Making the move to fresh food exciting — we bet your pup is very keen to get stuck into their first Lyka bowl!
The switch to new food can be a process: moving too quickly can upset sensitive tummies or bring out fussiness in your pup.
Encourage a smoother transition with Lyka’s feeding guide. These step-by-step instructions help to keep tummy troubles and fussiness at bay.
Whether you’ve got a picky pup, a sensitive tummy or anything in between, we’ve got all the top expert tips to help you and your pup make the switch.
Ready to give your dog the nutrition they deserve? Let’s get started.
Before starting the transition
Prepare for transition success with these 6 handy hints for a smoother switch to Lyka:
Prep your freezer: Lyka pouches come frozen — remember to make some room in your freezer before you receive your first box.
Keep some old food: to kick off the transition process, you’ll be mixing your Lyka portion with pre-Lyka food, so make sure to keep some old food for a gradual change.
Moving away from kibble? A few days before transitioning to Lyka, wet your pup’s old kibble down with water or bone broth, then mash it up before serving. This helps your pup adjust to species-appropriate moisture content and get used to a different texture.
How to defrost: pop a pouch in your fridge to defrost overnight. If you need to speed up the process, you can place your pouch in a bowl of warm water.
How to serve Lyka: you can serve Lyka straight from the fridge, or heat it in the microwave to release some delicious drool-worthy aromas. Check the temperature before feeding to make sure there aren’t any hot or cold spots.
Avoid new food anxiety: it’s normal for your pup to be wary of change. Feed them in a relaxed and confident way to create a positive association with their new food. Pups look to us for reassurance, so if we’re anxious, they can feel worried too.
How to use our Go-To Gut Helper
Our Go-To Gut Helper is a blend of high-quality, live microbes designed to boost your pup’s intestinal health and helps to support a smoother transition (free in your first box).
Here’s how much you should add depending on your dog’s weight:
)
Our Co-founder and Holistic Veterinarian, Dr Matthew Muir recommends at least a 5-day incremental change.
Standard 5-day transition
Transitioning helps set your pup up for long-term success with their new diet. Remember: you set the pace!
If your dog has IBD, or pancreatitis, or is still a puppy, you can introduce smaller amounts of Lyka to their existing food. Check your pup's poo, and slowly increase the amount once they begin to tolerate it.
Changes in diet can be a lot for sensitive tummies, even if they’re for the better.
)
Day 1: 25% of your new Lyka portion mixed with 75% of old and Go-To Gut Helper Prebiotic.
Day 2-3: 50% of your new Lyka portion mixed with 50% of old and Go-To Gut Helper Prebiotic.
Day 4: 75% of your new Lyka portion mixed with 25% of old and Go-To Gut Helper Prebiotic.
Day 5 — Fur-ever!: 100% of your new Lyka portion. Out with the old, in with the new!
8 top transition tips for the fussiest pups
Have a fussy pup that struggles with mealtime? You’re not alone. Dogs like familiarity, so an adjustment period is common when switching their diet.
Switching from dry food to fresh, gently cooked meals comes with different tastes and textures, which can take a bit of getting used to. Plus, their microbiome has become conditioned to digest the same food.
Try these top tips to encourage more successful mealtimes.
1. Start with a lick of approval
Spread a touch of Lyka onto your pup’s front paws. Most dogs will lick it off, which helps them habituate to the new food and texture.
2. Warm Lyka up
Pups are drawn to food by their snoot and sense of smell. Enhance the scent by making their food lukewarm (just be careful it’s not too hot!). You can also add warm bone broth to get their taste buds tingling.
3. Add treats or toppers
Spark positive association by mixing in some treats or a topper, like cottage cheese or yoghurt (if their tummy is used to these foods). This can also help if your pup is moving away from a more textured diet.
4. Serve up Lyka with love and confidence
It’s normal for pups to be cautious of new food. By serving Lyka with confidence, your pup will feel supported and less nervous about trying something new.
5. Re-serve Lyka after a few hours
Try leaving your pup’s meal out for 15 minutes, then take away the uneaten food and re-serve it a few hours later. This teaches them to eat their original meal, rather than waiting for a better option. Also, make sure to offer a fresh portion for each meal.
6. Change up the environment
Change up your pup’s bowl or try changing locations. Making mealtimes more exciting can help spark an appetite.
7. Transition one Lyka meal at a time
Start with our Chicken Bowl, then Kangaroo, Turkey, Beef, and lastly, Lamb. If your pup has experienced a previous intolerance to a certain protein, try removing that one from their meal plan.
8. Maintain habits and routine
Establish good habits by serving up Lyka at the same time each day. A consistent exercise routine can also help promote a healthy appetite while maintaining structure in their day. You might find your dog is hungrier in the morning or afternoon, so adjust their portions accordingly and feed fewer treats between meals.
9. Decrease the number of snacks
If your pup is munching on their favourite treats during the day, their daily calorie needs are already being met before their meal time which could be why they’re disinterested in their meals. Try holding back on feeding treats to see if this makes a difference.
10. Serve up smaller meals
If your pup eats some of their Lyka but isn’t quite as interested in licking their bowl clean, their serving could be a bit too big with too many calories in one sitting. Try feeding smaller and more frequent meals. You can also test whether feeding in the morning or evening is more successful, as some pups have a bigger appetite at different times of the day.
Still noticing your pup isn't the biggest foodie? Get in touch with our Customer Care team.
Onbowling FAQs
Have a question on transitioning, health concerns, serving Lyka, or our Go-To Gut Helper? Check out our FAQs below.
All about the Go-To Gut Helper
What is the Go-To Gut Helper in my first box?
