Intelligent, brave and possessing a loving personality, Dachshunds are one of the most popular dog breeds around. In this article, we’ll show you the basics of feeding your tiny new pet. With proper diet and exercise, you can rest easy that your little foot-long munchkin can have a long and happy life with you and your family!
So you’ve done and gotten yourself a new dachshund puppy for sale in your local kennel. Don’t let the shy eyes fool you. Dachshunds are hunting dogs from Germany designed to hunt badgers, rabbits, and other tiny pests around farms and homes. They are not picky eaters so they pretty much can eat whatever they can get their paws on.
Depending on the size of your dachshunds, whether the standard size (7.5kg to 14.5kg) or miniature type (5.5kg below), appropriate portion control is a must because they are very prone to obesity as they grow, which is not good for their backs and hind legs.
Before we begin buying what dog food is best for your pet, ask a veterinarian or your local kennel what
the current health status of your dachshund is, keeping in mind their age, allergy triggers, and vaccines.
As a loving pet owner, you want what’s best for your puppy. Let’s divide the choices into 4 categories
and we’ll tackle them one at a time:
Dry food
Usually called kibble or biscuits, they are made with a mixture of grain, meat and vitamin additives and
shaped into pellets. These are the easiest to get a hold of in your local pet shop. For your puppy, it’s best
to go for kibble specially made for puppies, as they have different nutritional needs than adults.
Most junior kibble can be fed until the pups are 10 months old. After that, they can upgrade to adult kibble.
Wet food
You can feed your puppies kibble all the time but for the special occasion they’ve been very good, wet
foods are a welcome treat. Usually made from real meat with some crushed veggies, they are more
stimulating because of the smells and texture. Keep in mind the overall calories and quality of the
brands though as not all wet foods are the same.
Home cooked food
If you want to give extra attention to your dachshunds, cooking for them is the next logical step!
Serious dog owners love cooking for their fur babies so they know exactly what goes into their pet’s bellies.
Also, I know it’s tempting to feed them table scraps when they nuzzle on your legs and they give you puppy dog eyes, but keep in mind specific triggers as some ingredients are allergens and deadly to
dogs. Give them scraps sparingly.
Raw food/BARF diet
For the more “traditional” minded dog owner who likes to keep their pets as close as nature intended,
BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) is another option. Usually consisting of raw uncooked,
meats, organs and bones and some raw veggies, it raises some concerns over food borne illnesses and
nutritional imbalances. But if done right, not only do they improve the health and fur of your
dachshunds, they also keep them more energetic.
SO… WHAT TO BUY?
Why not both? Again, balance is key here in making sure your puppies stay fit and happy.
Changing up the kibble with wet food in one day, then a home-cooked meal with some raw meat at
dinner time on another. Not all pet owners have the time to cook a home cooked meal for their pets or
study what raw meal combinations are best. But as long as you read up on the right amount of food
your puppies need in a day, rest assured your dachshunds will stay fit and happy. Just remember to
throw in a dental stick from time to time, so kisses and licks won’t be too nasty!