Ask The Expert: Rùn Dog Food and Dr Jacqueline Boyd (Episode 178)

In this insightful episode of Canicross Conversations, hosts Michelle and Louise are joined by Lucy Millar, founder of Rùn Dog Food, and Dr Jacqueline Boyd, an animal scientist and canine nutrition consultant. Together, they delve into the world of performance nutrition for active dogs, demystifying cold-pressed food, fuelling strategies, and how to navigate the myths of pet nutrition.

 

Lucy shares her journey from dog trainer to dog food entrepreneur, driven by her passion for transparency in the pet food industry.

 

Dr Boyd brings her scientific expertise to explore what dogs really need to thrive in sports like canicross, agility and working gundog roles. They cover everything from how to do an energy audit for your dog, to how joint health and digestion change with age, and why not all dogs benefit from simply eating more food.

 

You’ll come away with practical advice and a better understanding of how to support your dog’s performance and recovery.

 

Whether you're feeding raw, kibble, or cold-pressed, this episode encourages a balanced, informed approach.

 

Plus, Lucy shares exciting insights into what’s next for the Rùn brand.

 

Topics and timings
1.10 – why Lucy started Rùn Dog Food
4.30 – cold-pressed vs traditional kibble
8.45 – Jacqueline’s journey into canine nutrition
12.30 – do dogs need snacks like energy bars?
18.00 – energy bars for performance and recovery
25.15 – tailoring food quantity to activity levels
32.00 – how age affects digestion and nutrition
40.20 – feeding routines and fuelling strategies
48.10 – coprophagia and scavenging explained
53.00 – supplements, probiotics and joint support
59.30 – what’s next for Rùn Dog Food

 

Resources mentioned

• Rùn Dog Food website: https://rundogfood.com Use CONVERSATIONS10 for 10% off
• Instagram: @rundogfood
• Dr Jacqueline Boyd: Facebook and @dogtorboyd on Instagram
• CROWOOD10 provides 10% discount off Dr Boyd's books -  Canine Nutrition and Feeding AND The Spaniel Survival Guide
• Dr Boyd's Nutrition Consultancy booking form
• Energy audit equations: basic ones are found on pages 54 and 55 of  https://europeanpetfood.org/self-regulation/nutritional-guidelines/ and this is also a hugely useful resource recommended by Dr Boyd.