The Russian spaniel is a domestic breed, originally bred for hunting birds. Recently, especially in large cities, they have begun to be kept simply as pets because of their friendliness and easy-going nature.
Like all mammals, this breed develops health from an early age. In order for the dog to grow up active and have good immunity, it is important to feed the Russian spaniel puppy correctly, as well as take into account the recommendations of dog handlers for care and education.
Breed Features
The Russian Spaniel is calm within four walls, but outside it is extremely active. A genetically determined feature of the breed is the need for long walks, especially in forest parks. The dog easily adapts to life in an apartment, but he needs to be walked for a long time.
IMPORTANT! This breed loves water and is an excellent swimmer. But if swimming is not included in the plans, then it is better to choose places for walking that are located away from bodies of water.
Despite their medium size, they are excellent watchdogs. Their pronounced intuition allows them to distinguish a person with good intentions from a villain. When the last one appears, the spaniel will defend its owners to the last.
Russian spaniels also get along well with children and other pets. They are wonderful members of large animal-loving families. In addition, they are easy to train, but they choose their owner themselves. It is this person who will become the center of the dog’s universe.
Feeding an adult dog
After the Russian Spaniel turns one year old, he is transferred to two meals a day. Usually food is offered to the dog in the morning and evening after a walk.
Dry food
Owners who have switched their dogs to dry food must constantly monitor the quality of the finished product. It is best to buy drying powder packaged in small bags. Food sold by weight quickly deteriorates and can harm your pet.
Deciding on the brand of food is not difficult, since there is a wide choice. The main thing is to buy a product of the highest quality from the premium or super premium series. It is best to choose food from a line designed specifically for spaniels. They are enriched with all the nutrients and vitamins necessary to maintain health and performance.
Choosing a place and dishes for the puppy
Before moving your pet to a new home, it is important to take care of choosing a place and dishes for the baby. The first must remain unchanged. It is necessary that the allocated space is not in a crowded place, far from drafts. Also, dark corners are completely unsuitable for spaniels.
The bed should be placed on a wooden stand, this will protect the animal from the cold. Experts advise using a sturdy basket or wooden box. You must first make sure that there are no sharp edges or burrs that could harm the puppy.
A mattress or bed, purchased in a store or made independently, is suitable as a bedding. It is important that the dog can comfortably lounge on the “bed” while remaining on the bedding. It is recommended to clean the sleeping area daily.
Bowls are also installed in one place. The owner chooses the room, but traditionally dogs are fed in the kitchen or in the hallway if the former is too cramped. For water, you need to buy heavy dishes that the puppy will not tip over while playing. It should also be easy to clean.
Spaniels love to carry everything they can pick up in their teeth, so for food you need to buy a massive bowl that the dog will not turn over and drag away.
Important! Old plates with damage and cracks are not suitable as feeding utensils. The sharp edges can injure the animal's tongue.
Spaniels are not particularly neat, so coasters and rugs for dishes are a necessity, not a luxury, when keeping this breed. Without them, leftover food will be scattered all over the floor.
How to toilet train
The puppy cannot be taken outside during quarantine after vaccinations, so it is important to accustom him to the toilet in the house so that he does not shit in inappropriate places.
The most effective way is to limit the pet’s space by allocating it a separate room or part of the room, where the floor will be completely covered with sanitary diapers or newspapers..
This will not allow the puppy to relieve itself by. Gradually you need to reduce the number of diapers, leaving only 1 at the end, which over time can be moved to the place reserved for the toilet.
If it is impossible to limit the dog's space, it is necessary to spread diapers throughout the apartment or house, especially near doors and windows.
It often happens that a puppy, despite all the diapers, goes to the toilet in a certain place that, for some reason, he chose on his own; in such a situation, it is important to lay the diaper there, even if it is not entirely convenient for the owner.
When the pet gets used to relieving itself on the diaper, it can be moved to another place.
CAREFULLY!
The puppy should be taken to the diaper after sleeping, eating and active games and should not be allowed to leave until he relieves himself.
You can use special sprays, the effect of which is aimed at toilet training your pet - they need to be sprayed on a cloth or piece of paper and placed on a diaper.
The spray emits a specific aroma that is captured by dogs' sensitive sense of smell, indicating the correct place for the toilet..
After the end of quarantine, your pet can be trained to use the toilet outside. To do this, the dog needs to be taken for a walk in the morning and every 40-60 minutes. after feeding and wait until he goes to the toilet.
What to feed a Russian spaniel puppy
You should choose the type of food based on the purpose of the dog. If you plan to participate in hiking, hunting, fishing and leading an active lifestyle, then ready-made food will be the best option. For less active pets, natural food consisting of meat and cereals is suitable.
When choosing what to feed your Russian Spaniel puppy, you should rely on the recommendations of experienced dog handlers. Some people advise giving preference to food prepared by the owner for at least the first months. This allows you to strengthen the digestive tract and improve the condition of the dental system. However, the final choice is always up to the owner, provided that there are no medical indications for a specific diet.
