How many times a day should I feed my dachshund puppy?

Four small meals a day up to around three months old, dropping to three meals to six months, then two meals a day from six months onward. This is a general pattern rather than a fixed rule, so follow your vet's advice if your puppy's needs differ.

How much food should a miniature dachshund puppy eat?

There is no single figure, because it depends on the specific food, your puppy's current weight and their expected adult size. Use the feeding guide printed on your puppy's food as the starting point, and adjust gradually based on their body condition rather than the scale alone.

When should I switch my dachshund puppy to adult food?

Most small breeds, miniature dachshunds included, are close to their adult size by nine to twelve months, which is when many owners move to an adult recipe. Your vet can advise on the right timing for your particular puppy rather than a fixed date.

Is it true dachshunds shouldn't get overweight?

Yes, this matters more for dachshunds than most breeds. Their long back relative to their legs means extra weight puts real strain on the spine, which is linked to back problems later in life, so keeping a healthy weight from puppyhood is worth taking seriously.

Miniature dachshund puppy feeding chart

A miniature dachshund puppy generally moves from four small meals a day at eight weeks old, down to two meals a day by around six months, as their stomach capacity grows and their relative energy needs settle. Exact quantities always come from the specific food's own feeding guide rather than a fixed chart, because they vary by brand.

How often, by age

From weaning to around three months old, four small meals spread through the day suits most miniature dachshund puppies, whose stomachs are still tiny relative to their energy needs. From three to six months, most puppies do well moving to three meals a day as each meal can hold a bit more.

From around six months, two meals a day is typical for the rest of a dachshund's life, spaced through the day rather than given as one large feed. Miniature dachshunds finish growing earlier than larger breeds, so many are close to their adult routine by nine to twelve months.

Working out how much

Every complete puppy food carries its own feeding guide on the pack, based on your puppy's current weight and expected adult weight, and that guide is the right starting point rather than a generic figure. Weigh your puppy regularly, because the amount needs adjusting as they grow rather than staying fixed.

Body condition matters more than the number on the scale. A puppy with a visible waist and ribs you can feel without pressing hard is roughly on track; one who looks rounded or where ribs are hard to find is a sign to reassess portions with your vet rather than guessing at a reduction.

Getting it wrong, and what to watch for

Miniature dachshunds are prone to back problems later in life, and carrying extra weight as a puppy puts additional strain on a spine that is already long relative to its legs. Keeping a puppy at a healthy weight from the start matters more for this breed than for most.

If your puppy seems constantly hungry, is losing weight, or is gaining faster than their littermates or the breed's typical pattern, that is a conversation for your vet rather than something to adjust through trial and error at home.

Feeding kit

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Fast UK delivery

Bugalugs Scottish Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats 500ml

A 100% natural daily supplement rich in omega 3, 6, and 9 from high-quality Scottish salmon — supports skin, coat, joints, and brain health.

£13.99

Fast UK delivery

Bugalugs 100% Coconut Oil for Dogs 340g

A pure, additive-free coconut oil that you can sprinkle on food, spread on a LickiMat, or offer straight — dogs genuinely love the taste.

£16.99

Beaphar Lactol Milk Replacer for Puppies

A milk replacer for newborn and orphaned puppies, and for nursing or recovering dogs

From£20.23

Choose options

Nutriment Dog Weaning Paste

A 500g frozen weaning paste for puppies, single-ingredient British chicken

£2.99

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Common questions

How many times a day should I feed my dachshund puppy?: Four small meals a day up to around three months old, dropping to three meals to six months, then two meals a day from six months onward. This is a general pattern rather than a fixed rule, so follow your vet's advice if your puppy's needs differ.
How much food should a miniature dachshund puppy eat?: There is no single figure, because it depends on the specific food, your puppy's current weight and their expected adult size. Use the feeding guide printed on your puppy's food as the starting point, and adjust gradually based on their body condition rather than the scale alone.
When should I switch my dachshund puppy to adult food?: Most small breeds, miniature dachshunds included, are close to their adult size by nine to twelve months, which is when many owners move to an adult recipe. Your vet can advise on the right timing for your particular puppy rather than a fixed date.
Is it true dachshunds shouldn't get overweight?: Yes, this matters more for dachshunds than most breeds. Their long back relative to their legs means extra weight puts real strain on the spine, which is linked to back problems later in life, so keeping a healthy weight from puppyhood is worth taking seriously.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

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.