K9 Natural Freeze Dried Raw (Dehydrated)

by Mike Sagman
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Rating: ★★★½☆

K9 Natural Freeze Dried Raw dog food gets the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of 3.5 stars.

The K9 Natural Freeze Dried Raw product line lists 4 raw recipes, 3 claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages1 and one recommended by the company to be used for transition only (Green Tripe).

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

  • K9 Natural Freeze Dried Raw Beef Gourmet (2 stars)
  • K9 Natural Freeze Dried Raw Lamb Supreme (2 stars)
  • K9 Natural Freeze Dried Raw Venison Feast (5 stars)
  • K9 Natural Freeze Dried Raw Green Tripe (transition only2)

K9 Natural Freeze Dried Raw Lamb Supreme was selected to represent the other products in the line for this review.

K9 Natural Freeze Dried Lamb Supreme

Raw Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 31% | Fat = 45% | Carbs = 16%

Ingredients: Lamb meat, lamb bone, lamb blood, eggs, lamb green tripe, lamb liver, broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, silver beet (spinach), cabbage, apples, pears, lamb hearts, lamb kidneys, garlic

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2.3%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient Content
MethodProteinFatCarbs
Guaranteed Analysis31%43%NA
Dry Matter Basis31%45%16%
Calorie Weighted Basis20%70%11%

The first ingredient in this dog food is lamb. Lamb is considered “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered” lamb and associated with skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.3

Lamb is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The second ingredient is ground bone, an excellent source of natural calcium.

The third ingredient mentions blood, which consists mostly of water. And although it doesn’t sound very appetizing to humans, blood is naturally rich in protein (albumin), vitamins and minerals.

The fourth item lists eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The fifth ingredient is lamb tripe. Tripe usually consists of the first three chambers of an animal’s stomach. As unappetizing as it may seem to us humans, tripe is favored by dogs and sometimes even includes the stomach’s contents, too.

The sixth item lists lamb liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

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 one notable exception…

First, we find no added vitamins or minerals on the ingredients list. Since the company claims the product is suitable for “dogs at any stage of life”, we would assume these essential nutrients are provided by the food ingredients in the recipe.

And lastly, garlic can be a controversial item. Although most experts favor the ingredient for its numerous health benefits, garlic (in rare cases) has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs.4

However, the limited professional literature we surveyed provided no definitive warnings regarding the use of garlic — especially when used in small amounts (as it likely is here).

K9 Natural Freeze Dried Raw Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, K9 Natural Freeze Dried Raw looks to be an above-average 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 31%, a fat level of 45% and estimated carbohydrates of about 16%.

Since the Green Tripe recipe is only recommended by the company for transitioning to one of their other raw products, we have excluded it from the following averages.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 37% and a mean fat level of 42%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 13% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 114%.

Near-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical raw dog food.

Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a dehydrated food containing a significant amount of meat.

However, with 67% of the total calories in this food coming from fat as compared to just 24% from protein, it would be inappropriate to award this product a higher rating.

Bottom line?

K9 Natural Freeze Dried Raw is a meat-based product using an abundant amount of beef, lamb or venison as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 3.5 stars.

Because of their remarkably higher fat content, we cannot, in good faith, recommend either the Lamb or Beef recipes.

However, due to its generous meat content and more favorable fat-to-protein ratio (0.69 dry matter), we can enthusiastically recommend the line’s Venison Feast product.

For even more raw diet suggestions, be sure to visit the Advisor’s Recommended Raw Dog Foods summary page.

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

03/10/2011 Original review
02/23/2012 Review updated (new products, new recipes)
02/23/2012 Last Update

  1. No reference to AAFCO found on company website ↩
  2. The company recommends “feeding raw freeze dried green tripe for approximately one week” prior to starting to feed a K9 Natural diet ↩
  3. Adapted by the Dog Food Advisor and based upon the official definition for beef published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, 2008 Edition ↩
  4. Yamato et al, Heinz Body hemolytic anemia with eccentrocytosis from ingestion of Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) and garlic (Allium sativum) in a dog, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 41:68-73 (2005) ↩
Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


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  • Sbartlett

    In terms of K9 Natural and it’s fat
    content, as a scientist I can only entertain evidence based, published research
    on this topic. This as opposed to a arbitrary value determined comparatively
    based on other dog food products. To that end all K9 Natural products fit
    comfortably within all such research (please see below). Furthermore all other
    nutrients within our products again, have be extremely well crafted purely from
    natural, raw sources to meet all such recommendations, without the need for
    synthetic vitamin and mineral packs. I hope this helps you, please remember all
    values presented below on a dry matter basis.

