Ultimate Dachshund Puppy Diet Guide: Essential Nutrition Tips for a Healthy Wiener Dog

Choosing the right food and feeding schedule for your Dachshund puppy is crucial for their growth, development, and overall health. These "wiener dogs" are prone to weight gain and back problems, making proper nutrition essential for a long and happy life. This guide provides comprehensive information on feeding your Dachshund puppy, covering everything from portion sizes and feeding schedules to the best types of food and treats.

Why Proper Feeding Matters for Dachshunds

Dachshunds have unique physical characteristics that make them particularly susceptible to certain health issues if their diet isn't properly managed. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, which in turn can cause back problems and shorten their lifespan by up to two years. Underfeeding, especially for growing puppies, deprives them of essential nutrients needed for proper development.

Dachshunds are a small breed with a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy quickly. They also have small stomachs and long backs, so keeping them at a lean, healthy weight is vital. Too much weight puts strain on their spine and joints, increasing the risk of back injuries like Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). A balanced diet with the right amount of calories will give them energy to play and keeps their body in top shape.

Miniature vs. Standard Dachshunds

When considering how much to feed your Dachshund, it's important to distinguish between miniature and standard sizes. A mini Dachshund weighs 11 lbs (5 kg) or less, whereas a standard can be anywhere from 16 to 32 lbs (7-15 kg) when full-grown. That’s a significant difference in body size, so naturally, minis eat less. However, both types have similar nutritional needs per pound - small dogs need calorie-dense food because they have higher energy requirements per kilogram of body weight than large dogs.

How Much to Feed a Dachshund (Portion Sizes)

Every Dachshund is different in how much food they need. The exact amount depends on their size, age, and activity level. However, you can use some general guidelines and feeding charts from experts to get a good starting point. Most adult Dachshunds will eat somewhere between 1/2 cup to 2 cups of food per day, split into two meals. Miniatures will be on the lower end of that range, standards on the higher end.

Here are some general guidelines based on weight:

5 lb (2.3 kg) Dachshund - About 1/2 cup of dry food per day (roughly 50-60 grams).
10 lb (4.5 kg) Dachshund - Around 1 to 1.25 cups per day (approx 100-125 grams of kibble).
15 lb (6.8 kg) Dachshund - About 1.25 to 1.5 cups per day (125-150 grams).
20 lb (9 kg) Dachshund - Roughly 1.5 to 1.75 cups per day (150-175 grams).
25 lb (11.3 kg) Dachshund - Around 1.75 to 2 cups per day (175-200 grams).

These daily portions are total for the day. Since adult Dachshunds should eat twice a day, you’d split this amount into morning and evening meals.

Another way to look at it is by calories. Dachshunds generally require about 30-40 calories per pound of body weight per day to maintain a healthy weight (the lower end for older or lazier dogs, the higher end for active pups). If your dog food has about 350 kcal per cup (check the label), that comes out to roughly 1.5 cups. A tiny 5-pound Dachshund might only need ~150-200 calories a day, while a 30-pound Dachshund might need 800+ calories.

How Many Grams of Food Should a Dachshund Eat Per Day? (UK Measurements)

In the U.K. (and many other regions), dog food portions are often measured in grams rather than cups. It can be easier to weigh the food for accuracy. So, how many grams a day should you feed your Dachshund?

2-5 kg Dachshund: ~25-85 grams per day (very small pups on the low end, up to ~85g for a 5kg dog). For example, a 4 kg mini might eat around 70 g daily.
5-10 kg Dachshund: ~85-140 grams per day. So an 8 kg (18 lb) Dachshund may get about 120-130 g of food daily.
10-15 kg Dachshund: roughly 140-190+ grams per day. A 12 kg very active Dachshund could approach 170-180 g.

Again, these gram amounts are total per day - divide by the number of meals.

Keep in mind, different dog foods have different calories per gram. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, you can convert grams to cups using the info on the food bag (often something like “1 cup = 100g”). Many UK owners find weighing kibble in grams more precise, while US owners often use measuring cups.

