Brittany Spaniels are cherished sports dogs with agile bodies and quick minds. They’re highly athletic and have been used in the past as gun dogs with excellent results. Now, they make great family dogs with loyal temperaments and excellent, intelligent minds.
Brittany dogs require dense nutrition that won’t pack on pounds but will still support their muscle tone and bone structure. Making sure to feed them the right kind of food allows you to enjoy their wonderful personalities for many years.
Let’s see what it’s going to take to keep your Brittany Spaniel happy and healthy for many years by breaking down exactly what they need and how to get it. Read on of our recommendations for Best Dog Food for Brittany Spaniels below.
- Why Quality Food Matters for Your Brittany Spaniel
- Best Dog Food For Brittany Spaniel
- Best Brittany Spaniel Puppy Food
- Best Dog Food for Senior Brittany Spaniels
- 3 Common Brittany Spaniel Health Issues a Good Dog Food Can Help With
- What to Look For
- Ingredients to Avoid in Your Brittany’s Dog Food
- Brands To Avoid
- Feeding Chart
- Final Thoughts
Why Quality Food Matters for Your Brittany Spaniel
Brittany Spaniels are bright, so a good quality food prevents the dulling that can happen when any animal (including humans) eat terrible quality foods. You may save money in the short-term buying bargain foods, but you’ll end up at the vet’s office more than you’d like.
Prevent this by serving your Brittany only the highest quality foods that can provide energy all day and encourage proper growth. Health begins with the diet, and Brittany dogs can be more susceptible to diet-related issues than some other breeds.
Best Dog Food For Brittany Spaniel
Your Brittany needs plenty of protein and carbs for energy, but weight control is a critical part of this process. To maintain athletic tone and mental acuity, you should look for foods high in protein and fatty acids while low in empty calories.
1. Ollie Turkey Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Turkey, butternut squash, turkey livers, oats, lentils
Protein: 10.0% min
Fat: 7.0% min
Fiber: 2.0% max
Moisture: 72.0% max
Food Type: Fresh, Frozen
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Ollie creates fully cooked meals using fresh, organic ingredients to help pet owners balance the nutrition of raw food with the ease of kibble. The meals should satisfy even your pickiest companion.
They offer several recipes available for your pup to try. This turkey recipe includes organ meats for an extra amount of nutrients. It also includes chia seeds to support skin, heart, and eye health and pumpkin to deliver essential minerals and fiber (oats) for digestive support.
Free from artificial preservatives, fillers, and by-products, Ollie Turkey Recipe ensures your dog enjoys a delicious and nutritious diet that promotes strong muscles, healthy skin, and a shiny coat. Perfect for dogs of all sizes and life stages, it's crafted with care to deliver optimal nutrition and flavor in every bite.
Pros
- Organic ingredients
- Mostly meat with simple ingredients
- Portion sizes are easy to serve
- Crafted by Vet Nutritionists
Cons
- Requires cold storage
- Can be challenging to save leftovers
2. ACANA Butcher’s Favorites Wild-Caught Salmon Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Salmon, Herring Meal, Pollock Meal, Whole Chickpeas, Whole Peas
Protein: 36.0% min
Fat: 17.0% min
Fiber: 4.0% max
Moisture: 12.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This is a prime grain-free formula designed to delight your dog’s taste buds while supporting their overall health.
Crafted with fresh, wild-caught salmon as the star ingredient, this recipe delivers high-quality protein that promotes lean muscle development and supports an active lifestyle.
Enhanced with wholesome fruits and vegetables, this nutrient-dense kibble offers a well-rounded diet without grains, gluten, or artificial additives, making it a perfect choice for dogs with sensitivities.
The recipe is further enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin. Packed with naturally sourced vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it ensures your dog receives essential nutrients to thrive.
With a flavor inspired by the butcher’s best, this salmon-forward freeze-dried formula satisfies your dog’s cravings while providing the nutrition they need for a happy, energetic life.
Pros
- With tender salmon pieces
- Protein-packed meal
- Grain-free recipe
- With pre and probiotic blend for gut health
- Notable difference in pet's coat and skin health
Cons
- Strong, fishy aroma
- Caused tummy upset in some
3. Iams ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken By-Product Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp
Protein: 25.0% min
Fat: 14.0% min
Fiber: 4.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, Extra Small Breeds
Iams ProActive’s dry dog food recipe is crafted with real chicken to offer protein and whole grain corn that deliver an important ingredient: fiber. This formulation provides a rich, fragrant flavor your pup will gulp up with ease!
