Decoding dog weight: is your pup in perfect shape?
Use our handy guide and vet-endorsed body condition chart to understand your pup's body shape and whether they're the ideal weight.
Read more Life-changing dog food for overweight dogs
Carrying extra weight can decrease your pup’s energy levels and impact their quality of life.
Help them maintain a healthy weight with Lyka. Each bowl is custom-portioned and made from real ingredients to nourish your dog and satisfy their hunger, making weight management simple.
Real food for healthy weight management
Most cases of canine obesity are linked to overfeeding, ultra-processed high-carb diets and lack of exercise.
Developed by Co-founder and Integrative Veterinarian, Dr Matthew Muir, alongside board-certified veterinary nutritionists, Lyka real food meals provide optimal nourishment in custom portions for effective weight management.
Custom-portioned meals for weight management
Lyka meals are pre-portioned based on your dog’s profile. You don’t have to worry about serving sizes or counting calories, it’s all done for you.
Packed with low GI ingredients
Lyka meals contain fresh, low glycaemic load produce, like carrots and purple sweet potato, to release steady energy and satisfy your dog’s appetite.
High in quality protein
Containing high-quality, digestible proteins from sustainable sources, every meal from the range can be eaten as part of a weight-loss program.
Ideal macronutrient profile
High protein, low carbohydrate and moderate fibre, Lyka meals are nutritionally dense and suited for body fat loss while maintaining lean muscle mass.
Satisfies appetite and hunger
Lyka meals contain tasty, nutrient-dense ingredients, like high-quality protein for easy digestion and fuller tummies.
Supports microbiome health
Your dog’s microbiome affects their digestion and metabolism, making a balanced gut microbiome vital to weight management.
Hear about weight management from Lyka’s experts
“It’s not just the amount of food and calories. Studies have shown that dogs eating high carbohydrate diets (like kibble) are more likely to become overweight than those eating a high protein, low carbohydrate diet. Real food is more nutrient dense and positively alters a dog's gut microbiome, which promotes satisfaction."
“Lyka meals are high in protein and healthy fats, while low in carbohydrates to help regulate a dog’s metabolism and prevent weight gain. Our flexible meal plans mean we can deliver a selection of leaner meals for pups looking to slim down.”
Choose from 6 meals for targeted support
Lyka is formulated to exceed the nutritional levels established by AAFCO Dog Food Nutritional Profiles for all life stages.
Better for them. Easier for you.
Healthier dog food, delivered conveniently on a flexible plan.
Perfectly portioned.
Just peel and serve.
1
Choose your flexible meal plan
Get a custom meal plan based on your dog’s health needs.
2
Cooked daily, delivered direct
Meals are prepared daily, snap-frozen and delivered direct.
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Enjoy total flexibility and control
Switch up meals, skip an order, pause, delay or cancel.
Active ingredients for healthy weight management
Lyka meals contain purposeful ingredients in calculated portions to nourish your dog, satisfy their appetite and help maintain a healthy weight.
Raspberries
Contain manganese to help regulate blood sugar levels, high in fibre to promote satiety and an antioxidant source.
Kangaroo
Lyka’s proteins like kangaroo (along with chicken) are a suitable low-fat option for healthy weight management.
Kale
Fresh, non-starchy produce like kale is full of bioavailable nutrients and dietary fibre for healthy digestion and satiety.
Shiitake mushroom powder
Packed with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-obesity and antidiabetic properties.
Purple sweet potato
Low-GI carbohydrates like purple sweet potato release energy gradually to keep your pup satisfied.
Real food. Real results.
With over 27 million Lyka meals devoured around the country, thousands of pups are thriving on Lyka.
Portion-controlled pouches for healthy weight
Cavaliers just want to eat all day. Lyka is so easy — I know that if he has his pouch of food every day he'll maintain a healthy weight.
Jax and Cathryn
Fresh food for weight loss and vitality
As Daps got older, he put on lots of weight and was not the spunky, active dog we once knew. Within two weeks on Lyka, Daps’ energy levels were different. He was running a lot more and wanted to play. He'd shed the excess weight and looks so much healthier.
Daps and Shannon
Your weight loss FAQs, answered
How can I tell if my pup is overweight?
The ideal weight for your dog is based on their breed, age and height. If your dog is 10-20% above their ideal weight they’re classified as overweight. If they’re above 20%, they’re classified as obese.
