Feeding a 16-year-old Dachshund

Sixteen is a remarkable age for a Miniature Dachshund — you've clearly done something right over the years. At this stage, many standard senior foods are actually too calorie-dense and protein-rich for very elderly small dogs, especially if their digestive system has become more sensitive or their appetite has dipped. Senior dogs genuinely do have different nutritional needs — lower calories, better digestibility, and joint support — but a 16-year-old is in a different category to a sprightly 8-year-old 'senior.' What are they currently eating, and can you tell me a bit more about what's happening — are we talking loose stools, vomiting, or just seeming uncomfortable after meals?

That combination — soft stools, post-meal discomfort, and early kidney concerns — tells me quite a lot. The food she's on is probably too rich in protein and fat for where she is now, and with kidneys to watch, you want something with moderate, highly digestible protein rather than a high-meat senior formula. The 'kidney watch' flag from your vet is important here: you don't need a prescription renal diet yet, but you should be moving away from anything marketed as high-protein or performance-style. How much is she eating per day, and is she a normal weight or has she lost condition recently?

Good — stable weight at 16 with a reduced appetite is actually fine and normal. She doesn't need calories forced on her; she needs what she does eat to be as gentle and digestible as possible. Given the soft stools, the post-meal discomfort, and the kidney flag, I'd point you toward Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat dry food. It sounds counterintuitive for a dog her age, but it's specifically formulated for dogs with sensitive digestion — low fat, highly digestible, with moderate protein levels that won't stress the kidneys. It's not a renal diet, but it sits comfortably in that space between a standard senior food and a full prescription kidney formula. A lot of very elderly small dogs do much better on it than on dedicated senior ranges. It's available on Amazon UK and through most online vet pharmacies.

The Gastrointestinal Low Fat sits in Royal Canin's veterinary range, so some stockists will ask for a vet recommendation — worth a quick call to your vet to confirm, and honestly given the kidney flag they'd probably be glad you're moving in this direction. On joints: yes, absolutely worth supporting at her age. Rather than adding a supplement that might upset her digestion further, look for YuMOVE Senior — it's the best-evidenced joint supplement for older dogs in the UK, comes in a small chewable tablet, and the Senior version is calibrated for dogs exactly like her. Keep it simple though: one dietary change, one supplement, see how she responds over three to four weeks before adding anything else.

At 16, the main things to watch alongside what you're already monitoring are: sudden disinterest in food (different from gradual reduction), any change in thirst or urination which would be relevant given the kidney note, and her rear end — Dachshunds are prone to IVDD and hind leg weakness can creep up quietly. Keep vet check-ins at least every six months if not quarterly. But honestly, a 16-year-old who's still walking and still interested in food is doing well. You're asking exactly the right questions.