How to Take Care of a Dachshund
Be aware that dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)., Help your dachshund to maintain a healthy weight., Learn how to hold your dachshund., Help your dachshund go up and down stairs., Keep your dachshund from jumping on...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Be aware that dachshunds are prone to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
Like some other small breeds of dog, dachshunds have a higher risk of developing intervertebral disc disease.
In IVDD, the cushioning between your dachshund’s vertebrae bursts or bulges out, which places stress on the vertebrae.
IVDD can cause pain, bladder control problems, and even paralysis.
To help reduce your dachshund’s risk of developing IVDD, you will need to take certain precautions.
You should also know how to recognize the symptoms of IVDD in your dachshund to determine when there may be a problem.
Contact your dachshund’s vet immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms: change in activity level, not jumping or running anymore having trouble standing crying out in pain change in behavior, acting anxious, nervous hunching back and neck and/or tensing back and neck muscles eating less or not at all losing control of bladder and/or bowels -
Step 2: Help your dachshund to maintain a healthy weight.
Being overweight will put your dachshund at a much higher risk of developing IVDD, so it is important to feed him right and help him get plenty of exercise.
To determine if your dachshund is at a healthy weight, stand over him and look down.
If you can see his ribs, he is too thin and needs to gain some weight.
If you cannot see his ribs but you can feel them when you touch his sides, then he is a healthy weight.
If you cannot see or feel his ribs, he is overweight.
Your dachshund should also have a tapered waist rather than a belly that hangs down.Talk to your veterinarian to determine how much weight he needs to lose or gain.
Your veterinarian can also tell you how much to feed your dachshund to help him attain and maintain a healthy weight.
Walk your dachshund and play with him every day.
Give treats in moderation.
Consider feeding your dachshund a weight maintenance food if he becomes too heavy. , Holding your dachshund the right way will also help protect his back.
To hold your dachshund, support your dachshund’s rear end with one hand and place another hand under his belly to support his back.
You may want to practice with something light before you hold your dachshund.
Never hold your dachshund with one hand only or by the paws or head. , Climbing stairs puts pressure on your dachshund’s back and over time it may cause your dachshund to develop IVDD.
Typical stairs are too tall for dachshunds to go up and down without causing stress on their backs.
To avoid this problem, always carry your dachshund when you'd like him to come upstairs or downstairs.Put a baby gate up to keep your dachshund from going up and down the stairs.
Consider installing ramps for small staircases that your dachshund must go up and down every day., Jumping also puts a significant amount of pressure on your dachshund’s back and may increase his risk of IVDD.
To eliminate this risk factor, do not allow your dachshund to jump up on high places such as onto the sofa or your bed.
If you want your dachshund to get up on your lap, lift him up yourself.
Do not encourage him to jump up.
Consider getting some furniture ramps if you want your dachshund to be able to get onto furniture when you are not around., If your dachshund tends to pull when you take him for a walk, he is causing extra stress on his vertebrae which may lead to him developing IVDD.
Attaching your dachshund’s leash to a harness instead of to his collar will help reduce the stress on his neck and eliminate another factor of IVDD. -
Step 3: Learn how to hold your dachshund.
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Step 4: Help your dachshund go up and down stairs.
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Step 5: Keep your dachshund from jumping on furniture and other high places.
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Step 6: Use a harness to walk your dachshund.
Detailed Guide
Like some other small breeds of dog, dachshunds have a higher risk of developing intervertebral disc disease.
In IVDD, the cushioning between your dachshund’s vertebrae bursts or bulges out, which places stress on the vertebrae.
IVDD can cause pain, bladder control problems, and even paralysis.
To help reduce your dachshund’s risk of developing IVDD, you will need to take certain precautions.
You should also know how to recognize the symptoms of IVDD in your dachshund to determine when there may be a problem.
Contact your dachshund’s vet immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms: change in activity level, not jumping or running anymore having trouble standing crying out in pain change in behavior, acting anxious, nervous hunching back and neck and/or tensing back and neck muscles eating less or not at all losing control of bladder and/or bowels
Being overweight will put your dachshund at a much higher risk of developing IVDD, so it is important to feed him right and help him get plenty of exercise.
To determine if your dachshund is at a healthy weight, stand over him and look down.
If you can see his ribs, he is too thin and needs to gain some weight.
If you cannot see his ribs but you can feel them when you touch his sides, then he is a healthy weight.
If you cannot see or feel his ribs, he is overweight.
Your dachshund should also have a tapered waist rather than a belly that hangs down.Talk to your veterinarian to determine how much weight he needs to lose or gain.
Your veterinarian can also tell you how much to feed your dachshund to help him attain and maintain a healthy weight.
Walk your dachshund and play with him every day.
Give treats in moderation.
Consider feeding your dachshund a weight maintenance food if he becomes too heavy. , Holding your dachshund the right way will also help protect his back.
To hold your dachshund, support your dachshund’s rear end with one hand and place another hand under his belly to support his back.
You may want to practice with something light before you hold your dachshund.
Never hold your dachshund with one hand only or by the paws or head. , Climbing stairs puts pressure on your dachshund’s back and over time it may cause your dachshund to develop IVDD.
Typical stairs are too tall for dachshunds to go up and down without causing stress on their backs.
To avoid this problem, always carry your dachshund when you'd like him to come upstairs or downstairs.Put a baby gate up to keep your dachshund from going up and down the stairs.
Consider installing ramps for small staircases that your dachshund must go up and down every day., Jumping also puts a significant amount of pressure on your dachshund’s back and may increase his risk of IVDD.
To eliminate this risk factor, do not allow your dachshund to jump up on high places such as onto the sofa or your bed.
If you want your dachshund to get up on your lap, lift him up yourself.
Do not encourage him to jump up.
Consider getting some furniture ramps if you want your dachshund to be able to get onto furniture when you are not around., If your dachshund tends to pull when you take him for a walk, he is causing extra stress on his vertebrae which may lead to him developing IVDD.
Attaching your dachshund’s leash to a harness instead of to his collar will help reduce the stress on his neck and eliminate another factor of IVDD.
About the Author
David Rivera
A passionate writer with expertise in lifestyle topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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