Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

7 Best Puppy Foods for Dachshunds in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

chocolate and tan dachshund

Dachshunds are extraordinary pets and require a well-balanced diet to keep them happy and healthy. Although it may be reassuring that so many manufacturers produce high-quality food, the numerous options can lengthen your decision-making process.

However, with our knowledgeable, in-depth reviews and buyer’s guide, you’ll be an expert in your Dachshund puppy’s diet in no time.

Divider-Dog Paw and Bone- New

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

Rating Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Ollie Fresh Dog Food Turkey Recipe Ollie Fresh Dog Food Turkey Recipe
  • Natural, high-quality ingredients for balanced nutrition
  • Customizable meals based on your dog’s needs
  • Pumpkin aids digestion and provides vitamin A
  • Budget Buy
    Second place
    Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy
  • First ingredient is chicken
  • Less expensive than the last toy your puppy destroyed
  • Vast array of vitamin and mineral supplements
  • Third place
    Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy
  • No by-product or filler ingredients
  • No added calcium
  • Skeletal and joint support
  • Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy
  • Many sources of healthy fats
  • Potassium and urinary support ingredients
  • Whole foods and supplements
  • American Journey Puppy American Journey Puppy
  • Multiple fruits and veggies
  • Good for source of glucosamine and chondroitin
  • Extremely reasonable price
  • The 7 Best Puppy Foods for Dachshunds

    1. Ollie Fresh Dog Food Turkey Recipe – Best Overall

    Ollie Turkey Recipe

    An Ollie subscription enables you to customize each meal you receive to your dog’s individual needs. It uses a simple questionnaire of your dog’s age and breed to help you decide which recipes work best for you. All the meals contain natural ingredients, with no fillers or artificial flavors, to promote a healthy, balanced, and nutritional diet for your Dachshund.

    To support your puppy’s development, the turkey recipe contains carrots and pumpkin that can help aid digestion. Both ingredients also provide vitamin A to support brain and eye development. The recipe includes blueberries and kale to boost your Dachshund’s immune system and prevent common skin issues by protecting their skin and coat health.

    Ollie is only available with a subscription on its website. You can personalize shipment times and make individual meal plans for multiple dogs. Since the meals are made with fresh ingredients, they have a short shelf life and must be frozen. Each delivery can take up a large amount of space in the freezer.

    Pros
    • Natural, high-quality ingredients for balanced nutrition
    • Pumpkin aids digestion and provides vitamin A
    • Kale promotes coat and skin health
    • Antioxidant-rich blueberries
    • Customizable meals based on your dog’s needs
    Cons
    • Takes up space in the freezer

    2. Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy

    Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food

    Are you on a budget but don’t want to settle for the bottom of the barrel for your puppy? Take a look at Iams, a respected brand that provides mediocre quality food at reasonable prices. It has the carefully balanced vitamins and minerals your dog needs and minimal filler ingredients.

    Iams ProActive contains corn and one by-product ingredient but could be a decent choice if your other brand is out of stock. It may also be appropriate as a filler to help extend the lifespan of a more expensive formula.

    Though it may not be the best dog food, Iam’s Smart Puppy formula is undoubtedly the best puppy food for Dachshunds for the money.

    Pros
    • First ingredient is chicken
    • Vast array of vitamin and mineral supplements
    • Less expensive than the last toy your puppy destroyed
    Cons
    • Contains by-products ingredients, corn, and wheat
    • Small amount of whole foods, mostly supplements

    3. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food

    Wellness CORE Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Deboned Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food

    CORE brand puppy foods always come in at the top three for our lists because they don’t make any concessions regarding quality ingredients. With whole foods, supplements, and healthy fish oils, CORE truly is the premium choice in nutrition for your Dachshund puppy.

    Its high standard of quality also means it is, unfortunately, pricey. A single 12-pound bag costs about as much as a fancy sushi dinner for you! For puppy parents with large dog food budgets, CORE is an excellent choice.

    Pros
    • First ingredients are deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal
    • No by-product or filler ingredients
    • Impressive spread of whole food ingredients
    • No added calcium
    • Skeletal and joint support
    Cons
    • More expensive than a fancy dinner for you

    4. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Dry Dog Food

    Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Dry Dog Food

    Blue Buffalo is a brand that cares about your puppy’s health. You can tell by looking at the ingredients list: deboned chicken, brown rice, cranberries, and Menhaden fish. Most are nutrient-dense whole foods that won’t weigh your little friend down.

    The Life Protection formula is specially formulated for puppy bellies and bodies. It has easier-to-digest ingredients and lots of fiber. Unlike some brands, Blue Buffalo doesn’t go easy on the healthy fats and proteins that support brain and body development.

    This puppy food is also competitively priced and is around the middle of the pack in cost.

