8 Best Dog Foods for Dachshunds – 2023 Reviews & Top Picks

Did you know dogs have been domesticated for over 16,000 years, and it wasn’t until the 1860s that the first commercially prepared dog food was introduced in England? Science is focusing more on dog nutrition so we can help our canine friends feel vibrant and healthy throughout their lives.

This guide was developed to help you find dog food that will provide optimal nutrition for your Dachshund. After the reviews, you can read through the buyer’s guide to learn more about what to look for in the ingredients and to better understand how to provide optimal nutrition.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites of 2023

The 8 Best Dog Foods for Dachshunds

1. Ollie Fresh Dog Food Subscription Service – Best Overall

The best overall dog food for Dachshunds is from Ollie. This subscription-based service delivers dog food straight to your door. Ollie has various items available, such as fresh and baked dog foods and a mix of both. Ollie dog food is not available to purchase in stores, and you can only get it by subscribing to the website to have the food delivered.

Ollie requires you to complete a quiz about your dog to learn more about their breed, dietary requirements, and any allergies before you can find a recipe on their website.

The vet-formulated recipes include various flavors (beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb) and textures and contain human-grade ingredients. You get to choose a meal plan for your Dachshund while purchasing high-quality foods that are more affordable than other subscription-based dog food services.

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2. Nature’s Recipe Dog Food – Budget Buy

Nature’s Recipe is a good budget option because it has plenty of nutrients while staying affordable. Chicken is the number-one ingredient in this mix. It is grain-free with no added corn, wheat, or soy. Also, there are no artificial colors or flavors.

We like that it contains sweet potato and pumpkin, which is a flavor combination that dogs seem to love. The kibble is small and easy for your dog to chew, and the option of a 4-lb. bag is nice, so the food doesn’t go stale.

This formula also has antioxidants and other ingredients to help maintain healthy digestion. However, there is no mention of probiotics, which is why Nature’s recipe did not reach the number-one spot on our list. However, dogs like the taste, and it works well for dogs with allergies.

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3. Royal Canin Dachshund Adult Dog Food

For a dog food that is specially formulated for the Dachshund, look no further than the Royal Canin. It is ideal for Dachshunds older than 10 months and younger than 8 years. The kibble’s size is perfect for Dachshunds since it’s easy for them to pick up and chew. Dachshunds love the flavor, and it will also help limit tartar formation and reduce dental plaque.

The ingredients focus on improving muscle tone, supporting bone and joint health, and promoting healthy bowel movements with odor reduction, which are common concerns with Dachshunds. It contains a moderate amount of chicken by-products as the main ingredient.

On the downside, Royal Canin is not grain-free and is pricey, which is why it does not reach the first two spots on the list. However, Royal Canin has been in business for over 40 years and is committed to providing healthy nutrition to all dogs by partnering with veterinarians, breeders, and other pet experts.

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4. Royal Canin Dachshund Puppy Food

The Royal Canin is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of Dachshund puppies from 8 weeks to 10 months old. The kibble is just the right size for their little mouths and is easy for them to chew. Puppies love the chicken flavor. We like that the Dachshund Puppy Food is made to support the immune system of your pup by using a mixture of antioxidants that are ideal for increasing the body’s natural defenses.

Bone and joint health are a priority for Dachshunds, so it is best to provide appropriate calcium and phosphorus levels at a young age. This puppy formula has plenty of fiber and highly digestible proteins to promote and support digestive health.

On the downside, it is not a grain-free formula, but the company stands by its products and offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee. This puppy food is on the pricey side but comes in a small 2.5-lb. bag that is sure to stay fresh.

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5. Blue Buffalo Life Dog Food

Blue Buffalo is known for its high-quality ingredients. This formula is made from whitefish, which provides protein, and brown rice, for whole-grain fiber. It also includes a variety of vegetables and antioxidant-rich fruit.

It is corn, wheat, and soy-free with no artificial flavors or preservatives. The size of the kibble is perfect for a Dachshund and is easy to chew. The company cold-forms the kibble to help maintain the potency of the ingredients.

The key benefits of this product are that it supports joint function and mobility and is ideal for dogs with higher energy needs. It is made in the U.S.A., so you know that safety and quality are high priorities of Blue Buffalo. On the downside, the Life Protection Formula has a strong fishy smell that can be overpowering and cause your dog to have a strong odor on their breath.

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6. Taste of The Wild Dog Food

This food is ideal for small breeds like Dachshunds because the kibble is just the right size for their little mouths. The main ingredient is pasture-raised venison, and it also includes the company’s special blend of probiotics that keep the digestive tract healthy. It is a grain-free formula that uses garbanzo beans for added protein and fiber and adds other antioxidants such as peas and fruits.

We like that Taste of the Wild is a family-owned company, and the food is made in the U.S.A. with globally sourced ingredients. You won’t find any fillers, preservatives, or artificial colors and flavors in this product, so you know you are feeding your dog a nutrient-rich, highly digestible food.

Dogs like the flavor and the kibble pieces aren’t too hard, so it is easy for your dog to chew. This mix has 32% protein and 18% fat, which is plenty for daily requirements. On the downside, the company doesn’t have different flavors for small-breed dogs.

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7. Wellness 89110 Health Dog Food

Wellness dog food provides complete health for small breeds, with an adult formula that contains turkey and oatmeal as the main ingredients. It does not have meat by-products, fillers, or artificial preservatives. It focuses on providing enough protein for high-energy dogs while building strong muscles. It contains omega-3 fatty acids and salmon oil to promote skin and coat health.

We like that it is grain, corn, and soy-free, made in the U.S.A., and backed by a Wellness Guarantee. There are blueberries for antioxidants and flaxseed that support digestive health. The downside is the shape of the kibble. It is triangular-shaped, so some dogs have had problems with the food getting caught in their esophagus, which causes them to cough.

