Artisan Venison Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Verified Jun 20, 2026
This is a grain-free, freeze-dried venison recipe designed to be rehydrated into a soft, stew-like meal, topper, or snack for dogs of all ages. Venison provides the main animal protein, while potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruits, and vegetables supply carbohydrates and fiber. The formula is moderately high in protein and fat, making it suitable for many active dogs and those who do well on novel proteins like venison.
This is a high-quality, grain-free freeze-dried food with venison as the primary animal protein and a mix of potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruits, and vegetables for energy and fiber. The nutrient profile is solid for most healthy, active dogs, and the texture after rehydration can be very appealing, especially to picky eaters or dogs that prefer softer meals. It may be a good option for dogs that need a novel protein, as long as they tolerate the carbohydrate sources well.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Venison as the named primary animal protein, which can be helpful for dogs that don’t do well on more common meats like chicken or beef.
- High calorie density (about 457 kcal per cup dry) with 28% protein and 15% fat, appropriate for many active dogs and for maintaining weight in dogs that need more energy in smaller volumes.
- Grain-free formula using potatoes and sweet potatoes as the main carbohydrates, plus fruits and vegetables that provide natural fiber and phytonutrients.
- Freeze-dried format helps preserve nutrients and is very convenient as a lightweight, shelf-stable option that rehydrates into a soft, palatable texture.
Considerations
- Contains garlic, which in small amounts is generally safe in commercial diets but may be a concern for very sensitive dogs; if your dog has a history of issues with allium plants, discuss with your vet.
- Relies on potatoes and sweet potatoes as the main carbohydrate sources; while fine for most dogs, it may not suit dogs needing very low-starch diets.
- Calorie density is quite high, so careful portion control is important, especially for smaller or less active dogs, to avoid unwanted weight gain.
- This is a grain-free recipe; while it does not list peas or lentils, owners of breeds with heart concerns should still choose and monitor grain-free diets thoughtfully with their veterinarian.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Venison
Venison is used in pet food primarily as a high-quality, novel animal protein source that is lean and rich in essential amino acids, iron and B vitamins, making it suitable for both dogs and cats and commonly included in limited-ingredient or hypoallergenic formulas. It can benefit pets with sensitivities to common proteins like beef or chicken and offer a lower-fat alternative, but owners should note that it may be too lean for growing animals, still can cause allergies in some pets, and raw or poorly sourced venison may carry parasites or contaminants (risks that are minimized in properly processed commercial diets).
02
Potato
Potato is commonly used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate source and functional binder, supplying starch, fiber, and modest amounts of vitamins (B6, C) and potassium—often included as cooked or dehydrated flakes, starch, or protein concentrates. While it provides energy and helps formulate grain‑free recipes, potatoes are not a primary protein for dogs or cats (and are not nutritionally required for obligate‑carnivore cats), can contribute to excess calories or affect blood glucose in diabetic animals, and must be cooked and free of green skins or sprouts to avoid solanine toxicity; allergies are uncommon but possible.
03
Flax
Flax (usually offered as ground seed or oil) is used in pet foods as a plant-based source of fiber, alpha‑linolenic acid (ALA, an omega‑3), and lignans, contributing to skin and coat support, digestive health, and antioxidant activity. It should be ground or processed for best nutrient absorption, stored carefully to avoid rancidity, and used with awareness that dogs and especially cats convert ALA to long‑chain omega‑3s (EPA/DHA) poorly, so it may be less effective than marine sources for anti‑inflammatory needs; introduce gradually to limit gastrointestinal upset and consult your veterinarian for animals with specific health concerns.
04
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
05
Carrot
Carrot is used in pet foods as a vegetable ingredient providing fiber, moisture, texture and antioxidant nutrients such as beta‑carotene (a provitamin A), vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium, contributing to palatability and digestive bulk. Cooked carrots are more digestible and release more beta‑carotene, but cats cannot efficiently convert beta‑carotene to active vitamin A so carrots are more nutritionally useful for dogs than as a primary vitamin A source for cats; they should be fed in moderation due to natural sugars and should be offered in appropriately sized pieces to avoid choking.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
Brand
Grandma Lucy's is a family-owned brand offering freeze-dried and dehydrated pet foods and treats made with human-grade ingredients. It caters to pet owners seeking minimally processed, natural nutrition and transparency about ingredient sourcing.
Visit Grandma Lucy'sManufacturer
Grandma Lucy's maintains control of all manufacturing at its own facility in Rancho Santa Margarita, ensuring all products are made from USDA-inspected, human-grade ingredients. The company follows USDA and FDA safety protocols, maintaining high standards for quality and cleanliness.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Grandma Lucy's Artisan Venison Freeze-Dried Dog Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Grandma Lucy's ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Grandma Lucy's. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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