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American Journey Dog Food Review 2024: Pros, Cons & Recalls

Last Updated on May 27, 2024 by Dogster Team

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Review Summary

We give American Journey dog food a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. 

Introduction

American Journey dog food has quickly become a favorite of dog parents everywhere. However, if you’re searching for it in your local pet store or even online, you’re not likely to find it. This brand of food for dogs is specific to Chewy.

Cutting out the middleman in the equation gives Chewy the chance to produce high-quality, nutritious dog food that rivals the competition’s prices. It helps that the company also offers an automatic system where you can set up your dog food to be delivered each month and not have to worry about it again.

What are the pros and cons of American Journey? Have there been any recalls? We’ll talk about that and more in the guide below.

At a Glance: The Best American Journey Dog Food Recipes:

The American Journey dog food line carries more than a few different formulas. You can find them on Chewy’s website at any time. We’ve listed our top four favorites below and will review some of them specifically later in our guide.

American Journey Dog Food Reviewed

While dog owners like that their dogs enjoy the taste of American Journey dog food, that’s not the only reason that modern pet owners are turning to the brand.

Other reasons include the convenience of ordering pet supplies online, the fact that it’s cost-effective, and Chewy has a much larger supply than you’ll find at a local brick-and-mortar store. However, you shouldn’t change your dog’s food just because of those reasons.

So, why should you switch your pet over to American Journey dog food? We’ll give you a few reasons, the pros, the cons, and more in our next sections.

Who Makes American Journey Dog Food, and Where Is It Produced?

As previously stated, American Journey dog food is made and owned by the online pet supplier Chewy.com . American Journey is Chewy’s house brand.

Most pet owners will be happy to know that the dog food is made right here in the United States, meaning you don’t have to worry about inferior ingredients. On top of that, you’re supporting your country when you purchase American Journey as well.

Which Type of Dog Is American Journey Dog Food Best Suited For?

Since American Journey is only sold online, you would think the choices would be limited. However, Chewy provides a wide variety of options with its dog food brand. You can find the popular dry food, wet food, and even treats for your dog.

At the moment, there are four options for American Journey dry dog food. These are Limited Ingredient, High-Protein, Brown Rice, and Grain-Free. When searching through the categories, you’ll find specific formulas designed for puppies, senior dogs, weight management, and large-breed dogs.

This means that American Journey has pretty much whatever you need to keep your dog healthy and happy in the dry food line, but there aren’t as many options for the wet food.

Which Type of Dog Might Do Better with a Different Brand?

The only place Chewy is lacking in its American Journey dog food lineup is small-breed dogs. Unfortunately, they don’t have small-breed formulas, but many pet owners don’t have a problem feeding their small-breed dogs traditional food. While it’s possible to do so, it might not be the best idea.

If you’re considering American Journey for your small breed dog, it’s best to consult with your vet before making the switch, just to be on the safe side.

Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)

As with all dog foods, American Journey has good and bad primary ingredients.

American Journey products contain at least 31% protein, which is essential for your dog to be healthy and happy. What we like about this brand is that the protein is most often featured as the first ingredient in their recipes.

As you know, fiber aids digestion, speeds up the process of elimination, and helps reduce or prevent constipation and diarrhea.

Fat and Carbs

Fat and carbs are essential to the health of your pet; American Journey contains 33% fat and 36% carbs.

A Quick Look at American Journey Dog Food

• Available online
• Autoship available
• Made in the USA
• Transparent ingredient sources
• Only available at Chewy
• Started in 2017
• No information on factory ownership available

Recall History

While there has been no recall history for American Journey dog food, it’s important to realize that the brand has only been around since 2017.

There is also no information on the factory or factories that produce this brand, and there’s no way to see if they have other products that have been recalled.

Reviews of the 3 Best American Journey Dog Food Recipes

While there are plenty of options on Chewy.com and for American Journey, we’ll give you a quick review of our favorites below.

1. American Journey Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

Our favorite blend of American Journey Dog food goes to the Chicken & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog Food . We like that deboned chicken is listed as the first ingredient, it has quite a few veggies and fruits, and it’s high in protein.

This is a grain-free recipe that is perfect for dogs with grain allergies, and it’s produced in the USA. It has 34% protein, 10% moisture, 15% fat, and 5% fiber.

The drawbacks we found were that this brand is only sold at Chewy, and some users reported their dogs didn’t really like the flavor of the blend. There have also been some concerns raised by the FDA about feeding dogs grain-free dog foods. Therefore, it’s best to consult your vet to determine if this is indeed the right way to go when feeding your pet.

• Deboned chicken listed as the first ingredient
• Contains veggies and fruits
• Made for dogs with grain allergies
• Produced in the US
• Extremely high in protein
• Sold only on Chewy.com
• Grain-Free concerns have been raised
• Some dogs didn’t like the flavor

2. American Journey Healthy Weight Formula

At number two on our list is the Healthy Weight Salmon & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dry Dog Food  because dogs seem to enjoy the taste and can lose weight at the same time. The first listed ingredient is fresh-caught salmon, which is an excellent source of protein for your pet.

Not only does the recipe promote healthy weight loss for your pet, but it’s also a great source of food for joint support as well. The breakdown of this blend includes 30% protein, 10% moisture, 9% fat, and a high 9% in fiber.

The high fiber content is a concern because it can lead to digestive issues in some dogs. Since it is grain-free, it could cause issues that the FDA is checking into, so consult your vet before feeding grain-free food to your pet.

• Salmon is the first ingredient
• Encourages weight loss
• Full of protein
• Produced in the USA
• Healthy joint support
• May cause digestive problems
• Only available on Chewy
• Grain-Free may pose a problem

3. American Journey Active Life Formula Dry Dog Food

Last but not least on our list is the Active Life Formula Salmon, Brown Rice, and Vegetable blend . This is another of the dry food lines, but it contains grains. It lists deboned salmon as the first ingredient on the list and has quite a bit more in the way of protein than other grain-inclusive dog foods on the market today.

It also contains its fair share of fruits and veggies and skips on soy, wheat, and corn. Active Life Formula has 25% protein, 6% fiber, 10% moisture, and 15% fat.

The recipe has pea protein listed pretty high on the ingredients list, and as with the other blends, it’s only available at Chewy.

• Salmon as first ingredient
• Made in the US
• Contains fruits and veggies
• Skips the soy, wheat, and corn
• Has quite a bit of protein
• Pea protein is high
• Available only at Chewy

What Other Users Are Saying

As with any other dog food , American Journey dog food has its share of reviews. However, the general consensus is that most pet owners are happy with the food and their dogs love the taste.

Of course, there are those who are worried about the grain-free controversy , and there are also those whose pets won’t eat the food. Also, some users are upset that the brand isn’t offered anywhere but on Chewy. However, all in all, the reviews are positive for American Journey.

It seems that American Journey is a huge hit with pet owners and their dogs. The only problem we have overall is that the food isn’t designed for small-breed dogs, but we hope that will change in the future.

If you’re searching for healthy dog food for your canine pal that is cost-effective and can be auto-shipped, American Journey could be the right choice for you.