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8. Nutro Essentials Dry Dog Food

This dog food is a more affordable option for small breeds. Farm-raised chicken is the main ingredient, along with plenty of brown rice and sweet potatoes, to provide whole grains and nutrients.

The formula also includes fruit and vegetables and is made from non-GMO ingredients. We like that Nutro helps with digestion in addition to promoting healthy skin and a soft, shiny coat. Another plus is that the company partners with farmers to source high-quality ingredients and offers a satisfaction guarantee.

There’s no wheat, corn, or soy protein, and you won’t find any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors in Nutro dry dog food either. One negative aspect is that many have reported that their dog doesn’t like the taste of this food and refuses to eat it.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Dog Foods for Dachshunds

You may be wondering what the best dog food formulation is for the Dachshund. They have particular needs that must be met to stay healthy and live life to the fullest. This buyer’s guide will go over the basic dietary requirements for the Dachshund. However, we recommend you follow up with your veterinarian with in-depth questions about your dog’s nutrition needs.

Dachshunds are a high risk for spine issues, have sensitive stomachs, and need plenty of muscle strength in their legs to hold up their long bodies. Dog foods that focus on these health problems will be ideal for your dog.

Nutrients That Your Dachshund Requires

Protein

This is one of the most important ingredients because it is the building block for muscles. Meat and fish are great protein sources, but your dog can also receive protein from legumes and vegetables. In any case, the protein source should be listed first on the ingredient list, which indicates that it is the most prevalent in the food. Watch for wheat or corn being listed first because they tend to be fillers for lower-quality food.

You want your dog to have plenty of protein but don’t want to overdo it. Too much protein can lead to kidney problems. Dachshund’s adult protein requirement is 18% and 22% for puppies.

Carbohydrates

For energy, your dog needs carbohydrates that convert into glucose and are distributed throughout the body. Complex carbohydrates take longer to break down and provide a steady supply of energy. Examples of complex carbohydrates are beans, whole grains, and sweet potatoes.

Fat

Fat is vital in the diet, but you also don’t want your dog to have it in high quantities, or they could become overweight, which will cause several other health issues. Fat also adds flavor to the food, making it more palatable.

Approximately 10%-15% fat is ideal for good nutrition and a balanced diet. Common sources of fat include meat and oils. Fat also provides energy and assists with the absorption of specific vitamins.

Vitamins and Minerals

You will find the highest concentration of vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables, which is why you will see them in the ingredients of high-quality dog food. Minerals are necessary to prevent deficiencies and help perform several body functions.

For example, Vitamin A is essential for healthy hair and skin, while Vitamin E supports the immune system. Many fruits are full of antioxidants that counter the effects of free radicals in your dog’s body, breaking the cycle of molecular and cellular damage. Essentially, they help maintain a strong nervous and immune system.

Providing a Balanced Diet for Your Dachshund

It all comes down to providing the correct amount of each nutrient to achieve optimal health. Each dog is different regarding how many calories they need, which is related to their activity level. There are many factors to consider when deciding on the best food to feed your Dachshund.

Avoid Certain Ingredients

Artificial fillers, colors, and flavors can wreak havoc on your Dachshund’s digestive system. They already have sensitive stomachs and can suffer from allergies, so you don’t want to cause more problems.

Refined grains are fillers because the whole grain provides the correct nutrient. Meat meals and byproducts can be comprised of many parts of an animal without including much meat. They can keep the protein level high but aren’t always high quality.

Cost

The price undoubtedly affects which brand to choose for your dog. Of course, you want to provide the best, but you must also afford it. Finding a balance between high-quality food and price can be difficult and frustrating. However, there are affordable dog foods on the market that provide balanced nutrition.

Size and Shape of the Kibble

Dachshunds have small mouths and narrow snouts, so they need manageable kibble. It must be small and easy to chew to reduce the risk of choking. Some dogs are particular about texture, so it can be a matter of finding a balance between good nutrition and kibble that your dog enjoys eating.

Life Stage

Remember the stage of life your dog is in since it will affect which nutrients are needed. Puppies require more calories and other nutrients since they are growing and are high-energy.

Adult dogs require different nutrition than puppies, and senior Dachshunds need food formulated to maintain joint and eye health, which is easy to chew if they suffer from poor dentition. Speaking to your veterinarian will give you an idea of your dog’s needs at each age range.

Tips for optimal nutrition:

• An adult Dachshund requires about 800 to 900 calories per day, but you also need to make sure that physical activity is part of their daily routine to prevent obesity.
• A Dachshund puppy will need 1,000–1,200 calories per day, depending on their activity level.
• When switching dog food brands, it is crucial to introduce new food slowly.
• Feed your adult dog two small meals every day and your puppy four to five times per day.
• Dogs are like people; they have favorite foods that are more palatable than others.
• Dachshunds also have a higher risk of food allergies than other breeds.

Final Verdict

Since they are susceptible to several health problems, it is essential to provide high-quality food that will keep your dog in excellent health. Our first choice is Ollie Fresh Dog Food, which has real meat as the main ingredient and probiotics and antioxidants that will keep your Dachshund healthy and happy.

The best value pick is Nature’s Recipe, which is an affordable and formulated dog food that provides many of the needed nutrients for a Dachshund. The third pick is the Royal Canin, which is specifically formulated to provide optimal nutrition for Dachshunds because it focuses on supporting bone health, muscle building, and maintaining a healthy digestive system.

We hope our reviews of the best dog food for Dachshunds help you find the right dog food that tastes good to your dog while providing optimal nutrition at a price you can afford.

• See also: 10 Best Dog Plaque Removers – Reviews & Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: dogboxstudio, Shutterstock