How to Help an Overweight Dachshund Lose Weight Safely

An old fat little brown dachshund dog plays with a rubber red ball on a sandy beach in sunny weather

Listen, I’ve been there. After raising dachshunds for years, I’ve watched a few of my own little sausages turn into something more like dinner rolls. If your dachshund is starting to resemble a little loaf of bread more than a sleek wiener dog, don’t beat yourself up.

These adorable pups are absolute masters at begging for food and surprisingly prone to weight gain, which can lead to serious health issues like back problems, diabetes, and heart disease. But I’ve got good news—helping your doxie shed those extra pounds is totally doable with some simple lifestyle changes that I’ve used with my own dogs.

🐶 Is Your Dachshund Overweight?

First things first: how can you tell if your dachshund is actually overweight?

Here are some telltale signs I look for with my own pups:

Rib Check: You should be able to feel your dog’s ribs without pressing hard. If you can’t find those ribs (I couldn’t find my Otto’s for months), they’re definitely carrying extra weight.
Waistline: From above, your dachshund should have a noticeable waist. A straight sausage-like shape with no tapering is a red flag I’ve seen too often.
Energy Levels: When my chunky girl Mabel started refusing our usual walks around the block, that was my wake-up call. Lethargy or reluctance to play can be a sure sign they’re carrying too much.

Still not sure? Don’t guess—my vet taught me about the Body Condition Score (BCS) assessment, and it’s been super helpful for keeping my pack in shape. For a more detailed guide, check out Is Your Dachshund Overweight? where I break down exactly how to assess your pup’s body condition.

🥗 Diet: The Foundation of Weight Loss

🍽️ Portion Control

I used to free-pour my dogs’ kibble until I realized I was giving nearly double the recommended amount! Overfeeding happens so easily with these little guys. Use a measuring cup to ensure you’re providing the correct amount of food. For my overweight doxie, my vet had me reduce her daily intake by about 15%, and the difference was amazing after just a few weeks.

🥦 Healthy Additions

My secret weapon? Green beans. When my dachshunds give me those “I’m still hungry” eyes, I mix some fresh green beans or carrots into their food. These add bulk without extra calories, and my dogs actually get excited about these crunchy additions.

🕒 Scheduled Feeding

Trust me on this one—ditch the all-day buffet. I stick to a regular feeding schedule of two meals a day for all my dachshunds. Free-feeding was a disaster in my house and led to my first doxie packing on pounds like nobody’s business. A schedule helps their metabolism and stops the all-day grazing.

🏃‍♂️ Exercise: Keep That Sausage Dog Moving

🐾 Daily Walks

I take my crew for 15-20 minute walks, 2-3 times a day. Nothing extreme—remember, these little short-legged friends aren’t built for marathons! My old girl can only manage shorter strolls now, but my younger doxie loves a good neighborhood tour. Just adjust to what your dog can handle.

🎾 Playtime

Indoor fetch down our hallway has been a lifesaver during bad weather. Find toys your dachshund goes crazy for—my Fritz will chase his squeaky ball for ages, burning calories without even realizing it. Interactive games have kept my dogs fit even on lazy days.

🏊‍♀️ Low-Impact Activities

Swimming was a game-changer for my older, arthritic dachshund. It’s so gentle on their notorious backs and joints. I started with a kiddie pool in the yard before graduating to supervised lake visits. Just never leave them unattended—I always stay right beside them in the water.

🦴 Treats: Choose Wisely

I used to hand out commercial treats like candy until I realized how calorie-dense they were! Now I use baby carrots, apple slices (without seeds), or break the commercial treats into tiny pieces. My dogs don’t know the difference—they’re just happy to get something. And yes, I count these in their daily food allowance.

🩺 Consult Your Veterinarian

Before I started any weight loss program with my dachshunds, I always checked with my vet. They’ve been invaluable in:

Assessing my dachshund’s overall health (and catching other issues I’d missed)
Recommending realistic target weights for each of my dogs
Suggesting dietary changes specific to my dogs’ needs
Ruling out issues like thyroid problems that were contributing to weight gain

Those regular check-ups have been worth every penny for tracking progress and keeping my pack healthy. If you’re wondering whether your vet might think your doxie needs to slim down, take a look at my article How Much Should a Dachshund Weigh? for the signs vets look for.

📊 Track Progress

I keep a little notebook by the dog food with weigh-ins every two weeks. It’s so satisfying to see those numbers trending down! Tracking helps me stay consistent and lets me adjust if we hit a plateau. When Mabel seemed stuck at the same weight for a month, I added an extra play session each day, and we broke through.

🐕 Success Story: Dennis the Dachshund

I’m always inspired by Dennis, the formerly 56-pound dachshund who slimmed down to a healthy 12 pounds. If he can lose that much, our pups can certainly drop those few extra pounds! His transformation into a happy, active dog keeps me motivated with my own pack.

📝 Final Thoughts

Look, I know the struggle is real. Those begging eyes can break down the strongest willpower (my doxies have perfected the art). But I’ve seen firsthand how much happier and more energetic my dogs became after slimming down. This weight loss journey requires patience—it took months, not weeks, to see major changes in my dogs. But stick with it! Your doxie will thank you with more years of tail wags and cuddles.