Last Updated: 30/07/2025

Best Dog Food for Dachshunds

Nourish your Dachshund with the best. Discover our vet-selected range of premium foods, specifically chosen to meet your Doxie's unique dietary needs. Ensure their health and happiness with optimal nutrition tailored just for them.

Author: Dr Jenny Eales BVSc (Hons)

Reading Time: 8 minutes - short read

Dachshunds are extremely cute and quirky little dogs. Due to their long sausage shaped bodies dachshunds are prone to disc problems, and as such need to be fed a diet that keeps them at a healthy weight.

Why is choosing the right food important?

Excess weight can cause unnecessary strain and pressure on a dachshund's back, so their body condition (lean, normal, or overweight) will determine the type of food they need as will their life stage.

To read more about the traits and qualities of Doxies, check out our Dachshund Breed Guide.

Four reasons why it's important to choose the right food are:

Maintain a healthy body weight: Dachshunds need to maintain a lean body weight to avoid excess pressure on their backs
Ensure diet is complete and balanced: Diets need to be complete and balanced to provide the correct nutrients dachshunds need to remain healthy.
Ensure diet meets life stage requirements: Different nutrition is needed when dachshunds are puppies as they are growing, compared to when they are adults
ensure diet meets any health requirements: Some dachshunds may need specific diets for health conditions such as sensitive skin or digestive upsets

Best overall food: Royal Canin Adult Dachshund Dry Dog Food
Best runner up: Eukanuba Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food
Best for maintaining healthy weight: Hills Science Diet Perfect Weight Small Bites Dry Dog Food
Best Natural Diet: Wellness CORE Grain Free Small Breed Original Dry Dog Food
Best for Dachshund puppies: Royal Canin Dachshund Puppy Dry Food
Best for health support: Advance Healthy Weight Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food

How We Review Our Products

Our Vet team use their health and husbandry knowledge, along with their own personal and clinical experiences to evaluate each product and provide detailed, informative reviews, free of any commercial bias. We then collate this information into our 'best of' recommendations.

Top Recommended Dachshund Food in Australia

Best for Adult Dachshunds

Royal Canin Adult Dachshund Dry Dog Food

Pros

Uniquely tailored breed specific diet
Has an adapted calorie content to prevent excess weight gain
Contains specific nutrients to support bone and joint health

Cons

Poultry based diet that may not be suitable for food allergies or intolerances
Designed for Pure-bred dogs and may not be the best option for crosses
More expensive than all breed or small breed options

Royal Canin are the experts in breed specific diets designed to meet your dog's individual needs. They back these unique diets with a lot of research and tailor them to the health needs of that breed. In the case of Dachshunds, they are prone to back problems, weight gain and joint and bone issues, so this diet contains an adapted calorie content and is fortified with l-carnitine and an optimal protein content to help maintain healthy lean muscle mass, along with targeted nutrients to support bone and joint health. All of this is wrapped up in a uniquely shaped kibble to suit their long, slender jaw. Many reputable breeders and Dachshund owners use this food and report improved health and vitality into their dogs' senior years.

What our customers say: "This has been the perfect dietary nutrition for my furbabies. 2 dachshunds. Dachshunds are prone to putting on weight, but they have maintained perfectweight. Their coats are shiny and soft, their toileting is regular and normal and doesn't smell. I love that it contains fish oil and chondroitin and glucosamine products as well as other necessities for maintaining Dachshund health."

What our vets say: "Royal Canin Dachshund has been tailor made for this breed, containing adapted protein and calories to support muscle tone while helping to prevent weight gain. This food also includes the ingredients chondroitin and glucosamine, to promote healthy bones and joints. These are important factors due to the Dachshunds conformation, their short limbs and long spine make them prone to mechanical stresses. Royal Canin have also developed a unique kibble size and shape that is suitable for the adult Dachshund's jaw, helping to improve their dental health. This is an excellent diet choice for Dachshunds." - Dr. Michelle

Runner Up

Eukanuba Adult Small Breed Dry Food

Pros

Small kibble to suit small breeds
Supports healthy digestion
Cheaper than breed specific diets

Cons

Poultry based diet that may not be suitable for food allergies or intolerances
No zip-lock closure on bag
Not breed specific

Eukanuba invests research into every ingredient used in their diets, which are aimed at supporting dogs with a healthy lifestyle. They focus heavily on weight management, with obesity being a growing problem in pets and overall health with highly digestible ingredients, omega fatty acids and antioxidants. Another great feature of these diets is their 3D Dentadefence kibble design and the addition of sodium tripolyphosphate which binds salivary calcium and has earned this maintenance diet approval from the Veterinary Oral Health Council for tartar prevention.