Dachshund Feeding Schedule: How Often to Feed

Knowing how much to feed is one part of the equation - the other is how often. Dachshunds do best on a regular feeding schedule.

Dachshund Puppies (Under 6 months): Feed 3 to 4 small meals per day. Puppies have tiny tummies and high energy needs, so they need to eat frequently. A common guideline: 4 meals daily up to 3-4 months old, then 3 meals daily from 4 to 6 months. For example, a 3-month-old pup might get breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a little bedtime snack.
6-12 Months Old: You can transition from 3 meals to 2 meals per day somewhere in this period (many do around 6-8 months). Some Dachshund puppies may still do better with 3 smaller meals until closer to 8 months, especially if they’re really tiny.
Adult Dachshunds (1 year and up): Feed 2 meals per day - one in the morning and one in the evening. Adult Dachshunds have matured and can handle going about 8-12 hours between meals. Two meals help keep their energy levels stable and prevent them from getting too hungry (and turning into beggars or scavengers).
Senior Dachshunds: Older Doxies (8+ years) can also stick to two meals a day. Their metabolism may slow down, so watch their weight.

Feeding at the same times each day can help with house-training, prevent hypoglycemia in puppies, and keep that notorious Dachshund begging in check (they learn when to expect food). Most importantly, avoid feeding too close to bedtime, especially large meals, to give your pup time to digest (and potty) before sleep.

Dachshund Puppy Feeding Guide

Feeding a Dachshund puppy is a bit different from feeding an adult. These little guys are growing fast - in fact, small breed puppies like Doxies grow more quickly and have faster metabolisms than large breed puppies.

Use a Puppy Formula: Always feed a high-quality puppy food to your Dachshund puppy (look for one specifically for puppies or “all life stages,” not an adult maintenance food). Puppy foods are higher in calories, protein, and essential nutrients to support growth. Dachshund puppies need at least 22.5% protein in their food. A well-formulated, so-called “premium” or “super premium” puppy food should have high nutritional density, so while it may be more costly per pound than another food, you should be able to feed your puppy less to achieve the same results as a lower-cost brand.
Portion Size for Puppies: How much a Dachshund puppy eats will increase as they grow. A tiny 8-week-old might only weigh 4-5 lbs and eat perhaps 1/2 to 3/4 cup of kibble per day (split into 4 meals). By 4 months old, the same pup might be 8-10 lbs and eating around 1 to 1.3 cups per day. Always adjust portions to keep your puppy in good body condition - you should be able to feel their ribs with slight pressure, but they shouldn’t be visible. Puppies should be gaining weight steadily, so if your pup isn’t gaining or is losing weight, increase the food.
Frequent Meals: As noted above, pups need 3-4 meals a day. A sample schedule for a 3-month-old: breakfast at 7am, lunch at noon, dinner at 5pm, and a small supper at 9pm. By 6 months, gradually merge to 2-3 meals. Don’t feed a huge meal in one go - their stomach can’t handle it, and it might cause digestive upset.
Transition to Adult Food: Dachshunds reach adulthood at around 12 months old. Around that time, you can switch from puppy food to an adult small-breed dog food. Do the switch gradually over a week or two (mixing increasing amounts of the new food in) to avoid tummy troubles. Also note, when you switch to the adult formula, the calories per cup might be lower, so the volume of food you feed can be a bit higher. Conversely, if you kept feeding puppy food beyond a year, you’d actually feed less of it as the dog matures, because puppy food is more calorie-dense.
Avoid Overfeeding: Dachshund puppies can be bottomless pits, but avoid overfeeding “to make them grow.” You want slow, steady growth, not a roly-poly pup. Extra weight can be especially harmful during puppyhood, putting stress on developing joints and spines.

Feeding Adult Dachshunds (and Avoiding Overfeeding)

Once your Dachshund is an adult, the goal is maintenance - feed enough to keep them energized and fit, but not so much that they pack on extra pounds. Adults should eat two measured meals each day as mentioned.