    Pros
    • First ingredients deboned chicken and chicken meal
    • Many sources of healthy fats
    • No leftovers or by-products
    • Mid-range price for a higher quality food
    • Whole foods and supplements
    • Potassium and urinary support ingredients
    Cons
    • Higher calcium content

    5. American Journey Puppy Dry Dog Food

    American Journey Puppy Dry Dog Food

    For a solid, middle-of-the-road puppy food, we recommend American Journey. Most of its ingredients are a decent quality, and American Journey doesn’t just use vitamin and mineral supplements. It also has some whole fruits and veggies, too.

    American Journey also has substantial nutrients that support joint health, like omega fatty acids and glucosamine, to keep your wiener dog’s spine healthy. But there is also added calcium, which could cause issues for your Dachshund’s bladder.

    The major downside is that you can see a few cheap ingredients if you look closely. Brewer’s rice, for example, is made from the bits of rice swept up off the floor during the milling process. Overall, however, it is a decent choice.

    Pros
    • First ingredient is chicken
    • Multiple fruits and veggies
    • Extremely reasonable price
    • Good for source of glucosamine and chondroitin
    Cons
    • Contains brewer’s rice, a castoff food
    • Higher calcium content

    6. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Dry Dog Food

    Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Small Bites Dry Dog Food

    With Hill’s Science, you know that you are getting dog food with special attention paid to the nutritional needs of canines. Minerals and vitamins are carefully combined for maximum effect: vitamins E and C work together for the immune system, and DHA from multiple fish oils supports the brain and eyes.

    However, though scientifically sound, this food contains few whole foods with more bioavailable nutrients. Supplements are great but harder for your puppy’s body to absorb.

    Although the first ingredient is a healthy chicken meal, the next four are all grains: wheat, sorghum, corn, and barley. While some grains are good for a puppy, the excessive amounts suggest they are used as cheap fillers.

    Pros
    • First ingredient is chicken meal
    • Careful combination of vitamins and minerals
    • Made in the US
    Cons
    • Significant amount of filler grains
    • Whole veggies and fruits are last ingredients
    • Added calcium

    7. Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Dry Dog Food

    Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Dry Dog Food

    The best thing that can be said about Purina Pro Plan is that it is one of the cheapest brands available. Though it is a very budget-friendly option, there are several reasons for the low price tag. This blend contains cheap grain fillers like wheat, corn gluten, and brewer’s rice.

    A large amount of the touted DHA and omega fatty acids come from questionable sources. “Animal fat” can be rancid or removed from dead or dying animals. By-products and meat “meals” may contain extra parts like beaks, horns, or hair.

    This Purina blend also has multiple added sources of calcium. Calcium supplements are more likely to crystallize into kidney stones, a condition Dachshunds are already prone to. While it may be your best bet in a tight spot, it would be better not to rely on this brand for a Dachshund puppy’s regular diet.

    Pros
    • Chicken is the first ingredient
    • Inexpensive
    Cons
    • Contains multiple by-products
    • Excessive grains
    • No whole vegetables or fruits
    • Small amount of garlic, mildly toxic

    Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Dog Food for Dachshund Puppies

    In many ways, canine nutrition is as complex as human nutrition, but don’t let that scare you! In this buyer’s guide, we’ve gathered general nutrition and specific recommendations for Dachshund puppies that will make choosing a dog food easier than you ever thought possible.

    Dachshund Puppy Nutrition

    General Nutrition

    Canines, like humans, are omnivores. They need diverse nutrients from animal and plant sources to stay happy and healthy. To get you better acquainted with your Dachshund’s nutritional needs, here’s a breakdown of nutrients and what they do for your puppy:

    Protein

    Protein helps your puppy grow strong muscles and bones, keeps their skin and nails in tip-top shape, and facilitates wound healing. Dachshund puppies benefit most from lean proteins like fish, fowl, and eggs.

    Fatty meats can contribute to obesity, which can be a severe problem for these stout little guys. Most dogs have trouble digesting plant-based proteins, so stick to animal sources for this pivotal nutrient.

    Fats

    Fats make up your pup’s primary energy source and deliver essential minerals and vitamins to the rest of their system. A healthy portion of fats in your Dachshund’s food will keep their skin and hair soft, their nose and paw pads hydrated, and help keep joints from deteriorating.

    Carbohydrates

    Carbs come in two forms. Simple carbohydrates like starches and sugars get digested quickly and give a zip of energy. Too many carbs can make it easy for your puppy to put on weight, and Dachshunds should avoid excessive sugars to avoid obesity.

    Complex carbohydrates include whole veggies, fruits, and grains. They provide steadier energy and take longer to digest. A diet rich in complex carbs is recommended for Dachshund puppies as the added fiber helps maintain GI health.

