how much to feed an 8 week old dachshund

How Much To Feed Your 8 Week Old Dachshund [Full Guide]

The early development stages of your dachshund’s life are crucial. Proper nutrition and diet as a puppy will ensure your dachshund will remain healthy for the rest of his lifetime. 

So, how much should you feed your 8 week old dachshund? Approximately 6-12 ounces, or ½-2 cups of food, per day, spread out between four meals. This is the recommended amount, but it is imperative to recognize and adapt to your dachshund’s personal needs. The proper amount for your dachshund will vary depending on age, size, activity level, and metabolism. 

Dachshunds are susceptible to becoming overweight if fed too much and lose essential nutrients if not fed enough. For this reason, it is crucial to recognize your dachshund’s needs and balance their nutrition accordingly. This article will cover the optimal amount to feed your dachshund, the most nutritious foods to provide, foods you want to avoid, and more. 

Let’s get started. 

How Much To Feed Your 8 Week Old Dachshund

Until your dachshund reaches 8 weeks, he depends entirely on his mother’s milk to get the proper nutrition. It is only after 8 weeks that he can be entirely dependent on puppy food to maintain a healthy balance and grow properly. 

The recommended amount is 6-12 ounces daily. As your dachshund grows older, this will change. Your dachshund will eat bigger meals less frequently and most likely will require less food after becoming a senior dog.  

The amount to feed your dachshund depends on age and activity level. If your dachshund is active, it will need to eat and drink more. If your dachshund is calmer and less active, he will require less. Like humans, some dachshunds naturally have faster or slower metabolisms and varying digestive capabilities.

As a growing puppy, your dachshund will eat a lot of food. However, you still want to regulate how often you feed them daily. Adults need to eat more and less frequently as they burn their energy faster between meals. Senior dachshunds burn less fuel or calories and only eat 1-2 meals daily. 

All of these factors are important to take note of. Asking your vet for professional help and guidance is highly recommended. It is also beneficial to pay attention to the recommended amounts included with the food you purchase. 

Below is a feeding chart with recommended daily amounts from 2 to 10 months in grams/cups. 

You must pay close attention to your dachshund’s body weight and appearance during this stage to ensure you provide the correct amount of food. If you notice any difference in his appearance and energy levels, you must adapt until you find the right balance. 

How Often Should You Feed Your Dachshund?

It is essential to spread your dachshund’s meals evenly throughout the day. The recommended amount is four meals. The recommended 6-12 ounces split between four meals equals about 1.5-3 ounces per meal. 

After reaching 3-12 months, your dachshund should eat 3-4 meals daily. Adult dachshunds (1-6 years) are recommended for 2-3 meals, and seniors (6-12 years) only require 1-2 meals throughout the day. 

Spreading out your dachshund’s meals will allow his energy to remain consistent. With a constant supply of energy, his activity levels will increase. A spread-out schedule will also help your dachshund have more regular bowel movements and promote good digestive health. 

Puppies need to eat more often than adults, so you might be tempted to free feed your dachshund for convenience. However, it is not advised. Free feeding your dachshund puts them at risk of becoming overweight. In addition, being present and attentive at each meal will allow you to confirm your dachshund eats enough at the appropriate times.

Now that you know how often to feed your dachshund, you might wonder what the best times for his meals are. 

Optimal Feeding Times For Your Dachshund

Just like a human, your dachshund will benefit significantly from a consistent meal schedule. Meals that occur at the same time every day will improve your dachshund’s digestive system and overall health.

Your dachshund can enjoy his first meal as early as 7:00 AM. You should place the next three meals at even, four-hour intervals throughout the day. 

You can change these times to match your lifestyle and habits. As a pet owner, this will make it easier for you to stick to a consistent schedule for your dachshund. However, if you already have a schedule and plan to change the times of your dachshund’s meals, you must make the change gradually. 

Once your dachshund reaches 3-12 months, you can time meals more regularly with your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As an adult, your Dachshund can enjoy two meals for daytime and night. Once your dachshund grows to senior, their meals can be either daytime or nighttime, depending on their preference. 

You have the perfect schedule, and you’re all set to get your dachshund started on his new meal plan. But wait, what food are you going to be feeding him? How can you find the best dog food to support healthy growth? 

Let’s find out next. 

Best Foods For Your Dachshund

You want to ensure your dachshund is eating the most nutritious and balanced food. As an 8 week old puppy, your dachshund’s digestive system and defense mechanisms are not fully developed. This makes it crucial to ensure you give him the healthiest food available. 

At the 8 week stage, it is time to start with puppy food. Puppy food is divided into a few categories: dry, wet, and raw. Each type has its benefits, but dry food is the most convenient and straightforward. 

Raw food is generally not recommended. It is very common for raw meat to contain toxins and bacteria that are not healthy for your dachshund. 

You can narrow down the best food for your dachshund by learning the essential ingredients, researching different brands, and asking your vet for advice. Some of the most highly recommended brands are: 

  1. Blue Buffalo
  2. Hill’s Science Diet
  3. Iams Proactive Health Smart
  4. Diamond Naturals for miniature dachshunds.

Below is a video covering recommended foods for dachshunds in depth:

Best Dog Food for Dachshunds

Often times the brand you select for your dachshund as a puppy will have the same flavor in adult food. No matter which brand you choose, you want to meet the nutritional needs of your dachshund as a growing puppy. 