Check your dog’s healthy weight by assessing their body condition. The ideal body condition has a score of 4.5 with a clearly defined waist, abdominal tuck and the ability to feel the ribs under the skin. An obese dog has significant fat deposits all over their body affecting their shape and ability to move and function normally.
Dogs need to maintain muscle mass, especially as they get older. Muscle is heavier than fat, so ask your vet to assess their muscle mass during your dog’s weight loss journey.
What can cause canine obesity?
Over 40% of dogs in Australia are overweight or obese, and the problem is increasing. What’s causing this epidemic?
Diet and exercise: Not enough exercise and sub-optimal diets are high in carbohydrates, like wheat, rice and potatoes, which can contribute to weight gain.
Lyka meals are 120 Kcal/100g on average. Compare this to dry dog food (kibble), which is often 400 to 500 Kcal/100g and you can see why weight loss is more difficult on this type of diet.
Inflammation: Excess body fat triggers the release of inflammatory agents that can further disrupt the metabolism and contribute to insulin resistance. Inflammation can also affect the hormone leptin which regulates appetite and energy, creating a vicious cycle.
Microbiome: An unbalanced gut microbiome has been linked with problems of obesity in both humans and animals. There’s increasing evidence connecting an unbalanced microbiome (dysbiosis) with promoting obesity in humans and animals, by influencing the metabolic processes, insulin resistance and fat deposits. This makes supporting microbiome health a vital part of weight management.
A healthy microbiome relies on nutritious, high-protein dog food made from real food ingredients. It’s not just the amount of food you feed your dog, but the composition of their diet may also contribute to their weight gain.
Treats: Treats shouldn’t exceed 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake. The best treats are made from high-quality single proteins, like Lyka’s treat range.
Why do other weight-loss diets make my dog hungry?
Dogs crave protein and fat, if these are heavily restricted, they won’t feel full and satisfied causing some to search or beg for more food or show signs of hunger.
The high-fibre content of some weight-loss diets decreases palatability and can lead to fussiness.
Lyka meals contain bioavailable real food ingredients and high-quality proteins that are highly digestible and easily absorbed, satisfying your dog’s appetite and nutritional requirements.
Why is protein content important for weight management?
Protein is essential for building muscle. But if there’s not enough protein in their weight loss diet, they can lose muscle mass, which isn’t recommended.
Lyka meals are high in animal protein to help your dog maintain muscle mass.
Why is Lyka the best option for my overweight dog?
All Lyka meals can support your dog’s weight management. They’re made from real food including high-quality protein, low-GI carbohydrates, and natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients to nourish your dog and keep them feeling fuller for longer.
Lyka’s low-fat and low-calorie meals like Roo, Chicken and Fish are great options for additional weight loss support, without compromising on their nutrition.
Nourishing ingredients in Lyka meals can also protect your dog from the secondary effects of obesity, while their weight is being addressed. Fish oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids supports joint health for arthritis protection.
Your dog’s flexible meal plan is delivered to your door in custom portions to make serving sizes easy to control.
Which Lyka meals are the lowest in calories?
The low-fat Lyka Fish meal is the lowest in calories at 106 Kcal/100g, closely followed by our ultra-low-fat Roo meal at 117 Kcal/100g. Lyka Chicken (118 Kcal/100g) is another suitable option for dog weight loss.
Lyka serving sizes are calculated using Veterinary-formulated and recommended daily calorie requirements based on your dog’s profile including breed, age, weight, body condition and activity levels.
Each meal is suitable for dogs at all life stages, except for ultra-low-calorie meals for young developing puppies.
Deep dive into all things weight management for dogs
Lyka's nutrition philosophy
100% real ingredients
All our ingredients are made for human consumption. Yes, we taste-test them ourselves!
Vet-formulated
Each meal is designed by our co-founder and Integrative Veterinarian, Dr. Matthew Muir, alongside a team of Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists.
Australian-made & owned
Every meal is made locally, with 85-97% of ingredients sourced here in Australia.
Delivered fast & fresh
Cooked fresh and delivered snap frozen to lock in nutrition and taste without preservatives. Meals are delivered directly to your door, delivery included.
Green in name & nature
Proud to be a Certified B Corp and Australia’s only carbon and plastic-negative dog food company.
Your turn to experience Lyka’s life-changing effects!
Join thousands of nourished Lyka dogs thriving at a healthy weight.