Best Dog Food For Dachshunds: Learn About Nutritionally Balanced Diet

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Best Dog Food For Dachshunds (The Top 5 Choices for 2018)

There’s no getting around the fact Dachshunds are irresistibly cute. Whether it is a miniature Dachshund or a full grown adult, their stubby little legs and long bodies combined with their fun and friendly personalities give them an undeniable charm. Affectionately called “wiener dogs,” they come in three different sizes: miniature, standard, and kaninchen or “rabbit.”

These slinkies on legs while very clever and quick to please can be incredibly stubborn and a little difficult around children. From being a Dachshund puppy to full adult, they often forget they’re only around 9 inches tall and will take on any ‘suspicious’ dog with the ferociousness of a lion. In general, though, they make excellent lifelong companions.

When it comes to their diet, the Dachshund’s extreme body type can be somewhat of a challenge; however, we’ve identified the best pet foods that will keep your wiener well-fed and healthy. We’ve even included the best high-quality dog food for overweight Dachshunds.

At a Glance: Our Choices of the Best Dog Food for Dachshunds

• Blue Buffalo Freedom Small-Breed Puppy Chicken Recipe
• Wellness TruFood Small Breed Chicken & Chicken Liver
• Iams ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks Dry Dog Food
• Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low-Calorie Formula
• Royal Canin Dachshund Breed Health Nutrition Adult Formula

DOG FOOD	DETAILS	OUR RATING
​Blue Buffalo Freedom Small-Breed Puppy Chicken Recipe	High quality dog food grain free and no gluten Protein source is turkey and chicken, carbohydrates are from tapioca and green peas The unique formula promotes muscle growth and supports a fast working metabolism Complete nutrition with a healthy oxidative balance
​Wellness TruFood Small Breed Chicken & Chicken Liver​​​​​	Formulated to meet the needs of a dachshund’s high metabolism The food is slow baked so that the raw ingredients retain their nutritional value Well balanced dog food with fiber-rich peas, chicken liver, fruits and vegetables
​Iams ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks Dry Dog Food	Perfectly sized and shaped for a Dachshund’s mouth The natural probiotics and fiber maximize digestion Fatty acids from fish oils ensure a healthy coat and skin No artificial dyes, preservatives and no fillers
​Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low-Calorie Formula	Excellent dog food for overweight Dachshunds The low-calorie formula assists with weight control Pearled barley maintains healthy glucose levels
​Royal Canin Dachshund Breed Health Nutrition Adult Formula	An excellent choice for active, healthy Dachshunds Premium ingredients from a reputable company The right balance of calories, fatty acids, proteins and nutrients The formula includes calcium, chondroitin, glucosamine and phosphorus for healthy bones and to alleviate joint stress

Dachshunds are known for their rather weird body shape and, unfortunately, all the complicated health issues that come with it. Some of these problems are genetic and unavoidable but a healthy diet at mealtime with all the right nutrients will go a long (sorry, couldn’t resist) way to keep your pup happy and healthy.

They require a constant flow of energy throughout the day because of their fast metabolisms, but without too many calories. This particular breed is prone to food allergies and obesity, which is the worst possible thing for his little legs and elongated spine.

The best way to make sure his nutritional requirements are met is to find a toy or small-breed feeding formula. Our best pet food choices include something for every wiener dog regardless of age and weight.

1. Blue Buffalo Freedom Small-Breed Puppy Chicken Recipe

One of our kibble choices is Blue Buffalo for Dachshunds because it’s a high-quality food that’s grain-free with zero gluten. For digestible carbohydrates, the recipe uses tapioca and green peas while the high-protein content source is from turkey and chicken. The formula also helps promote muscle growth and supports his fast-working metabolism.

Blue Buffalo Freedom Small-Breed Puppy food contains loads of fatty acids for healthy brain and eye development and keeps puppies’ coat in tip-top condition. The range is made with LifeSource bits which consist of a special blend of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins for complete nutrition and a healthy oxidative balance. More importantly, those loving puppies won’t be able to resist the delicious, natural meat-rich flavor.