• See also: Does A Dog’s Breed Determine Its Behavior?
• American Journey Dog Food Reviews
• American Journey Dog Food Review

About the Author

Patricia Dickson

Patricia is an experienced pet writer and lifelong animal lover. When she isn’t writing, Patricia enjoys spending time with her pets, cats Binx and Link and dog Mystery. Mystery and Link have been with her since birth. Binx was found under her house as a kitten and promptly welcomed into the family. Patricia enjoys volunteering at her local rescue shelter and sharing her extensive knowledge of pets.

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American Journey Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros, and Cons

By Nicole Cosgrove

Updated on Jan 12, 2024

We give American Journey dog food  a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Introduction

If you’re looking for American Journey dog food at your local supermarket or pet supply store, you’re looking in the wrong place. This brand of dry dog food is owned by Chewy, the popular online pet supply retailer, and is sold almost exclusively through the company’s website.

Since Chewy cuts out the middleman, the company is able to produce and sell its own products at a competitive price. Despite containing high-quality ingredients, these formulas are often significantly less expensive than the competition. Combined with the ability to give customers set-it-and-forget-it automatic pet food shipments, American Journey is certainly one of the most convenient pet food brands around.

Overall, these products are a great option for dogs requiring both grain-free and grain-inclusive diets. However, there are limitations on whether this brand is truly the best option for your canine companions.

At a Glance: The Best American Journey Dog Food Recipes

The American Journey dog food line includes dozens of different formulas, which can all be found on the Chewy website. However, to get you started on the right track, here are a few of the brand’s best formulas according to our research:

American Journey Dog Food Reviewed

There are many reasons that modern pet owners are turning to Chewy over traditional retailers. Not only is ordering pet supplies online more convenient than hauling giant bags of kibble from the store, but Chewy often offers better deals than its brick-and-mortar competitors.

But you shouldn’t switch your dog over to a new food just because of the convenience factor, especially since Chewy also sells many other dry dog food brands. So, is American Journey dog food worth giving a chance?

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Who Makes American Journey and Where Is It Produced?

As mentioned, the brand is owned by Chewy, Inc. All products are manufactured in the United States, with the use of both local and imported ingredients.

At this time, it is unclear who oversees the manufacture of American Journey products. While it’s known that American Journey products are produced in a third-party factory, no information is publicly available regarding who owns and operates these facilities.

Chewy itself was recently bought by PetSmart. As a result, some varieties of American Journey dog food can be found on the PetSmart website and in a handful of stores.

Which Types of Dogs Is American Journey Best Suited For?

While it would be easy for American Journey to limit its range of formulas, especially since it’s almost exclusively sold online, the brand actually offers an impressive variety. Although American Journey’s dry food formulas are its most popular offering, the brand also includes wet food and a variety of treats.

When it comes to American Journey dry food recipes, there are currently four different lines: Grain-Free , Limited Ingredient , Brown Rice , and High-Protein . Within these product lines, you’ll also find formulas specifically designed for weight management, puppies, large breeds, and senior dogs.

American Journey wet food currently comes in Grain-Free and Limited Ingredient formulas, though the selection is still extremely limited compared to the brand’s dry food line.

Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better With a Different Brand?

The most notable gap in American Journey’s dog food catalog is a lack of small breed-specific formulas. Although many owners have no issue feeding their small and toy breeds traditional dog food, these formulas often aren’t ideal.

If you’re looking for high-quality, small-breed dog food, then some better options might be the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dog Food or the Nutro Wholesome Essentials Small Bites Dry Dog Food .

A Quick Look at American Journey Dog Food

Calorie breakdown:.

• Manufactured in the United States
• Ingredient sources are fairly transparent
• Available online with auto-ship
• No known recall history
• Variety of specialized formulas
• Only available from Chewy.com and PetSmart
• No information is available about factory ownership
• Brand has only existed since 2017

American Journey Dog Food Recall History

Currently, there have been no recalls of American Journey brand products. Since American Journey is a very young brand, having only been started in 2017, its lack of recalls isn’t surprising.

Since no information is available on the company’s third-party manufacturer, there is no way of knowing if other products made by this factory have ever been recalled.

Reviews of the 3 Best American Journey Dog Food Recipes

While you can find the complete range of American Journey dog food products on Chewy.com , let’s take a closer look at three of the best-selling formulas:

1. American Journey Healthy Weight Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Salmon & Sweet Potato)

The American Journey Healthy Weight Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is one of the most popular formulas offered by the brand, combining lower calories with increased fiber to encourage healthy weight loss and maintenance. It also contains L-carnitine, which is a popular supplement for improved metabolic health.

This particular formula is fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin, both of which help support healthy joints. While all dogs can benefit from these nutrients, they’re especially important for large and giant breeds.

The first ingredient of the Salmon & Sweet Potato recipe is real salmon, followed by turkey meal and chicken meal. The minimum nutritional breakdown of this recipe includes 30% protein, 9% fat, 9% fiber, and 10% moisture. The real salmon and chicken meal give this dry dog food a flavor most dogs will enjoy.

Since this formula is only sold on Chewy.com, you won’t find many third-party customer reviews. However, you can still see what other owners have to say by reading the Chewy.com reviews .

• Good source of protein
• Real salmon is the first ingredient
• Made in the U.S.A.
• Balanced nutrition to encourage weight loss
• Supports healthy joints
• Only available from Chewy.com
• High fiber content may cause digestive issues
• Subject to grain-free diet controversy

2. American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Chicken & Sweet Potato)

If your dog requires a grain-free diet without restricted calories, the American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is another popular formula. This formula replaces traditional carbohydrate sources like wheat and corn with sweet potatoes, peas, and other dog-approved vegetables. It also includes a variety of omega fatty acids, including DHA, and antioxidants.

The Chicken & Sweet Potato flavor features deboned chicken as the top ingredient, followed by chicken meal and turkey meal. Even with the amount of turkey and chicken meal, this particular recipe includes a minimum of 34% protein, 15% fat, 5% fiber, and 10% moisture.

In addition to checking out Chewy customer reviews , the PetSmart website also features consumer reviews for this product.

• Very high in protein
• Deboned chicken is the first ingredient
• Includes a range of fruit and vegetables
• Ideal for dogs with grain allergies
• Only sold by Chewy and PetSmart
• Subject to grain-free concerns
• Some dogs dislike the flavor

3. American Journey Protein First Recipe Dry Dog Food (Salmon & Brown Rice)

Generally, grain-inclusive food is better for the average dog than a grain-free formula. The American Journey Protein First Recipe Dry Dog Food utilizes healthy whole grains while keeping the protein content as high as possible. While grains serve as the primary carbohydrate source, this food still contains a variety of vegetables and fruit like carrots, blueberries, and cranberries.

The Salmon & Brown Rice recipe features deboned salmon as the top ingredient, followed by menhaden fish meal and brown rice. Regarding the nutritional breakdown, you’ll find a minimum of 25% protein, 15% fat, 6% fiber, and 10% moisture.

Since this particular formula is available from Chewy.com and PetSmart , we encourage you to read customer reviews from both websites.

