Hello, fellow pet parents! Welcome to my ultimate guide to feeding Dachshunds.
In this guide, I will cover how much to feed your Dachshund, how often to feed your Dachshund, when to feed your Dachshund, what foods to feed your Dachshund, what foods to avoid feeding your Dachshund, and other questions you may have about your Dachshund’s nutrition.
You can read the article to the end, or go through the table of contents below and jump to the section that answers the questions you have on your mind.
- Dachshunds Nutritional Requirements
- Factors Affecting The Feeding of a Dachshund
- Dachshund Feeding Amount
- Dachshund Feeding Frequency
- Dachshund Feeding Schedule
- Food To Feed Your Dachshund
- Food To Avoid Feeding Your Dachshund
- When To Transition A Dachshund From Puppy Food To Adult Food
- Why Your Dachshund Is Not Eating
- Why Your Dachshund Is Always Hungry
- Frequently Asked Questions on Feeding A Dachshund
- Final Thoughts on Dachshund Feeding Guide
When it comes to a Dachshund’s diet, whether a Standard, Miniature, or Kaninchen breed, the quantity, and quality of feed go a long way in determining their overall health. I will go into detail on every feeding question you may have based on my experience working for a veterinarian.
This guide has been specifically created to help you with your dachshund feeding problem. The range of nutrients, measurement of the quantity of feed, and type of feed will be covered by this article, just ensure you read carefully and thoroughly.
Let’s jump into the article.
Dachshunds Nutritional Requirements
Even though Dachshunds come in different sizes, their nutritional requirement is the same as all sizes are equally active and playful. However, dachshunds are susceptible to obesity and extra care should be taken to ensure they do not become overweight.
Your Dachshunds meal when they are in their growing phase should majorly consist of 22.5% protein, as adults 22% proteins, 8% fats as puppies, and as adults 5% fats; as fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
Your Dachshund’s source of fiber should come from organic healthy vegetables like broccoli, carrots, cabbage, and sprouts, while its source of protein must come from an animal source like fish, chicken, turkey, lamb meat, beef, and organ meat. Its source of fat must come from vegetables and fish oil.
Nutritional Requirement for a Dachshund Puppy
The diet of a Dachshunds puppy and adolescent should consist of 22.5% protein, 8% fat, and 6% fiber. The puppy phase is the growth phase of your dog and this phase is when your dog’s metabolism is at its highest. Your puppy will need quality proteins and minerals to grow healthy muscles and strong bones.
Nutritional Requirement for an Adult Dachshund
The meal plan for mature and adult Dachshunds should consist of 22% protein, 5% fat, and 4% fiber. Your dog’s adult years are the most active years of your dog’s life; this is when they are most playful and energetic and thus will need more energy-giving food than proteins. Too much protein at this stage can cause excess weight.
Nutritional Requirement For a Senior Dachshund
This senior stage is an inactive stage of your pup’s life; most senior Dachshunds are known for lying in bed all day and doing little or no activity. At this point, their meal should consist of 23% protein, 9% fat, and 7% fiber. Dachshunds at this stage will also need additional vitamins and minerals for a healthy bone and immune system.
Factors Affecting The Feeding of a Dachshund
There are some factors that will affect the diet of your Dachshund, such as the size of the breed, its age, its activity level, and its underlying health conditions.
Let’s take a quick look at those factors before we jump into the quantity of food to feed your dog.
Size consideration
The average length of a Dachshund, Male Standard 15–19 inches (37–47 cm), Female Standard 14–18 inches (35–45 cm), and Male Dachshund Miniature is 13–15 inches (32–37 cm), Female Miniature 12–14 inches (30–35 cm), and Male Dachshund Kaninchen 11–13 inches (11–13 cm), Female Dachshund Kaninchen 9.8–11.8 inches (25–30 cm) from the sole of its feet to its shoulder. The weight of the dachshunds is around standard 7.5–14 kg (16–32 lbs), miniature 5.5–12 kg (12 lbs), and Kaninchen 3.5–5 kg (8–11 lbs).
