Sometimes referred to as a wiener dog, the dachshund is one of the most iconic small-breed dogs around.
It is famous for having a long body with short legs.
In general, the dachshund comes in two sizes namely, standard and mini.
The traditional breed grows up to nine inches tall, while the mini ones only reach six inches.
Whatever type you have, considering the best dog food for dachshunds is vital because it will keep them happy and healthy for a long time.
With a lot of choices available, we’ve done our research and reviewed five of the top-rated dog food for small dogs.
That way, it will make it easier for you to choose what’s best for your dachshund.
Comparison Chart
Best Dog Food for Dachshunds: A Review
1. Royal Canin Dachshund Adult Dry Dog Food
With over a half-century in making quality products for cats and dogs, the Royal Canin company envisions itself as the world’s leader in accurate pet health nutrition.
This dry dog food is designed to provide the nutritional requirements of purebred dachshunds 10 months and older.
Review
The Royal Canin Dachshund Adult Dry Dog Food exhibits a kibble size to help your wiener dog pick up and chew the pieces easily.
The distinct proteins and L-carnitine included will ensure your dachshunds exhibit prime muscle tone, which are indications of a healthy and active lifestyle.
The dachshund’s long backbone and tiny limbs also need an appropriate amount of nutrients, such as calcium and phosphorus.
As such, the Royal Canin Dachshund Adult Dry Dog Food features these nutrients to deliver ideal bone and joint health.
Its stomach-friendly proteins and fiber content also help minimize stool volume and unpleasant odor.
The adequate amount of fish and vegetable oil included provides the necessary energy boost and vitamin absorption, which are crucial for this small dog’s vitality.
Trace minerals such as zinc and copper are also added to the formula, which are essential components for dog bone and teeth maintenance.
Pros:
- Highly nutritious ingredients
- Great for weight maintenance
- Ideal texture
Cons:
- No meat on the recipe
- Expensive
2. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food
Your pet’s health is the main priority of Wellness since the company is engaged in an extensive quality assurance program to deliver quality and balanced products.
The Small Breed Dog Food is one of their offerings meant for mini dogs such as dachshunds.
Review
The amino acids included in the dog food came from deboned turkey, chicken meal, and other sources.
It also has ample amounts of antioxidant-rich ingredients that are important in delivering high energy and a healthy immune system.
It’s easy for pets to catch various illnesses due to their inquisitive nature, and this nutrient helps prevent it.
Maintaining a shiny coat and healthy skin is also possible with the Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Small Breed Dog Food since it contains guaranteed amounts of omega fatty acids.
In addition to the nutrients mentioned above, this dog food has probiotics, taurine, and glucosamine that help promote a healthy circulatory system.
The dog food’s calorie content is intricately calculated and embedded into the formula that helps maintain your dog’s body weight.
That is important because the dachshund requires adequate weight distribution more than other breeds.
Vitamin A is also included to offer healthy, functioning eyes and teeth.
As the dog advances in years, this particular nutrient is more crucial than other vitamins since their eyes and teeth are greatly affected by age.
Pros:
- Promotes healthy weight
- Inexpensive
- Applicable to puppy and senior
- AAFCO approved
Con:
- Inconsistent packaging quality
3. Nulo Freestyle Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
The California-based pet care company, Nulo, offers various dog and cat food products formulated with optimal nourishment.
Among their releases is the Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, one of their products that have been tailored for your tiny beloved pet.
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As the name suggests, it doesn’t feature any common types of grains such as potatoes, wheat, corn, and tapioca.
This dog food fits the bill for those who don’t prefer their canine to consume such sources of fiber and carbs.
Its high concentration of animal-based protein guarantees authentic flavor to your small breed dogs.
To further provide a natural and raw flavor, the formula doesn’t have many glycemic ingredients.
Natural fiber present in miscanthus grass is utilized to help in regulating the fast appetite of your dachshund.
The patented BC30 probiotics in the formula provide additional digestive support.
This component produces bacteria that are vital in managing your dog’s metabolism.
The small kibble size of the Nulo Freestyle Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food promotes easy chewing and less choking.
