Rating: 
Life 4K9 dry dog food is awarded the Advisor’s mid-tier rating of 3.5 stars.
The Life 4K9 Dog Food product line includes two kibbles. Since we could not locate AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements for these products on the Life 4K9 website, we’re unable to report life stage recommendations.
The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review.
- Life 4K9 Lamb and Barley Dry Dog Food
- Life 4K9 Chicken and Barley Dry Dog Food
Life 4K9 Chicken and Barley dry dog food was chosen to represent both recipes in the line for this review.
Life4K9 Chicken and Barley
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Fresh chicken, chicken meal, barley, oats, whitefish meal, dicalcium phosphate, olive oil, tomato pomace, calcium carbonate, mineral oil, sodium bentonite crumble, calcium iodate, zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, iron proteinate, vitamin D3, vitamin A, vitamin E, niacin, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, vitamin B12, selenium, flax seed meal, sweet potatoes, rosemary extract, avocado oil, sage
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4.5%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 21% | 9% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 24% | 10% | 58% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 22% | 23% | 54% |
The first ingredient in this dog food lists chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken 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.
Which brings us to chicken meal… the second and (more likely) the dominant meat ingredient in this recipe.
Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The third ingredient lists 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 fourth item lists oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient is whitefish meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Unfortunately, the controversial chemical ethoxyquin is frequently used as a preservative in fish meals.
But because it’s usually added to the raw fish before processing, the chemical does not have to be reported to consumers.
We find no public assurances from the company this product is ethoxyquin-free.
Without knowing more, and based upon this fish meal’s location on the list of ingredients, we would expect to find at least a trace of ethoxyquin in this product.
The sixth ingredient is dicalcium phosphate… likely used here as a dietary calcium supplement.
The seventh ingredient includes olive oil. Olive oil is uniquely rich in monounsaturated fats. And (depending upon its quality) is prized for its multiple health benefits.
The eighth ingredient is tomato pomace. Tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient… a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.
Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content… while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.
Just the same, there’s probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.
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 four notable exceptions…
First, we note the inclusion of flaxseed… one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, plant-based oils (like flax) are less biologically available to a dog than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.
Next, we note that this recipe contains avocado oil… which can be considered controversial.
Supporters claim the ingredient to be nutrient rich and beneficial to a dog’s skin and coat… while others worry over what are mostly unsubstantiated concerns over potential toxicity.
These fears appear to originate from a 1984 study in which goats (not dogs) consumed the leaves (not the fruit) of the Guatemalan (not the Mexican) avocado… and became sick.1
Based upon our own review of the literature, it is our opinion that the anxiety over avocado ingredients in dog food appears to be unjustified.
Thirdly, we find no mention of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.
And lastly, this food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Life 4K9 Dry Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Life 4K9 Dog Food looks to be an above-average kibble.
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 10% and estimated carbohydrates of about 58%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 24% and a mean fat level of 10%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 58% for the overall product line.
Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
With so many meat-based ingredients on the list, we’re surprised to find the protein and fat levels so low. And the carbs so high.
In any case, based upon these percentages, this resembles the profile of a kibble containing a below-average amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Life 4K9 Dog Food is a grain-based kibble using a below-average amount of chicken or lamb meals as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand 3.5 stars.
Recommended.
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.
Other spellings: Life 4K9
Notes and Updates
04/17/2011 Original review
04/17/2011 Last Update
- Craigmill AL, et al. Toxicity of avocado (Persea americana, Guatamalan variety) leaves: review and preliminary report, Vet Hum Toxicol 1984;26:381 ↩
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.