Best Dog Food for Wiener Dogs

Even though wiener dogs may never grow beyond nine inches, they’re known for their intimidating bark. Also known as Dachshunds, their striking resemblance to hotdogs has earned them their popular name. Long-bodied, short-legged and with a muscular build, these dogs were bred in the past to hunt rabbits and exterminate burrow-dwelling animals. More recently though, their friendly and playful nature has made them top choice family dogs.

Dachshunds have different dietary needs at different points in their lives. So, before you decide on the best dog food for your pet, you must factor in its level of maturity. As a rule of thumb, a wiener younger than 12 months is a pup. Your dog ceases to be a puppy once it’s older than 12 months. Then, any time above 10 years, you now have a Dachshund senior.

Best Dog Food for Wiener Dog Puppies

Doxies are prone to diabetes and obesity, so it is important to avoid feeding them empty calories. Make sure you select foods that are low in fat, but high in proteins and complex carbohydrates (to meet those energy demands). You must also include important vitamins and minerals to protect your pup from bone issues. Meanwhile, given wieners’ sensitive stomachs, you might want to stick to easily digestible foods and occasional dietary fibres.

What Is the Best Dog Food for Wiener Dog Puppies?

●      Pedigree

The Pedigree Puppy Wet Dog Food is a perfect food choice for your sausage dog pup.

●      First 5 Ingredients: Chicken by-products, Beef liver, Chicken meat, Wheat gluten, Gelling agents.

●      Type: Grain-inclusive.

●      Profile: Digestive Health

●      Best for: Puppies.

The Pedigree Puppy Wet Dog Food is a wholesome and complete meal for dogs. It supplies highly digestible proteins and fibre, ensuring that your puppy has strong muscles and smooth bowel movement. Your wiener will also enjoy healthy skin, bones, teeth and immunity given the presence of Zinc, Linoleic Acid, Taurine and Vitamin E in the diet.

●      Taste of the Wild

The Taste of the Wild High Prairie Puppy Recipe is one of the most popular dry dog foods; and for good reason.

●      First 5 ingredients: Water Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Egg Product, Garbanzo Beans.

●      Type: Grain-free.

●      Profile: All life stages.

●      Best for: Puppies & nursing/pregnant mothers.

This kibble product derives most of its protein from roasted bison and venison. According to the dry matter label analysis, the diet contains 31% protein, 19% fats and about 42% carbohydrates. Resultantly, the fat-to-protein ratio sits at approximately 61.3%. The High Prairie Puppy Recipe is also made up of nutritious legumes. This guarantees that your pup is getting all the needed nutrients for digestive, bone, brain and vision health and immunity.

●      Merrick

Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is expertly curated to meet all the nutritional needs of a wiener dog puppy.

●      First 5 ingredients: Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Whitefish Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes.

●      Type: Grain-free.

●      Profile: All life stages.

●      Best for: Puppies & dogs.

The Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Dry Dog Food gets most of its protein from salmon fish. According to the dry matter label analysis, the product consists of 33.7% protein, 15.7% fats and an estimated 42.6% carbohydrates. As a result, the fat-to-protein ratio is about 46.6%. The dry dog food offers an efficient blend of healthy fats and high proteins that allows dachshunds to maintain optimum energy levels and lean muscle mass.

Best Dog Food for Wiener Dogs at Walmart

Before buying food for your adorable doxie at Walmart, there are a few decisions you must make. First, what food product type do you want to feed your dog? There are five recognized categories: dry/kibble dog foods, canned/wet dog foods, semi-moist foods, home-cooked foods and raw foods.

While each of these comes with its pros and cons, it is ultimately your decision to make, based on the needs of your pet. For instance, dry foods are relatively easier on the pockets and could also help improve the dog’s dental health. Wet foods are almost always nutritionally complete, with no need for you to add extra nutrients for your dog’s health.

Semi-moist foods, on the one hand, are more digestible and palatable. On the other hand, home-cooked foods allow you the freedom to decide on what ingredients to include in your dog food. Meanwhile, there are arguments that raw food is best for optimum dog health as it’s the closest to their evolutionary diet.

The best advice might be to not stick rigidly to any of these types—forming a habit of switching them up, every once in a while. But whichever category you decide on for your wiener, Walmart has the best options for you!

●      Blue Buffalo

The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Dry Dog Food is one of Walmart’s best-selling dog food packages in the Blue Buffalo product line.

●      First 5 ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley.

●      Type: Grain-inclusive.

●      Profile: Adult maintenance.

●      Best for: Adult wiener dogs.

This dog food derives most of its protein from chicken. According to the dry matter label analysis, the diet consists of 29% protein, 17% fats and an approximated 46% carbohydrate. This indicates a fat-to-protein ratio of roughly 58.6%.

The Life Protection Formula is formulated in the form of kibbles – ideal for the smaller jaws of doxies. Besides, the diet is replete with antioxidants to guard your pet against oxidative stress.

●      Newman’s Own

Newman's Own Organic Chicken & Liver Dinner has made a name for itself as one of the most reliable wet dog foods on the planet.

●      First 5 ingredients: Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Broth, Organic Chicken Liver, Tricalcium Phosphate, Organic Pea Flour.

●      Type: Grain-free.

●      Profile: All life stages.

●      Best for: Puppies and dogs.

The majority of this dish’s protein is derived from organic chicken. According to the dry matter label analysis, the food contains 45.5% protein, 31.8% fats and a projected 14.7% carbohydrates. The fat-to-protein ratio is, therefore, estimated at 69.9%.

As the Organic Chicken and Liver Dinner is made with USDA-certified organic ingredients, you can be certain that there are no harmful additives or preservatives. Also, the diet is totally free of corn – one major food wieners are allergic to.

●      Petcurean

The Petcurean Now Fresh Grain-Free Dog Food is the most suitable diet for wiener dogs aged nine years and older.

●      First 5 ingredients: De-boned Turkey, Whole Dried Egg, Potatoes, Potato Flour, Peas.

●      Type: Grain-free.

●      Profile: Healthy Diet.

●      Best for: Adult wiener dogs.

This meal derives most of its proteins from turkey. According to the dry matter label analysis, it contains 26.6% protein, 12.2% fats and 53.2% carbohydrates. From this, one can deduce that the fat-to-protein ratio is about 45.9%.

This Petcurean product contains coconut oil, probiotics and prebiotics to enhance the gut health of your senior wiener. It also incorporates chondroitin, glucosamine and New Zealand Green Mussels to support hip & joint health while combatting the IVDD doxies are predisposed to. With just the right quantity of healthy fats and protein, you can rest assured that your old little buddy is enjoying his last few years.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.    Are there any specific ingredients I should avoid in my wiener dog food?

Yes. As a rule of thumb, avoid artificial colourings, preservatives and additives. Also, avoid feeding your doxie empty calories and corn (or its derivatives).

2.    What are the signs of food allergies or sensitivities in doxies?

You might notice signs such as digestive disturbances, itchy skin, weight loss, hyperactivity, aggressiveness or lethargy, among others. To be safe, report any abnormal behaviour from your doxie to a qualified vet.

3.    Are there special considerations for feeding senior wiener dogs?

Consult a qualified veterinarian to discuss the best feeding considerations for your senior wiener.

4.    How much should I feed my dachshund each day?

Follow the suggested serving amounts depending on weight, age and activity level.

5.    How do I transition my wiener to a new dog food type?

It is always best to seek professional advice from a qualified vet before transitioning your little badger dog to a new diet type.