How Much To Feed A Dachshund Puppy | 4 Week - 6 Week

Do you know how much to feed a Dachshund puppy? Feeding your puppy, the right amount of food is important in maintaining a healthy weight and supporting their growth and development.

The amount to feed a Dachshund depends on certain factors including age and activity level.

Whether you are feeding a standard Dachshund or a miniature Dachshund, ensure that you give them the correct amounts to avoid overweight or underweight puppies.

This article will explain all the essential information you need to know about how much to feed a Dachshund puppy.

How Much Should A Dachshund Puppy Eat?

How much to feed a Dachshund puppy depends on several factors including gender, genetics, and the stage of life they are in. You should also consider the types of food you are giving them and their activity level before adjusting the amounts to feed them.

Dachshunds have a higher risk of getting hypoglycemia if they go long without eating because their metabolism is faster.

Therefore when they are young, distribute their daily portions into several mealtimes throughout the day. When they get older, decrease the amount.

Generally, between the ages of two and five months, your puppy needs to be fed three to four times in the day. Between the ages of six and eight months, you can feed them two to three times a day.

Dachshund Puppy Feeding Chart

Generally, you can calculate the number of calories your Dachshund needs based on their current weight. A growing puppy requires two times their resting energy requirement (RER) in a day.

The RER is calculated by multiplying the body weight of your puppy in kilograms to the power of ¾ by 70.

For example, if your Dachshund weighs 10kg, their RER will be 70(10kg)3/4 = 400. You then multiply this by two making it 800 calories per day.

2-Week-Old Dachshund Puppy

At two weeks, a Dachshund is fully reliant on the mother’s milk for its nutritional requirement. Weaning may start when they are around three weeks old.

If the puppy does not have a mother or the mother does not produce enough milk for the puppies, feed them the commercial equivalent of the mother’s milk.

4-Week-Old Dachshund Puppy

A four-week-old Dachshund is ready to be weaned if they were not weaned at three weeks old. You can now provide food to the puppy and allow the mother to rest.

To start, give them kibble soaked in puppy formula or water. This will make it soft and easy for their delicate stomach. Give them half a cup of soft kibble three times a day.

6-Week-Old Dachshund Puppy

In theory, a Dachshund that is six weeks old can leave their mother for their new home, but it is recommended to wait until when they turn eight weeks.

During this stage, the other will be giving them a small amount of milk because they are spending more time playing together.

Your Dachshund can eat solid foods at this stage and feeding them three to four times a day totaling half a cup of kibble is necessary because their appetite is also increasing.

8-Week-Old Dachshund Puppy

At eight weeks, Dachshund puppies can go to their new home as they can fully rely on canned or dry food for their nutrition.

The breeder should tell you what type of food the puppy has been eating so that you can continue with the same to avoid stomach issues.

During this stage, feed your Dachshund between six to twelve ounces of food across four meals in a day.

10-Week-Old Dachshund Puppy

As your puppy grows older, the amount of food increases to support and sustain their growth and development.

However, you should maintain feeding them six to twelve ounces distributed over four mealtimes in a day to avoid overeating and bad eating habits.

Most brands have a feeding guideline that shows the exact amounts of calories your puppy needs at ten weeks old. If you are not sure, confirm with your vet.

12-Week-Old Dachshund Puppy

At twelve weeks, your puppy is grown, and this is the time to monitor their weight and height to ensure they are correct.

At this age, your Dachshund is ready to be trained on various habits that are useful in the long term. You can introduce treats as a reward for their training.

Give your puppy between seven and 15 ounces of food per day. Feed them four times a day.

Best Puppy Food For Dachshunds

Editor’s Choice

#1. Royal Canin Dachshund Puppy Dry Food

This Royal Canin dry food is specifically designed for Dachshunds who are purebred and are between the ages of 8 weeks to 10 months.

The puppy’s digestive systems and natural defenses are not fully developed during the growth stage. Therefore, this dry food is formulated to meet the needs of a growing Dachshund and support their natural defenses.

Pros

Helps support joint and bone health.
Helps to maintain the ideal weight of your puppy.
The kibble encourages chewing and is easy to pick up.
Supports the digestive health of your puppy.

Cons

Expensive compared to other dog food.

