Easy Ways to Keep Your Dachshund Healthy
All Dachshunds Love to Eat, Sleep and Repeat! Unfortunately, our adorable long dogs are one of many small breeds that are prone to Obesity because of their love for the “comfortable life.”
Here are some Easy Ways To Keep Your Dachshund Healthy: provide quality dog food, follow a feeding schedule, and maintain healthy habits.
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How To Keep Your Dachshund Healthy
1. Quality Dog Food
It is important to feed your Dachshund a vet recommended, healthy dog food diet. Always take a detailed look at the ingredients list.
The meat of choice should be listed as the first ingredient (fish, chicken, beef).
What Dog Food Should I Feed My Dachshund? My vet recommends Science Diet or Royal Canine dog food for Dachshunds.
I have recently received some recommendations on a new food through Alpha Paw called Natural Vitality Dachshund Food. It is actually formulated for doxies!
Real chicken is listed as the first ingredient and doxie parents love it because their pups, who are picky eaters, are gobbling it up. It also includes salmon oil, which is an anti-inflammatory – great for healthy joint and bone support.
Dog Food Warnings: Dog foods that contain mostly grain or corn-based fillers aren’t healthy for your doxie.
Avoid Grain-Free Dog Foods: There is a high risk of heart disease with this type of dog food. Read more about the risks of Grain-Free Dog Food.
Dog Food Rotation: Your dog’s regular food may not be meeting all of your doxie’s nutritional needs. It’s a good idea to change your pup’s diet up occasionally. Here’s how to do a dog food rotation properly.
Table Scraps
Do not feed your Dachshund any table scraps. It’s not good for your dog’s health and can make your pup a very finicky eater.
Feeding your doxie table scraps can cause a bad barking and begging habit that will never quit every time you sit down to eat.
When I was younger, my family Dachshund, Heidi, would constantly bark and beg at the table for every meal. My parents gave her many table scraps during our meals to keep her quiet…when in fact it did the exact opposite.
Heidi was very overweight most of her life because of all the table scraps.
Training Tip: Dachshunds don’t naturally crave people food. They develop the taste once they are exposed to the food. Table scraps are like fast food for dogs – fatty and addicting.
Best Digestive Supplements
My Dachshund, Reno, had a very sensitive stomach. He couldn’t tolerate most foods and very few dog treats without getting sick to his stomach.
I took him to Petco for his Birthday to pick out a toy and the lady at the checkout gave him a special dog cookie for free. I thought it was so nice, but Reno threw up the rest of the night.
My vet recommended that I add some probiotics to his diet to help him with his digestive issues.
Alpha Paw has some yummy Multi Chews that I like to recommend for Doxies with unique digestive needs, like my Reno.
Multi Chews are a daily peanut butter flavored treat that my dogs beg for! They contain essential Vitamins, Glucosamine, and Probiotics to help Dachshunds that have issues with gas, bloating, and constipation. They are made in the USA, your doxie will love them.
Use code DACHSHUNDSTATION20 for 20% off on Alpha Paw!
Homemade Dog Food
Some Dachshund owners prefer to make their dog’s food at home. By using your own natural ingredients at home you know exactly what ingredients your dog is consuming.
This is especially helpful if your Dachshund has any food allergies.
Consult your vet for a well-balanced meal plan and amount per serving for your dog if you are interested in creating your dog’s food at home. Here is a yummy dog food recipe your Dachshund will love.
2. Feeding Schedules By Age
Dachshunds have a pretty big appetite compared to other dogs their size. Overeating can cause your Dachshund to have severe health issues and put a major strain on their joints and spine, which can lead to IVDD.
It is important to have a regular feeding schedule for your Dachshund instead of allowing them to graze throughout the day.
Measure It Out: Make sure to measure out your dog’s food. Portion control is key for weight management – especially with Dachshunds who are prone to obesity. I like to use these handy pet food measuring cups.
Puppy Feeding Schedule
Feed your Dachshund puppy a quality dog food that is formulated just for puppies. Puppy food includes more protein and fatty acids to help build strong muscles and support healthy energy levels.
How Often? Puppies under 6 months of age should have 3 small meals per day. Once in the morning, in the afternoon for lunch, and in the evening for dinner – pretty much the same schedule you have.
How Much? Check the back of your puppy’s dog food bag for the right amount per day. The proper amount of food is determined by your dog’s weight.
Set the puppy’s dog food bowl down for about 20 minutes at a time. Then, take the bowl up until the next feeding.
That way you can tell if they are getting too much or need a little more depending on their unique metabolism. Let your puppy outside to go potty directly after each meal during the Potty Training Phase.
Training Tip: Feed your puppy their evening meal before 6 pm. This will help reduce the number of overnight accidents.
Adult Feeding Schedule
How Often? Around 10-12 months of age, your doxie can eat 2 times per day. Once in the morning and once at dinner time.
How Much? Consult the back of your dog food bag for the proper weight-based amount for your dog.
My adult Dachshunds usually eat 1/2 cup twice a day. (According to Google: 1/2 cup is equivalent to 64 grams 2.25 oz).
Spreading out your dog’s daily meals can help them digest smaller amounts and reduce anal gland issues.