     

     

    REFERENCE

    STUDIED AREA

    RECOMMENDATIONS

    AAFCO  (2011)

    All lifestages

    Growth and repair 8.0 %

    Maintenance 5.0%

    NRC (2006)

    Minimal/maximal levels

    Beyond the need to supply appropriate EFA’s, an MR of total
    fat for dogs and cats is unknown

    Ivy (1936)

    Axelrod et al, (1951).

    Minimal/maximal levels

    Studies have demonstrated tolerate for 40% fat in diet

    NRC (2006)

    Minimal/maximal levels

    Minimum dietary fat RA 5%. No evidence to change this
    recommend  from earlier estimates

    Downey et al (1980)

    Adkins and Kronfeld (1982)

    Minimal/maximal levels

    SUL for dietary fat approximately 70% ME

    Bauer et al (2000)

    Lepine et al (2000).

    Growth

    Canine milk fat content multiplied by .3 Result consistent fat
    needs reported previously

    NRC (2006)

    Growth 

    Total fat SUL for canine growth similar to that for adults

    Meyer et al (1979)

    Growth

    3-5 month old puppies  fed diets containing from 8-14 g
    fat.kg BW-1 for 3 months without any negative effect.

    Ontko et al (1957)

    Gestation and Lactation

    Total dietary fat to support gestation and lactation greater
    than  maintenance

    NRC (2006)

    Gestation and Lactation

    Studies precisely establishing the MR for total fat have yet
    to be conducted.

    Siedler/Schweigert,1952

    Gestation and Lactation

    Data indicates 7.7% total fat resulted in successful
    reproduction

  • Shelby

    Oh no! About 4 months ago, I bought two 8.8lb boxes of k9 natural  lamb as a transition for my dogs to go from kibble to raw. I havent fed k9 natural to my dogs yet because I am still in the process of researching more about BARF.

    I was wondering if anyone knew what I could do to alleviate the high fat content. (It is horrifying that the lamb version cannot be recommended.)

    I understand that I would need to feed more protein with little fat, but I need to somehow incorporate raw meaty bones into my dogs’ diets. What kind of raw meaty bones? What about the meat to bone ratio? I’m still a beginner with BARF.

    Any suggestions from raw feeders will gladly be appreciated! Thank you!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com/ Mike Sagman

    Hi Alex,

    Unfortunately, when I recently revisited this product line I discovered new recipes and new products.

    And based upon our new emphasis on the fat content of each dog food, I was compelled to downgrade my initial rating.

    For a more detailed explanation, please read my summary in “The Bottom Line” section of this review. Hope this helps.

  • Alex V

    I thought this was a 5 star food? Was I mistaken?

  • Shane

    Karen this link will give you a brief look inside one of the factories 
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_WH_30q24o

  • Dave’s Hounds

    I tried two bags of this food – hydrating the food for 15 minutes before feeding – and both of my dogs had dry crumbly poop. i went back to Ziwipeak airdried and they were back to normal. 

  • Karen

    How about the K9 Natural raw, which I just bought. Since I’ve been making my own raw dog fodd for 3 years, I need a break once in a while…can you guys get the Raw one reviewed? Looks pretty good to me. But then again, Im not in the plant where its made, I would like to be, I have a hard time trusting any of them.

  • Gordon

    Richard – I’m aware that Labrawsome is Michelle. I could tell under the other thread when she responded to an old comment of mine, by her gravatar, and by something else, that I’ll with hold saying as it will get her even more upset, lmao.

    That story about the cancer in the neck is very believable and not surprising, but is astonishing and yet another stamp of the power of Mother Nature.

