The Brittany Spaniel, a breed known for its boundless energy and charming personality, requires a diet tailored to support its active lifestyle and overall health. Originating from the Brittany region of France in the 1800s, where they were bred as versatile hunting dogs, these compact and athletic canines thrive on a balanced diet that fuels their energetic nature and helps prevent potential health issues. Understanding the nutritional needs of your Brittany is crucial for ensuring they live a long, happy, and healthy life.
Understanding the Brittany Spaniel
Originally bred in France’s Brittany province, the Brittany is an athletic dog with a lot of energy. They typically stand 17-20 inches tall and weigh 30-40 pounds. As a breed, the Brittany is one of the sweetest and most friendly dogs out there, and they are eager-to-please and energetic. They were bred to hunt birds, so they are hardwired with a high prey drive.
Nutritional Needs of Brittany Spaniels
Like all dogs, Brittany Spaniels have specific nutritional needs that must be met to ensure optimal health. These needs vary depending on their life stage, activity level, and individual health conditions. A well-balanced diet for a Brittany Spaniel should include the following components:
Protein
Protein is vital for muscle development and overall body maintenance. More than a fifth of a puppy’s diet must consist of protein. High-quality protein sources should be the primary ingredients in your Brittany's food. Look for named meat sources such as chicken, beef, or lamb, rather than vague terms like "meat by-products."
Fats
Healthy fats provide a concentrated source of energy and support skin and coat health. Sources like fish oil or chicken fat are beneficial.
Read also: Overcoming Infertility: A Personal Account
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide sustained energy for active breeds like the Brittany Spaniel. Whole grains, such as brown rice or oats, are preferable to refined grains or fillers.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins and minerals are essential for overall health and should be included in a balanced diet. Ingredients like sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach are packed with vitamins A, C, and E.
Fiber
Fiber aids digestion and helps with weight management.
Water
Ensure your Brittany always has access to fresh water to prevent dehydration.
Choosing the Right Dog Food
Selecting the best dog food for your Brittany Spaniel involves careful consideration of several factors, including breed-specific needs, life stage, and activity level. Prioritizing high-quality ingredients, named meat sources, and avoiding artificial additives is key.
Read also: Mental Health Advocacy
High-Quality Ingredients
Look for dog foods that list real meat as the primary ingredient and avoid artificial additives, fillers, and whole grains. The first ingredients should be named meat sources, followed by whole grains and vegetables.
Life Stage Considerations
- Puppies: Puppies require foods formulated for growth and development, with higher protein and calorie content. For safe growth, it’s important to feed a raw puppy-specific formula. ProDog’s raw puppy food meals are formulated to FEDIAF nutritional standards and expertly portioned for convenience.
- Adults: Adult Brittany Spaniels need a balanced diet to maintain their energy levels and healthy weight. On average, adult Brittany Spaniels can weigh anywhere from 30 to 40 pounds, and staying within this range is key for their health.
- Seniors: Senior dogs may benefit from food formulated for joint health and digestive support, often with lower calorie counts. Even in old age, your Brittany Spaniel will still need protein to make up 20 to 22% of their daily diet.
Types of Dog Food
- Dry Kibble: Dry kibble is a convenient and cost-effective option.
- Wet Food: Wet food offers a higher moisture content, which can be beneficial for hydration.
- Raw Food: Raw dog food is whole food served in its most natural state with no heat processing. It’s the most biologically aligned option for dogs, delivering nutrients in their most digestible and usable forms, with no need for synthetic additives, preservatives, or mystery fillers. A raw, species-appropriate diet, also referred to as BARF diet for dogs (biologically appropriate raw food diet), includes muscle meat, organ meat, bone, raw fats, and a small amount of vegetables or berries.
- Homemade Dog Food: While homemade dog food allows for greater control over ingredients, it can be challenging to ensure proper balance and nutrition. If opting for homemade food, consult with a veterinary nutritionist to ensure all nutritional needs are met.
Feeding Guidelines
The amount of food needed depends on your Brittany’s age, weight, and activity level. As Brittany Spaniels age, their nutritional requirements may change.
Portion Control
Portions can be 0.33 to 1.75 cups of food daily. Staying within the ideal weight range is key for your dog to remain healthy. Overfeeding or feeding high-calorie treats can lead to obesity, which increases the risk of other health problems.
