Great Life Dog Food (Dry)

Share

Rating: ★★★½☆

Great Life dry dog food receives the Advisor’s above-average rating of 3.5 stars.

The Great Life dry dog food product line includes 4 kibbles… each claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.

The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review.

  • Great Life Buffalo Dog Food
  • Great Life Chicken Dog Food
  • Great Life Wild Salmon Dog Food
  • Great Life New Zealand Lamb Dog Food

Great Life New Zealand Lamb Dog Food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

Great Life New Zealand Lamb

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 24% | Fat = 14% | Carbs = 53%

Ingredients: Lamb, whole barley, whole brown rice, oatmeal, sun cured alfalfa meal, yams, blueberries, cranberries, freeze dried raw ingredients: (lamb, lamb liver, pumpkin, squash, parsley, papaya, sprouted chia seed, sprouts, broccoli sprouts, barley sprouts, inulin), enzymes: (amylase, protease, cellulase, pectinase, lipase, phytase, xylanese, hemicellulase, alpha-galactosidase, invertase), probiotics: (Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product dehydrated, Lactobacillus rhamnosus fermentation product dehydrated, Lactobacillus casei fermentation product dehydrated, Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product dehydrated, Bifidobacterium thermophilum fermentation product dehydrated, Bifidobacterium longum fermentation product dehydrated, Enterococcus faecium fermentation product dehydrated, Bacillus subtillus fermentation product dehydrated), wild salmon oil, parsley, articoke, rosemary, vitamins: (lecithin, vitamin A supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamone mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, niacin supplement, folic acid, biotin), dl-methionine, minerals: (calcium pantothenate, zinc amino acid chelate, iron amino acid chelate, copper amino acids chelate, manganese amino acids chelate, cobalt amino acids chelate, selenium)

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.4%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient Content
MethodProteinFatCarbs
Guaranteed Analysis22%13%NA
Dry Matter Basis24%14%53%
Calorie Weighted Basis22%31%47%

The first ingredient in this dog food is lamb. Although it is a quality item, raw lamb contains about 80% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost… reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

The second ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index (like rice), barley can help support stable blood sugar levels in dogs.

The third ingredient is brown rice… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.

The fourth ingredient is oatmeal… a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, fiber and is also (unlike many other grains) gluten-free.

The fifth ingredient is alfalfa meal. Although alfalfa meal is high in plant protein (about 18%) and fiber (25%), this hay-family item is more commonly associated with horse feeds.

The sixth ingredient mentions yams. In much of North America, the word yam can be used interchangeably with the term sweet potatoes.

So, assuming this item is indeed sweet potato, it can be considered a good source of complex carbohydrates. In addition, yams are naturally rich in fiber, beta carotene and other healthy nutrients.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items including healthy fruits and vegetables.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.

With three notable exceptions

First, we also note the inclusion of digestive enzymes. These supplementary compounds are believed to help an animal break down larger nutrient molecules into more biologically usable components.

Next, this food also contains chelated mineralsminerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

And lastly, the company appears to have applied friendly microorganisms to the surface of the kibble after cooking. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.

Great Life Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Great Life looks to be an above-average dry dog food.

But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 24%, a fat level of 14% and estimated carbohydrates of about 53%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 24% and a mean fat level of 14%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 53% for the overall product line.

Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.

Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a modest amount of meat.

Bottom line?

Great Life dry dog food is a grain-based kibble using a modest amount of meat of named species as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand 3.5 stars.

Recommended.

Those looking for a kibble from the same company containing more meat may wish to visit our review of Great Life Grain Free.

A Final Word

This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.

Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

10/13/2011 Original review
10/13/2011 Last Update

Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


  • Yentl

    There is a lot of controversy on Great Life right now.
    The bags of vet preferred in stores say venison on the label and not venison meal. The oil you mentioned is also missing from the label. They have a hard time keeping their labels accurate. With so many quality foods out there I would stay away from Great Life!

  • Jack Jones

    Update on Great Life:

    I called Great Life on Monday and spoke with the office manager, he told me that all Great Life dry foods contain real meat and not meat meals.
     I asked him how that is possible without Pied Piper having refrigeration. He told me Dr Harvey would call me back.

    Yesterday I called Great Life and spoke with Ellliott Harvey the owner/founder. He told me that all Great Life kibble except the vet preferred line contains real meat and not meat meal. I have the pork and venison varieties of the vet preferred kibble and the label reads venison and pork not venison meal and pork meal. I told Elliott this and he said “it has been taken care of”. I said: so the labels are wrong? He said again “it has been taken care of”
    I then asked him how it is possible that Pied Piper makes your food with real meat when they do not have any refrigeration at their plant. He told me that they have off-site refrigeration and he hung up on me.

    Today I called Pied Piper and I asked them if Great Life’s dry foods contain real meat and they told me that all of Great Life’s dry foods contain meat meal and not real meat. They told me they cannot make a dry food that contains real meat and that all the dry foods they make contain meat meals not real meat.

    So for years now Great Life has been lying to consumers about what type of meat is in their dry foods.

    Here is the contact information for Great life and Pied Piper:

    Great Life Performance Pet Products
    420 E. Easy St. Unit 2
    Simi Valley, CA 93065

    Phone (805) 577-9663
    Fax (805) 577-6618
    Email- 4greatlife@sbcglobal.net

    Pied Piper Pet & Wildlife, Inc.505 East Lake Drive  Hamlin, TX 79520-4240Phone (325) 576-2277 (manufacturing dept)

  • LindaH

    Great Life has some new foods, it looks like. What would it take for you to do some new reviews. I am interested, but I can’t help but wonder where the oil is???