• More protein than other grain-inclusive formulas
• Deboned salmon is the top ingredient
• Includes several fruit and vegetables
• Does not contain corn, soy, or wheat
• Pea protein is high on the ingredient list
• Only available from Chewy and PetSmart

What Other Reviewers Are Saying About American Journey Dog Food

As with any new dry dog food brand, the launch of American Journey by Chewy piqued the interest of countless professional reviewers and fellow dog owners. Here’s what other sources think about the brand:

Pet Food Reviewer : “The nutrition offered by American Journey’s dry dog food products varies but is generally above average. […] This nutrition is especially impressive when you consider the price point of American Journey which is significantly lower than many of its competitors.”

Dog Food Guide : “We are happy to recommend the high protein grain-free foods but we have some reservations about the other formulas.”

DogFoodAdvisor : “Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas, chickpeas, pea protein, and flaxseed, this looks like the profile of a dry product containing a significant amount of meat.”

The American Journey brand is Chewy’s first foray into manufacturing and selling an in-house line of products. Because of the company’s structure, this also means that this dog food is notably less expensive than its competitors, while still using high-quality ingredients within its formulas.

But if you’re considering making the switch to this brand just for the convenience of home delivery, it’s important to keep in mind that most pet food brands are available on Chewy.com . Even if your dog’s current food is slightly more expensive than American Journey, you’re probably better off sticking to what’s tried and true. We hope that you gained some insight from our American Journey Dog Food Review.

• See also: Chewy vs Amazon: Which Online Pet Store is Better

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American Journey

American journey information.

American Journey is Chewy’s own brand of pet food. American Journey is a relatively young brand and was created and distributed after Chewy has experienced success and growth by selling other brands’ products.

Chewy offers some considerable discounts on American Journey, which can make it extremely affordable. These discounts can also be combined with further discounts such as Autoship and free delivery. You can learn more about Chewy’s Autoship offer here .

For these reasons, American Journey is very popular among dog owners on a tight budget or dog owners with multiple large breed dogs who require a substantial volume of dog food.

Sadly,  there is limited information on who manufacturers American Journey products; however, it is known that some of their recipes are produced in a facility in Kansas. Most of their ingredients are also sourced from within the United States, but a select few are sourced from other countries.

American Journey used to be sold exclusively on Chewy’s website. However, recently, Chewy was acquired by PetSmart, and as a consequence, some of American Journey’s recipes are now sold on the PetSmart website as well as in select stores.

The purchase of Chewy was controversial and led to some brands such as Acana , Orijen , and Fromm to pull their products from Chewy. This withdrawal was as these brands did not want to support or have their products associated with large brands and retail stores.

American Journey Product Range

Given the relatively short period that American Journey has been in production, its dog food product range is quite substantial.

The bulk of American Journey’s recipes consist of traditional dry dog food, some of which are grain-free and some of which are not. There is also limited ingredient dog food, puppy food, large breed dog food, and senior dog food, among a few other niche ranges.

By hitting all of niche markets and groups, American Journey can appeal to almost all dogs regardless of age, size, or activity.

In addition to dry dog food recipes, American Journey produces a smaller selection of canned dog food and dog treats. Many of the canned dog food recipes mimic or are similar to dry food recipes, which may enable you to pair them up.

American Journey’s cat food product range is noticeably smaller than its dog food range but still has some variety.

It includes a moderate selection of dry food recipes and a more extensive selection of canned cat food recipes. The canned recipes are split between a number of styles, including stews, pate’s, and “in gravy” recipes.

American Journey recently expanded this cat food range to include some niche recipes such as those for Kittens and for Indoor cats. We strongly believe that American Journey will continue this expansion in the future to other niche products.

We should also point out that Chewy has another private label cat food brand exclusive to their website called  Tiny Tiger , which specializes in wet cat food recipes.

American Journey Nutrition

The nutrition offered by American Journey’s dry dog food products varies but is generally above average when compared to other brands.

Some of their lower-cost formulas have a nutritional profile that is acceptable to lesser or average activity dogs, but some of their premium and grain-free formulas have excellent nutrition, which is high in protein and fat.

This kind of nutritional profile would be suitable for dogs of all activity levels, including those who are very active.

This nutrition is especially impressive when you consider the price point of American Journey, which is significantly lower than many of its competitors.

The below example is the calorie breakdown of their Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato recipe.

However, American Journey does use some less than ideal or favored ingredients in order to achieve this nutritional profile. Some of these will be discussed in our Ingredient Section.

If you would like to learn more about canine nutrition, we highly recommend you read our Dog Food Guide .

The nutrition offered by American Journey cat food also varies, in a similar fashion to the dog food range, but is generally above average.

This is especially true of their canned cat food products, which are very high in protein and fat.

This kind of nutritional profile is appropriate for cats who are obligate carnivores and do best on a diet high in animal or fish-based ingredients with minimal plant-matter.

If you are interested in learning more about feline nutrition, head over to our Cat Food Guide .

American Journey Ingredients

American Journey uses a variety of high-quality meat and fish ingredients. Some of these are listed below.

High-Quality Meat & Fish Ingredients

While this list is not as expansive as some of American Journey’s competitors, it is still varied and includes all the typical meat and fish ingredients used in dog food.

These sources can provide high-quality and highly digestible protein and fat, which is a vitally important component of a dog or cat’s diet.

Some of these ingredients, such as Duck or Venison, could be considered uncommon and are used by some brands as novel meats. Novel meat diets are given to dogs with severe allergies who can not cope with traditional meat and fish ingredients.

Learn more about novel meat diets in our article Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods Guide .

American Journey makes use of Menhaden Fish Meal . This is a common ingredient in dog food and is used to boost the proportion of animal protein and fat without splashing out on more expensive ingredients.

Find out more about Menhaden Fish Meal in our article  Menhaden Fish Meal in Dog Food .

Chicken Fat is being commonly added to many dog food recipes, including those that do not contain whole chicken or chicken meal. The primary reasons for its inclusion are to boost the proportion of animal fat and to improve the taste and palatability of a dog food recipe.

Learn more in our article, Chicken Fat In Dog Food .

Low-Quality Plant-Based Ingredients

• Pea Protein
• Brewers Rice

Sadly, American Journey makes use of Pea Protein in some of its formulas. Pea Protein is the most common low-quality or controversial ingredient that is used in dog food. It is a by-product and has a very high proportion of plant-based protein.

It is often used by manufacturers to boost the overall proportion of protein in a formula without requiring additional meat or fish ingredients.

Find out more about Pea Protein and other Pea By-products in our article Peas, Pea Protein, Pea Flour, and Pea Fiber in Dog Food .

A small number of American Journey products use Rice Bran and Brewers Rice . Rice Bran and Brewers Rice are low-cost, low-quality, rice-based ingredients that are commonly found in cheap dog food. Unfortunately, they do not provide much nutritional value and are described by some as floor sweepings.

Find out more about these two ingredients in our articles  Brewers Rice In Dog Food & Rice Bran In Dog Food .

Other Notable Ingredients

• Tomato Pomace

Tomato Pomace is a common ingredient in dog food but is one that is considered by some to be controversial. It is included to add soluble fiber, which can aid a dog’s digestion to make it more regular and consistent. However, some think it is a filler and are concerned about pesticides.

