There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The amount of food you should feed your English Springer spaniel puppy will depend on several factors, including their age, activity level, and metabolism. That’s why it’s important to talk to your veterinarian about how much food your English Springer spaniel puppy should be eating. They can help you create a feeding schedule that is tailored to your puppy’s individual needs.
If you’re like most new dog owners, you probably have a lot of questions about how to care for your pet.
One of the most important things you’ll need to figure out is how much to feed your puppy.
English Springer spaniel puppies grow quickly and need a lot of nutrients to support their growth.
That’s why it’s important to feed them a high-quality diet that is formulated specifically for growing puppies.
But how much food should you give your English Springer spaniel puppy?
How much should an English Springer spaniel puppy eat?
Basic feeding table for English Springer spaniel puppies
These amounts are very general estimates and the amount of food that your puppy needs may vary. It’s important to keep an eye on your puppy’s body condition and adjust feeding amounts accordingly.
| Age ( Weeks) | Daily Food Amount (Grammes) | Meals Per Day |
| 8 weeks | 150 – 200 | 4 |
| 12 weeks | 200 – 250 | 3 |
| 16 weeks | 250 – 300 | 3 |
8 Weeks: At 8 weeks of age, a typical feeding schedule might include 4 meals per day. Each meal could consist of 50 grams of puppy food, totalling 150 to 200 grams per day.
12 Weeks: By 12 weeks, the puppy’s daily food intake might increase to 200 to 250 grams, spread over 3 meals.
16 Weeks: At 16 weeks, the puppy may be eating 250 to 300 grams of food per day, still spread over 3 meals.
What if my puppy seems hungry all the time?
If your puppy always seems to be hungry and is begging for food then you may need to increase the amount of food that you are giving to him.
In the meantime, here are a few general guidelines for how much to feed an English Springer spaniel puppy:
For puppies up to 6 months old, feed them 3-4 times per day.
For puppies 6-12 months old, feed them 2-3 times per day.
For adult English Springer spaniels, feed them 1-2 times per day.
Remember, these are just general guidelines – your English Springer spaniel puppy’s individual needs may differ.
What if my puppy is always begging for food?
If your Springer spaniel puppy is constantly begging for food, even after he has been fed, then there are a couple of things that you can do.
My puppy seems thin, should I give him more food?
If your English Springer Spaniel puppy seems thin or his ribs are visible then you should speak to your veterinarian.
They will be able to advise you on whether he needs more food or, if he is a healthy weight, they may suggest that you change his diet.
For example, puppies that are very active may need a diet that is higher in calories to help them maintain their weight.
Which food is best for an English Springer spaniel puppy?
When your puppy comes home you should stick to feeding the same food that the breeder has been feeding.
If you decide to make changes to the food that your Springer puppy eats then you should always do so gradually, mixing in the new food with the existing food while gradually reducing the latter.
Doing this will help to avoid any problems with tummy upsets etc.
There are lots of puppy foods available and the range can be confusing for new puppy owners so I’ll simply provide my views on puppy foods based on my years of owning and raising different breeds of spaniels.
Meat based foods are necessary
There is a modern trend towards vegetarian or even vegan based foods for dogs which sell themselves on the basis of green and environmental policies while claiming that they are suitable for dogs and puppies.
You should avoid them.
Dogs and puppies in particular – need meat based protein to ensure healthy development and continued growth.
All puppies grow at a tremendous rate and a vegetarian diet will simply not supply your Springer spaniel puppy with the nutrients that he needs.
Indeed, vegetable based dog foods struggle to provide adult dogs with the nutrients that they require and are often loaded with artificial additives in efforts to enhance their nutritional qualities.
You should look for a quality, meat based food that contains chicken, turkey or lamb and uses rice or similar as an enhancement.
The main food that I have used for decades with spaniels is Eukanuba.
It is a chicken and rice based product, is highly regarded and has been in production for many, many years.
My choice of foods for Springer puppies
1st Choice
There are other foods that I have used, successfully in the past, that I consider to be perfectly suitable for English Springer spaniel puppies that I’ll list below.
Also recommended
Hill's Science Plan Puppy Medium Dry Dog Food Chicken Flavour 14kg
Types of foods that you should avoid
It will come as no surprise, based on my previous comments that I do not support the feeding of vegetarian products to dogs.
Likewise you should avoid any foods that contain:
Preservatives
Artificial additives – vegetarian foods are high on these in their attempt to get the vegetable content to taste like meat.