Our Go-To Gut Helper is a blend of high-quality live microbes to boost your pup’s gut flora and assist with a smooth transition to Lyka.
Can I order more of your Go-To Gut Helper?
If you finish the jar included in your first order, you can order more via the ‘Extras’ tab in your online account.
How do I serve Lyka?
Do I serve Lyka warm or cold?
It’s up to you whether to defrost our meals or warm them up. The Lyka community does both, so feel free to do what your pup enjoys the most.
How do I defrost the food?
Defrost each pouch by moving it to the fridge the night before feeding. If you’re looking for a speedy defrost, you can place your Lyka pouch in a pot of warm water.
How long does Lyka last in the fridge?
Once opened, Lyka lasts in the fridge for 2 days and an unopened pouch will last for 7 days before serving. You can cut your first pouch in two, put half in the fridge and the remaining half in the freezer. Remember to defrost this in time to serve on Day 3 and Day 4.
What can I add to Lyka to encourage my pup to eat?
You can add tasty toppers or treats to get those tastebuds going. Different tastes and textures add to the appeal of a meal and create variety in their diet too.
Transition help
My dog is doing some very stinky farts, what should I do?
During a transition in diet, it’s normal for pups to experience an upset tummy, which can include farts. Their gut microbiome is getting used to digesting a wider variety of ingredients and nutrients. Many Lyka parents say their pups fart less after the switch. Your pup's tummy will likely calm down after this initial transition period.
My dog’s poo has changed during the transitional process, what should I do?
Softer or firmer poos are normal and are to be expected during their transition as their gut microbiome becomes accustomed to new ingredients. However, if your pup’s poo becomes very runny or loose, stay at the same transitional stage for an extra 1 to 3 days.
My pup’s experiencing excessive diarrhoea, what should I do?
If your pup’s diarrhoea is severe, you can pull back to a smaller amount (like a teaspoon of Lyka), or pause altogether until their diarrhoea has stopped. After a few days, try again with a smaller amount.
My pup’s breath has gotten smellier, what should I do?
If your pup has eaten the same diet for a while, their microbiome may be adjusting to the new food. Once their gut bacteria levels have settled, their breath should improve. Plaque can be another cause of bad breath, even before you see any signs. Try dental brushing and natural chewing aids (such as bones or Dental Supplements).
My pup is hungrier than usual, what should I do?
Lyka is low GI, unlike kibble which absorbs fluids and expands giving a fuller feeling. Your pup’s hungry feelings should adjust after the initial transitional period. If they’re still hungry after the transition period, speak to our Customer Service team to make sure you’re getting the right serving size.
My pup is experiencing an increase/decrease in urination, what should I do?
Lyka meals have a high moisture level which supports your pup's hydration and urinary tract health. This may contribute to an increase in urination. You also may notice a comparative decrease in drinking and urination because our meals contain less salt than kibble. If your pup has urinary concerns, avoid our high-protein Kangaroo meal, as an increase in protein can affect the pH of their urine and might not be appropriate for them.
My pup is feeling lethargic during the transition, what should I do?
If your pup is used to a commercial or dry food diet, they may feel lethargic as their body is craving the sugar, salt, and starch they’ve become reliant on. Once they are no longer dependent on these ingredients, they will regulate their digestion and hunger hormones more effectively.
My pup is vomiting during the transition, what should I do?
If your pup has vomited once or twice during the transition it may be because they’re not used to eating a certain ingredient or their microbiome just needs some time to adjust to the new diet. Slow down their introduction to the many healthy ingredients in Lyka by going back a transition step. Take it one meal at a time to give their system a chance to recalibrate.
If they continue to regurgitate, try another meal as your pup may not be able to tolerate a protein or ingredient in that particular bowl, like spirulina, kelp powder or shiitake mushroom.
My pup is experiencing an upset tummy during the transition, what should I do?
Like changes in poo, you might notice a gurgly tummy during the transition, which is normal. If your pup has an upset tummy, try going back a transition step to avoid your pup creating an association between feeling unwell and fresh food.
Have a question we haven’t answered? Our Customer Care team is here to help. Send us an email for transitional support.
Life on Lyka
From their first lick of approval to a successful transition, your pup is being nourished from the inside out.
Look out for some of these amazing improvements to their health, happiness… and poos!
Nourished skin and coat: you might notice that your pup’s coat is softer and shinier thanks to Omega 3’s and bioactive ingredients. If they have skin allergies, their skin may become less reactive.
Goodbye gurgly gut and stinky poos: Low glycemic load meals can have a positive effect on your pup’s gut. Think less gas, better digestion and smaller, sturdier poos. As your pup transitions, it’s normal to notice more gas and different poo as your pup transitions to fresh, gently cooked food.
Optimal weight: chowing down on customised serving sizes, your pup can achieve and maintain their ideal body shape and weight. Our serving size is a recommendation and can be adjusted.
Better behaviour: a fresh, high protein, low carbohydrate diet helps balance gut bacteria and behaviour. You may notice your pup is generally more content and sleeping more soundly.
Healthy joints: key vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids help support your pup's joints, and you may notice your pup getting up faster or engaging in more play.
Improved immunity: high-quality, human-grade ingredients and powerful superfoods, including shiitake mushrooms, blueberries and spirulina, will help reduce the risk of disease and may also help to reduce the chance of infections returning.
More energy: a high bioavailability diet can encourage more zoomies and playfulness in your pup.
Happy heart: our meals have the right amount of Omega 3s, vitamin E and antioxidants, and are low in salt for optimal heart health.
Congratulations! You’ve made a successful transition to Lyka — the start of your pup’s fresh food journey for tail-wagging health and happiness.
