8 Best English Springer Spaniel Dog Food in 2024

Your dog is your best friend; they love you unconditionally, and of course, you want what’s best for them. One of the most overlooked ways to care for your dog is with the dog food that you give them. It’s easy and inexpensive just to grab one of the big, cheap dog food brands and serve it to your pup without thinking twice about it.

But the fact is, cheap dog foods are often made with fillers and additives that can be quite harmful to your dog’s health. For just a few dollars more, you can give your dog the nutritious food they deserve and leave them happier and healthier than ever before. There is no single brand or style of dog food that will be perfect for every pet, however. Different breeds have different dietary needs.

English Springer Spaniels are perfect pets, with an affable disposition, obedient nature, and constant desire to play. But as any English Springer Spaniel owner will be quick to tell you, they have loads of energy. They want to please their owners, but they also require a significant amount of work. And they have several specific health needs, which we will explore in more detail shortly.

It might feel a little overwhelming; there is an incredible number of options available on the market. To find the best English Springer Spaniel dog food, there is a wide array of factors to consider. But never fear. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know, and even give our recommendation of the very best selections. Just follow along with our guide, and you’ll know exactly what your best friend needs.

If you’re interested in a more in-depth explanation, though, simply read on.

What are the Nutritional Needs of English Springer Spaniels?

Bred as ideal hunting dogs, English Springer Spaniels have muscular frames and seemingly limitless energy. They are also highly trainable and the ultimate people-pleasers, a combination that has led to their lasting popularity. But they also have a number of both general and specific health concerns and nutritional needs.

They are at risk for many of the most common ailments for purebred domestic dogs. Chief among them is hip dysplasia, instability in the hip joints as the dog ages. Hip dysplasia can be painful and may highly restrict your dog’s mobility. Another common ailment is retinal atrophy, a degenerative condition in dogs’ retinas that can eventually lead to blindness.

More specific to the breed is a hereditary condition called phosphofructokinase deficiency; affected dogs are unable to properly process sugar, and will exhibit weakness and sluggishness. Additionally, their long, floppy ears can put them at heightened risk for ear infections, and they can also occasionally have sensitive skin.

Their high levels of energy can have a significant impact on how much your English Springer Spaniel needs to eat. To maintain a healthy weight (adults should be between 40 and 55 lbs), an inactive English Springer Spaniel should have just under 1,000 calories a day. But if your dog is healthy and active, they’ll require an average of 1,350 calories a day to maintain their weight. Be careful of overfeeding, though, as obesity can be an issue in this breed.

English Springer Spaniel owners should avoid foods that contain added sugars and chemical preservatives as much as possible. Meat by-products shouldn’t be the main ingredient either, as they can cause digestive issues.

Overall Best Dog Food for English Springer Spaniels

There is an impossible number of dog foods to choose between; even when you know what to look for, it can feel extremely overwhelming. Thankfully, we’ve done the work for you. We’ve narrowed it down to the eight best dog foods for English Springer Spaniels. You can’t go wrong with any of the selections on this list, but we’ll start with the best of the best:

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food

Healthy Ingredients : Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Potatoes
Key Features :

• Real buffalo, venison, and beef
• Added vitamins and antioxidants
• Essential minerals
• Real fruits and vegetables

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food offers the total package, checking nearly every box an English Springer Spaniel owner could want in grain-free dog food. It starts where you want every good dog food to start: with high-quality whole protein. This recipe is made with real buffalo, venison, and beef, which is perfect for lean, athletic dogs like English Springer Spaniels.

Taste of the Wild features Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids to help promote healthy skin and combat seborrhea, so your dog can stay comfortable and avoid itchiness and dandruff. Added vitamins and antioxidants help boost your dog’s overall health. Essential minerals are bonded with amino acids to ensure maximum nutrient absorption.

The recipe includes real fruits and vegetables for vitamins and fiber, and they even have a proprietary probiotic blend, both of which help support digestive health. A grain-free recipe, carbohydrates are derived from alternative sources. In this case, Taste of the Wild utilizes peas and sweet potatoes to create easily-digestible energy.

