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 really Simple Ways To Keep Your Dachshund Healthy: provide quality dog food, follow a feeding schedule, and maintain healthy habits.
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Dachshunds need to eat a healthy diet and maintain a regular exercise routine to have a strong and healthy body.
How To Keep Your Dachshund Healthy
1. Quality Dog Food
What Dog Food Should I Feed My Dachshund?
It is important to feed your Dachshund a vet recommended healthy dog food. Always take a detailed look at the ingredients list. The meat of choice should be listed as the first ingredient (fish, chicken, beef). My vet recommends Science Diet or Royal Canine dog food for Dachshunds.
Dog Food Warnings: Dog foods that mainly contain grain or corn-based fillers aren’t healthy for your dog. 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 dog’s nutritional needs. It’s a good idea to change your dog’s diet up occasionally. Here’s How to Do A Dog Food Rotation Properly.
Table Scraps
Do not feed your dog any table scraps. It’s not good for your dachshund’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). Stick with healthy dog food and treats.
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, constipation, and stomach issues.
They are made in the USA, your doxie will love them.
DIY 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 with a dog that 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 are some interesting DIY Dog Food Recipes by Lifestyle Pet Guru.
2. Feeding Schedules By Age
Dachshunds have a pretty big appetite compared to other dogs their size. Your dachshund needs to maintain a healthy feeding schedule to reduce obesity and prevent spinal issues, like IVDD.
It is important to have a feeding schedule for your dachshund instead of allowing them to graze throughout the day.
If you allow your doxie to eat all day long (graze), it is guaranteed that they will gain too much weight.
Puppy Feeding Schedule
For Puppies, look for a dry dog food that includes more protein and fatty acids to help build strong muscles and support healthy energy levels. Many dog food brands have a food that is formulated just for puppies.
Puppies under 6 months of age should have 3 smaller meals per day.
Feed your pup once in the morning, one time in the afternoon, and in the evening for dinner…pretty much the same schedule you have. The proper amount of food is usually determined by your dog’s weight.
Check the back of your dog’s food bag for the right amount per day.
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 their House Training.
Training Tip: Feed your puppy their evening meal before 6 pm. This will help reduce the number of overnight accidents.
Adult Feeding Schedule
Around 12-14 months of age, your doxie can eat 2 times per day. Once in the morning and once at night is ideal. Consult the back of your dog food bag for the proper weight-based amount for your pup. My doxies usually eat 1/2 – 3/4 cup twice a day.
Spreading out your dog’s daily meals can help them digest smaller amounts and reduce Anal Gland Issues.
We had to go from 1 meal per day to 2 times per day with our adult dachshunds because of stinky gland issues. We didn’t have to have their glands expressed at the vet quite as often when we split up their meals. Yay!
Adult Dog Food: Adult dachshunds require less fat, protein, and calories in their diet than they did as puppies. Too much fat and calories can lead to weight gain and lower energy levels. Stick to adult dog food when your doxie turns 1.
Slow Feeder Bowls: My Miniature Dachshund, Reno, tended to inhale his food way too fast and at times choked on his dog chow. 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 at 7 years old. Older dogs can continue the adult feeding schedule (2x daily) as long as they are in good health.
Most senior dogs will do a lot more napping around the house compared to their younger adult counterparts, so they may eat smaller amounts of food than they used to.
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 include more fiber to aid in digestion at this age.
For Doxies over the age of 12, it is recommended to split their daily meals into 2. One small meal in the morning and one in the evening. Splitting up their meals help with their digestion and reduce anal gland issues.
How Much Should A Dachshund Eat?
Check the side of your dog food label to find out how much your dog should get per day. This is usually determined by their weight.
I give my 1 year old mini dachshund 3/4 cup of dog food 2 times per day. He is currently 14 lbs. I give my senior dachshund, Bastian, 1/2 cup of food 2 times daily. He is currently 15 years old and weights 18 pounds. He doesn’t eat as much as he used to.