Runner-Up

#2. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Dog Food

Hill’s Science Dry Dog Food gives your Dachshund proper nutrition to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Made with good quality ingredients such as barley and chicken, this dog food will meet your puppy’s nutritional needs. Every ingredient in this dog food meets the requirements for nutrient content and purity.

Pros

It is easy to digest.
Supports healthy eye and brain development.
The blend of vitamin E and C and antioxidants supports the immune system of your puppy.
There are no artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.

Cons

Not suitable if your puppy is a picky eater.

#3. Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Chicken & Rice Dog Food

Purina Pro Dry Dog Food has plenty of good taste in each small kibble and has chicken as its first ingredient.

It is formulated with DHA, omega-rich fish oil, probiotics, antioxidants, and lots of calcium to help with the growth and development of your Dachshund.

Pros

Helps with vision and brain development.
Supports the immune and digestive systems of your puppy.
Helps your puppy grow strong bones and teeth.
No artificial flavors or colors.

Cons

Picky eaters may not like it.

#4. Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Dog Food

The Iams ProActive Health Dry Dog food will give your Dachshund a healthy start to their life.

This dog food has been specifically formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of small breeds including your Dachshund. The first ingredient is farm-raised chicken and features 22 other important ingredients such as omega 3 DHA.

Pros

A good source of protein for the healthy growth of muscles.
Helps with the cognitive development of your puppy.

Cons

Some dogs are vulnerable to diarrhea after consuming the product.

#5. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Dry Food was designed for the well-being and health of dogs. This formula has deboned chicken, garden fruits and veggies, whole grains, and LifeSource Bits, which is a blend of ingredients rich in antioxidants.

Since puppyhood is essential in Dachshunds, this dry food is specifically formulated to support their growth and development.

Pros

Has essential vitamins, phosphorus, and calcium for strong teeth and bones.
The kibbles are designed for smaller jaws to remove tartar.
Encourages healthy growth of muscle.
Has omega and fatty acids for healthy coat and skin.

Cons

Poor packaging in some batches.

Understanding Dachshund Puppy Nutritional Needs

Dachshund puppies have different nutritional needs than their adult counterparts.

Because their bodies are still growing, they need more vitamins and minerals such as phosphorus and calcium. Their food should also be at least 22.5% protein that is high in quality.

When they are newborns, Dachshunds get the nutrients from their mother’s milk or alternative commercial products if the mother is not present. When they reach the ages of 3 to 4 weeks, you can start weaning them and introducing dry or canned food.

Ensure that the food you feed your Dachshund is specifically designed for puppies and has the ‘complete’ or ‘balanced’ label in them. If you are not sure what to feed your puppy, consult with the vet.

Kibble vs Wet Food For Dachshund Puppies

Kibble is the most convenient and popular choice of food dog owners go for. It comes in a variety of flavors, sizes, and shapes. When selecting kibble for your Dachshund, ensure that it is specifically designed for puppies.

Dachshunds are small breeds hence need a smaller-sized kibble because it is easier to chew and swallow. Look for kibble that has a meat source such as chicken as the first ingredient and avoid brands that have fillers such as grains and cereals.

Wet food is tasty for dogs, but you should not feed your Dachshund wet food alone. Mix wet food and dry kibble for your puppy to enjoy their food more.

Wet food is less practical and more expensive than dry kibble. Wet food goes bad easily once opened and there are some concerns that wet food can cause loose stool in dogs.

However, if you choose to feed your puppy wet food only, ensure that you select a brand that says ‘complete’ food on the label and not ‘contemporary’.

2-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy Weight

At 2 months, a miniature Dachshund weighs around 5 pounds while a standard Dachshund weighs around 11 pounds. If you want to know whether you are feeding your puppy correctly, check their weight.

If your Dachshund weighs a little less or more, it does not mean that they are underweight or overweight.

However, if you are not sure visit your vet for a confirmation that your puppy’s weight is correct. This is also the time to ask your vet about the overall health condition of your Dachshund.

3-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy Weight

At 3 months, a miniature Dachshund weighs about 6 pounds while a standard Dachshund weighs about 13 pounds.

Genetics play an important role in the weight of your Dachshund, therefore, do not be alarmed when they are smaller or bigger at this age.

