A dachshund is a dog that has quite a strict diet requirement. They get sick more often than other dogs do due to their long list of health issues that are based on their breed. Therefore, it can be hard to look for the best dog food for dachshunds.
One tricky matter is choosing a dog food that is ideal for them in terms of calorie content and yet will not break the bank. This is why you may be looking for the best dog food for dachshunds. In this article, we will list down some fast facts on how to find your dog’s ideal food and which brands to choose from.
Best Dog Food for Dachshunds
We researched a lot of different dog food for dachshunds products and selected these 5 products that should be healthy and nutritious for your dog. Check out the pros and cons. If you know what you need get straight to the best dog food for dachshunds.
1. Royal Canin Dachshund Adult Breed Specific Dry
2. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Small Breed Bites
3. Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Recipe
4. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Super Beef Meal Mixers
5. Pedigree Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food
In this list, we have dry food for Dachshunds. Dry food is much easier to handle but to make our dogs happier we often add a bit of wet dog food. You can mix different brands. For example, when I write this we have Pedigree wet food and use it on top of Royal Canine you can see on this list.
After all, dachshunds are dogs that need special care and attention, and they can’t be just fed by anything. They may need a specific amount of calories, fat, and protein, unlike other dogs, since they can be prone to weight problems, joint problems, spinal diseases, constipation, and the like. Therefore, it pays to invest in higher quality food for your dachshund.
Dog Food for Dachshunds Product Reviews
Here are our top picks for the best dog food for dachshunds:
1. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Small Breed Bites
If you ever just want something that is specifically for small breeds, such as dachshunds, this one will do the trick.
It is limited in ingredients so your dog will have less likelihood of having a digestive upset with it. Each bag is at 12 lbs. but you can also order a smaller bag at 4.5 lbs.
It promotes healthy digestion due to the inclusion of fiber blends and it has a kibble texture that’s surely going to be easy to crunch for your canine friend. It can even protect their gums, teeth, and mouth from odors due to the crunchy texture of the kibble.
Since it is free from colors, preservatives, and artificial ingredients, it can be gentle on your dog’s stomach, as it is also grain-free.
A combination of sweet potato and fish, this one can be easy to digest yet packed with just the right amount of protein (from the fish) and carbohydrates (from the sweet potato).
2. Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Recipe
Want another grain-free recipe? We’d like this one since it is a combination of real Texas beef and sweet potato (again, for an easy carbohydrate that most dogs like dachshunds can digest just fine).
Texas beef is a high protein source so if your dachshund is quite the active little fella, this may be a decent staple food for them.
The dog food even has omega-3 and 6 fatty acids so that their coat and skin health can be improved. Their joint and hip problems can also be lessened due to the presence of glucosamine and chondroitin – ingredients that can counteract dog breeds with that problem.
As it is grain-free, it is also free from most fillers, such as wheat, corn, and soy, to ensure your dog only eats easily-digestible food.
Each serving of this dog food for dachshunds can give your dog up to 38% of their daily protein needs, and the beef content is real deboned beef and not by-products at all.
3. Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Super Beef Meal Mixers
Is your dog a picky eater? They may like this one, as it is a meal mixer or a topper that can be mixed with your dog’s staple meal.
The kibble is minimally processed so it doesn’t have any of the added artificial ingredients. It is ideal for all life stages so your dog can enjoy it whether they’re still a pup, an adult, or a senior dog.
You don’t need to do much to serve this food – just scoop it and mix it with your dog’s favorite food and it’s ready to be eaten.
Among the included ingredients in the dog food are organic cranberries, spinach, squash, blueberries, fenugreek seed, pumpkin seed, dried kelp, and the like, so your dog not only gets quality chicken toppers but also gets veggies to boot.
Their chicken is also responsibly-sourced and most of them come from America, New Zealand, and Australia, so you can guarantee that they come from reputable sources.
4. Pedigree Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food for dachshunds
Most of us know that Pedigree is a famous brand of dog food. This one is meant for small dogs and has a combination of chicken, rice, and veggies for a balanced meal for them.
It is free from artificial flavors, corn syrup, or added sugar so that it can be a healthy choice for your dog.
The omega-6 fatty acid and zinc also help to maintain your dog’s coat and skin. All of its ingredients are made in the U.S.A. so they are of high quality. Small breed dogs can find it easy to eat due to the right amount of protein in each mix.
About 1/2 cup a day can be just fine for your small dachshund. If you prefer dog food that’s not too expensive yet can still give the right amount of nutrients for your dog, this brand can be a choice.
5. Royal Canin Dachshund Adult Breed Specific Dry
We chose this pick specifically because it says “Adult Dachshund” on the label, and this means that it is specifically made tailored to what dachshunds really need – bone and joint health, digestive health, and others.
Available in 2 sizes (2.5 lbs. and 10 lbs.), this dog food for dachshunds is designed just right for the delicate body type of the Dachs or the wiener dog.
Your dog’s muscle tone can be supported due to the presence of L-carnitine, keeping them strong and healthy, while the calcium and phosphorus content can maintain their bone and joints since they have a unique shape as compared to other dogs. Any adult dachshund that is 10 months or older can enjoy this dog food.
Coming from a known brand, it can also help reduce their stool smell due to the proteins that are easy to digest – packed with fiber. The fiber content can help with your dog’s digestive upsets and keep their tummy happy at the same time.