Natural diet
Having chosen a natural diet, you need to prepare to purchase suitable products. This will allow you to carefully monitor the quality of your baby’s nutrition, but at the same time you will have to learn how to correctly calculate daily norms and the ratio of meat, cereals, vegetables and dairy products.
Main types of food for a Russian Spaniel puppy:
- Meat. Beef or chicken are recommended. Before feeding, you need to thoroughly boil the food and remove the bones. The norm is 50 g per 1 kg of weight. Finely chopped pieces should be placed in a bowl, but minced meat should be excluded; the dog’s stomach cannot digest it.
- Offal. Allowed from 3 months. Given once a week, replacing meat. The portion should be increased by a third.
- Fish. 3 feedings per week are acceptable. Only sea food is allowed, in the form of carefully cooked fillet.
- Dairy industry products. It is necessary to include kefir, yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese with the addition of eggshells in the menu. The latter is given up to 10 months. Fermented milk products are one complete feeding.
- Porridge and bread . For puppies, they are boiled in water or milk with the addition of vegetables. It is better to choose rolled oats, buckwheat and rice. You can soak some bread in this brew. They diversify the diet, but do not belong to its foundation.
- Eggs. An omelet is made from one piece or it is boiled soft-boiled. Give with meat or cereals once a week.
- Vegetables and fruits. Contain fiber that improves intestinal motility. Fresh salads with vegetable oil or sour cream are prepared for the spaniel. The main ingredients are carrots, pumpkin, cucumbers, zucchini, turnips. Fruits are a treat and should not be fed often due to their high sugar content. Watermelon, pears, apples, strawberries and raspberries are healthy.
- Greenery. Parsley and dill are an addition to any dish and contain a storehouse of vitamins.
- Chalk. During the period of intensive development, it is extremely necessary for the puppy. It is recommended to place the bowl with pieces in a place where the baby can get it at a convenient time.
Important! Milk can be offered to a puppy up to 2 months. As the pet grows up, it stops assimilating it.
Ready-made feed
Ready-made food is convenient for busy owners and useful if you buy high-quality granules. A good industrial feed contains not only the ideal balance of nutrients, but also supplements with vitamins and minerals, so there is no need to feed them separately.
What to look for when choosing a diet
Some manufacturers produce special food for cocker spaniels.
Keeping and caring for a cocker spaniel dog is a lot of work.
The choice of diet and type of food must be taken responsibly. There are currently two options for feeding dogs:
- natural food;
- prepared dry and canned food.
There are two advantages to feeding your pet with ready-made dry and canned food:
- high-quality industrial feed is fully balanced in terms of nutrients, vital micro- and macroelements, as well as vitamins;
- Significant time savings on preparing food for your pet.
There is nothing wrong with feeding your dog prepared food. Currently, there is a large number of high-quality premium foods (Royal Canin, Hill's, Pro Plan) and super premium foods (Eukanuba, Advance, 1st choice). Among them you can choose hypoallergenic food.
Consumption rates for dry food by age are indicated on the packaging. There is no need to carry out any additional calculations.
The second type of natural food feeding requires time spent preparing fresh portions of food daily. Also, the owner needs to supplement the natural diet with special mineral and vitamin complexes.
Also, a caring owner should ensure that the pet does not have an allergic reaction to a certain product.
Of course, most owners try to feed their pets natural food.
Sample menu by age
Since dog experts recommend feeding your puppy natural products for at least the first months, it is important to get an idea of a sample menu by age. In addition, as they grow older, the amount of one serving increases, but the number of feedings decreases.
Up to a month
Purebred puppies remain under the care of their mother in the breeder's home for up to a month. For 4 weeks they feed on mother’s milk, and for the first 3 weeks it completely constitutes the baby’s diet.
The first complementary feeding begins at 21 days and consists of warm milk with a small amount of bread crumb. A small portion is given 2-3 times a day, the rest the puppies get from breast milk.
1-2 month
As soon as the puppy is 1 month old, it begins to be weaned from its mother. Gradually, calcined cottage cheese, semolina with milk, and boiled meat, finely chopped, are introduced into the menu. Number of feedings – 6, every 3 hours. Food volume – from 200 to 400 g.
At 2 months, the baby’s daily menu should include:
- fermented milk products;
- meat, diced, raw, boiled and stewed;
- cheese;
- carrot;
- eggshell;
- fish;
- a little vegetable oil;
- rice and buckwheat.
Important! Each new product is introduced gradually. It is strictly forbidden to include several varieties unfamiliar to a puppy’s stomach in the diet on the same day.
3 months
From 3 months it is allowed to diversify porridge with oatmeal. Greens are also introduced. The daily norm should be from 500 to 700 g of all products.
