Large breed
Irish Setter: feeding, nutrition and health
The Irish Setter is an endurance hunting dog with a deep chest and a specific gluten sensitivity. Here's how much an Irish Setter should weigh, why bloat risk never fully goes away even after years without trouble, and how to recognize the gluten-sensitive enteropathy well documented in this breed.
- Weight
- 25–32 kg55–71 lb
- Height
- 55–67 cm22–26 in
- Lifespan
- 12–14 yrs
- Size
- Large
- Activity
- Very high
- Adult at
- 15 months
- Senior from
- 8 yrs
- FCI group
- 7
How much food does a Irish Setter need?
The calculator starts at the breed average of 28.5 kg (63 lb). Put in your own dog's weight and the energy figure from the bag.
On the bag this is the metabolisable energy (ME). If it is given per kg, divide by 10. If it is in kJ, divide by 4.184.
Daily portion
— g
— oz · range — g
Per meal
— g
2 meals a day
Energy
— kcal
resting need — kcal
Usage: — kg a month (a 12 kg bag lasts about — days)
Cost: — a month
The full explanation of the maths is on the food portion calculator.
Feeding a Irish Setter: what matters
As an endurance hunting breed, the Irish Setter needs a higher energy density food with plenty of quality animal protein to maintain muscle mass under heavy physical exertion. A family dog on ordinary walks needs the portion cut significantly compared with a working dog.
Given this breed's well-documented gluten sensitivity, watch for chronic diarrhea or unexplained weight loss after meals containing grain. If you suspect it, try a gluten-free food and see whether the dog's condition improves, ideally with a vet's guidance.
Because of the bloat risk, how you feed an Irish Setter matters as much as what you feed. Two smaller meals a day, rest after eating, and avoiding intense activity right after a meal are essential for this deep-chested breed, no matter how active the dog otherwise is.
Protein in the food
24–28 %
dry matter, mostly animal
Fat in the food
14–18 %
dry matter, by activity
What to watch for
- Feeding right before or after intense activity raises the risk of gastric torsion in this deep-chested breed.
- Chronic diarrhea or weight loss despite an adequate portion can signal gluten sensitivity.
- A high-calorie food made for working dogs is too much for a family dog with ordinary activity.
- Unexplained weight gain with no change in diet can signal hypothyroidism.
Practical feeding tips
- Feed twice a day and give the dog at least an hour of rest after eating, without intense activity.
- For chronic digestive trouble, consider a gluten-free food and a vet consultation.
- Base the portion on the dog's actual physical workload, not just its breed and looks.
- Once activity drops, whether from age, injury, or neutering, cut the portion right away, not after weight gain is already visible.
- With unexplained weight gain, have thyroid function checked.
Feeding schedule by age
| Stage | Meals a day | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy 8 to 12 weeks | 4x | Large-breed puppy food with controlled energy and calcium. |
| Puppy 3 to 6 months | 3x | Watch the growth rate; slower, even growth is better for the joints. |
| Junior 6 to 15 months | 2x | Gradual switch to an adult large-breed food. |
| Adult 15 months to 8 years | 2x | Richer-energy food for active dogs, and two meals a day because of torsion risk. |
| Senior from 8 years | 2x | Lower energy density, with thyroid and weight checks. |
Health risks that diet affects
Gastric torsion (bloat)
A deep chest and a tall, slender build put the Irish Setter among the breeds at higher risk of torsion, an acute, life-threatening condition. Feeding twice a day instead of one large meal, resting for at least an hour after eating, and avoiding intense activity right after a meal all reduce the risk.
Gluten-sensitive enteropathy
A documented sensitivity to gluten in this breed, similar to celiac disease, showing up as chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and poor nutrient absorption even when the dog eats enough. Diagnosis works by removing gluten from the diet and watching for improvement; affected dogs then need a gluten-free diet for life.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited retinal disease that gradually leads to blindness, and one the breed can be genetically tested for. It has no link to diet, but antioxidants in a quality food support overall eye health.
