You’ve probably seen packages of Vibrant Life dog food as you walk through the pet supplies aisle of your local Walmart shop.
The affordable price tag may have caught your attention as well as the brightly-colored packages. It looks nice, the price point is excellent, but you wonder if it’s good enough for your pup.
We’d like to know too. So we decided to take a closer look at its products. This Vibrant Life dog food review will delve deeply into the brand’s products and formulas to give you a better idea whether its foods are right for your dog.
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Vibrant Life Dog Food is made by Walmart and is a relatively new brand in the pet food market. Well, not that new.
The range landed on shelves way back in 2018 but it still has not quite achieved the popularity of other brands. The reason is that Vibrant Life’s pet products are exclusively sold in Walmart and nowhere else.
It prides itself on being a low cost brand that provides healthy nutrition for dogs without breaking the bank. All Vibrant Life products (pet food) contain grains as the brand focuses on them as its main source of carbohydrates for its formulations.
There is little information to be had about the brand itself, its manufacturing process, or where it sources the ingredients. It doesn’t have its own website, so the only details we can glean about Vibrant Life is through each dog food product we review.
IMAGE
PRODUCT
Vibrant Life Chicken & Rice Recipe
Crafted for all breeds and sizes
Zero corn or meat by-product meals
Recipe made from chicken and rice, and garden vegetables
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Soybean Meal, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine), Wheat Mill Run
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein 26%
Crude Fat 16%
Crude Fiber 4%
This recipe is crafted by Vibrant Life for adult dogs of all sizes and breeds. Like all dog food recipes by the brand, it has a meat-first formulation with chicken in the starring role.
The protein is at a nice level at 26%. However, there are too many grains in this food with the total number of carbohydrates overwhelming the protein.
Total amount of grain ingredients overwhelms the total protein content
Constantly out of stock
148 Walmart customers gave this dry food a combined rating of 4.7 out of 5. Many dog owners love the reasonable pricing of the formulation compared to comparable recipes of other dog food brands.
Several have also mentioned that their allergy prone pooches took well to this food and even gained weight in the process.
As for negative ratings, there are a few customers that complained their pups did not like the flavor. And several have mentioned that the meal can be hard to find since it is constantly out of stock.
2. Vibrant Life Small Breed Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Brewers Rice, Soybean Meal, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein 26%
Crude Fat 16%
Crude Fiber 4%
Smaller breed dogs need kibbles made specifically for their needs, not only nutrition-wise but also in other aspects like kibble size. The small size of the kibbles here are perfect for the little mouths of small breeds, enabling better chewing and digestion.
The l-carnitine in this Vibrant Life dog food is a welcome inclusion. This particular amino acid is essential in turning fat into usable energy and supporting heart health. (Certain small breeds are predisposed towards heart disease.)
Pros:
Chicken as the first ingredient
Inexpensive
Nice protein level
Cons:
Low-quality grains
Too many carbs
We can’t find any customer review for this dog food recipe for the reason that it is almost always unavailable. However, if we base our rating on the ingredients we’d give it a 3 out of 5 score.
While meat is the first ingredient, if you combine all of the carbs together, they will still overwhelm the amount of animal protein in the meal.
We do give positive marks to the dry food for the non-inclusion of toxic or harmful ingredients. You won’t find artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors here, nor carrageenan.
While the grains used may not be of premium quality, the food’s overall positive nutritional value is excellent.
3. Vibrant Life Beef & Rice
First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Brewers Rice, Soybean Meal, Chicken Meal, Wheat Mill Run
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein 26%
Crude Fat 16%
Crude Fiber 4%
Vibrant Life’s beef and rice flavored meal is perfect for red meat-loving canines. It is specifically formulated for adult dogs and is led by a premium meat ingredient — fresh beef. It has a nutrient profile that is above average and more than the minimum required by the AAFCO.
Pros:
Good for picky eaters
Beef as the first ingredient
No corn, meat byproduct, or artificial flavors/preservatives
Cons:
More grain ingredients than meat
Contains plenty of low-quality ingredients
The ratings of 99 customers gave this pet food recipe an average score of 4.7 out of 5. Several of the reviewers were happy that their dogs loved the taste, even the normally picky ones.
Some mentioned that it’s the only thing that didn’t make their pups sick (sensitive stomachs or skin), while a few others found that the food helped in giving their pets soft and shiny fur.
Most agreed that the recipe is a cost effective option for pet owners who want something nutritious but can’t afford the heavy price tag. Only a few gave it a low score, mostly for not containing enough information about the source of ingredients.
4. Vibrant Life Chicken, Oatmeal & Egg
First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Brewers Rice, Soybean Meal, Chicken Meal, Wheat Mill Run
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein 28%
Crude Fat 16%
Crude Fiber 4%
This puppy food offers little canines the nutrition and energy they need for their developing bodies. The protein level is a little higher than those for adult dogs but just right for a small dog’s diet because it provides all the fuel required for active play.