Vaccination schedule
| Age | Nobivak vaccine | Eurikan vaccine |
| 7 weeks | Deworming | |
| 8-9 weeks (vaccination against plague, viral hepatitis, adenoviral infections, parvovirus enteritis, parainfluenza, leptospirosis) | DHPPiL | DHPPI2+L |
| 11 weeks | Deworming according to indications | |
| 12 weeks (vaccination against plague, viral hepatitis, adenoviral infections, parvovirus enteritis, parainfluenza, leptospirosis + rabies vaccination) | DHPPiL+R | DHPPI2+RL |
| 1 year | DHPPiL+RL | DHPPI2+RL |
| Vaccinations are then repeated annually at the same time. |
Vitamins and supplements for a Russian spaniel puppy
A rapidly growing puppy eating natural food needs special vitamins and supplements, otherwise his body will not receive enough of the necessary substances. The ready-made complex is recommended by a veterinarian after examination and clarification of health.
Mandatory components of supplements for puppies should be:
- Vitamin A. Ensures the normal functioning of the digestive system. Prevents pathologies of the reproductive organs and lacrimation from the eyes.
- Ascorbic acid. Maintains the normal immune system of the pet.
- Vitamin D. Necessary for skeletal development, normal absorption of phosphorus and calcium.
- Tocopherol. Promotes shine and health of the coat, necessary for normal muscle condition.
Top 2. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal
Rating (2021): 4.79
76 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, IRecommend, Otzovik, OZON, Wildberries
For diseases of the gastrointestinal tract Medicinal canned food that helps quickly restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract after gastritis, enteritis, pancreatitis. In good standing with veterinarians and breeders.
- Characteristics
Average price: 250 rub.
- Country: France
- Main ingredient: meat and animal by-products
- Protein percentage: 8%
- Garnish: cereals
- Weight: 400 g
Medicinal canned food from Purina Pro Plan will be a good choice if your cocker spaniel suffers from gastrointestinal diseases. They contain a minimum of fat, thereby reducing the load on the digestive system. Also, the composition contains only highly digestible components, so there will be no problems with stool. Veterinarians often recommend food for recovery from gastritis, enteritis and pancreatitis. Judging by the reviews, the beneficial effect is noticeable almost immediately, which is good news. The only complaint is that the consistency is too thick, which is why the contents have to be diluted with water.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Low fat content makes digestion easier
- Easy to digest
- Helps restore digestion after gastrointestinal diseases
- Quick effect
- Improves skin and coat condition
- Consistency too thick - needs to be diluted
- Contains grains that have no particular nutritional value
See also:
- 20 Best Dog Foods
Water
In addition to a properly selected and balanced diet, the dog needs a sufficient amount of fluid, otherwise the risk of dehydration increases.
The main rules for watering a puppy:
- keeping the bowl freely available;
- cleanliness of the liquid;
- regular water renewal;
- compliance with the temperature regime – 20-25 degrees;
- systematic cleaning of dishes.
Dog trainers recommend choosing bottled or filtered water for your puppy. It is better to refuse boiled, raw is strictly prohibited.
Feed after a walk, not before
This rule is intuitively followed by most owners, but it wouldn’t hurt to remind you of it again.
Since childhood, we have become accustomed to the idea that first we need to work up an appetite, and then we can eat. In the case of dogs, there is another compelling rationale for this sequence of actions: physical activity immediately after eating increases the risk of gastric volvulus in dogs prone to it. This is a dangerous condition, which is accompanied by a rapid increase in the volume of the abdomen and a sharp deterioration in the animal’s well-being.
Without surgical intervention, gastric volvulus leads to the death of the dog within a few hours. Representatives of large and giant breeds are especially susceptible to this scourge. Therefore, you need to give food strictly after a walk, and not before.
Prohibited Products
A balanced menu means feeding your dog healthy foods while excluding prohibited foods.
The list includes:
- raw cabbage;
- millet cereal;
- semi-finished products;
- avocado;
- spices, pickles, smoked, fatty foods;
- bones of rabbits and chickens;
- pork;
- river fish and any types of raw fish;
- mushrooms.
Onions and garlic are conditionally prohibited foods - they can be given occasionally. In addition, cold and hot food, as well as food prepared from expired ingredients, are harmful.
If you follow these rules, then raising a healthy, cheerful and active dog is very simple. Another important condition is sufficient attention to the pet.
Applaws with chicken 7.5 kg
Premium food that contains chicken, eggs, peas, potatoes, animals, vegetable fats, vegetables, and herbs in a balanced combination. Has a low glycemic index.
pros
- Does not contain grains;
- Does not cause allergies;
- Balanced composition;
- Natural ingredients;
- The product is suitable for a balanced diet so that there are no problems with the health, activity and appearance of the dog;
- Veterinarians recommend this brand as a dietary one;
- It has a good appearance, smell and taste.
Minuses
- Not available in all stores.
