Bixbi Liberty Dog Food Review: My Picky Eater Finally Met His Match

Finding a dog food that I feel good about and that my dog will actually eat has felt like an impossible quest. I’ve spent years navigating a minefield of marketing terms, mystery ingredients, and recalls. That’s why I was so intrigued when I found Bixbi Liberty.

It’s a brand that talks a big game: fresh meat, no meat-meals, and high digestibility. I’m here to tell you, as a skeptical pet parent, this food is the real deal. If you’re tired of brown, dusty kibble and want to give your dog a food that’s as close to “real” as kibble gets, you need to try this.

My Experience With Bixbi Liberty Dog Food

My story starts with Cooper, my 7-year-old Beagle. Cooper is, to put it politely, a “discerning” eater. He’s not food-motivated; he’s flavor-motivated. For years, I had him on a popular, vet-recommended, “science-backed” brand. He hated it. He would stare at his bowl, look at me with an expression of pure betrayal, and walk away. Mealtimes were a 30-minute negotiation of me pretending to “spice it up” with a single piece of shredded cheese or a splash of water, just to get him to eat.

His health was… fine. But his coat was a bit dull, and his energy levels were just okay. And the gas. My goodness, the gas.

I was also getting nervous. I was reading more and more about the scary FDA warnings regarding grain-free diets and a heart condition called DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy).

The food I was giving him was grain-free, and I felt a growing sense of unease.

I wanted to switch, but to what? I needed a food that was high in real meat, not fillers, but I also wanted the option of healthy, whole grains.

I first found Bixbi by buying their “Hip & Joint” jerky treats, which Cooper went wild for. This led me to their food line. I saw they had two main types: Rawbble (their freeze-dried raw) and Liberty (their kibble). I’m not a “raw-feeder,” so I focused on Liberty. The first thing that jumped out at me was the ingredient list. The Bixbi Liberty Game Bird Feast recipe read “Deboned Turkey, Oats, Egg, Sorghum, Deboned Quail, Deboned Duck…”

I had to read that again. The first ingredient was deboned turkey, not “chicken meal.” The grains weren’t corn or wheat; they were oats and sorghum. This was different. Bixbi’s whole “thing” is that they don’t use “meat meals”—those dry, rendered powders of unknown origin. They use only fresh meat. This, they claim, leads to a digestibility of over 90%. I was skeptical, but hopeful.

I bought a small bag of the Game Bird Feast. When I opened it, the difference was immediate. It didn’t have that “burnt dog food” smell. It smelled… savory, almost like a (very) dry stew. The kibble itself was a vibrant, rich brown and was oddly “puffy” and light, not a hard, dense pellet.

The real test: Cooper. I put a 10% “topper” of the Bixbi on his old, sad kibble. He immediately pushed his old food out of the way, “sniffed” up all the Bixbi pieces, and then looked at me, outraged, as if to say, “Where is the rest of it?”

I’ve never seen anything like it. We did a 10-day transition, and by day six, he was waiting for his food. He’d hear me open the bag and come running. He was licking the bowl clean. Licking. The. Bowl. My picky, dramatic Beagle was in heaven.

The changes were fast. Within two weeks, the gas was just… gone. Completely. And his “output” (let’s be polite) was suddenly much smaller, firmer, and less… offensive. This was the “90% digestibility” Bixbi was talking about. His body was using the food, not just passing it.

Now, six months later, he’s a different dog. His coat is so shiny. I’m not exaggerating; it’s like he’s been polished. His energy is up. He’s more playful. He still loves his food. It’s expensive, yes. But I’m buying a food made with real duck and quail, not a bag of powdered, mysterious “meal.” I am no longer a “dog food agnostic.” I am a full-on Bixbi believer.

