Best Dog Food for an English Setter
The Ultimate English Setter Food Buyer’s Guide
English Setters are a relatively rare breed today though they have existed since at least Tudor times. Most people recognize Irish Setters, but when they see the spotted white English Setter they often mistake them for a long-haired Dalmatian. English Setters were bred to be bird dogs. At one time they were used to hunt with falcons. The dogs got the name “setter” because they would crouch low to the ground and “set” in place, lifting a paw to indicate the presence of game birds. The gamekeeper would creep up and toss a net over the birds and the dog. When firearms became popular, the dogs were bred to have a more upright stance, so the hunters could see them in the field and shoot over them.
English Setters were one of the first of nine breeds accepted into the AKC in 1884. Today, they are the 96th most popular breed in the United States. The English Setter makes a wonderful family dog. They are gentle, sweet, and active dogs. They get along well with other pets and they usually love children. They make excellent therapy dogs and they do well in agility, obedience, hunting tests, and other dog sports. English Setters do require plenty of exercise, especially when they are young. This is a breed that wants to be with people all the time. They do not do well if they are left outside alone. A word to the wise: English Setters make awful guard dogs. They make friends with everyone, even burglars!
Quick Look : Top 5 Best Dog Foods for English Setters
Nutritional Needs
Like many Sporting breeds, the English Setter today can be found in bench/show and field varieties, as well as some bloodlines that combine bench and field. This means that the dogs can be found in a wide range of sizes. AKC male dogs are usually about 25 inches tall at the shoulder; females are about 24 inches (though you will see males and females that vary a little in height). Many ES field dogs are smaller and lighter-framed so they can be faster in the field. In terms of weight, AKC males often weigh 65-75 pounds, though some dogs can be heavier if they are taller. Females may weigh about 50-60 pounds. Again, field dogs often weigh less, but if they are working dogs they are probably more active and may need more calories in their diet. We also need to point out that some owners today use AKC bench dogs as personal hunting dogs so they may also need more calories if they are working in the field. Likewise, any English Setter that is competing in dog sports such as agility may need some extra calories in their diet.
Whether or not you are engaging in any field work or competitions with your English Setter, these are active dogs, especially when they are young. Expect your English Setter to be food-motivated. Middle-aged and older dogs can become couch potatoes so you will probably have to start watching their calories as they get older.
According to the National Research Council of the National Academies, an active adult English Setter weighing 60 pounds requires an average daily caloric intake of 1504 kcal. Dogs that have been spayed/neutered, or that are older, may need slightly fewer calories. Some dogs may need more calories depending on their level of activity and their individual metabolism. For example, if you hunt with your English Setter (60-lb dog doing light field work), you might need to feed him somewhere around 1671 kcal. Growing puppies consume more calories than adult dogs and so do young adult dogs. A young English Setter puppy (4-12 months) weighing 40 pounds needs an estimated 1233 kcal per day. You always need to adjust your dog’s food intake based on his activity level and other factors.
Since English Setters are a medium-large dog, you can feed them either a food for medium-sized dogs or for large breeds. Most dog foods for medium-sized dogs are simply not labeled for any special size. English Setters are one of the breeds that can have hip and elbow dysplasia as adults (as are many of the Sporting breeds), so for this reason you may want to feed a large breed puppy food while your puppy is growing.
You can choose a puppy food that is made for all puppies or a large breed puppy food. Most breeders recommend feeding this food until your puppy reaches about 90 percent of his adult size which is usually 10-12 months of age for this breed. Some breeders, instead, recommend a puppy food for the first few months and then suggest switching to an adult food by the time the puppy is about six months of age. You should talk to your breeder about the food they recommend for their puppies since they usually have experience with how their puppies grow and develop.
Feeding Your English Setter
English Setters are rarely picky eaters so you probably won’t have any trouble getting your dog to eat. However, the breed is prone to hypothyroidism which can result in a higher than normal incidence of allergies. Hypothyroidism is easily diagnosed and treated but if your dog is not diagnosed he may have issues associated with allergies such as food allergies and skin infections. Common food allergens for dogs include: beef, dairy products, chicken, lamb, fish, chicken eggs, corn, wheat, and soy. Symptoms of food allergies include itching and scratching which leads to redness, hair loss, damaged skin, and skin infections. Dogs can also have food sensitivities which result in diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, and a generally upset stomach. Sometimes diagnosing and treating your dog’s hypothyroidism will get rid of most or all of these digestive problems – but sometimes it won’t get rid of an allergy or food sensitivity after it is already established. If you suspect that your dog has a food allergy or sensitivity, it’s best if you work with your veterinarian to address it.
