Last Updated on May 17, 2022 by Marco
Dachshunds can lead long and happy lives if you take care of them well. This does mean good food, however, so, what is the best diet for dachshunds? Do these dogs have any special feeding requirements? Is there something they can’t or shouldn’t eat that other dogs are fine with? How about any special nutritional needs – would your dachshund need any food supplements?
The quick answer is that the best diet for dachshunds isn’t all that different from what’s ideal for other dogs in general. However, there are a few things you’d want to note too. So, let’s go over every point below.
What Does The Best Diet For Dachshunds Include?
Doxies require a 50/50 meat/veggie diet that’s similar to other canine’s food too. So, if you’re wondering if you can just get some standard canine canned food from the pet store and give it to your dachshund – you absolutely can, as long as it’s of high enough quality and it fits your dog’s age, body type, and health.
Learn more about: How Much Food Should A Dachshund Eat?
It’s easy to say that the best diet for dachshunds should be highly nutritious too but that’s obviously the case for any dog too. Let’s go into a bit more specifics, however.
Do Dachshunds Have Any Specific Nutritious Requirements?
There are two main things to note in regards to dachshund food needs:
As a hound breed, dachshunds are very food-motivated which also means they are prone to getting overweight. So, it’s best to avoid overly fatty foods and to focus on more lean meats instead. Virtually every quality food brand has dog food specialized against overweight tendencies so it’s usually wise to go that way.
The best diet for dachshunds should also be rich in calcium and phosphorous. That’s to help ensure that your dog’s spine is always in as good health as possible since dachshunds can have certain back issues later in life. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should add calcium supplements to a healthy dog’s diet unless your vet has explicitly told you to. Instead, focusing on a nice, nutritious diet is usually the best way to go.
As you can see, dachshunds do have a couple of breed-specific needs but even they aren’t something you wouldn’t encounter in other breeds as well.
Adult Dachshund Feeding Chart
We’d hesitate to give an exact amount of daily food intake for a dachshund as the breed can vary a lot in terms of weight and body type. Even a purebred adult standard dachshund can range between 16 and 32 pounds without being overweight.
So, while we’d usually recommend around 4 to 5 ounces of food (~128 grams) per day, divided into two meals, it’s important to go off of your dog’s weight and health instead. If your dog is larger you might want to go over 10 ounces or more too. Here’s a quick chart for how many calories a healthy and physically active dachshund would need a day based on its weight.
| 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 |
Dachshund Puppy Feeding Chart
When it comes to feeding a puppy, exact numbers become even harder to give. That’s why it’s important to get nice kitchen scales and weigh your puppy every other day. Based on its weight, you can determine how much food you should give your pup every day. As for the number of meals you should divvy your pup’s food into, here’s a quick chart.
| Puppy age | Number of meals per day |
| 2 months | 4 |
| 3 months | 4 |
| 4 months | 3 |
| 6 months | 3 |
| 8 months | 2 |
| 10 months | 2 |
| 12 months | 2 |
All in all, as long as you’ve picked a highly nutritious and dietary dog food and you don’t overfeed your dog, everything should be fine. Just follow the meal dosage instructions on the package and consult with your vet if your dog has any specific health issues or considerations.
Read more about: The Best Food For Dachshund Weight Loss
FAQs
What meat can I feed my dachshund?
Dachshunds can eat any type of meat, just like any other dog, as long as it’s prepared adequately. They are predisposed to getting overweight, however, thanks to their huge appetites. So, overly fat meat is ill-advised for these dogs. They are hounds, after all, so they do best on lean meat such as turkey, chicken, and lean ground beef. Fish can be good too if it’s not too fat and is properly deboned and cooked.
How much food should a dachshund eat a day?
An exact amount would largely depend on the type of food you’re giving your dachshund and the dog’s exact size, weight, health, lifestyle, and more. That’s why you should always go off of what the particular type of food cites as the appropriate daily food intake or, even better, your vet’s recommendation. But, to give you some idea, the recommended daily amount of dry food kibble for an adult standard dachshund is two meals of half a cup each, i.e. two portions of 64 grams or 2.25 oz.
Can dachshunds eat eggs?
Eggs are perfectly safe and healthy for dogs and Doxies are no exception. Eggs are very rich in fatty acids, vitamins, and protein which is great for a canine. Do keep in mind, however, that giving your dachshund eggs too often can easily make your dog overweight. Generally speaking, two or three eggs a week should be fine as long as they are part of your dog’s standard meals and not extra treats.
How much wet food should I feed my Dachshund?
Wet food can be tricky to calculate as different wet food brands have different consistencies and recommended portions. That’s why every type of wet food has its own recommended portions. To give you an approximate idea, most brands recommend one 3 oz can per 3 to 3.5 pounds of body weight. This can be adjusted based on the dog’s activity level. Dachshunds are a mostly indoorsy breed so it’s usually best to lean on the lower estimate.
Jordan is an animal–lover who specializes in dachshunds. He has owned and cared for dachshunds since he was a child, and his passion for these unique dogs has only grown with time. Jordan is an avid researcher and learner, and spends a large portion of his free time studying the history, behaviour, and health of dachshunds. He has a knack for training and socializing his own dogs, and loves introducing them to new experiences. When not caring for his own pets, Jordan likes to volunteer at local animal rescue shelters, helping to find homes for abandoned dachshunds. He is a true animal advocate, and dedicates his time to ensure that all animals receive the love, respect, and care they deserve.