Feeding Schedule
Feed your Brittany twice a day-once in the morning and once at night.
Breed-Specific Considerations
Brittany Spaniels are energetic, fast, and agile dogs. Hence, they have high caloric needs relative to other dogs their size.
Read also: A Holistic Approach to Wellness
Addressing Common Health Issues Through Diet
Brittany Spaniels are generally a very healthy breed without many notable health issues, but they are prone to certain conditions that can be managed or mitigated through proper diet.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common orthopedic condition in dogs, including Brittany Spaniels. This genetic condition affects the stability of the hip joint, occurring when the joint doesn’t fit together properly. Because the Brittany is an active breed, watch for signs of weakness in their back legs, or an aversion to playtime and exercise. A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and joint-supporting supplements can help manage inflammation and support joint health.
Ear Infections
Brittany Spaniels, like many floppy-eared breeds, are prone to ear infections due to their ear structure and tendency to retain moisture. Regular cleaning and a diet that supports a healthy immune system can help prevent ear infections.
Food Allergies and Sensitivities
Brittany Spaniels, like many other breeds, can develop allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients in their diet. Common allergens include beef, chicken, dairy, and grains. An elimination diet, replacing common farmed meats like beef and chicken with novel proteins such as venison or goat raw dog food, can help identify and manage food allergies.
Eye Conditions
Brittany Spaniels are prone to cataracts, which causes the eye lenses to become cloudy and leads to vision loss. If you notice your dog’s eyes have a somewhat milky appearance and they’re bumping into things, it’s time for an eye exam. A diet rich in antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, can support eye health.
Epilepsy
Another genetic condition that often affects the Brittany is epilepsy, a disorder of the brain that results in seizures, but with an unknown cause. In dogs, an epileptic seizure can look like unusual behavior, such as incessant chewing, sniffing, head shaking, hiding, running erratically, or losing their balance. But it can also look like a standard seizure, where they fall over, convulse, and urinate and/or defecate. While upsetting to witness, these episodes are not fatal, and the condition can be treated with lifelong medication and monitoring. While diet is not a primary treatment for epilepsy, a balanced and consistent diet can help manage overall health.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid is slow to produce certain hormones. Other symptoms include a dry, coarse coat that may or may not be falling out; droopy eyelids; and heat-seeking behavior. While diet is not a direct treatment, ensuring adequate iodine intake can support thyroid function.
Foods to Avoid
We know your Brittany is a member of the family, but that doesn’t mean you can feed them the same things we human family members eat. Foods that are safe for humans can be toxic or even deadly to your pet. Here are some of the foods to never give your Brittany:
- Alcohol: Beer, wine, and spirits act as a depressant on animals’ nervous systems, potentially leading to breathing problems and even coma.
- Animal Bones: Beef or chicken bones can damage your pet’s teeth or splinter and cause damage in their digestive tract. Stick with treat bones (not from China) made specifically for dogs.
- Animal Fat and Fried Foods: Excessive fat can cause pancreatitis.
- Apples, Cherries, Persimmons, Peaches, and Plums: The seeds of these fruits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to dogs as well as humans.
- Avocado: They contain a chemical called Persin, which is harmless to humans but can be toxic to dogs.
- Chocolate or Anything with Caffeine: Foods like coffee and cocoa contain methylxanthines, which in high concentrations can cause heart palpitations, tremors, seizures, dehydration, and death.
- Grapes and Raisins: Even small amounts of grapes or raisins can prove fatally toxic for a dog.
- Candy, Gum, and Baked Goods: Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol, which can cause an increase in the insulin circulating through your dog’s body, leading to a drop in blood sugar and liver failure.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Both are highly toxic to dogs.
- Nutmeg and Other Spices: Can cause tremors, seizures, and death.
- Milk: Adult animals don’t have the lactase to digest milk, and feeding it to them can cause diarrhea.
- Onions, Garlic, and Chives: Can cause red blood cell damage in pets.
- Tomatoes: Can cause tremors and heart arrhythmias. Tomato plants are the most toxic, but tomatoes themselves are also unsafe.
- Uncooked Dough: Can rise in your dog’s digestive tract and cause stomach or intestinal damage.
- Macadamia Nuts: Can cause fever, tremors, weakness, and other unpleasant symptoms.
