Buckley Dog Food Review [Updated May 2023]: All Natural Pet Food Option

Meet Buckley Dog Food

Buckley dog food is a natural food company that offers a range of limited ingredient recipes intended to improve your dog’s digestion and overall well being.

The company believes that getting outdoors is one of the best things you can do with your companion, but it’s challenging to do that if you don’t have the proper building blocks for health.

Their recipes center around wholesome ingredients, but is the extra cost worth it? We know that feeding your dog a better-formulated diet can be something that helps vitality and in turn, may help increase stamina for those outdoor trips, so let’s see if Buckley is a good option for your outdoorsy dog.

To know more about this brand, read on for a comprehensive Buckley Dog Food Review below.

Brand Quick Look

• Parent Company: Buckley Company
• Founded in: 2005
• Made in: USA
• Available at:  Chewy, Amazon,
• Types of Food: Dry
• Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients? : Yes
• Recalled in Past? : No

 

Behind the Brand

Buckley is a distinctly outdoorsy brand. It uses premium ingredients to help dogs get into the great outdoors and have energy all day long. The company truly believes that the healthier your dog is, the more able you two are to get out there and explore.

The company starts with premium ingredients, never powdered meat meals. They use a range of whole fruits and veggies to provide vitamins and minerals suitable for balanced nutrition.

They are a more significant investment than your standard cheap kibbles, but they never use any sort of cheap fillers or artificial ingredients.

All their foods are sourced in the United States and manufactured to the best quality they can be. They’re formulated for active dogs but aren’t so rich that your outdoor dog has trouble maintaining weight.

Buckley Dog Food Review

1. Buckley Liberty Lamb Freeze Dried Recipe
2. Buckley Liberty Fresh Lamb Recipe
3. Buckley Liberty Chicken Freeze Dried Recipe
4. Buckley Liberty Beef Freeze Dried Recipe
5. Buckley Liberty Fresh Duck Recipe
6. Buckley Liberty Fresh Pork Recipe
7. Buckley Liberty Fresh Chicken Recipe
8. Buckley Liberty LID Lamb Canned Recipe
9. Buckley Liberty LID Chicken Canned Recipe
10. Buckley Trainers Bacon Flavor Treats

1. Buckley Liberty Lamb Freeze Dried Recipe

Rating: 4.7/5 stars

First 5 Ingredients:

• Lamb Heart
• Lamb Liver
• Ground Lamb Bone
• Squash
• Apples

The freeze-dried recipes don’t use peas in their recipes so you don’t have to worry the way you might with kibble. They use whole meat sources that are never processed for meals to make the food much easier for your dog to digest than other types of recipes. Balanced carbohydrates and fats help keep dogs energized all day.

The recipe uses fish oil to help condition the skin and may help reduce some of the itchiness your dog feels. Fish oils are excellent sources of nutrients for the skin and coat and also may help prevent injuries during long runs or athletic events.

Fresh fruits and veggies give your dog critical vitamins so that their systems function more smoothly, and they have fewer health issues. The formula is made without any cheap fillers such as corn or soy, no gluten or grains, and no artificial ingredients. The list is limited so your dog may have an easier time digesting than on a standard kibble.

Their meats have no added hormones or antibiotics, so they do take a stand with humanely, responsibly raised meats in each of their recipes. It can support your dog’s immune system and could help reset digestion if your dog has chronic loose stools or other problems.

It’s on the expensive side, but the good news is that you may not waste as much trying to get dogs to eat as you would with that cheap kibble. Also, it may not require as much for a serving as your cheap kibble. Both of those scenarios may offset the cost a little bit.

For those of you with allergy ridden dogs, it contains no poultry or beef, which are common but not well-known food allergies.

Lamb is an excellent source of rich protein with plenty of fats and Buckley’s process makes the proteins more bioavailable. Your dog’s health stands a good chance of improving on this food especially if you’re changing from a standard kibble.

2. Buckley Liberty Fresh Grain-Free Lamb Recipe

Rating: 4.7/5

First 5 Ingredients:

• Lamb
• Whole Yellow Peas
• Red Lentils
• Egg
• Lamb Fat

Buckley Liberty Fresh Lamb Recipe is a grain-free dry dog food formulated for the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds in all life stages. Made with fresh lamb and complex carb sources, this recipe is not only nutritious but also full of flavors dogs love.

