The English Toy Spaniel, also known as a Charlie, does not require large amounts of food. There are a few things that you should take note of though in order to ensure the health of your dog.
Food - Most Charlie's will eat between 1/4 to 1 Cup of dog food each day. They may require a little canned food mixed with their dry kibble in order to make it palatable to them. They should be fed twice a day as they will only eat a small amount each time.
The best commercial foods for them contain poultry or lamb. They also should have wheat, oats, and potato. These are considered whole foods for the Charlie. You should avoid feeding your dog any products that contain soy. It is also best to avoid ocean fish, beef, and yellow corn.
The very best and ideal diet is the one that the owner makes themselves. The food should be made using fresh and high quality ingredients, free of preservatives. It should only take one to two hours a week to prepare this food for the Charlie. It can also be less expensive than buying commercial dog food.
Strange Eating Habits - It is important to watch how your Charlie is eating his food. There are some definite things to watch for and what you may need to do to help your dog.
If your Charlie is gulping all his food at once, he may become vulnerable to choking. You may want to spread his food out over a cookie sheet or a wide eating bowl. You can also place a large ball in the center of his food dish. This will force him to eat around the ball, which will slow him down. You could also just feed him by hand. This allows the owner to control the pace of the food and not the Charlie.
Your Charlie may take food to various areas in the house. This can create lots of cleaning up for the owner. Also, if you miss any places, it can make your Charlie sick. You should find the many places your dog carries his food in order to try to figure out his reason for doing so. If he is bringing it wherever you are going, he may simply want to eat with you. You must accept the fact that the Charlie will always eat with you.
Your Charlie may begin to snub his food. This is common when the dog is not hungry. However, if your dog does this continuously, he may become sickly and weak. You will need to find out why he is snubbing his food. Is he in a new environment or home? Is there another dog around? You may need to entice the Charlie with a variety of food. He may just be finicky about the taste. If you determine that none of these reasons are why he is snubbing his food, you should take your dog to the veterinarian. The snubbing may be a sign of a more serious health problem. A little detective work can make for a healthy and happy dog!
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