Gundog group · Breed guide
Irish Setter: weight, routine and daily dose
The Irish Setter was long called the Red Setter, the Royal Kennel Club explains, to set it apart from Ireland’s other setters: the traditional Red and White, and the Hail Setter, with white ticks in its red coat, now believed extinct. Selective colour breeding and some outcrossing for a racier build and longer head produced a glamorously coated dog, lighter in bone than its cousins, which became a great success in the show ring in the mid-19th century.
The breed standard calls it racy, balanced and full of quality — tremendously active, with an untiring readiness to range and hunt under any conditions, and demonstrably affectionate. The RKC suggests more than two hours of exercise a day, and Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center names Irish Setters among the large, deep-chested breeds in which bloat (GDV) is far more common, so the order of the day — exercise, rest, then food — is worth getting right.
At a glance
- Typical adult weight
- 27–32 kg
- DIGEST+ per day
- 3 tablets/day
- One bottle lasts
- 40 days
- Suggested refill
- Every 4 weeks
Weight: American Kennel Club, “Weight: 70 pounds (male), 60 pounds (female)” [source]
How many DIGEST+ tablets does a Irish Setter need?
A typical adult Irish Setter weighs 27–32 kg, which sits entirely in the 25–40 kg row of the DIGEST+ feeding guide: 3 tablets/day.
| Your dog’s weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts | Suggested refill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25–40 kg | 3 tablets/day | 40 days | Every 4 weeks |
How long DIGEST+ lasts for a Irish Setter
| Daily dose | 1 bottle | 2 bottles | 3 bottles | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 tablets/day | 40 days | 80 days | 120 days | from £0.50 |
Days are for one dog. Each bottle holds 120 tablets; days are rounded down to whole days. Prices and cost per day by bottle count.
Feeding-routine notes for Irish Setter owners
- Cornell’s feeding suggestions for at-risk breeds include offering two or more meals a day and limiting activity after meals.
- Keep the longest outing of the day away from mealtimes; the PDSA advises avoiding exercise or car travel around meals for large, deep-chested dogs.
- Feed from a bowl on the floor rather than a raised stand, as both the PDSA and Cornell advise.
- Encourage your dog to drink little and often after exercise rather than a lot in one go, as the PDSA suggests.
- Give DIGEST+ at the same point in the day — with breakfast or dinner — so it becomes part of the routine. The tablets can be eaten directly or crushed into food.
- Weigh your dog every few months: the dose follows body weight, not breed.
- Introduce one new thing at a time. If you are also changing food, let that settle first so you know what is what.
The full feeding guide
| Body weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | 1 tablet/day | 120 days |
| 11–25 kg | 2 tablets/day | 60 days |
| 25–40 kg | 3 tablets/day | 40 days |
| Over 40 kg | 4 tablets/day | 30 days |
Work out your exact supply
The calculator on the product page takes your dog’s weight band and how many dogs you have, then shows the daily dose, how long a bottle lasts and a sensible refill rhythm.
Irish Setter: common questions
How many DIGEST+ tablets should a Irish Setter have a day?
Typical adult Irish Setters weigh 27–32 kg, which is the 25–40 kg row of the DIGEST+ feeding guide: 3 tablets/day. Always use your own dog’s current weight.
How long does one bottle of DIGEST+ last for a Irish Setter?
Each bottle holds 120 tablets. At 3 tablets/day one bottle lasts 40 days. Days are for one dog and rounded down.
Do I need to think about bloat with an Irish Setter?
Yes. Cornell University’s Riney Canine Health Center names Irish Setters among the large, deep-chested breeds in which GDV, or bloat, is far more common. If your dog’s belly swells or they retch without bringing anything up, call your vet immediately. Two or more meals a day and calm time after eating are among Cornell’s feeding suggestions.
My Irish Setter is always on the go. When should I give the tablet?
Give it with a regular meal once your dog has settled after exercise, eaten directly or crushed into food. Keeping it on the same meal each day helps it become routine. Fresh drinking water should always be available.
Can every Irish Setter have DIGEST+?
DIGEST+ is not recommended for pregnant or lactating dogs and is not suitable for puppies under 12 weeks. If your Irish Setter is under veterinary supervision, ask your vet before starting.
Sources
- Irish Setter Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Irish Setter – Breeds A to Z — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Irish Setter breed standard — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or Bloat) — Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Checked 2026-10-15.
- GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus) — PDSA. Checked 2026-10-15.
Updated