Best Dog Food for Dachshunds - Comparison and Reviews
Author: Becky Roberts
Last Updated: October 2024
Category: Best Dog Food
Famous for their unique body shape, dachshunds have been capturing the hearts of owners for decades. They are nevertheless alert dogs, which can be quite stubborn at times. 🐕
Due to their longer lifespans, it’s crucial to maintain a dachshund’s health. Unfortunately, this isn’t always straightforward. A solid first step, though, is to feed them only the best dog food.
We know how hard it is to pick with the overwhelming number of choices available. So, to help you save time, we have hand-selected the best kibbles for your little hound. 🙂
Best Dog Food for Dachshunds 2024 - Reviews
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection for Small Adult Breeds
Blue Buffalo Life Protection dog food is an all-natural, dry dog food with an increased protein and carbohydrate content. This makes it an excellent feed for especially energetic dachshund!
As a brand, Blue Buffalo dry food has always been known for the quality of ingredients they use, and their Life Protection series is no exception. For one, it uses quality protein made from real meat, and not just “meals” or fillers.
For dachshunds with sensitive stomachs, Blue Buffalo may be a godsend. It’s limited to only one starch source, so it can benefit the fussy digestive tracts of most dachshunds.
What makes this Blue Buffalo line unique, though, is its proprietary Life Protection technology. This provides a good boost of vitamins and minerals, which is a significant health benefit for delicate breeds like dachshund. Nutrients like glucosamine also help in promoting bone and joint health.
Overall, Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection dog food is one of the better kibbles you feed your dachshund. Our little one wiener enjoyed it immensely. You might hear of some dogs not liking this one in particular, but in our experience, that has certainly not been the case.
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Pros
- Gives a big boost of vitamins and minerals through Blue Buffalo’s proprietary Life Protection technology
- Limited ingredient formulation is excellent for curbing food and skin allergies
- Uses only premium, named meats as the protein source. You’re assured that your dog is getting real meat and not just substitutes or by-products
Cons
- Not all dogs will like the taste of this dog food.
2. Eukanuba Breed Specific Adult Dog Food for Dachshund
Eukanuba is one of the more prominent names in dog food. Their nutritionally packed yet balanced Breed Specific Adult Dog Food contains everything a dachshund might need for a healthy diet.
Being a big brand name, we’re pleasantly surprised that it uses named meat as the #1 ingredient (chicken, in this case). Chicken is a rich source of glucosamine. This makes it a great way to promote muscle, bone, and joint health for your dog.
This dry dog food addresses a dachshund’s sensitive digestive health with its specialized fiber system, too. It uses natural beet pulp and prebiotics, which combine together to aid in your dog’s digestion. It also helps promote optimal nutrient absorption.
And since dachshunds are voracious eaters, it helps combat the side effects of overeating as well. This dog food contains L-Carnitine, which assists in burning excess fat. This is important, so your dog doesn’t become obese.
As a bonus, it also has a patented 3D Dentadefense System. This helps remove tartar build-up on your dog’s teeth to help promote their overall dental health. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised with the quality and health benefits from this “big name” dog food brand.
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Pros
- Uses named meat (chicken) as the #1 ingredient
- Contains a rich source of fiber that helps promote healthy digestion
- L-Carnitine is an excellent preventive measure against obesity
- Helps maintain your dog’s dental health
Cons
- Expensive
3. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition for Adult Dachshund
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Dog Food is specially made for your adult dachshund. It’s made by one of the most renowned names in dog nutrition, so you have that quality name backing this product up.
What’s convenient about this dry food is that it takes the guesswork from owners. No need to sample or try out “generic” dog food brands. Since it’s formulated for dachshunds, you’ll be sure it will cater to their every nutritional need. Every component is made with this specific breed in mind.
Physically, let’s start with the shape of the kibble. It’s exclusively tailor-made for the dachshund breed, which makes it easier for them to pick it up and chew.
One of the pressing concerns with dachshunds is their short limbs and long body. This can create unnecessary stress on their bone structure. The calcium and phosphorus in this dog food are great for strengthening bones and joints, allowing dachshund to support its bodies better.
Lastly, it contains L-Carnitine, which promotes fat burn in obesity-prone dachshunds. This helps in improving heart health and optimal weight. All in all, if you want a straightforward way to keep your dachshund nutritionally complete, go with the Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition.
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Pros
- Tailor-made for your dachshund, so you’re assured it is nutritionally complete and compatible
- The kibble is specially shaped for more comfortable eating and chewing
- Helps a dachshund support its long, elongated body
Cons
- Ingredients contain meat by-products
4. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Puppy Food
The puppy stage is when dachshunds are at their most vulnerable. They need all the nutrition they can get, without loading them up with unnecessary junk and chemicals.
In many ways, Wellness Complete Natural Dry Puppy Food ticks all of these boxes and more.
For one, it only uses natural ingredients. In fact, these are the same things a human might eat. No meals or by-products here—just honest-to-goodness foodstuff you can feed to yourself.
At the top of the list is chicken, its main protein and fat source. Despite what owners say, chicken is actually good for your dog. For the carbs, it contains oatmeal and barley, both of which are “good” starches with plenty of healthy fiber to boot.
To help promote your dachshund’s healthy skin and coat, you have flaxseed oil. This plant-based oil is also a rich source of fiber that helps with digestion, and for promoting your dachshund’s overall health, this food also features two natural superfoods: spinach and blueberries. Both are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to fight off free radicals.
So overall, you get all-natural dog food that gives the right nutrients and promotes their long-term health and well-being.
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Pros
- Nutritionally balanced meal, using only natural ingredients
- Provides a substantial boost of antioxidants and vitamins
- Uses only quality starch sources (oatmeal)
Cons
- Some dogs might become a bit gassy with this dog food, but it should pass after the first few feedings
5. Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition for Dachshund Puppy
We’ve previously covered the Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition for dachshunds, and we’ve seen how it’s a convenient, no-brainer dog food for your specific breed.
This time let’s take a look at the same dog food but catered to puppies. The Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition for Dachshund Puppy is perfect for little ones up to 10 months old.
The unique thing about this dog food is the added vitamins that are designed to support your puppy’s developing immune system. This is crucial since dachshunds at this life stage are quite susceptible to infections and disease.
The complex mix of vitamin E and antioxidants form a protective barrier that protects them during this very fragile time.
Just like the adult version, this Breed Health Nutrition dog food has a tailor-made kibble that makes it easier for a dachshund puppy to chew on the food. This is especially beneficial for puppies, which need all the help they can get in eating their food.
On top of this, you get all the health benefits of the Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition adult dog food. These include the fat burning L-Carnitine and the vitamins and minerals for bone and joint health.
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Pros
- Helps a puppy’s developing immune system
- Tailor-made kibble design makes it easier for your puppy to eat and chew on them
- Supports bone and joint health with optimal levels of calcium and phosphorus
- Ideal for dachshund puppies from 8 weeks up to 10 months old
Cons
- Ingredients contain meat by-product
How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Dachshunds
Dachshunds are generally delicate breeds that require a high protein, high fat, and low carbohydrate diet. The best should feature all-natural ingredients from quality sources.
What Things to Consider When Buying
Dachshund Food
Nutritional Needs of Dachshund
Calories
Dachshunds are a somewhat moderately sized breed, but that doesn’t mean you should scrimp on the nutrition department. This breed is quite active, which means they need to have enough calories to meet their needs.
Your average dachshund, at around 25 pounds of body weight, needs roughly 575 calories. More active dachshunds might need even more calories than that, as much as 900 daily. This translates to around 35 calories per pound of body weight.
However, remember that nutritional requirements do vary from dog to dog. It’s still best to carefully monitor your dachshund’s weight with your vet, preferably monthly. Then adjust his caloric intake as necessary.
Proteins
Like any typical dog, the bulk of a dachshund’s nutrient requirement should come from proteins. Ideally, this should compose around 30 to 40% of his daily food intake.
The best protein source is still lean meat from animals and fish. Good examples are chicken breast and pork, with a little skin and fat added in. Fatty fish, such as salmon, is also a great choice since they contain essential healthy fats that aid in skin and fur health.
You can also opt to mix in protein from plant sources, such as soy and vegetables. These might be healthier but might not have the complete amino acids that animal sources do.
Carbohydrates
Dogs, unlike humans, are designed to survive mostly on protein and fats. The same is true with the dachshund, but that doesn’t mean they can’t eat carbohydrates. Carbohydrates can be a good source of quick energy for active dachshund.
Experts even suggest that it can be useful for proper digestive and reproductive health, but you need to be wary of putting in too many carbs since dachshunds are especially prone to excessive weight gain. It’s best to avoid empty carbs and opt for better sources like vegetables
Vitamins and Minerals
Dachshunds have a longer life span compared to most dogs (an average of 12-16 years). While this is good, it also means they are prone to health complications. To ensure a long life, dachshund needs a good dose of vitamins and minerals. Antioxidants are especially important to help prevent cancer and inflammation.
