Lyka Pet Food has served over 1.5 million meals for dogs around the country, with demand growing each week. Lyka has experienced a sharp increase in orders throughout the latest wave of COVID-19 lockdowns, building on the demand spike from 2020, as consumers look for a way to provide healthy, convenient care for their pets.
The company is on a mission to educate and empower Australians with the knowledge and benefits of natural feeding. The company’s recipes have been created with the nutrition expertise of co-founder and Integrative Vet Dr. Matthew Muir.
Lyka’s nutritional, delicious pet food puts health above shelf life in a self-regulated industry that frequently puts benefits above dogs’ wellbeing. Research shows that since processed food became popularised, the average lifespan of some dog breeds has been severely reduced by up to 40%, putting them at a higher risk of cancer and other health issues. In some breeds, the risk of cancer has grown by as much as 60%.
By creating a high-quality alternative to processed food, Lyka are helping dogs live a longer, happier life, in a challenge to an industry focused on mass produced food that is not designed to maximise health and nutritional benefits. Lyka is built on the strong trend of consumers wanting to improve the lives of their pets and treat them as their family.
Lyka co-founder and CEO Anna Podolsky, said the company wants to provide more options to consumers and pet parents everywhere.
“We want to challenge the accepted way we feed our pets. Many consumers don’t know that there are alternatives, but they do have a choice that can keep their dog’s best interests at heart. I’m incredibly proud to see that natural feeding is being embraced on a larger scale, and dog owners see the direct benefits of a fresh food diet. Our dogs are like family, so it’s only fair that they eat like it, too.”
Lyka has also announced the close of a $6.5m funding round, a capital raise that represents the next phase in the company’s mission of helping every dog live their best life. The round includes Shearwater Capital and Wattle Hill Capital and Afterwork Ventures alongside Australia-based strategic investors including Craig Blair (Founding Chairman, Pet Circle) and Paul Wilson (Founder and former CEO, Petbarn).