What our customers say: "My very fussy dog loves this kibble. Eats it all as soon as it is put down. First time ever this has happened. Very happy and recommend this product"

What our vets say: "I love recommending Eukanuba Adult Small Breed for dogs like Dachshunds! It's a great quality product that has put lots of research into ensuring every ingredient has a benefit which was one of the reasons I started using it for my own dogs. I started getting so many compliments on how healthy my dogs' coats are. That healthy skin and coat comes from the inclusion of fish oil. It also includes glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints, which is great knowing Dachshunds can be prone to joint problems and spinal disease. My favourite feature is that the 3D Denta-defence Kibble Design is Veterinary Oral Health Council approved for tartar prevention which is perfect for small breed dogs like Dachshunds! " - Dr. Brittany

Best for Maintaining Healthy Weight

Hills Science Diet Perfect Weight Small Bites

Pros

Real chicken is the first ingredient
Supports healthy weight loss and lean muscle maintenance
Small kibble size

Cons

Poultry based diet that may not be suitable for dogs with sensitive digestion or food intolerances
Not Breed Specific

Formulated with very high quality, highly digestible, natural products, this food contains a proprietary ingredient blend proven to support healthy weight loss and lean muscle maintenance. This all-breed formula also contains a clinically proven antioxidant blend including vitamins C & E for immune system support. Hills invests heavily into research, to ensure that every ingredient is chosen for a reason, and the end product performs as it claims. Although this food is not specifically formulated for Dachshunds, it is ideal for small breed dogs.

What our customers say: "Weight loss - worked wonders!"

What our vets say: "I highly recommend Hills Science Diet Perfect Weight for dogs prone to weight gain, and particularly those for whom weight gain may lead to other conditions. Dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease, and excess weight puts extra pressure on their spine, and can increase the risk of this condition. The Hills Science Diet Perfect Weight Small Breed uses the science of nutrigenomics (the way food affects gene expression) to switch an overweight dog's metabolism to a fat-burning state, while maintaining lean muscle mass. I love being able to recommend this food for Dachshunds, to keep them at a healthy weight and reduce their risk of disease.s" - Dr. Gillian

Best Natural Diet

Wellness Core Grain Free Small Breed

Pros

Made with natural whole foods
Contains probiotics for digestive support
Suitable for small breed adult dogs

Cons

Not breed specific
Poultry based diet that may not be suitable for food allergies or intolerances
Not made in Australia

This diet is grain free and protein rich. It is packed with superfoods such as spinach, blueberries and flaxseed. It also has no artificial colours or flavours. Wellness are passionate about providing natural foods that are of the highest quality, backed by feeding trials for all life stages.

What our customers say: "My dog loves this kibble. She'll pick it out and only eat those"

What our vets say: "This is a great natural and very palatable kibble option for small breed dogs. It contains a highly digestible protein blend of yummy chicken and turkey, omega 3's to promote a healthy and shiny coat and probiotics for digestive support. This natural dry food also contains superfoods such as spinach and blueberries for additional mineral and antioxidant benefits." - Dr. Angie

Best for Puppies

Royal Canin Dachshund Puppy

Pros

Made especially for Dachshund puppies
Exclusive kibble size and shape to suit the unique Dachshund jaw
Supports healthy bone and joint growth

Cons

Poultry based diet that may not be suitable for food allergies or intolerances
Designed for pure-bred dogs and may not be the best option for crosses
More expensive than all breed or small breed puppy options

Royal Canin are the experts in breed specific diets designed to meet your dog's individual needs. They back these unique diets with a lot of research and tailor them to the health needs of that breed. This breed specific diet is formulated to meet the unique nutritional requirements of Dachshund puppies. The kibble has a unique shape to suit Dachshund puppies' slightly arched muzzle and powerful canine teeth, which makes it easier for them to pick up the food and chew. It also addresses the common health concerns in the breed with its ingredients. It's a trusted product by many reputable breeders and vets alike.

What our customers say: "Our puppy absolutely loves these biscuits, she had been really fussy with her food prior but as soon as we fed her these she cleaned her bowl and has continued to do so ever since. Her coat is also looking super shiny and she has lots of energy!"

