When it comes to feeding your Dachshund, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. What to eat and how much to feed your Dachshund will play a role in their overall health and well-being.
Many Daschund feeding guidelines are contradicting. Some suggest you feed them twice, while others say once a day. Some guides recommend high-quality dog food, and others suggest home-cooked meals.
Fortunately, this guide has the answers! Our comprehensive Dachshund feeding guide covers everything from what type of food to give them to how much Dachshunds eat daily.
Dachshund Feeding Chart by Age: How Much to Feed Your Dachshund?
The amount of food you will feed your Dachshund depends on its age. Dachshund puppies should be given ⅔ to 2¼ cups of dry kibbles. Adult dachshunds should be good with 1⅓ to 2 cups of dog food daily, while seniors should have at least 1 to 1⅓ cups a day.
That said, the exact amount of dog food your Dachshund will need depends on its age, size, activity levels, and more.
For starters, Dachshunds are small dogs. But like other breeds, this dog breed has two size variations: standard and miniature.
A standard Dachshund usually weighs around 16 to 32 pounds fully grown and stands at about 7 to 8 inches.
In comparison, a mini Dachshund only weighs about 11 pounds fully grown and stands at around 5 to 7 inches.
An older Dachshund who spends all day sleeping on its bed requires less food than a young, fit Dachshund who enjoys playing and going for walks.
In addition, miniature Dachshunds need less food than standard Dachshunds. More so, toy or teacup dachshunds, for that matter.
For the following sections, we’ll assume that your Dachshund will grow into a standard-sized dog. So, if you have a miniature-sized dog, you may need to adjust their food accordingly.
Dachshund Puppy Feeding Chart (2 to 12 months)
For the first few weeks, puppies will need to be fed with their mother’s milk. This ensures that all the benefits for their early development will be met and provided.
Next, you’ll need to consider what food to feed them. Puppy food is most recommended, as it is formulated to give puppies the necessary nutrients for their early growth and development.
You can get an idea of how much food should a Dachshund puppy eat using the chart below:
Aside from food, fresh water is also important for growing Doxie puppies to stay hydrated. This ensures your dog’s healthy bodily functions, regulates body temperature, and aids in proper food digestion and bowel movement.
Dachshunds often gobble their food down in just minutes, which might cause them discomfort and pain. Because of this, it is recommended to get a slow feeder bowl for your Doxie.
Adult Dachshund Feeding Chart (1 to 6 years)
The amount of food you give your adult dog will also depend on their activity level and size now that they have reached adulthood.
You can use the following chart as a general guide to see how many cups your adult Dachshund needs daily:
Balanced canine nutrition should always be considered when feeding adult Dachshunds. Maintaining a good ratio of proteins and fats in their diets is critical to this.
Protein builds strong and healthy muscle, while fat provides easy-to-digest energy. Both nutrients prevent your Dachshund from becoming hungry or irritable during exercise.
Furthermore, it is wise to familiarize yourself with the nutrition guidelines published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). This will help you stay on top of your dog’s diet.
Senior Dachshund Feeding Chart (7 years and above)
As your Dachshunds age, they need fewer calories because they tend to become less active dogs. Hence, it is essential to monitor their activity level and caloric intake to manage a healthy weight.
For starters, senior dogs need fewer calories. Provide your senior Dachshund with high-protein meals that are low on carbohydrates. This will help avoid muscle loss and prevent their digestive system from overworking.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also necessary for joint health and digestible nutrients to support weakening digestive systems.
The chart below shows how much food a senior Dachshund should consume daily:
Reducing the portion of dog food you give your Dachshund will help ease their aging process. Most importantly, a reduced calorie intake is easier on their digestive system.
To keep your senior Dachshund healthy, you must ensure that their required nutrients are met. This means looking for the most appropriate dog food for their age.
For more information on how much to feed your Dachshund, watch this informative video featuring adorable adult Dachshunds:
What I feed my dogs and why | Dachshunds in the UK<a href="https://youtu.be/RB_fd3O8fUw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FRB_fd3O8fUw%2F0.jpg" alt="What I feed my dogs and why | Dachshunds in the UK" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Dachshund Feeding Frequency: How Often Should You Feed Your Dachshund?
Dachshund puppies at 0 to 12 weeks of age need at least four meals a day, while those 3 to 12 months old can eat 3 to 4 times daily. On the other hand, adult Doxies can be fed 2 to 3 meals a day, while senior Doxies may be given their meal once or twice daily.
As with all dogs, Dachshunds enjoy eating. If left unsupervised, they can become obese. Therefore, it is crucial to establish the correct feeding frequency to prevent your pup from being overfed or underfed.