It is complete and balanced tailored for adult dogs. Made with real farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient, this formula provides high-quality protein to support strong muscles.
The mini-sized kibble is perfect for smaller mouths, ensuring easy chewing and digestion. Enriched with essential nutrients, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids, it promotes a healthy immune system, shiny coat, and strong bones. It offers a tasty, nutritious meal that helps keep your dog active, healthy, and full of energy.
Pros
- Rich with protein
- Promotes a healthy digestive system
- Premium-sourced protein
- Contains antioxidants for immune system support
Cons
- Not grain-free formula (may trigger allergic reactions)
4. Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken, Turkey Meal, Peas, Tapioca, Menhaden Fish Meal
Protein: 35.0% min
Fat: 12.0% min
Fiber: 15.0% max
Moisture: 6.0% max
Food Type: Dry, Freeze-Dried
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This is a high-protein, grain-free dog food designed to help manage your dog's weight without sacrificing nutrition. This recipe combines protein-rich kibble with freeze-dried raw pieces made from cage-free chicken, offering a delicious, nutrient-packed meal.
Essential fatty acids support skin health while fruits and veggies give your Brittany essential vitamins and antioxidants to promote overall health and well being.
Enhanced with L-Carnitine and a special blend of fiber, it supports a healthy metabolism and helps your dog feel full longer. With added probiotics for digestion and omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, Instinct Raw Boost delivers balanced nutrition while supporting a healthy weight and overall well-being.
Pros
- Raw meat bits
- Good protein levels
- Fatty acids for skin health
Cons
- Some dogs pick out raw bits, leaving kibble behind
- Raw bits require redistribution throughout the bag pretty frequently
5. Weruva Dogs in the Kitchen with Chicken Breast & Pumpkin Au Jus
First 5 ingredients:
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Pumpkin, Locust Bean Gum, Sunflower Seed Oil
Protein: 8.0% min
Fat: 1.5% min
Fiber: 0.5% max
Moisture: 86.0% max
Food Type: Wet, Bits in Broth
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This is a gourmet wet dog food featuring tender, cage-free chicken breast and nutrient-rich pumpkin, all served in a savory au jus. This grain-free recipe is crafted with high-quality ingredients, offering a delicious and hydrating meal that supports digestion and overall health.
Perfect as a standalone meal or a tasty topper, it’s free from artificial preservatives, colors, and fillers, ensuring your dog enjoys a wholesome, nutritious diet with every bite.
As with all of Weruva’s Dogs in the Kitchen recipes, the ingredients in this one maintain their natural look and recognizable texture, so what you see is exactly what your put get! Treat your pup to the delectable taste and quality nutrition they deserve with Weruva.
Pros
- Finicky eaters love this
- High quality protein
- Recipe free from grains, starch, MSG, gluten or carrageenan
- Delicious & savory
- Ideal for any pups with sensitive tummies
Cons
- Thicker consistency compared to other Weruva line
6. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe (Grain-free)
First 5 ingredients:
Salmon, Chicken Meal, Peas, Pea Protein, Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids)
Protein: 34.0% min
Fat: 15.0% min
Fiber: 6.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: All Lifestages, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
A high-protein, grain-free dry dog food inspired by the diet of wild wolves. Made with real deboned salmon as the first ingredient, this recipe provides your dog with the rich, quality protein they need for strong muscles and an active lifestyle. Infused with antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and omega fatty acids, it supports a healthy immune system, skin, and coat.
Blue Buffalo is an excellent affordable alternative to higher-end foods without sacrificing nutrition. It features high-quality protein from a lean source that also provides plenty of fatty acids to support brain and skin health. It’s grain free and contains no empty fillers that can cause allergic reactions.
Pros
- A good source of lean protein
- Affordable
- Plenty of fatty acids
Cons
- Picky Spaniels may not eat it
- The bag isn’t resealable
Best Brittany Spaniel Puppy Food
Puppies change a lot during their young years, so feeding them will be a changing game. Your veterinarian will probably alter the feeding schedule and portions several times during the puppy years, so be ready for the change.
7. American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal (a source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Turkey Meal, Peas, Chickpeas
Protein: 30.0% min
Fat: 12.0% min
Fiber: 5.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Puppy, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
American Journey’s puppy formula provides all the building blocks your Brittany will need to grow healthy and active without stressing joints and bone structure.
This kibble is a nutrient-dense, grain-free dry dog food formulated to support your puppy's growth and development. Made with real deboned lamb as the primary ingredient, this recipe provides high-quality protein for building strong muscles.
Combined with sweet potatoes and chickpeas, it offers sustained energy and easy digestion. Enriched with DHA from salmon oil, it promotes brain and eye development, while omega fatty acids support a healthy coat and skin.
This recipe ensures your puppy gets the balanced nutrition they need to thrive.
Pros
- Whole protein source from lamb
- Sweet potato to prevent blood sugar spikes
- Encourages healthy growth
- Grain free recipe
Cons
- Flavor may not be a favorite for picky puppies
- Comes in only smaller bag sizes
8. Merrick Puppy Plate Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Broth, Deboned Turkey, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots
Protein: 9.0% min
Fat: 5.0% min
Fiber: 1.8% max
Moisture: 82.0% max
Food Type: Wet, Chunks in Gravy
Best for: Puppy, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
Merrick’s grain free wet food can help your picky puppy eat without triggering food sensitivities.
This canned food is a wholesome, grain-free meal crafted to support your puppy's growth and development. Made with real deboned chicken as the first ingredient, this recipe is packed with high-quality protein, essential for building strong muscles.
It's enriched with fruits, vegetables, and DHA for brain and eye development, ensuring your puppy gets balanced nutrition. The soft texture and savory taste make it easy for puppies to enjoy, providing complete and natural nutrition without artificial preservatives or fillers. This is a delicious, nutritious way to give your puppy the best start in life.
Pros
- Entices even picky puppies
- Excellent source of fiber and moisture
- Suitable as an additive or a full meal
- Grain free recipe
Cons
- Canned foods are messy
- Strong smell
Best Dog Food for Senior Brittany Spaniels
This is a critical time for your Brittany. Maintaining proper weight in the face of declining activity levels is mission number one. Plus, seniors can benefit from supplements for joint health and fatty acids to keep their minds sharp.
9. Now Fresh Grain-Free Senior Weight Management Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
De-Boned Turkey, Peas, Potatoes, Potato Flour, Pea Fiber
Protein: 24.0% min
Fat: 11.0% min
Fiber: 7.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Senior, All Breeds
Special Diet: Grain-free
This is a specially formulated dry dog food designed to help senior dogs maintain a healthy weight. Made with 100% fresh turkey, salmon, and duck, this recipe provides high-quality protein to support lean muscle mass.
Complete proteins help support muscle tone while glucosamine and chondroitin can provide better cushioning for aging joints. Fatty acids are excellent for brain health and keeping the skin clear of inflammation.
It features a blend of low-calorie, nutrient-rich ingredients like pumpkin, apples, and coconut oil, promoting healthy digestion and weight management. Infused with L-Carnitine, it aids in fat metabolism, while omega fatty acids support skin and coat health.
Free from grains, gluten, and artificial additives, Now Fresh offers balanced nutrition tailored to the needs of aging dogs.
Pros
- Senior specific weight control formula
- Suitable for sensitive seniors
- Glucosamine and chondroitin support
Cons
- Taste may not appeal to picky dogs
- Kibble can be difficult to chew for dogs with tooth issues
10. Nutro Natural Choice Senior Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe
First 5 ingredients:
Deboned Lamb, Chicken Meal (Source Of Glucosamine And Chondroitin Sulfate), Rice Bran, Split Peas, Brewers Rice
Protein: 24.0% min
Fat: 12.0% min
Fiber: 4.0% max
Moisture: 10.0% max
Food Type: Dry
Best for: Senior, All Breeds
Nutro’s senior formula uses rich lamb as a source of whole protein and fat suitable for aging seniors. Rice provides lasting energy without packing on the pounds.
Made with real lamb as the first ingredient, it provides high-quality protein to support muscle maintenance. The recipe includes brown rice for easy digestion and a steady source of energy, along with essential antioxidants for immune health.
It uses a limited ingredient formula to alleviate sensitivities and help your senior Brittany digest food with fewer problems. Plus, glucosamine and chondroitin support aging joints while fatty acids promote brain health.
Pros
- Limited ingredient formula
- Kibble is hollow in the middle, making it easier to chew
- Proper protein and carb balance
Cons
- Only available in one size of a bag
- Taste may not appeal to picky seniors
3 Common Brittany Spaniel Health Issues a Good Dog Food Can Help With
Brittany dogs are reasonably healthy dogs, but there are a few conditions to watch out for. Diet can help alleviate the symptoms from most of these conditions, so it's important to consider them when you're choosing food.