Most English Setters are very active, at least until they become middle-aged. They will usually remain lean during these years, especially if they get plenty of exercise. Puppies and young dogs can be wild and exuberant at times so you should make sure they get plenty of play time outside. Mature dogs are still active but they can begin to put on extra pounds. You should keep a careful eye on how much you feed your adult English Setter. It’s not usually a good idea to free feed English Setters since they can happily gorge themselves on food all day long. Spayed/neutered English Setters are especially prone to gaining extra weight if you do not monitor their food intake and make sure they exercise.
As with other breeds that can have problems with hip dysplasia, it’s important to make sure you do not let your English Setter become overweight. Canine obesity leads to many health problems and it worsens any tendency toward dysplasia and arthritis. Keep puppies and adult dogs lean. While puppies may play enthusiastically, you should not allow them to injure themselves while playing or put too much stress on their joints and growth plates while they are growing. On the other hand, you should make sure that adult dogs get regular exercise so they maintain good muscle tone. This includes older dogs as they reach their senior years. This is also a good way to make sure dogs maintain a healthy weight.
As with any dog, you should feed your ES a good quality dog food. Food that is high in animal protein is a good choice.
Adult English Setters usually do well eating two meals per day. You can feed ES puppies 3-4 meals when they are very young, then move to three meals per day as they get older. By the time they are about a year old they should be eating two meals per day. Bloat is not especially common in the breed, but it can occur. Feeding several small meals per day is believed to help ward off this dangerous condition.
English Setter Health Problems
You can find out more about English Setters and their health issues by visiting the English Setter Association of America web site, the AKC parent club for the breed. In addition to hypothyroidism (discussed above), other primary health issues that affect the breed are hip and elbow dysplasia and deafness.
According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), English Setters are currently ranked 61st for hip dysplasia. Over the last 40 or so years, some 16 percent of ES have been dysplastic, according to x-rays submitted to OFA. For ES born between 2011-15, 475 ES were evaluated by OFA. Some 13.5 percent of those dogs were rated with Excellent hips and 11.8 percent were rated as dysplastic. These percentages would indicate a big improvement in hips for the breed over the last few decades. (This is true for most of the breeds which submit x-rays to OFA.)
English Setters are ranked 18th by OFA for elbow dysplasia. Elbow dysplasia can include several different kinds of elbow joint problems. Since 1974, 15.9 percent of ES have been rated dysplastic by OFA, though there are degrees of elbow dysplasia.
Congenital deafness in English Setters is related to their color genetics. The same piebald gene that gives the breed its white coat and spots is also responsible for the hearing defect. This gene is also found in other breeds. The dogs have unpigmented or pink skin. Unpigmented skin in the dog’s inner ear can lead to the atrophy of the nerve endings which results in deafness. Puppies can be BAER-tested (brainsteam auditory evoked response) as early as five weeks to find out if they are deaf in one or both ears. Breeders do not breed dogs that are deaf in one or both ears. Having the BAER test has done much to allow breeders to improve hearing in the breed, but deafness can still occur in a litter, even when there have not been any deaf dogs in the pedigree for generations. A unilaterally deaf (one ear) dog can still make a wonderful pet. Even a dog that is deaf in both ears can make a good pet in the right home, if someone is willing to teach the dog hand signals and make other special adjustments to the dog’s lifestyle. Breeders encourage owners to spay/neuter these dogs and they should not be used for breeding but they can be good pets. Some people even compete in dog events with deaf dogs. It’s hard to say exactly what percentage of English Setters are deaf. The OFA database lists a figure of 3-4 percent of dogs tested, but not all dogs are tested. Puppies that receive deaf results may not always be reported.
There is some belief among breeders that epilepsy is present in the breed though there has been little or no research on the disease in English Setters. At present there are only reports from a few owners and breeders. Research is needed. Seizures can occur in virtually every kind of dog so it would be surprising if they did not occur in English Setters. If you have an English Setter that experiences seizures, we suggest that you contact the ESAA health and genetics coordinator. In terms of food, you should check one of the good sites online that offers advice about seizure triggers.
With their long, feathered ears, English Setters can also be prone to ear infections. They may or may not be related to hypothyroidism. Long ears can block off air flow to the ear canals, allowing any moisture in the ears to encourage the growth of bacteria. Clean your English Setter’s ears regularly. If your dog goes swimming, make sure you dry his ears afterward.
