Fussy Spaniel diet.

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Ceifer

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I’m musing and probably worrying over nothing but, my sprocker looks incredibly lean lately. He’s always on the go with me and incredibly energetic. He never looked thin but I’m thinking I’d like a bit more weight on him.
For a food obsessed dog he’s incredibly fussy when it comes to dog food.
He’s always had Forthglade wet puppy food and a pedigree mixer. Over the last month he’s transitioned onto their complete wet food as he started to turn his nose up at the biscuit. Our trainer suggested trying him on a working dry mix but he turned his nose up at that too.
I’m taking him to the vet next week to get him weighed but wondered what other people recommended feeding? I am going to discuss diet with the vet too.
My partner thinks I’m worrying over nothing and that he just looks very athletic/well muscled.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
If he's never looked thin, I agree with your partner, you are worrying over nothing. Why would you want a fat dog?
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No of course I don’t want him fat ?. Just a bit more coverage I think would make him look a bit better. he’s the leanest spaniel I’ve seen. I guess it’s also a question of opinion. I’m saying lean but to the vet he could be thin.
 
I feed my dog three times a day because she’s so active. Perhaps look at something with a higher calorie component?
 
How old is he? Does he need puppy food?
I rang Milies wolfheart about a lean dog in the past and they suggested a lower 'quality' food, so instead of 80/20 ( 80% meat) they went on 60/40. So maybe phone your chosen food suppliers and ask for a recommendation.
Or add tripe to whatever you do feed him, stinky but fattening.
Our lot all have flax seed oil, I don't feed salmon oil as I am opposed to salmon farming but either of those may be high in calories?
 
One of mine always has looked a bit rangy, even before I owned him. If you feed him more, it just gives him the runs. He is also very athletic, muscly and has a very tight coat, which makes it look worse. When he was competing he would get coconut oil and Kronch pemmikan bar, raw eggs, etc. Your dog is maybe just running it all off. My nine month old has been on adult food for a while now.
 
Ceifer said:
I’m musing and probably worrying over nothing but, my sprocker looks incredibly lean lately. He’s always on the go with me and incredibly energetic. He never looked thin but I’m thinking I’d like a bit more weight on him.
For a food obsessed dog he’s incredibly fussy when it comes to dog food.
He’s always had Forthglade wet puppy food and a pedigree mixer. Over the last month he’s transitioned onto their complete wet food as he started to turn his nose up at the biscuit. Our trainer suggested trying him on a working dry mix but he turned his nose up at that too.
I’m taking him to the vet next week to get him weighed but wondered what other people recommended feeding? I am going to discuss diet with the vet too.
My partner thinks I’m worrying over nothing and that he just looks very athletic/well muscled.
Click to expand...

Stop worrying!! as for lean I have a very lean springer, his muscle definition is amazing but he carries no spare at all, to pet dog owners he's thin, to working dog owners he's fit! He's not quite 2 yet so still has lots of maturing to do. I feel really sad when I see fat spaniels.
 
I’ve got a lean spaniel too. She’s also incredibly fussy, and trying to get her to eat most things is a challenge. She does well on butternut box with a working dog mixer. Works out slightly more expensive than Forthglade but not by much. And I feel better that I’m not wasting money by throwing food away.
 
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