Hip Dysplasia – Athletic dog breeds are all susceptible to this genetic condition, so Brittany dogs should be watched carefully for the signs. It happens when the hip socket forms correctly, making dogs with the condition more likely to pop the joint out of place during heavy exercise or with excess weight. Keeping your Brittany at the ideal weight can alleviate the symptoms, as can proper protein to maintain muscle tone and support for those joints.
Thyroid Issues – This condition is also genetic and will require medication to help your Brittany maintain a quality of life. However, a proper diet helps support thyroid function by keeping your Brittany at the right weight and preventing blood sugar spikes. Gluten-Free diets may be helpful here.
Weight – This Spaniel variety is a lithe, athletic breed, so even a small bit of extra weight could have detrimental effects on its health. It can stress joints and bones, cause issues with genetic conditions such as thyroid issues, and prevent your Spaniel from participating in life fully. Controlling your Spaniel’s weight, especially in the senior years, is a critical part of feeding.
What to Look For
Complete proteins should be the first ingredient in your dog food to ensure that muscle tone is supported, and energy levels are kept steady. Mix it with quality complex carbohydrates to prevent blood sugar spikes and your Brittany will have energy all day long.
Fruits and veggies provide vitamin and minerals to support the immune system plus provide prebiotics for better digestion. Good fiber sources help keep weight under control and also help your Brittany to feel full after eating.
Essential fatty acids support brain health and keep the skin from being inflamed. Make sure the food has plenty of glucosamine and chondroitin whether your Brittany is a senior or not to help alleviate the long-term effects of joint aging.
Ingredients to Avoid in Your Brittany’s Dog Food
Cheap fillers such as corn and soy can cause allergic reactions in sensitive dogs and cause unnecessary weight gain. They have no nutritional value and serve only to bring down the cost of the food itself. They shouldn’t appear anywhere in the ingredients list.
Other ingredients to avoid are artificial colors and flavors, which provide no nutritional value and by-product meals which make it difficult to identify what meat is actually in the foods. Carefully controlling your dog’s diet keeps health at its best, so avoid these ingredients as well.
Recently, a possible link was uncovered between a diet high in potatoes, peas, and legumes and a condition known as Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy. It causes the walls of the heart to enlarge and weaken. Since we aren’t sure of the real connection just yet, talk with your vet about what to do and try to avoid foods that list these ingredients in the first three positions.
Brands To Avoid
We see these brands all the time on shelves, and although they do offer a bargain, you’re likely ruining your pet’s health in the long run. You may see them on the shelves, but we recommend running far away.
- Ol Roy: Walmart’s dog food brand is high on quantity but not much else. It does feature one of the lowest costs per ounce out there, but there’s also nothing but red flag ingredients such as soy and corn. Avoid the temptation to save money with this one.
- Alpo: We can’t even remember how many times this brand has been recalled due to quality control issues. Plus, it uses cheap fillers and poor sources of meat and protein to bring down the cost. Your dog may like the taste, but you won’t like the result.
- Kibbles N Bits: This old school food is really common, but it has corn, soy, artificial flavors, artificial ingredients, and by-product meals. Just avoid it despite how easy it is to find everywhere from big box stores to your corner gas station market.
Feeding Chart
Brittany dogs do best dividing meals into several throughout the day instead of one big meal because they need to maintain energy levels. Your vet can give you the best recommendation based on your particular Brittany but here is a general guideline
- Puppies: Puppies will change quite a bit over their maturation, but generally they start out with three to four meals per day. Feeding portions depend on the food and your vet’s advice.
- Adults: Adults receive around two cups of food per day divided into two meals. Check with your vet and the recommended serving size of your particular food for specific portion sizes.
- Seniors: As your Brittany ages, your vet may adjust portion sizes a bit to account for periods of inactivity and weight gain. It’s critical here to maintain a proper weight to avoid serious issues.
Final Thoughts
Your Brittany is a highly athletic, highly intelligent dog that loves nothing more than to run until it’s spent and then pass out next to a favorite family member for a good, long nap.
Feeding your Brittany quality food helps supports that energy and prevent stressing the joints and bone structure, especially later in life. As your Brittany ages, maintaining proper weight is priority number one and critical to maintaining a good quality of life.
Our chosen foods use only high-quality ingredients for better nutrition so you can stop worrying about how your Brittany is aging and start worrying about how to burn off all that extra energy.
Put your time into something you both love instead of constant vet visits and enjoy your Brittany from puppy hood right into the twilight years. For such a curious dog, the one thing you should never worry about is the diet.