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So, what is the best dog food for Dachshunds? The Dachshund is a small-breed dog known for its long body and stubby legs. These little dogs are small in stature but they have big hearts and even bigger personalities. The Dachshund was developed to scent and flush badgers and other burrowing animals, chasing them down into their holes and holding them there until their master arrived. Today, the Dachshund is consistently ranked as one of the most popular dog breeds according to AKC registration statistics. It was ranked 10th in 2013 and fell one place to number 11 in 2014.
Although the Dachshund is a small-breed dog, it has very high energy requirements. In order to make sure that your dog’s energy needs are met, you need to feed him a high-quality commercial dog food diet. Below you will learn the basics about the nutritional needs for Dachshunds – you will also learn about some special considerations to keep in mind when feeding your dog. You will also receive recommendations for three top-quality commercial dog food products that would be ideal for your Dachshund.
Nutritional Needs for Dachshunds
The best dog food for Dachshunds will depend on individual factors (allergies, taste preferences, etc.), but in general, Dachshunds can benefit from the same general types of food. The Dachshund is a very small breed of dog, weighing only about 16 pounds on average at full size. Because the Dachshund breed was developed for hunting, these dogs can be a little stubborn and independent-minded at times, but they are generally very friendly and good-natured around people. This breed can be a little dog-aggressive at times and it has a high propensity for chasing small animals but, with proper training, the Dachshund makes a very good pet. In order to make sure that your Dachshund remains happy and healthy, you need to feed him a balanced diet that meets his nutritional requirements.
Like all living things, Dachshunds require a balance of protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, and minerals in their diets. Protein is the most important consideration in a dog’s diet because it provides helps to fuel healthy growth and development. In terms of your dog’s diet, protein should come from high-quality sources like deboned chicken and fresh fish, not from plant-based sources or animal by-products. Fat is another important element in a dog’s diet, especially for a small breed like the Dachshund. Small-breed dogs have very high energy requirements because they have very fast metabolisms. Fat is the most highly concentrated source of energy (calories) for dogs, so it plays a key role in the Dachshund’s diet. Be careful not to feed your Dachshund too much fat, however, because this breed is prone to becoming obese if overfed.
Dogs do not have specific requirements for carbohydrate in their diet, but whole grains and other complex carbohydrates provide dietary fiber as well as valuable vitamins and minerals. Avoid low-quality carbohydrates like corn and wheat – these ingredients do not provide much nutritional value and they are also responsible for many food allergies in dogs. Rather, look for high-quality whole grains like brown rice and oats or gluten-free carbohydrates like tapioca and sweet potato. To make sure your Dachshund gets the right blend of nutrients he needs, make sure to feed him a commercial diet that is specially formulated for small-breed dogs. These formulas are higher in fat and more energy-dense than large—breed formulas to help support the metabolism of smaller dogs.
Special Considerations for Feeding Dachshunds
Because Dachshunds only grow to an average weight around 16 pounds they reach maturity more quickly than large-breed dogs. To fuel your Dachshund puppy’s growth, you should feed him a commercial puppy food diet specially formulated for small-breed puppies. These formulas are high in the protein and fat your Dachshund puppy will need to sustain healthy growth and development of his bones, joints, and muscles. You can switch over to a small-breed adult formula once your Dachshund reaches about 80% of his adult size – this could happen anywhere between the ages of 6 and 12 months, depending on sex and breeding.
Another important reason to feed your Dachshund a small-breed formula is because these formulas are made to accommodate the smaller mouths and stomachs of small-breed dogs. Small dogs like the Dachshund have high energy needs but small stomachs – this means that the food they eat must provide a large amount of energy in a small portion. Small-breed diets are very energy-dense and they are formed into smaller pieces to make them easy for your dog to eat. To make sure that your Dachshund gets the energy he needs throughout the day, consider dividing his daily portion into three or four smaller meals rather than two larger meals. Puppies especially should be fed more often – adult Dachshunds will be fine with three small meals per day.
Top-Recommended And Best Dog Food Food for Dachshunds
If you need some help in finding the right food for your Dachshund, consider one of the commercial dog food brands discussed below. Be careful when considering a breed-specific formula for your dog – do not just assume that the formula will meet your dog’s needs without evaluating the product for yourself. Consider the ingredients list to make sure the product is of high-quality before offering it to your dog.
1. Wellness Small-Breed Complete Health
The Wellness pet food company offers a large assortment of products specifically designed for small-breed dogs like the Dachshund. The Complete Health line of dry foods includes five different formulas for small breeds – one for puppies, two for adults, one for seniors, and one healthy weight formula. All of Wellness’ products are made with high-quality, wholesome ingredients to ensure that your dog gets a well-balanced diet. The Small Breed line of dog food formulas contain a blend of high-quality proteins for optimal calorie intake as well as a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for extra energy, not to mention healthy skin and coat. All of the Small Breed formulas come in smaller, bite-sized kibbles as well which are perfect for smaller dogs like the Dachshund. If you are looking for a commercial dog food diet that will meet the energy and nutritional needs for your Dachshund, consider one of Wellness’ Complete Health Small Breed formulas.
2. Acana Adult Small Breed
The Acana pet food brand offers three different lines of dry dog food products – Classics, Regionals, and Singles. All of Acana’s products are made with fresh, regional ingredients that are combined to create a biologically appropriate diet for dogs of all life stages. The Classics line of dry foods includes one formula for small-breed puppies and another for small-breed adults. The Adult Small Breed formula is made with 60% chicken, fish and eggs plus 20% from regional fruits and vegetables – the remaining 20% comes from low-glycemic Alberta oats, a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates. This formula also contains chicken fat and herring oil to make sure your small-breed dog gets enough fat to meet his high energy requirements. Another important ingredient in this diet is an assortment of chelated minerals – these are minerals that have been chemically bound to protein molecules which makes them easier for your dog’s body to absorb and digest. The Acana Adult Small Breed Formula is perfect for small-breed dogs like the Dachshund.
3. Innova California Natural Small Bites
The Innova pet food company offers two lines of products – EVO and California Natural. The California Natural line of pet foods consists of limited ingredient diets made with just 4 to 7 key ingredients. These formulas are designed particularly for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. Not all Dachshunds will develop food allergies, but the breed as a whole is more prone to allergies than many others. Included in the California Natural line of dry dog food products are two formulas designed for small-breed puppies and adult dogs. The Lamb Meal & Rice Small Bites formula is perfect for small-breed dogs and it is made with just four main ingredients – lamb meal, brown rice, rice, and sunflower oil. The Lamb Meal & Rice Small and Medium Breed Puppy formula is made with these same ingredients plus flaxseed for an additional source of healthy fat. If you are looking for a high-quality commercial diet that will meet your small-breed dogs nutritional needs, the Innova California Natural Small Bites formula is a great option to consider.
The Dachshund may be a small-breed dog but it has a big personality and it requires a diet that will provide for its energy needs. If you are shopping for a new dog food for your Dachshund, consider one of the top-rated commercial dog food products reviewed above.
The best dog food for Dachshunds will obviously be very dependent on your dogs specific needs, but we hope this article helped to show you some of the brands we recommend and why.
