What is the best dog food for a dachshund?

Any complete diet will provide the basics, but the ideal food for a dachshund is one specifically fed to keep them slim and well-muscled. For this breed, maintaining a lean frame is the most important thing their nutrition can achieve — a rule that holds true whether you have a Standard or a Miniature, a smooth, wire, or long-haired.

Here's why it matters so much. A dachshund's unique shape puts their back at real risk, and their weight is the biggest dietary lever you actually control. So instead of another list of protein percentages, we'll walk you through what's genuinely going on with the breed, using UK veterinary research, and then show you what to look for when you choose their food.

Why dachshunds are a special case

To feed a dachshund well, it helps to understand their shape. Dachshunds are chondrodystrophic, which is a long word for a simple idea: the same genetics that give them those short legs and long back also cause their spinal discs to age and harden earlier than in most breeds. Those discs sit between the bones of the spine and act as cushions, and when they harden they're far more likely to bulge or rupture.

That's why intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), is so common in the breed. In plain terms, IVDD is when one of those discs presses on the spinal cord, which can cause pain, wobbliness, or in serious cases loss of movement in the legs.

The scale is worth being honest about. Dachshunds carry roughly 10 to 12 times the IVDD risk of other breeds, and an estimated 19 to 24 per cent, so somewhere between one in five and one in four, will show signs of it during their lifetime (Packer et al., 2016). That sounds daunting, but here's the empowering part: no food can prevent IVDD, yet diet has a genuine influence through one lever above all others, and it's one you hold in your hands at every meal. That lever is body weight.

Weight is the number-one priority

If you take one thing from this guide, take this. Carrying extra weight increases the risk of a disc problem, on top of the risk a dachshund's shape already carries (Packer et al., 2013). And dachshunds are among the breeds most inclined to pile on the pounds, partly because they're small, food-motivated, and very good at convincing us they're starving.

The good news is that a healthy weight is something you can manage day to day. Rather than chasing a number on the scales, learn to read your dog's body condition: you should be able to feel their ribs easily without pressing hard, and see a clear waist when you look down from above. If the ribs have disappeared under a layer of padding and the waist has gone, it's time to ease back a little.

A few practical, dachshund-specific habits make this much easier:

• Feed to body condition and reassess it about once a month, adjusting the amount up or down as needed.

• Because a nutrient-dense food gives more nourishment in a smaller bowl, weigh meals in grams from the guide on the pack rather than using cups or scoops, which are notoriously unreliable.

• Count the treats and scraps. On a dog this small, a few extras can be a surprisingly large share of the day's food, so keep them well within reason.

• If your dog genuinely needs to lose weight, do it gradually and with your vet rather than through a crash diet.
  

You can use our dry dog food collection as a nutrient-dense, easy-to-portion base, and our guide on how much raw food to feed a dog walks through feeding to body condition in more detail.

Quality protein for a strong, lean frame

Keeping a dachshund slim doesn't mean underfeeding them. A lean dachshund still needs good muscle to support that long spine, and muscle is built and maintained on quality protein. Think of strong core and back muscles as a natural corset for a vulnerable back, and you can see why this matters.

What we'd look for is a named single protein, something like Atlantic Salmon or Free Run Chicken rather than a vague "meat", because a single, clearly named source tends to be highly digestible and easy to keep track of. Pair that with a genuinely high meat content and you're feeding the frame, not padding it out. We'd steer away from fixating on protein percentages, though. For a dachshund, quality and digestibility do far more good than any number on the analytical panel.

If you'd like to go deeper, our guides to the best protein for dogs and what 80/20 dog food means are useful next reads.

Joints, skin, and omega-3

The spine gets all the attention with dachshunds, but they can develop everyday joint wear as they age, just like any dog. This is where omega-3 fatty acids earn their place in the bowl. These are the anti-inflammatory fats found in oily fish, usually listed as EPA and DHA, and a multicentre veterinary study found that dogs with arthritis fed a diet rich in them showed a real improvement in comfort and movement (Roush et al., 2010). The same fats may also help support skin and coat condition.

Glucosamine and chondroitin, two building blocks for healthy cartilage, feature in every AATU recipe as standard. We do want to be straight with you here, though: these support general joint health, and they're not a treatment or a prevention for IVDD. In fact, one large survey of dachshunds found dogs given these supplements were recorded with more back trouble, not less, most likely because owners tend to reach for supplements once a dog already has a problem (Packer et al., 2016). So think of joint nutrients as sensible everyday support, not spinal insurance. Our 80/20 Salmon is a natural source of the omega-3 that helps here.

Digestion and everyday feeding

Day to day, a settled gut makes everything else easier, including managing weight. A digestible, single-protein recipe with added prebiotics and probiotics, the good gut bacteria and the fibres that feed them, supports firm, consistent stools. That's not just pleasant on walks; it also makes body condition easier to judge, because a dog with a settled tummy is easier to read.

Splitting the daily amount into two meals helps keep a small, food-focused dog satisfied without tipping into overfeeding. If your dachshund reacts to a particular food, it's worth remembering that true allergies are rare, and what you're usually dealing with is a sensitivity or intolerance, which a calm, methodical look at the diet tends to sort out. Our wet dog food range is a palatable, easy-to-portion option that works well on its own or mixed through dry food.

Dental care

Small breeds, dachshunds included, are prone to dental disease. Periodontal disease, which affects the gums and the structures around the teeth, is in fact the single most commonly recorded disorder in UK dogs (O'Neill et al., 2021). It's easy to overlook because it develops quietly.