Safe Fruits and Vegetables for Brittany Spaniels
Listed below are some of the most Brittany-friendly veggies and fruits, which are healthier than boxed treats:
- Apples: If you remove the core and cut them up before serving them, they are a wonderful snack.
- Bananas: Don’t give to your dog in large amounts. Too many bananas given to your dog can cause multiple problems, such as stool problems, fermentation in their stomach, and the growth of bad bacteria from poor digestion.
- Blueberries, Cranberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, and Strawberries: All of these berries are healthy and safe for your dog to eat and may help prevent cancer, heart disease, and other health issues.
- Grapefruit and Oranges: Are a healthy, non-toxic treat for dogs, as long as you serve grapefruit and orange portions in moderation.
- Pumpkin: Canned pumpkin is an excellent source of fiber for dogs.
- Broccoli and Brussels Sprouts: Adding small, lightly steamed portions of these veggies to your dog’s food promotes the overall stomach and bladder health of your pet.
- Carrots: Raw carrots provide nutritional benefits and promote healthy teeth as your dog spends time chewing the hard surface.
- Celery: Celery is a good source of fiber and potassium and is also a natural diuretic that stimulates urine production and can help eliminate excess fluids, thereby promoting good kidney and urinary tract health in your pet.
- Green Beans: Another great alternative for high-calorie dog treats.
- Lettuce/Leafy Greens: Leafy greens provide dogs with essential vitamins and nutrients.
- Peas: Peas provide calcium, magnesium, potassium, and other nutrients without harming your dog.
- Potatoes: A cooked potato is fine, but do not let your dog eat any raw potatoes or any potato plants it might have access to in your garden.
- Red, Yellow, and Green Bell Peppers: Provide adequate amounts of Vitamin C to your dog’s daily diet.
- Spinach: Spinach is rich in iron and beta carotene.
- Sweet Potatoes and Yams: Help stabilize blood sugar, which makes them a nice choice for diabetic dog treats.
Transitioning to a New Diet
Switching your Brittany from processed food to a raw, biologically aligned diet is one of the most impactful health decisions you can make. Thinking about making the switch but not sure where to start?
- Start slowly by gradually mixing the new food with the old, increasing the proportion of the new food over 7-10 days.
- During the transition, keep an eye on your dog’s poo, energy levels, and appetite. Digest, a dog gut health supplement, can help soothe the gut, reduce gas, and ease the shift to fresh food.
The Benefits of Raw Feeding
Raw feeding offers significant advantages in terms of nutrient absorption and overall health.
Better Digestion
Modern science and centuries of instinct reveal that food is more than just fuel. It’s information. Increasingly, holistic vets are advocating for an integrative approach to dog health. Minimally processed, species-appropriate diets are key to this method, along with functional supplements, gut health support, and environmental enrichment.
More Vitality
When your dog eats better, they live better, leading to more vitality.
Shinier Coats
A raw diet can lead to shinier coats, reflecting better overall health.
Healthier Teeth
Raw feeding can contribute to healthier teeth.
Additional Tips for a Healthy Brittany Spaniel
- Maintain Hydration: Ensure your dog always has access to fresh water.
- Consider Supplements: It’s always a good idea to seek the advice of your vet before buying supplements for your Brittany Spaniel.
- Personalize the Bowl: You can safely use most real foods in moderation, but there are a few ingredients to avoid. If you’re feeding ProDog’s complete meals (such as our Smart Chubs or Complete Recipe) no additional ingredients are needed, as they’re expertly balanced and nutritionally complete.
- Address Picky Eating: If your Brittany is a picky eater, try different brands and flavors, and consider adding wet food to kibble to make it more appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I feed my Brittany Spaniel human food?
A: While small amounts of certain human foods (like cooked carrots or plain chicken) may be okay occasionally, a balanced dog food should make up the majority of your Brittany's diet.
Q2: How much should I feed my Brittany Spaniel?
A: The amount will depend on the dog's age, weight, activity level, and the specific food's feeding guidelines.
Q3: What are the signs of a bad diet in my Brittany Spaniel?
A: Signs of a bad diet can include poor coat quality, digestive issues, low energy levels, and weight problems.
Q4: My Brittany is a picky eater; what should I do?
A: Try different brands and flavors, and consider adding wet food to kibble to make it more appealing.
Q5: Where can I find more information about dog nutrition?
A: Consult with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist for personalized recommendations.