Ingredients to Look for and Some to Avoid
As with most dogs, when choosing a food for your ES you should look for a food that has good sources of protein and fat.
Ideally you will select a dog food that features two or three meat proteins in the first several ingredients listed. Both whole meats and meat meals are good sources of protein. Whole meats refer to foods such as whole chicken, beef, fish, and lamb. Some people don’t like meat meals as much as whole meats but they are a concentrated form of the meat in which the moisture has been removed. They contain several times as much protein as a whole meat. Meat meals are usually quite acceptable as one of the first ingredients in a good quality dog food. They are used by many good dog food brands.
Many dog foods today, even some of the most expensive and highly touted, use lots of plant proteins such as lentils and peas. These foods often have high protein percentages on the label. When you read the guaranteed analysis it’s important to consider how much of the protein in the food comes from meat and how much comes from plants. Your dog is able to digest meat protein more easily than plant protein. Meat protein is a much more natural source of protein for your dog than plant protein.
Dogs also need good sources of fat. You should look for named fat sources such as chicken fat. Other named fats also provide needed nutrients such as fish oil which can provide omega-3 fatty acid to help keep the skin and coat healthy. Puppies can benefit from DHA which is Docosahexaenoic acid. This is a specific form of omega-3 fatty acid that helps with brain and eye development. Older dogs seem to benefit from medium chain triglycerides which feature medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs). These have been found to help older dogs feel and act younger. They are often made from a combination of coconut oil and other oils.
If you want to avoid corn, soy, and wheat in your dog food, your English Setter may still be able to eat an alternative grain such as barley or oats. Or you can feed a grain free dog food that uses an alternate source of carbs that is low glycemic such as sweet potatoes. You don’t have to feed a dog food with an excessively high percentage of protein but it’s a good idea to keep the carb percentage low to moderate.
If your English Setter has a food allergy or food sensitivity, you may need to work with your veterinarian to identify the food triggers unless they are very obvious. There are lots of good foods with alternative meat proteins today as well as limited ingredient diets which we will discuss below.
Recommended Dog Food For An Adult English Setter
English Setters should be able to eat most good quality dog foods. If your dog has a food allergy or food sensitivity you will need to try to avoid foods with ingredients that are triggers for your dog.
We suggest a variety of foods here for English Setters. Most of the foods we have selected do not contain corn, wheat, or soy, unless noted. You may have to try a couple of foods to find which one is best for your dog. You should also keep in mind that your dog’s dietary needs can change as he grows and ages so you may have to change foods to suit him. One of the nice things about English Setters is that they are usually willing to eat just about anything so if you need to try different foods, your dog will probably be very eager and willing.
Best Dog Foods for English Setter Adults
Nulo Freestyle Adult Dog Salmon & Peas Recipe
Nulo has only recently become a nationally-known brand and we’re happy to include it here. Their foods have 80-84 percent animal-based protein, meaning they have one of, if not the highest, amount of animal-based protein of any dog food. Nulo is also one of the few companies using probiotics that seem to actually survive the manufacturing process. (Check their site to read more.) Their foods are also low carb and low-glycemic. They don’t use corn, wheat, soy, no potatoes, tapioca, glutens or GMO’s. And no poultry or meat by-products and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The first five ingredients in this food are: Deboned Salmon, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Whole Peas, and Sweet Potato. It has 30 percent crude protein, 16 percent crude fat, 4.5 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. It has 424 kcal/cup. This food is AAFCO-approved for maintenance. We think the ingredients look good and many dogs will love Nulo Freestyle foods. You can also check out their Medal Series of foods – also grain free.
Farmina Natural & Delicious Low Ancestral Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Medium
Farmina is an Italian dog food that is available online from sites such as Chewy.com. It’s available in grain free, low ancestral grain, and pumpkin grain free versions. You can choose from several different proteins: lamb, chicken, boar, and codfish. These are AAFCO-approved foods for all life stages. They are gluten-free, low-glycemic, and GMO-free, and they use no artificial preservatives. The grain free formula is 70 percent animal ingredients and 30 percent fruits, vegetables, and minerals. The ancestral grain and the pumpkin grain free are 60 percent animal ingredients. The ancestral grain formula contains 20 percent fruits, vegetables, and minerals; and 20 percent organic spelt and organic oats. The pumpkin grain free formula contains 40 percent fruits, vegetables, and minerals. Using the Chicken & Pomegranate Low Ancestral Grain food as an example, the first five ingredients in the food are: Deboned chicken, dehydrated chicken (source of glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate), whole spelt, whole oats, and chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols). The food has Crude Protein (min): 30 percent; Crude Fat (min): 18 percent; Crude Fiber (max): 2.9 percent; Moisture (max): 10 percent; and Ash (max): 6.8 percent. There are 465 kcal/cup. Farmina is priced similar to good quality American dog foods. Highly recommended.
