Grandma Lucy’s Dog Food Review, Recalls & Coupons [Updated for 2023]

Meet Grandma Lucy’s Dog Food

Below you will be reading our comprehensive Grandma Lucy's Dog Food Review.

Grandma Lucy’s is a family-owned company that produces freeze-dried dog foods using only human grade ingredients. It’s an artisan brand created by pet owners in honor of a beloved dog, Lucy, who developed picky eating habits and severe allergies.

The line includes recipes designed to bring out the best health in your dog and provide reliable sources of food that contain none of the cheap, processed fillers regular dog foods have.

If you’ve been thinking about switching your dog to raw foods but don’t have the time or ability to create foods consistently, this could be a great alternative. Let’s take a look at what Grandma Lucy’s has to offer.

Brand Quick Look

• Parent Company: Grandma Lucy’s Pet Foods
• Founded In: 1999
• Made in: California, USA
• Available at:  Chewy, Amazon
• Types of Food: Freeze-Dried
• Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients? : Yes
• Recalled in Past? : No

Behind the Brand

In 1999, an elderly dog named Lucy sent her family on a mission. She’d gotten pickier and couldn’t eat many of the standard treats and foods found in the grocery store.

Her owners decided to start making their own treats because they were horrified at the ingredients list in bargain kibbles and dog treats.

They came up with a few recipes and had such good luck, they decided to share the recipes with the world. They attended dog shows and fairs, selling out of their treats quickly.

In 2007, they released their first line of dog food just after massive food recalls due to contamination. Their meals are built on the idea that only human grade ingredients with balanced recipes should be in your dog’s bowl.

Freeze dried meals retain all the natural flavors and encourage even picky dogs to eat while providing optimal nutrition. The company continually innovates recipes and watches studies to find out what the best practices are in dog nutrition.

The staff carefully inspects each recipe during the production process to make sure everything is the highest quality for your companion. The foods are small batch and tested in Grandma Lucy’s kitchens before ever making their way to you.

Grandma Lucy's Dog Food Reviews

Reviewed Grandma Lucy's Dog Foods

1. Grandma Lucy's Macanna Salmon Recipe
2. Grandma Lucy's Macanna Turkey Recipe
3. Grandma Lucy's Simple Replacement Chicken & Rice Formula
4. Grandma Lucy's Simple Replacement Salmon & Rice Formula
5. Grandma Lucy's Artisan Pork Recipe
6. Grandma Lucy's Artisan Venison Recipe
7. Grandma Lucy's Pureformance Fish Recipe
8. Grandma Lucy's Pureformance Rabbit Recipe
9. Grandma Lucy's Moxie Beef Recipe
10. Grandma Lucy's Moxie Chicken Recipe
11. Grandma Lucy's Organic Pumpkin Oven-Baked Treats
12. Grandma Lucy's Organic Lemon Honey Oven-Baked Treats

 

1. Grandma Lucy’s Macanna Salmon Recipe

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

First Five Ingredients:

• Salmon
• Pinto Beans
• Hemp Hearts
• Carrots
• Coconut

The Macanna Salmon recipe uses a blend of superfoods such as coconut oil and turmeric to help aid your dog’s digestion and create overall wellbeing.

It has a rich protein source from salmon and essential fatty acids to condition the skin and provide energy throughout the day.

A blend of vegetables and fruits, including superfood kale, gives your dog a variety of critical vitamins and minerals while the grain free recipe helps reduce inflammation and digestion upsets.

The food uses no cheap fillers such as corn or soy and no artificial ingredients. It has only human grade ingredients and an easy to serve, freeze-dried texture.

It’s on the expensive side, but if you can manage it in your budget, the quality ingredients could decrease the amount of time you spend in the vet’s office because of inflammation and digestion issues.

Switching your dog to a human grade recipe is an excellent way to maintain their health and energy. We highly recommend this company and this recipe.

2. Grandma Lucy’s Macanna Turkey Recipe

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

First Five Ingredients:

• Turkey
• Pinto Beans
• Hemp Hearts
• Carrots
• Coconut

The Macanna Turkey is a delightful blend of rich poultry protein (turkey), turmeric, coconut, and nutty hemp that will give dogs an interesting mealtime twist, different from their usual fare. With a single animal protein source, it’s easy to feed to dogs with sensitive tummies or allergies. 

