Good Nutrition Tips for Daschunds

Dachshunds require a balanced and nutritious diet every day to ensure they experience a full and healthy life. When not fed enough, fed too much or fed low-nutrient foods, lethargy and illness may result. Loving your dog means taking good care of it, and in return you will gain loyal companionship for years to come.

  1. Weight Control

    • Dachshunds are natural eaters. This breed will any and every food it comes across and eat itself right into obesity if it is allowed, according to Dr. Caroline Coile, author of "Dachshunds." Keep anything edible or chewable well out of range of your dachshund and keep their meals tightly controlled. You should be able to feel their ribcage but not see their ribcage. Being underweight is rare in dachshunds, said Coile, but when it does occur it may be a symptom of other health concerns, such as heart disease, cancer and endocrine problems.

    High Quality Meat

    • Dog owners must become skilled in the art of reading product and nutritional labels when purchasing brands of pet food. Not all pet foods are created equal. A product claiming to be "beef" must contain at least 95 percent beef. A product labeled "with beef" or "and beef" contains only 25 percent beef and high amounts of fillers to make the product cheaper. The more actual meat that is contained in a dog food, the better it will be for your pet. Dachshunds need very little variety and can live happily on a diet consisting primarily of dried kibble, with wet dog food and treats on occasion.

    Nutrients

    • When choosing a menu for an adult dachshund, check the nutritional analysis on the back of the pet food product to make sure it contains appropriate nutrition. The perfect balance of nutrition for a dachshund is 20 to 24 percent protein, with 12 percent fat and 5 percent fiber, according to Ann Gordon, dog breeder and author of "The Dachshund." While premium brands of dog food may contain the same nutrition as non-premium grocery store brands, premium brands are better absorbed and less is required to feed your dachshund.

    Toxic foods

    • While every dog enjoys an occasional treat, possibly for good behavior, there are some foods with are potentially toxic to the health of your dachshund. Chocolate is the most well-known toxic food that can make your dog sick. This sweet treat contains a chemical called threobromine and high levels can be fatal. Onions, if ingested by a dog, can trigger a dangerous blood disorder called hemolytic anemia, where red blood cells are destroyed. Raisins and grapes can cause kidney problems, while sugar-free candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol reduces blood sugar levels in dogs to a dangerous level.