Nutrition is the foundation of health. For dachshunds, diet affects everything from energy levels and skin condition to joint strength and back health. While kibble is the most common choice today, a growing number of breeders, veterinarians, and owners are recognizing the benefits of feeding dogs a raw, biologically appropriate diet.
Modern dogs, including dachshunds, are direct descendants of wolves. Genetic studies across the world — from Europe, Asia, and North America — confirm that dogs share more than 99% of their DNA with wolves. While domestication changed their size, temperament, and role in human society, their digestive system remains designed to handle raw meat, bone, and organ matter rather than cooked, highly processed diets.
Wolves survive and thrive on raw prey: muscle meat, organs, bones, and small amounts of predigested plant matter from their food sources.
Dogs, even after thousands of years of living alongside humans, have the same short, acidic digestive tracts that are optimized for breaking down raw meat and preventing harmful bacterial overgrowth.
Studies worldwide (including research from European veterinary universities and North American canine nutrition studies) support that raw feeding often improves stool quality, reduces dental disease, and enhances coat health compared to processed dry kibble.
In other words: while kibble was only invented in the late 1800s, raw feeding is what dogs have been biologically adapted for over thousands of years.
1. Healthier Skin and Coat
Raw diets provide natural fats, oils, and omega fatty acids directly from fresh meat, which support coat shine and skin health. Kibble, in contrast, often uses rendered fats that can oxidize or lose potency in storage.
2. Improved Dental Health
Raw meaty bones act as a natural toothbrush, scraping tartar and strengthening gums. Kibble, despite claims of “cleaning teeth,” often contributes to plaque buildup due to its carbohydrate content.
3. Better Digestion and Smaller Stools
Raw food is highly digestible, leading to smaller, firmer stools and less gas. Kibble is bulked up with fillers like corn, wheat, and soy that pass through the system with little nutritional value.
4. Lean Muscle and Weight Control
High-protein, low-carb raw diets help dachshunds maintain lean muscle without excess fat. This is critical for dachshunds, whose long backs can be strained by even small amounts of extra weight.
5. Increased Energy and Vitality
Raw-fed dachshunds often show brighter eyes, steadier energy, and improved stamina. Kibble’s carb-heavy formulation can cause energy spikes and crashes.
6. Reduced Allergies and Sensitivities
Raw diets eliminate common kibble allergens (corn, soy, wheat, artificial preservatives). This can reduce skin itching, ear infections, and digestive issues in sensitive dachshunds.
7. Natural Hydration
Raw meat contains high levels of natural moisture, unlike kibble, which is extremely dry. This helps support kidney health, digestion, and urinary function.
8. Long-Term Health and Longevity
Though research is ongoing, multiple worldwide studies and breeder reports indicate that dogs on raw diets experience fewer chronic issues, maintain better weight as they age, and show improved quality of life compared to their kibble-fed counterparts.
Aspect Raw Diet Kibble
Nutrient Source Whole, natural foods Processed, synthetic additives
Digestion Highly digestible, smaller stools Lower digestibility, bulkier stools
Teeth Bones scrape tartar naturally Carbs promote tartar/plaque
Weight Management Protein-rich, lean muscle support High carb, higher obesity risk
Skin & Coat Omega-rich, glossy and healthy Can be dry, flaky, or dull
Allergies Minimal triggers, controlled diet Corn, soy, wheat common irritants
Hydration Naturally moist Very dry, requires extra water
Beyond the diet itself, the way food is offered can make a big difference for dachshunds. Lick mats and slow feeders are excellent tools that pair perfectly with raw feeding:
Benefits of Lick Mats
Dental Health – The licking motion helps spread saliva across the teeth and gums, which naturally protects against bacteria and plaque.
Calming Effect – Repetitive licking releases endorphins, reducing stress and anxiety. This can be especially helpful for dachshunds, who can be prone to separation anxiety or high energy.
Enrichment – Spreading raw food, yogurt, pumpkin, or supplements on a lick mat creates mental stimulation and keeps dogs engaged longer.
Slowing down mealtime prevents gulping and reduces the risk of choking, bloating, or stomach upset.
Dachshunds prone to overeating benefit from eating more slowly, which gives the body time to feel full.
The ridges and patterns in slow feeders encourage chewing and licking, both of which support oral health.
Together, lick mats and slow feeders not only help with dental care but also promote mental calmness, healthy digestion, and overall well-being.
Dachshunds, like all dogs, are biologically wired to eat raw food — a truth supported by both science and their wolf ancestry. Feeding a raw diet provides benefits that processed kibble simply cannot match: stronger teeth, leaner muscles, improved digestion, healthier coats, and steadier energy.
By adding simple tools like lick mats and slow feeders, owners can enhance these benefits further, turning mealtime into not just a source of nourishment, but also a way to support calm behavior, healthy teeth, and a happier life for their dachshund.