Most Dachshunds are of the standard size or grow into the standard size, but if yours is the mini or Kaninchen type, then you have to adjust the feed accordingly.
Age Consideration
Your dog will require different qualities and quantities of food at different stages of its life. Just as weight can play a role in the quantity of feed,
The puppy years are for growth, the adult years are for energy and agility, and the senior years are for maintenance of health and agility.
Activity Level
Dachshunds are playful and active dogs; they have been known for chasing smaller animals. So clearly, they are energetic dogs, and they cannot thrive or be at their best on low-quality food.
Food high in sodium and fats can be detrimental to the health of your pet, as they can become obese because they are small. Being overweight will lead to a long list of health problems.
These fast foods don’t contain the nutrients that would make your dog perform to the best of its abilities and make them slow to learn new tricks or obey your commands.
Health Consideration
Dachshunds are prone to certain health conditions, which should be taken into consideration when choosing their diet if you wish to manage or prevent those issues.
Some health issues that affect your dog breed include intervertebral disk disease, obesity, osteogenesis imperfecta, epilepsy, cataracts, and color dilution alopecia.
Some of these health issues can be prevented or controlled by ensuring that your pet gets the best nutrition in its feed, as this will ensure healthy and problem-free growth.
As loving pet parents, we will have the sole responsibility to feed our pets the best food we can get our hands on and avoid cheap and risky food that will lead to us spending hefty sums when visiting the vet anyways.
Dachshund Feeding Amount
Your Dachshunds, just like any other dog breed, will require different amounts of food according to their stage of development. The amount of food a puppy will need will be different than the amount of food an adult will need according to their nutritional requirements.
On average, feed your puppy Dachshunds 0.62 to 0.75 cups of food that has 248 to 700 kcal per day; feed your adult Dachshunds 1.37 to 2 cups per day that has 480 to 600 kcal per day, according to its activity level; and feed your senior Dachshunds 1 to 1.37 cups per day that has 350 to 480 kcal per day.
I will provide you with charts below to help you plan your dog’s meals from its puppy years to its senior years. However, this meal plan is not one-size-fits-all. It’s just a general guideline that should be followed based on your dog’s needs and recommendations from your vet or dog nutritionist.
How Much To Feed Your Puppy Dachshund?
The meal meant for your puppy and adolescent should be very rich in protein and contain a moderate amount of fat that can be gotten from animal meat for them to grow into healthy adults.
A Dachshund puppy, whether standard, miniature, or kaninchen, should be given 0.62 to 1.75 cups of food per day that contains 248 kcal to 700 kcal of nutrients based on its age, weight, size, gender, and physical activity.
The feeding requirement of your puppy is given in detail in the charts below:
Puppy Dachshund Feeding Chart
| Age | Daily FoodQuantity (Cups) | Kilocalories(Per day) | Protein | Fats |
| 2 – 3 months | 0.62 – 1.75 | 248 – 700 | 22% | 8% |
| 4 – 5 months | 0.75 – 2 | 300– 800 | 22% | 8% |
| 6– 9 months | 0.75 – 1.37 | 300 – 548 | 22% | 8% |
| 10 – 12 months | 1.37-2.25 | 548-900 | 22% | 8% |
Discretion should be carried out because of the different class sizes; however, following the guidelines above will aid in bone development and muscle growth and strengthen their immune system to fight off common bacteria and viruses that can lead to some health complications.
How Much to Feed an Adult Dog Dachshund?
The nutritional requirements in the meal of an adult Dachshund are different from those of a puppy. Mature Dachshunds’ food should have a lower percentage of proteins and fats to prevent obesity.
An adult Dachshund should be given 1.37 to 2 cups of food per day that contains 480 to 600 kcal of nutrients based on its age, weight, size, gender, and physical activity.
The chart below will give you an understanding of the daily consumption needs of adult Dachshunds and help you with their meal plan.
