Lucky Dog Cuisine Fresh Dog Food Review
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Lucky Dog Food came out of a passion to see dogs live healthier lives. Dr. Janice Elenbaas created Lucky Dog Cuisine in 2008 to provide a subscription-based, premium dog food meal delivery service for dog owners.
Lucky Dog Food formulates fresh dog food with human-grade ingredients using items like cheese, yogurt, olive oil, and meat-based proteins. The recipes are cooked fresh each week, and stored in a climate-controlled location.
How We Tested:
- We purchased all 7 Lucky Dog dog food recipes
- We spent a few days testing them on several dogs
- We did not receive these products in exchange for a favorable review; they were purchased with our own money
Quick Picks (Flavors)
- Original Beef and Rice
A beef recipe made with custom ground, humanely raised, grass-fed beef simmered and blended with brown rice, tomatoes, & vegetable puree. Completed with smooth ricotta cheese, blueberries and fresh apples, organic flax seed, and just the right mix of extra virgin olive oil. - Bugsy’s Best Beef and Barley
A blend of custom-ground, humanely raised, grass-fed beef and barley brought together with cottage cheese. Blended with pureed peas, carrots, beans, and tomatoes with ground organic flax seed, blueberries, and fresh apple. Added is also extra virgin olive oil. - Perfect Pooch Pasta
A taste of Italy made with custom ground, humanely raised, grass-fed beef mixed with delicate whole wheat pasta, coupled with tomatoes, vegetables, cottage cheese, blueberries, apple, basil, oregano, organic flax seed, and virgin olive oil. - Tail-Waggin’ Turkey
Made with tender turkey sautéed with tomatoes and brown rice, made with filtered water, of course. Additional ingredients include pureed peas, green beans and carrots, low-fat yogurt, apples, blueberries, & extra virgin olive oil. - Here Fishy Fishy
This fish recipe is made with wild caught Alaskan Pollock fillets, brown rice, yogurt, pumpkin and veggies, peas, beans, and even zucchini, which are all complemented by extra virgin olive oil and apples. - Picky Palate Pork
This pork recipe is made with grass-fed pork and combined with organic red lentils, zucchini, carrots, peas, green beans, tomatoes, pumpkin, blueberries, apples (all vegetables GMO-free, of course), and extra virgin olive oil. It’s both grain- and gluten-free. - Turkey ‘N Taters
This turkey recipe is made for dogs who need a grain-free option. Turkey ‘n Taters is a blend of turkey, roast potatoes, yogurt, pumpkin, spinach, peas, carrots, apples, extra virgin olive oil, rosemary, and more. Its good even if your dog doesn’t need a grain-free diet.
Lucky Dog Cuisine Fresh Dog Food – Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type | Protein | kcal/cup |
| Original Beef and Rice | Wet | 7.8% | 710 kcal/454 grams |
| Tail-Waggin’ Turkey | Wet | 8.8% | 640 kcal/454 grams |
| Here Fishy Fishy | Wet | 8% | 505 kcal/454 grams |
| Picky Palate Pork | Wet | 11.6% | 750 kcal/454 grams |
Brand Score
- Meals cooked to order
- 7 recipe choices
- Grain free and gluten free choices
- No subscription required
- Price on the high side
- Only ship on Mondays
- Protein levels are minimal
- Meals cooked to order
- 7 recipe choices
- Grain free and gluten free choices
- No subscription required
- Price on the high side
- Only ship on Mondays
- Protein levels are minimal
About
Founded in 2008 by Dr. Janice Elenbaas and her husband, Lucky Dog is a small family-run homemade dog food delivery company. Based in South Carolina, this self-funded business recently opened a Canadian office (in Toronto) as well. They are currently servicing the entire Continental USA and will be expanding for all Canadian inquiries.
Sourcing and Manufacturing
Lucky Dog Food currently occupies a 7,500-square-foot commercial kitchen with 11 employees, headquartered in South Carolina. The recipes are tested by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture as well as by independent labs. They have been tested for heavy metals as well as their nutritional value.
Lucky Dog will not use a supplier unless there is a certificate of quality. Fruits and vegetables are non-GMO, fish is tested to be chemical-free, and they use organic ingredients wherever possible. Real cheeses and yogurt are primary calcium sources, and they only use grass-fed beef, pork, or hormone-free turkey.
How does Lucky Dog Work?
Ordering from Lucky Dog is not like other fresh pet food delivery services. For one, they don’t ask about your dog’s age, weight, activity level, or health issues. There is no recommended plan either. Pet parents basically have two choices: subscription orders or no subscription orders.
The subscription order offers an introductory price of $79 for 14 one-pound packages of pre-cooked meals on your first order. This is enough to feed an average 20- to 30-pound dog for 28 days. Your next order will default to a 14-pound shipment every 28 days for $149. You can choose a mixture of all 7 recipes or select the ones you want by sending a message with your order. You can also cancel this subscription at any time by calling or sending an email.
The non-subscription order of Lucky Dog will cost you $169 for the 14 one-pound packages. Again, you can choose your own recipes or mix up all seven for variety. You will be billed once and not have to worry about cancelling your subscription with this option.