Even with just a single meat ingredient, the crude protein level of this recipe is at a high 30% minimum. This is due to the fact that the volume of the turkey is at an excellent level.

The various vegetables and fruits in the ingredients list serve to balance the food so that most of the nutrients your pup receives are naturally-sourced. 

Since all the ingredients are human-grade, there should be no cause for concern about what you’re feeding your dog. The food is in a freeze-fried form that is easy and no-mess to serve. 

Looking at the ingredients list, one will see that there are no artificial products or anything that is unnecessary. The list is quite short, focusing only on what will benefit your dog and not including those that only serve as fillers to bulk up the food.

3. Grandma Lucy’s Simple Replacement Chicken & Rice Formula

Rating:  5 out of 5 stars

All Ingredients:

• USDA Freeze-Dried Chicken
• White Rice

The Simple Replacement line features meals that will help your pup get all the nutrition he needs while recovering from an illness like an upset stomach or diarrhea.

These are simple and complete meals that are easy to digest and will help your pooch get back in top form sooner. The only thing you need to do before feeding is to pour boiling water into the food to soften it up. 

The Chicken & Rice formula features just two human-grade ingredients: freeze-dried skinless and boneless chicken breast and white rice.

There is nothing else added, not even preservatives. Because the chicken makes up a large part of the food, the crude protein level is set at a minimum of 37%.

According to reviewers, when their pets are feeling out of sorts, this food helps “reset” their pooches. The bland diet gives their ill dogs the energy and nutrition they need so they can heal faster and go back to their regular active selves sooner.

It’s a convenient food to have on hand when you don’t have time to prepare anything else. The only downside is that it is a little expensive for a simple chicken and rice recipe.

4. Grandma Lucy's Simple Replacement Salmon & Rice Formula

Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars

All Ingredients:

• Freeze-Dried Salmon
• White Rice

When pets are feeling poorly, a bland diet helps their tummy adjust against stomach upsets. A simple diet also helps give them the nutrition that they need while on the mend.

This Simple Replacement formula offers all of that. It’s an easy-to-digest diet featuring wild salmon (an excellent animal protein for sensitive pets) and plain white rice.

Made with no artificial ingredients (preservatives, color, or flavor), the meal replacement food is perfect for all dogs in any stage of life. It’s a healthy recipe that’s veterinarian-recommended as a simple remedy for upset tummies.

While this recipe has no reviews on Chewy as of this time, it’s very similar to the Grandma Lucy’s Simple Replacement Salmon & Rice Formula, which has a positive rating on the site.

The protein content is also at the same level, so we’re pretty sure that your pup will take to this formulation well too. 

5. Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Pork Recipe

Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars

First Five Ingredients:

• USDA Pork
• Potatoes
• Flax
• Sweet Potatoes
• Carrots

The Artisan Pork Recipe is an all-natural, grain-free recipe that uses the highest-quality ingredients from restaurant suppliers.

Every ingredient in this formula is chosen with a specific function in mind. For example, the flax contains omega fatty acids for healthy skin and lustrous hair. The superfoods (blueberries, cranberries, and apples) offer naturally-derived nutrients.

Like all Grandma Lucy’s recipes, these are freeze-dried. The freeze-dried food only requires warm water to be added to the mixture before feeding.

It’s a no mess and convenient way to feed pups on a daily basis, requiring no refrigeration of the dry mixture. 

Based on 86 reviews, 87% of customers happily recommend the diet to anyone. Many are pleased with the premium ingredients and the fact that their pups (who have allergies or intestinal issues) are doing well on the diet with no further upsets or flares.

The few negative scores come from purchasers whose picky pups did not find the food pleasing. 

There are no fillers in the food and the list of ingredients is quite short. If you’ve got a pet that is sensitive to many types of food, it’s easy to search the list for possible problem ingredients.

6. Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Venison Recipe

Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars

First Five Ingredients:

• USDA Venison
• Potatoes
• Flax
• Sweet Potatoes
• Carrots

The Artisan Venison Recipe features novel protein venison as its main ingredient. Because it uses a novel and singular animal protein, the diet is easily accessible to pups of all ages and breeds, even pups with sensitivities. 

