How Much to Feed a Dachshund
Every extra pound strains the Dachshund's long spine, making portion control a health issue, not cosmetic. Using the veterinary RER/MER formula, an adult Dachshund of about 20 lbs needs roughly 585 kcal per day — around 154 g (1.5 cups) of typical dry food. The calculator below is pre-set for the Dachshund: adjust the weight, life stage and food type to match your dog.
Dachshund portion calculator
Veterinary RER/MER formula — daily calories, grams and cups.
RER 366 kcal × 1.6 (adult, neutered/spayed) = 585 kcal, at 380 kcal/100g. Estimates for healthy pets — always confirm with your veterinarian.
Small breeds such as the Dachshund sit in an awkward spot: big enough to beg convincingly, small enough that leftovers wreck their calorie budget. At a typical 20 lbs, the full daily allowance is roughly 585 kcal — about 1.5 cups of standard kibble. Split it into 2 meals and re-weigh your dog every couple of months, because a single pound of drift is a big percentage change at this size.
The Dachshund typically weighs around 20 lbs (9.1 kg) as a healthy adult. That small body has an RER of 366 kcal; applying the adult, neutered/spayed multiplier of 1.6 gives 585 kcal per day, or about 154 g of dry food. At these quantities a proper gram scale beats measuring cups — cup-level errors of “just a little extra” compound into pounds over a season.
These numbers are a starting point, not a prescription. The calculator supports every life stage (puppy, puppy, adult, neutered/spayed, adult, intact, active / working, senior, weight loss plan) — a puppy can need two to three times the adult allowance, while a senior or a dog on a weight-loss plan needs noticeably less. Recheck the numbers after any change in weight, activity, food brand or neutering status, and always transition between foods gradually over 7–10 days. For medical conditions, pregnancy or lactation, follow your veterinarian's feeding plan instead.
Frequently asked questions
How much food should a Dachshund eat per day?
A typical adult Dachshund weighing 20 lbs needs about 585 kcal per day (adult, neutered/spayed), which is roughly 154 grams — about 1.5 cups — of standard dry food, split into 2 meals.
How is the Dachshund's daily portion calculated?
We use the standard veterinary formula: Resting Energy Requirement (RER) = 70 × (weight in kg)^0.75, then multiply by a life-stage factor. For a 9.1 kg Dachshund, RER is 366 kcal, and the adult, neutered/spayed factor of 1.6 gives 585 kcal per day.
How many times a day should I feed my Dachshund?
2 meals per day is the standard recommendation for a adult, neutered/spayed dog — about 293 kcal (77 g of dry food) per meal. Puppies and kittens need 3–4 smaller meals instead.
My Dachshund seems hungry after meals — should I feed more?
Begging is not a reliable hunger signal, especially in food-motivated breeds. Judge by body condition instead: you should feel ribs easily under a thin fat layer. If your Dachshund is truly losing weight at 585 kcal per day, increase portions by ~10% and re-weigh in two weeks.