Best treats for a dachshund
A dachshund's long back makes weight management a genuinely bigger deal than it is for most breeds, because extra weight puts real strain on a spine already prone to disc problems. Treats for this breed should be chosen with total daily calories in mind first, and taste second, however much a dachshund's food-motivated reputation might argue otherwise.
Why weight matters more for this breed
Dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease, a spinal condition linked in part to their unusually long back relative to their leg length, and carrying extra weight increases the load on that spine. Treats are one of the easiest places for calories to creep in unnoticed, since a few small treats a day can add up to a meaningful share of a small dog's daily calorie needs.
Low-calorie or freeze-dried treats let you reward a dachshund generously, which suits the breed's food-driven temperament, without the same calorie cost as a rich, fatty biscuit. Breaking a larger treat into smaller pieces for training also stretches it further across more rewards.
Dental treats for a small mouth
Dachshunds, like many small breeds, are prone to dental crowding and tartar build-up, so a dental-specific chew sized appropriately for a small jaw is a genuinely useful addition to the treat rotation, not just an extra. Size the chew to the dog rather than reaching for a standard adult size across all breeds, since a chew built for a much larger dog can be awkward or unsafe for a dachshund's mouth.
Softer dental chews suit an older dachshund with existing dental wear better than a very hard chew, which can put unnecessary strain on teeth that are already compromised.
What to avoid
Very hard chews and large rawhide-style products carry some choking and dental fracture risk for any small dog, and are worth avoiding or supervising closely for a dachshund specifically given the breed's small jaw and long, low body shape making a genuine emergency vet trip more awkward to manage quickly.
Rich, fatty treats given too generously are the easiest way to undo a carefully managed weight, so treat any high-value, high-fat option as an occasional extra rather than an everyday reward, however much a dachshund will happily eat if allowed.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Pedigree Schmackos Dog Treats Meat Variety
Meat-variety dog treat sticks, 20 per pack, under 30 kcal each, banded by dog weight
£2.75
Whimzees Toothbrush Daily Dental Dog Chew
A vegetarian daily dental chew for dogs, shaped like a toothbrush
From£0.69
Pedigree Dentastix Light Daily Dental Chews Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light daily dental chews for medium and large dogs
£2.35
Dentalife Dental Oral Care Dog Chicken Chews
DENTALIFE chicken dental chews with medium-dog and large-dog variants
£1.65
Pedigree Rodeo Dog Treats with Chicken
Pedigree Rodeo chicken twists with weekly limits for dogs over the stated weight
£2.75
Pedigree Schmackos Dog Treats with Fish
Pedigree Schmackos fish-flavour strips with daily dog-size allowances
£2.75
Hatchwell Advent Calendar for Dogs
A carob advent calendar for dogs, breakable into 4 pieces, made in GB
£3.00
Forthglade Grain Free Soft Bites Fresh Breath Treats 90g
Chicken soft dog treats with parsley and peppermint oil for fresh breath
£2.45
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Forthglade Dental Calming Sticks
Dental chew sticks for dogs with added calming botanicals for evening routines
£2.99
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Good Gut Health Treats
Grain-free chicken dog treats with ginger, chicory root and MOS
£2.45
Common questions
- Why is weight so important for dachshunds specifically?
- Their unusually long back relative to leg length already puts strain on the spine, and extra weight adds to that load, increasing the risk of disc problems. Keeping treats calorie-aware is a genuinely practical way to help manage that risk.
- Are dental chews good for dachshunds?
- Yes, sized appropriately for a small jaw. Dachshunds, like many small breeds, are prone to dental crowding and tartar build-up, so a properly sized dental chew is a useful addition to the treat rotation alongside regular brushing.
- How many treats can I give my dachshund a day?
- There is no single figure that fits every dog, since it depends on size, activity and the treat's calorie content. As a general rule, treats should make up a small share of total daily calories, with the rest of the food doing the main nutritional work.
- Are freeze-dried treats good for dachshunds?
- Freeze-dried single-ingredient treats are generally a good lower-calorie option for a breed where weight management matters, letting you reward generously without adding as many calories as a rich, fatty biscuit would.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.