This recipe contains 27% protein. While it is as high in protein as the freeze-dried variants, it still provides more than enough to help dogs’ keep a lean muscle mass. Fresh lamb is also the most plentiful ingredient in this recipe.

It provides the amino acids that dogs need without triggering allergies in very sensitive pups. Lamb is among the meats that are not likely to cause allergic reactions in dogs. It is full of flavor, yet highly digestible.

The main source of essential fatty acids is lamb fat. Usually the sources of fat used are chicken fat or canola oil. While these are good sources of healthy fats, lamb fat further enhances the rich flavors of lamb in this recipe. It is a digestible source of energy which contains fatty acids arachidonic and linoleic acids.

Coconut oil serves as a supplementary source of healthy fats. This superfood helps support cognitive function. It also helps with digestive issues in dogs. A third source of healthy fats in this recipe is salmon oil. Salmon oil is high in omega fatty acids that support skin and coat health.

Its source of carbohydrates are healthy ingredients such as whole yellow peas, red lentils and coconut flour. These are relatively low carb ingredients. Other nutritious foods are also included in the recipe.

It has pumpkin, dandelion greens, and raspberries. Pumpkin is high in soluble and insoluble fiber that helps food move along the digestive tract. It helps improve the digestion of dogs especially those with sensitive stomachs.

Unlike many holistic recipes, this does not have a multitude of plant-based ingredients. It has a pretty clean list of ingredients, which make it perfect for highly sensitive pups. It has no corn, wheat, or soy; and has no artificial enhancers such as flavors, colors, or preservatives.

According to feedback from pet parents, picky dogs seem to love the rich lamb flavor. It also does not trigger allergies in sensitive pups. This recipe seems to have improved the digestion and stool quality of dogs. They also produce less waste.

This is highly recommended, especially for very sensitive dogs. It has only lamb as a meat protein source, and egg as an additional source.

It does not have a long list of plant-based ingredients- only a few highly nutritious ones. It has also proven itself to be highly palatable.

3. Buckley Liberty Chicken Freeze Dried Recipe

Rating: 4.6/5

First 5 Ingredients:

• Chicken
• Chicken Liver
• Chicken Heart
• Chicken Gizzard
• Squash

Buckley Liberty Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw is a grain-free dog food that is super packed with nutrition. It is a versatile food that can be given as a complete meal on its own, as a meal topper, or even as a tasty treat. This recipe is suitable for all breeds and sizes in all life stages.

At 45%, this freeze-dried raw recipe is really high in protein. It offers the rich nutrition of a raw diet with the convenience of dry kibble. This high quality recipe from Buckley features fresh animal protein sources as the first four ingredients. Made of real chicken, chicken liver, heart, and gizzard, it offers dogs a meal that is truly rich in the chicken goodness that they love.

It has superfoods as its sources of carbs and fiber. It has squash, apples, carrots, blueberries, and cranberries among others. These fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants that help support cellular health by fighting free radicals.

The sources of healthy fats in this recipe are salmon oil and fish oil. These oils are rich in omega fatty acids such as EPA and DHA. They support skin, coat, and cognitive health. 36% of this freeze-dried is fat.

This does not mean that overweight or senior pups cannot enjoy these tasty kibbles. It can be given to them as treats or as meal enhancers. However, it may be too high in fat for them to eat in large quantities regularly.

As it has only chicken as its source of animal protein, dogs who are sensitive to other proteins can safely enjoy this recipe.It has no grains, corn, or soy. If you are looking for a grain, gluten, pea, and potato-free recipe, Buckley Liberty Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw just might be the one for your pup.

Dogs love this meat rich freeze dried dog food, it has been great for sensitive dogs as well. It does not trigger the pups’ allergies.

Many find great value in this freeze-dried chicken recipe as it is cheaper than other brands that are also freeze-dried raw. However, a few are concerned about the high meat and fat content of this recipe.