What our vets say: "With this breed-specific diet, you can rest assured that you are providing your Dachshund pup with all the nutrition they need! Royal Canin is a premium brand that produces high quality, nutrient dense kibble to support your pup throughout their growth period. I love recommending this diet as it supports this breed's unique nutritional requirements by containing an adapted calcium and phosphorus content to support your pup's bone and joint health, highly digestible protein and prebiotics to support your pup's digestive health, as well as antioxidants to support your pup's growing immune system. As an added bonus, it contains an exclusive kibble size and shape to suit the unique jaw of Dachshunds!" - Dr. Jacqui

Best for Health Support

Advance Healthy Weight Small Adult

Pros

Super premium and Australian made
Small kibble size
Lower calorie

Cons

Not breed specific
Chicken based so might not suit dogs with allergies or intolerances to chicken protein
Largest size bag is 5kg

This food is a great choice for dachshunds because as well as being low calorie, it is also designed to reduce dental tartar formation. Small breed dogs like Dachshunds are more prone to dental disease, so this is an important inclusion. This food includes prebiotic fibres to promote a healthy gut and smaller, firmer stools. Being Australian made, you can rest assured that you're supporting the local industry with the food you feed your dog. Advance packs the quality of the big name brands and often at a reduced price.

What our customers say: "Very happy with Advance products for my dogs, most importantly they enjoy it."

What our vets say: "Advance Healthy Weight Adult Small Breed Chicken with Rice is a great Australian made option if you're wanting to watch your dog's waistline. Compared to Advance's regular adult small breed food it contains more protein, less fat and fewer calories. It also contains added omega oils and green lipped muscle which can benefit your pooches joints. " - Dr. Josepha

What to look for in Dachshund Food

When looking for a diet for your Dachshund, you need to make sure you are meeting their nutritional requirements and energy needs while also providing prevention from their common health problems

Health problems

The biggest health problem facing dachshunds is IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). The best way to reduce the chances of a dachshund developing IVDD is to keep them at a healthy weight as excess weight will put extra pressure on their back. Choosing a premium quality diet or a diet which is lower in calories is important to ensure you Dachshund maintains an ideal weight.

High quality protein source

With their energetic natures, Dachshunds require high-quality, highly digestible nutrients to suit their needs. Premium diets use protein that is easily digested and assimilated into the body, meaning the maximum amount of protein is absorbed and transported to where it's needed as fast as possible.

Dental Health

Small breed dogs like Dachshunds are more prone to dental disease so choosing a food that is designed to reduce dental tartar formation is a great idea

History

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

1 February 2023

Written by Dr Jenny Eales BVSc (Hons)

View less history

About the Author

Dr Jenny Eales BVSc (Hons)

Contributing Author, BVSc (Hons)

Dr Jenny cares deeply about the welfare of animals. She's helped Pet Circle pet owners with some great articles and advice!

Best Dog Food for Dachshunds

﻿Why is choosing the right food important?

In this article

How We Review Our Products

Top Recommended Dachshund Food in Australia

Best for Adult Dachshunds

Royal Canin Adult Dachshund Dry Dog Food

Pros

Cons

Runner Up

Eukanuba Adult Small Breed Dry Food

Pros

Cons

Best for Maintaining Healthy Weight

Hills Science Diet Perfect Weight Small Bites

Pros

Cons

Best Natural Diet

Wellness Core Grain Free Small Breed

Pros

Cons

Best for Puppies

Royal Canin Dachshund Puppy

Pros

Cons

Best for Health Support

Advance Healthy Weight Small Adult

Pros

Cons

What to look for in Dachshund Food

Health problems

High quality protein source

Dental Health

Further Reading

History

1 February 2023

About the Author

Dr Jenny Eales BVSc (Hons)

Customer Care

About Pet Circle

Caring For Your Pet

﻿Why is choosing the right food important?

History

1 February 2023

In this article

About the Author

Dr Jenny Eales BVSc (Hons)

Royal Canin Adult Dachshund Dry Dog Food

Pros

Cons

Eukanuba Adult Small Breed Dry Food

Pros

Cons

Hills Science Diet Perfect Weight Small Bites

Pros

Cons

Wellness Core Grain Free Small Breed

Pros

Cons

Royal Canin Dachshund Puppy

Pros

Cons

Advance Healthy Weight Small Adult

Pros

Cons

Why is choosing the right food important?

Why is choosing the right food important?