Read More: My Thoughts On Earthborn Holistic Dog Food 

Pros Of Bixbi Liberty Dog Food

• Fresh Meat Is The #1 Ingredient (No Meat Meals): This is Bixbi’s entire philosophy and its biggest pro. When you read the label, you see “Deboned Turkey,” “Deboned Beef,” “Deboned Lamb.” You will not see “Chicken Meal,” “Beef Meal,” or “Fish Meal.” What’s the difference? “Meat meals” are rendered, high-protein powders. They are an industry standard, but they are heavily processed. Bixbi’s commitment to using only fresh, deboned meat means the food is less processed. The protein is more bioavailable, and the taste is, as my dog proved, infinitely better. This “fresh meat” approach is what makes the kibble lighter and puffier.
• Extremely High Digestibility (The “Proof Is In The Poop”): This is the direct result of the first pro. Bixbi claims their Liberty kibble has a protein digestibility rate of over 90%. My personal “field research” in the backyard 100% confirms this. Cooper’s stools are now consistently small, firm, and well-formed. This is a huge indicator that his body is absorbing and utilizing the nutrients. With his old food, the volume was… alarming. It was clear that most of it was just passing through him as waste. With Bixbi, I’m paying for nutrition he actually uses. And, as a bonus, the “gas” is a thing of the past.
• Excellent Grain-Inclusive And Grain-Free Options: I was so relieved to find a premium brand that wasn’t “all-in” on the grain-free trend. After the FDA/DCM scare, I wanted to get Cooper back on healthy grains. The Game Bird Feast and Rancher’s Red recipes use high-quality, whole ancient grains like oats, sorghum, and quinoa. These are not “filler” grains like corn or wheat, which can be inflammatory. These are complex, low-glycemic carbs that provide sustained energy and fiber. For those who still need a grain-free option (for a true allergy), they have those too, like the Fisherman’s Catch, which uses lentils and peas.
• Impeccable Safety And Quality Record: This is the pro that lets me sleep at night. As a brand, Bixbi has an outstanding safety record. They have zero recalls. They own their own kibble facility, which is a massive deal. This means they are not outsourcing their production to a “co-packer” that also makes 20 other brands. They have 100% control over their ingredient sourcing, their cooking process, and their safety testing. They test every batch for salmonella, e-coli, and listeria. This commitment to safety and quality is, for me, worth the premium price.

Cons Of Bixbi Liberty Dog Food

• The Price Is A Definite “Premium”
  • This Is Not A Budget Kibble: I’ll be direct: this food is expensive. It is a significant financial commitment. When you use only fresh meat (which is 70% water) instead of concentrated meat-meals, your ingredient cost skyrockets. You are paying for that quality. For me, the results (no gas, shiny coat, he eats it) are worth it. But it is a con. It is priced to compete with other super-premium brands like Orijen, Acana, and fresh-food subscriptions, not the brands you’ll find at a grocery store.
  • Small Kibble Size: This is a specific con. The Liberty kibble is small. It’s a tiny, “puffy” disc. For my Beagle, it’s perfect. But I have friends with larger dogs (Labs, Shepherds), and they’ve mentioned their dogs just inhale it without chewing. If you have a giant-breed dog or a “gulper,” the small kibble size might not be ideal and could be a digestive or dental concern.
• Higher In Fat And Calories
  • This Is A “Rich” Food: Bixbi Liberty is not a “light” food. The Game Bird Feast, for example, is 29.5% protein and 19% fat (on a dry matter basis). This is fantastic for active, healthy dogs like Cooper. It’s what gives him that shiny coat and high energy.
  • Not For Couch Potatoes: If you have a sedentary dog, a senior who doesn’t move much, or a breed prone to weight gain (like a Lab or, ironically, a Beagle who isn’t picky), this food could be too rich. The high fat and calorie density can lead to unwanted weight gain if you’re not careful with portion control. It is not a “weight management” food.
• Limited Availability (But It’s Getting Better)
  • You Can’t Buy It Everywhere: For a long time, Bixbi was a “specialty” brand. You had to find it at independent pet boutiques, Whole Foods, or order it online. It’s not at every PetSmart or Petco. This can be a “con” if you’re the type of person who likes to grab dog food during your weekly grocery run.
  • Online Is Your Best Bet: The availability has improved dramatically, and it’s easy to find on Chewy or their own website. But if you run out in a pinch, you’ll be driving to a specialty store, not your local supermarket.