If your dog is not very active, or is a bit overweight, it is advisable to give it as treats or as kibble toppers so they can still reap the many health benefits of freeze-dried raw food without overly increasing their fat intake.

4. Buckley Liberty Beef Freeze Dried Recipe

Rating: 4.6/5

First 5 Ingredients:

• Beef
• Beef Heart
• Beef Liver
• Ground Beef Bone
• Beef Kidney

Buckley Liberty Beef Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw is a grain-free dog food that pups of all breeds, sizes, and life stages can enjoy. This flavorful food combines the nutrition of a raw diet with the shelf life and convenience of dry dog food.

This super meaty freeze-dried raw beef recipe is packed with protein at 45%. It helps dogs keep a lean muscle mass, and helps puppies build strong and lean muscles. This recipe is made with 80% fresh beef, organs and bone.

All first five ingredients are animal protein, giving this recipe so much flavor. Buckley does not use meat meals or by-product meals in any of their recipes.

Compared to the freeze-dried raw chicken recipe, this has an even higher fat content at 42%. This makes it ideal for highly active dogs who need fat to fuel their energy.

It is not recommended for those who require a low fat diet, or senior pups who have low activity levels. However, they can still enjoy these flavor packed morsels as treats or meal toppers.

The sources of essential fatty acids in this recipe are salmon oil and fish oil. Both are rich in omega fatty acids that dogs need to promote healthy skin and lustrous coats.

Its sources of carbs and fiber are highly nutritious fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants promote cellular and immune system health.

Aside from the naturally nutrient-dense ingredients, this Liberty Beef Recipe is also fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition with every meal.

This freeze-dried raw beef recipe has no animal protein from any other source than beef, making it ideal for pups who are sensitive to poultry. It is free from grains, gluten, peas, potato, and poultry, as well as artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. It can be served dry or rehydrated with water.

Dog owners love the high quality ingredients that go into every bag of this product. However, some find that it’s too much work to rehydrate the morsels as it does not absorb water well. The kibbles can be served dry, but dogs must have fresh, clean water with their meals.

5. Buckley Liberty Fresh Grain-Free Duck Recipe

Rating: 4.7/5

First 5 Ingredients:

• Duck
• Whole Yellow Peas
• Red Lentils
• Egg
• Duck Fat

Buckley Liberty Fresh Duck Recipe is a grain-free dry food suitable for all dogs of every breed, size, and life stage. Your pup can eat this tasty duck recipe from puppyhood to his or her senior years.

This recipe is made with high quality fresh duck as the primary protein source. It contains no unnamed animal ingredients, meat meals, or by-product meals. At 27% protein, this is much better-suited to those requiring a less rich and low fat food than that of Buckley;s freeze-dried raw dog food.

Duck is a flavorful protein source that is also highly digestible. The ground duck bones provide natural sources of calcium and phosphorus, important for dogs’ bones and teeth.

This Liberty Fresh duck recipe has duck fat as its main source of essential fatty acids. It is a digestible source of energy which contains the fatty acids arachidonic and linoleic acids.

These are important for a healthy immune system. It also has coconut oil and salmon oil which helps give dogs healthy skin and glossy coats.

The sources of carbs in this recipe are nutritious foods like whole yellow peas, red lentils, coconut flour, and pumpkin. They not only provide complex carbs, but also protein and fiber that helps aid digestion. Having good digestion helps dogs absorb more nutrients, which give them better overall health.

This is another highly-rated product from the brand. The rich duck flavor of the kibbles make it quite popular among dogs. The high quality ingredients make it a favorite among pet parents.

According to feedback, dog owners not just appreciate the quality of the food, but also Buckley's honesty when it comes to their ingredient sources.

6. Buckley Liberty Fresh Pork Recipe

Rating: 4.7/5

First 5 Ingredients:

• Pork
• Whole Yellow Peas
• Egg
• Red Lentils
• Pork Fat

Buckley Liberty Fresh Pork Recipe is a grain-free dry dog food formulated for the nutritional needs of dogs in all life stages, breeds and sizes. Compared to Buckley’s other dry dog food recipes, this pork recipe has the highest protein content at 30%.