ProPlan Sport All Life Stages Performance 30/20 Formula
You may find that many English Setter breeders recommend Purina ProPlan puppy food and adult foods. These foods are very popular with people who breed and show dogs, as well as people who hunt with their dogs – especially ProPlan Performance 30/20 Sport. This is an all life stage formula with 30 percent protein and 20 percent fat so it’s often a good choice for active dogs, dogs under stress (such as dogs traveling to shows or competing), and hunting dogs. It can also be a good choice for puppies and expectant mother dogs. It has 475 kcal/cup so dogs can gain weight if they are not getting enough exercise when eating this food. ProPlan Performance 30/20 also comes in a salmon and rice formula for dogs with sensitive skin and digestion. Some people don’t like these foods because they contain corn, animal digest, and poultry by-product meal. However, we know many breeders in lots of breeds who have been feeding ProPlan for decades with very good results. If you have a puppy or dog that has been raised on this food, you shouldn’t assume that it’s a low quality food. ProPlan also has some grain free formulas available now. They also have a line of foods called “Naturals” that has no corn, wheat or soy; no added artificial colors, flavors or preservatives; and no poultry by-product meal. Most of the foods we recommend are more holistic or made by small companies but we do feel comfortable recommending ProPlan for English Setters based on the experiences of many breeders and owners over many years.
Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
We found this food when we were looking at bestsellers on Chewy.com. It looks like people have identified a really nice food from Merrick. The first five ingredients in this food are Deboned Beef, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, and Potatoes. This recipe is an all life stage food with 422 kcal per cup ME (metabolizable energy) on an as fed basis (calculated). It has 70 percent meat ingredients, 30 percent vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. It is grain free – no corn, soy, or wheat. No gluten. No poultry by-products, no artificial preservatives. No ingredients from China. It has 38 percent crude protein and 15 percent crude fat, with 3.5 percent crude fiber. It also has glucosamine and chondroitin added, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Merrick uses local growers from Texas, where the food is made. We think this is good quality protein and other ingredients for English Setters that need good nutrition for an active lifestyle. Not everyone will like a protein percentage this high but if you do, give this food a try.
*New Formula* ACANA Grasslands Regional Formula Grain Free Dry Dog Food
Exciting news if you like Acana. Champion Pet Foods has completed their new kitchen in Kentucky and they are now reformulating some of their dog and cat foods to reflect what is now “regional” to the Kentucky area. So, it’s still the same award-winning company, but Acana will be made in Kentucky. We’ve had a chance to review the Acana dog and cat foods and there are some changes in the meat proteins but the foods still look good. If you visit the Acana web site you can view the old and new formulas to see the changes (we really like being able to compare the formulas). The current (old) Grasslands formula, for example, is heavy on lamb, duck, whitefish, and lentils. The new formula (due any time) will feature goat meal and catfish meal, in addition to the lamb and duck. The current formula has 31 percent crude protein, 17 percent crude fat, 5 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. The new formula has 33 percent crude protein, 17 percent crude fat, 6 percent crude fiber, and 12 percent moisture. The food has 70 percent animal protein ingredients and 30 percent vegetables, fruits, and botanicals. No grains, potatoes, or tapioca. If you’re looking for a good grain free dog food for your ES that is low in carbohydrates, we think that the Acana foods are a good choice.
Best Dog Foods for English Setter Puppies
English Setter puppies can usually begin eating a puppy food after they are weaned or they can eat a good all life stage food. Some people like to feed a puppy food for a few months and then switch over to an all life stage food when their puppy is a few months old. If you have questions about how to feed your puppy, we recommend talking to your puppy’s breeder. They usually have the most experience with raising English Setter puppies and can guide you, especially when it comes to avoiding hip dysplasia.