The food is rich in omega fatty acids that maintain healthy joints, hair, and skin. It has the right balance of meat, veggies, and fruits for a more holistic approach to nutrition.

The protein (28%), fat (15%), and fiber (7.6%) are all at optimal levels. Plus, there are guaranteed levels of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium too.

89% of customers are happy with the recipe. Many pups that have been put on this diet do not lick their paws or scratch as much. Their stools have also become more regular and solid, coats are looking shinier, and best of all, dogs love it. 

It might seem a little expensive at first glance, but since this does not contain any liquid (you have to add  water for a nice consistency), what you’re getting is all product. A 10 lb bag will make 50 lbs of fresh food for your pup.

7. Grandma Lucy's Pureformance Fish Recipe

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

First Five Ingredients:

• Pollock
• Chickpeas
• Flax
• Carrots
• Celery

The Pureformance line of dog food is designed with ingredients that boost energy to give dogs that liveliness they need for all that walking, hiking, and daily adventure fun they do.

This particular Pureformance recipe makes use of pollock as its unique and only animal protein, and chickpeas, which is a low-glycemic legume that’s full of fiber, protein, and folic acid.

The recipe is crafted to be suitable for all dogs in any life stage as well as for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.

Despite the lone animal protein, the total minimum crude protein level of this food is 31%. That is quite high for dog food and it means that your pup is ready to take on any strenuous activity.

Because holistic nutrition is best for dogs, not only does this recipe concentrate on giving dogs the right amount of protein, but it also does not neglect giving them naturally-derived nutrients from fruits and veggies. There is a good amount of both here. 

As for customer reviews, many like that this freeze-dried meal makes giving food that’s equal to a carefully-prepared home-cooked meal convenient and easy.

It’s healthier than most kibbles and can be easily brought with you on long trips, since it doesn’t need refrigeration. The consistency is also good (like fresh gravy) when mixed with water.

8. Grandma Lucy's Pureformance Rabbit Recipe

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

First Five Ingredients:

• USDA Rabbit
• Chickpeas
• Flax
• Carrots
• Celery

Some dogs need that extra burst of energy, whether they’re working canines or just highly active pooches. The Pureformance range offers them that bit of energy they need through a concentrated amount of high-quality proteins.

The Pureformance Rabbit recipe uses a single animal protein. In this case, it’s rabbit — a highly digestible and novel protein source that can be ideal for sensitive pups too.

Aside from being an excellent protein source (this recipe’s minimum crude protein content is an amazing 36%!), rabbit is also a low calorie and low cholesterol meat.

Since this is designed to be a holistic diet, the ingredients all have a specific purpose. The chickpeas are low glycemic sources of fiber, folic acid, and lysine.

The flax is for magnesium content, which is heavily involved in energy production at the cellular level. And so on. 

Majority of the customers who bought this Grandma Lucy’s recipe recommend the diet, although some picky canines account for a few negative ratings.

Allergic dogs are said to be doing well on the food, and the premium ingredients are also something many are pleased about.

As for product, you get a whole lot more when you mix the food with water (per instructions) so it doesn’t come out expensive at all.

9. Grandma Lucy's Moxie Beef Recipe

Rating:  5 out of 5 stars

First Five Ingredients:

• Beef
• Beef Liver
• Beef Kidneys
• Sunflower Seeds
• Squash

While most of Grandma Lucy’s recipes require adding warm water to the mixture before serving, the company’s Moxie line features scoop-and-serve meals.

The meals follow a strict 93% animal protein and 6% fruits and veggies formulation. It’s why the minimum crude protein level of this diet (as seen in the guaranteed analysis) is equal to an astounding 55%.

The food heavily relies on beef meat and parts such as beef liver and beef kidneys, which provide a lot of the minerals that your pup needs. But since it’s designed to be a balanced diet, a roster of fruits and veggies are also present to provide complete nutrition.

Grain-free and minimally-processed, it’s healthy food that’s as close to its natural state as possible (without being raw). It can be served as a complete meal, topper, or protein enhancer for other food. It is said to promote higher energy and a shinier coat.

There are only two reviews as of yet but both are highly approving of this product. Dogs that normally do not like the consistency of other Grandma Lucy’s recipes have no issue with the texture of this freeze-dried meal.

