5 Best Dog Treats For Dachshunds In 2024

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What do treats and Dachshunds have in common? They’re small, sweet, and an absolute delight to have around at any time of the day. That’s why we’re combining these two topics and discussing what the best treats for Dachshund dogs are.

Well, the best treats for Dachshunds tend to be what most carnivorous animals have in their diet: meat, with a mix of other natural ingredients from food groups like veggies and grains.

After all, they were herding and hunting dogs in the past, and are still a particularly physically active breed, meaning they need to get their protein and other daily nutrients in.

That said, treats aren’t a replacement for dog food, and thus, they should be given to Dachshunds in moderation – a few a day for your special little guy, preferably as a dog training treat or for other great achievements.

5 Best Dog Treats For Dachshunds

Zuke’s Mini Naturals Chicken Recipe Training Dog Treats

Starting us off strong, we have Zuke’s Mini Naturals, a tasty treat that almost every dog loves.

The main protein on the menu is real chicken – a great, neutral meat that mixes well with other ingredients, and it is a common base for some of the best dog food and treat options alike.

The added flavors in this case are a mix of savory herbs and berries, as well as barley to cover the grains.

The things it doesn’t have are common allergens like wheat, corn, and soy, or any artificial fillers.

It’s intended strictly as a low-calorie treat with barely three calories per treat so you can know exactly how much you’re giving your canine companion.

Naturally, it’s not all just flavor – there are plenty of vitamins and minerals inside, too, which are things that will give your Dachshund a little boost.

Given their low-caloric content, they’re really popular with smaller dog breeds that can’t overstep their weight too far unless they want to risk potential health problems.

The price is relatively affordable, too, considering how much of it you get in a single package.

The only real problem I could notice is that the treats themselves harden quickly.

Key Benefits:

• Chicken and rice as main ingredients
• A mix of herbs and various berries as extra flavor
• A very low-calorie treat, with 2-3 kcal per piece
• No common allergens or fillers
• A cheap pickup in comparison to the quality
• Ideal for smaller dog breeds

Cons:

• The treats harden quickly, even when the bag is left unopened
• Not well suited for larger dogs as they won’t find it remotely as filling as smaller ones would

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Natural Balance L.I.T. Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Treats

A wonderful and tasty treat option for your little guy that is carefully balanced out ingredient-wise to provide high amounts of nutrients with each treat.

With chicken as the main ingredient, paired with sweet potatoes, this option will make your Dachshund puppy feel like you’re feeding him a prime lunch.

On top of that, you’ll also find Canola Oil in the mix as a source of healthy fats.

Another useful ingredient is mixed tocopherols. While they are a preservative, they also help reduce the risk of eye disease in dogs.

They’re free of any grains that double as common allergens like corn, wheat, and soy, making this an excellent choice for dogs with a sensitive stomach.

The pricing is pretty reasonable, too. Thankfully, some brands make food for smaller breeds a lot more affordable than for bigger ones.

While the ingredients are carefully selected, the caloric value per treat is higher than that of the previously mentioned candidates, coming in at 6 kcal per piece. Keep that in mind when figuring out your small dogs’ daily treat allowance.

Key Benefits:

• Chicken as the main ingredient, boosted up by sweet potatoes
• No trace of any allergy-inducing grains
• Contains Canola Oil as a source of healthy fats, as well as mixed Tocopherols, which reduce the risk of eye disease in dogs
• Extremely affordable
• Colorful packaging

Cons:

• Contains preservatives
• Higher caloric content per treat than other options on this list

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Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Tender Beef Recipe

I keep saying chicken is the dominant ingredient, and here I am listing beef once again.

In the case of moist treats, beef wins out because of its natural juiciness that Blue Buffalo emulates well, and the beef used here, which is rich in high-value protein, is locally sourced from U.S. farms.

However, it doesn’t just have the flavor which will help entice any breed of dog big or small, it comes chocked full of beneficial ingredients, too.

The first one worthy of mention are the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, well known to help reduce skin irritation in dogs and keep their coat shiny and soft.

The other one is DHA, key in helping develop cognitive skills in Dachshund puppies as well as any other breed of dog.

They’re one of the more popular dog treat options for pet owners in the U.S. for that very reason.

Well, that and the fact that they’re completely grain free and irresistible to dogs, making them a great motivator during dog wellness and training sessions, especially since they’re only four calories a piece.

This is a bit more than some of the others mentioned here, but it should be easy enough to portion according to a veterinarian’s or a pet nutritionist’s guidelines.

The pricing is pretty decent, too, not adding too much to the already high costs of maintaining a c Pembroke Welsh Dachshund.