Healthy Drinking Water
Dachshunds need to stay hydrated. Make sure to give your dachshund clean drinking water daily. Filtered water bowls are even better at keeping your dog’s water clean and healthy. Clean your dog’s water bowl 1-2 times per week.
3. Healthy Habits
A well-rounded exercise routine for your dachshund is very important to your dog’s health. Doxie’s love to eat and nap, and it is very easy for this dog breed to become overweight when they are not properly walked or played with.
Note: Wait at least 45 minutes to an hour after their meals for any vigorous exercise to prevent bloating.
Walking
Regular exercise should consist of walking daily or at least a couple of times per week. A 20-minute walk tends to be a sufficient length for a good dachshund walk.
Hiking
Dachshunds love to explore Hiking Trails. So many wonderful sights and smells for them to discover, they will thank you for the adventure. Make sure to bring plenty of water for them to drink after the hike.
Post You May Like: How To Keep Your Dachshund Safe On A Hike
Playing
Playing fetch with your dog’s favorite ball or toy is a fun activity your pup will love. Dogs enjoy that special one-on-one time with YOU.
Whether on a walk or playing fetch, make sure to take regular breaks so your dog doesn’t overdo it.
My dachshund could play fetch until he dropped, he loved it! 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 (Risk of IVDD).
Here are some fun examples of how to play with your dog:
- How to Exercise a Puppy from Zak George on YouTube.
- Simple Ways To Keep Your Dog Busy Indoors By PuppyLeaks.
Bonus Tip: Give Your Doxie Some Pumpkin
It is crucial to help your doxie maintain a lower body weight in order to keep them healthy. Occasionally adding in some plain pumpkin puree (Not pumpkin pie filling) to your doxie’s food will help them feel full and give them extra fiber.
The amount of fiber, vitamins, and nutrients found in pumpkin puree can help your Dachshund stay regular and keep those extra fatty pounds off their delicate backs.
Related: The Benefits Of Adding Pumpkin To Your Dachshund’s Diet
Giving your Dachshund a healthy dog food diet, following a feeding schedule, and maintaining a regular exercise routine will help keep your dachshund happy and healthy.
How Do You Keep Your Dachshund Healthy? Please Share in the Comments Below.
Helpful Links:
- Beware of Grain-Free Dog Food, Try These Instead
- Slow Feeder Dog Food Bowls
- 5 Weight Loss Tips for Dachshunds
- Vegetables That Dogs Can Eat from SpoiledHounds.com
- Cheese Burger Pop Recipe From Kol’s Notes
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.
Hello
Love your article ❤️
I have a dapple Daschound that I adore .
He is steadily gaining weight . I give him a 1/4 cup of dry dog food 2xs a day .. He will eat food that has fallen off the table during dinner . He is supposed to weigh 16-17 lbs max .. He is now 19lbs. The dog food he is on is Stella and Chewy small bites . Any advice ?
Thank you
Hello, Thank you very much for the nice compliment. The food falling off the table would be the main culprit of the weight gain. Doxie’s can’t process people food properly, so they gain weight and too many fatty food scraps can even cause pancreatitis. 1/4 cup of food 2x daily seems kind of low? 1/2 – 3/4 cup 2x daily is usually a good amount for an adult dachshund.
Going on a walk each day with him for 15-20 minutes should help. Also, try a lower fat dry dog food, and no table scraps of course should help lower the weight.
I use science diet small bites for my pups. They do have a science diet dry dog food for weight loss called :Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight that you could try. I hope this helps. Thanks so much for your comment. :)
My dapple doxie, Jack, has been on the Farmer’s Dog food for about a year. He was eating Science Diet and Iams and gaining too much weight. He is 13 and is very active and perfect weight…11.5 pounds. He runs and hikes and fetches and poops well and sleeps like a baby. Everyone thinks he is a puppy! All in all the food change has been a great one! He loves it!