    I hope that all the world’s medical practices do one day, embrace the power of this magnificent ability, dogs possess.

  • http://BrothersComplete.com Richard Darlington

    Gordon

    I posted a note to Michelle, who has gone incognito as labsRawesome to try and distance herself from having admitted that I’m the only Richard in her life, about a Labs ability to sense cancer.

    I don’t remember the thread it was on and I miss the ability to go back through hundreds of recent posts to find where it was – if that ability exists on this new software I haven’t figured it out yet – so if someone knows how to do it please let me know.

    I have a customer who had a dinner party for 14 people, some of whom she had never met before. Her Lab would not leave this one gentleman alone and kept crawling into his lap and licking his neck. She couldn’t stop him from doing it and the man told her he didn’t really mind. At the end of the night, as the man left, he confided to his host that he had just been told he had some form of cancer (I don’t remember the tuype) in his neck – right where her Lab was licking all night.

  • Gordon

    Yep Toxed. I do endorse probiotic and enzyme supplementation to those pet meals of non raw and in apartments.

  • Gordon

    I just noticed the comments of your here, Toxed. That’s interesting that your poodle is being trained to alert you to trace toxins. I wonder if she can smell any mercury in raw fish, and is why she won’t eat it. Or may be she just doesn’t like raw fish.

    There’s a vet in Australia (Can’t remember his name) who has recently tried to convince the human medical establishment to keep a dog in their surgeries as a medical tool in the diagnosis of early stage cancers in their patients. As it has been proven that dogs can even pick on cancer odours.

  • Dave’s Hounds

    I find the large bag of ziwipeak airdried to be a much better value and quality is also excellent.

  • Sbartlett

     http://www.k9natural.com/about-k9-natural/quality-assurance

  • http://www.facebook.com/Toxed2loss Toxed2loss

    Dave M,
    Our dogs are individuals, aren’t they? LOL My standard poodle will eat anything you put in front of her except raw fish… I found that if I cooked it the teensiest bit, more like warm it up, and put a little yogurt or sourcream on it, she likes it again. Since I trust her nose over my nose, I’m guessing that there’s something about it raw she doesn’t like, that a little cooking makes safer. PS, she’s my service dog and Is being trained to alert to trace toxins.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Toxed2loss Toxed2loss

    Hi Gordon :-)
    I had read previously that you fed RMBs outdoors so your dogs can get soil probiotics. I posted what I do (because I’m often imprisoned in the house by neighbors spraying) and it occurred to me that apartment dwellers and people that don’t have yards, might not feed RMBs or raw because they wouldn’t want it on the floor. I should have included that I add a probiotic to their bowl. ;-)

  • Mark

    I feed my Lab twice a day 12 hours apart, can I feed her the K-9 for one meal and kibble and canned food ther other?

  • kayi078

    why cant i use this as my dog’s sole diet??

  • Gordon

    Dave M – At least that’s a good compromise :)

    kayi078 – The protein isn’t too high at all, but the fat maybe if you don’t use this product as a rotation and feed it only.

    I agree with the opinion that the fat content of any given meal should be around 50% of what the protein level is, and the carbohydrate level at the most, half of what the fat content is, if at all.

    So this product should not be used as a sole diet for any sized dog IMO.

  • kayi078

    is 40% protein and 3x% fat too much for a 7lb yorkie?

  • Dave M

    Gordon,

    My one hound will eat raw (almost anything put in front of her) my male however will eat raw fish without any problem – but all other raw meats including a steak or chicken he will not touch. He also wont eat a RMB until my female has devoured it – then he will chew on the bone (once it is clean). The air dried or freeze dried in addition to canned is a good compromise. Ziwipeak is raw canned and he loves it.

  • Dave M

    Does anyone know how many calories are in each (provided scoop) scoop? I am trying this for the evening meal

  • Gordon

    That’s interesting about antlers, shedding and feeding them when fresh, Toxed2loss. The same principle applies as not to feed cooked bones to dogs for the fact that it alters the matrix and gives rise to greater probability of splinting. Raw plus fresh is best.

