The Health Benefits of Real Food for Your Dog

Good health starts with good nutrition, and like us, dogs feel the difference when they eat real food.

Many pet parents are discovering the benefits of feeding their dogs gently cooked, wholefood ingredients, leading to noticeable health improvements for their best friends.

What do we mean by real food?

Real food: human-grade, wholefood, quality ingredients, including proteins, fruits, vegetables, and superfoods.

It is really important to make sure that the food you’re choosing for your pet has a mix of high protein, moderate fat, and low-GI carbohydrates, and this can vary depending on the brand. That’s why knowing how to read ingredient labels is key - look for brands that choose their ingredients with purpose, for their health benefits.

Some brands, like Lyka , see AAFCO and FEDIAF minimums as just the beginning and will go above and beyond what’s required for dogs to survive.

How wholefoods support your dog’s overall health

1. Promotes balanced moods and behaviour

Real food has benefits for cognitive health in dogs, with common changes including sounder sleep or stability in mood. This can be particularly helpful if your dog will be away from you and likely to experience higher levels of stress as a result of this.

Hyperactivity has also been linked to artificial additives, chemicals, and carbohydrates high in sugar. Real food has no need for this, with natural vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support brain health.

Examples of real food to help your pet’s mood include: Butternut Squash (a low-GI carbohydrate for steady energy levels), Spinach (as its folate and tryptophan support the production of serotonin and dopamine), Sardines (for its omega-3 content).

2. Healthier digestion and gut microbiome

Like humans, a balanced gut from real food nutrition makes pups feel healthier and happier. The gut is the key to many aspects of health in the body, including immunity, brain function, metabolism, and the ability to eliminate toxins, and an unbalanced diet can cause inflammation and other issues in the gut.

Real food is easier for your dog to digest, especially if it’s high in dietary fibre and omega-3, which supports every aspect of digestive health from healthier poos to gut lining repair and energy levels.

Examples of real food to help digestion include: Kelp (for its fibre and iodine content), Purple sweet potato (being a low-GI carbohydrate full of nutrients), Turmeric (which has prebiotic, anti-inflammatory properties).

“Switching to Lyka provides highly digestible, high-quality ingredients to create a healthy gut and reduce inflammation. Improve the diversity of the gut microbiome by optimising prebiotic fibre — this has significant flow-on effects to improving overall health and wellbeing.” — Dr Darcy Marshall, BSc, DVM

3. Supports dogs with itchy skin and coat issues

Research has linked phytonutrients (or plant nutrients, found in vegetables and bioactive ingredients of real food) with immune benefits, which leads to healthier skin and coat.

In contrast, inflammation has a clear connection with skin issues. Some processed grains like wheat and corn can lead to flare-ups with itchiness and redness or dull coats. Pet food ingredients like starches, lectins, and common allergens can also have pro-inflammatory effects.

Examples of real food to help healthier skin include: Fish oil and flaxseed oil (full of omega-3 fatty acids), Carrots (containing beta-carotene to strengthen defence against allergens), Leafy greens like green cabbage (with Vitamin C and K to boost immunity, and anti-inflammatory properties).

4. Increase mobility and reduce joint discomfort

Being full of anti-inflammatory ingredients, real food can also benefit dogs with stiff joints or mobility issues.

Weight management is a crucial part of joint health. This is why real food brands like Lyka offer custom-portioned servings to take the guesswork out of mealtimes while offering a selection of proteins to support your dog’s individual needs.

Examples of real food to help mobility include: Spirulina and shiitake mushrooms (they’re full of antioxidants and phytonutrients), Fish oil and flaxseed oil (to reduce inflammation), Fennel seeds (an antioxidant powerhouse with anti-inflammatory properties).

5. Helps dogs feel fuller for longer to maintain a healthy weight

Real food meals, like those offered by Lyka, are formulated to help dogs feel fuller for longer. They contain high amounts of protein and fibre found in fresh fruits, vegetables and superfoods.

Real food alternatives like Lyka are made from low-GI carbohydrates to limit blood sugar spikes (blood sugar spikes have been linked to weight gain).

“Many health conditions that are common in senior dogs, such as arthritis and obesity can be impacted by nutrition. A balanced and nutritionally complete diet that’s rich in antioxidants, quality protein and omega 3 can help support overall health and potentially reduce the risk or severity of certain health conditions.” — Dr Darcy Marshall, BSc, DVM

Tips to support your dog’s transition to a new diet

Like humans, easing into a new routine is the most seamless way to transition.

Start by mixing the new food with the old food over five days, gradually increasing the amount of the new food. For a smooth transition, slightly warm the food, add treats or toppers and stick to a consistent feeding routine.

It’s important to monitor your dog’s digestion and adjust if needed, especially for sensitive stomachs. For fussy eaters, be patient. Small changes, like tweaking the environment, can make a big difference.

If your dog needs to be away from you, maintaining routines, even with diet, can help minimise any anxiety they may have. Boarding and daycare facilities like Kip allow you to provide your own food as part of your dog’s visit for a small fee. This helps to bring some familiarity to your dog’s stay and helps them to remain calm. It’s also important to check with your chosen facility to see what guidelines they have.

Give your dog the power of preventative health with Lyka

It’s never too late to change your best friend’s health status. Lyka is a great healthy dog food that can benefit puppies, seniors, and every dog in between. Their real food meals help Aussie pups become the best version of themselves, formulated by a team of board-certified veterinary nutritionists: with ingredients you could spot in your fridge or pantry.

Interested in learning more about the benefits of real food for dogs? Get your Starter Box delivered to your door, and start seeing the difference in your dog today.