Switching your dog from another digestive enzyme to Pan-tenex can be straightforward when you follow a clear plan. The goal is simple: find the lowest effective dose, keep meals consistent, and give your dog a short adjustment period while you monitor stools and appetite. The steps below show you exactly how to make the change with confidence.
Before You Start: Read the Feeding Guidelines
We suggest that you visit our feeding guidelines. This page explains starting amounts, how to scale by meal size, and important prep details that help Pan-tenex work as intended.
Your Step by Step Switch Plan
- Do not mix enzyme products. Stop the previous enzyme and start Pan-tenex at the next meal. Keep the prior product as a backup, but begin Pan-tenex cold turkey so you can clearly monitor progress.
- Start low. Use the lowest recommended Pan-tenex dose for your dog’s meal size from the feeding guidelines. For meal sizes of less than 1-cup, you can start at 1/8 teaspoon or 1/4 teaspoon.
- Hold the dose for at least 4 days. Feed the same amount of food and the same enzyme dose at every meal for four full days, then assess stool quality.
- Adjust slowly if needed. If stools are not ideal after four days, increase Pan-tenex by ¼ teaspoon per meal, then hold that new dose for another four days before reassessing.
- Stay consistent. Use the same measuring spoon, the same food amount, and the same prep routine every meal. Consistency is key!
What to Keep and What to Pause
- Keep B12 support. If your dog is already receiving B12 on your veterinarian’s advice, continue it during the switch. You can learn more in Should You Add B12 to Your Dog’s Diet?
- Pause probiotics temporarily. Hold off on probiotics until your dog is stable on Pan-tenex, then reintroduce if desired. This avoids extra variables while you dial in the enzyme dose. For background, see our article Do Dogs on Digestive Enzymes Also Need Probiotics?
Meal Prep That Helps Pan-tenex Work Best
- Prepare every meal fresh. Measure the food portion first, then add Pan-tenex to that specific meal.
- Use room temperature food. Food should be close to room temperature when enzymes are mixed in. Avoid hot food and microwaving after enzymes are added.
- Add moisture and mix thoroughly. Moisten the meal and blend the powder evenly so it contacts the entire portion. For detailed steps, read our article on How to Mix Enzyme Powder with Your Dog’s Food.
- Incubate for 15 minutes. Let the mixed meal rest at room temperature for about 15 minutes before feeding as stated on the jar instructions.
Accuracy and Consistency Matter
Please be very accurate and consistent with both meal size and dosing at every meal. The fastest way to reach a stable result is to feed the same amount of food and the same measured dose while you evaluate stools across each four day window. Change only one variable at a time.
What to Expect During the First Two Weeks
- Short adjustment period is common. Do not become overly concerned if stools soften briefly when you introduce a new Pan-tenex dose. Many dogs experience a normal adjustment that settles within a couple of days.
- Enzymes still support absorption. As long as Pan-tenex is mixed with the meal and incubated properly, your dog will absorb nutrition even if stools fluctuate during the short adjustment period.
- Occasional off stools can happen. Bad stools are a symptom of the underlying digestive issue and may not mean something is wrong with your plan. Even stable dogs can have an occasional off day, especially if they get into something new.
Troubleshooting Quick Checks
- Stools still soft after four days at a dose: Increase Pan-tenex by ¼ teaspoon per meal and hold for four more days before reassessing.
- Big swings in stool quality: Recheck that you are feeding the same portion size every time and measuring the enzyme dose with the same spoon.
- Reluctant eater: Make sure food is not cold, add a splash of warm water, and review prep steps in How to Mix Enzyme Powder with Your Dog’s Food.
- Need a dose reference by meal size: See the feeding guidelines and our dosing overview in How Much Enzyme Powder Should I Use Per Cup of Dog Food?
Track Progress and Share with Your Vet
Use our Dog Enzyme Digestive Health Stool Tracker to log dose, meal size, stool quality, and appetite each day. A clear record makes it easy to see trends, confirm stability, and discuss adjustments with your veterinary professional.
Key Takeaways
- Do not mix the two enzymes. Stop the previous product and start Pan-tenex at the next meal.
- Begin with the lowest recommended dose, hold for four days, then increase by ¼ teaspoon only if needed.
- Prepare every meal fresh, at room temperature, with moisture added and a 15 minute incubation.
- Be exact and consistent with food portions and dosing to find the true baseline.
- Short term stool changes can be normal during the switch as your dog adjusts.
Have questions about your dog’s specific plan or want help interpreting stool changes while you dial in the dose? Explore more help articles or contact us. We are happy to help you make a smooth transition to Pan-tenex.