Read also: Science Diet for Small Paws

Base it on Ideal Weight: Figure out your Dachshund’s ideal weight (if they are at a healthy body condition now, use that; if they’re overweight, use a target weight). For standard Dachshunds, ideal might be ~20-30 lbs depending on their frame; for minis, 8-11 lbs. Feed the amount appropriate for that ideal weight, not necessarily their current weight if they need to lose/gain. For example, if your Doxie should be 18 lbs but is 20 lbs right now, feed for an 18-lb dog’s needs. “Ideal weight” can be determined with help of body condition scoring: you should just be able to feel the ribs and see a tucked-up waist. If you can’t feel ribs at all, they likely need to shed a few ounces (and eat a bit less).
Monitor Body Condition Regularly: Check your dog’s shape every few weeks. Feel along their ribcage and observe their silhouette from above and the side. Dachshunds at a healthy weight have a slight waistline and you can feel ribs without digging through fat. If you notice your pup getting a tad chunky (maybe you can’t feel the ribs as easily or a little fat roll is developing on the shoulders), cut back the food by a small amount - even 1/8 cup less per meal can make a difference over time. Conversely, if they seem too slim or are losing weight, bump up the portion slightly.
Consider Activity Level: A couch-potato Dachshund that prefers snuggling under blankets will need fewer calories than an active one that goes on long walks or play sessions daily. It might be the difference of a few tenths of a cup of food. For instance, a 16-19 lb inactive Dachshund may maintain on about 395 kcal per day, whereas an active one of the same size might need 461 kcal per day. That’s roughly 15% more food for an active lifestyle. So if you start a new exercise routine with your dog, keep an eye on their weight - they might actually get more fit and a bit hungrier!
Stick to a Routine: Feed the same times each day and measure the food. It’s easy to overestimate if you’re eyeballing portions. Use a measuring cup or scale. Some owners even batch out daily kibble portions into containers or bags so they don’t accidentally over-pour.

Treats and Human Foods: Do’s and Don’ts

Part of managing your Dachshund’s diet is controlling the extras - namely treats and table scraps. It’s so easy to overdo it on treats (those calories add up fast!).

Limit Treats: A good rule of thumb is treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily calories. For a small Dachshund, that isn’t much - maybe a couple of small biscuit treats or a few tiny training treats per day. If you’re in a training session, break treats into pea-sized pieces. Remember to account for treats in the daily food total. For example, if you give a 20-calorie treat, shave a bit off dinner that night. It sounds stingy, but it keeps your pup’s waistline in check.
Table Scraps - Be Careful: Those puppy eyes will stare holes through you during dinner, but think twice before sharing people food. Many “human” foods are unhealthy or even toxic to dogs. Also, a steady diet of table scraps can create a nutritional imbalance, and certain ingredients in your favorite dishes can cause upset stomach, or worse, toxicity, in dogs.Basically, stick to dog-specific treats or vet-approved fruits/veggies (like carrot sticks or apple slices in moderation).
Everyone on the Same Page: Make sure your whole family knows the feeding rules. It won’t help if you carefully measure meals but someone else slips the dog lots of extras on the side. Dachshunds are masters at mooching; they’ll make the rounds of family members for sympathy snacks.
Use Low-Calorie Alternatives: If you absolutely must indulge your pup with something additional, consider healthy low-cal options. Many Dachshunds enjoy green beans (plain, unsalted) or baby carrots, which are low in calories.

What Do Dachshunds Eat? (Choosing the Right Dog Food)

We’ve focused on “how much” and “how often,” but you might also wonder what is the best food for a Dachshund. Commercial dog food (kibble or wet food) formulated for small breeds is generally the easiest and most balanced choice. When did it get so complicated? In years past, dog food options were far more limited, and even the most responsible dog owners didn’t worry too much about what went into their dog’s dish. Choosing your puppy’s first food may seem more involved today, but that’s a good thing. Higher quality ingredients with better sourcing and specialized formulas can lead to overall better health for growing puppies.