Hi Laura, thank you for sharing. I am glad that your doxie benefited from the dog food change and that it helps keep the weight down and gives a good amount of energy. That’s a great way to keep your dachshund healthy.
My Gracie will be 15 in April, she has been on the K/D Science Hill dog food for several years but is not eating it now. I have tried wet dog food (which she loves) but she has diarrhea very bad now any suggestions on getting her to eat her dry dog food.
Hi Mary, Dachshunds can be very picky with their food. My dachshunds are both on science diet dog food small bites. They don’t necessarily “Love” their dog food plain either. My dachshund, Eko, refuses to eat his food in the morning without some sort of topping (sigh… dachshund stubbornness).
I avoid giving people food as a topping since the dogs will expect that daily and will gain too much weight, so I choose to add a healthy dog supplement to their food…they think it is a special treat and it’s good for them.
So, I have been giving my dogs a glycoflex chewable supplement for joints / reducing inflammation. It is a chewable which can be broken into pieces. They each get one half 2x daily.
For Gracie, I believe adding the daily glycoflex chewable will help with her joints and add a “special treat” to her current food.
Also, if she has diarrhea, you can try adding a small amount (1/2 – 1 teaspoon) of pumpkin puree (not the pumpkin pie filling) to her food. Pumpkin helps with stomach issues and they usually gobble it up!
I have noticed that wet dog food causes loose stool in many dogs, so I like to try to stick with dry as long as they are still able to eat it (if it doesn’t bother their teeth as they get older).
Here is the daily glycoflex dog supplement on Amazon (stick with the ‘daily’ one instead of the ‘plus’ since her tummy may be sensitive:
Start with just 1/2 piece of the glycoflex each day: https://amzn.to/35bjpXb
You don’t have to add glycoflex, it can be any healthy dog supplement you choose too add to Gracie’s food. Make sure to mix the pieces in well so they don’t just eat the special topping. Good luck and take care. :)
Hello;
I have a question.
What brand of food is the best for dachshund? I have been feeding my 2 month old puppy royal canin. Just trying to see what is best for them.
Hello Kesley,
That’s a great question. I asked my vet the same question when I adopted my puppy, Eko. She recommended Science Diet and Royal Canin as the top two dog foods for dachshunds. My dachshund, Eko, eats Science Diet Dog Food. If your pup is eating his Royal Canin, sounds like they are on the right track. Great Job!
You mention fetch and that you set a timer, but you don’t mention how long is long enough. My doxie mixes (chiweenie, maybe, but they look mostly doxie) love fetch (or at least the part where they chase the toy. Not so much the bringing it back part yet LOL
Also they love tug, but I’m not sure if/how to play this safely. Any suggestions?
Hello Melissa,
Aww, that is great that they enjoy a game of fetch (or at least running after the ball). It really depends on your dog’s age, weight, and current health for how long your should set your timer. How long can they play before they get winded? For my dachshund, Reno, he could play for about 30 minutes without getting to sore that evening or the next day. You can try 30 minutes at first, if your dogs are ok after that without any stiffness, you can increase the time as needed.
As for playing tug of war, my vet doesn’t recommend it for the dachshund dog breed (or mix), but if they play together without rough housing or pulling too hard, it should be ok.
My mini would inhale his food so I put a small amount in the bowl, let him eat, make him sit and give his paw, place a little more, in the bowl and keep doing this until the amount he gets is gone. In other words, take a little break between refilling. For the morning meal, i place all in the bowl with eniugh water to cover the food only, nuke it for 5 seconds, take him out for potty, and when he comes in he has a nice meal. Softer kibble is better for digestion in the morninh.
Hi Louise, That sounds like a interesting routine to help your dachshund eat slower and aid in better digestion. Thank you so much for sharing. I am sure this will help others when their doxies eat too fast. :) Here’s to a Healthy Dachshund.