What to feed a Dachshund
A Dachshund's small size and famously long back make weight management the single most important thing to get right at the bowl — extra weight puts real strain on a back already prone to disc problems. Beyond that, a good-quality small breed complete food, fed in a measured portion, is generally the right starting point.
Why weight matters more for a Dachshund than most breeds
The Dachshund's distinctive long back and short legs, a build known as chondrodystrophy, comes with a well-documented higher risk of intervertebral disc disease compared with most other breeds. Carrying extra weight adds load to a spine that is already working at a disadvantage, so keeping a Dachshund lean is one of the most protective things an owner can do.
This makes portion control genuinely more important for this breed than for many others of a similar size — a Dachshund's food-motivated, food-loving reputation is well earned, and it is easy to overfeed a dog that always seems to want more.
Choosing a suitable food
A complete dry or wet food formulated for small breeds suits most Dachshunds well, with the kibble size appropriate for a small mouth and the calorie content matched to a genuinely small dog's needs rather than scaled down from a large breed recipe.
Weighing food out rather than estimating by eye, and adjusting the amount if your dog is gaining weight, matters more here than the specific brand you choose. Your vet can help you set a target weight and a feeding amount to work towards it if your Dachshund is already carrying extra pounds.
Treats, extras and everyday habits
Because overfeeding is such a real risk for this breed, treats are worth counting as part of the daily food allowance rather than an extra on top. A food-motivated Dachshund can still get plenty of training reward from very small, low-calorie treats broken into tiny pieces.
Fresh water should always be available, and if your Dachshund shows any sign of back pain — reluctance to jump, a hunched posture, or crying out when touched — that is an emergency worth calling your vet about straight away rather than a diet question.
Foods that suit this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Alpha Sensitive Salmon & Rice
A salmon and rice dry food for adult dogs with sensitive digestions, made without wheat gluten, soya or dairy.
£49.00
Alpha Working Dog Maintenance Chicken
An energy-controlled chicken dry food for working dogs with lower energy needs or a tendency to put on weight.
£29.00
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg
Grain-free turkey kibble for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
£82.35
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Bakers Superfoods Chicken with Vegetables Dry Dog Food
Bakers Chicken with Vegetables dry dog food, 14kg, complete nutrition for adult dogs
£39.15
Harringtons Adult Dog Salmon & Potato
Complete salmon and potato dry dog food with 21% protein in a 1.7KG bag
£6.25
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food Turkey Veg
Grain-free turkey kibble for adult dogs, evenly balanced with potato in the mix
From£12.75
James Wellbeloved Adult Breed Dry Dog Food Turkey Rice
A hypoallergenic dry food for adult dogs, in small and large breed versions, built around single-source turkey protein
From£45.75
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Common questions
- Why do Dachshunds need to stay lean?
- Their long back and short legs carry a higher risk of disc problems than most breeds, and extra weight adds strain to a spine already at a disadvantage. Keeping a Dachshund at a healthy weight is one of the most protective things an owner can do.
- How much should I feed my Dachshund?
- Follow the feeding guide on your chosen food as a starting point, weighed rather than estimated, and adjust based on your dog's actual weight and body condition. Your vet can help set a target and a feeding amount if your dog needs to lose weight.
- Are Dachshunds prone to obesity?
- Yes, they have a well-earned reputation as food-motivated dogs, which combined with their small size means it is easy to overfeed them without realising. Measuring food and treats carefully matters more for this breed than for many others.
- What should I do if my Dachshund won't jump or seems in pain?
- Treat sudden reluctance to jump, a hunched posture, or crying out when touched as an emergency and call your vet straight away. These can be signs of a back problem, which this breed is genuinely more prone to than most.
Related
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.