We welcome the inclusion of DHA in the food. It’s an omega-3 fatty acid that is important for your pup’s neural development, playing a vital role in his central nervous system and retinal functions.
Pros:
High protein content
Contains DHA
Oatmeal is a premium fiber source
Cons:
Contains about 36% carbohydrates versus 28% protein
So far there are only two reviews on this Vibrant Life dog food, which has garnered a low average rating of 2 stars out of 5 quite unfairly.
A three-star rating comes from a customer who wants the product to have more size options. According to her, the ingredients look pretty good for a store brand puppy food but it needs to come in bigger sizes because she prefers to buy in bulk.
The other customer rated the dog food a one star but did not state why.
5. Vibrant Life Country Chicken and Vegetable Stew
First 5 Ingredients: Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Meat By-products, Wheat Gluten
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein 8%
Crude Fat 2%
Moisture 82%
This Vibrant Life wet dog food recipe provides canines with the traditional taste of chicken but with healthy vegetables mixed in. It’s a formula that’s nutritionally balanced to provide all the needs of dogs of all life stages.
It’s meat rich, having three kinds of animal protein in the first five ingredients, and two of those are considered as premium meats.
However, there is also the inclusion of meat byproducts which, while supplying plenty of protein, don’t really inspire confidence in pet owners with sensitive dogs. (It doesn’t specify which animal meat has been used.)
Pros:
Three types of animal protein within the first 5 ingredients
Made for all life stages
Makes for convenient feeding
Cons:
Contains meat byproducts
Servings are too small
46 reviewers gave this dog food an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars. Verified purchasers said that it’s much healthier and better overall for a dog’s health.
The cups are also convenient for feeding pets and, apparently, dogs love the taste a lot since their owners report bowls are often licked clean.
Two people gave it one-star ratings because they said it smelled awful. There is one other negative complaint, from someone who rated the food three-stars. The serving cups are too small, which doesn’t really provide a better value for its cost.
6. Vibrant Life Homestyle Pot Roast Dinner & Gravy
First 5 Ingredients: Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Meat By-products, Wheat Gluten
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein 8%
Crude Fat 2%
Moisture 82%
This pot roast dinner gives dogs of all ages and breeds a nice and tasty meal reminiscent of yummy, home cooking. The savory canned pet food diet affords dogs the flavor of real beef with gravy for a sumptuous yet nutritious feast.
However, the flavor is kind of misleading. Beef is only the third ingredient, and chicken and chicken liver make up more of the dish. If your pup is sensitive to chicken, be warned.
The food also contains meat byproducts. Since the animal source of these meats have not been named, it’s best not to feed this to your dog who is sensitive to specific animal proteins.
Lots of animal proteins within the first five ingredients
Made with real beef
Cheaper compared with other dog food brands
Con:
Has meat byproducts
Despite the indicated flavor, there’s more chicken than beef
This Vibrant Life dinner has received 4.4 stars out of 5 from customers. (Since there’s only 1 review as of the moment for the individual packs, we gathered the customer reviews from Walmart’s wet food variety pack offering and a few other sources).
It’s reported by purchasers to be a hit with their dogs, even the finicky ones. The food is filling, but since it’s not full of carbohydrates, it helps keep pups at a manageable weight.
Among the negative reviews we’ve come across, there have been complaints that the package does not indicate where the product is made.
It only mentions who distributes it (Walmart), but there is no indication of what country the food is made in. And despite the flavor on the label that says pot roast, there is more chicken content in the dinner.
7. Vibrant Life Hearty Turkey & Vegetable Stew
First 5 Ingredients: Water Sufficient for Processing, Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Liver, Meat By-products
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein 8%
Crude Fat 2%
Moisture 82%
Vibrant Life Hearty Turkey stew is formulated to meet the dog nutrient profiles for maintenance established by the AAFCO.
It’s a rich stew that’s been crafted to keep dogs happy, energized, and healthy. It has a low calorie content and comes in an easy-to-use cup for convenient feeding.
We laud the animal protein content. There are four kinds of meat within the first five ingredients. Since this is canned food, water as the first ingredient is understandable.
However, we do need to point out that this product uses meat byproducts where you won’t know which animal part from which animal is included.
Pros:
Four out of the first five ingredients are meat
Only 83 calories per cup
Many dogs love the flavor
Con:
Contains meat byproducts
No indication where product ingredients are sourced
Like the other Vibrant Life dog food recipes, this one also gets a 4.4 score out of 5 from reviewers. Consumers mentioned that their dogs are happy with being switched to Vibrant Life wet food. Some of them used this recipe as a topper on dry kibble, which makes picky pups clean their bowls fast.
On the downside, some customers were unhappy that the brand isn’t more forthcoming about where it sources its ingredients for this pet food. They wish for more transparency about the manufacturing and sourcing process.
Vibrant Life Treats
1. Vibrant Life Golden Rewards Duck Jerky
All Ingredients: Duck Breast, Vegetable Glycerin, Salt
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein 60%
Crude Fat 1%
Moisture 16%
Vibrant Life Duck Jerky is a low fat but high-protein treat made with just three ingredients. There’s no need for artificial stuff when the jerkies provide enough natural flavors to entice your pup to sit, stay, and behave.
