One of the most charming features of the Cocker Spaniel is its pair of large ears. The hair on the ears can be trimmed or left long, making them look like soft braids hanging on both sides of the head and adding greatly to the breed's appeal. The Cocker Spaniel is one of the smallest sporting dogs, and historically hunters took it out to flush birds. It could use its sharp bark to startle hidden birds into flight so the hunter could shoot, and it also had retrieving ability to bring the game back. Because of this kind of background, there are several important points to remember when feeding and caring for a Cocker Spaniel.
First, be careful not to feed too much animal liver. Many people know that liver contains vitamins, but it is also an organ involved in detoxification. If fed in excess, it can easily cause vitamin toxicity and may also allow harmful substances to accumulate, which can contribute to skin problems and other issues. If you regularly feed liver with staple food as a main diet, it may not only trigger the problems mentioned above, but also lead to obesity. Instead of a well-proportioned Cocker Spaniel, you may end up with an overweight one with a rounded belly.
Dogs need calcium during growth to help bone development and to reduce the risk of rickets. Because bones contain calcium, some owners assume that giving dogs plenty of bones is enough. In reality, that is not the best way to supplement calcium for a Cocker Spaniel. If you depend on chewing bones as the main source of calcium, most dogs will still end up nutritionally imbalanced. A better approach is to add an appropriate calcium supplement to the food and also provide enough protein and minerals so that the dog's nutrition remains balanced.
Another point that deserves special attention is that your Cocker Spaniel should not eat the same meals as people. Human food usually contains oil, salt, and seasonings that are not suitable for dogs and may cause digestive upset, vomiting, burping, skin problems, or severe shedding. If you want your Cocker Spaniel to eat comfortably and grow up healthy, dog food should remain the main diet, supplemented with some leafy vegetables and fruit. Carrots are fine, but white radish is not recommended. Snacks such as cookies, cakes, or small sausages should be given only rarely. Chocolate must never be fed to a Cocker Spaniel, because in some cases it can even be life-threatening.
Because the Cocker Spaniel was originally a hunting dog, it naturally enjoys outdoor activity. Even though it is now a member of your family and no longer hunts, you should still remember to take it outside every day so it can exercise and enjoy the outdoor environment.