2. Wellness TruFood Small Breed Chicken & Chicken Liver  

Because of their high metabolism, you want a food that meets Dachshunds’ high-energy needs, and Wellness TruFood with Chicken and Chicken Liver does just that.

It’s made with a blend of chicken, fiber-rich peas and chicken liver, as well as fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants.

TheWellness TruFood Baked Blends are unique in that the kibble is slow-baked in such a way the raw ingredients keep more of their nutritional value. This means it’s a more natural product and a healthier option for your pet.

3. Iams ProActive Health Adult MiniChunks Dry Dog Food

The mini chunks from Iams are packed with all the things your dachshund needs to stay healthy, plus they’re a good size and shape for her tiny mouth. The natural probiotics and wholesome fiber maximize digestion and ensure all the essential nutrients are absorbed while the high-quality chicken maintains energy levels.

Fatty acids from the fish oils ensure a healthy coat and L-carnitine burns fat and retain a healthy metabolism. There is no soy, artificial dyes or preservatives and no fillers, which makes Iams a very popular choice for dogs with such specific dietary needs.

4. Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low-Calorie Formula

The best dog food for overweight dachshunds is without a doubt Natural Balance Fat Dogs Low-Calorie formula. Unfortunately, Dachshunds put on weight easily, which can lead to countless health issues.

This is why it’s better to keep their weight consistent from the beginning to prevent any associated problems arising from obesity. Extra weight puts unnecessary pressure on his back and joints and can lead to an early onset of disc disease and arthritis.

If you have a chubby canine on your hands you can reduce the amount of food, but when it comes to a Dachshund, his fast metabolism will leave him hungry and begging. A better option is to introduce a low-calorie formula like Natural Balance Fat Dogs, which is better for weight control. Also, the pearled barley used in the recipe will help maintain glucose levels.

5. Royal Canin Dachshund Breed Health Nutrition Adult Formula

If your pup has a normal body weight, is in good health and active then Royal Canin Dachshund Breed Health Nutrition for adults is a great choice. Royal Canin has an impeccable track record with a commitment to using premium ingredients and they believe in delivering foods that are safe and of the highest quality.

The formula has the right balance of calories, protein, fatty acids, and nutrients for a healthy and happy adult Dachshund. It also provides the right amounts of chondroitin, calcium, phosphorous and glucosamine to keep your dog’s bones health and alleviate joint stress.

Conclusion

Keeping your Dachshund happy and healthy as a small-breed dog means you need to be aware of his fast-working metabolism, propensity to put on weight, and the various health issues they might face. A diet that’s rich in animal protein like chicken is good, as is a formula that’s grain and gluten-free.

If you’re unsure of the best high-quality dog foods for your fur baby, we recommend the above-mentioned products as a starting point as they contain essential omega fatty acids, high-quality protein, and plenty of vitamins and minerals. However, it’s essential you follow the feeding instructions to prevent over or under-feeding him. We also suggest dividing his meals into three smaller portions in the day to maintain healthy glucose levels. If you are unsure, you should visit your local vet for more advice.

Top Picks For Our Dogs

1. BEST PUPPY TOY
   We Like: Calmeroos Puppy Toy w/ Heartbeat and Heat Packs - Perfect for new puppies. Helps ease anxiety in their new home.
2. BEST DOG CHEW
   We Like: Bones & Chews Bully Sticks - All of our puppies love to bite, nip, and chew. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors.
3. BEST DOG TREATS
   We Like: Crazy Dog Train Me Treats - One of our favorite treats for training our service dog puppies.
4. BEST FRESH DOG FOOD
   We Like: The Farmer's Dog - A couple months ago we started feeding Raven fresh dog food and she loves it! Get 50% off your first order of The Farmer's Dog.

For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining.com blog.