Life Protection Formula is built around a deboned meat, usually chicken, followed by chicken meal or fish meal and then brown rice, barley and oatmeal. Chicken appears in 21 of the 28 kibbles and fish in 16, with egg, lamb, beef and turkey in fewer recipes. The 5 wet recipes all contain chicken.
Kibble protein runs from 18% to 29% as fed, and estimated starch from 33% to 49%. The kibble averages of 22.9% protein, 41.6% estimated starch and 372 kcal per cup compare with catalog kibble averages of 26.9% protein, 37.4% starch and 395 kcal. The wet recipes average 8.8% protein against a catalog wet average of 8.3%.
Every recipe lists peas or lentils, and our ingredient read flags grain and potato in all 33, including the three kibbles with Grain-Free in the name. The trade-off is less protein and more estimated starch than the typical kibble, most of all in the senior and weight recipes, in return for a wide spread of life stages and breed sizes.
| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Breed Puppy Chicken and Oatmeal Recipe | 29% | 17% | 33% | 417 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal |
| Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | 27% | 16% | 36% | 401 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken Recipe | 26% | 15% | 38% | 379 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Potatoes |
| Adult Small Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | 26% | 15% | 39% | 397 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Toy Breed Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | 26% | 15% | 39% | 415 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Puppy Lamb and Oatmeal Recipe | 26% | 16% | 37% | 407 | Deboned Lamb, Menhaden Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Oatmeal |
| Puppy Large Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | 26% | 15% | 38% | 386 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Small Breed Adult Healthy Weight Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | 25% | 10% | 41% | 345 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Adult Dog Grain-Free Chicken Recipe | 24% | 14% | 40% | 375 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Potatoes |
| Beef Recipe | 24% | 14% | 41% | 391 | Deboned beef, chicken meal, brown rice |
| Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | 24% | 14% | 41% | 377 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Adult Small Breed Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe | 24% | 16% | 40% | 388 | Deboned Lamb, Menhaden Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Brown Rice |
| Adult Small Bite Chicken and Brown Rice | 24% | 14% | 41% | 390 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Small Breed Adult Fish and Brown Rice Recipe | 24% | 14% | 42% | 383 | Whitefish, Menhaden Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Brown Rice |
| Small Breed Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | 23% | 13% | 42% | 371 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Adult Dog Grain-Free Lamb Recipe | 22% | 14% | 42% | 378 | Deboned Lamb, Lamb Meal, Potatoes |
| Adult Fish and Brown Rice Recipe | 22% | 14% | 43% | 379 | Whitefish, Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Brown Rice |
| Adult Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe | 22% | 14% | 43% | 378 | Deboned Lamb, Menhaden Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Brown Rice |
| Large Breed Adult Healthy Weight Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | 22% | 9% | 43% | 323 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Adult Large Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | 22% | 12% | 44% | 353 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Large Breed Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | 20% | 10% | 47% | 344 | Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice, Barley |
| Adult Healthy Weight Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | 20% | 9% | 45% | 326 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice |
| Large Breed Adult Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe | 20% | 12% | 46% | 365 | Deboned Lamb, Menhaden Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Brown Rice |
| Large Breed Adult Fish and Oatmeal Recipe | 20% | 13% | 45% | 358 | Whitefish, Menhaden Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Oatmeal |
| Lamb & Brown Rice | 19% | 10% | 39.5% | 339 | Deboned Lamb, Brown Rice, Oatmeal |
| Salmon & Brown Rice | 18% | 10% | 49% | 336 | Salmon, Brown Rice, Barley |
| Beef & Brown Rice | 18% | 10% | 42% | 348 | Deboned Beef, Brown Rice, Oatmeal |
| Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe | 18% | 10% | 49% | 357 | Deboned Chicken, Brown Rice, Barley |
| Line average | 22.9% | 13% | 41.6% | 372 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
29% protein · 17% fat · 33% starch · 417 kcal/cup · Puppy
This small breed puppy kibble has the most protein (29%), the most fat (17%), the least estimated starch (33%) and the most calories (417 kcal per cup) of the kibbles. Oatmeal replaces brown rice in its first five ingredients.