We'll be honest about what actually helps: regular tooth brushing at home and veterinary dental checks are the things that make the real difference. You'll sometimes hear that dry food or chewing "cleans" a dog's teeth, but that isn't properly borne out by the evidence, so we wouldn't lean on it. Good food supports overall health, and it's one part of the picture, but it's no substitute for brushing and professional care.

Feeding through the life stages

A dachshund's needs shift as they grow, so here's the short version.

Puppies should grow steadily and stay slim from the start, because early excess weight is the last thing a breed that has to protect its back needs (FEDIAF, 2024). Resist the urge to overfeed a hungry pup. Adults should be kept lean and well-muscled, on a consistent, digestible diet you can settle on. And older dachshunds benefit from the same careful weight control, with added attention to joint and digestive support as they slow down.

You can start pups on our puppy food, and our guide to the best food for senior dogs covers the later years.

What to look for on the label

Navigating pet food labels doesn't need to be a mystery. The finest recipes will always be transparent, offering:

• A named single protein as the first listed ingredient (like Atlantic Salmon or Free Run Chicken)

• High meat content for effortless digestibility

• Nutrient density, keeping portions small and satisfying

• Natural omega-3 for healthy skin, coat, and joints

• Glucosamine and chondroitin for everyday joint support

• Prebiotics and probiotics for a settled gut

• A pure, grain-free blend with no artificial extras

It’s easy to be drawn to a 'small breed' label on the front of a bag, but the truth of a dog's diet is always written on the back. Whatever recipe you choose, the greatest benefit you can offer your dachshund is a diet that keeps them lean. A healthy weight, above all else, is the ultimate protection for their back.

And one honest word to finish on. A picture of a dachshund or a "small breed" flash on the front of the pack tells you very little on its own, so turn it over and read the ingredients. Above all, whatever you choose, feed it to keep your dog lean. That, more than any single ingredient, is what protects a dachshund.

How AATU fits

Once you know what a dachshund needs, the fit is easy to explain. Every AATU recipe is crafted with over 80% Meat and Fish Ingredients, using named single proteins, and cooked Low and Slow™, our gentle method that helps lock in nutrients. Each one includes our Superfood Blend™, added prebiotics and probiotics, and glucosamine and chondroitin, all grain free with nothing artificial, and rated in the top 2% of all foods reviewed by the independent All About Dog Food.

The key point for a dachshund owner is this. Because AATU is nutrient dense, it's easy to serve a satisfying, complete meal in a small, controlled portion, which is exactly what helps keep your dog at a healthy weight without leaving them feeling short-changed. 

If you're choosing where to start, our 80/20 Salmon is a lovely option for its natural omega-3, while our lean, highly digestible 80/20 Free Run Chicken makes a reliable everyday choice. You can browse the whole dry dog food range to find the recipe that suits your dog best.

If you're weighing up food for a particular breed or life stage, you might also like our guides to the best food for working dogs and the best food for senior dogs.

FAQs

How do I stop my dachshund getting overweight?

Feed to body condition rather than to a fixed amount, checking roughly monthly that you can feel the ribs and see a waist from above. Weigh each meal in grams from the on-pack guide instead of using cups or scoops, and keep a close eye on treats and scraps, since these add up fast on such a small dog.

What foods should dachshunds avoid?

Steer clear of recipes padded with fillers or vague, unnamed "derivatives", as they add little beyond bulk and calories. Keep the usual toxic human foods well away too, including chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and anything containing the sweetener xylitol. Rich, fatty leftovers are also best skipped, as they pile on calories a dachshund really doesn't need.

Does diet cause or prevent IVDD in dachshunds?

No food causes or prevents IVDD, so it's worth treating any product that promises to as a red flag. The disease is driven mainly by the breed's genetics and body shape, but keeping your dog lean is the single most important thing you can influence through diet, because excess weight adds to the risk their conformation already carries.

How much should I feed a dachshund?

Start from the feeding guide on the pack for your dog's weight, then adjust to their body condition rather than sticking rigidly to a number. Because AATU and other nutrient-dense foods deliver a lot in a small portion, always weigh the amount in grams, and split it across two meals a day to keep a small dog satisfied.

What is the best food for a dachshund puppy?

The best puppy food is a complete, highly digestible recipe fed for steady, slim growth rather than the fastest possible size. Keeping a dachshund pup lean from the outset supports healthy development and starts the lifelong habit of protecting their back, so follow the guide on the pack and adjust to how your individual puppy is growing.

References

FEDIAF. (2024). Nutritional guidelines for complete and complementary pet food for cats and dogs. European Pet Food Industry Federation. https://europeanpetfood.org/self-regulation/nutritional-guidelines/

O'Neill, D. G., James, H., Brodbelt, D. C., Church, D. B., & Pegram, C. (2021). Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 62(12), 1051–1061. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jsap.13405

Packer, R. M. A., Hendricks, A., Volk, H. A., Shihab, N. K., & Burn, C. C. (2013). How long and low can you go? Effect of conformation on the risk of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion in domestic dogs. PLOS ONE, 8(7), e69650. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0069650

Packer, R. M. A., Seath, I. J., O'Neill, D. G., De Decker, S., & Volk, H. A. (2016). DachsLife 2015: An investigation of lifestyle associations with the risk of intervertebral disc disease in Dachshunds. Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 3, 8. https://cgejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40575-016-0039-8

Roush, J. K., Cross, A. R., Renberg, W. C., Dodd, C. E., Fritsch, D. A., Allen, T. A., ... Hahn, K. A. (2010). Multicentre veterinary practice assessment of the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on osteoarthritis in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 236(1), 59–66. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20043800/