Protein is a key building block in any healthy dog's diet.
Not only is it super tasty — it's critical to your dog's bodily functions like regulating blood glucose levels, healing their body and aiding in digestion (just to name a few!).
The best meat for your dog is a high-quality, nutrient-dense option that matches their unique dietary and health needs, incorporated as part of an optimal diet balance — ideally 55-60% protein, complemented by fruit, vegetables, and superfoods to ensure overall health and wellbeing.
Why does my dog need protein?
In humans, protein is an essential macronutrient, and the same is true for our pups.
Dietary protein is an essential energy source that helps build and repair muscle, hair and skin cells, and plays a starring role in hormone production and immune function.
While your dog can get protein from plants, animal protein provides a higher level of amino acids — essential for biological processes and help maintain the structure, function, and regulation of tissues and organs.
Amino acid deficiency can lead to serious health problems such as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
How much protein does my dog need?
Dogs need a certain balance of ingredients in their diet to thrive (not just survive!).
Lyka meals are carefully balanced to closely mimic the macronutrient composition of a dog's evolutionary diet: the optimal mix of high protein, moderate fat, and low carbohydrates.
Dogs prefer a carnivorous diet, but they can adapt to a variety of foods. Looking back at their ancestral diet, dogs (or wolves) would consume 60% protein, 25-30% fat and just 14% carbohydrates, however many commercial diets in the market today contain as little as 18% protein and 46-74% carbohydrates.
On average, each Lyka meal contains 57% protein, 15% carbohydrates and 15% fat. The highest protein meal is Kangaroo (67%), which also clocks in at just 9% fat — the leanest in our range.
We also offer a variety of macronutrient ratios, to cater for dogs with health concerns, like pancreatitis or gastrointestinal problems or life stage, like senior dogs and puppies.
Lyka’s approach to protein
At Lyka, we take an evidence-based approach to meal formulation. Designed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists, each meal is complete and balanced for all life stages and suitable for most dogs.
Our meals are high in protein, staying within a safe range, low to moderate in carbohydrates, and low in fat. This carefully balanced approach has numerous health benefits, including enhanced weight loss, better body composition, and improved gut health.
High-quality protein options
Digestibility and protein quality also plays a key role in your dog’s overall wellbeing. High-quality, easily digestible protein ensures your dog can absorb the essential nutrients they need for energy, muscle repair, and immune function. Poorly digestible protein can lead to nutrient deficiencies, digestive discomfort, and wasted energy, which is why every Lyka meal is designed with optimal digestibility in mind.
Lyka’s meals only include grass-fed and free-range protein sources for optimal protein quality. These sources are also higher in omega-3 fatty acids, essential for skin and coat health and a balanced inflammatory response.
Breaking down each Lyka protein in more detail:
Bursting with high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals and amino acids, beef helps improve muscle and hair growth, boost energy levels and improve the look and feel of the skin.
Ethically sourced in Queensland and Western Australia
Contains high levels of healthy fats like conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to support your dog’s overall wellbeing
Has a lower omega 6:omega 3 ratio than grain-fed beef (an excess of omega 6s can cause chronic inflammation)
Uses beef heart, packed with Vitamin B12, essential for certain enzyme systems
Includes beef liver to boost immunity and help with their vision (one of the richest available sources of Vitamin A)
Chicken is a protein powerhouse, jam-packed with all the essential nutrients and amino acids needed for strong healthy muscles, skin and hair cells.
Our chicken mince is high in omega-3s, free-range, hormone-free and antibiotic-free, making it a great choice for your dog.
Contains lean, free-range chicken breast, which is also hormone and antibiotic-free.
Includes chicken hearts, which are high in iron
Uses chicken liver (abundant in Vitamin A)
A lean and highly digestible protein, turkey is full of vital nutrients needed for strong muscles, skin and fur cells.
Ethically sourced, and barn-raised in NSW and QLD to be hormone and antibiotic-free
Lean and high in selenium for immune and thyroid function
A great source of tryptophan, which can aid dogs who are experiencing high stress by helping to increase serotonin levels
Our Grass-Fed Lamb bowl contains mince, heart, lung and liver for a tasty meal full of protein, vitamins and a high dose of omega-3s — everything your dog needs to stay healthy, happy and strong.
Rich in iron to help promote healthy red blood cell development
Full of B vitamins like niacin, which helps with healthy skin and energy
Like our other proteins, lamb liver is high in immunity-boosting Vitamin A
As one of the leanest red meats, kangaroo is ideal for pups suffering from pancreatitis, diabetes, GI sensitivities and obesity. Rich in Vitamin B for energy, Omega 3s for a healthy coat and nourished skin, iron for optimal blood health, and zinc to help support your pup’s immune system.
Ultra-low in fat but high protein: the perfect option if your dog has pancreatitis, diabetes, allergies or needs to reduce their fat intake
A high-protein option for pups with sensitivities
High in phytonutrients like Vitamin C, to help protect cells from damage
Rich in bioactive ingredients, including raspberries, to help fight disease
Our premium rangeland goat is 100% human-grade and wild-caught in the regions of Victoria and NSW in Australia, with all measures taken to ensure as little impact on the environment as possible.
Our wild goat population have adapted remarkably to Australia's harsh environments where they require significantly less water and feed than conventional livestock.
Large numbers of wild goat, if left unchecked, may lead to loss of native vegetation and wildlife due to their overgrazing. Using goat as a source of novel protein contributes to a more sustainable and balanced ecosystem.
Wild caught in the regions of Victoria and NSW in Australia, with all measures taken to ensure as little impact on the environment as possible
Formulated with Australian rangeland goat, a unique single novel protein, making it ideal for dogs with food sensitivities
Made with anti-inflammatory omega-3s from algae oil to help manage gut and skin inflammation
Suitable for elimination diets and long-term feeding
Low glycaemic index carbohydrates
Low glycaemic index carbohydrates in small amounts to support steady energy levels and overall health, avoiding ingredients that add bulk without nutrition.
Vegetables provide fibre and nutrients to support digestion and firm, healthy stools.
Fruits like berries are high in antioxidants, aiming to help address the increase in chronic inflammatory disease we are seeing in pets.
Quinoa, in our Lamb and Turkey meals, is an ancient grain that’s a great source of protein, zinc, fibre and antioxidants.
Low glycaemic index carbohydrates also help avoid blood sugar spikes seen with high glycaemic index carbs, like rice.
Protein is more than just a dietary component for your dog — it's the foundation of their overall health and vitality.
From aiding digestion to supporting muscle repair and immune function, a well-balanced protein intake is vital to keeping your dog at their happiest and healthiest. Lyka’s real food meals are complete and balanced, offering high-quality, ethically sourced proteins that cater to your pup's unique needs, alongside nutrient-rich vegetables, superfoods and fruits.
Designed by board-certified veterinary nutritionists, each meal is a pathway to better health: whether your pup is managing sensitivities or simply thriving on a fresh, nutritious diet.
Ready to make the switch to real food? Explore Lyka’s meal plans and see the difference a tailored, high-protein diet can make in your dog’s life today.
