The American Water Spaniel is a lively, water-loving breed with a strong work ethic and an affectionate personality. Their high energy levels, muscular frame, and distinct curly coat mean they require specific nutrition to thrive. Our Petabolix experts have selected the best dog food recommendations for American Water Spaniels to support their active lifestyle and keep them healthy at every stage of life.

Breed Summary

The American Water Spaniel, often described as a bundle of energy and charm, is a versatile sporting breed with roots in the American Midwest. Originally bred for hunting and retrieving both on land and in water, this medium-sized dog is known for its strong swimming skills, intelligence, and loyalty. The breed’s characteristic curly or wavy coat provides protection from cold water and harsh elements, making them a great companion for outdoor enthusiasts and hunters alike.

Their agile, muscular build and high stamina allow them to excel in activities like retrieving, agility, and even dock diving. American Water Spaniels are also affectionate and eager to please, creating strong bonds with their families. Though they are highly trainable, they benefit from a consistent and patient approach. They thrive in active households where they can enjoy regular exercise, making them well-suited for individuals or families who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle. With a little bit of training and a lot of love, the American Water Spaniel’s loyalty, intelligence, and athleticism make them a wonderful companion for active dog owners.

Vet’s Note

American Water Spaniels have specific health considerations that benefit from targeted nutrition. Due to their high activity levels and athleticism, they are prone to joint issues like hip dysplasia, so foods rich in glucosamine and chondroitin are essential for joint support. Their curly coats can be prone to dryness or skin sensitivities, making a diet with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids beneficial to maintain a healthy coat and reduce itching. Additionally, the breed is at risk of eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), so antioxidant-rich ingredients such as vitamin E and beta-carotene can help support eye health.

Health Considerations for American Water Spaniels

Dental

A American Water Spaniel's teeth and gums are always under plaque attack, which forms naturally from food particles and other bacteria. Dogs aren’t too concerned about having pretty white teeth, but dental care is critical for oral health. Bacteria in the mouth can even affect internal organs, like the heart, liver and kidneys, so there are certain things below we like to see in food or supplements to combat these threats to American Water Spaniels. Learn more about how to take care of your dog's teeth.

Puffy/crunch kibbles (bigger)
Sodium hexametaphosphate
Treats based on solubility, not hardness

Gut

Think of your American Water Spaniel's gut like a diverse community of bacteria and other microbes that work together to keep the body healthy. Keeping all these balanced is very important for overall health, including digestive, mental, and immune well-being. For these reasons, we prefer American Water Spaniel food that support the GI system and supplements that contain attributes below. Learn more about gut and digestive health in dogs and how to keep a dog's gut healthy.

Prebiotics
Probiotics
Fermented foods

Bone & Joint

It’s very common for breeds like the American Water Spaniel to develop discomfort or pain in their joints and bones, especially as they age. Some of these issues are hereditary, and some come from wear and tear over time. We can’t usually prevent these problems, but proper nutrition and weight management will do wonders in minimizing pain in our beloved pets. We always make sure diets include the ingredients below. Learn more about joint health in dogs.

Glucosamine
Methylsulfonymethane
Chondroitin
Omega-3 from Fish Oil
Green Mussel
Taurine
Turmeric
Vitamin E
Antioxidants

Cognitive

Puppy and senior American Water Spaniels need a little extra brain power in their nutrition plans. In the early years, puppy brains are developing quickly and need a healthy flow of vitamins to help them grow strong. Once they hit senior years, brain function can deteriorate and we like to supplement their diets with nutrients that will keep them sharp. Learn more about cognitive nutrition for dogs.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids
Vitamin E
Vitamin C
L-carnitine

Eye

The only thing better than looking into your American Water Spaniel’s eyes is looking into your American Water Spaniel’s healthy eyes. All dogs are susceptible to degenerative vision and eye function, but supplementing their diets with things like beta carotene, lutein, EPA, DHA, and other nutrients can help maintain quality vision. Learn more about eye nutrition for dogs.

Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Anthocyanins
Astaxanthin
Beta-carotene
Carotenoids
Glutathione
Lutein
Lycopene
Omega-3 essential fatty acids
Phytonutrients

Skin & Coat

Skin is a American Water Spaniel’s largest organ, and it plays a huge role in protecting from the outside world. Just think — weather, allergies, stress, parasites — all these things are trying to get under your dog’s skin. A healthy outer layer is key to avoiding irritants that may irritate or infect. And pay close attention to their coat. Unhealthy looking (or smelling) fur can mean bigger problems. To keep American Water Spaniel skin & coats healthy, we recommend that diets contain ingredients below. Learn more about skin nutrition for dogs and the dog foods focused on a healthy coat..

