10 Healthiest & Best Dog Food For Brittany Spaniel in 2023

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

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.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR DOG FOODS FOR BRITTANY SPANIELS

Best Dog Food for Brittanys

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.

What Is The Best Dog Food For Brittany Spaniel?

1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food
2. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Formula
3. Iams ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks
4. Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe
5. Weruva Dogs in the Kitchen Funk in the Trunk with Chicken Breast & Pumpkin Au Jus
6. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Recipe
7. American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe
8. Merrick Puppy Plate Chicken Recipe
9. Now Fresh Senior Weight Management Recipe
10. Nutro Natural Choice Senior Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe

 

1. Ollie Fresh Pet Food Delivery

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.

First Five Ingredients:

• Turkey
• Kale
• Lentils
• Carrots
• Turkey Liver

About The Company

Ollie prides itself in making high-quality meals more accessible to pet owners. They use vet recommendations to create nutrient-dense recipes to be delivered to your door ready to serve or to refrigerate for later. It’s an excellent option if you’ve ever wanted to serve raw food but aren’t prepared for the hassle.

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. Taste Of The Wild Pacific Stream Formula

Taste of the Wild has produced a brilliant dog food formula that we are not sure can be beaten at this price point. Using novel proteins including real smoked salmon, this dog food takes its inspiration from the ancestral diet of prehistoric canines.

Formulated with novel proteins including real smoked salmon, this grain-free recipe includes peas and sweet potatoes that deliver the highly-digestible energy your active pup needs, along with natural antioxidant support from real fruits and vegetables and dried chicory root for prebiotic support and healthy digestion.

First Five Ingredients:

• Salmon
• Ocean Fish Meal
• Sweet Potatoes
• Potatoes
• Peas

About The Company

Each Taste of the Wild recipe is intended to provide the complete nutrition our pet needs in the way that nature intended — always real meat first. And not just any protein.

Pros:

• Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids
• Notable difference in pet's coat and skin health
• Picky eaters eat this
• Grain-free recipe
• Features real smoked salmon

Cons:

• Always out of stock
• Poor bag design

3. Iams ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks

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!

This formula adds chicken fat and flaxseed to offer your little curly-haired pup the omega fatty acids that will give his skin and coat the ingredients that increase his chances for optimal health.

First Five Ingredients:

• Chicken
• Ground Whole Grain Corn
• Ground Whole Grain Sorghum
• Chicken By-Product Meal
• Dried Plain Beet Pulp

About The Company

The Iams company was among the first pet food manufacturers to start feeding dogs as carnivores – they were also the first to develop the kind of protein-based diet that most traditional kibbles offer today.

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

Instinct by Nature’s Variety uses real raw food, freeze-dried for better storage. It’s mixed in with premium kibble to provide high-quality protein. Essential fatty acids support skin health while fruits and veggies give your Brittany essential vitamins and antioxidants to promote overall health and well being.

First Five Ingredients:

• Chicken
• Turkey Meal
• Peas
• Chicken Meal
• Tapioca

About The Company

Instinct By Nature’s Variety mimics your Brittany’s canine ancestral diet through raw meat bits and plenty of fruits and veggies. The company’s recipes help your companion maintain excellent overall health and encourage even picky Spaniels to eat regularly.

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

Weruva Dogs in the Kitchen Funk in the Trunk Canned Dog Food provides a yummy home cooked meal in a perfectly portioned serving. This luxurious, natural pet food is made from the best ingredients around the world including fresh, high-quality chicken breast and pumpkin.

As with all of Weruva’s Dogs in the Kitchen recipes, the ingredients in Funk in the Trunk maintain their natural look and recognizable texture, so what you see is exactly what your put get!

First Five Ingredients:

• Chicken Broth
• Chicken
• Pumpkin
• Locust Bean Gum
• Sunflower Seed Oil

About The Company

The Weruva pet food brand is a family-owned company founded by David and Stacie Forman in 2006. Weruva dog food aims to feed pets the way we feed ourselves.

This dog food is handmade and species-appropriate. Their products are made in a facility that also makes human food.

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

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.

First Five Ingredients:

• Deboned Salmon
• Chicken Meal
• Peas
• Pea Protein
• Menhaden Fish Meal

About The Company

Blue Buffalo began with a quest to provide the best nutrition to a single dog, Blue. That Airedale Terrier inspired an entire range of foods that offer high-quality meals at more affordable prices to keep your Brittany in top shape.

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

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. Whole proteins and a complex carbohydrate blend gives your puppy energy and encourages muscle tone. It’s grain free and contains no cheap fillers that can trigger sensitivities or stimulate rapid growth and weight gain.

First Five Ingredients:

• Deboned Lamb
• Chicken Meal
• Turkey Meal
• Peas
• Chickpeas

About The Company

American Journey uses ingredients from trusted suppliers only, creating recipes designed to help your dog build health and wellness from the very beginning. Premium proteins, whole fruits and veggies, and plenty of vitamins give your Brittany pup the best beginnings.

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

Merrick’s grain free wet food can help your picky puppy eat without triggering food sensitivities. It uses whole chicken for a quality protein source and contains plenty of fiber and moisture to encourage proper digestion and weight. It’s suitable for both adding to kibble and as a meal by itself.

First Five Ingredients:

• Deboned Chicken
• Chicken Broth
• Turkey
• Turkey Broth
• Duck

About The Company

Merrick uses whole, locally sourced ingredients to give puppies the best start in life. It’s a smaller company and creates each recipe in its own test kitchens before release to provide the best recipes for your Brittany.

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

Now Fresh’s recipe uses balanced proteins and carbohydrates to help maintain a healthy weight. 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.

First Five Ingredients:

• De-Boned Turkey
• Potato Flour
• Apples
• Pea Fiber
• Peas

About The Company

Now Fresh is committed to providing your pet with quality kibble that can help transform those golden years into quality time and wellbeing.

Their recipes balance proteins and carbs to prevent unnecessary weight gain while whole fruits and veggies complete your Brittany’s diet. They’re committed to holistic nutrition and believe that much of your pet’s health starts with the proper food.

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

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.

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.

First Five Ingredients:

• Deboned Lamb
• Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate)
• Whole Brown Rice
• Brewers Rice
• Rice Bran

About The Company

Nutro provides plenty of quality kibble to help your senior maintain a quality of life fitting for your best friend. The company used to be available only in specialty stores but has expanded in the belief that all pet owners deserve the chance to provide excellent meals for their dogs, no matter the life stage.

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 in a Quality Dog Food for A Brittany

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.

What should I feed my Brittany Spaniel?

With Brittany Spaniel you should look for all-breed commercial dog foods with poultry, lamb and beet pulp. I would avoid beef / horse meat, by-products as well as any corn, barley, wheat or soy products.

How much should a Brittany spaniel eat?

Your Brittany Spaniel will eat between 1 ½ and 2 cups of food per day and it should be divided over two meals – one in the morning and one in the evening.

Do Brittany Spaniels make good pets?

The Brittany is an intelligent breed, easy to train and very sociable. They are generally good with other pets and pleasant with visitors in the home. Brittanys love people and will be happiest when they are allowed to be in the house with their family.

How much exercise does a Brittany need?

Brittanys are high-energy dogs. They need at least an hour of intensive exercise each day. Without sufficient exercise, your Brittany may become neurotic and destructive. Brittanys are smart and need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise.