Who doesn't love a weiner dog?

The dachshund’s long, slinky-like spine and stubby limbs certainly set them apart from other breeds — but it's their boisterous personality and fierce loyalty that make them a favorite. In fact, we're not at all surprised that the dachshund made the AKC's list of "Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2022."

If you're lucky enough to have a Doxie in your life, you might be on the hunt for the best food for this one-of-a-kind breed. What do you need to look for in a great dachshund dog food and what should you avoid? We've got you covered.

What To Look For in a Dachshund Dog Food

Dachshunds have a unique build. As cute as it may be, this unusual frame does make the dachshund more prone to some specific health problems. Back issues, disc extrusions, and even herniated discs are among the most common health concerns for this breed. These can be compounded by obesity, as carrying extra weight puts a lot of additional strain on the spine.

With this in mind, it's critical for dachshund owners to keep their pups as fit as possible. Make sure they're getting plenty of exercise each day and ensure they are being fed the correct portions to maintain a healthy weight.

Protein, calcium, phosphorus, and omega-3 supplementation are all recommended to keep dachshunds fit, trim, and healthy. Likewise, diets relatively low in carbohydrates and fat are your best bet.

That's not all the criteria to keep in mind when shopping for Doxie dog food, though. Here are a few more things to watch out for whether you're choosing a food for your dachshund puppy, adult, or senior.

High-Quality Animal Protein: Chicken, Fish, Turkey, Beef, or Lamb

The Association of American Feed Control (AAFCO) sets nutritional requirements for dog food brands to help pet owners choose foods that are part of a complete and balanced diet. They recommend that 22% of an adult dog’s daily diet consists of a protein source (though this number may vary slightly for puppies and senior dogs).

Unfortunately, some proteins are better than others. Some dog food brands use fillers like wheat and soy to achieve this requirement, or low-quality meat meal by-products. 

In reality, dogs (including dachshunds) need to get their protein from a high-quality meat source. Turkey, beef, lamb, and fish are all excellent examples of quality protein sources that dogs crave.

Look for real meat (not "meat meal," "rendered meat," or "byproduct meal") as the first ingredient in your dachshund's food as a starting point. From there, consider whether the meat source is a lean one, as dachshunds should steer away from too much fat.

Some examples of low-fat protein sources for dachshunds include:

• Fish (salmon, white fish, cod, etc.)
• Poultry (turkey and chicken)
• Lean beef
• Lamb

Relatively Low in Fat, But With Omega-3s

Here's where choosing the best dog food for dachshunds can get a little trickier: despite the fact that Doxies should limit their fat intake, they still need fatty acids in their diet.

Just like humans, there’s good fats and bad fats! Omega-3 fatty acids are a healthy fat that play an important role of reducing joint inflammation while boosting the immune system and supporting overall skin and coat health. Omega-3s can also support kidney and heart function, making them an important component of any dachshund's diet.

So, how can you find a food that incorporates essential fatty acids without feeding your pup too much fat? Look for a food that contains a coldwater fish or is supplemented with fish oil. Flaxseed also contains Omega-3 fatty acids, so look for this ingredient in your dog's food as well.

No Artificial Flavoring

All too often, dog food brands will spray artificial flavoring onto their kibble after it's processed in an effort to make it tastier. Likewise, artificial dyes may be used to make the color look better to humans.

In reality, the best and healthiest dog food made to the highest standards shouldn't need anything artificial added to make it look or taste better.

Not only can some additives (like BHA, BHT, and nitrates/nitrites) be detrimental to a dog's health, but they're just plain unnecessary. And when you're feeding a dog as small as a Doxie, even the smallest concentrations of these unwanted ingredients can have a big impact on health and wellness.

At The Honest Kitchen, we believe that pet food should be minimally processed and  shouldn't need spray-on flavoring to be appetizing to your pup.

The Honest Kitchen Food Options for Dachshunds

High protein, low fat, no additives, and omega-3s are all things you should look for in a great food for your dachshund. Still, with so many dog food brands out there , choosing just one can be overwhelming.

At The Honest Kitchen, we aim to make shopping for food easier for all of your dog’s life stages. Whether you have a small breed puppy, a small breed adult, or a senior Doxie, we offer a number of food options ideal for your dachshund.

All of our human grade foods are made with quality ingredients to meet your dog's nutritional needs without added fillers, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, or anything else that your canine friend doesn't need.

1. Whole Grain Chicken Clusters for Small Breeds

If you're looking for a convenient dry dog food that's suitable for your Doxie, our Whole Grain Chicken Clusters for Small Breeds is an excellent choice.

Developed with a veterinary nutritionist, every batch of this food is made with wholesome ingredients in our human grade kitchen. Here, we use cold-pressing/low-roasting to gently dehydrate each bite while retaining flavor and nutrients. 

This dry dog food is available in one four and 10-pound bags, so grab one for your dachshund to try today!

