Dachshunds are a lively breed with a “spunky” personality. In the late 19th century, the dog was bred to literally dig badgers out of their sets, therefore, giving the name – Dachshund – which means “badger dog” in German.
Mostly known for their long and low bodies, they have a very keen sense of smell. According to American Kennel Club, they rank 12 in the most popular of dog breeds. As they are a moderately active breed, they tend to get bored very easily.
One of the main problems Dachshunds owners face is when choosing the most suitable dog foods for their Dachshunds. We here at FeedFond have done all the research needed and following this guide will make sure that your furry friend gets balanced nutrition to maintain his active lifestyle.
The Best Dog Food for Dachshunds in 2023
There are many dog foods currently available on the market, but not all of them meet the standards. You may get conned into buying a well-packed product that contains mostly fillers, low protein content, and chemicals to make the food tasty.
We here at FeedFond have researched for you so that you buy the best food for your Dachshund – puppy, adult, or senior. These products are verified and meet the FDA Pet Food Standards to ensure a balanced and nutritious diet for your dog.
Dachshunds Puppy Foods:
#1 Hill’s Science Diet
The biggest advantage of Hill’s Science is that all of its products are clinically tested. The formula is made with high-quality proteins and without the use of any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. In addition, they balance the diet with DHA, vitamins, and essential amino acids. They also have a 100% refund policy if your puppy doesn’t like the kibble.
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#2 Blue Buffalo Life Protection
For Dachshunds who have sensitive stomachs, it’s an excellent choice as there are no corn, wheat, or soy in their formula. They used oats, sweet potatoes, and whole barley which carries plenty of fiber added with mixed veggies, berries, fruits, and essential vitamins.
Their entire line of feed is free of any artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and their patented LifeSource Bits® ensure optimal antioxidants and nutrition.
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Read more : Healthy Food Items for Dogs: A Guide to Regular and Occasional Meals
Best Dachshunds Adult Foods:
#3 Nutro Ultra Adult
When your dog is over a year or so old, a change is needed in their diet. So you need to change into dog food that is specially formulated for small-breed adults. NUTRO ULTRA Adult Dry Dog Food For Small Breeds is our first choice as their recipe is boosted with proteins and fat that support the high metabolism of Dachshunds and their special nutritional needs.
As a top-quality feed, Nutro Ultra uses chicken, lamb, and salmon as their source of proteins. Alongside, they add coconut, chia, and kale into the mix which will fulfill your pet’s nutritional needs.
Nutro Ultra has a very reasonable price tag and the kibble doesn’t contain any fillers or artificial flavors. If you are concerned about any potential health or environmental issues, then be assured that it doesn’t contain any GMOs.
#4 Wellness Simple Natural Limited Ingredient
It’s a great choice for dogs who suffer from allergies and intolerances. This recipe is free from any gluten, corn, dairy, eggs, and wheat. But it keeps the complex carbohydrates so that your dog stays in top condition. The kibble is very easy to digest and without fillers and additives.
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Best Dachshunds Senior Foods:
#5 Wellness Complete Health Natural
Wellness uses deboned turkey as its primary source of protein. They ensure that their kibbles are free of any soy, corn, wheat, or any meat by-products. This makes Wellness kibbles nutrient-rich and filler free.
The added glucosamine and chondroitin are added in the senior formula to provide the joint support for your dog. Besides, the taste of this kibble is fantastic!
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#6 Eukanuba Senior
Eukanuba’s tagline promotes – Healthier Longer Lives – and their “Small Breed Senior Dry Food” formula is made for senior Dachshunds. A special mix of high-quality ingredients and essential nutrients is blended together to create the perfect mix for your senior dog.
It’s rich in prebiotics and fiber making it easy to digest and ensuring maximum nutrient absorption. The boost in antioxidants and omega 3 & 6 strengthens the immune system and promotes healthy skin and coat. Plenty of glucosamine and chondroitin is added to provide joint support for your aging dog.
Eukanuba kibbles are crunchy and chewing on them will be excellent for your gums and teeth. It’s also delicious and a great meal for your dog with a very reasonable price tag!
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Choosing the right Food for Your Dachshunds:
Dachshunds are a small dog breed: It’s essential that you look for food suited for Dachshunds. They need more fat and proteins than that of an average large dog breed. Small breed formulas are designed to deliver more energy in a dense form. In addition, the risk of hypoglycemia in small dog breeds is great as they have high metabolism with low-fat reserves to draw energy from.
Different Nutritional Needs:
From a puppy to a senior, each dog has different nutritional needs as they grow up. Typically a puppy needs a lot more nutrients and energy, but the requirements change as they start to grow up.
Calorie Requirements:
When calculating pound for pound, a Dachshund will need more calories than a large breed dog. This is because of their high metabolism. This is an important factor to remember while choosing the food for your little buddy.
Dachshunds are prone to Intervertebral Disc Disease:
It’s an injury to the spine and neck commonly known as IVDD. This can happen when the dog is obese as any kind of activity on an overweight dog will cause such injury. That is why keeping Dachshund’s weight at an optimum level is very important.
Food Brands Should Meet Minimum Required Standard by AAFCO:
Make sure that whatever brand you buy is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, and has the label “Complete and Balanced”. This ensures that the kibble that you buy has met the minimum required standard for a dog to consume. Outside of the USA, other regulatory bodies maintain the standard.
Kibble Size Should be Small:
It’s best to get small-sized kibble for dogs like Dachshunds, they will have difficulties fitting in the large-sized kibble in their small mouths. It’s also best to measure according to the caloric needs of your dog depending on the level of activeness. Also, break down the meal into 3 or more parts during the day.
Prone To Allergies, Stomach Issues, and other diseases:
Dogs present a variety of allergies, it's something dog owners need to worry about. Besides allergies, they have skin problems, sensitive stomachs, vomiting, and or diarrhea due to food intolerance. Selecting the correct food for such cases is very important. It is best if you can consult with your vet to know what suits your dog best.
We hope that this guide will help you to get the dog food that’s best for your Dachshund in every way.
Also, please remember to share your experience with any of the above foods or your dog-food recommendations so that other readers may get benefited from them.