Find out more in Tomato Pomace as a Pet Food Ingredient? .

Beet Pulp is less common than Tomato Pomace but is used for the same purpose. It can provide dietary fiber for digestion. Beet Pulp is very misunderstood and actually has had all its sugar content removed.

Read more about Beet Pulp in  Dried Beet Pulp In Dog Food .

Alfalfa and Flaxseed are two dietary supplements that are commonly used in dog food, and American Journey uses them throughout their product range. They can provide some health benefits and nutrients, including the Omega Fatty Acids and some vitamins and minerals.

Learn more about these in our articles  Flaxseed In Dog Food & Alfalfa In Dog Food .

American Journey Animal Testing

We currently have no information on whether American Journey participates in the testing of their products on animals in a laboratory or in an intrusive manner.

However, it is likely that American Journey participates in some type of feeding trials to test their products. The treatment and welfare of animals involved in feeding trials vary, which can make it a concern.

We strongly believe that invasive or laboratory testing of animals is an outdated and cruel practice and one which we hope will be eliminated or severely reduced in the coming years.

American Journey Recalls

Based on our research ( FDA , AVMA , DogFoodAdvisor ), we have no information that leads us to believe that any American Journey products have ever undergone a recall.

Given the young age of the brand, this does not represent a significant trend or pattern, but we hope that American Journey takes the safety and quality control of their products seriously, especially given how fast the brand and its product range has grown over the last few years.

To keep up to date on recalls, regularly check reputable pet food sites that list and detail recall.

Despite American Journey’s recall-free record, we always recommend that pet owners remain vigilant of any future recalls of American Journey or any other brand.

Best of American Journey

Salmon & sweet potato recipe review.

One of American Journey’s best dry dog food recipes is Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato. As the name might suggest, the formula’s primary ingredient is Salmon, but it also makes use of poultry ingredients like Chicken and Turkey.

This mix of poultry and fish provides a satisfactory proportion of protein, and fat, in particular, the Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Salmon is a fantastic source of these fatty acids, which can provide a range of health benefits that should not be ignored.

Sweet Potatoes are the primary vegetable ingredient and are a very dense source of carbohydrates. However, they are not the only vegetable ingredient present as Peas and Chickpeas are also present.

Sadly, this formula, like many others by American Journey, makes use of Pea Protein. Pea Protein inflates the overall level of protein in a dog food formula and is inferior to animal or fish-based protein.

Lamb & Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe Review

American Journey has two very similar puppy recipes, Turkey & Sweet Potato and Lamb & Sweet Potato. Both recipes provide a very satisfactory proportion of protein, which will be used to enable a puppy’s growth.

This protein is from the generous portions of meat ingredients present, such as Turkey, Lamb, and Chicken. The formulas also contain Sweet Potatoes, Peas, and Chickpeas, which are all considered high-quality carbohydrate-providing ingredients.

Unfortunately, American Journey’s puppy recipes have a low proportion of fat in comparison to their rivals.

While a high portion of fat isn’t needed in a puppy’s diet, it is preferred to excessive levels of carbohydrates.

Chicken & Turkey Recipe Review

The above mentioned Chicken & Turkey recipe is straightforward and only contains a few notable ingredients.

The majority of the formula is made up of poultry ingredients such as Whole Chicken, Whole Turkey, and Chicken Liver. This Chicken and Turkey provide the bulk of the recipes protein and fat content, while the Chicken Liver can provide some vitamins and minerals that traditional meat cuts lack.

The formula also includes a small portion of White Potatoes. We don’t believe that White Potatoes are the most appropriate carbohydrate ingredient for dog food, but given the small portion size here, you should not be overly concerned.

Potatoes can offer a small number of other micronutrients and dietary fiber and should, therefore, be considered a step up from low-quality fillers.

Salmon Recipe Review

The four dry cat food recipes from American Journey are incredibly similar. They all offer identical nutrition, which is high in protein as well as providing a moderate proportion of fat. The only difference between them is what meat or fish ingredients they choose to utilize.

This is where the Salmon recipe comes out slightly ahead. As discussed in relation to dog food, Salmon can provide a high level of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

These fatty acids offer a number of health benefits. The level of these fatty acids in the salmon recipe compared to the other recipes is as much as three times more concentrated.

The dry cat food recipes also include Tapioca , Peas , Menhaden Fish Meal , Canola Oil , and Flaxseed . All of these ingredients are very regular features in dog and cat food.

Sadly some of these ingredients are vegetable by-products such as Pea Protein. These are not ideal ingredients in a cat’s diet. However, their inclusion is not surprising given American Journey’s price range.

Minced Turkey Recipe In Gravy Review

There is more variety available in American Journey’s wet cat food range. This variety includes “in gravy” recipes, which come out as our favorite of the bunch.

The nutrition offered by the above-mentioned Turkey Recipe In Gravy is fantastic and is almost entirely protein and fat, which is the ideal nutritional profile for a cat.

This protein and fat in this recipe is provided by Turkey, Turkey Liver, and Egg Whites. These are high-quality sources of nutrition, especially the Turkey Liver, which can provide additional nutrition in the form of less common vitamins and minerals.

The recipe does contain a small portion of Peas, but this portion is small enough that it is not worthy of concern or worry.

American Journey Featured Articles

Best Dry Dog Food – In one of our most in-depth articles, we discuss dry dog food, which is the most popular variety. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages, along with key traits.

Finally, we recommend a large range of dry dog recipes, including one from American Journey.

Best Cheap Dog Food – Many dog owners are on a tight budget but don’t want to have to feed their canine friend low-quality or junk dog food.

This article discusses what to look out for and makes some recommendations, including some American Journey products.

Best Puppy Food – A nutritious and high-quality diet during the puppy stage of a dog’s life is critical to their long term health and happiness.

This article discusses the differences between adult and puppy food before it suggests some of the best puppy food recipes on the market.

Best Canned Dog Food – Canned food is often neglected by many dog owners but can be used as a dog’s primary food source or as a treat or reward.

This article discussed the differences between dry and canned food and showcases a variety of recipes.

Best Senior Dog Food – While not all dog owners opt to transition their dogs to a senior recipe, it is a growing trend. Senior recipes are tailor-made to aid aging dogs and some of the health issues they encounter.

Be sure to check this article out if you think your senior dog could benefit from a switch.

Best Dog Food With Salmon – Salmon is a fantastic ingredient that can provide dogs with high-quality protein and fat and a high portion of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

This article discusses this and highlights some of the best Salmon focused formulas on the market.

Best Non-Grain Free Dog Foods – While grain-free dog food has seen a huge surge over the last two decades, there are many dog owners who wish to stick with grain ingredients.

In this article, we discuss this and recommend some grain-inclusive dry dog food recipes from several brands, including American Journey.

Best Dog Food Made In The USA – Many Americans are looking to purchase US-based products wherever possible, and dog food is no exception.

In this article, we discuss the benefits of dog food made in the USA and recommend our favorite recipes. American Journey recipes are made in the USA, which earns them a spot here.

Best Cat Food Made In The USA – Similar to above, consumers are also looking to purchase US-made cat food recipes.

