English Springer Spaniel feeding chart: portions by age and weight

Daily portion guide (adult)

These are the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee’s calorie ranges for an average healthy adult dog in ideal body condition. They are starting points, not a prescription.

WSAVA gives these ranges for guidance only: dogs are individuals, and some need more or fewer calories to stay at an ideal, trim body condition. To turn calories into cups or grams, use the calories per cup or per 100 g printed on your food’s label: daily calories divided by calories per cup gives cups a day. The feeding guide on that label and your vet set the real amount, and your vet adjusts it by body condition: the WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines call for a feeding plan tailored to the individual dog.

Split into 2 meals. Energy needs drop after spaying or neutering (AAHA nutrition guidelines), so ask your vet how much to cut back.

Puppy (8 weeks to 12 months)

Standard puppy formula. Meals taper with age: 4 a day until 3 to 4 months old, 3 a day until 6 months, then 2 (Merck Veterinary Manual; Blue Cross). Switch to adult food at about 15 months, when the skeleton has finished growing, once your vet confirms growth is finished (AAHA’s 2021 nutrition guidelines: a growth diet until skeletal maturity, about 1 year for small and medium-size dogs and closer to 15 to 16 months for some larger breeds).

Senior (from about 10 years)

Senior age here is the last 25% of expected lifespan (AAHA 2019 Canine Life Stage Guidelines), counted from the breed’s median life expectancy in McMillan et al. 2024 (Scientific Reports). Older dogs do not automatically need less food or a senior formula: AAHA notes that energy needs may fall with age, but not consistently. Ask your vet to check weight, muscle and calories. Keep up ear and eye care.

What makes feeding a Springer different

Floppy-ear allergy pattern. Itchy ears are one of the usual signs of food allergy (VCA). If ear infections keep coming back, ask your vet about an elimination diet.

Match calories to activity. Working / hunting Springers eat substantially more than pet Springers. Same dog, vastly different fueling.

Genetic conditions. The Kennel Club lists DNA tests for the breed for phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency, whose signs include weakness and exercise intolerance, and for fucosidosis, a disease of the nervous system. The Merck Veterinary Manual also names English Springer Spaniels for PFK deficiency. Both matter for breeding lines and are not diet-related.

Common breed concerns and feeding

• Allergies / ear infections: elimination diet for chronic recurrence.
• Hip dysplasia: lean weight + appropriate puppy formula.
• Genetic conditions: testing for breeding stock; pet dogs not directly diet-affected.

Sample daily routine

Active pet Springer, 45 lb (20 kg):

• 7am: breakfast (slow feeder)
• 7:30am: 45-min run / fetch
• 12pm: training session (treats counted)
• 5pm: 30-min walk
• 6pm: dinner

What to keep track of

• Ear infection events.
• Skin / paw flares.
• Weight monthly.
• Activity level vs portion match.

Related

• English Springer Spaniel vaccination schedule
• Cocker Spaniel feeding
• German Shorthaired Pointer feeding
• Golden Retriever feeding