Full review of Small Breed Puppy Chicken and Oatmeal Recipe27% protein · 16% fat · 36% starch · 401 kcal/cup · Puppy
The all-sizes puppy kibble, with chicken, fish and egg, shows 27% protein, 16% fat and 36% estimated starch. At 401 kcal per cup it has fewer calories than the small breed puppy recipe at 417.
Full review of Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe26% protein · 15% fat · 38% starch · 379 kcal/cup · Adult
Potatoes, peas and pea starch follow chicken and chicken meal here instead of brown rice, and chicken is the only animal protein. Sold for small breed adults, it has 26% protein and 38% estimated starch, though our read still flags grain.
Full review of Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken Recipe26% protein · 15% fat · 39% starch · 397 kcal/cup · Adult
Chicken and chicken meal lead this small breed adult kibble, with fish and egg also listed. It has 26% protein, 15% fat and 397 kcal per cup, slightly fewer calories per cup than the Toy Breed version at 415.
Full review of Adult Small Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe26% protein · 15% fat · 39% starch · 415 kcal/cup · Adult
The only kibble here with turkey, alongside chicken and egg, sold for toy breed adults. It packs 415 kcal per cup with 26% protein and 39% estimated starch, suiting tiny dogs that eat small portions.
Full review of Toy Breed Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe26% protein · 16% fat · 37% starch · 407 kcal/cup · Puppy
The only puppy kibble led by lamb, with menhaden fish meal and egg also listed and oatmeal ahead of brown rice. It shows 26% protein, 16% fat and 407 kcal per cup for puppies of all sizes.
Full review of Puppy Lamb and Oatmeal Recipe26% protein · 15% fat · 38% starch · 386 kcal/cup · Puppy
Sold for large breed puppies, with chicken, fish and egg listed. It has 26% protein, 15% fat and 386 kcal per cup, fewer calories per cup than any other puppy kibble in the line.
Full review of Puppy Large Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe25% protein · 10% fat · 41% starch · 345 kcal/cup · Adult
Made for small breed adults that need weight control, it keeps protein at 25% while fat drops to 10%. Pea starch appears in the first five ingredients, and it has 345 kcal per cup with fish alongside chicken.
Full review of Small Breed Adult Healthy Weight Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe24% protein · 14% fat · 40% starch · 375 kcal/cup · Adult
Chicken and chicken meal lead, followed by potatoes, peas and tapioca starch, the only kibble here with tapioca starch in its first five ingredients. It shows 24% protein, 14% fat and 375 kcal per cup for adults of all sizes.
Full review of Adult Dog Grain-Free Chicken Recipe24% protein · 14% fat · 41% starch · 391 kcal/cup · Adult
This adult beef kibble puts deboned beef first and chicken meal second, with fish also listed. At 24% protein and 391 kcal per cup it has more protein and calories than the senior Beef & Brown Rice recipe.
Full review of Beef Recipe24% protein · 14% fat · 41% starch · 377 kcal/cup · Adult
The standard adult kibble, with chicken as the only animal protein and brown rice, barley and oatmeal behind chicken meal. Its 24% protein, 41% estimated starch and 377 kcal per cup sit close to the line's kibble averages.
Full review of Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe24% protein · 16% fat · 40% starch · 388 kcal/cup · Adult
Lamb, menhaden fish meal and egg are the animal proteins in this small breed adult kibble. It has 24% protein, 16% fat and 388 kcal per cup, more fat than the all-sizes adult lamb recipe at 14%.
Full review of Adult Small Breed Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe24% protein · 14% fat · 41% starch · 390 kcal/cup · Adult
It shares the chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley and oatmeal start of the standard adult kibble in a small bite size. It has 24% protein and 390 kcal per cup, more than the standard version at 377.
Full review of Adult Small Bite Chicken and Brown Rice24% protein · 14% fat · 42% starch · 383 kcal/cup · Adult
Whitefish and menhaden fish meal lead this small breed adult kibble, with chicken also listed. It shows 24% protein and 383 kcal per cup, and it is marked discontinued, so it may be hard to find.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Small Breed Adult Fish and Brown Rice Recipe23% protein · 13% fat · 42% starch · 371 kcal/cup · Senior
Sold for small breed seniors, it keeps chicken meal second, while the all-sizes and large breed senior chicken kibbles put grains there. It shows 23% protein, 42% estimated starch and 371 kcal per cup.
