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Best Dog Food for Dachshunds 2025
Written by Aurus Sy
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 03/24/2023, edited: 02/27/2025
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
With their long backs and short legs, Dachshunds are one of the most recognizable and most beloved dog breeds in the world. Despite their amusing appearance, they were developed for the serious task of hunting badgers hundreds of years ago.
Today, Dachshunds—or sausage dogs as they’re affectionately called—spend more time in cozy homes than in badger dens, but they still need regular exercise to stay fit and build strong muscles to support their long backs.
Needless to say, it’s important to make sure your active wiener dog is receiving adequate nutrition. Since Dachshunds have fast metabolisms, small stomachs, and small mouths, they will benefit the most from a high-calorie, nutrient-dense, bite-size dog food specially formulated for small breeds. It’s also important to consider your pup’s age, as different life stages have different nutritional needs.
What are the best dog foods for Dachshunds? Here are Wag!’s top recommendations!
Overview
Ollie Dog Food
5
Ollie is a “woofderful” option if you want to feed your pup fresh food, but don’t have time to cook. There are four recipes including Turkey, a lean protein that’s great for helping your Doxie build healthy muscle.
The Turkey recipe also has blueberries, carrots, pumpkin, and kale, among other high-quality, human-grade ingredients.
All Ollie fresh dog food recipes are gently cooked, hand-packed, and delivered to the customer’s door. In case your dog turns up their nose at their meals, Ollie will fully refund your two-week starter box.
Ollie Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
• Uses minimally processed, human-grade ingredients
• Does not contain fillers, by-products, or artificial flavors
• Picky eater approved
• Some pet parents have reported better digestion in their dogs
• Comes with a 100% money-back guarantee
• Does not contain fillers, by-products, or artificial flavors
• Picky eater approved
• Some pet parents have reported better digestion in their dogs
• Comes with a 100% money-back guarantee
Considerations & Concerns
• Can be pricey
• Can take up a lot of freezer space
• Some customers have experienced late deliveries
• Can take up a lot of freezer space
• Some customers have experienced late deliveries
What pet parents say about Ollie Dog Food
“This was my second box with Ollie and my dog LOVES the food. Plus they are very easy to deal with and give you good notifications and estimates on boxes' arrivals. They are very well packed. The food is easy to store and I trust that my dog is eating fresh and healthy food.”
Read more reviews on Trustpilot.
Product image sourced from the Ollie website. Copyright Ollie Pets Inc.
Nutro Small Breed Senior Farm-Raised Chicken & Brown Rice
4.5
Best for seniors
Formulated for small dogs ages 8 years and older, this grain-inclusive recipe from Nutro features real chicken as the first ingredient. Other ingredients include split peas, pumpkin, kale, barley, and brown rice.
This recipe also provides calcium to strengthen your senior Dachshund’s bones and joints, natural fiber to aid their digestion, and essential antioxidants to support their immune system.
All of this good stuff is packed into a small kibble size that’s suitable for small mouths and missing teeth.
Nutro Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
• Made with non-GMO ingredients
• Does not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Easy to eat for senior pups with missing teeth
• Some pet parents say their dogs’ coats improved
• Price is reasonable
• Does not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
• Easy to eat for senior pups with missing teeth
• Some pet parents say their dogs’ coats improved
• Price is reasonable
Considerations & Concerns
• Some dogs won’t eat it
• Comes in only one bag size
• Available in only one flavor
• Comes in only one bag size
• Available in only one flavor
What pet parents say about Nutro Small Breed Senior Farm-Raised Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
“I have older Doxies. They like the food. We do not have any upset tummies. They have shiny beautiful coats. Good value. Would recommend [to others].”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars Petcare.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Puppy Chicken and Oatmeal
4.5
Best vet recommended for puppies
Growing Dachshund puppies need a balanced diet, and this dry dog food from Blue Buffalo ticks all the boxes.
This grain-inclusive recipe is formulated to support a puppy’s brain and eye development, dental health, bone and muscle growth, and skin and coat.
With deboned chicken as the first ingredient, this recipe contains oatmeal, barley, blueberries, cranberries, and carrots as well.
Like many Blue Buffalo products, it also has LifeSource Bits, which are small, cold-formed kibble packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants, recommends this food to her clients. “Blue Buffalo dog food products cater to different life stages, sizes, and breeds of dogs. They offer formulations containing limited ingredients, which may be beneficial for dogs with certain dietary sensitivities.”
Blue Buffalo Puppy Food
Why Wag! Loves It
• Made with whole grains, fruits, and veggies
• Contains DHA and ARA for cognitive development
• Supports healthy growth in puppies
• A lot of dogs love it
• Price is reasonable
• Contains DHA and ARA for cognitive development
• Supports healthy growth in puppies
• A lot of dogs love it
• Price is reasonable
Considerations & Concerns
• May cause tummy issues in some dogs
• Some dogs won’t eat the LifeSource Bits
• Some pet parents say the kibble size is too big for their pups
• Some dogs won’t eat the LifeSource Bits
• Some pet parents say the kibble size is too big for their pups
What pet parents say about Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Puppy Chicken and Oatmeal Recipe
“My puppy likes it! So far he hasn't really liked any dry food, but when he tried Blue Life Protection Formula he ate 1/4 cup in one sitting.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd.
Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Food
4.5
Best for adults
This dry dog food from Diamond is a complete and balanced recipe for adult Dachshunds and features real meat as the first ingredient.
For proper nutrition and digestive support, it includes proprietary probiotics and superfoods like kale, chia seeds, pumpkin, and blueberries as well.
These quality ingredients are processed into kibble that is easy for small mouths to chew and has a crunchy texture that helps clean teeth.
Diamond Naturals Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
• Made with real meat, fruits, and vegetables
• Very small kibble size
• Enhanced with superfoods and probiotics
• Affordable
• Family-owned company
• Very small kibble size
• Enhanced with superfoods and probiotics
• Affordable
• Family-owned company
Considerations & Concerns
• May cause tummy issues in some dogs
• Available in only two flavors
What pet parents say about Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Food
“It’s super small for my little Chihuahua, she absolutely loves it, she dug right in, which is extremely unlike her. She’s typically more on the picky side! I’ve used this brand in the past and have always been pleased!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright SCHELL & KAMPETER, INC.
FAQ
What is the best food to feed Dachshunds?
What is the best dog food to feed a Miniature Dachshund?
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What kind of rice is best for Dachshunds?
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