Cocker Spaniel Food Allergies: Dog Food for a Breed With 14× the Odds of Ear Problems

Cocker Spaniel food allergies can show up as itchy ears, licked paws and red skin, but not every ear problem in a Cocker is about food. English Cocker Spaniels have 14.66 times the odds of ear discharge compared with other dogs, and much of that comes from the shape of their ears. A vet check comes first, then an 8-week food trial if an allergy is likely. Our Cocker Spaniel dog food guide covers the breed's full profile.

Why do Cocker Spaniels get so many ear problems?

Cocker Spaniels get so many ear problems mainly because of their long, heavy, hanging ears. A UK study of 2,510 English Cocker Spaniels under veterinary care found the breed had 14.66 times the odds of aural (ear) discharge compared with other dogs¹.

Ear shape is a big part of that risk for all dogs. A separate UK study of 22,333 dogs found that breeds with pendulous ears had 1.76 times the odds of outer ear infection compared with breeds with upright ears². American Cocker Spaniels weren't part of the Cocker study, but they share the same long, low-hanging ear shape.

Are Cocker Spaniel ear infections caused by food allergies?

Cocker Spaniel ear infections are sometimes caused by food allergies, but more often the ear shape alone sets the stage. The same study that found the high ear risk also found that English Cockers had lower odds of allergy-type (hypersensitivity) disorders than other dogs¹.

That's worth knowing before you link Cocker Spaniel ear infections and diet. If your Cocker's ears keep flaring up, your vet will check for infection, wax build-up, debris and ear canal changes first. Food becomes a suspect when ear trouble comes with other signs of an allergy.

What are the signs of Cocker Spaniel food allergies?

The signs of Cocker Spaniel food allergies usually appear on the skin and in the ears together, all year round. Talk to your vet about a food trial when you see:

• Ear infections that return soon after treatment, because a reaction that never stops can keep inflaming the ear canal.
• Licking or chewing at the paws, which is one of the most common ways itchy dogs show discomfort.
• Red skin on the belly, armpits or face, especially when it doesn't change with the seasons.
• Soft stools or more frequent bowel movements alongside itchy skin, since food reactions can affect the gut as well.

Our breed profile lists ear infections, itchy paws and skin, and chicken allergy as the Cocker's common health risks.

Which foods are most likely to trigger Cocker Spaniel allergies?

The foods most likely to trigger Cocker Spaniel allergies are the common proteins dogs eat most often. A review of the evidence found that beef, dairy, chicken and wheat are the food allergens most often behind skin reactions in dogs³.

That doesn't mean those foods are bad. It means a dog that has eaten chicken or beef for years has had the most chances to react to them, which is why a food trial switches to a protein the dog hasn't eaten much before. If you suspect a chicken allergy in Cocker Spaniels, check every treat and topper as well as the main meal.

How do you run a food trial for Cocker Spaniel allergies?

A food trial for Cocker Spaniel allergies feeds one new diet, and nothing else, for at least 8 weeks. A review of elimination diet studies found that more than 90% of dogs with food-related skin reactions had fully improved by 8 weeks⁴.

1. Choose the trial meal with your vet, built around a protein your Cocker hasn't eaten before.
2. Stop all other foods, including treats, chews, dental sticks and table scraps.
3. Keep up ear care, since a food trial doesn't replace cleaning or treatment your vet prescribes.
4. Note the signs every week, such as ear smell, head shaking, paw licking and skin colour.
5. Reintroduce one old food at the end, if your vet asks you to, to confirm the trigger.

To make the trial easier, take the meal quiz and tell us what your Cocker needs to avoid. We'll recommend meals without those ingredients.

What is the best food for a Cocker Spaniel with itchy skin?

The best food for a Cocker Spaniel with itchy skin is a complete and balanced meal with a protein your dog tolerates, chosen with your vet. For a Cocker that may react to chicken, we start with two chicken-free recipes from our menu.

• Fisherman's Best Friend Supper pairs Alaskan pollock with butternut squash, brown and white rice and cranberries. It carries our Skin & Coat and Allergy-Friendly tags.
• Kangaroo* uses kangaroo, sweet potato and peas, with no grains. It suits a Cocker that has already eaten fish, and it carries the same Skin & Coat and Allergy-Friendly tags.

Our breed page also features Turkey Gobbler Feast and Thai Coconut Chicken & Rice. Both are tasty meals for Cockers without a chicken problem, but they contain chicken, so they don't fit a chicken-free trial.

How can gently-cooked food support a Cocker Spaniel with allergies?

Gently-cooked food supports a Cocker Spaniel with allergies by making it easy to know exactly what's in the bowl. Every Tom&Sawyer meal is made with 100% human grade ingredients, real and recognizable, in a human grade inspected facility.

Each recipe is gently-cooked to a safe internal temperature without cooking out nutrients. Animal nutritionists formulate and lab test every meal to AAFCO nutrient profiles, so a single recipe is a complete diet for the whole trial.

A Full Plan makes our meal your Cocker's complete diet, portioned to the gram for their calorie needs, which is what a food trial needs. A Partial Plan mixes our meals with their current food once the trial is done. You can cancel anytime, and each order comes with our 14 day satisfaction guarantee.

Ready to look at Cocker Spaniel food allergies with your vet?

Cocker Spaniel food allergies are easier to sort out when the ears are cared for, the vet is involved, and the food is simple. Bring your vet a list of everything your Cocker eats, treats included, and ask whether an 8-week trial makes sense.

Build your pup's Meal Plan with our meal quiz. Tell us about your Cocker Spaniel, and we'll match them with chicken-free meals portioned to their weight.

Please consult your veterinarian before making changes to your pet's diet, especially if your pet has a medical condition.

* Currently available in Canada only

Resources

1. Engdahl, K. S., Brodbelt, D. C., Cameron, C., Church, D. B., & O'Neill, D. G. (2024). English Cocker Spaniels under primary veterinary care in the UK: disorder predispositions and protections. Canine Medicine and Genetics, 11, 1. https://cgejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40575-023-00136-x
2. O'Neill, D. G., Volk, A. V., Soares, T., Church, D. B., Brodbelt, D. C., & Pegram, C. (2021). Frequency and predisposing factors for canine otitis externa in the UK: a primary veterinary care epidemiological view. Canine Medicine and Genetics, 8, 7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8422687/
3. Mueller, R. S., Olivry, T., & Prélaud, P. (2016). Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Veterinary Research, 12, 9. https://bmcvetres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12917-016-0633-8
4. Olivry, T., Mueller, R. S., & Prélaud, P. (2015). Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (1): duration of elimination diets. BMC Veterinary Research, 11, 225. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4551374/