All Taste of the Wild dog foods are made in the U.S.A. following the most advanced food safety protocols. It might not be the best choice for dogs on limited ingredient diets, as it has three different proteins and two separate carbohydrate sources. It also does not have any specific joint support. But overall this is an excellent product with excellent reviews on Chewy—it averages 4.7 out of 5 stars, and 96% would recommend.

7 More Highly Rated Dog Foods

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Healthy Ingredients : Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal
Key Features :

• Lean muscle development support
• Great source of fiber
• Joint support
• Bone and tooth health support

Designed for holistic health for medium and large-sized adult dogs, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food is one of the best overall traditional grain-included dog foods available on the market today. Blue Buffalo is made with high-quality whole chicken for lean muscle development.

It is not grain-free but the carbohydrates are derived from brown rice. That is a complex carbohydrate, which is great for digestion and weight control. The Blue Buffalo recipe contains real fruits and vegetables, providing a great source of fiber, and is infused with a proprietary antioxidant blend. Known as LifeSource Bits, this blend is designed to create optimal antioxidant absorption and promote general canine health.

English Springer Spaniels are energetic, athletic dogs that move constantly; that means their joints are prone to wear and tear, exacerbating their natural tendency towards hip dysplasia. That means joint support is particularly important. Blue Buffalo comes through, with a glucosamine supplement for mobility support.

The formula includes calcium and phosphorus, so it’s excellent for boosting bone and tooth health. While it isn’t grain-free, it does avoid simple carbohydrates like wheat and corn. It has a chicken base but is completely devoid of harmful poultry by-products.

The largest drawback of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food is that it isn’t appropriate for dogs on a grain-free diet or a limited-ingredient diet. But it is a very high-quality product overall; on Chewy it has received an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, and a 96% recommend rating.

Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Healthy Ingredients : Turkey, Turkey Meal, Salmon, Lamb Meal, Duck Meal
Key Features :

• Multi-protein formula
• Supports long-lasting energy
• Includes healthy fats
• Sustainably sourced meat

Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a premium multi-protein dog food with a well-rounded yet simple recipe. The first five ingredients are all meat, with whole turkey, turkey meal, whole salmon, lamb meal, and duck meal. That will give your English Springer Spaniel the most well-rounded protein possible, to maintain lean muscle.

A grain-free recipe, the carbohydrates come from peas and chickpeas. As opposed to many grain-free dog foods, Zignature Zssential does not contain potatoes or sweet potatoes. These are all low-sugar complex carbs. The recipe also contains flaxseed and poultry, which provides healthy fats for long-lasting, sustainable energy.

Zignature is committed to responsible manufacturing, and all of the meat is sustainably sourced from a natural environment. The chicken comes from the American Midwest, the salmon from the Pacific Northwest, the lamb meal comes from New Zealand, and the duck meal is from France. While it is not a limited ingredient recipe, it does not include chicken, soy, dairy, or wheat, which comprise many of the most common canine allergies.

It is also loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids to help keep your spaniel’s skin healthy and clear, along with heart-healthy natural vitamins and minerals. Your dog’s digestion should be healthy and regular thanks to the naturally-derived fiber.

This recipe does not contain supplements for joint support, nor is it limited ingredient. But as long as your dog isn’t allergic to any of the proteins in this recipe, it will provide them with well-rounded health and long-lasting energy. Zignature Zssential is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on Chewy and has a 96% recommend rating.

Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato and Fish Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Healthy Ingredients : Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Sweet Potatoes
Key Features :

• Great for allergies
• Supports digestive health
• Single protein dog food
• Sustained energy support

While it is not a meat-first recipe, Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato and Fish Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a simple recipe made with just a handful of mostly whole ingredients. The first ingredient is sweet potatoes, the only carbohydrate in the recipe. Sweet potatoes are complex carbs that are great for digestion thanks to their high fiber content. They are also loaded with potassium.

Salmon is the second ingredient, the only protein in the recipe. Single-protein dog food is ideal for dogs with allergies because it limits the ingredients they’re exposed to. Salmon is one of the best options because it’s relatively uncommon so your English Springer Spaniel is less likely to have an inherited allergy to it.

Flaxseed is another main ingredient, and it contains Omega-3 fatty acids. That helps provide your dog with sustained energy while reducing risk of seborrhea and maintaining healthy skin and coat. The recipe also includes zero artificial colors or flavors, which should be avoided as much as possible.