Hypothyroidism
An underactive thyroid shows up more often than average in Irish Setters, causing weight gain, lethargy, and a duller coat even without any change in diet. Unexplained weight gain despite a reasonable portion is worth checking with a thyroid hormone test.
Weight gain when activity drops
A highly energetic dog used to large portions puts on weight fast the moment its physical activity drops, whether from injury, age, or neutering. The portion needs cutting as soon as activity drops, not only once the weight gain becomes visible.
Temperament and exercise
Cheerful, energetic, and sociable, with a high need for exercise. As an endurance hunting breed, it needs hours of active movement every day, or it suffers frustration and turns destructive.
A tall, slender, deep-chested build means a Setter needs relatively a lot of energy to hold its condition, but it's also prone to gastric torsion, which calls for a careful approach to feeding routine even in a dog that's otherwise extremely active.
This breed has a well-documented gluten sensitivity that shows up as digestive trouble. If an Irish Setter has chronically loose stool or is losing weight despite eating enough, gluten sensitivity is one of the first things worth ruling out.
Coat: Long, silky, wavy coat in a brilliant chestnut color with pronounced feathering on the ears, legs, and tail; needs regular brushing.
Common questions about feeding a Irish Setter
How much should an Irish Setter weigh?
The commonly cited range is 27 to 32 kg (60 to 71 lb) for males and 24 to 29 kg (53 to 64 lb) for females, at heights of 58 to 67 cm (23 to 26 in) for males and 55 to 62 cm (22 to 24 in) for females. Given the breed's athletic, slender build, a visible waist and palpable ribs matter more than the exact number on the scale.
How much food does an Irish Setter need per day?
An adult weighing 28 kg (62 lb) with high activity needs roughly 1,300 to 1,600 kcal a day, which is about 330 to 400 g (12 to 14 oz) of a richer-energy kibble (390 kcal/100g) split into two meals. A less active family dog needs significantly less.
What's the best food for an Irish Setter?
A food with quality protein (24 to 28%) and fat (14 to 18%) suited to active dogs. If the dog has chronic digestive trouble, try a gluten-free food, given this breed's well-documented gluten sensitivity.
How long do Irish Setters live?
Commonly 12 to 14 years. Quality and length of life are most affected by preventing gastric torsion through the right feeding routine, and by catching gluten sensitivity early if it shows up in a particular dog.
What is gluten-sensitive enteropathy in Irish Setters?
It's a well-documented sensitivity in this breed to gluten found in grain, showing up as chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and poor nutrient absorption. It's managed with a gluten-free diet for life once a vet confirms the diagnosis, after which the condition usually improves substantially.
Are Irish Setters at risk of bloat?
Yes, a deep chest and a tall, slender build put this breed among those at raised risk of gastric torsion. Feeding twice a day instead of one large meal, resting after eating, and avoiding intense activity right after a meal all reduce the risk.
Breeds of a similar size
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American Staffordshire Terrier
Large · 18–32 kg · 12–14 years
The American Staffordshire Terrier is a muscular, powerful breed prone to skin allergies and to weight gain if its energetic temperament doesn't get enough exercise. Here's how to support muscle and joints through diet, and how to recognize a food allergy in this breed.
Boxer
Large · 25–32 kg · 9–11 years
The Boxer is a muscular, deep-bodied breed with an elevated risk of heart arrhythmia, cancer, and bloat. Here's how diet can support the heart and digestion, and how feeding practices can lower this breed's high risk of stomach twisting.
Dalmatian
Large · 24–32 kg · 11–13 years
The Dalmatian has a unique, genetically based disorder of purine metabolism that sets it apart from every other breed: it excretes an excessive amount of uric acid and is prone to urate bladder stones. Its diet therefore needs to be low in purines, moderate in protein, and built around good hydration.
Sources
- FCI standard no. 120: Irish Setter
- Hall E. J., Batt R. M.: studies on gluten-sensitive enteropathy in Irish Setters (Journal of Small Animal Practice / American Journal of Veterinary Research, 1990s)
- WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee: Global Nutrition Guidelines
Last updated 2 September 2026.