Below is a table summarizing the recommended feeding frequency for Dachshunds based on their age:
Puppies should eat more frequently than older Dachshunds. Puppies in the growth and development stage should be fed three to four small meals a day.
However, though they are growing fast, avoid free-feeding Doxie puppies unless necessary.
An adult Dachshund should be fed two to three times daily since they have a lot of energy to burn everything they have consumed. Meanwhile, a senior Dachshund can do well with just once or twice a day.
The correct feeding frequency for Dachshunds will ensure that they get consistent energy levels throughout the day. This will also help them regulate their bowel movement.
Optimal Feeding Times for Dachshunds
Dachshund puppies 0 to 12 weeks old can have their first meal at 7:00 am, followed by three more meals at 4-hour intervals. Meanwhile, puppies 3 to 12 months old may start at the same time but with 3 meals at 6-hour intervals. Older Doxies can have one or two meals spread out at 12-hour intervals.
Dogs need a regular eating schedule like humans. It will also benefit their digestive system and other bodily functions if they follow a proper eating routine.
Here is a table describing the optimal feeding times for Dachshunds:
As you can see, puppies need to be fed more frequently than older dogs. Hence, they are sometimes free-fed. However, as they grow, you must train your Dachshund to follow a feeding schedule.
For adult Dachshunds, you can feed them a breakfast meal and a dinner meal. The amount should be sufficient to keep them satisfied throughout the day.
Meanwhile, for senior Dachshunds, a single feeding can be done in the morning or at night. If your dog prefers two meals per day, you can feed them twice, but you should reduce the dog food they eat.
Please note that you can modify these optimal feeding times to fit your lifestyle and schedule. However, you should adjust your dog’s feeding time gradually.
Best Dog Foods for Dachshunds
Like your other furry friends, Dachshunds will enjoy any food you feed them. However, it’s still important to provide them with a high-quality diet that will give them all the essential nutrients they need.
Listed below are the best food options for a Daschund puppy or adult Dachshund:
Dry Dog Food: Dry dog food is convenient because you can find them at almost any pet store. Besides being convenient, you can also pre-portion, and they won’t spoil if left out all day. Your small dog will also benefit since dry dog food encourages them to chew their food properly, preventing tartar buildup.
Wet Dog Food: Wet canned food usually has a high moisture content, which helps hydrate your dog. This is beneficial for your Dachshund puppy, especially if it is not fond of drinking water. This is also very aromatic and palatable. Mixing wet canned food with dry commercial dog foods when you feed your Dachshund is an effective way to increase their appetite.
Raw or BARF Diet: A Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diet mimics what Dachshund’s ancestors ate. This diet only contains raw meat, vegetables, fruits, and bones. The BARF diet has become popular among dog owners because it helps improve their pets’ skin and health.
Homemade Dog Food: Feeding your Dachshund homemade dog food can be beneficial since it’s cheaper, healthier, and safer for them to consume. However, you need to make sure that you carefully choose the ingredients that go into your Doxie’s dog food. Avoid any preservatives and unhealthy chemicals.
You, as an owner, will be responsible for whatever your Dachshund puppy will eat. Regardless if you choose dry, wet food, or raw food, your pet’s food must be suitable for its body weight and activity levels.
If you’re having doubts, you can always ask your local vet for advice.
On a different note, you will also need to set aside a monthly budget for your dog’s food. Our guide on the costs and expenses of owning a Dachshund can help you prepare for this.
Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Dachshund
It’s always better to be safe when feeding your Dachshund. If they eat something toxic, it can be fatal and should require medical attention.
That’s why it’s best for pet owners to know what not to feed their Dachshunds.
Onions are one of the most toxic foods for your pet. Onions contain disulfides and sulfoxides that can cause hemolytic anemia that damages and impairs the functioning of red blood cells.
Just like any other dog, chocolates are a big no for dogs. Due to cocoa’s theobromine content, chocolates can cause damage to your dog’s nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems.
Grapes and raisins are deadly for your dogs since they can trigger kidney failure. And being the tiny creature that your Dachshund is, kidney failure can kill them in no time.
Moreover, don’t let your Dachshund eat the pits, stems, seeds, or leaves of apricots, cherries, pears, apples, or peaches, as these are toxic to them. If these parts of the fruit are not removed, cyanide poisoning could occur.
Some sweeteners contain xylitol which is poisonous to dogs. Foods containing this substance include peanut butter, sweets, chewing gum, ketchup, and baking ingredients.
