When determining how much to feed a Dachshund, it’s important to consider their small size, high metabolism, and elongated body shape. So, how much should they eat?
Usually, Dachshund puppies need ¾ to 2 ¼ cups of puppy food per day to support their growing needs. Meanwhile, adults need 1 ¼ to 2 cups daily. Lastly, senior Dachshunds only need 1 to 1 ¾ cups of food every day to complement their slowing bodily functions and reduced activities.
In this Dachshund feeding guide, you will learn about proper food portions, feeding schedules, and more. Stick around to learn more!
What Factors Impact How Much to Feed a Dachshund?
There are many factors that may affect your dog’s optimal food intake. Some of the most notable ones are weight, daily activities, age, and health status.
Listed below are the factors that could impact how much you should feed your Dachshund:
- Weight: The body weight of a Dachshund will significantly impact the amount of food this dog breed needs. If your Dachshund is underweight, you must let them eat more to gain weight. Meanwhile, if your dog is obese, you may need to practice weight control by reducing the number of cups you give.
- Daily activities: How much dog food Dachshunds eat should be proportional to their energy consumption. If your Dachshund has a sedentary lifestyle, you should lessen the amount of canned food or dry food that you give.
- Health condition: Depending on your dog’s health, the amount of food you give may vary greatly. For instance, do not feed your Dachshund protein-rich dog foods if your puppy has kidney problems. You should not also give dog food with more calories if your pooch has excess weight. Consult a vet to know how to feed your Dachshund if it is experiencing health issues.
- Reproductive status: The nutritional demands of a pregnant or nursing female Dachshund may differ from those that are not. Furthermore, the nutritional needs of a dog also change after undergoing spaying or neutering. In general, spayed or neutered dogs eat less than intact ones.
These are some of the factors that affect how much to feed a Dachshund. It is essential to keep these factors in mind when preparing a balanced diet for your dog.
How Much to Feed Your Dachshund?
In determining how much to feed a Dachshund, it is essential to consider what size your Dachshund is. For starters, there is the standard Dachshund and the miniature Dachshund.
A mini Dachshund weighs around 11 pounds when fully grown, while standard Dachshunds weigh between 16 and 32 pounds.
In the following feeding guidelines, we will mainly focus on how much to feed a standard Dachshund. You may need to adjust the suggested number of cups if you have miniature Dachshunds.
Dachshund Puppy Feeding Chart (2 to 12 months)
A Dachshund puppy will wean from its mother’s milk and start eating solid food in its eighth or twelfth week. Always ask your vet if you are still deciding what to let your Dachshund puppy eat.
Meanwhile, the transition to puppy dog foods must be strictly supervised to ensure balanced canine nutrition and prevent gastrointestinal problems.
Here’s a handy chart to help you figure out how much food to give your Dachshund puppy:
| Age | Daily Feeding Amount (Cups) | Caloric Intake (Per day) |
| 2 – 3 months | ¾ – 1 ¾ | 388 – 795 |
| 4 – 5 months | ¾ – 1 ¾ | 368 – 732 |
| 6 – 7 months | 1 – 2 | 499 – 917 |
| 8 – 9 months | 1 ¼ – 2 ¼ | 590 – 992 |
| 10 – 12 months | 1 ¼ – 2 ¼ | 590 – 1,041 |
Like other smaller dogs, a Dachshund puppy has a faster metabolic rate, so it’s best to feed your Dachshund small amounts of food frequently. Adding fats like omega-3 fatty acids is also good for skin and joint health.
According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), puppies need a minimum of 8% fat and 22% protein in their diet. This can be achieved by giving your dog a high-quality diet.
Aside from a well-balanced meal plan, providing constant access to fresh water is also essential to keep your Dachshund healthy.
Adult Dachshund Feeding Chart (1 to 6 years)
As your Dachshund approaches the one-year mark, your pooch will generally have reached full physical maturity.
This shift from puppyhood to adulthood will also change your dog’s nutritional needs. This will involve transitioning from puppy dog food to adult dog food.
To ensure that your adult Dachshund eats the appropriate amount of adult food, use the adult Dachshund feeding chart below:
| Age | Daily Feeding Amount (Cups) | Caloric Intake (Per day) |
| 1 – 6 years | 1 ¼ – 2 | 495 – 833 |
Providing your furry friends with a nutritious diet will make them stay healthy. One key aspect of a healthy diet is maintaining an appropriate ratio of proteins and fats.
Proteins are essential for developing healthy muscle, while fats provide a readily available energy source that is easily digested. Aside from dog food, a raw diet may also be a good source of proteins and fats.
Senior Dachshund Feeding Chart (7 years and above)
As Dachshunds age, they typically become less active and require fewer calories, so giving them the same food as when they were younger is not a good idea.
For senior Dachshunds, providing high-protein meals low in carbohydrates is crucial. This can help prevent muscle loss and avoid putting excess strain on their digestive system.
The following chart shows how much food must be given to a senior Dachshund on a daily basis:
| Age | Daily Feeding Amount (Cups) | Caloric Intake (Per day) |
| 7 years and above | 1 ¾ | 666 |
By choosing a high-quality dog food formulated for senior dogs and monitoring their portion sizes carefully, you can help ensure that your Dachshund remains healthy and happy throughout their golden years.
