Jack Russells may be small, but their big personalities are spirited and courageous. Despite their strong character, this breed can be prone to health conditions like skin allergies, joint problems, and sensitive stomachs that can impact their quality of life.  

All pup parents want to ensure their dogs live long, healthy, and happy lives. The secret to unlocking their full potential? What’s in their bowl.  

That’s where real food comes in. 

Real food meals, with the right balance of high-quality protein, healthy fats, and fresh ingredients, can significantly improve their overall wellbeing. 

Whether you’re looking for natural ways to soothe itchy skin, ease joint discomfort, or improve digestion, real food can make a significant difference. 

Health issue #1 — skin allergies and itchiness

Skin allergies can be a common concern for Jack Russell Terriers, and are often triggered by food, or environmental factors, like grass or pollen.  

Common signs of skin allergies (atopic dermatitis): 

• Red and itchy skin (pruritus) 

• Inflammation 

• Recurring ear infections 

• Hives 

• Incessant licking or grooming 

• Chewing their paws 

When a dog has contact with an allergen, it triggers their immune system which releases histamines to defend their body against the attack. It’s the histamines that cause the red, itchy and inflamed skin. Although food intolerances don’t trigger an immune response, they can cause similar skin irritations to food allergies. 

The way to address an allergy or an intolerance begins by removing the trigger.  

If your pup has a suspected food sensitivity, an elimination diet is the gold standard method to identify the problematic ingredient, and your vet may also recommend a hypoallergenic diet. Lyka’s Hypoallergenic Pro is a fresh therapeutic diet for dogs with food allergies, skin conditions, and gut sensitivities. It’s formulated with goat, which is a unique single novel protein – ideal for elimination diets and suitable for long-term feeding. 

Environmental allergies can be harder to address, especially if the trigger is pollen, grass, or another contact allergen. A thorough wipe down after exercise can minimise seasonal allergies. Recent research has also shown that even in dogs with environmental allergies, food can lead to skin irritation: this is where a fresh food diet can potentially help. 

The gut microbiome plays a vital role in a dog’s immune system, which is connected to allergy treatment. An easy way to nourish good gut bacteria is with a real food diet containing prebiotic fibre from fresh vegetables. 

Lyka meals are bursting with fresh ingredients to nourish dogs from the inside out, strengthening their immune defence and skin resilience: 

🐟 Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and vitamin E to boost skin and coat health. 
💚 Spirulina is a powerful antioxidant and superfood, shown to reduce allergic inflammation. 
🍄 Shiitake mushrooms are bioactive foods that support your dog’s immune response.

Health issue #2 — joint issues

Jack Russells can be susceptible to joint issues like arthritis — a painful condition that can affect a pup’s mobility and impact their feelings of wellbeing.  

Arthritis 

Arthritis is caused by the deterioration of cartilage and synovial fluid which normally prevent the joint bones from grinding against each other. The result is painful inflammation and impaired mobility. Some pups may experience the growth of bone spurs too.  

Arthritis is linked to a dog’s genetics and some breeds can be more prone to developing it than others. It’s not just an age-related problem for senior Jack Russells, it can also be caused by injury, disease, or repeated stress.  

For energetic dogs like Jack Russells, prevention is key.  

Although you can’t change your dog’s genetics, you can protect their limbs against stress and injury and give them real food that supports joint health. Anti-inflammatory foods containing the right ratio of essential fatty acids (EFAs) are a great place to start.  

AAFCO recommends an omega-6 to omega-3 limit of 30:1 — a high ratio that can trigger inflammation. Lyka meals contain a lower ratio of between 2:1 and 3.8:1 to maximise the benefits of both fatty acids.  

All our meals (except Hypoallergenic Pro) contain fish oil that’s full of EFAs to support common joint ailments in Jack Russell Terriers. We use a wide variety of vegetables and plant superfoods, rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, to protect joints and joint fluid, including: 

🥥 Coconut: full of potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to support supple joints. 
🌱 Fennel seeds: an anti-inflammatory superfood for swollen joints and arthritis. 
🧡 Turmeric: contains the active ingredient curcumin which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to fight chronic inflammation and symptoms of arthritis. 

Excess weight puts unnecessary stress on the joints. Maintain your dog’s ideal body condition score with custom-portioned, fresh food diets that are high in protein with a low-GI load, like Lyka. 

Health issue #3 — sensitive stomachs 

Jack Russells are known to suffer from digestive issues, like sensitive stomachs which can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, gassiness, or constipation – unpleasant for both pup and parent. 

Digestive problems are one of the most common reasons to visit the vet and can be triggered by food sensitivities, infections, or an imbalanced microbiome. It can also be a sign of chronic enteropathy: a broad diagnosis for long-term symptoms of gut issues with no known cause. 

If they’ve ingested something that doesn’t agree with them, or they’ve picked up a pathogen, their body will try to purge the problem. You can tell a lot about your pup’s health just by looking at their vomit and poo, but it’s always best to speak to a vet if your dog is showing any signs of illness. 

A healthy pup has a robust and balanced microbiome that digests food effectively and supports a strong immune response. An imbalanced gut microbiome can lead to digestive issues. Likewise, an upset tummy can impact the bacterial balance in the gut.  

Maintaining your dog’s gut health or restoring it after illness is central to their wellbeing and can prevent secondary illnesses.  

The secret to good digestion is real food that supports gut health.  

Each Lyka meal contains bioavailable ingredients including high-quality proteins and fresh vegetables, gently cooked so they’re easy on the stomach.  

🥦 Prebiotic fibre: Lyka meals contain soluble and insoluble fibre from vegetables like broccoli, kale, spinach, carrots and cabbage, to nourish good gut bacteria and promote healthy bowel movements.  
🐟 Omega-3 fatty acids: meals enriched with omega-3 from fish and fish oil may reduce intestinal inflammation, leading to more settled stomachs.  
✅ Free-from pro-inflammatory ingredients: dogs with digestive issues may be intolerant to ingredients like wheat, corn, soy, dairy, and lectins. Lyka avoids these pro-inflammatory ingredients that can irritate the gut and may contribute to chronic enteropathy. 

Why choose Lyka for your Jack Russell? 

Nourishing your pup with real food goes far beyond meeting their basic needs, it’s about providing them with the best diet so they can lead a long, healthy, and happy life by your side. 

Developed by board-certified nutritionists alongside Co-founder and Integrative Veterinarian, Dr Matthew Muir, Lyka meals are made with fresh, real food ingredients to boost skin and coat health, address joint inflammation, and support healthy digestion. 

Help your dog thrive at life with Lyka. Is your Jack Russell ready to feel the difference?