Puppy foods should have a calcium to phosphorus ratio of about 1.2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus, though there is some slight room for variation such as 1.5:1.2 . It’s also important that dog and puppy foods do not have an excess (or deficiency) of calcium since this can affect bone growth. If you are feeding your puppy a food that is properly formulated, you should not add any extra calcium, such as milk, cottage cheese, or other calcium supplements. Doing so can lead to serious health problems such as OCD (osteochondritis dessecans) – painful bone spurs that may require surgery – and other orthopedic problems.
Here are some of the puppy foods we like for English Setter puppies. Note that an All Life Stage food can also be fed, as long as the nutrients are appropriate for your puppy.
| Food | Price | Nutrition | Rating |
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$1.53/lb |  |
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 Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula Read Reviews  Where To Buy |
$2.37/lb |  |
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Fromm Large Breed Puppy Gold formula
Similar to Fromm’s Large Breed Gold Adult formula, this large breed puppy formula contains no corn, wheat, or soy. The first three ingredients are duck, chicken meal, and chicken. The food is formulated for puppies who will grow to be over 50 pounds as adult dogs. Protein and fat in the food are moderate, and so are the calories, to help large breed puppies grow slowly. The technical analysis for the food shows the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio for large breed puppies. Fromm Large Breed Puppy Gold formula also has added DHA-rich salmon oil for good brain and eye development in puppies. The USDA-inspected ingredients for the food are delivered fresh each morning. Since English Setter puppies can have problems with dysplasia and arthritis later in life if they grow too rapidly, we think that Fromm Large Breed Puppy Gold formula is a good choice.
Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula
We like this food for puppies. Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula is a limited ingredient food with nine ingredients plus vitamins and minerals and probiotics. It’s grain free with probiotics to help digestion; antioxidants for a healthy immune system; and omega 3 and 6 to support healthy skin and a beautiful coat. The first five ingredients are Chicken, menhaden fish meal, lentils, peas, potatoes. The recipe is supposed to be especially good for puppies with sensitive digestion. The food has 30 percent crude protein, 12 percent crude fat, 4 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. This food checks in at 520 kcal/cup, so it’s high in calories but active, growing English Setter puppies can usually burn them off. Just remember that you don’t need to feed a lot of food with these very nutrient-dense foods. If your English Setter puppy does well on this puppy food, Canidae has some good adult foods – both grain free and foods with grains.
Best Dog Foods for the Senior English Setter
It’s not unusual for many English Setters to live into their teen years. This means that you will probably need to consider what kind of food to feed your English Setter as he gets older. As your dog ages it’s a good idea to plan an annual senior check-up with your vet. Many older dogs begin to put on pounds as they become less active. For this reason, most senior dog foods have fewer calories and they can skimp on protein. You should watch your older dog’s weight as he gets older to make sure he doesn’t become overweight. In some cases you can simply cut back on the portions of his regular dog food to help him stay fit or increase his exercise.
On the other hand, some very old dogs often start to have some problems metabolizing nutrients, including protein. It can become hard for them to keep good muscle tone and weight as they age. For this reason, you may wish to avoid many dog foods labeled “senior.” These foods are often formulated for older dogs that have gained weight. Instead, look for a senior dog food that we like which has lots of protein. As long as your older dog doesn’t have any problems with his kidneys or with phosphorus, there is no reason to avoid higher protein levels.
Orijen Senior Dog
Orijen Senior provides plenty of excellent quality protein for your older ES. This food features free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and nest-laid eggs. It helps keep older dogs in good muscle even as they become less active. Made of 80 percent meats and fish, the food is low-glycemic and has low carbs to help keep your older dog’s blood sugar steady. The food also contains natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to keep your English Setter’s joints healthy. The food is 38 percent crude protein and 15 percent crude fat. It checks in at 445 kcal per 250ml/120g cup. We think this is a very good food for senior dogs who often need extra protein as they get older. (We know Orijen is expensive but this food really stands out for senior dogs.)
Another senior food we like a lot is Bright Mind 7+ from Purina. Whether you normally like Purina foods or not, we have heard nothing but positive comments about this food, especially for elderly dogs that might be slowing down and starting to withdraw. The food addresses some of the cognitive issues that older dogs can have.
Best Dog Foods for English Setters with Skin Problems/Allergies
As mentioned earlier, English Setters can have some allergies and skin problems. If your dog needs to avoid common proteins, you can try this food.