The average calorie breakdown is just 39.8 kcal per piece. Since the protein is so high, it can help fill your dog up between meals while giving him heaps of energy. There is not much risk of your dog gaining weight from this because of the low-fat content (1%), but try to dole out according to directions.
Pros:
Made up of three ingredients only
No artificial preservative
No low quality fillers
Cons:
Made in China
Some batches have hard pieces
This Vibrant Life recipe has one of the highest numbers of customer reviews and one of the highest ratings. 1443 consumers gave these treats an average of 4.8 out of 5.
Many feel confident that these snacks are healthy to give pets. Sensitive pups who would usually experience an allergic reaction to other meat-based treats did not react at all to these.
25 people gave these snacks a one-star rating. Several complained that the jerkies were rock hard and tough to chew. A few were also disappointed to find out that instead of being made in the USA as they first thought, the treats are made in China.
2. Vibrant Life Small Life Biscuit Wrapped with Chicken
Vibrant Life Small Biscuit treats are made with real chicken to provide your dog with a huge dose of meaty flavor and a large portion of protein to keep his energy up. There are only a total of eight ingredients in this food and none of them is artificial.
Chicken breast heads the list of ingredients, which we heartily approve of. There is no artificial stuff mixed in. Instead, the treats rely on the mixture’s natural flavors to entice your pup. We do have to note that there is sugar included, so take care to dole these out sparingly.
Pros:
No corn, soy, animal byproducts, or artificial ingredients
Comes in a handy resealable bag
A hit with finicky canines
Cons:
Too tough for little dogs to break down
Made in China
84 reviewers gave these dog treats a combined rating of 4.7 stars out of 5. According to dog owners, their dogs will ”go through fire for the treats.”
The chicken wrapped around the biscuits give the treats an interesting and tasty twist that makes them great as rewards for good behavior or as training treats.
Among the negative reviews, however, are complaints about the toughness of the snacks. Some dogs, particularly the small ones, have a hard time breaking them down and digesting them. The products are also made in China, which did not go over well with some consumers.
3. Vibrant Life Griller's Mark with Real Beef
First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Chicken, Rice Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Pea Protein
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein 20%
Crude Fat 10%
Moisture 24%
Vibrant Life Griller’s Mark is a savory snack that’s made with real beef and chicken. It can be used as a training treat, a reward for good behavior, or just because your dog is too cute to resist.
The treats also contain a powerful antioxidant ingredient in the form of cranberry, which makes the snacks even more nutritious.
While most of the ingredient makeup is good, there is one thing that we do not like in it. The snacks contain BHA, which is a synthetic type of antioxidant that doubles as a preservative.
While the FDA allows BHA to be added to dog food products, it is also listed in the state of California as one of several chemicals known to cause cancer.
Pros:
No artificial colors or flavors
Contains real beef and chicken
A hit with picky canines
Con:
Contains BHA, a synthetic preservative
Has sugar content
This dog food product only has 13 reviews so far but a majority of them gave the snacks a combined rating of 4.8 out of 5.
Most pet owners highly recommend the treats for being well-loved by their pooches. It has been reported to be a hit even with usually finicky pups, although we guess that the sugar in it is partly responsible.
There are no one- or two-star reviews. The most negative review comes from one person who gave it a 3-star rating but did not state why.
What Products Does Vibrant Life Offer?
As of the moment, the product range is pretty limited. The new brand recently added a few wet food recipes from its previously all dry dog food offerings, but the total dog food options number only seven. It does boast of a pretty solid treat lineup for pups who like to snack.
The pet food brand has been in the market for a relatively short time and has had no recall to date. However, it is under Walmart which has had several recalls in the past for its other dog food brands.
Conclusion: Is Vibrant Life A Good Dog Food?
If you’re planning to give your dog Vibrant Life products, we have to say that it’s not bad, but you can do a lot better.
Both the dry and wet food offerings contain things that are not what we’d call quality ingredients — meat byproducts, brewers rice, wheat meal run, soybean meal, and so on.
There is also a problem with transparency. Vibrant Life Dog Foods isn’t very forthcoming about where it gets its meats, produce, and so on. And we also have to say that knowing the brand’s treats are made in China isn’t very comforting.
As for price, there’s no denying that the dog foods are inexpensive. The treats are reasonably priced as well. That’s a big plus in the brand’s favor.
There are also lots of favorable reviews, so that’s another point. And we can’t forget that Vibrant Life’s formulas rely on natural flavors only and do not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
While you can find several not-so-favorable ingredients in Vibrant Life pet foods, we can’t say that there are harmful ones. Dogs can thrive on these foods and they have an attractive price point. But just don’t expect higher quality products.
A freelance writer and huge animal advocate, with 6 dogs and 3 cats. Graduated with a medical degree and is now spending time running a shelter and rescuing animals in need. Loves a good book, travel and spend time with family and pets.
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