How much should I feed my dachshund each day?
An adult dachshund needs about 1–1.5 cups of kibble split into two meals per day. Puppies eat more often, while seniors require slightly less.
Adult (1–7 years)
Feed an adult dachshund 1 to 1.5 cups of high‑quality kibble twice daily, spaced about 12hours apart. Offer the meals at roughly 7am and 7pm to keep metabolism steady. A typical 20‑lb adult burns about 400–500kcal per day, and most kibble brands list 350kcal per cup, so the portion range matches energy needs. Adjust upward by 0.25cup if your dog maintains a lean frame at the lower end of the weight range (16lb).
If your dachshund spends more than 45minutes on brisk walks or play, add another 0.25cup split between meals. Conversely, a couch‑potato who gains 1lb in a month should drop 0.1cup from each serving. Keep the feeding area at 68°F (20°C) to avoid cold‑induced appetite drops. Always measure with a standard 1‑cup dry‑food scoop rather than guessing.
Puppy (0–12 months)
Puppies require four meals a day until they are 6months old, then transition to three meals until 12months. Start with ¼cup per 5lb of body weight per meal; a 10‑lb puppy gets about ½cup four times daily. By week24, increase to ¾cup three times a day as growth slows.
Monitor weight weekly; a healthy puppy should gain roughly 0.5–1lb per week. If the scale shows a gain of more than 1.2lb in a week, cut each meal by 0.05cup. Provide fresh water at all times and consider a shallow bowl no higher than 4inches to protect their short necks.
Senior (8+ years)
Senior dachshunds often need only 0.8–1.0 cup of kibble twice daily, especially if they are less active. Reduce calories by 10–15% compared with adult maintenance to prevent obesity, which can stress their long backs.
Add 1tablespoon (≈5g) of joint‑support supplements such as glucosamine per day, mixed into the food. Keep the room temperature between 65°F and 72°F (18°C–22°C) to ease joint stiffness. Check weight every two weeks; a gain of 0.2lb in a month signals a portion tweak.
Practical feeding tips
Use a digital kitchen scale to verify that 1cup of kibble weighs about 100g; this eliminates the variability of scoops. When switching brands, blend 25% new food with 75% old for three days, then 50/50 for three days, and finally 75/25 for three days before going full new.
Water intake should be at least ½gallon (≈2L) per day for a 20‑lb dog; place a stainless‑steel bowl near the feeding spot. Treats should never exceed 10% of total calories, which is roughly 1oz (≈28g) of soft treats for an adult. Store kibble in a sealed 5‑gallon container to keep it fresh and prevent moisture buildup.
- Measure each meal with a cup or scale.
- Transition foods over a 9‑day period.
- Provide fresh water at all times.
- Limit treats to ≤10% of calories.
- Keep kibble in a sealed container.
Common mistakes & how to spot them
Over‑feeding by even 0.2cup per meal can add 70kcal daily, leading to a 5‑lb weight gain in six months. Spot the problem by checking if the waist narrows less than 2inches behind the ribs when viewed from above.
Allowing free‑feeding encourages gulping and can aggravate intervertebral disc disease. If you notice your dachshund eating the bowl in under 2minutes, switch to timed meals. Also, avoid high‑fat table scraps; a single chicken wing adds about 150kcal, enough to tip the balance.
Keep reading about Dachshund: Dachshund care sheet
Related questions
How many meals should a 12‑month‑old dachshund get?
At 12months, most dachshunds transition to two meals per day, each about 0.75cup of kibble, spaced 12hours apart.
Can I feed my dachshund wet food instead of dry kibble?
Yes, but replace 1cup dry kibble (≈100g) with ¾cup (≈180g) canned food, because wet food is about 25% less calorie‑dense.
What temperature should the feeding area be?
Keep the feeding spot between 68°F (20°C) and 72°F (22°C); temperatures below 60°F (15°C) can suppress appetite in short‑backed breeds.
Not veterinary advice. This guide covers husbandry — housing, feeding, cleaning and handling. If your dachshund is injured, off food unusually long, or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian.