***Please Note: This article is published on a different website. I completed this article on August 31, 2020, and it was published, however, the site that published it has credited a different writer for the work that I completed.
The Dachshund comes in three different coat varieties: short hair (or smooth), long hair, and wire hair; and two recognized sizes: standard or miniature. There are, of course, other sizes used to distinguish a Dachshund such as a “tweenie” which is a small standard or slightly over-sized miniature or a “toy” which is an under-sized miniature. No matter what size or coat type your Dachshund is, they were all bred for one specific purpose which is to go underground after badgers and other such vermin.
The stubbornness and tenacity of the Dachshund are well-earned character traits and suit them well when they are performing the tasks in which they were originally bred to do. In today’s society, most Dachshunds are kept as companions rather than working dogs, but their desire to work is still ingrained in them. Therefore, it is very important that your Dachshund is given plenty of mental and physical exercise and is fed a high-quality dog food that has all the necessary nutrients for a well-rounded diet.
As your Dachshund grows and matures, their dietary needs will also evolve, leaving you to wonder what food is best during puppyhood, adulthood, and for their senior years. Having been a breeder, trainer, and exhibitor of Dachshunds since 1996, I have found that nutrition is a key component to a long-lived and healthy Dachshund.
Best 3 Foods for Dachshund Puppies
Dachshund puppies require more calories, higher protein and fat, to promote proper development. Feeding any puppy a food that is designed for an adult dog will leave that puppy lacking in nutrients and could potentially cause delays in their development. If you are getting your next Dachshund puppy from a breeder, ask what food they feed and then do your research and make sure it is the best food for your new puppy. Dog food that is designed for “all life stages” is not necessarily the best food for a puppy as it will not have the needed nutrients for puppy growth and development. Check out these three puppy foods for Dachshunds that I have personally fed my Doxie babies and been very happy with their health and development.
Fromm is a dog food company that has been in business since 1904 and has continued to produce dog foods with quality and wholesome ingredients. The smaller kibble of the Fromm Family Gold Puppy is excellent for smaller puppies, especially Miniature Dachshund puppies. Easily digestible proteins are used as well as vitamins, minerals, and probiotics essential to growth, digestion, and brain development. I have not had a Dachshund puppy not like the taste of Fromm Family Gold Puppy food.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Chicken broth
Oat Groats
Pearled barley
Chicken meal
Guaranteed Analysis:
27% Crude Protein
18% Crude Fat
3.5% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Purina ONE SmartBlend Healthy Puppy Formula
This is another food that I am comfortable feeding my Dachshund puppies since the first ingredient is chicken, an easily digestible protein. Purina is dedicated to producing quality pet foods using quality ingredients but made available at a reasonable price. Purina ONE SmartBlend Puppy has DHA to promote brain and vision development, glucosamine for healthy joint development, and antioxidants to promote immune health.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Rice flour
Corn gluten meal
Chicken by-product meal
Whole grain corn
Guaranteed Analysis:
28% Crude Protein
17% Crude Fat
3% Crude Fiber
12% Moisture
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice
Blue Buffalo is a pricier food but does have excellent, wholesome ingredients that promote growth and development for puppies of all shapes, sizes, and breeds. Real meat, fruit, and vegetables are used to create a tasty kibble that puppies will love. Vitamins and minerals are also added to create a well-rounded diet for your Dachshund puppy. The kibble is easy for smaller puppies to chew and helps remove any tartar buildup on their teeth.
First 5 Ingredients:
Deboned chicken
Chicken meal
Brown rice
Oatmeal
Barley
Guaranteed Analysis:
27% Crude Protein
16% Crude Fat
5% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Best 3 Foods for Dachshund Adults
Dachshunds were bred to perform a task and to be active dogs. Today, they are mainly companions without a set purpose allowing them to keep their bodies and minds in tip-top shape. Therefore, as a Dachshund owner, it is important that you provide the appropriate physical exercise, mental stimulation, and nutrient-rich diet so they can live their best life and be a companion for you for years to come. Most Dachshunds will need to transition to an adult dog food at or around one year of age. Your Dachshund has moved out of puppyhood and is transitioning into adulthood. While nutrients are just as important to adult Dachshunds, a lower calorie food will keep them from gaining weight and putting undue stress on their skeletal system.
Many people believe that if a dog food specifically states that it is for a Dachshund it must be the best food for their little Doxie. After reviewing ingredients and analysis, I have not found this to be true. It is more of a gimmick used to get you to buy a more expensive food. I have been feeding Diamond Premium to my own Dachshunds since 1996, but also can recommend a few other quality foods for your adult Dachshund.
Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Flavor Small Breed
Taste of the Wild offers high-quality ingredients to create a great tasting kibble that your Dachshund will love. Made with venison, it can be a little harsh for dogs with a sensitive stomach; however, the food does have three distinct probiotics to help with digestion. Fruits and vegetables provide the right amount of flavor and nutrients. This is a grain-free dog food. Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Flavor Small Breed is a more expensive food.