Dry vs. Wet Food: Dry puppy food, or kibble is the most economical way to feed your puppy, and the major dog food brands offer a complete and balanced diet for puppies of all sizes and dogs of all ages. Dry food can be fed exactly as it comes from the bag. Kibble can be moistened with warm water or unsalted broth. Other types of puppy food options on the market include freeze-dried puppy food, dehydrated puppy food, fresh puppy food, and raw puppy food. Dry kibble is popular because it’s convenient, easy to measure, and can help keep teeth clean due to its texture. Wet food (cans or pouches) is very palatable and higher in moisture. Both can be fine; some owners do a mix (e.g., kibble in the morning, wet food in the evening, or a spoonful of wet mixed with dry). If you feed wet, just avoid leaving it out too long since it can spoil or grow bacteria once opened. Kibble can be left out a bit longer (though Dachshunds will likely scarf it down immediately anyway!). Canned puppy food is the most expensive kind of puppy food to feed, and puppies often find it most palatable.
Avoiding “People Food” Diets: It may be tempting to cook for your dog or feed a raw diet. Be cautious - Dachshunds have adapted to commercial diets over generations, and raw diets can carry risks of parasites or bacteria for both your dog and you. If you want to do homemade, consult a veterinary nutritionist to ensure it’s balanced.
Nutrient Needs: Dachshunds, being carnivores at heart, do best on a meat-based diet with moderate fat and low-to-moderate carbs. A typical good dog food might be around 25% protein, 15% fat for adults. Ensure it has proper vitamins/minerals - thankfully, any commercial dog food labeled “complete and balanced” will have these. Some Dachshund owners prefer grain-free or specific ingredients due to allergies, but that depends on the individual dog. There’s no one-size-fits-all “perfect” food, but there are certainly many that are great.
Feed for Life Stage: As we covered, puppies get puppy food, adults get adult food, and seniors might benefit from a senior diet (though many Dachshunds stay on a regular adult food into their senior years; just monitor their weight and health).

Remember, the brand of food is less important than the results. A healthy coat, good energy, normal stools, and an excited eater are good signs your Dachshund’s diet agrees with them.

Final Tips for a Healthy Dachshund Diet

Measure Meals: Don’t just guesstimate - use a measuring cup or scale so you know exactly how much your Doxie is eating.
Follow a Feeding Chart as a Starting Point: Use the guidelines from the food package or the ranges we discussed (based on weight and age) as a starting point. Then adjust to your individual dog.
Feed on a Schedule: Typically twice a day for adults, 3-4 times for puppies.
Keep Your Doxie Fit: You should be able to feel ribs with slight pressure, but they shouldn’t be visible. A young dog carrying too much weight has an increased risk of orthopedic problems, due to stress on immature joints.

Switching Dog Foods

Once your puppy’s food formula is chosen, stick with it. When switching from puppy food to adult food, you should make the switch gradually over a period of a few days. A sudden change in your puppy’s diet may cause stomach upset and the dreaded puppy diarrhea.

The begging scam

Your puppy will no doubt quickly learn just how effective their puppy dog eyes can be. The pleading gaze of a begging dog can be irresistible. This is no accident. During dogs’ long partnership with people, they have perfected cunning methods of exploiting the human habit of associating food with affection. In prehistoric times semi-domesticated canines first cultivated human beings as a food provider. As the two species grew closer, dogs modified begging behaviors to maximize results: The more pathetic a dog seemed, the more scraps were tossed his way. Dogs have since refined this approach into a low-risk, high-reward hunting technique. But don’t be fooled: Begging is not an emotional crisis or a test of your love. It’s what scientists might call an evolutionary survival strategy, or what the rest of us might call a scam. Allowing your dog to guilt you into overfeeding them, or serving them a steady diet of table scraps in a misguided show of affection, can harmful results in modern times. Feeding your pup the moment you get home may encourage puppy separation anxiety.

Additional Considerations

Water: Fresh water should be available at all times. During the summer months, consider setting up multiple indoor/outdoor water stations.
Veterinary Prescription Diets: When medically necessary, and in puppies, usually for gastrointestinal or digestive concerns, you can purchase veterinary prescription diets. Prescription dog food diets are often used for dogs with kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, and other serious conditions.
Supplements: Some vitamin or mineral supplements, when utilized incorrectly can do more harm than good. Before making a major change in your puppy’s diet, consult with your veterinarian and, when possible, your breeder.

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