Slow Feeder Bowls: My miniature Dachshund, Reno, tended to inhale his food way too fast and at times choked on his dog food. So, we switched him to a slow feeder dog bowl. His new bowl helped him eat at a much slower pace, which promoted better digestion.
Post You May Like: Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowls For Dachshunds
Senior Dog Feeding Schedule
Dachshunds are considered senior dogs around 8 to 10 years old. There are plenty of senior dog food options out there that can help your older dog with digestion and joint health. Most senior dog foods also include more fiber to aid in digestion.
How Often? Older dogs can continue the adult feeding schedule, 2 times daily.
How Much? Continue to feed your doxie the suggested amount of weight-based food on the back of your dog food bag. Most senior dogs will do a lot more napping around the house, so they may eat smaller amounts of food than they used to.
How Much Food Should A Dachshund Eat?
Your Dachshund’s dog food bag should have a label on the side or back that suggests the correct amount of food per the weight of your dog. If you notice your doxie is gaining weight on their current food, try a diet dog food option.
I feed my doxies science diet dry dog food. When my mini dachshund, Eko, starts to put on some excess weight, I switch him over to the diet option for a little while. It has some extra added fiber that does wonders.
I currently feed my Dachshunds 1/2 cup dry dog food 2 times daily.
Healthy Drinking Water
Dachshunds need to stay hydrated. Make sure to give your Dachshund clean drinking water every day. Clean your dog’s water bowl 1-2 times per week.
3. Healthy Habits
A daily exercise routine for your Dachshund is very important to their mental and physical health. Doxie’s love to eat and nap, so it is very easy for this dog breed to become overweight when they are not regularly walked or played with.
Note: Wait to exercise at least 45 minutes after your dog eats to prevent bloating.
Walking
Take your Dachshund for a 20-minute walk daily or at least a couple times per week to help them stay healthy.
Hiking
Dachshunds love exploring hiking trails. So many wonderful sights and smells to discover, they will thank you for the adventure. Make sure to bring plenty of water for them to drink afterwards.
Post You May Like: How To Keep Your Dachshund Safe On A Hike
Playing
Playing fetch with your Dachshund’s favorite ball or toy is a fun activity your pup will love. It keeps them moving and allows for that special one-on-one time with you that they crave.
Whether on a walk or playing fetch, make sure to take regular breaks so your doxie doesn’t overdo it.
My Dachshund, Reno, could play fetch until he dropped! Sometimes we would play too long and he would act a little sore the next day. So, I set a 20 minute timer to remind myself to stop and rest because it wasn’t safe for his delicate back.
Post You May Like: How To Avoid IVDD in Dachshunds
Bonus Tip
It is so important to help your Dachshund maintain a lower body weight in order to keep them healthy and strong. Occasionally adding in some plain pumpkin puree (Not pumpkin pie filling) to your doxie’s food will help them feel full and give them some extra fiber.
Read Why Your Dachshund Should Eat Pumpkin for more details.
Giving your doxie a healthy dog food diet, following a feeding schedule, and maintaining a regular exercise routine will help keep your Dachshund healthy and happy.
How Do You Keep Your Dachshund Healthy? Let us know in the comments.
Helpful Links
- Beware of Grain-Free Dog Food, Try These Instead
- Simple Ways To Keep Your Dog Busy Indoors By PuppyLeaks.
- Vegetables That Dogs Can Eat from SpoiledHounds.com
- Cheese Burger Pop Recipe From Kol’s Notes
- DIY Dog Food Recipes by Lifestyle Pet Guru
References
- Schweitzer, Karen. 2010. Our Best Friends the Dachshund. Pittsburg, PA: Eldorado Ink.
- Pinney, Chris. 2010, 2000. Dachshunds: A Complete Pet Owner’s Manual. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
I found your information the best and most practical regarding Dachshunds. I have a young girl, (now 6 months old) and have followed your advice, and she is the trimmest, taut and terrific and trained Doxie! I’ve always had dogs, but this is my first Dachshund (mini) but contrary to other comments about they’re hard to train, she was easy!
Hello Anita, wow, that just made my day. I really appreciate your kind comment and am so glad that this info has helped you and your doxie. That’s great that your dachshund is easy to train – and only 6 months old, that’s terrific! Take care, and thank you again.
Is it ok to give my Gemma (12.5 year old Doxie) veggies in the afternoon as a snack? She’s so heavy right now and I know it’s because she had back issues over the past year and she decided she didn’t want a very long walk (we do 3 per day, but small ones). I’ve given her veggie treats for years, adjusted her food and am now going to use a weight management prescription diet. I’m so worried about the extra 2 lbs she’s put on. She was holding at 20 which was too much also, but is now over 21. She’s one of those who always seems hungry so I thought a few slices of cuke at lunch time would be ok.
Hello, Thanks for writing in. Definitely check with your vet on what “human foods” are ok for your Gemma’s diet to be sure. I give my doxies some veggies occasionally for a treat, but not every day. High-quality dog diet food and continued exercise – even small walks are better than none. No more food scraps or snacking should help with the weight big time. Good luck to you and *hugs* for Gemma. :)