plus, it keeps your pup regular with ingredients that boost digestive function like prebiotics for gut health.

This recipe contains high fiber but low fat to combat packing on unnecessary pounds that can make it harder for your aging guy or gal to get around. In one serving, there are 328 calories. The guaranteed analysis reads 21% crude protein, 6% crude fat, 9% crude fiber, and 10% moisture.

We looked over the whole ingredient list, and while there are some ingredients that certain Cocker Spaniels might be sensitive to, (like protein sources or grains) we think it’s an ideal recipe for weight management.

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9. American Journey Poultry & Beef Variety Pack

If you’re searching for a wet food selection that triggers the appetite and is easy to chew, look at the American Journey Poultry & Beef Variety Pack. Your dog can have a variety of flavors as a topper to dry kibble or enjoy these cans as a standalone diet.

We really like that these canned foods don’t contain potentially allergy-inducing ingredients or fillers like corn, wheat, soy, artificial additives, and byproducts. Dogs seem to love the extra boost of flavor, meat chunks, and added moisture to create a more robust eating experience.

The two offered recipes are beef and chicken, and chicken and turkey. So, your dog can get a mouthwatering meal every time. In one can, there are between 420 and 425 calories. The guaranteed analysis on both reads 9% crude protein, 6% crude fat, 1.5% crude fiber, and 78% moisture.

These cans are true to their name—crafted in the USA and made without the use of BPA. We’re sure your pup will love these protein-packed recipes, but some dogs might be sensitive to these protein sources.

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10. Merrick Healthy Grains Raw-Coated Kibble

Merrick Healthy Grains Raw-Coated Kibble might be a nice change of pace for the right Cocker Spaniel. It is a little more expensive than traditional choices, but the health benefits might really pay off. This recipe is a healthy combination of protein, veggies, and starches to nourish your pup head-to-toe.

Since salmon is one of the main ingredients, it offers a powerful dose of omega fatty acids to nourish your dog’s skin and coat. It even has added glucosamine and chondroitin to protect joint function and performance.

This recipe is flavored with real salmon and brown rice—and real salmon is also the first ingredient for a whole protein source. In one serving, there are 392 calories. The guaranteed analysis reads 28% crude protein, 15% crude fat, 3.5% crude fiber, and 11% moisture.

Our only complaint is that some people who are sensitive to the smell of fish might find this dog food unpleasant to have in the home. It’s not completely overwhelming, but the smell of salmon is definitely present. Also, it can get a little pricey if you serve it as a standalone diet.

Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Food for Cocker Spaniels

Type of Recipe

Types of Dog Food

Conclusion

We recommend The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Turkey for any Cocker Spaniel because it’s nutritious, fresh food delivered right to your door.

If you’re looking for the biggest bang for your buck, we think you might like Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Beef, Pea, and Brown Rice Recipe. Plus, it’s gluten-free while still providing easy-to-digest grains. We really think this chef did the trick.

But if you really want to get personal and don’t mind the price tag, Royal Canin makes a recipe specifically for your Cocker Spaniel—so it might be worth the extra.

We hope these reviews lead you to a purchase you and your Cocker Spaniel are happy with.

See also:

• 10 Best Dog Foods for Great Pyrenees – Reviews & Top Picks!
• 10 Best Dog Foods for Miniature Schnauzers – Reviews & Top Picks!
• 10 Best Dog Foods for Mini Goldendoodles – Reviews & Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: Switlana Sonyashna, Shutterstock