There is a huge number of US-based cat food brands, including American Journey, and we recommend a variety of recipes.

Best Dog Food With Chicken and Rice – Chicken and Rice dog food recipes have been a staple for decades. They are often given to dogs who need simple diets or who have digestive issues.

In this article, we discuss the benefits and uses of Chicken and Rice recipes and give a lengthy list of recommended recipes from a number of brands.

Best Dog Food With Lamb And Rice – Similar to above, Lamb and Rice is another staple of the industry, although not as popular as Chicken and Rice.

American Journey, along with several other brands, features in our recommendations of high-quality Lamb and Rice recipes.

Best Dog Food With Lamb – Lamb is a relatively uncommon food in many parts of North America, but it does consistently feature in dog food recipes.

It offers a rich flavor and excellent nutrition, which can make it a good choice for some dogs. In this article, we discuss Lamb and showcase a number of Lamb recipes, including one from American Journey.

Best Dog Food With Duck – Similar to above, Duck is another ingredient that is rarely eaten in North America but is often seen in dog food recipes.

American Journey is one of a select number of brands to use Duck, and their Duck recipe features here.

Best Dog Food For Border Collies – Border Collies are a distinctive dog breed that is best known for herding Sheep. They are often extremely active and so need an appropriate diet high in protein and fat.

In this article, we discuss the nutritional needs of Border Collies and recommend some dog food recipes, including a high protein recipe from American Journey.

American Journey Full Product Range

Dry dog food.

Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe

Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe

Large Breed Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

Large Breed Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

Lamb & Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe

Chicken & Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe

Chicken & Sweet Potato Large Breed Puppy Recipe

Healthy Weight Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

Chicken & Sweet Potato Senior Recipe

Active Life Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Active Life Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Active Life Beef, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Active Life Lamb, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Active Life Large Breed Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Active Life Large Breed Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Active Life Large Breed Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables Puppy Recipe

Active Life Large Breed Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Puppy Recipe

Active Life Small Breed Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Active Life Small Breed Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Active Life Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables Puppy Recipe

Active Life Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Puppy Recipe

Active Life Healthy Weight Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Active Life Healthy Weight Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Active Life Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables Senior Recipe

Active Life Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Senior Recipe

Limited Ingredient Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

Limited Ingredient Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe

Limited Ingredient Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe

Limited Ingredient Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe

Limited Ingredient Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe

Landmark Plateau Blend With Angus Beef and Pork

Landmark Delta Blend With Rainbow Trout and Herring

Landmark Trailhead Blend With Cage-Free Chicken & Turkey

Canned Dog Food

Chicken & Vegetable Stew

Beef & Vegetable Stew

Beef & Chicken Recipe

Chicken & Turkey Recipe

Limited Ingredient Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

Beef Recipe Training Bits

Salmon Recipe Training Bits

Chicken Recipe Training Bits

Oven Baked With Peanut Butter

Oven Baked Lamb Recipe

Oven Baked Chicken Recipe

Oven Baked Salmon Recipe

Oven Baked Turkey Recipe

Snacking Sticks Lamb Recipe

Snacking Sticks Chicken Recipe

Snacking Sticks Beef Recipe

Soft Baked Beef Recipe

Soft Baked Chicken Recipe

Soft Baked Turkey Recipe

Chicken Jerky

Turkey Jerky

Limited Ingredient Lamb & Sweet Potato

Limited Ingredient Lamb Recipe

Limited Ingredient Duck Recipe

Limited Ingredient Salmon Recipe

Trail Bites Peanut Butter Flavor

Trail Bites Salmon Recipe

Trail Bites Chicken Recipe

Large Dental Treats Mint Flavor

Medium Dental Treats Mint Flavor

Extra Small Dental Treats Mint Flavor

Small Dental Treats Mint Flavor

Large Dental Treats Original Flavor

Medium Dental Treats Original Flavor

Small Dental Treats Original Flavor

Extra Small Dental Treats Original Flavor

Landmark Beef Recipe

Landmark Lamb Recipe

Landmark Salmon Recipe

Landmark Chicken Recipe

Landmark Freeze-Dried Chicken Treats

Landmark Freeze-Dried Beef Treats

High-Protein Biscuits Chicken Recipe

Dry Cat Food

Turkey & Chicken Recipe

Salmon Recipe

Chicken Recipe

Duck Recipe

Kitten Chicken Recipe

Indoor Recipe With Chicken

Indoor Recipe With Turkey & Chicken

Canned Cat Food

Chicken Pate Recipe

Turkey Pate Recipe

Salmon Pate Recipe

Chicken & Tuna Pate Recipe

Beef & Chicken Pate Recipe

Turkey & Salmon Pate Recipe

Kitten Chicken Pate Recipe

Indoor Chicken Pate Recipe

Minced Salmon & Tuna Recipe In Gravy

Minced Chicken Recipe In Gravy

Minced Chicken & Tuna Recipe In Gravy

Minced Chicken & Turkey Recipe In Gravy

Minced Chicken & Salmon Recipe In Gravy

Minced Turkey Recipe In Gravy

Minced Turkey & Salmon Recipe In Gravy

Minced Kitten Chicken Recipe In Gravy

Minced Indoor Chicken Recipe In Gravy

Landmark Chicken & Turkey Recipe In Broth

Landmark Chicken Recipe In Broth

Landmark Tuna & Tilapia Recipe In Broth

Landmark Mackerel & Tuna Recipe In Broth

Landmark Chicken & Vegetables Recipe In Broth

Landmark Salmon Recipe In Broth

Landmark Broths Chicken, Carrots, and Pumpkin Recipe

Landmark Broths Tuna, Shrimp and Whitefish Recipe

Landmark Broths Tuna Anchovies and Whitefish Recipe

Landmark Broths Salmon, Tomatoes & Kale Recipe

Freeze-Dried Chicken Treats

Freeze-Dried Salmon Treats

My cats love the dry chicken food. When a neighbor mixed this with a cheap dry food they will not eat! So I bought more today and went on Chewys autoship. I made my neighbor pay for it!

I bought two bags of dog food at petsmart today, opened one found a maggot, returned got a different bag had more maggots and spiderwebs

American Journey is a misnomer. It is from Thailand.

You cannot buy American Journey at Pet Smart, it is available only from Chewy.

That is not true Michelle, you can find American Journey products here – https://www.petsmart.com/featured-brands/american-journey/

I buy the grain free red meat one. I love the huge discount for the first one offer (just make a new account with a fake email) and use a $15 off $50 coupon. Those go for $4 on Ebay. American Journey at roughly half price is great!

I believe it has changed whether you can get AJ at petsmart, if you search in their website, nothing comes up. Chewy has also gotten very slow about their shipping, it used to come super fast but now has a huge lag time, which makes it hard if you do run out early bc you can not pick some up at petsmart.😟. If anyone has found it elsewhere please let me know, do foods can be tricky but I have found AJ to be the beat overall.

Sorry Zasu, I do not think it’s ethically right to cheat. You actually stole the 2nd one and telling others to do the same. You got the one offer honestly. And selling the coupon essentially takes something you were given to be used in your offer. Be satisfied.