Fillers – these can be a whole range of things but are often reconstituted meat products such as ground up bones, tendons and other ‘meat waste’.
High levels of vegetable protein – surprisingly many ‘meat’ dog foods contain large quantities of vegetable protein.
They can be really difficult for a dog to metabolize and, for a growing English Springer spaniel puppy, are totally unsuitable and can cause a whole host of problems related to digestion and overall growth and health.
How do you calculate how much to feed an English Springer spaniel puppy?
This is a question that often causes concern with new puppy owners.
The short answer is to follow the feeding recommendations on the food packaging.
These will be based, broadly speaking, on your puppy’s age and weight as well as his activity level.
It’s important to keep an eye on your puppy’s development and, if he appears hungry then it won’t do him any harm if you decide to increase his food portion size or introduce an extra mealtime into his daily schedule.
How do you know if you are feeding your Springer spaniel puppy enough?
You will be surprised at just how much puppies eat, not just English Springer spaniel puppies but all puppies.
A good rule of thumb is that if you can feel your puppy’s ribs but not see them and if he has a visible ‘waist’ then he is doing okay.
Many spaniel puppies tend to be a little bit ‘tubby’ when they are youngsters and, as long as your puppy is not visibly overweight, he will be okay.
Can you overfeed an English Springer spaniel puppy?
Yes, it is possible to overfeed your puppy and often this will be manifested via vomiting or diarrhea.
If you are struggling to work out how much to feed your puppy or are in any doubt then ask your vet for advice.
Your vet will be able to weigh your puppy, check him over and assess how much he should be eating daily.
When to switch from puppy food to adult food?
This is a question that I’m often asked.
There is no definitive answer as every dog is different but, broadly speaking, you will see your English Springer spaniel puppy start to ‘slow down’ in his growth rate from around 6-9 months of age.
It’s at this point that you can start thinking about making the switch from puppy food to an adult diet although it’s perfectly okay to carry on feeding puppy food until he is a year old if you wish.
Making the switch from puppy food to adult food
When you do make the switch, it’s important to do so gradually.
This means slowly introducing the new food into your puppy’s diet over a period of around a week or so until he is eating nothing but the new food.
If you make the change too quickly then you risk upsetting your puppy’s stomach which could lead to vomiting and diarrhea.
Thankfully most dog food producers offer a range of foods from puppy through to senior dogs with very similar ingredients – this helps with the transition between different foods and reduces the risk of problems.
Frequently asked questions
What type of food should I feed my English Springer Spaniel puppy?
Choose a high-quality puppy food that is specifically formulated for medium-sized breeds. Look for a balanced diet that includes essential nutrients such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Avoid feeding your puppy human food, as it may lack the necessary nutrients and can cause digestive issues.
How often should I adjust the portion size for my English Springer Spaniel puppy?
It’s important to monitor your puppy’s growth and adjust the portion size accordingly. Typically, you should increase the amount gradually as your puppy grows, but avoid overfeeding. Regularly check your puppy’s body condition and consult with your veterinarian to ensure you’re providing the appropriate portion size.
Are there any specific feeding guidelines for English Springer Spaniel puppies with allergies?
If your English Springer Spaniel puppy has specific allergies or sensitivities, it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian for advice. They may recommend a hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient diet that eliminates potential allergens. Avoid feeding your puppy any known allergens and carefully read the ingredient labels of commercial dog food to ensure it doesn’t contain any problematic substances.
Can I free-feed my English Springer Spaniel puppy?
Free-feeding, which involves leaving food available for your puppy to eat at all times, is generally not recommended. It can lead to overeating, weight gain, and potential digestive issues. Instead, establish a regular feeding schedule with designated meal times. This helps with portion control, establishes good eating habits, and makes it easier to monitor your puppy’s health and appetite.
Final Words
Feeding an English Springer spaniel puppy is not as difficult as it may seem at first.
Choose a good quality, meat based food.
Avoid the temptation and pressure of vegan or vegetarian diets – they may work for humans but are simply unsuitable for dogs and puppies.
Follow the feeding recommendations on the food packaging, keep an eye on your puppy’s development, and if he appears hungry then increase his food portion size or introduce an extra mealtime into his daily schedule.
And, just as with everything else with your pet, if you are in any doubt or have any concerns, then always talk to your vet for their professional opinion.