Made with fresh pork, this Liberty fresh recipe is full of flavor and has high quality protein to help dogs maintain a leaner muscle mass. It is not too high in fat as well even if it is made of pork. It is also quite easy to digest. Egg serves as an additional source of protein in this recipe.

With pork fat as the main fat source, it is full of savory pork flavors. This naturally preserved fat source provides energy and fatty acids to the diet.

Coconut oil and salmon oil adds even more essential fatty acids to the mix. Salmon oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA that promotes healthy skin, coat, and brain function; while coconut oil benefits dogs’ digestion.

Like other Liberty Fresh dry dog foods from Buckley, this pork recipe has healthy complex carbohydrate sources like whole yellow peas, red lentils, and coconut flour.

Peas and red lentils supply protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and other nutrients to the diet. Coconut flour is also a good source of protein, carbohydrates, and fiber, and even has healthy fatty acids.

Fresh produce provide natural nutrients to Buckley Liberty Fresh Pork Recipe. It has pumpkin, dandelion greens, and raspberries. Dandelion greens are a natural source of vitamins A, C, K, D, and B.

Pumpkin improves digestion with its soluble and insoluble fiber, while raspberries are a superfood that are rich in antioxidants that help boost the immune systems.

This pork recipe is free from grains, gluten, and potato. While it has only pork as its source of animal meat, it does contain egg. Many dogs that are allergic to chicken are able to eat foods that contain eggs, as their allergies may be specific to the protein from chicken meat. If you have a poultry-sensitive dog, you may want to gradually introduce recipes with eggs.

This is a hit among pups! They love the savory and meaty flavors of this pork recipe. Even picky pups love the kibbles. The nutrient-rich kibbles also keep the dogs satisfied until their next meal. They do not feel the need to gorge at all.

Pet parents love the simple yet highly nutritious ingredient list of this pork recipe. It gives them the confidence that they are feeding their dogs good quality food that has a lot of health benefits.

Overall, it is a highly recommended dry dog food, especially for dogs allergic to other meat proteins. It is highly palatable and easy to digest as well.

7. Buckley Liberty Fresh Chicken Recipe

Rating: 4.6/5

First 5 Ingredients:

• Chicken
• Whole Yellow Peas
• Egg
• Red Lentils
• Chicken Fat

Buckley Liberty Fresh Chicken Recipe is a grain-free dry dog food made for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and life stages. Its high protein kibbles are full of flavor and only nutritious ingredients. NO other animal meat proteins are used in this recipe, making it ideal for sensitive pups.

With chicken as its most plentiful ingredient, this Liberty Fresh recipe is highly digestible. Chicken is also one of the most loved meats among dogs. The ground fresh bones of chicken also provide more calcium and phosphorus for healthy bones and teeth.

The rich chicken goodness of this recipe is further enhanced by chicken fat. Chicken fat is a digestible source of energy which contains arachidonic and linoleic acids. These are important for immunity and inflammatory responses.

Supplemental sources of healthy fats in this Buckley Liberty Fresh recipe are coconut oil and salmon oil, which promote healthy skin, glossy coats, and healthy brain function.

This also has whole yellow peas, red lentils, and coconut flour as its main sources of carbohydrates. These plant-based ingredients are also rich in protein, fiber, and other nutrients.

It also has nutritious foods like pumpkin, raspberries, and dandelion greens. Pumpkin aids digestion by helping food move along the digestive tract. Many experts believe that the key to good overall health is a healthy digestive system.

Having good digestion allows the body to absorb even more nutrients, instead of turning most of them to waste. Dandelion greens are a natural source of vitamins A, C, K, D, and B; while raspberries are rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals and promote cellular health.

Like all Buckley recipes, this chicken kibble has no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors. It contains no grains, corn, soy, wheat, or potatoes.

According to pet owners’ feedback, many of them liked that the kibbles of this formula are just the right size. As it is formulated for dogs of all ages and sizes, the kibbles are not too large or too small.

The dogs also enjoy the rich chicken flavor of this meal, which has benefited households with multiple dogs that have different food preferences.