Fiber
Fiber is an important yet often overlooked component of a dachshund’s overall health. It promotes digestion and makes for healthy stools, especially in dogs with high protein diets. It’s essential to add in fiber through vegetables and fruits. Be careful not to overdo it, though, as excess fiber can lead to gassiness.
Related: Best Dog Food for Small Dogs
Life Stage of Dachshund Dog
Puppy
In the first year, a dachshund’s appetite is at its biggest. Which is understandable, since they are rapidly growing and developing. At this point, it’s best to feed your puppy as much as he needs. A rule of thumb to aim for is four meals a day, but don’t worry, as dachshund puppies are not prone to overeating at all.
In fact, they are at risk of the opposite—hypoglycemia. This is when there is a rapid drop in blood sugar due to undernourishment. Best to add a little more kibble than you think they’ll need, just in case.
Related: Best Puppy Food
Adult
The most important thing to remember with adult dachshund is overeating. As adults, this breed is notoriously gluttonous and will actively beg for food – even if they don’t need to. So, resist the temptation and stick to the meal and calorie plan you planned for them.
You can feed your dachshund more frequent, smaller meals to help curb their need to eat all the time.
Senior
When dachshunds hit the senior age (somewhere around eight years), they undergo a significant change in their nutritional requirements. Their activity levels begin to decline, and they get chubbier than usual. This is also when health complications start to pop up.
It’s best to switch over to good dog food that caters specifically to senior dogs. You also need to watch their daily calorie intake to help prevent obesity and its related health issues.
Related: Best Senior Dog Food
Dachshunds Health Conditions and Special Dietary Needs
Bone and Joint Health
Due to a dachshund’s elongated body structure and stunted legs, their backs are especially prone to stress. This can lead to a condition called Intervertebral Disk Disease.
Any excess weight gain can significantly exacerbate this problem. It’s essential to watch your dachshund’s weight to prevent this. You also need to include glucosamine in their diet to promote bone and joint health. More protein is also crucial for more muscle mass to help support their bone structure.
Healthy Skin and Coat
Dachshunds can suffer from a variety of skin diseases, like flea allergy dermatitis and Sarcoptic Mange. This can lead to excessive drying of the skin, itchiness, and hair loss.
To prevent this, you want to include plenty of Omega Fatty Acids in their diet. You also need to watch out for food allergies, which can lead to itchy or inflamed skin.
Digestive Health
Since dachshunds will generally eat anything in sight, this makes them prone to stomach infections. This is typically dangerous. Since they are smaller breeds, even the most modest drops in weight loss can become serious health risks.
Try to determine the cause of this digestive issue in the first place. More often than not, it’s a food allergy. Switch to a limited diet to help isolate the exact cause of this.
Food Allergies
Dachshunds are quite susceptible to food allergies, which is often the case with smaller breeds. If your dog has bouts of loose stools or diarrhea, try opting for a limited ingredient diet. There are plenty of brands that offer this as one of their product lines.
This breed also has extra sensitive skin, which can be made worse by skin allergies. Make sure your dachshund gets the proper daily amounts of Omega-3 Fatty Acids to combat this.
Weight Management
Dachshunds are notorious for eating whatever is placed in front of them. They will generally beg for more food, even if you fed them the right amount! Giving in to their demands is a bad idea, as the breed is at high risk of obesity and related health problems.
Try to carefully monitor your dog’s weight and meal plan down to the last calorie. Cut back on empty carbs and focus more on protein and fats.
Related: Best Dog Food for Weight Loss
FAQs
How much to feed a Dachshund puppy?
As dachshund puppies are still in the growth stage, they need to eat more than an adult. In the first 12 weeks of life, your puppy needs to eat at least four times a day. You then gradually reduce this until he eats around twice a day when he hits the 12-month mark.
Of course, this varies. You need to consider how active your dog is, especially dachshund puppies that move around a lot. A good strategy is to feed them ad libitum, meaning there is always some food available to them at all times.
How much to feed an adult Dachshund dog?
Once a dachshund hits adulthood, you need to maintain their health and weight. As we mentioned before, dachshunds are a gluttonous breed who will eat more than what they need. A rule of thumb is 30 calories per pound of body weight, up to 40 calories for especially active dogs.
When should dachshund switch from puppy food to dog food?
When your dachshund reaches 12 months, he is officially an adult dog. During this time, his growth will tend to reduce, and his calorie intake needs to be lessened. Now would be a good time to switch to dog food that’s made for adult breeds, but remember, each dog has unique feeding requirements. Observe him during this transition period, especially his weight. Then adjust the amount of his food as necessary.