They do offer custom orders or subscriptions for people with multiple dogs. You will need to contact them directly to discuss this option. Also, if you are unsure about how much food your dog will need, they have a feeding chart where you can enter your dog’s weight and activity level for recommendations.
You will receive a confirmation email once your order is received, and then another when your order ships several days later. They only ship out on Mondays because all food is cooked to order and they do not want fresh food sitting around over weekends.
Unboxing
The Lucky Dog box came packed with a Styrofoam cooler and dry ice to keep the food frozen inside. Inside was an instruction and welcome pamphlet, a brochure describing each recipe, a handwritten thank-you card, and a Lucky Dog pen.
I received 14 frozen packages of Lucky Dog food, which included all seven recipes and equated to 28 days of meals, depending on the size of your dog.
Analysis/Review of Lucky Dog Food Recipes
Original Beef and Rice
Product Info
- Protein: 7.8% Min
- Fat: 5.3% Min
- Fiber: .6% Max
- Moisture: 72% Max
We are starting with the one of beef recipes for this dog food review. This recipe uses beef ingredients defined as grass-fed as well as beef heart and beef liver. Out of the 3 beef recipes Lucky Dog offers, this one is the lowest in fat.
The top carbohydrate ingredients in this recipe are brown rice, carrots, peas, green beans, tomatoes, blueberries and apples.
Brown rice is an easily digestible carbohydrate and provides beneficial minerals and B vitamins. Because dogs aren’t strict carnivores, brown rice or other grains can be a part of their diet.
The carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
Peas provide carbohydrates, dietary fiber and small amounts of beneficial vitamins. Some examples of these beneficial Vitamins are Vitamin K and Manganese.
Green beans are a healthy vegetable notable for its vitamin, mineral and natural fiber content.
Tomatoes serve as an antioxidant because they contains Lycopene and it is also an excellent source of soluble fiber.
Blueberries also serve as antioxidants, fiber and vitamins C and K to support the immune system.
Apples are a good source of fiber as well as vitamin A and C.
Flaxseed meal is a great plant-based source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and rich in soluble fiber. However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, which can increase the amount of protein levels in food meaning it may not all come from meat sources.
Tail-Waggin’ Turkey
Product Info
- Protein: 8.8% Min
- Fat: 5.03% Min
- Fiber: .9% Max
- Moisture: 74% Max
This turkey recipe uses protein and claims to be natural and hormone free. Turkey is rich in nutrients like protein, riboflavin, and phosphorous.
The recipe also includes a mix carbohydrates such as brown rice, peas, green beans, carrots, apples and blueberries. This recipe also includes dairy products in the form of low fat yogurt.
Brown rice is an easily digestible carbohydrate and provides beneficial minerals and B vitamins. Because dogs aren’t strict carnivores, brown rice or other grains can be a part of their diet.
Peas provide carbohydrates, dietary fiber and small amounts of beneficial vitamins. Some examples of these beneficial Vitamins are Vitamin K and Manganese.
Green beans are a healthy vegetable notable for its vitamin, mineral and natural fiber content.
The carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
Apples are an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, calcium, and phosphorus as well as assisting with cleaning your dogs teeth.
Blueberries also serve as antioxidants, fiber and vitamins C and K to support the immune system.
Low fat yogurt provides probiotic benefits and serves as an excellent source of calcium.
Flaxseed meal is a great plant-based source of healthy omega-3 fatty acids and rich in soluble fiber. However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, which can increase the amount of protein levels in food meaning it may not all come from meat sources.
Here Fishy Fishy
Product Info
- Protein: 8.0% Min
- Fat: 2.1% Min
- Fiber: .5% Max
- Moisture: 77% Max
This Fish recipe offers protein sourced from wild caught Alaskan Pollock fillets. Alaskan Pollock is an excellent source of high-quality, digestive protein and Omega-3 fatty acids. This recipe is also the lowest in fat of all seven recipes.
The next group of ingredients are brown rice, yogurt, pumpkin, peas, green beans, tomatoes, zucchini, apples.
Brown rice is full of natural fiber, which helps a dog’s digestion. It is also an excellent source of carbohydrates, vitamins D, B and minerals.
Yogurt provides probiotic benefits and serves as an excellent source of calcium.
Pumpkin is an excellent source of high-quality fiber that helps regulate the digestive system and maintain a healthy immune system.
Peas are carbohydrates rich in dietary fiber and small amounts of beneficial vitamins. Some examples of these beneficial Vitamins are Vitamin K and Manganese.
Green beans are a healthy vegetable notable for its vitamin, mineral and natural fiber content.
Tomatoes serve as an antioxidant because they contains Lycopene and it is also an excellent source of soluble fiber.
Zucchini is high in fiber, low in calories and improves digestion so they can effectively absorb necessary nutrition. It’s also has high levels of vitamin C.
Apples are an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, calcium, and phosphorus as well as assisting with cleaning your dogs teeth.