Overall, this is one of the best dog foods for English Springer Spaniels with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. Limited ingredient diet foods avoid the most common allergens by limiting the recipe to just a few whole ingredients. This recipe has nothing for joint support and is a bit pricier than some competitors. But it has excellent reviews, with a 4.7 out of 5-star rating and a 95% recommend rating.

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Farm-Raised Chicken, Brown Rice, and Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food

Healthy Ingredients : Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Brown Rice, Brewers Rice
Key Features :

• Joint support
• Responsibly sourced chicken
• Natural antioxidants
• Affordable price point

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Farm-Raised Chicken, Brown Rice, and Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food is a solid all-around dog food that emphasizes health and whole ingredients for a reasonable price. The first ingredient is farm-raised, responsibly-sourced chicken, which is the main protein. The recipe also includes lamb meal.

Nutro wholesome is packed with complex carbohydrates that will help your dog maintain a steady weight while boosting digestion. Those include whole brown rice, barley, and sweet potato. There are sources of both Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, to provide for your dog’s skin health to the highest degree.

As we know, English Springer Spaniels are at heightened risk for hip dysplasia, and Nutro Wholesome contains glucosamine and chondroitin from natural sources to help support and reinforce joints and cartilage. The recipe is also extra-crunchy, which can help satisfy your spaniel’s need to chew.

Nutro Wholesome contains natural antioxidants for immune system health and avoids many major allergens including chicken by-product, corn, and soy. And while it’s not grain-free, it doesn’t have simple carbs that can cause sugar spikes and weight fluctuation.

Even though it’s whole meat, this won’t be the right food for dogs with chicken allergies, and it isn’t a low ingredient diet. But nearly everything else an English Springer Spaniel owner could want is accounted for, at a relatively affordable price point. Nutro Wholesome has a 4.8 out of 5 stars rating, and 96% would recommend.

Brothers Complete Lamb Meal and Egg Formula Advanced Allergy Care Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Healthy Ingredients : Lamb Meal, Dried Whole Eggs, Turkey Meal, Cassava/Tapioca
Key Features :

• Great for dogs with allergies
• Whole fruits and veggies
• Holistic health support
• Probiotics and prebiotics

A formula designed to help provide for dogs with allergies without a vet’s prescription, Brothers Complete Lamb Meal and Egg Formula Advanced Allergy Care Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is made to emphasize holistic health through a recipe with a limited number of ingredients. The small batch recipes with whole ingredients are designed to mimic a canine’s natural diet.

The lamb meal and egg formula is made with free-range lamb as the first ingredient. Lamb is a lean protein that was fairly uncommon in dog food in the past, meaning your dog is less likely to have a hereditary allergy to it. Eggs, meanwhile, contain all 23 amino acids (including the nine essential amino acids), so they give your spaniel’s general health an excellent boost.

The recipe includes real fruits and vegetables for optimal fiber. And the carbohydrates in this grain-free recipe are all complex and low in sugar: pea flour, pea starch, and pumpkin. Meanwhile, the flaxseed helps provide your spaniel with the Omega-3 acids they need to support skin and coat health.

A unique feature of this dog food is that it contains both probiotics and prebiotics, which work in conjunction to nurture digestive health. If your English Springer Spaniel has ever had digestion problems, this could be the perfect dog food for you. It’s definitely on the pricey side, but if your dog has allergies or digestion issues, it just might be worth it. It’s rated 4.6 stars out of 5 on Chewy and has a 90% recommend rating.

Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Salmon Dry Dog Food

Healthy Ingredients : Salmon Meal, Whole Dried Potatoes, Whole Dried Peas, Tapioca
Key Features :

• Non-GMO fruits and veggies
• Grain-free
• One protein source
• Prebiotics and probiotics

Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Salmon Dry Dog Food is a quality, all-around dog food with a healthy, balanced formula. Despite the name, it’s great for dogs of all sizes! Fresh-caught salmon is the first ingredient and the only protein in the recipe. Grain-free carbohydrates are provided with a blend of potatoes, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and peas.