It does seem to contain milk, though, for those of you who may have dogs with lactose intolerance.

Key Benefits:

• Beef as the main ingredient
• Contains Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for better hair and skin health, as well as DHA for help with cognitive development for puppies
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
• Completely free of any common grain allergen like soy, corn, or wheat
• Relatively affordable pricing

Cons:

• Contains milk, which could be a potential allergy risk for some dogs

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Zuke’s Mini Naturals Peanut Butter & Oats

For those of you looking for a meat-free treat, there’s always the nuclear option for dogs, peanut butter.

Coming from a returning brand, Zuke’s, these dog biscuits can give your Dachshund that hit of sweetness to help him get his engines revving.

But, don’t worry – it barely has three calories in it per treat, meaning that you’re not risking making your Dachshund overweight by getting him a pack of these.

Aside from peanut butter, there are a number of minerals and vitamins packed inside to make the treat even more desirable for dog owners to get for their beloved pets.

That, and the fact that it’s free of all the common grain allergens like wheat, soy, and corn, much like most of the ones on this list.

Again, the pricing is very reasonable given the amount of treats that you get, and the only flaw I could find is that the treats aren’t intended for anything other than smaller dog breeds.

Key Benefits:

• No meat – peanut butter is the main ingredient
• Rice, barley, and oats help balance the taste out
• Completely grain free
• Packed with the necessary minerals and nutrients
• Only two calories per treat
• Reasonably priced
• Attractive packaging

Cons:

• Not intended for larger dogs
• Some can be a bit smelly

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Riley’s Organic Pumpkin & Coconut Bone

As the final entry, here’s a more organic option for all you dog owners out there.

Made to be 100% organic, these treats have pumpkin as the main ingredient, supplemented by coconut oil and coconut bone.

They’re completely free of any artificial preservatives and colors, and are entirely non-GMO.

The treats are certified vegan, too, but I will insist that you don’t make this your Dachshund’s entire diet. They are carnivores at heart, and they need meat protein to sustain them.

However, these treats are a delight to hand out to your Dachshund every now and then, and they’re locally sourced.

The price is affordable, too! They do, however, have the flaw of being rather calorie-intense, with a whopping 59 calories a treat, so treat these like candy and only hand them out in small amounts.

Key Benefits:

• Completely organic
• Pumpkin and coconut oil as the main ingredients
• No artificial preservatives
• Non-GMO
• Vegan option
• U.S.-made

Cons:

• Your Dachshund may not like them due to the lack of meat protein
• High calorie per treat ratio

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 Related: Best Dachshund Puppy Foods

What Traits Should The Best Treats For Dachshunds Have?

Given the list in question, we can see that there are plenty of options regarding dog treats for Dachshunds, but what should you be on the lookout for in case none of these strike your fancy?

Well, you’ll notice a few common traits between most of these that are the desirable ones:

Meat As The Main Protein

While not as crucial in treats as it is in dog food for Dachshunds, meat being the main ingredient of a treat will make it a lot more likely that your Dachshund will actually like them in the long run, and not be averse to getting them as a reward.

After all, Dachshunds are very physically active, and high-quality meat protein is needed in order to give them extra energy to burn during their energetic adventures.

Veggies And Grains As Supplements

Meat is neat, but it becomes even better when mixed with a variety of vegetables, spices, and grains to color in its flavor profile. The more colorful, the more enticing the treat will be for your pupper.

Low Calorie Per Treat Ratio

Dachshunds can enjoy a diverse diet since they tend to burn up a lot of calories, but portion control is important since a lot of health issues pop up in small dogs if they get overweight.

That’s why it’s important to get puppy treats that have a low calorie per treat ratio so you can portion them out better.

Either that, or ones that you can cut into smaller pieces. Jerky and Bully sticks are a good example of that.

Are There Any Alternatives To Dog Treats?

You can offer your Dachshund bits of regular kibble instead so you don’t have to buy anything extra, or even give him some fruits and veggies like blueberries, bananas, carrots, cucumbers, and the like depending on your Dachshund’s preferences.

You can also use stuffed dog toys as a somewhat less effective, but beloved treat if it’s their favorite stuffed toy.

In Conclusion

The best dog treats for Dachshunds are often ones that have meat as the main ingredient, with certain outliers pertaining to dog allergies.

That said, treats aren’t the main source of a Dachshund’s diet, or any dog for that matter, so you’re a bit free in your choices there.

But, do know that your Dachshund is the ultimate judge of the food you give him whether it is gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, or meat-based. They’re equally likely to reject them if it’s not up to their preference.

Whatever the case may be, I’m certain that you’ll be able to find one that your canine companion will enjoy greatly. Until next time.