Picky Palate Pork
Product Info
- Protein: 11.6% Min
- Fat: 6.7% Min
- Fiber: .5% Max
- Moisture: 70% Max
This Pork recipe offers protein grass fed pork. While pork is a great source of muscle-building protein and amino acids it contains a type of fat that is difficult for dogs to digest.
The next group of ingredients are organic red lentils, zucchini, carrots, peas, green beans, tomatoes, pumpkin, blueberries, and apples.
Red Lentils are low-calorie, high-fiber food that helps dogs feel full when eating and keeps blood levels from spiking after a meal. Lentils are a plant-based protein that could contribute to the protein levels in this food.
Zucchini is high in fiber, low in calories and improves digestion so they can effectively absorb necessary nutrition. It’s also has high levels of vitamin C.
The carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
Peas are carbohydrates rich in dietary fiber and small amounts of beneficial vitamins. Some examples of these beneficial Vitamins are Vitamin K and Manganese.
Green beans are a healthy vegetable notable for its vitamin, mineral and natural fiber content.
Tomatoes serve as an antioxidant because they contains Lycopene and it is also an excellent source of soluble fiber.
Pumpkin is an excellent source of high-quality fiber that helps regulate the digestive system and maintain a healthy immune system.
Blueberries also serve as antioxidants, fiber and vitamins C and K to support the immune system.
Apples are an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, calcium, and phosphorus as well as assisting with cleaning your dogs teeth.
Taste Test
Sampson tried all seven flavors of Lucky Dog on a rotation and mixed them with his kibble to start. The instructions explain how transitioning should be done by adding the new food to his old food by 1/4 daily.
I left the packages in the freezer and thawed out three packs every few days. You can also thaw the packages in a bowl of water fairly quickly or defrost the food by placing it in the microwave on low.
Opening the packages was very easy. The peel-back tabs are clearly defined and come apart with little pulling. This was a huge win for Lucky Dog Food because it made feeding time a clean and simple process. Any unused portion of the food can be stored in a container for later use, up to a week.
Sampson is always excited to try new foods, and after trying all 7 flavors, it is hard to say which he liked best. He does seem to gravitate towards beef with more excitement, but turkey was also devoured quickly. He did seem a little hesitant when the fish recipe came into the rotation, probably because he doesn’t regularly eat much seafood. He still managed to lick the bowl clean. While he does love pork, I did notice he had some stomach issues after eating it, but this is nothing new.
The Downside of Lucky Dog Food
Lucky Dog subscription pricing does appear to be on the high side when compared to other subscription dog food companies. They do offer custom meal plans, which could reduce costs depending on your dog’s size. Or you may consider using it as a meal topper.
Lucky Dog Monthly Cost Comparison
| DOG FOOD BRAND | DOG SIZE | MONTHLY COST |
| Lucky Dog | 50 to 60 Pounds | $ 225.00 to $ 300.00 |
| Nom Nom | 50 To 80 Pounds | $ 224.00 to $ 280.00 |
| Ollie | 45 To 75 Pounds | $ 210.00 to $ 260.00 |
| Pet Plate | 50 To 65 Pounds | $ 180.00 to $ 224.00 |
| Grocery Pup | 50 To 65 Pounds | $ 260.00 to $ 280.00 |
| The Farmers Dog | 50 to 65 Pounds | $ 250.00 to $ 240.00 |
| Spot and Tango | 50 to 60 Pounds | $ 252.00 to $ 275.00 |
Lucky Dog is fresh dog food; it must be refrigerated and frozen, which can be problematic if you need to travel with your dog.
Lucky Dog only ships on Mondays, so depending on when you place an order or what day your subscription shipment lands on, your food may take longer than other fresh food delivery services.
Is Lucky Dog Good Dog Food?
Lucky Dog is among the many fresh-dog-food delivery services offered today. They offer recipes that contain protein, fats, starch, fruits, vegetables, and a blend of natural minerals and vitamins to keep your dog healthy and at an ideal weight.
Would I Subscribe to Lucky Dog Food?
I would not, based on several things. First, they are on the higher-priced side of the dog food delivery services that I have tried so far.
The second reason is that I don’t think the protein levels (in some recipes) are as high as other fresh dog food brands such as Nom Nom and Ollie, which is not ideal for my dog’s diet.
My dog Sampson seemed to really like the food, and I do appreciate that they offer both gluten-free and grain-free recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Lucky Dog Cost?
If you opt for the monthly subscription plan you receive 14 one pound packages for $149. This would mean each package costs about $10.65. Depending on the size of your dog and how much you feed him it could range from $5.30 a day and up.
Is Lucky Dog food grain free?
Not all Lucky Dog food recipes are grain free. They do offer grain free and gluten free options though.
Does Lucky Dog need to be refrigerated?
Yes. It is a good idea to keep it frozen until a day or two before you are going to feed it and then leave it out or even in the refrigerator for a few hours. Once defrosted your food will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can place opened food packages in a container.
What are the benefits of feeding my dog Lucky Dog Food?
Lucky Dog food is a complete & balanced meal to help dogs find and maintain their optimum healthy weight. By eliminating highly processed food can help reduce the risks of cancer for your dog.
