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Italian Greyhounds may be dainty in appearance, but don’t be fooled — these little sprinters are full of energy and need the right fuel to support their high-speed antics. Known for their sleek build and delicate frames, Italian Greyhounds benefit from a thoughtfully balanced diet that supports their unique needs.
From digestible proteins to joint-supporting superfoods, choosing the right food can make a big difference to your Iggy's health — whether you're navigating puppyhood, caring for an active adult, or supporting a senior through their golden years. With the right nutrients in their bowl, your Iggy can thrive at every stage of life.
Read more: Italian Greyhound breed insights: care, personality & expert tips
How nutrition can help common Italian Greyhound health concerns
Dental Disease
Italian Greyhounds can experience dental issues, including periodontal (gum) disease, which can cause pain, inflammation, and even tooth loss. A dental care routine, including regular brushing, helps keep their teeth and gums clean, strong, and healthy.
Try this:
Diets and treats containing kelp (Ascophyllum nodosum) have been shown to reduce plaque and tartar build-up. All Lyka meals contain nutritious kelp to support your dog’s oral health, and we’ve included it in our Turkey Dental Jerky. If you’re looking for a dental chew, try Lyka Busy Beefies, which are designed to support dental health through repeated chewing.
Read more: Gum disease in dogs: how to spot, treat, and prevent it (with pictures)
Musculoskeletal issues
With their long legs and fine bones, Italian Greyhounds can be more vulnerable to fractures and joint injuries than sturdier breeds. They can also be prone to patellar luxation – a condition where the kneecap slips out of place, often to the inside or outside of the leg, instead of staying in its groove. Over time, they may also develop arthritis.
Try this:
Omega-3-rich food like fish or fish oil, as well as ingredients containing anti-inflammatory compounds like turmeric and ginger, can help support joint health. Lyka meals are packed with these joint-supporting nutrients, which are key for keeping your Italian Greyhound active and mobile.
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How to choose the best food for your Italian Greyhound
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
Italian Greyhounds, 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 Italian Greyhound
Not all dog food is created equally. The 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 Italian Greyhound? 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?
How much food does an Italian Greyhound 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 Italian Greyhound’s portion sizes based on their personal profile, not just on their weight.
Establish a consistent feeding routine with your Italian Greyhound to support their digestion, especially if they have a sensitive stomach.
Do Italian Greyhound 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 an Italian Greyhound 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.
Italian Greyhounds across Australia are already thriving on Lyka and yours could be next.
Join our pack of proud Italian Greyhound parents today.
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