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Kelpies are high-drive dogs built to move, think, and go the distance. But behind their stamina and smarts lies a need for carefully balanced nutrition that supports every step, sprint, and sharp turn.
Whether your Kelpie spends their days herding or hiking, what goes in their bowl plays a big role in keeping them strong, focused, and thriving long-term. In this guide, we explore the key nutrients and ingredients that support their unique lifestyle — from high-quality proteins to joint-loving additions that help them stay agile for years to come. Whether you’re feeding a pup or refining your adult dog’s diet, you’ll get practical insights to help your Kelpie feel their best.
Read more: Kelpie breed insights: care, personality & expert tips
How nutrition can help common Kelpie health concerns
Joint issues and arthritis
As active working dogs, Kelpies are prone to joint stress and conditions like arthritis, especially as they age. Wear and tear from high activity levels can lead to inflammation and mobility issues. They can also suffer from hip dysplasia – a condition where the hip hasn’t developed properly, leading to a loose ball and socket joint.
Try this:
Support your Kelpie’s joint health with ingredients containing anti-inflammatory properties such as turmeric, ginger, and omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil. These ingredients help to manage joint inflammation and support long-term mobility.
Read more: Hip dysplasia: how can your dog’s diet help?
Read more: Arthritis in dogs: tips to naturally help your pup's sore joints
Overweight and obesity
As a highly active breed, getting enough exercise is vital for thriving Kelpies. They can easily gain weight if they’re overfed or under-exercised.
Try this:
Research has shown that lean dogs can live up to 2.5 years longer. Feeding portion-controlled, nutrient-dense meals and low-fat treats can help manage your dog’s weight effectively. A real food diet that’s high in lean protein and fibre supports satiety and a healthy body condition.
Lyka meals are custom-portioned to your dog’s ideal weight and lifestyle. Include high-fibre veggies like carrots and pumpkin.
Read more: Lyka’s vet guide to healthy dog weight (with charts and videos)
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How to choose the best food for your Kelpie
Fresh food, raw, wet or dry? Supermarket, pet shop, or delivered to your door? There are so many dog food options on the market — where do you begin?
1. Complete and balanced
Kelpies, like all pups, need a complete and balanced diet containing the right nutrients in the right proportions.
Australia has pet food standards, but they’re largely unregulated. Many brands follow AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) or FEDIAF (European Pet Food Industry Federation) guidelines.
Meeting AAFCO and FEDIAF standards is just the start. Lyka meals are formulated by a team of Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists to ensure they’re complete and balanced for all life stages.
Read more: Dog food ingredients: A glossary of common and confusing terms
2. Optimal nutrition for your Kelpie
Not all dog food is created equally. Variety and quality of ingredients and cooking methods can all impact the nutrient availability of your dog’s food.
Many raw dog food options present a good balance of high-quality protein, fresh produce, and superfoods. But not all dogs can easily digest raw food, especially pups with a weakened immune system, or digestive issues.
Dry food (kibble) often contains high amounts of carbohydrates and synthetic vitamins and minerals. The animal protein used in kibble is often pet-grade, like meat meal or meat by-products, that vary in quality and are not subject to the same checks as human-grade meat. Kibble is usually cooked at high temperatures which can reduce digestibility and can lead to the potential formation of harmful compounds, like acrylamides.
Home cooking can be a great option for your dog, but making sure each mouthful is complete and balanced is not easy to do without expert guidance.
Lyka meals are made using human-grade ingredients and are gently cooked then snap-frozen to retain their nutritional value and digestibility. Each meal is high in protein and custom-portioned to meet your dog’s daily needs.
Want to dig deeper into which type of food is best for your Kelpie? We’ve created a series of guides to help you make an informed choice.
Read more: Freshly cooked vs kibble for dogs: which is better?
Read more: Freshly cooked vs raw meat for dogs: which is better?
Read more: Fresh vs home cooking for your dog: which is better?
Read more: Freshly cooked vs wet food for dogs: which is better?
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How much food does a Kelpie need?
Serving size recommendations based solely on weight don’t tell the full story. Your dog’s energy level, lifestyle and body condition score are all part of the picture.
That’s why Lyka calculates your Kelpie’s portion sizes based on their personal profile, not just on their weight.
Establish a consistent feeding routine with your Kelpie to support their digestion, especially if they have a sensitive stomach.
Do Kelpie puppies and senior dogs need special food?
Not necessarily. Nutrient-dense, real food meals formulated for all life stages — like Lyka — cover the daily requirements of both growing pups and dogs in their golden years.
Read more: What should puppies eat? Expert nutrition tips for optimal development
Read more: Why real food is the healthiest choice for senior dogs
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New to Lyka? Let’s rethink dog food together
Parenting a Kelpie comes with plenty of decisions. Choosing what’s in their bowl is one of the most important.
Designed by Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists and made with real, human-grade ingredients, Lyka meals are custom-portioned to match your dog’s needs.
Kelpies across Australia are already thriving on Lyka — yours could be next. Join our pack of proud Kelpie parents today.
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