    Fiber

    Fiber helps keep your puppy’s bowel movements smooth and regular. High-fiber foods include grains like rice and oats, fruits, and many vegetables.

    A fiber-rich diet will benefit a Dachshund by preventing chronic diarrhea and constipation, and therefore keeping their anal glands working just as they should.

    Minerals and vitamins

    Minerals and vitamins provide various benefits for your growing Dachshund puppy. Here’s a list of the ones to keep your eyes peeled for on your dog food’s nutrition facts:

    Minerals
    • Potassium
    • Magnesium
    • Phosphorous
    • Sulfur
    • Calcium
    Vitamins
    • Vitamin A, C, D, E, and K
    • B1, B2, B5, B6, and B12
    • Biotin
    • Choline
    • Folic acid

    Divider 4

    Specific Concerns For Dachshund Puppies

    Bone health, joint health, and spinal health

    Due partially to their iconic hot dog shape and a genetic predisposition to dwarfism, Dachshunds need special care paid to joint health. Though they may be energetic puppies, if you don’t continue to choose foods that support bones, joints, and spinal health, they can develop painful arthritis and back problems.

    Glucosamine, healthy fats, vitamin D, omega fatty acids, and chondroitin are nutrients that support joints and bones. Many fish and fish oil supplements are excellent sources.

    Obesity

    It does not take a lot of extra calories to fatten up the already stout Dachshund. Overweight dogs also have more strain put on their joints, which contributes to poor spinal health, as mentioned above.

    To start your pup off right, choose foods that are specially formulated for small breeds or are lower-calorie. Lean meats are a far preferable source of protein than pork or beef. You may also want to be cautious with how many treats your roly-poly little friend gets daily.

    Coat and skin problems

    Dachshunds are prone to skin and coat problems, most of which are genetic. A puppy’s skin is extra sensitive, so promoting healthy hair and skin with their diet is a wise choice.

    Vitamin A, omega-6s, fish oil, vitamin E, zinc, and healthy proteins contribute to good skin health.

    dachshund
    Image Credit:  congerdesign, Pixabay

    Kidney and bladder stones

    Urinary stones are formed by crystallized calcium in the bladder or kidney that causes extreme pain when passed. Unfortunately, Dachshunds are more likely than most to develop these uncomfortable stones.

    Fortunately, it’s relatively simple to avoid. Choose foods lower in calcium and higher in potassium to help your pup stay bladder-stone-free!

    Anal gland issues

    Like many other small dog breeds, Dachshunds are likely to develop issues with their anal glands not emptying properly as they age. These issues are caused by frequent constipation and diarrhea, which are, in turn, caused by poor food choices.

    One of the best ways to ensure that they don’t ever have trouble in this department is to feed your puppy easily digested food that includes a few good fiber sources, easy proteins (like fish and fowl), and naturally probiotic foods.

    What to Look For – Healthy Ingredients in Dachshund Puppy Food

    The number one type of ingredient to seek out in Dachshund puppy food is whole foods. Whole foods are minimally processed and are more nutrient-dense and easier to digest than additives and processed foods. Vitamins and minerals in whole foods are much more bioavailable than supplements.

    Great ingredients that speak to quality in puppy food:

    • Fowl like chicken or turkey
    • Fish like salmon, trout, or tuna
    • Greens like kale
    • Fruits like berries and banana
    • Veggies like broccoli and sweet potatoes
    • Animal fats from a whole food source (salmon oil, chicken fat)
    • High-quality grains like oats and brown rice

    What to Avoid – Unhealthy Ingredients in Dachshund Puppy Food

    Unfortunately, there are a lot of low-quality ingredients in dog food, too. Cheap companies cut corners with leftover animal parts and skimp on higher-quality ingredients by using inexpensive fillers.

    Here’s a good idea of what kinds of ingredients to avoid for your Dachshund puppy:

    • By-products meats and meat “meals”
    • Rendered fats from unspecific sources like “poultry fat” or “animal fat”
    • Castoffs like brewer’s rice
    • Corn syrups and refined sugars
    • Cheap grains like soy, wheat, and corn
    • Indigestible materials like cellulose
    • Artificial dyes and preservatives

    Divider 5

    Conclusion

    The best puppy food for Dachshunds is the Ollie Fresh Dog Food Turkey Recipe by a mile. You can’t beat the combination of quality ingredients and convenient delivery.

    Puppy parents who need an inexpensive option should check out our best value pick, the Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Dry Dog Food. It’s good when you’re in a pinch between paychecks or can keep your dog happy while waiting for their usual brand to ship. We hope our dedicated research and carefully considered reviews have helped make you determine which brand is ideal for your pup.


    Featured Image: Pablo Villalon from Pixabay

    Related Articles

    Further Reading

    Vet Articles

    Latest Vet Answers

    The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database