Ensure that you feed your puppy the recommended amount of food so that they maintain a healthy weight. Develop a feeding routine of small amounts rather than free feeding them.

4-Month-Old Dachshund Puppy Weight

A standard Dachshund weighs 17 pounds while a miniature Dachshund weighs around 8 pounds at 4 months. At this age, your puppy more dependent and they need a clear feeding schedule.

If you notice any signs of loss of appetite or change in their body weight, take them to the vet to be assessed for any health condition so that early treatment can be administered in case there is a problem.

The vet can also educate you on how the growth curve of your Dachshund will look like.

How Much Do Dachshunds Grow Each Week?

Several factors affect the growth of Dachshunds including exercise, diet, genetics, and health. therefore, it may be hard to pinpoint exactly how much they grow every week.

The growth depends on whether your puppy is a standard Dachshund or a miniature Dachshund because miniatures are half the size of standards.

However, for both dogs their growth rapidly increases from when they are 3 months old to 6 months, then a slow increase in weight from 7 months to 11 months after which the growth curve flattens.

Switching From Puppy Food To Adult Food

When Dachshunds reach the ages of 12 months, they are fully grown in terms of reaching their adult weight and are matured both physiologically and sexually. This is the time to switch from puppy food to adult food.

It is crucial to understand that food for adult dogs is different from that of puppies. Dachshund puppies require high amounts of important nutrients and more calories. Feeding an adult Dachshund, the same diet will result in weight gain and obesity.

Gradually switch the foods to avoid stomach issues because they need time to get used to the new food. The process should take up to one week by slowly adding the adult food to the puppy food until the plate is only adult food.

What If My Dachshund Won’t Eat?

There are reasons why your Dachshund is not eating. First, they may not like the taste of the food you are giving them. The food could be a replacement for the original food they are used to eating.

Secondly, they may be having a health condition that is making them lose their appetite.

If you notice that your Dachshund is not eating their food, take them to the vet for a medical examination to see if there is an underlying health condition. However, if they are picky eaters, feed them the regular food that they like and stick to it.

Can You Freefeed A Dachshund Puppy?

Free feeding is where your Dachshund has constant access to their food, and they can eat whenever they want to.

Free feeding can be convenient to you as a dog owner because it requires less effort, but it can affect the behavioral and physical health of your Dachshund.

If you free-feed your Dachshund, they are likely to develop resource guarding habits, meaning they will protect their food at any cost.

This can increase the levels of anxiety and stress in your Dachshund because they feel they should always guard their food.

Free feeding can be dangerous if you are feeding your puppy canned or raw food because if they are left out in the open, they can go bad quickly. Free feeding can also cause weight gain in your puppy because there is no restriction on calories.

Should You Feed A Dachshund Puppy Supplements?

Feeding your Dachshund puppy, a well-balanced, good quality diet will provide them with all the necessary nutrients they need to grow. They will get all the required vitamins from the food they are eating and cannot tolerate extra vitamins.

Therefore, do not feed your Dachshund puppy any supplements unless your vet recommends it. Supplements such as calcium, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin may affect the joints and bones of your puppy affecting their growth in the future.

Consult with your vet before introducing any supplements to your puppy’s diet.

How Much Water Should A Dachshund Puppy Drink?

Just like Humans, Dachshunds should stay hydrated. Ensure that your puppy has access to clean and fresh water daily. You can use filtered water bowls as this will keep your puppy’s water healthy and clean.

Typically, a Dachshund puppy requires half a cup of water every two hours. You can increase the amount if your puppy is more active. However, be careful not to feed your puppy excess water or less water.

How Much Exercise Does A Dachshund Puppy Need a Day?

An exercise routine that is well-rounded for your Dachshund is very essential for their health. Dachshunds love to eat and sleep, and if they are not properly exercised, they can easily be overweight.

Regular exercise should include daily walks of about 20 minutes. Dachshunds like exploring hiking trails because of the wonderful smells and sights they can discover. Remember to bring water for them to drink after the hike.

Dachshunds also like playing fetch with their owner. This can be time for the both of you to bond. Whether it is playing fetch, hiking, or walking, ensure that you take enough breaks to avoid overworking your puppy.