Ingredient List

The main ingredients in this recipe include:

• Cage-free chicken
• Oats
• Barley
• Chicken liver
• Carrots
• Ground flaxseed
• Eggs
• Broccoli
• Pumpkin
• Apples

Type

This is a dry dog food with whole grains, meaning it's convenient to provide (simply scoop and serve!) while containing quality grains that give your dog key nutrients, minerals, and added fiber.

Why It's Great For Dachshunds

This dog food is specifically designed with smaller breeds in mind, offering a small kibble size that's easy for Doxies to chew and enjoy. Meanwhile, the recipe features lean, cage-free chicken as its first ingredient to deliver the quality protein your dachshund needs to thrive without added fat. Ground flaxseed and salmon oil also add omega-3s to your dog's diet.

And of course, Doxies love the tantalizing flavors of real chicken, fruits, and veggies — making this a great option for picky eaters!

2. Grain Free Chicken Clusters for Small Breeds

If your Doxie is sensitive to grains, then a grain free recipe like our Grain Free Chicken Clusters for Small Breeds may be a better option.

This dry dog food is similar to our whole grain option, swapping out the oats and barley for potatoes, peas, and lentils. It's made the same way in our human grade facilities, using cold-pressing and slow-roasting techniques to gently process each cluster without sacrificing flavor or nutrients.

Our Grain Free Chicken Clusters for Small Breeds is available in one-pound, four-pound, and 10-pound bags. Pick one up today and see the difference human grade food can make in your dachshund's diet!

Ingredient List

Main ingredients in this dry dog food include:

• Cage-free chicken
• Potatoes
• Peas
• Lentils
• Chicken liver
• Carrots
• Ground flaxseed
• Eggs
• Coconut oil
• Broccoli
• Pumpkin
• Apples
• Chia seed
• Salmon oil

Type

This is a grain free dog food, which may be recommended for dogs who have shown signs of sensitivity to grains (such as oats and barley) in the past. It is also a dry recipe, making it convenient to serve up without additional prep needed.

Why It's Great For Dachshunds

Dachshunds thrive on our Grain Free Chicken Clusters because they're specifically designed with small breeds in mind, beginning with the small kibble size.

From there, your Doxie will enjoy delicious and lean chicken as the main ingredient, giving your pup important protein without adding too much fat for healthy weight management. Meanwhile, your dog will be getting plenty of omega-3s and other essential fatty acids through ingredients like ground flaxseed, salmon oil, and chia seed.

3. Bone Broth Pour Overs

Looking to add some extra protein to your Doxie's diet? The Honest Kitchen's Pour Overs, including our Bone Broth Pour Overs, are a great option.

These pourable stews come in a convenient 5.5-oz package that can be easily added as a topper to your pup's everyday meal or fed on its own as a tasty treat. Available in chicken, beef, and turkey and fish, these Bone Broth Pour Overs are a fun way to mix things up while giving your pup a protein boost.

Ingredient List

The ingredients in Bone Broth Pour Overs include:

• Bone broth
• Real meat (chicken, beef, or turkey and fish, depending on the recipe you choose)
• Carrots
• Butternut squash
• Tapioca
• Thyme
• Sage

Type

The Pour Over comes in the form of a pourable stew, making it an excellent food topper that can be added to your pup's bowl or fed on its own as a wet food.

Why It's Great For Dachshunds

Doxies love Bone Broth Pour Overs from The Honest Kitchen because they're made from real meat and bone broth, along with delicious ingredients like carrots and butternut squash. They offer a great protein boost without adding too much fat.

4. Functional Pour Overs: Hip & Joint

Because dachshunds are prone to joint problems, we also recommend our Hip & Joint Functional Pour Overs as a means of supporting hip and joint health. These convenient, pourable toppers are simply added to your pup's bowl and available in chicken, beef, and fish flavors.

Ingredient List

Specific items may vary slightly based on the flavor you select, but ingredients in our Chicken Stew recipe include:

• Chicken bone broth
• Cage-free chicken
• Carrots
• Butternut squash
• Tapioca
• Fish oil
• Turmeric

Type

This is a pourable food topper that can be added to your dog's everyday food or served on its own as a treat. Each serving is individually portioned for added convenience.

Why It's Great For Dachshunds

Our Hip & Joint Functional Pour Overs are great for Doxies because they contain an extra helping of EPA and DHA to support joint health. Meanwhile, added fish oil provides your pup with omega-3 fatty acids to support a healthy immune system and fight off inflammation.

Try an Honest Kitchen Food for Your Dachshund Today

To support your dachshund’s health and wellness, help your beloved pup maintain a healthy weight, make sure they're getting enough protein without overdoing it on fat, and support joint health with omega-3 fatty acids.

The Honest Kitchen makes all of this easier with human grade dog foods specifically created with small breeds and all life stages in mind. Read testimonials from real dachshund owners to see what food from The Honest Kitchen could do for your own dog's wellness and quality of life.

Then explore our selection of human grade food for small breed dogs for yourself! If you have any questions or need help selecting the best food for your dog, don't hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable and friendly team.