How to Assist Your Dachshund in Losing Weight (and What to Feed Them)

Perhaps you didn't see how chubby your Dachshund was until yesterday since you didn't know how much your Dachshund should weigh or were in denial.

Or perhaps you were aware but were unable to act until now. Perhaps it's because you're in a panic because you've just learned that being obese can cut your Dachshund's life by up to two years. Whatever your purpose, you've arrived to the perfect place.

Your veterinarian's advice is helpful, but it is not perfect.

Veterinarians don't often speak out when a Dachshund is overweight because it can be a sensitive matter with owners, and they don't want to upset anyone.

I bring this up because sometimes you have to detect the problem on your own — YOU have to approach THEM about your Dachshund's weight problem.

If your Dachshund needs to reduce weight, especially if it is a lot of weight, the first place you should go for advice is a veterinarian.

Important questions to ask your veterinarian include:

How much weight should your Dachshund lose?

What is a reasonable rate of weight loss (for example, a half-pound per month)?

Is there something wrong with my Dachshund that is causing him to gain weight?

What changes should I make to my Dachshunds' food and exercise routine to help them lose weight? *

However, my experience has taught me that their feeding and exercise suggestions for the Dachshund breed are not always accurate. That's why I marked the last question with an asterisk.

Diet and exercise are also the two things that are most easily managed by you and have the greatest impact on a Dachshund's weight.

How to Reduce Calorie Intake in Your Dog Without Changing Foods

The issue is, there are ways to reduce the calories your dog consumes on your own.

For your Dachshund to lose weight, you do not need to switch to a diet meal or remove a food that they enjoy.

The following are the benefits of doing it yourself:

Your dog may continue to eat the foods he or she enjoys, which is especially helpful for finicky eaters or Dachshunds with sensitive stomachs.

It can help you save money because weight loss dog food can be expensive at times.

Reduce the amount of food you give your Dachshund

The second and most effective technique to reduce calories in your Dachshund is to just feed them less of their regular diet.

If your Doxie consumes 12 cup of food twice a day, try reducing the portion of food offered at each meal to 13 cup. Reduce the amount to 14 cup if your dog regularly eats 13 cup twice a day.

This method is effective, however it does not work for all dogs. The amount of food in their stomach might occasionally make a Dachshund feel as if they are still hungry.

Make a soup for their supper.

You may also try adding water to your dog's food to make it look like a soup (if you used canned or raw food) or cereal floating in a bowl (if you feed kibble).

This extra water will help to replace some of the food volume in their stomach while also keeping them hydrated.

Dietary Supplements for Dachshunds

Acana Light & Fit is an abbreviation for Acana Light & Fit

Acana Grain Free Adult Dog Food, Light & Fit to support Healthy Weight, 25lb

• Supports Healthy Body Weight: No added grains, gluten, potato, and tapioca ingredients, making it a nourishing food for dogs of all ages and sizes
• Grain-Free and High-Protein: High in protein and full of key nutrients with fresh or raw animal ingredients, whole vegetables, fruits, and botanicals
• Made in the USA: Formulated in our state-of-the-art Kitchen using only ingredients from trusted sources; Packaging May Vary
• Crafted with Fresh and Raw Ingredients: Matches the natural diets and physiology of dogs to best meet their natural nutritional needs
• No Artificial Colors or Preservatives: We skip the artificial ingredients in our Kitchen and provide key nutrients dogs need

$72.99

Buy on Amazon

Acana Light & Fit would be my first option (or the slightly better quality, but more expensive Orijen Fit & Trim made by the same company)

ACANA Light & Fit dog food is nutrient-dense and strong in protein, making it ideal for active Dachshunds like mine.

Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight

Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain Free Recipe with Real Chicken Natural Dry Dog Food, 20 lb. Bag

• GRAIN FREE HEALTHY WEIGHT DOG FOOD WITH FREEZE DRIED RAW CAGE FREE CHICKEN: Instinct Raw Boost dry dog food combines high protein, grain free kibble with all natural bites of freeze dried raw chicken. Cage free chicken is the #1 ingredient.
• HEALTHY WEIGHT DOG FOOD PLUS FREEZE DRIED RAW PIECES: With fat burning L-Carnitine for healthy metabolism & the ideal fiber level to help your dog feel full. Made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, byproduct meal, artificial colors or preservatives.
• THE FIRST RAW BOOSTED KIBBLE FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: Raw Boost mixes natural, grain free dog food with our freeze dried raw dog food toppers in one bag. Complete & balanced nutrition with 25% less fat and 15% fewer calories than Instinct Raw Boost.
• POWER OF RAW INGREDIENTS: Our dog food is made with the pure, real nutrition of raw. Raw is natural, made from real meat & whole food ingredients, protein packed & minimally processed. Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.
• OUR BEST DOG FOOD BOOSTED WITH RAW: We craft dry & wet dog food from real ingredients. Compare Instinct to Blue Buffalo, Rachel Ray, Hills Science Diet, Purina One, Taste of the Wild, Merrick, Natural Balance, Wellness, Orijen, Royal Canin, Iams & Nutro.

$79.99

Buy on Amazon

Instinct Raw Boost Healthy Weight dry dog food blends high protein, grain-free kibble with all-natural freeze-dried raw chicken bits. The first ingredient is cage-free chicken.

Firstmate Pet Foods Pacific Ocean Fish is an excellent weight management diet for Dachshunds of all ages, but especially seniors.

This is a limited ingredient meal with fish as the only protein source, making it suitable for dogs that are allergic to other meats like as beef and chicken. Furthermore, because there are fewer ingredients in this composition, it is easier to digest.

Fromm Gold Reduced Activity & Senior Dry Dog Food

Sale

Fromm Gold Nutritionals Senior Dry Dog Food, 5-Pound Bag

• SENIOR DOG FOOD - Chicken recipe dry dog food for less active adult dogs and senior dogs. Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.
• FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED - Fromm Family Foods is a fifth-generation family-owned-and-operated pet food company based in Wisconsin. Since 1904, our family has maintained a tradition of quiet innovation dedicated to the health and nutrition of animals.
• HIGH-QUALITY PROTEIN - Our dog kibble has chicken, duck, and lamb. Very digestible and highly palatable sources of protein that provide amino acids required for maintaining muscle, tissue repair, hormone synthesis, and other metabolic processes.
• WHOLE GRAIN GOODNESS - Our dry food for dogs contains a mix of whole grains that provide an impressive variety of vitamins, minerals, and high-quality complex carbohydrates, which can provide energy and fiber.
• EASY FEEDING - This 5 lb bag of dry dog food is great for less active adult dogs and senior dogs. Fromm is dedicated to providing exceptional foods to pet families everywhere. We would love to assist with your pet’s nutritional needs.

$19.99

Buy on Amazon

Fromm Family Foods is a fifth generation family-run artisan pet food company. This food is intended to have a high level of nutritional digestion and utilization.

Reduced Activity & Senior Dry Dog Fromm Gold Food contains grain (rice, oats, millet, and barley), chicken, and Fromm's specifically designed probiotic combination.

It is free of corn, wheat, and beet pulp (which is a good thing).

Nutro Ultra Small Breed Adult Weight Management

NUTRO ULTRA Adult Weight Management High Protein Natural Small Breed Dry Dog Food for Weight Contol with a Trio of Proteins from Chicken, Lamb and Salmon, 8 lb. Bag

• Contains one (1) 8 lb. bag of NUTRO ULTRA Small Breed Adult Weight Management Dry Dog Food with a Trio of Proteins From Chicken, Lamb and Salmon
• Features trio of protein from chicken, lamb, and salmon—chicken is the ingredient—specially formulated for overweight adult dogs to help with healthy weight management
• Our premium, all natural dog food kibble is made with high-quality ingredients (plus vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients) and provides complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs in every bowl
• NUTRO ULTRA Dry Dog Food is made with high-quality protein and our blend of 15 vibrant superfoods, like coconut, chia, kale, blueberries, and other quality ingredients
• Made with no chicken by-product meal, corn, soy, or wheat, and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

$36.98

Buy on Amazon

The Nutro Ultra Little Breed Adult Weight Management dog food contains grain (rice and oats), but it comes in smaller bits - small nibbles for small Dachshunds.

It contains chicken, lamb, and salmon protein. It also includes their special combination of 15 superfoods such as coconut, chia, kale, and blueberries.