The Best Dog Food for Dachshunds Rated and Reviewed. Make an Informed Choice!
Consuming diverse, nutrition-rich food is one of the most important aspects of your Dachshund’s diet. Your dog needs a balanced diet from high-quality food which contains important ingredients needed for a healthy life. In this article, we’ll take you through the best dog food for your Dachshund. If you are wondering how to improve the quality of your dog’s diet and life in general, then read on!
But first, let’s get to the best dog foods available for your Dachshund
Here’s Our Top Best Dog Food for Dachshunds
Health Problems That Dachshunds Face
In general, a variety of dog health problems can be caused by their physical build and their breed. Boxers and Bulldogs tend to have difficulties with their respiratory systems, Rottweilers tend to have problems with hips and Dachshunds usually have problems with their spine, joints, and bones. Most of these problems are generally unavoidable because they are genetic, but that doesn’t mean that they cannot be treated in order to improve the life quality of your Dachshund.
What you feed your Dachshund can greatly impact its complete health, although it’s important to keep in mind that it won’t necessarily solve all of its health problems. It will certainly help in weakening the symptoms of any potential health problems though.
Due to their unique body type and build, Dachshunds can develop Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) which is the affliction of the spinal column. Don’t get overly paranoid just yet though, only a quarter of all Dachshunds actually go on to develop this health problem. This medical condition will only get worse if you don’t control your dog’s diet. If your Dachshund puts on extra weight, his condition will get worse and it usually leads to even more health problems. If your Dachshund suffers from IVDD, you can help your dog by giving him food rich with proteins.
Another thing you should watch out for is potential joint and bone problems that the breed tends to develop. Most people think that joint problems only affect large dog breeds because of their size and weight, but that is not always the case. Dachshunds are also prone to joint problems because of their small legs and long body. In addition to that, they can also have brittle bones. To keep their joints and bones in the best shape possible, you need to provide them with food that is rich in glucosamine and calcium and these can be found in leafy greens, fish and legumes.
General Nutritional Guidelines for Dachshunds
Every Dachshund requires different daily calorie intake and it’s important to make sure that you are not overfeeding your dog. Adult Dachshunds which weigh around 30 pounds should consume little less than 1000 calories a day. If you have an adult miniature Dachshund which weighs around 10 pounds, it should consume around 400 calories a day. If your dog is neutered or spayed, you should feed him even fewer calories. Keep in mind that the daily intake of calories depends on the individual metabolism and level of activity of every dog.
Young Dachshunds and puppies require more food than the adults. A young Dachshund will require 1000 calories a day, which is slightly more than an adult one. Keep in mind that a growing puppy requires more food anyway, regardless of its breed. You need to make sure that you provide your dog with the best food which contains high-quality proteins. The AAFCO recommends at least 18 percent protein intake for adult Dachshunds and 22 percent intake for puppies that are still in the growing phase.
When buying dog foods for your Dachshund, make sure that you buy food which contains between 5 and 8 percent of fat. Fat is a great source of energy for your dog, and it adds a distinctive flavor to the food which makes it more appealing to your Dachshund. Another thing fat has to offer to your dog are fatty acids like omega 6 and omega 3 which can do wonders for your dog’s brain, skin, heart, and coat.
Nutritional Concerns
As mentioned, if you don’t control the diet of your Dachshund, there can be a huge risk that your dog will end up obese. Obesity in turn creates a series of other serious health problems for your dog. Since the Dachshund has a rather unique physical build, all that extra weight tends to end up in their belly. That weight can go on to create huge problems for their spine, legs, bones, joints and it may even lead to a heart attack or a stroke.
Keep in mind that you don’t need to feed your Dachshund weight control formulas or with reduced calorie foods if he is not overweight. That kind of specific diet is reserved for dogs that already have existing weight problems, so if your Dachshund is in good shape, you won’t need to feed it those kinds of food.
Even though fat in dog foods is quite yummy for your Dachshund, you need to watch how much fat-rich food your dog is consuming. There are 9 calories in a 1 gram of fat, and there are 4 calories in one gram of carbohydrate or protein, so try to lean more towards carbohydrates or proteins.
Keep in mind that Dachshunds have a relatively quick metabolism which requires them to eat more often, especially if they are active throughout the day and burning energy. All in all, it isn’t that hard to feed your Dachshund well. Just make sure that he gets enough exercise throughout the day and control how much fat he consumes. If you’re still finding it difficult, read this post about the best dog food for pups with sensitive stomachs.
ORIJEN High-Protein, Grain-Free, Premium Quality Meat, Dry Dog Food
Orijen Adult pet food was voted Pet Food of the Year for the past 3 years in a row. This is mostly because of the quality ingredients and ratio since it contains 20% fruit and vegetables and 80% meat. Their range is entirely natural with no grains.
