Digestive enzymes for ageing Dachshunds

A 12-year-old Miniature Dachshund with a vet already pointing you toward digestive enzymes — that's a really helpful starting point. As dogs age, the pancreas produces fewer enzymes naturally, which means food isn't broken down as efficiently, and you can get soft stools, gas, or weight loss even on a good diet. The good news is that enzyme supplementation is well-supported for this. Can you tell me what specific symptoms you're seeing day to day — loose stools, undigested food in the poo, weight changes, or something else? And did your vet mention whether they suspect exocrine pancreatic insufficiency specifically, or just general age-related enzyme decline?

That picture — good appetite, weight loss, soft stools — is classic for reduced digestive efficiency in older dogs. The food is going in but not being absorbed properly. Since your vet has ruled out full EPI and this is age-related decline, you don't need a prescription-strength enzyme product; what you want is a well-formulated over-the-counter supplement that combines digestive enzymes with some gut-lining support. What is she currently eating — wet food, dry kibble, or a mix? And is she on any other supplements or medications I should know about?

Perfect — that context really helps. For a 12-year-old Miniature Dachshund in exactly this situation, I'd recommend Protexin Pro-Kolin Advanced. It's a paste that combines digestive enzymes, kaolin, bentonite, and prebiotics in one product, which addresses both the enzyme gap and the gut-lining irritation that's likely contributing to the soft stools. It's made by a veterinary probiotics company with a strong track record, it's widely used in UK vet practices, and the paste format means you can squeeze a precise amount onto her food — easy to give with wet food in particular. The dosing is by bodyweight, so a Miniature Dachshund will use it economically. It's not a probiotic in the traditional sense — it's genuinely targeted at what your vet described. Start with the recommended dose for her weight and give it two to three weeks consistently before judging results.

For age-related enzyme decline, daily long-term use is typically the right approach — the underlying cause isn't going to resolve itself. Many owners of senior dogs keep their dog on a maintenance dose indefinitely and just restock every couple of months. Your vet may want to check in after a few weeks to see how her weight is responding, which is worth doing given she's already lost some. If the stools firm up and the weight stabilises, that's a good sign the enzymes are making a difference. If you're not seeing improvement after three to four weeks at the correct dose, it's worth going back to the vet to investigate further.

Good call — it's a solid product for exactly this. Keep an eye on her stool consistency within the first week or two; that's usually the first thing to improve before weight follows. And since she's a senior Dachshund, it's worth mentioning at any routine vet visit so they can track her weight trend over time. Hope she's feeling more comfortable soon.