Senior Cavalier with sensitive stomach

Irregular stools in an older Cavalier are really common — at 11, digestion genuinely slows down, enzyme production drops, and the gut becomes less efficient at processing the same food it handled fine for years. Sensitive stomach issues usually come down to food intolerance, ingredient sensitivity, or a gut that simply needs a gentler, more digestible diet — and working out which applies is what gets you to the right food. To help you properly: what symptoms are you seeing most — loose stools, firm but infrequent, straining, or something else? And what is he currently eating?

That pattern — inconsistent rather than consistently loose — is really characteristic of age-related digestive slowing rather than a specific food intolerance. His gut is probably just struggling to process a standard adult formula efficiently. A couple of things I want to check: is the kibble he's on designed for adults generally, or is it a senior recipe? And has anything else changed recently — portion size, feeding schedule, any treats or table scraps?

That's actually useful — it tells me the food itself is likely the issue rather than something external. At 11, a Cavalier really does need a food formulated for an older, slower digestive system. Standard adult kibble tends to have higher fat and fibre levels that an ageing gut can struggle to process consistently, which is exactly what you're describing. My recommendation is Royal Canin Digestive Care for small dogs. It's specifically formulated to support digestive transit, uses highly digestible proteins, and has a prebiotic blend that helps regulate stool consistency. It's not a senior formula in name, but it's genuinely the right fit here — smaller breed, gentle digestion support, and it works well for Cavaliers in particular. Transition slowly over about ten days and you should see a noticeable difference within three to four weeks.

It's common, but worth keeping an eye on a couple of things. Cavaliers at 11 can also develop lower-grade conditions like mild inflammatory bowel issues or reduced kidney function, both of which can affect digestion. If the food change doesn't improve things within four to six weeks, or if you notice weight loss, increased thirst, or any blood in the stools, it's worth a vet visit to rule those out. But based on what you've described — an otherwise well dog with irregular stools and a non-senior diet — a food upgrade is the right first step and resolves this more often than not.

That's the right approach. Ten days minimum on the transition — mix old and new gradually, starting with about 25% new food and working up. If his stools settle into a consistent pattern, you've found your answer. Good luck with him — Cavaliers at that age are usually lovely, gentle dogs and a small diet adjustment can make a real difference to their comfort.