Features & Benefits
The first thing you will notice on your dog is an improvement in its coat. Your dog’s coat will become much healthier and shinier, something you will easily feel every time you pet it. Its ingredients are also meant to help cleanse your dog’s system of toxins while strengthening its internal organs.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dog Food
This food is perfect for small dogs. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dry Adult Dog Food is highly rich in carbohydrates and proteins which are much needed for active dogs. This food is created with real lamb, fish or chicken as the first ingredient. It also contains vegetables, fruit and wholesome grains, which is good if your Dachshund has a sensitive digestion.
Features & Benefits
All natural ingredients, lamb, fish, chicken, full of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fruits and vegetables and various other ingredients, this food is great for all small dogs. Its formula can help prevent allergies and diseases your dog might experience. This food is also great for older dogs since many dog owners say that this food helps their dogs with mobility. If you have an older Dachshund, then I highly recommend this food.
Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food Small Breed
All-natural food made out premium ingredients, you won’t find soy, corn, wheat, artificial colors, preservatives, flavors and meat by-products. It is also completely grain free and is created specifically for small pet breeds. Rich with proteins such as chicken and turkey, this brand is a good source of energy for your small Dachshund.
Features & Benefits
This dry food is made with the optimum calorie levels which are great for high energy needs of most small dog breeds. You will notice changes in your dog’s health and energy levels once you introduce it to this food full of essential vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, probiotics, prebiotics and fibers. Also packed with vitamins and minerals, high-quality carbohydrates and proteins, this dry food contains everything your dog needs for a balanced, quality diet.
Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Natural Puppy Small Breed Dry Dog Food
This food is created especially for puppies which means that it is rich in protein and carbohydrates that are much needed for the healthy growth of a puppy. Created to be completely grain free, some small breed puppies thrive really well on this brand because they just don’t react well to food that contain grains. Every ingredient is chosen by an experienced animal nutritionist so you can be sure that your puppy is consuming a high quality diet.
Features & Benefits
This dry puppy food is completely free of grains and gluten which are known to trigger allergic reactions in some dogs. This food does not contain chicken by-product, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. There is only one thing you should watch out for; if your puppy has a problem with digesting fibers, this food might not be that good of a choice for it.
Royal Canin Dachshund Adult Breed Specific Dry
Since Dachshunds often have problems with their weight, this diet can help your dog. Royal Canin Dachshund Food is perfect for healthy weight management. Special kibbles help your dog by limiting tartar formation and reducing dental plaque. If your Dachshund is picky when it comes to dry food, give this one a try as many Dachshund owners have spoken positively of how their dog loves its taste.
Features & Benefits
This dry dog food is made exclusively for the Dachshund breed which means that your dog will get all the needed ingredients such as vitamins and minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and fat. Also, the ingredients that go into it have been chosen to help prevent some of the health problems common to Dachshunds.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Gastrointestinal High Energy Dry Dog Food
This food is rich in phosphorus, calcium and fat, all of which are needed for the healthy growth of your dog. These ingredients are help to support the fast metabolism of your Dachshund and support its intestinal microflora. If your puppy has problems with chewing dry food, you can simply soak the kibbles in warm water.
Features & Benefits
Since this food is designed specifically for puppies and adult dogs with sensitive digestion, you can rest easy knowing that your dog is consuming an easily digestible formula. Created to sustain your Dachshund’s energy through the day, this pet food brand is well loved for its well balanced formula.
Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food
This is another great dog food which has a lot to offer to your Dachshund. Choose from several variants which contain buffalo, duck, lamb, chicken, salmon, turkey, Texas beef, rabbit and venison. It contains 30% fresh vegetables and fruit and 70% meat proteins. Also, Merrick Chick Potato Recipe is completely grain-free and it is highly rich in Chondroitin, Omega 3 Glucosamine and Omega 3.
Features & Benefits
An award winning brand, this dog food contains deboned high-quality meat, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables such as peas, blueberries and sweet potatoes that will help your dog grow up healthy by reducing the risks of medical problems. Merrick Chick Potato Recipe is an all-American dog food and it does not contain soy, gluten and wheat.
Pedigree Complete Nutrition Adult Dry Dog Food
Pedigree is a real household name when it comes to dog foods. Pedigree Complete Nutrition contains vegetables, rice and roasted chicken and boasts entirely balanced nutrition levels. It is rich in Omega 6 which helps the skin and coat of your dog by keeping it healthy and shiny. In addition to all that, this dry dog food contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals which will provide complete health to your active Dachshund.
Features & Benefits
Pedigree Complete Nutrition is also made in America by combining the best ingredients available. Featuring whole grains and special fiber blends, this dry food is energy-rich and support your dog’s digestion.
To conclude
Choosing the best food for your Dachshund can be challenging since there are so many options in the market. Our best food choice for Dachshunds would be the Royal Canin Dachshund Dog Food because it is designed and created especially for the Dachshund breed. This food will keep your dog healthy, help strengthen its immune system and provide it with plenty of energy for various activities.