Cocker Spaniel Pet Insurance

An inherited eye disease that can lead to blindness.

A clouding of your dog's vision.

An inherited nervous system disorder seen in puppies where they lose their pain sensation in the lower limbs. Puppies will hurt themselves by licking and biting their paws.

A metabolic condition that affects Cocker Spaniels resulting in exercise intolerance and muscle disease.

Abnormal development in the elbow joint, causing chronic pain and mobility issues.

Hip joints that haven't developed normally, causing pain and poor mobility.

Floppy ears are susceptible to infection.

A genetic tendency to develop allergies like asthma and eczema.

A fatal kidney disease in young Cockers. Breeders must use the DNA test for FN to prevent it.

Another Autosomal Recessive condition seen in some older Cockers (typically aged seven to nine). It's a progressive weakness due to a neuropathy which can lead to walking and swallowing difficulties. Progression takes three to four years.

The first step is ensuring the breeder has carried out the correct health checks for both parents before they mate. These tests include:

• general veterinary health check
• hip and elbow scoring
• eye testing
• inherited disease/DNA testing
• deafness testing
• respiratory function
• inbreeding tests

Cocker Spaniels need some specific breeder tests:

• eye tests as they're prone to glaucoma and other degenerative diseases
• hip dysplasia screenings
• insensitivity to pain tests

Always follow the advice of your vet. This gives a puppy the best chance to start in a healthy state.

See what your dog responds best to, but typically give them a high-protein diet with lots of slow-digesting carbs.

However, Cocker Spaniels are prone to obesity, so don't give them too much. It's worth talking to your vet about how much to feed them depending on their size, diet and exercise routine.

Give them the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation, brush them daily and give them lots of attention. For Cocker Spaniels, mental stimulation is as essential as physical exercise.

It's a good idea to take your dog to an annual health check to pick up any issues early.

Most owners combine this with their pet's yearly vaccination boosters.

Your vet will check your pet's weight, heart, coat condition, eyes, ears and teeth to address any concerns you might have.

Remember that insurance doesn't typically cover routine visits. It's worth reminding yourself about what vet bills insurers cover.

So, how much exercise does your lively Cocker Spaniel need?

Adult Cocker Spaniels need an hour of exercise every day when fully grown and developed, including walks, games and training time to give their brain a workout.

They're intelligent and eager to please, which makes them easy dogs to train. Training should start as early as possible alongside socialisation so that puppies grow up confident, sociable and well-behaved.

A lack of exercise and stimulation can lead to behaviour problems like excessive chewing and barking.

Cocker Spaniels respond best to positive reinforcement training, which uses rewards rather than punishment. For recommendations on local dog trainers and training classes, speak to your vet.

Feed your dog good quality, complete food.

The amount depends on a dog's size and life stage, so follow the guidelines given on the food packaging or consult your vet.

Vets say it's better to split a dog's daily allowance into two or more meals a day. This helps spread their energy intake, and you can plan this around waking up, walking and going to bed.

Monitor your dog's weight regularly. Overweight or obese dogs are at much higher risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, joint issues and certain types of cancer.

You can read more about insurance for overweight pets.

Remember to factor in treats when working out how much to feed your dog. If you give your dog extras you should reduce their meals accordingly.

Brush your dog's coat daily to keep it healthy and prevent matting. It's also a good idea to brush them through after walks to remove any debris which may have become stuck in the fur, especially around their legs.

Regular visits to a professional groomer every three months help keep your dog's coat clean and make brushing easier.

Cocker Spaniels are drawn to water, so you'll need to bathe them occasionally - especially after a muddy swim.

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