8. Buckley Liberty LID Lamb Canned Recipe

Rating: 4.7/5

First 5 Ingredients:

• Lamb
• Lamb Broth
• Peas
• Carrots
• Sweet Potatoes

Buckley Liberty LID Lamb formula is a grain-free wet dog food formulated for dogs in all life stages, breeds and sizes. This limited ingredient pate has lamb as the only source of animal protein, making it highly recommended for dogs with allergies.

Lamb is one of the meats that are usually recommended for highly sensitive dogs. It is full of flavor and is rich in B12 and B3 vitamins, omega 3 and omega 6 acids, selenium and zinc.

This is made even tastier with lamb broth. Lamb broth makes this a hydrating meal that dogs can enjoy on its own or as a kibble topper. Salmon oil provides omega fatty acids for healthy skin, coat, and brain function.

It has nutritious and hearty veggies that add flavor and texture to the pate. It has peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes that make this a very tasty dinner just for pups. Sweet potatoes and carrots are high in fiber and rich in phytonutrients such as beta-carotene. Peas provide protein, fiber, and carbohydrates.

Unlike many wet dog foods in the market, this canned food from Buckley has no carrageenan or guar gum. Carrageenan is an additive that some experts claim may potentially contribute to certain conditions in pets.

Instead of carrageenan, this grain-free lamb recipe has agar-agar, which is a thickening agent derived from red seaweed. It is high in fiber which helps improve digestion and stool quality. This grain-free lamb recipe is free from artificial colors, flavors, preservatives; corn, and soy.

This is a pate that even picky pups love. It is full of decadent lamb flavors from real fresh lamb and lamb broth. Made with only a handful of ingredients and no other animal proteins, this recipe is highly recommended for all dogs including those with allergies.

The soft pate makes it easy to chew and digest for young puppies and even senior dogs who no longer have all of their teeth.

9. Buckley Liberty LID Chicken Canned Recipe

Rating: 4.7/5

First 5 Ingredients:

• Chicken
• Chicken Broth
• Peas
• Agar-Agar
• Carrots

Buckley Liberty Limited Ingredient Chicken Recipe is a grain-free wet dog food suitable for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and life stages. This soft pate is perfect for little pups or senior dogs as it is very easy to chew.

It is enriched with vitamins and minerals, which make it a hydrating nutritionally balanced meal on its own. It can also be mixed with kibble to incorporate more moisture into your dogs’ diet.

Made of real fresh chicken, it provides the amino acids that dogs require. It is also highly palatable and easy to digest even for sensitive stomachs.

This recipe contains no unnamed meats or animal byproduct meals. All animal proteins come only from fresh chicken. As such, it is recommended for dogs who are sensitive to other animal proteins.

This chicken recipe has salmon oil which is rich in omega fatty acids such as EPA and DHA that support brain, skin and coat health. Fiber-rich vegetables are included in this Buckley Limited Ingredient Recipe.

It has peas which are a powerhouse legume rich in plant based nutrients, protein, fiber and carbohydrates. Carrots and sweet potatoes contribute fiber, nutrients, carbs, and phytonutrients such as beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of certain types of cancer while simultaneously providing protection against heart disease.

It is free from artificial enhancers such as colors, flavors, and preservatives. It has no additives like carrageenan and guar gum which are commonly found in wet pet foods.

Carrageenan is a thickener that some experts claim may potentially contribute to certain conditions in dogs. Instead of carrageenan, this Buckley canned food has agar-agar. Agar-agar is a natural thickening agent derived from red seaweed. It is high in fiber which helps aid digestion and improve stool quality. As it has fresh chicken and chicken broth, it is no surprise that dogs enjoy this soft pate.

Overall, this Buckley canned food is highly recommended for sensitive pups for its clean ingredient list.It has a simple but highly nutritious ingredient list that has everything a dog needs for a healthy and delicious meal.

10. Buckley Trainers Bacon Flavor Treats

Rating: 4.8/5

First 5 Ingredients:

• Pork
• Chickpea Flour
• Maple Syrup
• Vegetable Glycerin
• Tapioca Starch

Buckley Trainers Bacon Flavor Treats are small bite-sized treats that make the perfect motivating reward when training pups. It is suitable for dogs of all breeds, sizes, and life stages. 30

Made with real pork, the semi-moist morsels are chewy little treats that are packed with flavor. It also has real bacon to add extra motivation when training dogs. It has no unnamed meat meals or by-product meals. All animal ingredients come only from pork, making Buckley Trainers the perfect treats for highly sensitive dogs. It contains no grains, gluten, or poultry.

