Nelson has been sensitive since he was a puppy, and his owners had a hard time finding suitable food for him. Eventually, Nelson found the perfect match in Alvar Pet’s insect-based food. As their lifestyle changed and the wildness of youth faded, they updated his diet to something lighter: Alvar Pet’s Light/Fish has been a “perfect fit” for Nelson.
Nelson’s owner Alexandra shares more about Nelson, their Alvar experience, and how finding the right diet affected Nelson’s overall well-being. 💚
Who is Nelson?
Nelson is a sociable and very cheerful Cocker Spaniel from Stockholm. He’s what you’d call a “petfluencer,” with over 6,000 followers on Instagram (check out @nelsonthecocker)!
Nelson’s family consists of his human mom and dad — millennials who do everything they can to ensure Nelson lives a healthy, happy, and long life, full of fun activities that stimulate both body and mind.
What is Nelson’s personality like — what kind of person would he be?
Nelson is a very energetic guy who loves everyone and everything. It’s hard to find a dog more active and social; he charms everyone he meets. He definitely has the most human-like expression a dog can have.
As a person, Nelson would be extremely outgoing and competitive! A loyal friend by your side through good and bad. Your best buddy — clever and upbeat in every situation — but he absolutely hates the rain.
@nelsonthecocker with his favourite kibble
Nelson’s Food Journey
Can you tell us a bit about how Nelson reacted to food and how you ended up trying Alvar?
From day one, after bringing Nelson home, he had issues with food. He never had much of an appetite, yet he was always an active dog. We initially gave him the same food the breeder had used. But in the first few months, he developed eye and ear infections, and his eyes were constantly watery.
To determine if this was just “puppy stuff” or a food sensitivity, we began testing different foods and protein sources to narrow down the cause. For us, it’s important that the ingredients, their origins, and the nutritional value are all spot on. We also researched where the food was made so we could choose the most environmentally friendly option. In his first two years, we tested about five different dog foods.
Eventually, we tried a hypoallergenic, vet-recommended food to see if his eye and ear issues would improve — and they did! But that food wasn’t very tasty for Nelson, nor was it particularly eco-friendly. So, the search for the right food continued. We wanted to try protein sources Nelson hadn’t been exposed to before — and that’s when we discovered Alvar!
After switching (very slowly and gradually!) to Alvar’s food, all of Nelson’s problems disappeared. Now we’re so happy he has food that he loves, which resolved his past issues, and is also an environmentally friendly choice!
Nelson’s Experience with Alvar
What are Nelson’s favourite Alvar products?
Nelson loves the Light/Fish kibble. When we’re engaging him in activities (or celebrating something special), he gets Alvar’s wild fish topper — a huge favorite. Since day one, he’s also loved the Vendace treats. Nelson’s Alvar order also includes PlaqueOff Dental Care Bones Veggie-Blueberry Mini to keep his mouth and teeth healthy.
Would Nelson recommend Alvar’s products to his dog friends?
Absolutely! Nelson wholeheartedly recommends all the products he eats — and everything else from Alvar, too. We really value the service from the Alvar team and love that the deliveries come straight to our door. A bonus is seeing Nelson’s name written on the kibble bag — it feels so personal and familiar.
What are your best environmental tips for dog owners?
Less is more. Dogs don’t need a lot to be happy! Good food, some chew items, and tasty treats in moderation or on special occasions are enough. During Nelson’s first year, we realised that buying new toys didn’t make him happier — so we pretty much stopped buying them. If we do buy something, we go for durable toys that don’t break easily and are made from non-toxic materials.
We also made a lifestyle change when we got Nelson. Instead of flying abroad, we now spend our holidays exploring our home country with him — which significantly reduces our carbon footprint, since we fly much less.
@nelsonthecocker on a winter hike in Norrland, Sweden
Fun Facts About Nelson
Does Nelson have any special talents?
He’s incredibly social and charms almost everyone he meets! At the office, he’s been promoted to “Chief Happiness Officer,” and he takes his job seriously. His tail wags and kisses reduce everyone’s stress! A fun fact — Nelson loves having his teeth brushed. We do it almost daily, and he gets just as excited every time.
What’s your favourite memory with Nelson?
We have many great memories with Nelson, but a couple stand out. One was when he was about 11 weeks old and swam for the first time on his own (without us encouraging him to join us in the water). A little 8-year-old girl showed up at the lake where we usually fish and started playing with him. Suddenly we heard a big SPLASH — and Nelson had jumped into the lake with her. Swimming came so naturally to him, and they played in the water for a long time. We watched with tears in our eyes — two proud puppy parents!
Another memorable moment was our winter hike along the Norrland coast during New Year’s (2021–2022). Seeing him run through the snowy landscapes with a big smile on his face was unforgettable (see photo above)! We truly love exploring nature with Nelson and witnessing all his little adventures.
@nelsonthecocker after his first swim