A downside to this rather premium dog food, however, is that it is quite expensive.

10. Grandma Lucy's Moxie Chicken Recipe

Rating:  5 out of 5 stars

First Five Ingredients:

• Chicken
• Chicken Liver
• Chicken Gizzards
• Sunflower Seeds
• Squash

The freeze-dried Moxie Chicken Recipe offers pups food that’s as close to raw as possible. It has all the benefits of raw food but without the inconvenience or the mess.

Because it’s minimally processed and uses only a single animal protein source, pups who are allergic to specific proteins may find this better suited to them. 

Organ meats are so much more nutritious than muscle meats, which is why the inclusion of chicken liver and gizzards in this formula is an excellent notion.

And it’s also packed with fruits and veggies like squash, pumpkin, apples, and blueberries to ensure that your pup gets all the nutrition he needs for his everyday adventures.

Since this is a fairly new product range, there are very few customer reviews online and only one on Chewy.  So far, though, the reviews are encouraging. Most are praises for the high-quality ingredients and the enticing taste.

Dog Treats Reviews

1. Grandma Lucy’s Organic Pumpkin Oven-Baked Treats

Rating:  3.5 out of 5 stars

All Ingredients:

• Organic Wheat Flour
• Organic Dehydrated Cane Juice
• Organic Sunflower and/or Organic Canola Oil and/or Organic Palm Oil
• Organic Cane Juice Syrup
• Organic Pumpkin Powder

Grandma Lucy’s Organic range is certified kosher and features recipes that use only USDA organic ingredients.

The oven-baked treats are free of trans fat and hydrogenated oils. They also do not contain any artificial sweeteners, colors, or flavors. 

The Organic Pumpkin Recipe is low in protein but high on the other good things that matter, like vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. There is cane juice in it as a sweetener, so be careful in doling out the treats. 

These treats are suitable for dogs of all sizes and ideal for canines with sensitive stomachs. Pumpkin is beneficial for digestive health, which will benefit those struggling with irregular bowel movement.

The texture of the snacks is hard and crunchy but you can easily break them off into smaller pieces if you have a small pup. 

As for reviews, out of 252 of them, 89% recommend these snacks. Those who did not rate the treats favorably did so because of the sugar content. There is a lot of it, and we agree.

The second ingredient is cane juice (sugar) and the fourth, which is cane juice syrup is also another form of sugar. If you do give your pets these, do so very sparingly.

2. Grandma Lucy’s Organic Lemon Honey Oven-Baked Treats

Rating:  3.5 out of 5 stars

All Ingredients:

• Organic Enriched Wheat Flour
• Organic Cane Sugar
• Organic Palm Oil
• Organic Cane Sugar Syrup
• Organic Honey

Lemon Honey Oven-Baked Treats are certified kosher treats that are vegetarian and made with 100%, USDA human-grade ingredients.

These are low protein snacks that are otherwise high on healthy fats, minerals, and vitamins. There are no soy, preservatives, corn, byproducts, trans fats, or hydrogenated oils in them.

These aren’t made in factories. Rather, the treats are crafted in a bakery. Since the dog bites are easily breakable, you can use them as training treats too. 

This has a high approval rating on Chewy.com. 96% of customers would buy them again and recommend them to other pet parents.

Some of them even enjoy the treats as these are reported to taste good and can double as human snacks. A lot of dogs do beg for more. 

One downside to these doggy snacks is the amount of sugar in them. There are two types of sugar in the recipe, and both of them can be found in the first five ingredients. If you’re still decided to give these snacks out, do so sparingly.

What Types of Dog Food Does Grandma Lucy’s Offer?

Grandma Lucy’s offers freeze-dried, grain free foods designed to be rehydrated for palatability. Mouth-feel is very important for many dogs, so this allows dogs to feel like they’re eating home-cooked meals without the hassle of raw foods.

The recipes never use any artificial ingredients, colors, or flavors, and no cheap fillers such as corn or soy. They’re balanced with real meats and whole fruits and vegetables for a balanced meal.

There are four different lines you can use to make sure your dog will eat and receive nutrition suited to his individual digestive system.