GLA
ALA
Omega-3 fatty acids
Vitamin E
Vitamins and choline
Flaxseed/fish oil
Antioxidants
Probiotics

Heart

Chances are, if you’re doing what’s right for your American Water Spaniel’s heart, you’re doing what’s right for his or her health overall. Proper exercise, weight management, and nutrition are all key to a healthy ticker. Most heart issues in dogs are a result of normal wear and tear with age, so heart-focused diets with taurine and omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil could be the gift of a lifetime for your American Water Spaniel. Learn more about heart nutrition for dogs.

Taurine
Carnitine
Omega-3 fatty acids
Antioxidants
Complete protein
Low sodium

Immune

There is a powerful little army inside your American Water Spaniel (the immune system) that protects the body from bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins and countless other microscopic predators. As pet parents, our job is to keep this army strong, conditioned, and well-supplied. Most of the battle is won in the gut, so a balanced diet plus probiotics and antioxidants are key for victory. Learn more about immune system nutrition for dogs.

Antioxidants
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Omega-3 fatty acids
Fish oil
Coconut oil

Weight Management & Obesity

There is nothing more important than keeping your American Water Spaniel at a healthy weight. Even a little excess poundage can cause a wide variety of health problems, including the pain of extra burden on their joints. Unfortunately, almost half of dogs in the US are overweight. Let’s fight dog obesity together by giving our dogs appropriate exercise and managing their caloric intake. If your American Water Spaniel needs to shed a little weight, look for diets with these labels below. Learn more about weight management and obesity for dogs and how to tell if your dog is overweight.

Low calorie
Low fat
Large bites (to slow chewing)
L-carnitine

Are Fresh Food Diets Good for American Water Spaniels?

Only if they’re properly balanced.

Many well-intentioned American Water Spaniel parents spend a lot of time preparing meals at home, but health benefits are lost if meals aren’t properly portioned and balanced with all the nutrients dogs need. Recently, a few companies have done an excellent job ensuring accurate portions and nutrient balance by delivering pre-prepped fresh meals customized to the size and needs of your dog. Farmer’s Dog, Ollie and Nom Nom have each been approved by our nutrition team as delivering truly quality and well-balanced meals. They can be a little expensive (usually 3-4x more per day than kibble), but many find the added health benefits worth the cost. They do offer discounts to new customers, though, if you’d like to try one out.

Pros and Cons of Fresh Food Diets

✓ Diets balanced by Nutritionists
✓ Customized portions for weight control
✓ Superior digestive and immune health
✕ More expensive than standard dog food

Farmer's Dog

"Fresh, human-grade dog food"
Ollie

"Healthy, Simple and Delicious"
Nom Nom

"Real, fresh, custom dog food"

Foods We Recommend for American Water Spaniel Puppies

How long do American Water Spaniels need puppy food?
Until they're 12 to 16 months old

American Water Spaniels are very focused on growing, and how we feed them should help them do just that. Since they have so much growing to do, they need higher amounts of nutrients than adult dogs, especially proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and — don’t forget — water. It’s still important to not overfeed puppies, so make sure to portion food and keep treats to no more than 10% of their caloric intake. Since balance is so important, we recommend that your young American Water Spaniel is eating food that is made just for puppies from a reputable brand.

Foods We Recommend for American Water Spaniel Adults

When should American Water Spaniels start transitioning to adult food?
Until they're 12 to 16 months old

From a nutrition standpoint, American Water Spaniel become adults once they reach about 90% of their expected weight. Once adults, our two key nutrition goals are balance and maintenance. We want balance because a dog’s body is responsible for a lot of things, like digestion, fighting infection, keeping muscles strong, and chasing squirrels. These are all important tasks, so we want to make sure each body function gets its share of nutrients. We also need to maintain a healthy weight. Underfed dogs are at risk for malnourishment, and overfed dogs can become obese — both of which lead to even worse problems for a American Water Spaniel.

Foods We Recommend for American Water Spaniel Seniors

When should American Water Spaniels start transitioning to senior food?
All dogs can age differently, but Medium dogs like the American Water Spaniel can start to benefit from senior food around 7 to 8 years old

Ever watch kids running around the playground and wish you had that energy again? Yeah. Dogs get there, too. The metabolic processes in senior American Water Spaniels slow down as they age, which often means they aren’t needing quite as many calories as they did in their prime. Smart dog food companies have formulated senior diets to ease up on calories but still help them feel full and give them adequate maintenance protein. Still, like humans, everybody is different. Sometimes older dogs need just as many calories, or more, depending on how their bodies progress. So keep a close eye on their body condition, and look for dog foods made for seniors.

What are the Best Dog Foods for the American Water Spaniel?

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