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• Safety & Health

Recalls & Withdrawals

Recalls – of which there are three types – are actions taken by a firm to remove a product from the market. Recalls may be conducted on a firm's own initiative, by FDA request, or by FDA order under statutory authority.

How to Report a Pet Food Complaint How to Report Animal Drug Side Effects and Product Problems

Recalls Archive

A Terminated Recall is a recall where the FDA has determined that all reasonable efforts have been made to remove or correct the violative product in accordance with the recall strategy, and proper disposition has been made according to the degree of hazard. Recalls that are not indicated as being terminated are either ongoing or completed.

• Health & Wellness

Every Dog Food Recall From 2021 To 2023 (So Far)

Is your favorite brand on the list 👀.

It’s one of those sentences you never want to hear: Your dog's favorite food was recalled.

While a dog food recall is definitely inconvenient, staying informed on which dog foods are unsafe is an important part of being a pet parent.

What is a dog food recall?

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a recall is an action taken to remove a product from the market.

“Recalls may be conducted on a firm's own initiative, by FDA request, or by FDA order under statutory authority,” the FDA states on their website.

Recalls can happen for a variety of reasons. Maybe the distribution center where the food was made or packaged has an unsanitary environment, or maybe there’s potential salmonella or a harmful ingredient in the food.

When a food is recalled, it’s best to stop using it and find your pup some new food.

Recalled dog foods in 2022

These are the dog food recalls in 2022, according to the FDA.

Date of announcement: December 2, 2022 Product: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Low Fat (PPVD EN Low Fat) prescription wet dog food Reasons for recall: Mislabeling Key information: This recall affects a limited amount of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Low Fat (PPVD EN Low Fat) prescription wet dog food in 13.4 oz cans, with a UPC (38100 17599), production code (22581159 L4TR6) and “Best Before Sept 2024” date on the bottom of each PPVD EN Low Fat can.

Read the full company announcement

Stormberg Foods

Date of announcement: July 12, 2022 Product: Beg & Barker, Billo’s Best Friend, and Green Coast Pets chicken treats Reasons for recall: Salmonella contamination Key information: This recall affects various sizes and batches of Beg & Barker Chicken Breast Strips Dog Treat, Billo’s Best Friend Chicken Breast Strips Dog Treat, and Green Coast Pets Chicken Crisps Dog Treat products.

Primal Pet Foods Inc.

Date of announcement: July 6, 2022 Product: Primal Pet Foods Raw Frozen Primal Patties for Dogs Beef Formula Reasons for recall: Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination Key information: This recall affects a single lot of Raw Frozen Primal Patties for Dogs Beef Formula, with a lot number #W10068709 and a best by date of May 22, 2023.

Freshpet, Inc.

Date of announcement: June 17, 2022 Product: Freshpet Select Fresh From the Kitchen Home Cooked Chicken Recipe Reason for recall: Potential salmonella contamination Key information: This recall affects 4.5-pound bags of Freshpet Select Fresh From The Kitchen Home Cooked Chicken Recipe, with sell by date of 10/29/22.

Family Dollar, Inc.

Date of announcement: February 18, 2022 Product: All pet food products from Family Dollar Distribution Center 202 Reasons for recall: Potential salmonella contamination and rodent activity in one of their distribution centers Key information: This recall affects all pet food products that were stored and shipped to 404 stores from Family Dollar Distribution Center 202 in West Memphis, Arkansas, starting on January 1, 2021.

Recalled dog foods in 2021

These are all of the dog food recalls from 2021, according to the FDA.

Woody’s Pet Food Deli

Date of announcement: December 23, 2021 Product: Woody’s Pet Food Deli Raw Cornish Hen pet food “With Supplements” Reason for recall: Potential salmonella contamination Key information: This recall affects:

• Woody’s Pet Food Deli Raw Cornish Hen with Supplements 5-pound tub (PLU Code 5230, Expiration date 11/20/22)
• Woody’s Pet Food Deli Raw Cornish Hen with Supplements 15-pound tub (PLU Code 1652, Expiration date 11/20/22)

The products were distributed in the company’s retail stores in Minneapolis, Saint Paul and Woodbury, Minnesota.

Fromm Family Foods

Date of announcement: October 1, 2021 Product: Fromm Four-Star Nutritionals Shredded Entrée Canned Dog Food Reason for recall: Elevated levels of vitamin D Key information: This recall affects four flavors of the shredded entrée dog food:

• Four-Star Shredded Beef In Gravy Entrée (UPC 7270511876)
• Four-Star Shredded Chicken In Gravy Entrée (UPC 7270511880)
• Four-Star Shredded Pork In Gravy Entrée (UPC 7270511878)
• Four-Star Shredded Turkey In Gravy Entrée (UPC 7270511878)

Top Quality Dog Food

Date of announcement: August 26, 2021 Product: Top Quality Dog Food Beef Healthy Variety Mix Reason for recall: Potential salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes contamination Key information: This recall affects the one-pound “Beef HVM” packages (lot # 071521) distributed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut and South Carolina.

Sunshine Mills, Inc.

Date of announcement: June 2, 2021 Products: Sportsman’s Pride, Sprout Sporting, Intimidator and FRM Gold Select dog food products Reason for recall: Salmonella contamination Key information: This recall affects:

• Sportsman's Pride Professional Formula 30/20 Dog Food 40-pound (UPC 7015510184)
• Sprout Sporting Dog Food 5-pound (UPC 7015505101)
• Sprout Sporting Dog Food 40-pound (UPC 7015505100)
• Intimidator Chicken & Rice Formula Dog Food 30/20 16-pound (UPC 7015541002)
• Intimidator Chicken & Rice Formula Dog Food 30/20 40-pound (UPC 5216631214)
• FRM Gold Select High Performance Dog Food 50-pound (UPC 1549905873)

Midwestern Pet Foods Inc.

Date of announcement: January 11, 2021 Products: Sportmix, Nunn Better and ProPac dog and cat food Reason for recall: Aflatoxin levels exceed acceptable levels Key information: This recall affects the following pet foods (since there are so many, you can find the individual lot codes here ):

• Pro Pac Adult Mini Chunk
• Pro Pac Performance Puppy
• Nunn Better Maintenance
• Sportstrail 50
• Sportmix Maintenance 44
• Sportmix Maintenance 50
• Sportmix High Protein 50
• Sportmix Energy Plus 44
• Sportmix Energy Plus 50
• Sportmix Stamina 44
• Sportmix Stamina 50
• Sportmix Bite Size 40
• Sportmix Bite Size 44
• Sportmix High Energy 44
• Sportmix High Energy 50
• Sportmix Premium Puppy 16.5
• Sportmix Premium Puppy 33

What to do if your dog’s food was recalled

If your dog’s food was recalled, you should stop feeding it to her immediately and toss it out. Unfortunately, it’s just not worth giving your pup something that you know isn’t good for her.

When throwing the recalled food away, make sure that any wildlife won’t be able to access it (so double-bag it or make sure it’s well sealed in the trash), wash your hands after handling, and make sure to thoroughly clean your dog’s bowls and storage containers.

You can reach out to the store where you bought it (or the manufacturer) to see about getting a refund. And, unfortunately, cut your losses and find another dog food that your pup loves.