We used to own a senior Dachshund named Wish. As her appetite became weaker over age, we strategized to combine her usual brand of dog food with wet food or with chicken broth.
This softened the consistency of her food, making it more palatable for her, and this also allowed Wish to finish the food that was served to her consistently.
How Often Should You Feed Your Dachshund
During the first 12 weeks of life, Dachshund puppies should be fed three to four meals daily unless it is still nursing from their mother. From 3 to 12 months of age, they can be fed three times daily. Meanwhile, adult dogs can eat two meals per day, whereas senior Dachshunds can have one to two.
Like many dogs, Dachshunds have a hearty appetite and can overeat if left unattended. Establishing the appropriate feeding schedule is crucial to prevent overfeeding or underfeeding.
The following table provides a summary of the recommended feeding frequency for Dachshunds according to their age:
| Age | Feeding Frequency |
| 0 – 12 weeks | Three to four times a day |
| 13 weeks – 12 months | Three times a day |
| 1 – 6 years | Twice a day |
| 7 years and above | Once or twice a day |
Establishing the right feeding frequency is essential for Dachshunds to maintain consistent energy levels and regulate their bowel movements. This can also help in maintaining their ideal weight easily.
How to Transition Your Dachshund to a New Food
Transitioning your Dachshund from any dog food to a new diet can be challenging, but luckily, they are generally not picky. They are usually eager to try new foods, which makes the transition much easier.
When introducing a new wet or dry dog food, it’s essential to do it gradually to avoid irritating your dog’s digestive system. Transitioning can take weeks or months.
Refer to the table below for a comprehensive guide on how to switch your Dachshund’s diet:
| Day | Old Food | New Food |
| 1 – 2 | 75% | 25% |
| 3 – 4 | 50% | 50% |
| 5 – 6 | 25% | 75% |
| 7 | 0% | 100% |
Monitor your Dachshund’s behavior during the food transition. The new diet works well for them if they exhibit positive signs such as good health, energy, and happiness.
If your dog has vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or gastrointestinal pain, make the transition slower. But if the symptoms persist, seek advice from a veterinarian.
Tips on Feeding an Overweight Dachshund
If your Dachshund’s waist sags, has a swinging tummy, and can no longer feel its ribs, they may be experiencing unnecessary weight gain.
Here are some suggestions for feeding an overweight Dachshund:
- Monitor your dog’s calorie intake closely. You may use the Dachshund feeding chart provided as a guide to know how many cups you should give and slowly lessen your dog’s weight.
- Limit treats. While it may be tempting to use treats as positive reinforcement, excessive treats can increase your pet’s calorie intake. Give a few treats to your Dachshund sparingly, and consider substituting healthy, natural treats like fruits and vegetables. This could also help in improving your pet’s physical health.
- Stick to a feeding schedule. Regular feeding can help your Dachshund develop a routine and prevent unhealthy binge eating. Try to work around your schedule when feeding your dog to make it more manageable for both of you.
Having the chance to take care of a mini Dachshund myself, I would have to say that it is easy for these dogs to gain additional weight.
This is because they are not just habitual food beggars; if uncontrolled, they will eat what you put on their bowls, regardless of schedule.
Hence, by steering away from table scraps, providing the correct amount of food, ensuring enough exercise, and being committed to caring for your Dachshund, you can help them get back in shape quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know If I’m Feeding My Dachshund Enough?
To ensure that you are feeding your Dachshund enough, you should pay attention to your dog’s body condition. You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs without seeing them and have a visible waistline behind their ribs.
If your dog is overweight, you should reduce their wet or dry dog food intake and monitor their current weight. However, if your dog is underweight, you should increase their dry food intake gradually to encourage weight gain.
Why Is My Dachshund Not Eating?
There are times when your Dachshund will simply not eat. This is especially if your dog is experiencing severe symptoms like pain, vomiting, or discomfort.
However, if your dog does not have these symptoms, you may try changing their routine as they might be bored with their regular food.
Can I Feed My Dachshund With Human Food?
While it is possible to feed your Dachshund human food, not all human foods are safe for dogs, especially table scraps. Hence, before giving human foods to your dog, look up whether it contains toxic ingredients or not.
It is generally recommended to stick to a balanced and complete diet of commercial dog food. Human food should only be given as an occasional treat and in small amounts to prevent any negative health effects.
Do Dachshunds Eat a Lot?
Dachshunds tend to have a larger appetite compared to other smaller dogs. They have a tendency to overeat even when they are full, which puts them at risk of gaining unhealthy weight.
To prevent this, you must monitor their food intake, avoid free feeding, and consider using slow-feeder bowls to prevent them from eating too quickly and exceeding their recommended weight.
Can Dachshunds Eat Bones?
Owners of all dog breeds may be concerned about feeding their dogs bones. However, the American Kennel Club (AKC) suggests that bones may be given, but with caution and careful supervision.
If you choose to feed your dog bones occasionally, make sure they are raw, and closely monitor your dog while they eat to prevent choking.
Hopefully, you have learned valuable tips from this feeding guide. Share with us your experiences in Dachshund feeding in the comment section below!