Things to Consider Before You Buy
In order to choose the best dog food for dachshunds, here are things you may want to know before you do:
How do I choose the best dog food for dachshunds?
Here are the things you need to look for in quality dachshund dog food:
1. The right amount of protein sources. Protein is a necessary ingredient and nutrient in all dog food because dogs need to be active somehow and it’s in their nature. Therefore, your dachshund should get enough protein from their favorite meats.
For instance, chicken, turkey, lamb, salmon, beef, and even other fish, can be great ingredients to have. Just make sure that you get them from reputable sources (see below) and that they are quality-made in terms of protein content (no meat fillers or by-products included). You should look for the label “x is the first ingredient” to make sure it is quality meat for your dog.
2. Free from grains and fillers. There’s a reason why grains and fillers don’t belong to your dog’s diet – their sensitivity. Dogs were made to be just a bit too sensitive towards grain as compared to humans. Therefore, they shouldn’t take dog food that has too many fillers and grains. Examples of grains that shouldn’t be in their dog food are corn, wheat, and soy.
Look for a grain-free dog food that does not have such fillers so that your dog only gets whole foods and protein sources that are okay for them.
3. Easy but complex carbohydrates. The difference between simple and complex carbohydrates is that they can be digested differently by dogs. Examples of simple carbohydrates are potatoes while complex ones include sweet potatoes. If your dog has a sensitive tummy, we suggest that you go for the carbohydrates that are complex ones because they are easier to digest for dogs.
4. The right amount of fat. Dachshunds benefit best from 5 to 8 grams of fat a day depending on how many activities they go through. As a small breed of dog, they can be more prone to obesity since they have a miniature size as compared to regular dogs.
5. Omega fatty acids. This ingredient or nutrient is present in most fish such as salmon. It is a beneficial nutrient for dogs such as dachshunds because it can help their coat and skin become better and shinier. This would be useful for dogs that are often competing in dog shows and the like.
6. No artificial flavors and the like. The best dog food for dachshunds that does not contain anything artificial can help with your dog’s health overall. This means that they will less likely get coat stains and health problems. Dachshunds are sensitive dogs and are more prone to most health problems so they need food that is of quality ingredients.
7. Comes from reputable sources. Consider dog food that is made in the U.S.A., or at least Australia and New Zealand, where beef and poultry are raised sustainably. It also helps if your meat source is from grass-fed cows and from chickens that are cage-free to make sure that the meat is quality-made and environmentally responsible.
8. Glucosamine and chondroitin. These two nutrients or vitamins are important for dogs that frequently have joint problems. Dachshunds are frequently in trouble due to their joint problems and this is why having dog food that has these two can be helpful for their overall health.
How do I feed dog food for dachshunds?
Just feed them according to instruction and depending on how much they feed every single day. You can mix toppers with your dog food if they are picky eaters, and you can also mix dry and wet food in a single bowl for more dynamics.
Keep in mind that dachshunds have a different calorie requirement: adults need 600 to 900 calories while seniors only need about 470 calories since they don’t move around that much.
Why should I feed dachshunds quality dog food?
Dachshunds can benefit from quality dog food by means of the following:
1. Better weight management. Dachshunds are little dogs that are pretty close to obesity as compared with other dog breeds. However, this is a common cause for any small or miniature breed. Obesity can be prevented if they have a weight management plan, which includes a healthier diet that consists of a portion of meat and veggies all in all. Tip: To allow your dog to move more when outside, get a retractable dog leash, that allows your dog more freedom of movement while you move as much as you usually do.
2. Less likelihood of disk disease. Their spine can have problems since they are a breed usually born with such diseases. You can help lessen the likelihood of spine problems by giving them quality food while they are still young and active (better yet, when they are still puppies).
3. Healthier digestion. Like most dog breeds, dachshunds can be prone to digestive upsets. Therefore, it helps to give them a balanced diet that’s easy to digest without the simple carbs and without the artificial flavorings. It can also benefit them if the dog food is grain-free to prevent tummy aches.
4. Stronger bones and joints. As we mentioned above, dachshunds usually suffer from bone and joint problems, so it is important to choose a dog food that can help with their overall bone health so they can retain their activeness.
Now You Know How to Choose Dog Food for Dachshunds
To wrap it up, our top pick for the best dog food for dachshunds is the Royal Canin Dachshund Adult Breed Specific Dry because it is developed specifically for dachshunds when it comes down to joint problems and muscle health. Also, make sure that your dog has no access to harmful substances if you have a cat.
It can be a staple dog food for any adult dachshund and it is filled with enough calcium and phosphorus, which targets the common problem of this dog breed, which is bone problems. It also has gentle proteins that can be easy to digest with their stomachs.
Our other picks also focused on food that is ideal for small dog breeds and that is not too much on the protein and fat content. After all, dachshunds are unique dogs and they should be treated that way. Their diet should be consistent and gentle at the same time and can fill their tummies with yummy grub.
Check out this post if you need the best dry dog food for huskies and other larger dogs.
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I have to try the Meal Mixers from Stella & Chewy’s, this is the first time I’m hearing about this brand. We need some treats that won’t upset his stomach, we still haven’t found a brand that he likes. The Royal Canin Dachshund food is perfectly formulated for picky eaters. We use supplements for joints and some probiotics as per her vet’s advice and that’s pretty much it.
Sam loves the combo of sweet potato and beef from Merrick. He’s been eating it for a few months and can’t get enough of it from what I can tell. And his fur is looking better than ever.