Full review of Small Breed Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe22% protein · 14% fat · 42% starch · 378 kcal/cup · Adult
Lamb and lamb meal lead, with lamb as the only animal protein, followed by potatoes, peas and pea starch. It suits adult dogs whose owners want a lamb-only kibble, at 22% protein and 42% estimated starch.
Full review of Adult Dog Grain-Free Lamb Recipe22% protein · 14% fat · 43% starch · 379 kcal/cup · Adult
Whitefish and fish meal lead this adult kibble for all sizes, with chicken also listed. At 22% protein, 14% fat and 379 kcal per cup, it suits owners who want fish first for an adult dog of any size.
Full review of Adult Fish and Brown Rice Recipe22% protein · 14% fat · 43% starch · 378 kcal/cup · Adult
Deboned lamb and menhaden fish meal lead this adult kibble for all sizes, ahead of brown rice, oatmeal and barley. It shows 22% protein, 14% fat and 43% estimated starch, with 378 kcal per cup.
Full review of Adult Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe22% protein · 9% fat · 43% starch · 323 kcal/cup · Adult
This large breed weight recipe has the fewest calories of the kibbles at 323 kcal per cup, with 9% fat and 10% fiber. Peas appear in its first five ingredients, and protein is 22% with 43% estimated starch.
Full review of Large Breed Adult Healthy Weight Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe22% protein · 12% fat · 44% starch · 353 kcal/cup · Adult
Sold for large breed adults, this kibble uses chicken as its only animal protein. It has 22% protein, 12% fat, 44% estimated starch and 353 kcal per cup, for big dogs not on a weight recipe.
Full review of Adult Large Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe20% protein · 10% fat · 47% starch · 344 kcal/cup · Senior
Sold for large breed seniors, it lists brown rice, barley and oatmeal ahead of chicken meal, giving 47% estimated starch with 20% protein. Chicken is the only animal protein, and calories are 344 kcal per cup.
Full review of Large Breed Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe20% protein · 9% fat · 45% starch · 326 kcal/cup · Adult
Made for adults that need weight control, it has 9% fat, 10% fiber and 326 kcal per cup, with pea fiber in the first five ingredients. Protein is 20% with 45% estimated starch, and chicken is the only animal protein.
Full review of Adult Healthy Weight Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe20% protein · 12% fat · 46% starch · 365 kcal/cup · Adult
Sold for large breed adults, it leads with deboned lamb and menhaden fish meal. It has 20% protein, 12% fat and 46% estimated starch, with 365 kcal per cup, for big dogs whose owners want lamb first.
Full review of Large Breed Adult Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe20% protein · 13% fat · 45% starch · 358 kcal/cup · Adult
Whitefish and menhaden fish meal lead, with fish as the only animal protein, in this kibble sold for large breed adults. It has 20% protein, 13% fat and 45% estimated starch, with oatmeal ahead of brown rice.
Full review of Large Breed Adult Fish and Oatmeal Recipe19% protein · 10% fat · 39.5% starch · 339 kcal/cup · Senior
Deboned lamb leads this senior kibble, with fish meal and chicken also listed, and its 15.5% fiber is the highest printed in the line. It pairs 19% protein with 39.5% estimated starch for older dogs whose owners want lamb first.
Full review of Lamb & Brown Rice18% protein · 10% fat · 49% starch · 336 kcal/cup · Senior
Salmon is the first ingredient and fish is the only animal protein, with brown rice, barley and oatmeal behind it. At 18% protein and 49% estimated starch, this senior kibble sits at the low protein, high starch end of the line.
Full review of Salmon & Brown Rice18% protein · 10% fat · 42% starch · 348 kcal/cup · Senior
Deboned beef leads this senior kibble, with chicken meal and fish also listed, and fiber is high at 14%. It shows 18% protein, 42% estimated starch and 348 kcal per cup for older dogs whose owners want beef first.
Full review of Beef & Brown Rice18% protein · 10% fat · 49% starch · 357 kcal/cup · Senior
This all-sizes senior kibble pairs 18% protein with 49% estimated starch, tying Salmon & Brown Rice for the most starch among the kibbles. Chicken is the only animal protein, with 357 kcal per cup.
Full review of Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Moisture | Kcal / kg | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homestyle Recipe (Large Breed) - Chicken & Garden Vegetables | 10% | 7.5% | 78% | 1,420 | Chicken, chicken broth, carrots |
| Homestyle Recipe Puppy Food - Chicken & Garden Vegetables | 9% | 6% | 74% | 1,402 | Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver |
| Homestyle Recipe Senior | 8.5% | 8% | 78% | 1,399 | Lamb, Chicken (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Chicken Broth |
| Homestyle Recipe Senior Turkey Vegetable Dinner | 8.5% | 7% | 78% | 1,228 | Turkey, Chicken (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Turkey Broth |
| Homestyle Recipe Grain-Free Senior - Chicken & Garden Vegetables | 8% | 6.5% | 78% | 1,155 | Chicken (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver |
| Line average | 8.8% | 7% | 77.2% | 1,321 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Wet food is mostly water, so compare it with other wet food only. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
10% protein · 7.5% fat · 503 kcal/can · Adult
This chicken and brown rice can is the only wet recipe sold for large breed adults. It has the most protein of the wet recipes at 10% and the most calories at 503 kcal per can.
Full review of Homestyle Recipe (Large Breed) - Chicken & Garden Vegetables9% protein · 6% fat · 497 kcal/can · Puppy
The only wet recipe sold for puppies, built on chicken, chicken broth and chicken liver. It has the least fat of the wet recipes at 6% and the lowest moisture at 74%, with 497 kcal per can.
Full review of Homestyle Recipe Puppy Food - Chicken & Garden Vegetables8.5% protein · 8% fat · 495 kcal/can · Senior
Lamb leads this senior can, with chicken second and beef liver also listed, making it the only wet recipe here with lamb or beef. At 8% fat it has the most fat of the wet recipes, with 495 kcal per can.
Full review of Homestyle Recipe Senior8.5% protein · 7% fat · 435 kcal/can · Senior
Turkey, turkey broth and turkey liver lead this senior can, the only wet recipe here with turkey, though chicken is the second ingredient. At 435 kcal per can it has fewer calories per can than the lamb senior can at 495.
Full review of Homestyle Recipe Senior Turkey Vegetable Dinner8% protein · 6.5% fat · 1,155 kcal/kg · Senior
Chicken, chicken broth and chicken liver lead this senior can, which has the least protein (8%) and the fewest calories (1155 kcal per kg) of the wet recipes. Despite Grain-Free in the name, our ingredient read flags grain, peas and potato.
Full review of Homestyle Recipe Grain-Free Senior - Chicken & Garden VegetablesNo recipe in the line counts as grain free in our read. Even Adult Dog Grain-Free Chicken Recipe, Adult Dog Grain-Free Lamb Recipe and Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken Recipe, which use potatoes and peas, are flagged for grain.
Among kibbles, Small Breed Puppy Chicken and Oatmeal Recipe has the most at 29%. Among wet foods, the Homestyle Recipe Large Breed Chicken & Garden Vegetables leads at 10%.
Yes, all 33 recipes list peas or lentils. Peas sit in the first five ingredients of the Grain-Free kibbles and of Large Breed Adult Healthy Weight Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe.
Protein runs lower than the average kibble we review (25.4% vs 30.1% on a dry matter basis).
Starch is higher than average, at 42% of the food as fed.
100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).
9% of recipes are grain-free.
this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,205 foods we review
Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out
Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.
These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.
MOST PROTEIN
Blue Life Protection Formula Small Breed Puppy Chicken and Oatmeal Recipe Dry Dog Food
32.2% dry matter
LEAST STARCH
Blue Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
36% as fed
FEWEST CALORIES
Blue Life Protection Formula Large Breed Adult Healthy Weight Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
323 kcal per cup
Dog food
Cub Size - Wild Chews
We keep reviews of discontinued recipes online, each with suggested replacements, because bags stay on shelves and in pantries for months.
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