For dachshunds or any pet, proper nutrition is the primary aspect in keeping them in good health.
Depending on the age, the nutritional requirements of sausage dogs will vary.
Having said that, dachshunds need a bit more attention compared to other dogs.
You have to monitor that yours is maintaining an ideal weight constantly.
An overweight dachshund will have issues with its movement, largely due to its long body and short limbs.
That’s why it is crucial to be aware of how much dog food should a dachshund eat because its health will highly be dependent on the manner you feed it.
What’s the Ideal Weight?
The first step in learning about how much dog food should a dachshund eat is by checking if they’re at an ideal weight.
A regular dachshund has a weight ranging from 16 to 32 lbs. If you have a mini, 11 lbs should be its peak weight.
To determine if your dog is at an ideal weight, check if you can easily feel its not-so-visible ribs.
Your dachshund should have a bit of abdominal fat with some tightness.
An overweight weiner dog usually doesn’t have visible ribs, and fat is evident over the back and the base of its tail. Feeling its ribs is also unlikely.
On the other hand, an underweight dachshund has visible ribs, pelvic bones, and the spine.
Having said all of that, if you’re unsure if your dog is at an ideal weight or not, you can always consult a veterinarian.
How Much Dog Food Should a Dachshund Eat
Below is the right amount of food you need to give your dachshund according to its age.
Puppies
Provided that your dachshund is at an ideal weight, here is a general guide on determining how much food it needs.
Two-month dachshund puppies need to eat four times a day. They require six to 12 ounces of food per day.
Three to six-month-old puppies need to eat three times a day. You should serve them about seven to 15 ounces of food daily.
If your puppy is seven to eight months old, they only need to eat two to three times daily.
Quantity should also dip to just six to 12 ounces per day.
Eight-month-old dachshunds and older should only get two meals per day. As their metabolism starts to wane, they only require four to 11 ounces of food daily.
Adults
Ideally, If you have an adult doxie that weighs around 30 pounds, it should be getting about 922 calories per day.
Fortunately, many dog food packaging indicates a feeding chart that can be easy to follow.
It is common practice to reduce giving treats to adult dachshunds as their metabolism is not on par with pups.
Seniors
Eight-year-old doxies are considered senior dachshunds.
When dogs are at this stage in their life, they require fewer calories than adults.
The main reason is that they are not as active as they once were, so they do not need much energy.
On average, senior dachshunds only need around 470 calories daily.
This calorie intake should be consistent as this breed is prone to IDVV or Intervertebral Disc Disease or slipped disc in layman’s terms.
How To Maintain Your Dachshund’s Weight
Dachshunds are prone to weight gain. This risk multiplies if you opt to neuter or spay them as these procedures affect their metabolism.
Neutered or spayed pets have a lower rate of metabolism, which usually leads to obesity.
To avoid gaining considerable weight, you have to strictly regulate their daily food intake as any excess will lead to overweight and various unfavorable health conditions.
On the other hand, underfeeding also poses a risk for small breeds such as sausage dogs.
The lack of proper nourishment during their growth period may lead to hypoglycemia, a condition where the lack of insulin results in numerous complications.
Food Items That Dachshunds Shouldn’t Eat
Listed below are a couple of food items that we as humans love to eat but not good for our beloved sausage dogs.
Dairy Products
While dairy products are rich in calcium, a dachshund’s body is not designed to break down milk and other dairy products adequately.
Consumption of these food items usually leads to nasty gas and stool odor.
Chocolate
In case you didn’t know, chocolate is among the top foods not safe for dogs.
It essentially poison for dogs. In small amounts, it causes vomiting and diarrhea.
If, by some unfortunate circumstances that your dachshund consumes a large quantity, complications include seizures, tremors, and death.
Sweets
Xylitol is commonly used as a sugar alternative. This component is found in many sweets today, from candies to peanut butter.
Ingestion of xylitol can lead to several complications such as vomiting, seizures, and can even be fatal to your beloved pet.
High-Fat Meats
Meat with a high concentration of unhealthy fat and grease such as bacon and hamburger patty is not ideal for your small breed dog.
In large amounts, it can easily lead to pancreatitis.
Conclusion
To wrap this up, the amount of food your dog should eat is determined by factors such as age, weight, metabolism rate, activity level, and health condition.
As implied above, the goal is to keep your dachshund from losing or gaining weight.
Providing just the right amount of food and avoiding foods not safe for dogs result in a good quality of life and extended life expectancy.