Artisan

The artisan recipe uses simple ingredients designed to mimic the home-cooked meals you make for yourself. The recipes are single sources of whole protein with fruits and vegetables plus healthy fats for all-day energy. Plus, there’s a premix option if you need a base to add your own meat.

Artisan Recipes

• Chicken
• Pork
• Lamb
• Venison
• Pre-mix

Pure-formance

The Pureformance line is a low glycemic recipe designed to support active dogs by releasing energy slowly throughout the day.

The recipes use whole proteins with plenty of fruits and vegetables for sources of vitamins and minerals. Chickpeas offer the basis of the recipe with plenty of fiber and slow release energy.

Pure-formance Recipes

• Chicken
• Lamb
• Rabbit
• Fish
• Pre-mix

Macanna

Macanna makes use of superfoods to blend superior nutrition while reducing inflammation. These recipes are designed for more sensitive dogs who have trouble with digestion or itchy skin.

Foods like coconut, kale, hemp, and turmeric provide a holistic approach to healing the body and settling digestion.

Macanna Recipes

• Beef
• Salmon
• Turkey
• Pre-mix

Moxie

Moxie is a high protein, freeze-dried dog food line that acts as a scoop-and-serve meal or mixer for pets of all life stages. The recipes are made of 93% protein, 6% fruits and vegetables, and 0% grains. It’s a “keto-like” diet that promotes overall pet health and has all the benefits of a raw diet without the drawbacks.

Moxie Recipes

• Beef
• Chicken

 

Treats

Grandma Lucy’s makes treats for pups too. There are two lines of dog treats available. One is called Organic Oven-Baked, while the other is the Singles range. 

The Organic dog treat range features baked snack recipes that use only certified USDA Organic ingredients. And we mean all of the ingredients are organic, from the flour used down to the oil and herbs. The dog treat line is also distinct for its low protein formula and certified kosher status.

The brand’s Singles line, meanwhile, is just what its name implies. It uses a single ingredient only, so your pup will get a pure and healthy snack that works well with sensitivities.

Organic Recipes

• Organic Pumpkin
• Organic Blueberry
• Organic Cranberry
• Organic Apple
• Organic Lemon Honey
• Organic Banana & Sweet Potato

Singles Recipes

• Chicken
• Pollock
• Sweet Potatoes
• Liver (Chicken)
• Tuna
• Mahi

Grandma Lucy’s Recall History

Grandma Lucy’s has never been recalled. The company follows rigorous processes to ensure that the food is the highest quality and production is clean.

The company is present even during production, which is what contributes to their clean track record. In nearly 20 years, they haven’t had an incident, an impressive feat.

Customer Feedback

Many customers were very pleased with the health results of the food. Many liked that this was a way to switch their dogs to raw menus without the hassle of preparing the meals at home and storing them.

Freeze dried foods are shelf stable but reconstitute to a pleasing texture. The meals from Grandma Lucy’s are highly rated from customers, reaching nearly five stars for many of the recipes, and is highly rated by several trusted dog reviewers online.

What Customers Like and Dislike about Grandma Lucy’s?

Customers with picky dogs often found that they had an easier time getting dogs to eat these recipes. They also liked that the foods are easy to store and don’t require room in the freezer. Many noticed a significant improvement in their dog’s health and well-being.

Some customers noticed that their dogs had trouble with gas after switching to the new food. It’s important that you transition dogs slowly to allow their digestive systems to adjust. Also, the cost of the food was prohibitive for some customers, especially with multiple dogs or large breed dogs. You may be able to offset the cost some because serving sizes will be smaller and you may not have as much reason to go to the vet once digestion and irritation settle.

Positive

• “I raw feed all of my dogs. I have one dog that has a small intestinal disease & has a hard time absorbing & digesting food. He has allergies to MANY things & several proteins as well. I found that he reacts well to this food & can digest it too. I feed & rotate him on raw sources of rabbit, beef, green tripe, white fishes (things he can eat with no problems). Now. I have one more protein & food source to add to his limited arsenal of food choices.” Gayle, chewy.com

Negative

• “I have been feeding this per the instructions on the bag and my two Frenchie’s are losing weight rapidly. I have supplemental wet dog food to get their weight back up to where it needs to be. The price of this product and the quantity it needs in order to maintain a healthy weight is a little much.” Sophie, chewy.com