50% off your first order. Redeem Now

Dog Food Chevron
Cat Food Chevron
More Chevron
See Plans & Pricing Account

FREEZE-DRIED RAW FEEDING GUIDE

How to feed a Dachshund

The Dachshund's famous long back is its defining feature — and its biggest vulnerability. Combined with a hearty appetite and short legs that make exercise harder, that means weight management is the single most important thing you control as a Doxie parent.

Here is exactly how to feed a Dachshund on freeze-dried raw: measured by weight and life stage, with the nutrition that protects their spine, joints, skin, and teeth.

  • Adult weight11–32 lb
  • SizeSmall
  • EnergyModerate
  • Lifespan12–16 years
  • CoatSmooth, longhaired or wirehaired — low to moderate shedder
Build my dog's plan → Shop recipes
A healthy Dachshund
iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

What a Dachshund's body needs

Every Dachshund trait comes back to one thing: how you feed them. Here's what matters most.

  • Long spine, prone to back injury (IVDD)

    Needs: Lean body weight above all

    Measured freeze-dried raw — fed by weight, not appetite — is the most effective tool for keeping a Dachshund lean and taking load off that long, vulnerable back.

  • Strongly food-motivated & obesity-prone

    Needs: Precise portions, lean protein

    Calorie-dense raw is measured dry, so a satisfying meal is a small, honest portion — easy to control, with no carb fillers that pile on weight.

  • Luxating patellas & joint stress

    Needs: Natural joint support

    Real meat, cartilage and ground bone supply natural glucosamine and chondroitin, while omega-3s help calm joint inflammation around the knees and back.

  • Floppy ears & infection-prone skin

    Needs: Omega-rich, low-inflammation diet

    Whole-food animal and fish fats feed the skin barrier from the inside and skip the starchy fillers that can fuel the chronic ear and skin flare-ups Doxies get.

  • Crowded teeth, prone to dental disease

    Needs: Clean, low-starch nutrition

    Minimally processed raw avoids the sugary, sticky carbohydrates that feed plaque and tartar on a small, crowded set of teeth.

How much to feed a Dachshund

Quick answer: a healthy adult Dachshund (11–32 lb) needs about 1.7–4.8 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, split across two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry — so it's much less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.

Ideal adult weightFreeze-dried per dayPer meal (×2)
11 lb 1.7 oz 0.8 oz
16 lb 2.4 oz 1.2 oz
21 lb typical Dachshund 3.2 oz 1.6 oz
26 lb 3.9 oz 2.0 oz
32 lb 4.8 oz 2.4 oz

Starting points for a moderately active adult (~0.15 oz of freeze-dried per lb of ideal weight). Active dogs need a little more, couch companions a little less — always adjust to body condition, not the bag.

Get exact portion →

What to feed a Dachshund

For a Dachshund we recommend complete freeze-dried raw as the daily base — real meat, organs and ground bone with no heat-processed starchy filler — or as a topper while you transition. The naturally lean, protein-rich profile makes it easy to keep a Doxie trim.

Lean single-protein recipes like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod are ideal for easy weight watchers; richer Grass-Fed Beef suits more active or underweight dogs. The rehydrated, easy-to-chew morsels also suit a small jaw prone to dental crowding. Just add water and serve.

Recipes for Dachshunds

Shop all →

Daily support for Dachshunds

Shop all →

Treats Dachshunds love

Shop all →

Feeding a Dachshund by life stage

  • Puppy: Dachshund puppies should grow steadily, not explosively — extra weight stresses developing joints and a still-forming back. Feed roughly 5–8% of current body weight across 3–4 small meals and keep them lean.
  • Adult: Feed to a lean, visible waist, split across two meals. Use the chart below as a starting point and adjust to body condition — a trim Doxie is a protected Doxie.
  • Senior: Appetite stays strong while activity falls, so trim portions to prevent creep. Keep protein high to preserve the muscle that supports the spine, and lean into joint- and weight-conscious feeding.

Common Dachshund concerns — and the diet connection

  • Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) & back injuryLargely structural, but staying lean is the biggest dietary lever you have — every excess pound adds strain to the long spine. Measured raw feeding keeps weight in the protective range.
  • ObesityThe breed's most common and most preventable problem. Calorie-dense raw, measured by weight and fed to body condition, makes honest portion control simple.
  • Luxating patella & joint stressLean weight plus natural joint nutrients — glucosamine from bone and cartilage and anti-inflammatory omega-3 — support comfortable, stable movement.
  • Recurring ear & skin infectionsFloppy ears and allergy-prone skin set the stage; an omega-rich, low-filler whole-food diet supports the skin barrier and helps dial down inflammation.
  • Dental diseaseA crowded small mouth invites plaque; a clean, low-starch raw diet avoids the sugary carbohydrates that feed tartar buildup.

Diet supports health but doesn't replace veterinary care — ask your vet about any specific condition.

Feeding a Dachshund: what to know

Dachshunds are food-driven and prone to obesity, and their long, low build makes burning off extra calories difficult. Every extra ounce loads the spine — the leading cause of the back injuries this breed is known for — so feed to body condition, not to the begging eyes.

Because freeze-dried raw is calorie-dense and measured dry, weigh each meal rather than eyeballing it. You should easily feel the ribs and see a clear waist from above; re-check portions every few weeks, especially if activity drops during recovery from a back or knee issue.

Dachshund feeding questions

How much should I feed my Dachshund?
A standard Dachshund (16–32 lb) needs roughly 2.5–5 oz of freeze-dried raw per day, and a miniature (under 11 lb) closer to 1.5 oz — split between two meals. Freeze-dried is calorie-dense and measured dry, so it is far less by volume than kibble. Feed to a lean waistline and adjust every few weeks.
What is the best food for a Dachshund that gains weight easily?
A measured, complete freeze-dried raw diet of lean single proteins like Chicken or Wild-Caught Cod makes portion control easy and keeps calories honest. Weigh each meal and feed to body condition rather than to your Doxie's very persuasive appetite — keeping the weight off protects the back.
Does feeding affect my Dachshund's back problems?
Indirectly but powerfully. IVDD and back injury risk are structural, but excess weight multiplies the strain on that long spine. Keeping a Dachshund lean with measured, nutrient-dense feeding is one of the most practical things you can do to support back health.
How do I switch my Dachshund to raw?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing a little more Land Animal into the old food each day. Raw is rich and Doxies take to it eagerly, so start at the lower end of the range and watch the waistline closely.
Are smaller portions a problem for such a food-motivated breed?
The portion looks small because freeze-dried raw is so calorie-dense, but it is a complete, satisfying meal. For training a smart, stubborn, treat-loving Dachshund, use lean single-ingredient treats and subtract them from the daily total so the math stays honest.

THE CLEAN BOWL GUARANTEE

If your dog won't eat it, it's on us

Try Dachshund's first plan risk-free. If they turn up their nose, we'll make it right — money-back, and skip, pause or cancel anytime.

  • Vet-formulated
  • AAFCO complete & balanced
  • Pathogen-tested every batch

  • "Knowing exactly how much to feed took all the guesswork out. He's leaner, with more energy on our walks."

    — Jenna & Cooper

  • "My picky rescue finally runs to the bowl — and cleanup in the yard is a fraction of what it was."

    — Priya & Luna
Build my dog's meal plan →

Portions are starting points for freeze-dried raw and AAFCO complete-and-balanced recipes. Always feed to your individual dog's body condition and ask your vet about specific health needs.