Furthermore, any food that contains a lot of sugar and salt is harmful to your Dachshund. Your dog will dehydrate if you feed them salty food, and they may have diabetes if they overeat sweet food.
The best thing you can do for your Dachshund is to learn what’s good and what’s bad for it. Make sure your dogs don’t have access to any of these items or other table scraps in your kitchen.
How to Transition Your Dachshund to a New Food
It may not always be easy to transition your dog to a new diet. Fortunately for you, Dachshunds are not selective when it comes to food.
Most are always willing to try fresh food; hence, switching to a new diet won’t be too difficult.
If you are switching dog foods, you need to do it gradually. Depending on how your dog handles the transition, it could take less than two weeks or more than a month.
In the table below, you will find a detailed breakdown of how to transition your dog to a new food:
As you go through this process, be as patient as you can. It is important to keep in mind that your dog’s nutritional needs change as they grow old. Changing what your Dachshund eats is critical to adapt to this change.
Observe your dog’s behavior as they go along with the transition of their food. When they appear healthy, happy, and energetic, the new diet is working.
On the other hand, you should slow down the process if negative signs appear, such as vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Consult a veterinarian if they continue to show these symptoms.
Feeding an Overweight Dachshund
Unsupervised or free feeding is the most common cause of weight gain for Dachshunds, joined with certain medical conditions. In addition, overfeeding your Dachshund with dog treats can make them obese.
That said, make sure to use treats only for training purposes and not as part of your Dachshund’s daily diet.
For starters, the ideal weight for a Dachshund puppy should be around 13 to 27 pounds. As for adult dogs, the ideal weight should be around 16 to 32 pounds. If your dog weighs more than this, then it is definitely overweight.
A simple solution to feeding your overweight Dachshund is to cut down on their regular diet and put them in a weight control session. So if you’re currently feeding them one and a half cups, cut it down to one cup only.
Besides that, you should also provide healthier food options for your dog. This way, it will still receive adequate nutrition in smaller amounts. Maintaining a strict feeding schedule will also help in managing their weight.
It’s always a good idea to incorporate high-protein, high-fiber, and low-calorie foods into your Dachshund’s regular diet if you’re trying to make them lose their excess weight.
Once they reach an ideal current weight, introduce healthier options or get used to homemade or natural food. Celery, carrots, green beans, chicken, apples, and watermelon are a few treats you can give to your Dachshund.
In a nutshell, if you notice your dog exceeding their ideal weight, follow the aforementioned recommendations to help you rectify the issue early on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Dachshund Not Eating?
There is no such thing as a picky Dachshund, so if your dog is not eating, there may be an underlying problem.
Consult your veterinarian immediately if you observe other severe symptoms such as pain, vomiting, or discomfort.
If your dog doesn’t have these symptoms, try changing its routine. They might just be bored of the same food.
Mix wet food with dry food, or try giving a healthy diet of home-cooked meals or BARF to increase their appetites.
Do Dachshunds Eat a Lot?
Yes. Dachshunds have a big appetite than other small breeds. Despite being full, Dachshunds will eat as long as the food is available. This places them at risk of unhealthy weight gain.
You might need to watch over how much food they consume, avoid free feeding, or buy a slow feeder bowl for them to avoid eating too fast and going beyond their current weight.
Can Dachshunds Eat Bones?
It’s natural for owners of both large and small breeds to be worried whenever they think about feeding their dogs bones.
However, according to American Kennel Club (AKC), bones may be given, but under strict supervision.
If you decide to include bones in their diet once in a while, make sure it is given raw, and watch your dog as they eat it to prevent choking hazards.
Can Dachshunds Be Vegetarians?
Dachshunds are omnivores, which means they can follow either a vegan or vegetarian diet. However, owners must still provide their dogs with a balanced diet to prevent nutritional deficiencies and other health issues.
If you make your dog vegan, consult with your vet to be guided on what types and how much food to give so you can still give your Dachshund the nutrients they might otherwise get from animal sources.
Final Thoughts
Feeding your Dachshund is relatively easy, but you still need to remember that they are small dogs, and you need to consider many aspects of feeding them.
Some of these considerations include choosing to give them commercial dog food, wet food, BARF diet, or home-cooked meals. Likewise, the amount of food served, feeding times, and feeding frequency also matter.
Another thing to remember when feeding Dachshunds is to keep them safe from toxic foods and worrisome table scraps. You should also keep a close eye on their weight.
If you are still unsure what to feed and how much food to feed your Dachshund, you can always consult a veterinarian that you trust regarding their diet.
Finally, if this Dachshund feeding guideline has helped keep your pooch healthy, please share your thoughts in the comments, as we greatly appreciate them.
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