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25 Best Foods for a Picky Eater Dachshund

| Published on February 15, 2023
We hear it all the time: “Why won’t my finicky dachshund eat the expensive food I buy them?!” Dealing with a picky dachshund can be frustrating, so we asked our I Love My Dachshund Facebook community the following question, “What’s the best food for a picky eating Dachshund?” We received hundreds of replies and summarized some of the best suggestions below.
Always remember to consult your veterinarian before making any health changes to your dachshund’s diet, especially if they have any medical issues. iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links below may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

25 Best Foods for a Picky Dachshunds

My dachshunds love Nutrish by Rachel ray and have beautiful coats and my 17 year old has a lot of pep After I introduced him to new Nutrish two years ago. Had them on Canadae since they were puppies but they were fazing it out And they absolutely love the new Nutrish much better

Author: Bonnie P.

Likes: 3


I give Stella & Sherman Blue wilderness. And apples and bananas. They don’t turn down really anything. I love my little porkers.

Author: Kermita B.

Likes: 1


Dr Marty’s~raw and freeze dried…my 11 1/2 yr old dogs run and wrestle like puppies again!

Author: Tracey L.

Likes: 2


I also have a picky dachshund! He put a little weight on so I put some cooked green beans in his kibble… the look I got was hilarious! He put the bean in his mouth and then looked up at me and he was not happy with his momma! He ate them , but he didn’t care for them.

Author: Chere N.

Likes: 1


I had a doxie that lived to almost 17 years old. I would give him the same food we ate: Chicken, fish, eggs, brown rice, carrots, peas, broccoli, apples, raw walnuts. The key with this amazing breed is to keep them lean. They are so prone to hip dysplasia and neck problems, so the worst thing for them is to get heavy. Also, try keeping them active. They love to run. Finally, be mindful of your steps in the house. Good luck

Author: Philip V.

Likes: 6


With my two boys, I used a high quality dry food, mixed with some cooked veggies maybe a piece of meat from the dinner table. I know, I know, everyone says no human food. Even some of the high quality wet food now has veggies in it. Just better from home because you now know what is in it.My Sharky lived to be 12 ,And my Bruce lived 17 yrs. But be very careful, Doxies tend to overeat. Need to watch their weight close. It very bad on their long back. Best of luck and God Bless.

Author: Robert Hagley H.

Likes: 1


We use GO sensitive limited ingredients. We mix the dry and wet as she has teeth issues. She loves it.

Author: Torrie W.

Likes: 2


My dog refuses to eat hard treats or kibble since my Winnie passed last January I have been cooking for him since then until I found this food Soft pieces

Author: Susan A.

Likes: 1


I sauté a heaping tbsp of rice in 1/4 cup water for a couple of minutes then add a container of chicken livers and slow simmer for 30 mins. Add some salt and mash with potato masher. Let cool to warm and serve. This is enough for my 2 doxies for 3 days. On 2nd and 3rd day just microwave for 30 seconds to warm up. They just love it.

Author: Brian K.

Likes: 0


The only food we’ve ever found that all of our dachshunds have eaten consistently is Royal Canin Dachshund..

Author: Linda R.

Likes: 2


Purina one chicken and rice all 3 of my weenies have grew up on it I swear by it js it works for my fur babies

Author: Tonya K.

Likes: 1


My senior doxies ate Blue Buffalo small breed senior. Canned sensitive stomach or Blue Buffalo senior. When they had upset stomach, I gave them white meat chicken and rice. My new puppy gets Diamond puppy kibbles per the breeder.

Author: Denise C.

Likes: 1


Zignature dry food. It’s very expensive, but my doxies are extremely healthy, so in the long run it’s cheaper than vet bills. They also never get tired of it. I switch between the Turkey and the Pork.

Author: Scott G.

Likes: 2


Pedigree small dogs. My mini pug is fussy. I put a teaspoon of broth on it. Little water. Tell her how good it will taste. Works great

Author: Michele D.

Likes: 0


We switched to Vital by Fresh Pet. My girls are 11 and 16 and eat it. We usually mix in boiled chicken also.

Author: Chris O.

Likes: 1


My doxie eats science diet healthy advantage mature kibble but she is not a picky eater! I prefer science diet foods for my pets. I work at a veterinarian clinic and it is what’s recommended

Author: Jessica F.

Likes: 0


Rachel Ray Nutrish salmon and sweet potato. He loves cold raw veggies as treats. He’ll be 15 in July. Has always been healthy with a beautiful red coat.

Author: Jenny Flynt M.

Likes: 0


My baby girl age 15 has always been on nutro for small breed. It starts out in puppy then adult and now senior. She loves it. No fillers

Author: Phyllis A.

Likes: 1


Dr. Marty. Buy it online. Expensive but it is the only dog food my Chi will eat. She’s twelve and we just found this a year ago. Had been living off of table scraps because she refused to eat dog food.

Author: Cindy W.

Likes: 0


I moved my two mini doxies to steamed rice, baked chicken and black beans for about 6 months now. All tummy issues are gone. All picky issues are gone. No more vomiting. They’re energy levels are amazing and their coats are soft and shiny. Much healthier than dog food. They also each have a half an apple daily with carrots for snacks.

Author: Edwin P.

Likes: 0


Wellness core, raw rev. With bowl toppers !!! The variety. And it’s a pretty well rated dog food.

Author: Megan Elizabeth A.

Likes: 0


We feed with Fromm. You can change flavors without belly problems. Throwing some deli turkey, apple, broccoli, carrots, or scrambled eggs on top won’t hurt either.

Author: Brian D.

Likes: 1


One of ours eats anything in 15 seconds. The other takes 5 minutes to eat the same amount. IAMS.

Author: Larry W.

Likes: 0


When a dachshund is picky it’s because the owner is giving them too many choices of if intact they might be going through a hormonal spurt which affects eating in a young dog sometimes.. This happened with my first dachshund forty years ago and the dachshund experts told me to stop giving him so many choices as he was “working” me. Lol pick a quality kibble and stick with it. Some kibbles are made to be rotated also to deliver different proteins. Read your labels, no by products at all and no more than one pea product, look at dog foods that have meat/ poultry/ seafood proteins in the first two or three ingredients. Be aware that ingredients are listed in quantity on the labels so the first five ingredients are the most important and the most plentiful in volume. Fromms is a good dog food but some of their products now contain too many pea products. Natural Balance is also a quality food. There are many decent foods out there but you have to educate yourself on how to read dog food labels.

Author: Andi B.

Likes: 2


Blue Buffalo Dry Food, Lamb & Brown Rice Flavor & ADD One Tablespoon of Blue Buffalo Can Dog Food for More Flavor eg. Not The Blue Buffalo WILD Meats !!! All Flavors are liked by All Dogs eg. Chicken,Turkey Meatloaf, Beef, etc.

Author: Adriano B.

Likes: 1


Always consult your vet before making any health changes to your dachshund’s diet, especially if they frequently suffer from any medical issues. iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links above may be affiliate links where we receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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