Great Life (very unique)

[Davis]

Has anyone considered this food?  You must check this out.  This is a dry food that contains NO rendered meat or "meal".  Fabulous!  They also have a grain-free food.  Their foods contain raw freeze-dried meats layered over dry.  Very interesting and unique type of food.  On the expensive side, but still affordable.  I'm seriously considering this food as an addition to my cats diet, but I'm a bit apprehensive about some of the human and herbal ingredients.  However, this is an unusual, intriguing alternative food for those who feel uncomfortable with most commercial pet foods.  This food seems to have many of the qualities we've been looking for.  Is it finally "the one"?
Main website:  http://www.greatlife4pets.com/store/#

More variety here: http://www.1doctorschoice.com/GreatLifeCatFood.html

And here is the grain-free food.  Also contains good info on the potato trend:
http://www.1doctorschoice.com/GrainFree-CatFood.html

[Mary K]

Davis, I am posting the ingredients from Great Life. I contacted them and am awaiting a response-will let you know what I think then, Mary

Great Life Cat Food-16lbs     
$ 35.79

Product No.: Great Life Cat Food


Chicken

?Raw Food Layered on Wholistic Kibble
No Refrigeration Needed
Organics Inside / USDA Approved Ingredients
Meets all AAFCO Nutritional Requirements For All Life Stages

Raw Food:
Freeze Dried Chicken, Freeze Dried Muscle Meat (source of natural taurine), Freeze Dried Chicken Liver, Ground Chicken Necks, Bok Choy, Inulin, Green Tripe, Mixed Baby Sprouts
Full Spectrum Chelated Minerals, Coral Calcium + 74 Trace Minerals, Vitamins, Active Probiotics enclosed in Salmon OIl.
Wholistic Kibble
Whole Chicken, Whole Barley, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherals), Kelp, Flaxseed,Egg, Sweet Potatoes, Cranberries, Blueberries, Suncured Alfalfa Meal, Peas, Parsley, Garlic, Artichoke, Fennel, Rosemary
Analysis:
Protein (min) 32% Fat (min)20% Fiber(max) 3% Moisture (max) 10%
Raw Food : Moisture <3%
KCAL/cup 457

[Davis]

Thanks Mary!  Have you heard anything yet?  One of my concerns is the "muscle meat".  What is that?  They don't even say what type of meat it is.  I wrote them about that and they said it was beef, but I think they were referring to the grain-free cat food made with beef.   I also don't like the addition of garlic and some of those herbs/veggies that I'm not sure about.  But other than that, I may want to try this, depending on what you hear from them.

[Mary K]

Davis, They have not replied to my questions, which were "Where is your pet food manufactured/which plant?" and "How long have you been in business, and have you ever changed your name?" I am curious, wondering if this is a brand new post-recall company trying to get our business or a well-established one.

[Davis]

Mary, some of the answers to those questions are on their website.  They've been in business since 1996.  From what I've been able to gather, they are a small company with a loyal following of customers.  They are definitely not a post recall company and do not seem to be promoting themselves since the recall.  The "foods not on the recall list"  already states that they keep their manufacturer confidential (I'm not sure why some companies do this), so I would not expect them to answer that question, but they are not asscociated with Menu in any way.  I'm not sure the undisclosed manufacturer is enough to discourage me.  I'm trying not to be so overly paranoid that it prevents me from making good choices.  I'm more concerned with some of their ingredients:  garlic, undefined "muscle meat", alfalfa, cranberries, etc.  But the philosophy behind this food is definitely an insightful one.

I have found some more information.  The first link is another distributor for the food, and it lists the Great Life food under the company name of "MIRACLE MIX Pet Nutrition, A Division of Georgia Pet Food".  Perhaps Georgia Pet Food is the manufacturer?
http://www.miraclemix.com/index.html
Another email address is listed on that site.  It states that all inquires will receive a prompt response.  Maybe that would be a better place to seek information.  The website also includes a toll free phone number.

Here is an article that states this is one of the few kibbles that is highly recommended:
http://quikonnex.com/channel/item/26545

[Cindy Nevarez]

Hey, I just wanted to remind evryone that alfalfa and garlic are toxic to cats. This food has both in it.

[Davis]

Yes, I know.  That is why I still haven't taken the plunge.  They have a good idea, but they need to make some changes.  Maybe we need to let them know.

[garypen]

The fact that they don't know those things are bad for cats is not a good sign, in general.

[Davis]

Yes, I agree Gary.  I don't plan on trying this food anytime soon, because that same thought keeps creeping into my mind.  However, if you use that reasoning, then almost all of the companies have bad signs, even Natura.  Most all of them have, within their various lines of food, ingredients that are not good for the pets.  The only thing we can do is use the lines of food that we feel most comfortable with. 

[garypen]

I know. Even the ones I have chosen, I still have some reservations about. I will never be 100% trustful of any pet food company again. It's a damn shame.

But, I have to start with the ingredient list. If that's suspect, I'm definitely not gonna use it. Unfortunately, even if it looks good on paper, who knows if they are being honest, or if they changed their formula without changing the label?

[judyM]

http://www.greatlife4pets.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=127&XTCsid=8k1thk85ccvm4pissm7qj57jt0

Just went to their web site.  Chicken "treats" described as chicken "threats"!!

Mistake or warning?

[Cindy Nevarez]

A Freudian slip if I ever saw one!

[Davis]

Oh my gosh! That is absolutely hilarious. At least we have something to laugh about. I wonder if they've noticed. Maybe we should point it out to them, but then again, I kind of enjoy it. I can't stop laughing. I haven't laughed this hard since Gary's recommendation for Chocolate & Onion cat food, made by Menu, with 100% Chinese ingredients.

[Bonkers]

  Since all of the links that had previously been posted do no longer seem to be working, I thought I would update this thread with Great Lifes new link.   

http://www.doctorsfinest.com/