    My dogs eat their RMB’s and carcasses etc anywhere they like outside just like in Nature where they have the freedom to drag their scavenge of kill where they want to indulge in it, as Lonsdale recommends. However, they’ll eat their BARF style prepared meals from their bowls.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Toxed2loss Toxed2loss

    We give fresh antler pieces to our dogs to chew. They don’t have blood by hunting season. They are “horn” like, grow each season, dry up and fall off, or are shed, at the end off the season. When they are fresh, they won’t splinter, and so are safe. While we have numerous racks from years past we don’t feed them, too dry. Of course, some have special significance and I can’t touch those.

    As for raw food, I feed it in the kennel. They are trained to keep it in there, as I don’t want the grease on any of the floors. Leerburg taught me that.

  • Gordon

    Antelope and elk “antlers” was the term I was looking for.

    Also blood is natural in sodium and is Nature’s provided salt for dogs. But RMB’s and with out offal, such as chicken wings and frames, for example won’t drip any blood, but would smudge ca carpet by way of greasy moisture. Again, outside is the best place to feed all RMB’s.

  • Gordon

    Martin – Yes, but not in the way you’re thinking. Some are more bloody than others, but all meat if squeased like a sponge will leak blood. Normally there is more blood in offal (the organs). However, either way I don’t think Nature had in mind for dogs to eat these off made made floors like carpet. Basically, you’re meant to feed RMB’s and general raw meals to your dogs, outside, in the back yard. Mother Nature and your dog takes care of the rest as far as cleaning is concerned.

    However, with out knowing your situation, I understand that there are dog owners who live in apartments with out front or back yards, who own inside dogs of toy and small breeds. In this case, I usually recommend those, take their dogs outside in a public park or any piece of land with grass or dirt or even concrete such as the foot path (side walk), and feed them their raw serving there, at meal time. You could kill 2 birds with one stone and also take them for a walk afterwards, or before hand.

    I’ve read some in these types of situations (That live in apartments), feed clean raw bones with out any chance of mess or dripping like antelope or deer bones….or did I get the animal or name wrong? I don’t feed these types of bones, but apparently they leave no mess on carpets for people in those types of situations. They’re apparently more expensive as well. But IMO, these bones lack the surrounding meat/protein to accompany the calcium and minerals in bones that dogs need when eating RMB’s. However, those types of bones will at least still naturally clean canine teeth.

  • Martin

    Are raw meaty bones bloody at all? I don’t want any stains on the carpet or on my dog for that matter.

  • Gordon

    I just realised, I wrote, “probably” in the context of the 2nd and 3rd paragraphs above, which I meant to write “properly”.

  • Gordon

    Dave M – They would eat raw, but are probably so not used to it. I think from your other posts, I would not try and convince you as you seem entrenched in your own beliefs. But at least you are feeding air-dried raw, now.

    BTW, probably handled raw meats are dangerous bacteria-free, especially muscle meat. You buy it from human sources like butchers and abattoirs, then put it in the freezer, then thaw a serving in the fridge from the morning so it is fridge-thawed by dinner, and you are as safe as can possibly be.

    Top that with probably wiping bench tops down and maintaining easy post raw meat handling kitchen keeping and it is all good!

    I prefer natural surface cleaners to clean my bench tops etc, and dogs’ bowls and I use 3% H2O2 & white vinegar (ACV is OK too) and then you have the most potent disinfectant the world over. And it is all NATURAL AND SAFE! And if you forget to wipe down what you sprayed, the residues will break down and dry safely, and the 3% H2O2 with turn into 100% H2O after a certain time exposed to light, and nothing could be safer. No need to waste money on harsh synthetic chemical based cleansers!

  • Dave M

    I picked K9 dehydrated this weekend (I think it is an excellent product) and I rotate between kibble and canned (primarily ziwipeak and natures logic) in am and ziwi peak dehydrated and canned in evening (no kibble). I am impressed with K9 and will try it for the month and see how it goes. I don’t want to handle raw and one of my dogs won’t eat any eat raw unless dehydrated or canned like ziwipeak. Which works better for me as well.

  • Gordon

    Yeah Martin – This food is not really sufficient on its own. RMB’s would compliment this food for dogs that much better.

