What Do Dachshunds Like to Eat?

Dachshunds are a German breed of hound that was originally used for hunting. Like most dogs, they prefer to eat good quality foods, treats and some human-grade food. However, the breed's elongated yet squat appearance makes the dachshund prone to weight and back problems. Most dachshunds respond favorably to a balanced diet both palatable and appropriate for the particular dog's nutritional needs.

  1. Commercial Dog Food

    • Not all commercial dog food is made equally, which means that label reading is necessary to determine the quality and nutritional benefits (as well as drawbacks) of the food itself. High protein, small-kibbled dog food formulated for small breeds in the preferred choice when it comes to dry kibble. Canned dog food, gravies and food toppers are also good choices for this tiny breed because it is easy to eat and highly palatable to most dogs. The drawbacks of commercial dog diets are high-fat, grain and sugar contents used to make this unnatural food source palatable, which can result in obesity and diabetes.

    Organic and Raw Foods

    • Organic and raw foods are also very appealing to dauchshunds because they are highly palatable and closer to a dog's natural diet than dry kibble or canned dog food. Organic foods are made from human-grade meat. Raw diets are made from many different meat sources such as bison, turkey, salmon and chicken, and they come in a variety of textures and flavors. Raw and organic dog foods are available at most pet-supply stores as well as from many butchers, farmers and slaughterhouses.

    Treats

    • Keep treats at a minimum or only give as a reward. Treats such as basted animal parts and raw hides are high in fat and can quickly fatten up a lean dauchshund. Fruits and vegetables are low-fat treats that also clean teeth and freshen breath; raw and cooked produce is also a good source of vitamins. However, never feed dogs chocolate, onions, mushrooms or grapes because they are toxic to canines.

    Considerations

    • If a dauchshund turns its nose up at its food, consider asking why. It could be that the flavor is no longer appealing, or it could simply be tired of the food (providing there are not any underlying medical problems). Ask friends and fellow dauchshund owners what they feed and see if their dogs exhibit healthy skin, coat, eyes and energy levels. There are many trial-size and small bags of good-quality, high-protein kibbles available to choose from that may be more appealing to a particular dauchshund.