Optimal Nutrition For Your Dachshund

The best food for your Dachshund will include protein, fats, and vitamins. Products including these will promote healthy growth and development. 

Protein will support good muscle growth and ensure your dachshund stays full throughout the day. You must only choose clean, high-quality proteins for your dachshund. Fish and chicken are optimal choices as they are rich in antioxidants and fatty acids and will cut unnecessary fat from your dachshund’s diet. 

Fats provide your dachshund with energy in an easily digestible form. However, keeping a good balance and including only a limited amount is crucial. Dogs are not as likely to develop heart conditions or high cholesterol as humans but are at risk if they consume too much fat. Trans fats are especially dangerous and should be avoided as much as possible. 

Vitamins are essential for your dachshund’s health. Calcium, for example, promotes healthy and strong bones and teeth. Vitamins are the most important during the early stages of your dachshund’s life. 

It is always best to seek professional help and consult your vet to create the best diet possible for your dachshund.

Dry Food vs. Wet Food For Dachshunds

Dry food, or kibble, is popular among dog owners for its convenience. It is the easiest to measure and will be alright if left out for too long. Kibble is solid food, making your dachshund chew his food more thoroughly, encouraging good oral health. 

Wet food, or canned food, can be more challenging to manage. If left out for too long, it will expire. If your dog doesn’t like to drink water directly, wet food can hydrate your dog.

A good mix of wet and dry foods is beneficial for your dachshund. It provides a more diverse palette of food and can increase your dachshund’s appetite. 

It is essential to keep a close eye on your dachshund’s weight and size as it is growing. You want to ensure you are not feeding him too much or too little. 

Underfeeding and Overfeeding

As dachshunds are very susceptible to weight gain and becoming obese, it is imperative to avoid overfeeding your dachshund. After having your dachshund spayed or neutered, it can decrease his metabolism. Measuring your dachshund’s daily calories and maintaining a balanced diet is essential to maintain an ideal weight. 

dachshund

Overfeeding is not the only danger to be aware of. Underfeeding your dachshund is a genuine possibility. Your 8 week old dachshund will need more calories and energy than older dachshunds to support its growth. You want to ensure it gets the proper amount of nutrients, especially during this period. 

Treating Your Dachshund

You must treat your dachshund sparingly. Treats should be reserved for rewarding your dachshund for good behavior. You can use them in training your dachshund by using positive reinforcement.

Positive reinforcement is the process of rewarding a specific behavior by offering a reward for performing the behavior. You can use treats to reward your dachshund for behaviors like using the bathroom outside, eating all of its food, and staying calm. 

Foods To Avoid For Your Dachshund

Certain foods can be toxic to your dachshund. You must be extra careful to observe ingredients and avoid feeding the following foods to your dachshunds at all costs.

  1. Chocolate
  2. Onions
  3. Grapes
  4. Raisins
  5. Garlic
  6. Cores, stems, or leaves of fruits
  7. Macadamia nuts
  8. Raw meat

These foods can be highly toxic to your dachshund and cause serious health complications if ingested. If your dachshund has consumed any of these foods, seek medical attention immediately.

What If My Dachshund Puppy Won’t Eat?

Now you know how much, how often, and what to feed your dachshund. You feel ready to feed your dachshund, but it refuses to eat. Don’t panic; there are plausible reasons for this behavior. 

First, it may be different from the taste your dachshund is used to if you have recently switched to a new food. It means they have yet to become accustomed to the new scent or flavor of the new food. If your dachshund already likes a particular food, it is best to stick to it.

If you want to change your dachshund’s regular food to a healthier alternative, it is best to change it gradually. You can begin by switching out one meal daily or mixing the new food with the old. 

The other reason your dachshund is not eating could be a medical condition causing your dachshund to lose his appetite. If you suspect this is the case, you should take your dachshund to the vet for a medical examination. It is better to be safe than sorry. Your dachshund’s health is the number one priority. 

Miniature Dachshunds

Miniature Dachshunds are a smaller variety of dachshunds that require a proportionately smaller amount of food. A dachshund is classified as miniature when it weighs 11 pounds or less than an adult dog. 

An 8 week old miniature dachshund will only require around 2-3 ounces of food per day. You should still spread out the food over four meals. Like regular dachshunds, this amount will also vary depending on your miniature dachshund’s specific activity level, age, and metabolism. 

Final Thoughts

So how much should you feed your 8 week old dachshund? The correct amount varies depending on your dachshund’s size, activity level, age, and metabolism. The generally recommended amount is 6-12 ounces of food daily. This amount is just a range and should be adjusted to match your dachshund’s personal needs. 

You should spread your dachshund’s food out to four meals per day. These meals should be packed with an excellent nutritional balance of protein, fat, and vitamins. Proper nutrition is the key to healthy growth and development for your dachshund. This is especially important at 8 weeks because it will also determine your dachshund’s future health. 

It is essential to monitor your dachshund’s weight and energy levels closely. There is no one fits all formula for feeding your dachshund, and you must recognize your dachshund’s personal needs. It is highly recommended to consult with your vet for advice and proper feeding habits. Paying attention to the recommendations by food providers on their products is also helpful. 

Using all this information, you can be sure you are giving your dachshund all the proper sustenance and nutrients he needs to grow into a strong, healthy adult. 

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