About the Dachshund
Long-bodied, bold little hounds — standard and miniature varieties. A typical adult Dachshund weighs around 4–15 kg (Small).
How many calories does a Dachshund need?
Calorie needs use the veterinary formula 70 × weight(kg)0.75 (the Resting Energy Requirement), multiplied by a lifestyle factor of ×1.488 for a typical dog at the life stage shown. Enter your own animal's details in the calculator for an exact figure. The Dachshund carries a breed metabolic adjustment of ×0.93, already applied below.
| Body weight | Daily calories | Dry kibble ~3,500 kcal/kg | Wet ~1,050 kcal/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 kg | 295 kcal | 84 g | 281 g |
| 5.571 kg | 378 kcal | 108 g | 360 g |
| 7.143 kg | 455 kcal | 130 g | 433 g |
| 8.714 kg | 528 kcal | 151 g | 503 g |
| 10.286 kg | 598 kcal | 171 g | 570 g |
| 11.857 kg | 666 kcal | 190 g | 634 g |
| 13.429 kg | 731 kcal | 209 g | 696 g |
| 15 kg | 794 kcal | 227 g | 756 g |
Feeding a Dachshund for a healthy weight
Because of their long spine, Dachshunds are highly prone to disc disease (IVDD), and every extra gram of weight increases the load on that back. Keeping a Dachshund lean is spine-protective.
What to feed a Dachshund
Dogs are facultative carnivores: they thrive on meat-forward diets but can use carbohydrate and plant matter. A complete-and-balanced food (dry, wet, fresh, or properly-formulated raw) meeting AAFCO or FEDIAF standards should make up the vast majority of intake, with treats capped at 10% of daily calories.
Most adult dogs do best on two meals a day. Puppies under four months need three to four smaller meals; large-breed puppies should be fed a large-breed-specific formula to slow bone growth and protect their joints.
Frequently asked questions
Why should Dachshunds stay slim?
Their long backs make them prone to painful disc disease (IVDD). Excess weight dramatically increases the strain on the spine, so keeping a Dachshund lean is one of the most important things an owner can do.
How much should I feed my dog per day?
A 10 kg neutered adult dog at a healthy weight needs roughly 500-560 kcal per day — about 150-165 g of standard dry kibble split over two meals. Scale up or down with weight, activity and life stage using the calculator above.
Should I feed my dog once or twice a day?
Twice a day suits most adult dogs and helps regulate appetite and blood sugar. Puppies need three or more meals; some giant breeds prone to bloat also do better with smaller, more frequent meals.