With the minuscule size, plaque buildup and digestion are not going to be an issue.
As we all know, weight management is strictly important for dachshunds because of their unique build.
Due to this factor, the inclusion of L-carnitine helps in maintaining a healthy weight.
Among the primary benefits of having an ideal weight is a longer life expectancy than obese canines.
Pros:
- No artificial colors and flavors
- AAFCO approved
- Zip-lock closure
Cons:
- Odor might be unpleasant
- Not budget-friendly
4. CANIDAE PURE Small Breed Real Chicken
Using wholesome ingredients such as farm-grown vegetables, grains, and premium proteins, Canidae aims to outdo the competition by offering nutritionally dense pet food.
One of its products, the CANIDAE PURE Small Breed Real Chicken, is a dry dog food tailored for small dogs.
Review
The dog food doesn’t include grains, such as corn, wheat, and soy, to accommodate dogs with sensitive stomachs.
As such, if your dachshund might have an intolerance towards such ingredients, this dog food should be considered.
Your small dog could gain beautiful skin and a shiny coat as this food has omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.
Antioxidants play a vital role in providing a healthy immune system for your furry companion due to their numerous benefits, and this dog food has sufficient amounts of it.
The premium proteins of the CANIDAE PURE Small Breed Real Chicken are not tainted by additives, fillers, and by-products.
That results in pure, raw goodness for your beloved pet.
In order to promote a healthy digestive system, it features probiotics that help in producing good bacteria for regulating digestion.
Multiple vitamins are also utilized to deliver health benefits such as enhanced nutrient absorption, stronger bones, and better blood circulation.
To keep your dachshund happy and energetic, it needs a recommended amount and variety of vitamins in which this product delivers.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Multiple sizes available
- Natural flavor
- AAFCO approved
Cons:
- Might have a pungent smell
- No resealable zip lock
5. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Chicken and Rice Formula
As a family-owned enterprise, Diamond Pet Foods strives to deliver quality products for your beloved pets.
The Small Breed Adult Dog Chicken and Rice Formula is one of their releases that offer many advantages that are crucial in maintaining your dachshund in top condition.
Review
You can expect high-quality chicken products from this entry since they came from a cage-free environment.
Thus, you can expect optimal amino acids that are responsible for constructing strong, lean muscles.
The small kibble helps minimize plaque, plus your small breed dog will have an easy time picking up and chewing it.
Guaranteed levels of proprietary probiotics in your dachshund’s stomach ensure ideal digestive functions.
These microorganisms are essential in promoting healthy digestion and an active immune system.
Various vitamins and minerals are embedded into the recipe of Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Chicken and Rice Formula.
This provides numerous support features that positively contribute to your dog’s vitality.
This dog food bears antioxidants from superfoods and fruits, which deliver superior protection from harmful radicals.
The lack of corn, wheat, and other fillers may lead to improved consumption as some small dog breeds are sensitive to such ingredients.
Staying true to its label, this Diamond Naturals dry dog food has no synthetic colors, preservatives, and flavors.
The absence of these materials confirms that your pet only gets natural, high-quality food.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- High-quality ingredients
- AAFCO approved
- Balanced food
Con:
- Dog stool might be smelly
Our Final Recommendation
All the dog foods we listed share similar nutritional components, making it challenging to pick the one that stands out the most.
But upon careful consideration of factors such as quality of ingredients, packaging, and price, we choose the Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Chicken and Rice Formula as the best dog food for dachshunds.
Essential health components such as calories, probiotics, and fats are also included in other products on the list.
However, the entry from Diamond Naturals used superfoods known for their high-quality, natural nutritional content.
Superfoods help deliver complete nutrition for your dachshund due to their rich collection of critical components like vitamins, minerals, proteins, antioxidants, and fatty acids.
In addition to superfoods, the cage-free chicken with chia seed and quinoa ensures your dog is getting top-notch amino acids that result in enhanced muscle build.
Besides these impressive health benefits, you can also purchase the Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Chicken and Rice Formula at a more affordable price than the other entries.