    Anyone know anything about these. It looks like it might be something I could feed my allergy boy.

    One of the is  “Vet Preferred Grain Free Venison”
     Vet Preferred Brand
     
    US Grain Free Venison with Nutrient Coating

    % Basis
    Crude Protein(min) 29
    Fat (min) 14
    Fiber(max) 4
    Moisture(max) 10
    Ash 7.33
    Calcium 1.49
    Phosphorus 1.07
    Carbohydrates (min) 
     
    Vitamins
    Carotene MG/KG 1.40
    Vitamin A IU/KG 13235
    Vitamin D IU/KG 974
    Vitamin E IU/KG 125
    Vitamin K MG/KG 0.94
    Ascorbic Acid MG/KG 50
    Thiamine MG/KG 17.05
    Riboflavin MG/KG 8.52
    Pantothenic Acid MG/KG 21.92
    Biotin MG/KG 0.54
    Folic Acid MG/KG 0.44
    Choline MG/KG 3058
    Vitamin B12 MG/KG 0.09
    Vitamin B6 MG/KG 5.4
    Niacin MG/KG 68.38
    Iodine MG/KG 3.7
     
    Amino Acids
    Methionine-Cystine .937
    Methionine 0.577
    Cystine 0.25
    Lysine 1.26
    Tryptophan 0.24
    Threonine 1.02
    Isoleucine 1
    Histidine 0.53
    Valine 1.58
    Leucine 2.52
    Arginine 1.32
    Phenylalanine-Tyrosine .92
    Taurine 0.036
     
    Minerals
    Sodium 0.36
    Potassium 0.63
    Chlorine 0.61
    Magnesium 0.279
    Sulfur 0.2585
    Manganese MG/KG 91
    Iron MG/KG 422
    Copper MG/KG 12.03
    Zinc MG/KG 251.64
    Selenium MG/KG 0.5171
     
    Essential Fatty Acids: Omega 3 1.97%,Omega 6 0.3985 % and Arachidonic Acid .0736%
     
    ME KCAL/Cup   434
    ME KCAL/LB     1737Suggested Feeding Directions: Dog Weight                Puppies                   Adult                     Light/Senior 2 – 10lbs                   1/2 – 1 cup              1/2 – 3/4 cup             1/4 – 1/2 cup10 – 25lbs                 1-1/2 – 2 cups         3/4 – 1 cup                1/2 – 3/4 cup 25 – 50lbs                 2 – 4 cups                1 – 1-3/4 cups           1 – 1-1/4 cups50 – 75lbs                 4 – 5 cups                2 – 2-3/4 cups           1 – 1-3/4 cups75 – 100lbs               5 – 6                        3 – 4 cups                  2 – 2-1/2 cups100 – 125lbs                                             4 – 4-3/4 cups           2-1/2 – 3 cups
    IngredientsVenison Meal, Yams, Freeze Dried Sweet Potato, Freeze Dried Pumpkin, Blueberries, Bok Choy, Zucchini, Squash, Kale, Freeze Dried Papaya, Cranberries, Freeze Dried Chia, Parsley, Inulin, Enzymes: (Amylase, Protease, Cellulase, Pectinase, Lipase, Phytase, Xylanese, Hemicellulase, Alpha-galactosidase, Invertase), Probiotics (Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product Dehydrated, Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product Dehydrated, Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product Dehydrated, Bifidobacterium Thermophilum Fermentation Product Dehydrated, Bifidobacterium Longum Fermentation Product Dehydrated, Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product Dehydrated, Bacillus Subtillus Fermentation Product Dehydrated), Kelp, Parsley, Artichoke, Salmon / Herring Oil. Vitamins (Dl-methione, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamone Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Minerals (Calcium Pantothenate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acids Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acids Chelate, Cobalt Amino Acids Chelate).% BasisCrude Protein(min) 29Fat (min) 14Fiber(max) 4Moisture(max) 10Ash 7.33Calcium 1.49Phosphorus 1.07Carbohydrates (min)  Vitamins Carotene MG/KG 1.40Vitamin A IU/KG 13235Vitamin D IU/KG 974 Vitamin E IU/KG 125Vitamin K MG/KG 0.94 Ascorbic Acid MG/KG 50 Thiamine MG/KG 17.05Riboflavin MG/KG 8.52Pantothenic Acid MG/KG 21.92 Biotin MG/KG 0.54Folic Acid MG/KG 0.44Choline MG/KG 3058Vitamin B12 MG/KG 0.09Vitamin B6 MG/KG 5.4 Niacin MG/KG 68.38Iodine MG/KG 3.7 Amino Acids Methionine-Cystine .937Methionine 0.577Cystine 0.25Lysine 1.26Tryptophan 0.24Threonine 1.02Isoleucine 1 Histidine 0.53Valine 1.58Leucine 2.52 Arginine 1.32 Phenylalanine-Tyrosine .92Taurine 0.036 Minerals Sodium 0.36Potassium 0.63Chlorine 0.61Magnesium 0.279Sulfur 0.2585Manganese MG/KG 91 Iron MG/KG 422Copper MG/KG 12.03Zinc MG/KG 251.64Selenium MG/KG 0.5171 Essential Fatty Acids: Omega 3 1.97%,Omega 6 0.3985 % and Arachidonic Acid .0736%  ME KCAL/Cup   434ME KCAL/LB     1737