The formula also includes sixteen non-GMO vegetables and four fruits. That provides both fiber and a host of vitamins and antioxidants to promote general health. Those include Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, and Taurine. It also includes prebiotics and probiotics to help dogs with sensitive stomachs and boost digestion.

Best of all, Gentle Giants dog food contains both glucosamine and chondroitin to support your English Setter Spaniel’s joints and fight hip dysplasia. The recipe contains no fillers, meat by-products, or gluten. Whole flaxseeds provide Omega-3 fatty acids for coat health.

This recipe checks most of the boxes you would want for your English Springer Spaniel, but it does contain potatoes, which is a simple carb and can cause weight fluctuation. It also has a wide variety of carbohydrates; while protein allergies are more common, you’ll need to be sure your dog isn’t allergic to any of these ingredients. But it is an excellent dog food overall, with a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating, and a 97% recommend.

American Journey Lamb and Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Healthy Ingredients : Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal
Key Features :

• Packed with protein
• Healthy fats
• Steady, sustainable energy support
• Real fruits and vegetables

Packed with protein and healthy fat, American Journey Lamb and Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is perfect for English Setter Spaniels who have a little extra energy. The first ingredient is whole, deboned lamb. But it is a multi-protein formula, also containing large amounts of chicken meal and turkey meal. That extra protein is great for maintaining your spaniel’s strength.

Meanwhile, it combines flaxseed with chicken fat to help provide your dog with steady, sustainable energy instead of spikes and crashes. The recipe includes a variety of Omega fatty acids, including D.H.A., which supports eye health. That is great for English Springer Spaniels, who are susceptible to retinal degeneration.

The grain-free recipe provides carbs through chickpeas, peas, and sweet potatoes. It also gets fiber, vitamins, and healthy antioxidants from a variety of real fruits and vegetables. Those are perfect for boosting immune health.

Unfortunately, this food does not contain anything for joint or cartilage support. And given its multi-protein formula, it might not be appropriate for pups with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. But it is a solid dog food overall, and is very well-reviewed. On Chewy, customers have given it 4.6 out of 5 stars, and 94% of users say they would recommend it.

What to Look For in a Good English Springer Spaniel Food

It’s easy just to buy a generic dog food for your pet, and feed them without putting any thought into it. After all, your dog isn’t going to be choosy; they’ll likely wolf down anything you put in their bowl. But in fact, it’s imperative that you do some research to make sure you’re feeding your dog the right food for them. English Springer Spaniels have some specific dietary needs. Some of the most important things to look for include:

• Whole Proteins – A whole meat (like chicken, fish, turkey, lamb, or beef) should be the first ingredient on every dog food that you purchase. Despite their relatively small frame, English Springer Spaniels are energetic, powerful dogs. Whole proteins will give your dog what they need to maintain a lean, muscular build while avoiding the digestive issues that come with meat by-products.
• Omega Fatty Acids – English Springer Spaniels are prone to seborrhea, a condition that creates dry, irritated skin and dandruff. To prevent this, and promote healthy skin and a lustrous coat, be sure to look for Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids in your dog food.
• Glucosamine and Chondroitin – English Springer Spaniels, are active, energetic dogs. They are also vulnerable to hip dysplasia. Accordingly, it’s imperative that you give them a diet that supports the health of their joints. Glucosamine and chondroitin are amino sugars that help support joint and cartilage health.
• Healthy Fats – It certainly might seem like your English Springer Spaniel doesn’t need help maintaining its energy. But healthy fats from sources like flaxseed oil or poultry can help make sure your dog’s energy levels remain steady and even throughout the day, instead of spiking.
• Complex Carbohydrates – English Springer Spaniels will typically eat any food you put in front of them and eat it quickly. It’s important to look for food that includes complex carbohydrates like brown rice or barley high on the ingredients list. That will help prevent dramatic fluctuations in weight while providing another protein boost.
• Fiber – Another thing that can help with weight control is fiber from fruits and vegetables. Fiber is an essential ingredient that can also help promote healthy digestion in your dog. Digestive issues can be a problem for English Springer Spaniels with the wrong types of dog foods.

What Are the Different Types of English Springer Spaniel Dog Food?