As a pet parent, you should always stay up to date when pet foods are pulled from the shelves. That way, you can make sure your dog’s eating the very best — and safest — food.

The Best Treats Your Dog Will Love

Portland Pet Food Company All-Natural Dog Treat Biscuits

Buddy Biscuits Crunchy Oven Baked Dog Treats

Bocce's Bakery All-Natural, Everyday Dog Treats

Old Mother Hubbard P-Nuttier Natural Small Oven-Baked Biscuits

Native Pet Yak Chews for Dogs

Wild Earth Good Protein Dog Snacks with Koji

Blue Buffalo Baked Health Bars, Variety Pack

Three Dog Bakery Soft Baked Assort-Mutt Trio Dog Treats

Chippin Crunchy Healthy Dog Treats Cricket & Spirulina Bundle

Pet Botanics Training Reward Dog Treats

American Journey Grain-Free Soft & Chewy Training Bits Dog Treats

Blue Buffalo Blue Bits Soft-Moist Training Dog Treats

Cloud Star Tricky Trainers Crunchy, Low Calorie Training Dog Treat

Merrick Power Bites Natural Soft & Chewy Dog Treats

Fruitables Baked Dog Treats

Smart Cookie All Natural Dog Treats

JIMINY'S Grain-Free Cricket Cookie Dog Treats

Nutro Crunchy Biscuit Natural Dog Treats

Wag Expedition Human Grade Organic Biscuits Dog Treats

American Journey Dog Food Review | Ratings | Recalls

American Journey dog food is Chewy’s in-house pet food brand.

Most dog owners are familiar with Chewy, the popular online pet supplies retailer. After this company experienced success selling dog food from other brands, Chewy decided to create a product line of their own pet food formulas.

American Journey cuts out the middleman, so Chewy is able to sell their products at competitive prices. These formulas also have high quality ingredients and are backed by Chewy’s renowned customer service.

I’m a former vet tech who is passionate about helping pet parents find the best diet for their dog. So I researched American Journey dog food to determine if this brand is a good choice for four-legged family members.

Keep reading this American Journey dog food review to learn more about what I found out.

About American Journey

American Journey is Chewy’s first attempt to sell their own pet food brand. Chewy is a popular online retailer that offers excellent customer service and convenient autoship programs for pet parents shopping for dog food and other pet supplies.

This brand of dog food offers a wide variety of wet and dry products. Since Chewy produces the brand in-house the company is able to offer American Journey formulas at a highly competitive price.

Dog owners on a budget can also take advantage of frequent promotions.

Chewy formulated American Journey dog food to meet the demands of pet parents who want to feed their dogs an affordable but high quality diet.

The brand only uses natural ingredients. Plus, these recipes exclude wheat, soy, fillers, and poultry by-products.

American Journey Dog Food History

Despite modern success, Chewy is a relatively young company. Ryan Cohen and Michael Day founded the e-commerce business in 2011. By 2017, the company was responsible for 51% of online pet food sales in the United States.

Chewy created American Journey after experiencing exponential growth selling other brands of pet food. The American Journey brand is exclusively manufactured for and distributed by Chewy. 

Following PetSmart’s acquisition of the company in 2017, you can now purchase American Journey products in-store. However, this brand is not available at other retailers.

Where is American Journey Dog Food Made?

American Journey is manufactured in the United States exclusively for Chewy. But there is limited information about what company oversees the production of American Journey. 

Chewy does outsource production to a third-party factory, but the identity of the manufacturer is not clear. Some of their recipes are produced in Kansas and most of their ingredients come from domestic sources within the United States. But some ingredients are imported.

American Journey Dog Food Brand Lines

Chewy developed American Journey to offer products in nearly every popular category of dog food. Their diverse product lines provide unique nutrition for individual dogs with different needs.

Always consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.

American Journey Limited Ingredient Diets

American Journey Limited Ingredient Diet use simple recipes that eliminate common allergens to provide sensitive dogs with a safe and balanced diet. All of the dog food recipes in this product line use novel proteins like salmon or lamb as a single source of animal protein.

Most allergens are proteins. These single protein sources help limit the risk of new allergies developing. 

Many dogs also experience dry and itchy skin from allergic reactions. So these formulas contain high concentrations of omega 3 fatty acids to help soothe irritated skin and promote a healthy coat.

American Journey limited ingredient diets also eliminate grains and common allergens like soy, corn, and chicken. Most dog food reviews share success stories managing canine allergies on these diets. 

Dog owners also recommend American Journey formulas for picky eaters. Many sensitive dogs can have fussy appetites.

But these formulas have a more appealing flavor than most limited ingredient recipes. The wet food varieties in this product line are ideal for the pickiest eaters.

American Journey Landmark

The Landmark product line from American Journey features premium recipes inspired by the regional diets of your dog’s wild ancestors .

These dog foods offer a less expensive alternative to pricier brands of biologically appropriate dog foods based on natural environments.

Landmark pet food products have a higher price tag than most American Journey formulas. But this line-up is still relatively affordable.

These grain-free recipes feature 70% animal sourced ingredients to create high protein diets ideal for active dogs.

Multiple high quality protein sources offer a comprehensive array of amino acids. A high fat content complements the protein-dense formula and contributes to a high caloric content .

These dog foods offer increased energy, but may not be suitable for dogs with sedentary lifestyles.

American Journey excludes all grains, soy, corn, wheat, and potatoes from these premium recipes. Landmark formulas use peas as an alternative source of carbohydrates.

American Journey Active Life

American Journey Active Life dog food formulas are affordable recipes designed to support the active lifestyles of high energy breeds . This product line uses well rounded nutrition to offer a balanced diet based on real meat and produce.

Animal protein provides the foundation of all Landmark recipes. The moderate protein content is lower than Landmark formulas, but still supports muscle mass in active dogs.

These grain-inclusive recipes use fiber-rich whole grains like Barley to provide a digestible source of carbohydrates. Healthy carbohydrates are an essential source of energy in your dog’s diet.

However, a higher carbohydrate content may promote weight gain in couch potatoes.

Fruits and vegetables act as natural sources of vitamins and antioxidants to support a healthy immune system. Healthy fat sources like flaxseed and fish oil offer a balance ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

American Journey Grain Free

Grain Free American Journey dog food formulas comprise the brand’s most popular product line. These formulas emphasize protein as the foundation of the canine diet by using multiple sources of animal protein to provide a comprehensive amino acid profile.

A grain-free diet may be suitable for dogs with sensitive skin or stomachs. These formulas also eliminate soy and artificial additives that can contribute to food intolerances.

Instead of grains, these formulas use peas and potatoes as alternative sources of carbohydrates. Peas and potatoes are starchy vegetables that are rich in fiber for long-lasting energy.

Additional produce like carrots and blueberries act as nutrient-dense whole food ingredients that support overall health. Additional fortification with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants ensures that these formulas provide balanced nutrition for all dogs. 

American Journey recently added small breed formulas to many of their product lines, including the Grain-Free collection.

Although most small breeds depend on grains to regulate their blood sugar, American Journey ensures that these formulas provide consistent alternative carbs to the tiniest pups.

