Easy Ways to Keep Your Dachshund Healthy
All Dachshunds Love to Eat, Sleep and Repeat! Unfortunately, our little long dogs are one of many small breeds that are prone to Obesity because of their love for the “comfortable life.”
Fortunately, maintaining your Dachshund’s health is simpler than you might think. Incorporating some easy strategies into their diet and daily exercise routine can make a significant difference.
Check out the details below for some Easy Ways to Keep Your Dachshund Healthy.
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Table Of Contents
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.
Dog Food Warnings: Dog foods that contain mostly grain or corn-based fillers aren’t healthy for your pup
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
Avoid giving your Dachshund any table scraps. It’s not healthy for your little long dog and can lead to picky eating habits.
Feeding your doxie table scraps can result in weight gain and encourage undesirable habits like excessing barking and begging every time you sit down to eat.
I remember when I was younger, our family Dachshund, Heidi, would constantly bark and bed at every meal. My parents thought giving her table scraps would keep her quiet, but it only made things worse.
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.
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 dog probiotics to his diet to help him with his digestive issues, and they really did help.
Post You May Like: 6 Signs Your Dachshund Needs Probiotics
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.
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
- 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
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;
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.