Adult Dachshund Feeding Chart
| Age | Daily Food Quantity(Cups) | Kilocalories(Per day) | Protein | Fats |
| 1 – 6 years | 1.37 – 2 | 480 – 600 | 22% | 5% |
How Much to Feed a Senior Dachshund
Senior Dachshunds are generally less active than their younger counterparts due to fragile bones and joints. This means their meals will contain lesser quantities of calories, protein, and fat.
Geriatric Dachshunds often have a host of health issues, like a sensitive stomach, and tend to be picky eaters when it comes to commercial dog food and their favorite kibble.
Senior and geriatric Dachshund puppies should be given 1 to 1.37 cups of food per day that contains 350 to 480 kcal of nutrients based on their age, weight, size, gender, and health issues.
The table below gives you some details about the meal plan for older Dachshunds.
However, you must still ensure that they get the essential nutrients they need.
Senior Dachshund Feeding Chart
| Age | Daily Food Quantity(Cups) | Kilocalories(Per day) | Protein | Fats |
| 7 years and above | 1-2 | 450 – 1100 | 16% | >5% |
You can continue giving your senior dog the same food you gave them as an adult, only in a lesser quantity, as they don’t need as many calories as adult dogs. However, you should still consult your vet or pet nutritionist to be on the safe side.
Dachshund Feeding Frequency
Your Dachshund’s meal frequency will vary the same as the feeding amounts, which are majorly dependent on its age. Below is a list of how often to feed your Dachshunds:
How Often Should You Feed Your Dachshund Puppy?
• During the weaning process or at 8 weeks old: feed them four times a day at equally spaced intervals.
• 8 weeks to 9 months old: feed them three times a day at equally spaced intervals.
• 9 months to 12 months old: gradually transition to feeding them two times a day with 12 hours of spacing between meals. Ideally, one meal in the morning and the other in the evening.
How Often Should You Feed Your Adult Dachshund?
You should feed your adult Dachshunds twice a day, with 12 hours of spacing between meals.
How Often Should You Feed Your Senior Dachshund?
You should feed your senior Dachshunds two times a day except given a specific schedule by a vet.
Dachshund Feeding Schedule
• Dachshunds’ puppies should be free-fed or fed in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night due to a faster metabolism in comparison to their adult colleagues
• Adolescent Dachshunds should be fed in the morning, afternoon, and evening to help them transition properly into an adult.
• Adult German and Senior Dachshunds should also be fed in the morning and in the evening unless stated differently by your vet or pet nutritionist.
As a general rule, you should feed your Dachshunds a few hours before going to bed in the evening, so they have enough time to digest the food before going to sleep.
In total, we shouldn’t spoil our companions with treats as they may grow too attached to them. Treats should be heavily used as a reward when training your dog.
Food To Feed Your Dachshund
The food you feed your Dachshunds should specifically cater to large breeds and contain the required nutrients necessary for a strong and healthy dog.
The kind of food to feed your Dachshunds includes dry dog food, wet dog food, a home-cooked diet, and biologically appropriate raw food to ensure your dog eats a balanced diet.
Let me touch on these few points to help you understand what to feed your dog:
Dry Food: Dry dog or kibble is a portion of commercial pet food made by grinding and mixing up ingredients like meats, grains, and nutritional additives, which are then shaped into little kernels and cooked at high temperatures to remove the water content. Dry dog contains more carbs, less fat, less water, and sometimes less protein, and is often recommended by vets due to its lower cost, dental health benefits, convenience, weight loss support, and playtime perks.
Wet Food: Wet dog food, or canned food, is made by mixing up and cooking the ingredients before adding or extracting varying amounts of water. Unlike dry dog food, wet dog food contains more water, fewer carbs, more fat, and often more protein. They are recommended by veterinarians due to their high water content, taste, ease of eating, and high nutritional profile.
Home-Cooked Diet: Home-cooked diets are a great option for pet parents who are not into commercial dog food and want to go the extra length to prepare a meal for their furry companion. Feeding your dog a home-cooked meal will give you control over its nutrition and can put you at ease knowing that you will always give your dog the best treatment.
