Life 4 K9.....opinions please

[Woogie Man]

A pet food distributor I know e-mailed me letting me know he is now carrying Life 4 K9 foods and wanted my opinion on it. It must be a new brand as I couldn't find any info other than their web site. From looking at the ingredient list, I wouldn't change to it but it does seem like it might be a good choice for those looking for a low protein/fat food. I only found 1 online site selling it and it's priced at about $12 for a 5 pound bag but gets more reasonable as a 30 pound bag is under $40. They make lamb and chicken formulas and say a salmon formula is coming soon. They also make canned food. Could some of you foodies please check it out and offer your opinions? Here's the link...Thanks, all....Jim Life4k9 Dog Food Corporation

[Wylie's Mom]

No big red flags that I see. Their formulas contain fish, so I'd be asking about how they manage ethoxyquin. It's too bad that it contains flax, imo - but it's ubiquitous, unfortunately. It seems quite similar to other 21% diets. Personally, I think 21% protein level is low for canines. I'd be wondering where they manufacture it also.

[Woogie Man]

Thanks, Ann...yours is one opinion I was hoping to get. I didn't see any red flags either but also nothing that makes it a stand-out food. It does seem a bit more economical that other similar foods, at least if you get the big bag. They do mention it is a Whole Dog Journal recommended food but, then again, the WDJ also recommended the food I used to feed mine, which has menadione in it . I'm curious though, why you say it's too bad that there's flaxseed meal in it. Could you explain? Thanks....Jim

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

Thanks, Ann...yours is one opinion I was hoping to get. I didn't see any red flags either but also nothing that makes it a stand-out food. It does seem a bit more economical that other similar foods, at least if you get the big bag. They do mention it is a Whole Dog Journal recommended food but, then again, the WDJ also recommended the food I used to feed mine, which has menadione in it . I'm curious though, why you say it's too bad that there's flaxseed meal in it. Could you explain? Thanks....Jim

Yeah, I agree with you - nothing wrong with it, but not a stand-out food either. Whereas what you use, Natures Logic, has some clear stand-out ingredients.

I'm so confounded by flax in the canine diet. There are many dogs who actually cannot convert it - so then, they not only *don't* get the benefit of the Omegas, but then in turn it becomes yet another ingredient that makes them itchy...when most folks were wanting to give it in order to make them stop itching in the first place.

It's in pretty much all of the allergy foods, which just makes no sense to me at all. Of course, it's way cheaper to throw that in than a "safe" fish oil, so I think that's why it's so common. I know there are also concerns about fish oils, but for me - if I need Omegas for my dogs (and I do right now), I want a fish oil/borage oil combo bc I just think it has the best potential to do the most benefit and the least potential for causing more problems.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Yeah, I agree with you - nothing wrong with it, but not a stand-out food either. Whereas what you use, Natures Logic, has some clear stand-out ingredients.

I'm so confounded by flax in the canine diet. There are many dogs who actually cannot convert it - so then, they not only *don't* get the benefit of the Omegas, but then in turn it becomes yet another ingredient that makes them itchy...when most folks were wanting to give it in order to make them stop itching in the first place.

It's in pretty much all of the allergy foods, which just makes no sense to me at all. Of course, it's way cheaper to throw that in than a "safe" fish oil, so I think that's why it's so common. I know there are also concerns about fish oils, but for me - if I need Omegas for my dogs (and I do right now), I want a fish oil/borage oil combo bc I just think it has the best potential to do the most benefit and the least potential for causing more problems.

I thought as long as flaxseed was milled or ground they could handle it, they just couldn't digest the "whole" seed.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I thought as long as flaxseed was milled or ground they could handle it, they just couldn't digest the "whole" seed.

The whole vs. milled/ground (or oil) is just digestion - dogs and humans would just digest out whole seeds, without receiving the real benefit. But the actual conversion of the ALA to EPA and DHA cannot be done by many dogs - that's when problems arise and when you lose all of the anti-inflammatory properties you might be looking for. It could still be a source of fiber, but if you need it for skin or other anti-inflammatory issues - then it must convert for there to be any benefit.

And then it's also a grain derivative, which speaks for itself - for some dogs.

[Woogie Man]

Well, Ann, you've given me something to think about. Prior to your post, I've never seen anything negative about flax. Do you have any links to any info about this? I'm presently using organic flaxseed oil as a supplement for all my dogs and have noticed positive results, but if there's a clear advantage to using fish oil, then I would like to know about it. I always try to keep an open mind about these things so any new info is appreciated. My present understanding is that flaxseed oil contains the parent molecule for the 3 omega acids and that the body breaks it down in proportion to its needs so more of a balance is achieved. The 'grain' thing doesn't really bother me because, as far as kibble goes, something has to hold the food together and with grainless foods potatoes are used and I don't see where either grains or potatoes are part of the natural diet of dogs. I do understand, though, that grainless foods generally use high quality ingredients throughout while the same cannot be said for many foods that use grains. And, obviously, there are some very poor quality grains that are used in dog food. Sorry for digressing and I'm not trying to start The Great Food Debate all over again .

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

Well, Ann, you've given me something to think about. Prior to your post, I've never seen anything negative about flax. Do you have any links to any info about this? I'm presently using organic flaxseed oil as a supplement for all my dogs and have noticed positive results, but if there's a clear advantage to using fish oil, then I would like to know about it. I always try to keep an open mind about these things so any new info is appreciated. My present understanding is that flaxseed oil contains the parent molecule for the 3 omega acids and that the body breaks it down in proportion to its needs so more of a balance is achieved. The 'grain' thing doesn't really bother me because, as far as kibble goes, something has to hold the food together and with grainless foods potatoes are used and I don't see where either grains or potatoes are part of the natural diet of dogs. I do understand, though, that grainless foods generally use high quality ingredients throughout while the same cannot be said for many foods that use grains. And, obviously, there are some very poor quality grains that are used in dog food. Sorry for digressing and I'm not trying to start The Great Food Debate all over again .

The Great Food Debate, lol . It will never end, my friend!

Let me look at my links and see which ones relate to Omegas. I haven't dug them out for awhile.

[Wylie's Mom]

Sent you a long-winded PM, Jim .

[Woogie Man]

Thanks for the PM, Ann. It's very much appreciated. For me, when it comes to food and nutrition, there's no such thing as TMI.... Jim