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In this guide we’ll take a look at the best dog food for Dachshunds.
We’ve compared the quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money.
Our top recommended Dachshund dog food is Wellness Simple LID Grain-Free Adult.
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Dachshunds are charming little dogs and make excellent companions. It’s only natural to want to make sure you are doing your best for them. Diet is a big part of this, and there are some key things to look out for when choosing a food for them. Dachshunds are known to suffer from joint and back issues due to their conformation, so a diet that helps support them is important. These little dogs are also prone to dental disease, so food that helps to tackle this is useful as well. Let’s look at some key things when choosing the best diet for your dachshund.
Ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin can be found in diets that are specially formulated for joint health. These antioxidants are derived from green-lipped muscles and can help maintain healthy cartilage. Alternatively, you could give supplements in tablet form but having them pre-mixed into the diet saves you from having to remember.
A diet that has balanced levels of calcium and phosphorus is important as it will ensure these nutrients are working together appropriately. This is particularly important for young dachshunds, who have growing bones and joints.
Kibble with a specially formulated shape to help with tartar control, or calcium chelators, can help with your dog’s dental hygiene. Diet doesn’t replace the need for teeth brushing but it can be helpful alongside.
Excess weight can put a strain on joints which is a problem for dachshunds who are prone to spinal issues. Look for foods for your adult dog that have a low-fat content of 10% and compare the calories per cup between different diets.
All of our dog food suggestions are carefully selected by professionals. We extensively research the products to check if they’ve been approved by governing bodies before making recommendations. You can read more about our stringent review standards here. And remember, always consult your veterinarian first, before changing your dog’s food.
A diet that is excellent for Dachshunds with skin or stomach sensitivities, Wellness Simple LID Grain-Free Adult packs the powerhouse punch of nutrition families are looking for in a food for their dogs. This diet’s first ingredient is whole deboned turkey which is reinforced with the addition of turkey meal to ensure ample amounts of protein to promote optimal health.
Wellness Simple LID Grain-Free Adult, a food that is commonly featured on the list of best dog foods for Dachshunds, is free from grains, wheat, and gluten. This food formulation includes both prebiotics, probiotics, and flaxseed to encourage excellent digestion.
Holistic Select Adult Health Small Breed earns high marks for its well-balanced formulation that hits all the points necessary to ensure optimal nutrition for Dachshunds. A diet that is high in fish-based proteins, this food formulation is rich in all of the healthy fats Dachshunds need including omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and DHA.
Holistic Select contains both easily digestible grains and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, making this food easier for Dachshunds to process and utilize effectively.
With its emphasis on easily digestible ingredients and high-quality nutrition, it is not difficult to see why Holistic Select is considered to be one of the best dog foods for Dachshunds.
FirstMate Small Bites LID Dog Food is the ideal diet for helping Dachshunds to achieve and maintain optimal health. The pieces of kibble contained in this food are small, making them well-suited to small breeds like the Dachshund. This food contains a single protein source with herring as its primary ingredient, a meat that is rich in DHA and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
A diet that is free from grains, FirstMate includes high fiber fruits and vegetables in its recipe to provide carbohydrates that are easy to digest. This formulation, acknowledged as one of the best Dachshund dog foods, is free from wheat and corn and is well suited to dog breeds that suffer from allergies or sensitive stomachs.
Nulo FreeStyle Grain-Free Small Breed is an excellent quality food that families can feel good about feeding their Dachshunds. A formulation designed specifically with small breeds in mind, this food contains the ideal amount of protein from excellent sources to meet the high metabolic needs of dogs of this size.
Nulo’s carbohydrates comprise a smaller portion of this diet and are derived from easily digestible, high fibre sources. The pieces of kibble are bite-sized, making them easy for Dachshunds to chew and swallow without fear of choking.
One of the best foods for Dachshunds and other small breeds, you can’t go wrong feeding Nulo FreeStyle to your best canine pal.
Whole Earth Farms Small Breed is a food that Dachshunds love. A diet that is easy to digest and that dogs find exceptionally tasty, this food’s primary proteins are found in salmon and whitefish to support the Dachshund’s active lifestyle.
This high-quality food, rated among the best dog foods for Dachshunds by breeders and owners alike, is manufactured without the addition of corn, wheat, soy, by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
The Dachshund is a confident little dog with an intense sense of smell that makes it well suited to its role as a hunting dog. A breed that can be predisposed to back issues such as intervertebral disc disease, it is vitally important for the Dachshund to maintain a proper body condition.
Dachshunds can be prone to obesity, meaning free-feeding is strongly discouraged for this breed. Dachshunds enjoy eating but can have sensitive stomachs. Since this breed loves to eat, the best dog food for Dachshunds should be carefully measured and all intake monitored to ensure a healthy body weight.
Dachshunds come in several coat types as well as two different sizes: the miniature and the standard.
Since Dachshunds come in two different size variations, the amount of food each should be fed will differ. The average Miniature Dachshund will require between 230-300 calories per day. By comparison, the larger Standard Dachshund should eat between 500-750 calories per day. The individual calorie count will vary depending on factors like activity level and if they are spayed and neutered. The Pet Nutrition Alliance calorie calculator is an excellent guide but remember to consult your veterinarian for more detailed nutritional information.
To ensure that the Dachshund does not become hungry throughout the day, this breed should be given two or three meals daily.
Protein derived from animal origins should be the primary ingredient in any high-quality food suited to the Dachshund’s needs. Whole meats are the ideal choice; however, meat meals are also an excellent source of protein.
Carbohydrates are also an important component in any diet for the Dachshund. Though most Dachshunds can eat grain-inclusive formulations, care must be taken to select a diet that prioritizes carbohydrates that are easy to digest and high in fiber. These can be derived from grains, fruits, or vegetables.
Healthy fats help the Dachshund to develop healthy skin and coat and to have the energy they need to sustain them. The best source for these fats is from animal origins. Some of the most beneficial items to look for in a food include oily fish such as mackerel, herring, anchovies, or salmon.
Any food for the adult Dachshund should contain a minimum of 18 percent protein and 5 percent fat. The best Dachshund dog foods are nutritionally balanced and fortified with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to encourage health and wellness in this small breed.
Here is a basic list of the most important things to look for in the best dog food for a Dachshund:
Dachshunds need a diet that is rich in excellent quality proteins. Whole meats are best, but meat meals also provide all of the nutrition a Dachshund needs. Any diet suited to the Dachshund should list an animal protein as one of its first ingredients.
No food is complete on its own, and thus, can benefit from the addition of helpful supplements. Since Dachshunds can be prone to back and hip problems, glucosamine and chondroitin are two important things to look for in a food as they can provide excellent support for joint health.
Other supplements which can be of great assistance to the Dachshund include prebiotics and probiotics which are a powerful aid in proper digestion.
Any food considered for a Dachshund should have received the approval of AAFCO and bear its seal, showing it to be a complete and balanced food.
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