The carb sources in these bacon treats are chickpea flour and tapioca starch. Chickpea flour is made from ground chickpeas or garbanzo beans.

Chickpeas are rich in protein and fiber, and are a good source of iron. Tapioca starch is a highly digestible carbohydrate source made from the cassava plant. It also has turmeric. It has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, and even aids digestion.

It is a superfood that is packed with multiple health benefits. Made with only natural ingredients, you can definitely feel good about giving your pup these tasty bacon treats.

Pet parents stated that their pups will do just about anything for the super tasty treats. They absolutely love the meaty, semi-moist morsels that are made with real pork and bacon.

The training treats are naturally tasty and have no artificial flavor enhancers. Picky dogs definitely give these training rewards the highest rating.

 

What types of dog food does Buckley offer?

Buckley makes grain-free freeze-dried raw dog food, dry and wet dog food, as well as various types of treats. Many of their products are single-source meat proteins, making them ideal for dogs with allergies.

All of their dog food products are balanced for all life stages and breed sizes. The freeze-dried foods use raw ingredients preserved through the freeze-drying process so that they’re easier to store and serve without the mess of truly raw foods. They combine the many health benefits of a raw diet with the convenience and shelf life of kibble.

Buckley does not use any cheap fillers like corn or soy, which can trigger allergic reactions in very sensitive pups. The carb sources they commonly use in their kibbles are whole yellow peas, red lentils and coconut flour. No unnamed animal products, by-product meals, or meat meals are used in their recipes. All meats used are fresh.

Kibble:

• Liberty Fresh Chicken
• Liberty Fresh Duck
• Liberty Fresh Pork
• Liberty Fresh Lamb
• Liberty Fresh Farmers Blend
• Liberty Fresh Poultry Blend

Wet Foods:

• Beef
• Chicken
• Lamb

Freeze Dried Recipes:

• Beef
• Chicken
• Lamb

Buckley Recall History List:

Buckley has no recalls that we can find. They’ve got solid manufacturing practices, and they are careful about where they source ingredients. These protocols help reduce the threat of contamination and other issues.

Customer Reviews

Customers like that the foods are holistic and designed to give outdoorsy dogs plenty of energy throughout the day. They liked that their dogs felt good and were able to take an entire hiking trip or run without feeling fatigued early in the day.

The food gets consistently good reviews and is favorably rated with several trusted dog food reviewers. The recipes get around four stars on most recipes and most online platforms.

What Customers Like and Dislike About Buckley?

Anytime a dog food tries to go above and beyond with their recipes, it’s always a pleasant surprise. Customers were pleased that the ingredients were simpler than cheap kibbles and contained no fillers like corn or soy. They knew and understood what the ingredients were and how they could improve their dog’s health.

The cost was a common issue for customers because it does cost a little bit more than the standard kibble. However, with this food, you may not need to feed as much per serving as you would a cheap kibble so that can help offset the cost.

Some noticed a bit of excess gas when transitioning to this food, but that can be minimized with proper transitioning during feeding times. Slowly introduce the food over a period of a few days to allow your dog’s digestion to reset.

Most dogs loved the taste of the formulas, but a few picky dogs didn’t like the taste of the kibble or reconstituted freeze-dried food. There will always be dogs that aren’t fans of the taste of a specific food, and it can’t really be helped other than to try to feed a topper such as wet food.

Positive

• “I must say, this food is smelly, but the dogs love it. It takes a little while for the water to absorb into the nuggets and my dogs just and drool over the bowl while it's soaking. my 40 lb whippet mix even does a little dance when she hears this bag open. not a single crumb left behind during feeding time.” pitbullmama, chewy.com

Negative

• “They may source their meat responsibly, but in looking again at the ingredient list I found far too much pea and legume derivatives to suit me. Unfortunately, nearly ALL of the quality dog foods are being taken over by this trend.” Kabumba, amazon.com