How Many Times A Day Should I Feed My Dachshund?

Our Doxies love to eat as much and as often as possible. This brings up the question of how many times a day should I feed my dachshund? Is one large meal a day a good idea or are two meals the norm for a reason? How about three daily meals? Do treats count as a meal of their own? How about “free-feeding” your dachshund? Let’s see below.

How Many Times A Day Should I Feed My Dachshund?

The rule of thumb is that two meals a day are the way to go, accompanied by a few treats during training and playtime. And we do support this norm – it’s easiest to follow for most people who need to go out to work anyway, and it’s a good system for your dog’s health. Of course, the meals need to be of the appropriate size as you wouldn’t want your dachshund to go overweight – obesity is very common for dachshunds and not at all fun.

Learn more about 5 Big Hip Problems In Dachshunds – Causes, Prevention, and Treatments

How Much Should I Feed My Dachshund?

This will depend on your dachshund’s size as well as the exact type of food. In general, most wet dog food brands say that the daily dosage should be 3 to 3.5 ounces per 3 pounds of dog body weight. This can vary between the different types of food, however. Your dog’s health is also a factor so it’s always smart to talk with your vet before you commit to a certain brand and quantity of dog food. After that, if you’re feeding your dog twice a day, simply divide this daily quantity by two.

And if you like giving your dog treats when training and playing, remember to count those into the overall daily food intake of your dog. Avoiding obesity is key to giving your dachshund a long, healthy, and happy life.

Dachshund Feeding Chart

If you want a more detailed breakdown to not only how many times a day should I feed my dachshund but how much too, here’s a quick chart about the recommended calorie intake of a standard dachshund:

Dog weight	Total calories a day	Protein calories	Carb calories	Fats calories
4 kg or 8 pounds	242	55.5	157.3	30.3
6 kg or 13 pounds	363	81.7	236	45.4
8 kg or 17 pounds	484	108.9	314.6	60.5
10 kg or 22 pounds	605	136.1	393.3	75.6
12 kg or 26 pounds	726	163.4	471.9	90.8
14 kg or 30 pounds	847	190.6	550.6	105.9
16 kg or 35 pounds	968	217.8	629.2	121

Are Three Meals A Day A Good Idea?

They are but you’ll need to adjust the size of the meals accordingly. And, again, if you’re also giving your dog treats throughout the day, you should count those into the total food intake of your dog too. In general, treats should amount to more than 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.

Are Three Meals A Day A Good Idea

How About Free-feeding Your Dog?

This can work with some dogs but is a really bad idea for hound breeds like the dachshund. These dogs are very strongly food-motivated and will usually eat everything you put in front of them as quickly as possible. So, free-feeding can very quickly lead to obesity or, at the very least, effectively turn into a one-meal-a-day feeding schedule.

Switching to a strict schedule of two or three separate meals a day is both safer and healthier for your dog, as well as teaches discipline and obedience.