Wild Calling! Xotic Essentials Rabbit Meal Recipe
Any dog suffering from skin problems or food allergies may benefit from Wild Calling!’s Xotic Essentials recipes. Formulas like their rabbit meal recipe use exotic meats that are rare in today’s pet food market so your dog hasn’t eaten them before – less chance of having an allergic reaction. The foods are also highly digestible. Wild Calling! also uses what they call LITE (limited ingredient technology). They don’t use any of the ingredients commonly found in most dog foods such as chicken, grain, gluten, egg, yeast, corn, wheat or soy. If your English Setter has a food allergy, he may benefit from Wild Calling! The foods are formulated for rotational feeding and they offer several Xotic Essentials recipes, such as kangaroo and bison, so your dog doesn’t get over-exposed to one kind of meat protein. This is an All Life Stage food. We think that dogs with skin problems and food allergies can definitely benefit from these recipes.
Best Dog Foods for English Setters with Sensitive Stomachs
If your dog has a sensitive stomach it can be an indication of a food sensitivity, which is different from a food allergy. A dog with a food sensitivity will have gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting or diarrhea. Or it could be something more serious.
A dog with a sensitive stomach can often be helped by feeding the right dog food. Sticking to a limited ingredient diet food with as few ingredients as possible can reduce the chance of your dog having a bad reaction to something in the food.
We recommend Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Food. This food is grain free with limited ingredients. It has good quality, alternative ingredients that are easily digestible for a dog with a sensitive stomach. And it contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. The first five ingredients are: Sweet Potatoes, Salmon, Salmon Meal, Canola Oil, and Potato Fiber. It has 21 percent crude protein, 10 percent crude fat, 4.5 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. It has 380 kcal/cup and it’s an all life stage formula. If your dog can’t eat some of the ingredients in this food, Natural Balance has lots of other LID recipes that you might check.
If your dog can’t eat these ingredients, you might try one of the Weruva foods or Acana Singles. Weruva also has lots of foods with pumpkin which can sometimes help a dog with stomach issues.
Best Dog Foods for Overweight English Setters
If your English Setter becomes overweight, it may be due to overfeeding and not enough exercise. You can help your dog lose weight by cutting back on his portions and encouraging him to get more exercise. English Setters tend to be very luxury-loving dogs. Older ES are often happy to nap on the sofa all day and watch TV with you at night. Getting your ES to exercise when he’s not in the mood isn’t always easy. You may have to be a cheerleader for him to get him excited about burning calories.
If your ES needs to lose more than one or two pounds, however, you may need to consider a weight control dog food.
We do not recommend a weight control dog food for a puppy or a very old dog. These foods generally have fewer calories and may have some other differences in nutrients that make them inappropriate for growing puppies or older dogs who need special nutrition.
If you have an English Setter that needs to lose weight we recommend Merrick Grain Free Healthy Weight Recipe. We like the fact that this food has 32 percent crude protein. The crude fat percentage is between 8 and 11 percent with 5 percent crude fiber so your dog should not feel like he’s starving. It is AAFCO-approved for a maintenance diet. The food has 3,210 kcal per kilogram or 360 kcal per cup ME (metabolizable energy) on an as fed basis (calculated). It is grain free and made from 55 percent beef and poultry. And it contains no corn, wheat, or soy and no ingredients from China. The first five ingredients in this food are: Deboned Beef, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, and Sweet Potatoes.
If your dog needs to lose weight, you should proceed slowly. No crash dieting. You should aim for your dog to lose no more than 3 to 5 percent of his body weight per month or about one percent each week.
Conclusion
English Setters are loving, playful, friendly dogs. They make great family dogs and most of them want to be with you all the time. Although they are elegant and aristocratic in appearance, they have a fun-loving, goofy personality. They are always ready for a good time, especially if they can do things with you. English Setters usually need a fenced yard since they are prone to roaming but they can adapt to city living if you are committed to providing lots of exercise. One of the friendliest, happiest of all breeds, you should try to get to know an English Setter.
Below is a list of Products reviewed in this article
- Nulo Freestyle Adult Dog Salmon & Peas Recipe
- Farmina Natural & Delicious Low Ancestral Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Medium
- ProPlan Sport All Life Stages Performance 30/20 Formula
- Merrick Grain Free Real Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
- *New Formula* ACANA Grasslands Regional Formula Grain Free Dry Dog Food
- Fromm Large Breed Puppy Gold formula
- Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula
- Orijen Senior Dog
- Bright Mind 7+
- Wild Calling! Xotic Essentials Rabbit Meal Recipe
- Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Fish Formula Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Food
- Merrick Grain Free Healthy Weight Recipe
