Selecting the best wet food for dachshunds is one of the ultimate ways to ensure that your dachshund remains fit, healthy, and in peak condition. But with such a huge choice of dachshund wet food brands available, how do you know which one is right for your canine buddy? Let’s find out!
What Do Dachshunds Eat?
When it comes to feeding your dog, there are a huge range of choices available! Most dachshunds have a voracious appetite and will enjoy eating most things, but it is your responsibility to make sure all their nutritional needs are being met.
Dog food can be broadly split into three categories – wet food, dry food, and raw diets. All of these can be bought from the pet store, and some owners also choose to make up dachshund food recipes at home. All types of dog food have their advantages and disadvantages and it is vital that a dachshund feeding guide is followed to make sure your dog gets everything it needs.
Today we’re going to focus on wet dog food and how to make the best choice for your dachshund. Wet food can be fed as the entire daily food intake for your dog, or it can be mixed with kibble to provide a varied diet. Many pet owners like to feed wet food to their dogs as they believe it is more palatable.
Do Dachshunds Need Special Food?
Walk into any pet store in your see huge range of different dog foods available to suit all breeds, sizes and ages as well as specific health conditions. But does a fit, healthy dachshund really need special food, or can it just be fed an ordinary dog diet?
For many dachshunds you will get away with feeding a high quality generic brand of dog food. A good quality brand will contain everything necessary to meet their nutritional needs and help the dog remain fit and healthy.
However, dachshunds are predisposed to some health problems and it is believed that feeling a specialist diet can help prevent these. Many dachshunds have a very sensitive digestive system and may also suffer from dietary intolerance and allergies. These can lead to symptoms such as hair loss, flaking skin, and itching.
Dachshunds are also predisposed to musculoskeletal problems, particularly of the spine. A good quality dachshund food may include beneficial ingredients to help keep the joints in good condition.
Another problem with dachshunds is that they are very often prone to weight gain. Although they like to run and play, they are equally as fond of lazing around and sleeping! A specialist dachshund food fed in the correct quantities will help keep your pooch fit, healthy, and at the ideal body weight.
And finally, the small size of a dachshunds jaw can make it difficult for the dog to chew large chunks of food. This is why many specialist dry dachshund foods contain small specially-shaped pieces of kibble that the dog finds easier to chew.
What Is The Best Wet Food For Dachshunds?
When choosing the best wet food for dachshunds, there is no one food that will suit all dogs. Each dog has individual nutritional needs, and a variety of factors will affect the type of food you choose:
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Age
Dogs have varied nutritional needs throughout their lives. Dog foods are normally split into three age groups – puppy, adult, and senior.
Your puppy will need a diet that helps him grow strong muscle and bones and build healthy joints. An adult dachshund needs a balanced diet that helps it maintain the ideal body weight. As your dachshund grows older, its energy requirements lessen but it will need higher quality food that is easier to digest.
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Food intolerance
Dachshunds are notoriously intolerant when it comes to food, and can be very sensitive to a range of different ingredients. The symptoms of food intolerance or allergies can include skin conditions and gastrointestinal problems.
If your dachshund has a very sensitive stomach, it may be best to opt for a hypoallergenic diet that is free from artificial additives. If possible, try and select a food made from ingredients of organic origin. Most food allergies stem from an intolerance of specific proteins of carbohydrates, which is why hypoallergenic diets tend to use novel ingredients such as duck and brown rice.
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Musculoskeletal problems
Because of their long backs, dachshunds are predisposed to spinal problems. Some specialist wet foods for dachshunds contain joint supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin.
How To Choose The Best Wet Food For Dachshunds
A good quality dog food will contain highly digestible protein to help your dog build strong and healthy musculoskeletal tissue. It should contain minimal artificial additives and be made from the highest quality ingredients. Avoid foods that are packed full of cheap bulking agents, as these will not satisfy your dogs hunger and can lead to obesity.
Dachshunds are notorious for their healthy appetite, and will often eat more than is good for them. Stick to the amounts recommended by the pet food manufacturer, and keep fattening treats to a minimum. It can be a good idea to switch calorific commercial dog treats to healthier dog-safe fruits and vegetables instead.
Summary
So, as we have learned, the best wet food for dachshunds are those made from high quality ingredients with minimal artificial additives. A good quality wet food brand will contain all the nutrients your dog needs to keep it fit, healthy, and in peak condition. Make sure to select a food that is for the correct life stage of your dog, as well as one that meets any specialist needs such as dietary allergies or musculoskeletal problems.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the best wet food for dachshunds! Does your dachshund have a particularly sensitive stomach and you struggle to find the right food for it? Or maybe you’re not sure if you need to change your dachshund’s diet as it grows older? Leave a comment below and we will get back to you!