Maintenance Tips For Bixbi Liberty Dog Food

• You Must Use A Slow Transition
  • This Food Is Different: Even though my dog was obsessed, I was very strict about a 10-day transition. You are moving from a highly-processed, meal-based food to a high-protein, high-fat, fresh-meat-based food. This is a huge change for your dog’s gut microbiome.
  • The 10-Day Plan: My plan was simple: Days 1-3 were 25% Bixbi, 75% old food. Days 4-6 were 50/50. Days 7-9 were 75% Bixbi, 25% old food. Day 10 was 100% Bixbi. This gave his system time to adapt to the new, rich ingredients and prevented any digestive upset.
• Portion Control Is Not A Suggestion
  • This Is Calorie-Dense Food: As I mentioned in the “cons,” this food is rich. You must read the feeding guidelines on the back of the bag. They are often less than what you’re used to feeding.
  • Measure, Don’t “Scoop”: Don’t just use an old coffee mug. Get an 8-oz measuring cup and feed the exact amount for your dog’s ideal weight and activity level. Because the kibble is so light and “puffy,” a “scoop” can be wildly inaccurate. My 25-lb dog gets about 1.25 cups per day, which I split into two meals. A 70-lb, active dog would get about 3 cups per day.
• How To Store A Fresh-Meat Kibble
  • It’s A “No-Meal” Kibble: Because this food is made with fresh meat and doesn’t use the same level of artificial preservatives, you must protect it. The enemy is air.
  • Keep It In The Original Bag, Inside A Container: This is my “pro-tip.” Do not dump the kibble out of the bag and into a plastic bin. The original bag is designed to be a “high-barrier” package to protect the food from light, air, and moisture. I put the entire bag into an airtight, sealed container. This gives me “double” protection.
  • Buy The Right Size Bag: Just like with any premium food, don’t buy the giant 25-lb bag to “save money” if you have a 10-lb Chihuahua. You want to be able to use the entire bag within 4-6 weeks of opening it for maximum freshness.

Comparison With Other Brands

• Versus Mainstream “Vet-Recommended” Brands
  • Bixbi Liberty vs. Hill’s Science Diet: This is a comparison of two completely different philosophies. Hill’s Science Diet is a “science-first” brand. They prioritize clinical studies, feeding trials, and precise nutrient formulations. Their ingredient lists can look… less than appealing (corn, chicken by-product meal), but they are backed by decades of research. Bixbi is an “ingredient-first” brand. Their philosophy is that fresh, unprocessed, whole foods (like deboned duck and oats) are inherently healthier than rendered meals and fillers. I chose Bixbi because I believe in the “ingredient-first” approach, and the visible results in my dog (coat, digestion) have confirmed my choice.
• Versus Other “Meat-First” Premium Brands
  • Bixbi Liberty vs. Acana: This is a much closer comparison. Acana (and its “big brother” brand, Orijen) are also “ingredient-first” brands famous for their high meat content. I’ve used Acana, and it’s an excellent food. The key difference for me was the grain-inclusive options. When I was shopping, Acana was still heavily focused on “biologically appropriate” grain-free diets, which made me nervous. Bixbi’s Liberty line, with its clear-as-day “healthy grains” options like the Game Bird Feast, felt like the perfect, safer-minded alternative. Both are fantastic, but Bixbi’s “no-meal” and “healthy grain” combo won me over.
• Versus “Budget-Friendly” Brands
  • Bixbi Liberty vs. Blue Buffalo: When I look at a bag of Blue Buffalo Life Protection, I see “Deboned Chicken” followed by… “Chicken Meal.” This is a key difference. Blue Buffalo starts with fresh meat but still relies on processed meals as a primary protein source. Bixbi uses only fresh meat, top to bottom. Furthermore, Blue Buffalo has had a number of recalls over the years, which shattered my trust. Bixbi’s zero-recall history and their ownership of their own manufacturing facility makes it a far superior and safer choice in my mind.

Also Read: My Thoughts On Pure Harmony Dog Food

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

My search for the perfect kibble is over. Bixbi Liberty is the first food I’ve ever fed Cooper that he genuinely gets excited to eat. The visible results—the shiny coat, the perfect digestion, the high energy—are just undeniable. It is a premium product with a premium price, but I am no longer just “buying dog food.” I am investing in a high-quality, safe, and transparently-sourced food that my dog loves. If you have a picky eater or are just tired of the low-quality “brown pellets,” you owe it to your dog to give Bixbi Liberty a try.