First 5 Ingredients:
Venison
Lamb meal
Garbanzo beans
Peas
Lentils
Guaranteed Analysis:
32% Crude Protein
18% Crude Fat
4% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Diamond dog foods have been in production since 1970 and are known for producing quality dog foods for all stages of life. Diamond Premium, not to be confused with the Diamond Naturals line of dog food, is a dog food that I have been feeding since the early 1990s, before I began showing and breeding Dachshunds. I continued feeding Diamond Premium to my first few Dachshunds and have continued through the years. Diamond Premium was formulated with working, breeding, and show dogs in mind. Easily digestible proteins and a great well-rounded dog food have sustained many of my dachshunds well into their senior years. Diamond dog foods are produced in the USA.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken by-product meal
Chicken fat
Whole grain corn
Wheat flour
Egg product
Guaranteed Analysis:
26% Crude Protein
18% Crude Fat
3% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Fromm Family Gold Small Breed Adult
With Fromm having been cultivating dog food since 1904, you know they are dedicated to producing quality kibble using wholesome ingredients. Fromm can be pricier than Diamond foods, but is a great alternative for your Dachshund. The smaller kibble is perfect for small miniature Doxies and helps clean their teeth of any tartar buildup. The first ingredients are chicken, a highly digestible protein. Fromm Family Gold Small Breed Adult food also has a special blend of probiotics to ensure digestive health. All Fromm dog foods are tested during production to ensure high-quality and minimize the need for food recalls that could potentially harm your Dachshund.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Chicken meal
Chicken broth
Oat groats
Pearled barley
Guaranteed Analysis:
26% Crude Protein
17% Crude Fat
5.5% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Best 3 Foods for Dachshund Seniors
Many of my Dachshunds live well into their teen years, with some reaching 17 and 18 years old. I attribute their long, healthy lives to having a quality diet, plenty of exercise, and as they age the right supplements to counteract any arthritic changes that are taking place in their joints. Being a precious member of your family, you will want to ensure that your senior Dachshund is receiving the best nutrition and living their best life. Older Dachshunds will begin to slow down and not be as active but they still need to get up and move throughout the day, maintain a healthy body weight, and have mental stimulation. Keeping your senior Doxie vibrant is your ultimate goal.
While many veterinarians and other breeders recommend switching your Dachshund to a senior diet at seven years old, I tend to keep mine on their regular adult food until they are ten years old. Then I mix a senior food with their regular kibble (Diamond Premium) for about a year before I completely switch my senior Doxies to a full senior diet. Check out some of the senior dog foods that I have used for my older Dachshunds.
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Senior Farm Raised Chicken, Brown Rice, & Sweet Potato Recipe
Many senior Dachshunds will begin to have difficulty digesting a diet that has harsher proteins such as beef, venison, or turkey. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Senior uses chicken as its main protein which is easier for senior Dachshunds to digest. Loaded with antioxidants to promote a healthy immune system and plenty of fatty acids to keep their skin and coat in great condition, this dog food provides a well-rounded diet for a senior Doxie. The best part about Nutro dog foods is that they are produced in the USA.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Chicken meal
Barley
Split peas
Whole brown rice
Guaranteed Analysis:
23% Crude Protein
12% Crude Fat
4% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
Blue Buffalo is a pricier food but is made with high-quality ingredients designed with senior dogs in mind. Easily digestible proteins along with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provide a balance diet for your senior Dachshund. Phosphorus and calcium help maintain healthy bones and teeth while glucosamine and chondroitin help combat any changes in your senior’s joints. Keep your senior Dachshund’s body and mind healthy by feeding a quality kibble like Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula.
First 5 Ingredients:
Deboned chicken
Chicken meal
Barley
Oatmeal
Whole brown rice
Guaranteed Analysis:
23% Crude Protein
13% Crude Fat
6% Crude Fiber
10% Moisture
Purina ONE SmartBlend Vibrant Maturity 7+ Senior
Purina ONE SmartBlend Vibrant Maturity 7+ Senior is a food that I like to feed my pickier senior Dachshunds. They love the softer morsels and the protein richness of the kibble. The crunchy kibble pieces help to remove tartar build up from their teeth. With the first ingredient being chicken, you know it will be easily digestible. This senior dog food has been created to promote mental health as well as maintaining muscle and heart health. This well-rounded senior dog food is one of the more moderately priced senior kibbles available.
First 5 Ingredients:
Chicken
Rice flour
Corn gluten meal
Chicken by-product meal
Soybean meal
Guaranteed Analysis:
28% Crude Protein
13% Crude Fat
4.5% Crude Fiber
12% Moisture
How Much Food Is Enough?
Because the Dachshund can be any size ranging from 6 pounds to 35 pounds, there is no standard measurement of food that works for every Dachshund. After you have chosen your Dachshund’s food, read the recommended feeding instructions and then modify the amount to fit your Dachshund’s particular needs.
Puppies will require more food than a senior or even an adult to promote healthy growth and development. Once your puppy reaches six months old you will want to start monitoring their food intake and their body weight. If you notice your puppy is starting to gain weight or look a little hefty, you will want to start limiting their food intake. Puppies that are eating constantly but look slim or even slightly underweight may need to be checked by your veterinarian to ensure they are absorbing the nutrients from their kibble.
The amount of food an adult Dachshund consumes will depend strongly on how active they are. A Dachshund that is a performance dog or a working dog will require more calories each day than a Dachshund that leads a more sedentary lifestyle. Overweight Dachshunds are not healthy and can cause severe health problems, therefore, be diligent when feeding your Doxie and avoid any unnecessary snacks or human food.
Senior Dachshunds in theory should not eat as much as a younger adult Dachshund; however, I have had many seniors maintain their caloric intake for several years into their golden years. As your senior Doxie begins to slow down and become less active, you will want to modify the amount of food given. As always speak with your veterinarian regarding any concerns regarding your senior Dachshund’s diet and overall health.
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