Dog food may seem like a simple thing, but beyond the ingredients, there are a variety of other factors to consider when choosing the right product for your pet. Dry vs. canned and grain vs. grain-free are decisions you’ll have to make, while also considering options like fresh dog food and allergen-free varieties.

Canned wet food is more aromatic and flavorful, which makes it perfect for dogs who are picky eaters. But dry food isn’t just less expensive; it has several benefits for your pet as well. English Springer Spaniels are famous for their need to chew. Dry food can help satisfy this need, and keep them chewing their food instead of the leg of your chair.

Dry food is also non-perishable, so it can store longer. It can also be hidden in toys that can help hold your dogs focus and burn off some of their energy. Grain-free dog food has also become more prevalent in recent years as people consider the role grains have in their own diet. But the difference is largely a matter of preference.

Traditional dog foods contain a grain like wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, and so on. Grains are the main source of carbohydrates in traditional dog foods. Grain-free dog foods provide carbohydrates in alternative ways, like potatoes or peas. Counter-intuitively, grain-free dog foods are often even higher in carbohydrates than traditional dog foods.

Dogs with food allergies typically have two options: a limited ingredient diet, with foods that have just a single protein and a single carbohydrate, or allergen-free foods, which usually must be prescribed by a veterinarian. Finally, fresh dog food is just what it sounds like—food for dogs with fresh ingredients, straight from the fridge.

English Springer Spaniel Dog Food Comparison Table
Rank	Product	Price	Rating
Best Overall	Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$1.75/lb	A+
#1	Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$1.66/lb	A+
#2	Zignature Zssential Multi-Protein Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$2.51/lb	A
#3	Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato and Fish Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$2.57/lb	A+
#4	Nutro Wholesome Essentials Adult Farm-Raised Chicken, Brown Rice, and Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$1.62/lb	A-
#5	Brothers Complete Lamb Meal and Egg Formula Advanced Allergy Care Grain-Free Dry Dog Food  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$3.23/lb	A
#6	Gentle Giants Canine Nutrition Salmon Dry Dog Food  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$2.21/lb	B+
#6	American Journey Lamb and Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food  Buy Online  Customer Reviews  Brand Review	$1.66/lb	B+

Frequently Asked Questions

So now you know the best dog food for your English Springer Spaniel. But there are still a number of common questions many people have to ensure they are getting their best friend the nutrition they need. Let’s take a look at several of these frequently asked questions now:

How often should I feed my English Springer Spaniel?

We’ve mentioned that active, adult English Springer Spaniels should eat an average of 1,350 calories a day. But what that consists of and the way those calories are distributed can vary. The number of calories by volume in dog food will vary from brand to brand. The first step is to check the bag to see how many cups of food your dog will need each day to meet (but not exceed) their caloric requirements.

From there, you need to find a routine to determine when you feed your spaniel. The two most important things to consider here are to avoid feeding your dog their entire daily allocation of food all at once and to try to be as consistent as possible. If you’re home during the day, it’s fine to split it up into three daily feedings, but only if you are able to do so every day.

More likely, you will want to feed your dog half their food in their morning and the other half in the evening. The specific times don’t necessarily matter as much as your ability to feed them at these same times every day.

When Should I Switch from Puppy Food?

Just like human beings, dogs have different nutritional needs depending on their age. Young dogs will start with puppy formula, which are packed with extra specific ingredients that growing dogs need.

Eventually, they will transition to adult formula. There is no one specific time to do so, and you should consult with your veterinarian before making the switch. But on average, the best time to move to adult dog food is around one year old.

What if My Dog Doesn’t Like His Food?

English Springer Spaniels are active, energetic dogs who naturally love to eat. If they start avoiding their food, that’s likely because of a specific ingredient that is causing them discomfort. Rotate your dog foods, and try new proteins until you find one that they love.

If that doesn’t do the trick, check with your veterinarian to make sure there isn’t something worse wrong with them.

The Final Word

One of the most imperative ways to care for your English Springer Spaniel is to make sure you’re feeding them the right food. That will ensure they have the energy they need to remain playful, and stay healthy long into life.

For our money, the best English Springer Spaniel Dog Food available is Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. But each dog food on our list is an excellent product, and depending on your dog’s needs, you can’t go wrong with any of them.