BARF Diet: Biologically Appropriate Raw Food is a type of food that contains raw meat, raw eggs, crushed animal bones, fruits, vegetables, probiotics, and other natural ingredients. BARF diets are used as a substitute for processed foods with preservatives. However, consult your vet before feeding your pet a raw diet to avoid health complications from harmful substances.
Food To Avoid Feeding Your Dachshund
We should take caution before giving whatever food we’re eating to our Dachshunds. Dachshunds are known to be quick eaters; human foods should be properly covered.
There are certain human foods, fruits, and vegetables to avoid feeding your Dachshunds because these foods contain toxins that are harmful to your pet that could lead you to frequent trips to the vet.
Human food to avoid feeding your Dachshunds includes chocolates, coffee, gums, peanut butter, candies, cooked bones, etc.
The Fruits and vegetables to avoid feeding your Dachshunds include grapes, avocado, garlic, onions, etc.
You should always check the ingredients on the food label to see if these ingredients are present in the food. Or you can simply consult a vet, or pet nutritionist to check the ingredients with them.
When To Transition A Dachshund From Puppy Food To Adult Food
You should transition your Dachshund puppy from puppy food to adult food when he’s around 10- to 12-months old.
Transitioning your adolescent Dachshunds from puppy food to adult food is an important stage in your dog’s development and should be done gradually. While feeding your pup, adult feed should be introduced at 10%, then 20%, and finally 100%.
Continuously feeding adult dogs and puppies can lead to obesity, and your dog might become a picky eater.
Why Your Dachshund Is Not Eating
Your Dachshund will not eat if it has one or a combination of the factors listed below:
Illness, dental problems, teething, medication, separation anxiety, time of day, spoiled food, stress, and picky eaters
You should be worried if your pup misses a meal, as this might have to do with a lot of mild reasons. You should be more concerned, however, if this behavior is continuous or if your pup refuses to drink water. You should consult the nearest vet immediately.
Why Your Dachshund Is Always Hungry
Dachshunds, like other breeds of dogs, are ravenous feeders and will eat whatever is available, even to their own detriment.
If your pup is very active and playful, then its tendency to be hungry will increase. This is where strict training and regulated exercises can help tackle this problem. Other reasons may be temperature, breastfeeding, or worm infection.
Pet parents should ensure that their pet is not stressed out by exercise and that bad habits are not reinforced by other people.
Frequently Asked Questions on Feeding A Dachshund
Do Dachshund Eat a Lot?
Can Dachshund Become Vegetarians?
Dogs are omnivores, and as such, if your dog is on a vegan diet, it’s advisable that nutrients not present in a plant-based diet be supplemented to prevent health issues.
It is advisable that you consult your vet or pet nutritionist while planning your vegan meals to ensure your dachshunds do not encounter any health complications.
However, you should consult a pet nutritionist or veterinarian to plan a vegan diet for your dog breed to prevent health complications that can arise from an uncertain practice.
Can Dachshund eat bones?
However, you ensure that bones fed to your dog are removed after two to three days in order to prevent infection. There are some guidelines concerning this that have been stipulated by the American Kennel Club.
What Human Food Can I Feed My Dachshund?
What Fruits and Vegetables Can I Feed My Dachshund?
Should You Give Your Dachshund Supplements?
Final Thoughts on Dachshund Feeding Guide
Whether you have a Standard, Miniature, or Kaninchen Dachshund, as pet owners, you must be aware and vigilant with whatever you are feeding your dog. Failure to do so may result in your precious pet developing serious health issues.
Options such as dry, wet, raw, and homemade diets are all great for them. You can free-feed your Dachshunds as puppies, but you have to draw up a strict plan as they go on. It is also essential to know what foods are healthy and should be avoided, as some are toxic.
However, if you desire more information on how to take care of your dachshunds, you should contact the nearest vet for information on essential nutrients, and you can also see a pet nutritionist for a regimen schedule for your pet.