    RMB’s like marrow bones, soup bones, chicken necks, wings, frames, turkey necks, wings, frames, lamb brisket, beef brisket, raw whole fish, rabbit bones and carcasses, and generally any ruminant carcasses, lamb shanks, legs etc etc etc and so on and more and you get the idea.

    Yeah, you can some or all the above in places like butcher shops, fresh meat suppliers, abattoirs, some farms, etc.

    And remember, a raw meaty bone a day, keeps the vet away.

  • Martin

    I have bought this for my toy poodle. Do I have to feed a raw meaty bone with it? If so, what bones are recommended.

  • Meghan

    I want to thank everyone for their comments – when I saw this food at Pet Food Express I looked it up here using my phone and seeing that there was some hefty discussion, decided to bring home Ziwipeak instead. When I got home I read through all of the comments here. Between the unanswered questions and the actual cost of feeding (based on 2%, not 1%) I decided this isn’t right for us and we’ll continue to use what works (Stella & Chewy’s, Ziwipeak) while looking for others to add to the rotation. Thanks again (and a huge thanks to Dog Food Advisor for being a tremendous resource!).

  • Shawna

    Nancy,

    Dry (and chalky looking) stools can be a sign of too much calcium/bone.

    Its also a bit too high in fat which is a reason your pups are keeping their weight. Fat, ideally, should be no more then 50% of the total protein. So, for this food, protein is 40% therefore fat should not exceed 20% of the total diet. Fat has 9 calories for every gram while protein (and carbs) only have 4 calories. Feeding diets too high in fat can displace the more needed protein.. Adding more fat then necessary is one way that some raw manufacturers keep their costs down.

  • Nancy

    I have been feeding K9 Natural. It does more than stated on package to keep my dogs from loosing weight. Their stools have been excessively dry and I am wondering why. I am wondering if I should try something else…

  • Gordon

    Nope, there’s no K9 Natural Raw Frozen in Australia. Only the Freeze Dried, Shameless.

    I thought Bow House told me they had it in their closer store to me, but they misunderstood me, as they only have the freeze dried.

    Also, yet another of stockists listed on K9′s website, never heard of K9 and said they have their own version called Uncle Thoms, and yet I’ve never heard of that, nor can I find it on line.

    So no K9 Natural for me.

  • Gordon

    Jackis Wholesale Pet Foods & All Pets Pantry are the 2 stockists closer to my area that don’t actually stock K9 Natural Raw Frozen, Shameless. There’s another considered not far from my area in Castle Hill called Petcare 2000, which I’ll check next. I notice they’ve listed Petbiz in Belrose, which is where I bought a bag of EBHPN before.

    I’m as keen as you, Shameless to try K9 raw frozen for my dogs, Shameless, but for different reasons, lol.

    Geoff – If you happen to read this, which I’m sure you would from time to time (Otherwise your marketing research would be lacking), you might want to update your website’s stockist page for NSW, Australia, because the first 2 mentioned businesses in my first sentence above, don’t actually stock your product.

  • harky

    after it has been reconstituted % can be found here
    http://www.holisticpetsource.com/pdf/k9brochure.pdf

  • Gordon

    Shameless – Yeah I’m aware of a few of those retailers from that page link. I’d need to further investigate the product before I’d consider K9 for a trial and then long term.

    Anyway, have a look under the BARF thread that I’m about to post new news after this posting. What you’re about to read is almost unbelievable. And if I wasn’t on the other end of the phone call, I’d be hard pressed to believe it.

  • ShamelessRawFoodie

    Gordon – If you decide to make your own home-made raw dog food, would you still want a raw backup option? Would you consider K 9 Natural Raw?
    The frozen isn’t available to us in USA, only the dehydrated. But some other countries can get the frozen.

    Here are some retailers near you that carry K 9 Natural Raw:
    http://www.k9natural.co.nz/Retailers-Wholesalers/Australia/pet-stores-nsw-australian-pets__I.3545

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Sharon… On a dry matter basis, the amount of protein, fat and carbs should always be the same. On an “as fed” (reconstituted) basis, you’ll have to contact the manufacturer for GA information.

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