American Journey Wet Food

American Journey Wet Food features a product line-up of several flavor varieties to appeal to the unique tastes of picky dogs.

The range of canned dog food from American Journey also includes Limited Ingredient Diets for sensitive dogs who may dislike dry dog food.

These canned dog food formulas feature stews based on meat and broth to achieve a savory taste that most dogs love. Many pet parents highly recommend American Journey for the hearty flavors that appeal to the pickiest eaters.

Protein-rich recipes consist of meat and vegetables in gravy. Most dogs prefer the texture of wet dog food to kibble.

And wet dog foods often contain less filler ingredients than dry alternatives. However, all American Journey formulas exclude harmful artificial additives.

Ingredients Quality

American Journey uses higher quality ingredients than most pet food brands in their price range.

All American Journey formulas provide balanced canine nutrition that meets the daily nutrient profiles recommended by AAFCO .

Most reputable brands are formulated with the help of a certified veterinary nutritionist. However, American Journey only shares that “top industry professionals” helped develop their products.

All American Journey formulas feature real animal protein as the first ingredient. Some budget pet food brands use a majority of plant-based ingredients to reduce costs. But animal proteins are more bioavailable for dogs and ensure that your pup can absorb the nutrients he needs.

The brand still uses some plant protein from peas to boost crude protein content. But most of their dog foods have a high protein content from multiple animal sources.

Healthy fats from salmon oil also contribute essential omega fatty acids to help support skin and coat health.

American Journey eliminated gluten, wheat, corn, soy, and poultry by-products from their recipes. These ingredients are common allergens that can cause adverse reactions in sensitive dogs.

Grain-inclusive recipes use ingredients like rice bran and brewers rice. These grains have a lower fiber content than whole grain alternatives. But they still offer an excellent source of digestible carbohydrates.

The above average protein, moderate fat, and average carbohydrate content of American Journey products make them suitable for a wide range of dogs.

The company also offers grain-free and limited ingredient versions for dogs with unique nutritional needs.

Until recently, American Journey catered mostly to owners of large breeds. But the company recently added small breed formulas to their line up that provide specialized nutrition for toy dogs.

American Journey Dog Food Recalls

American Journey has not been subject to any recalls since the Chewy began producing the product line in 2017.

This young company has a short history, but they still enforce high quality standards to ensure the safety of their products.

You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls sorted by date.

Legal Issues and Controversies

American Journey is a young brand with a limited history of legal controversies. The FDA has not issued any recalls of American Journey dog food products.

The promotion of private labels by online pet food retailers is controversial because these companies drive sales away from other companies. Chewy can also offer better prices and promotions on their products by cutting out the middlemen involved in other brands.

A class action lawsuit against several dog food brands, including American Journey, stated that some of their limited ingredient diets contained ingredients that the formulas claimed to eliminate.

American Journey offers several formulas that are labeled as grain-free, soy-free, or corn-free. But independent testers discovered that some of these products still contained those ingredients. The lawsuit accuses American Journey of false advertising.

Mislabeled formulas can be dangerous for dogs with food allergies who need limited ingredient diets to avoid severe reactions.

Our Verdict

This American Journey dog food review demonstrates that the relatively young brand offers high-quality dog food backed by the experience of a reputable pet food retailer.

I recommend American Journey dog food for pet owners who want to feed their dogs premium ingredients at an affordable price. The ingredient quality offered by American Journey is unrivaled by most budget pet food brands.

Chewy can offer their private line at a low price point by eliminating the middleman and passing savings on to the consumer. Some pet parents even switch from premium brands to American Journey.

Talk to your veterinarian today to determine if American Journey dog food is the best choice for your furry best friend.

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American Journey Dog Food 2022 Review, Rating & Recalls

Online retailers have grown considerably over the past few years, and pet owners have begun relying heavily on sites like Amazon and Chewy to keep their animal friends healthy and happy. As a natural response to growing demand, many of these same companies have started manufacturing proprietary pet food brands for exclusive sale through their websites and select stores. American Journey is one such pet food brand. In this review, we’ll discuss this brand’s product line, its recall history, and the nutritional contents of one of its popular products.

We’ll also cover…

• Is American Journey made in the United States ?
• Has American Journey been recalled ?
• Which flavors and recipes get our top ratings ?

Which American Journey Sub-Brand Is Right for You?

These are American Journey’s 5 most popular sub-brands. In the following section, we’ll look at each one’s different features so that you can make a more informed pet food choice.

American Journey Dog Food Reviews

Best overall 1. american journey grain-free adult, duck & sweet potato recipe.

American Journey Adult Duck & Sweet Potato is a grain-free, high-protein kibble recipe designed to deliver long-lasting energy and essential nutrients to your active dog.

• Delicious, deboned duck is high-protein and full of amino acids to maintain lean muscle mass
• Recipe includes carrots and cranberries contain antioxidants that help with immune system health
• NO Grain, corn, wheat and soy for dogs with sensitive stomach
• Omega-rich salmon oil and flaxseed provide DHA for skin and coat health
• High in dietary fiber from chickpeas and sweet potatoes

Best for Small Breeds 2. American Journey Grain-Free Small Breed, Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe 

American Journey Small Breed Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe is a small breed formula specially designed to fuel the high energy and nutritional needs of your dog.

• Great tasting salmon and sweet potato recipe filled with antioxidants, amino acids and phytonutrients
• Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from flaxseed and salmon oil
• Chickpeas and sweet potatoes are fiber-rich ingredients for your dog

This crunchy, bite-sized kibble is a fibrous, nutritious option free of grains and artificial ingredients.

• Made with additional protein and fats for extra energy
• Includes taurine to promote heart health

Best Limited Ingredient American Journey Grain-Free Limited Ingredient, Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe

American Journey Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey & Sweet Potato combines high-quality, single-source animal proteins for lean muscle maintenance with easily digestible, fibrous carbs to encourage healthy digestion.

• Wholesome, limited ingredients for your dog's sensitive stomach
• Recipe blend with high-protein turkey and fiber-rich sweet potatoes

This focused formula is perfect for dogs with skin and stomach sensitivities.

• Sweet potatoes supply plenty of fiber and prebiotics to support digestion
• Omega-6 fatty acids from sunflower oil promote a healthy immune system

Best for Puppies 4. American Journey Puppy Active Life Formula, Salmon, Brown Rice, & Vegetables Recipe

American Journey Puppy Active Life features wholesome, nutrient-dense kibble to power your growing puppy and support their overall growth and development.

• Salmon is the #1 high-protein ingredient that encourages healthy development for your pup
• NO wheat, corn, soy, chicken, poultry by-product meals. No artificial preservatives, colors or artificial flavors.
• Include DHA and ARA fatty acids for brain and eye development
• Made with appropriate levels of calcium and phosphorus for bone health

Best for Weight Management 5. American Journey Grain-Free Healthy Weight Formula, Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

American Journey Healthy Weight is made with reduced calories to support healthy weight goals, making it a perfect choice for dogs that struggle with weight loss or maintenance.

• Same delicious chicken and sweet potato recipe with reduced calories
• L-carnitine enhances your dog's active lifestyle by supporting lean muscle mass
• Free of grains, wheat, corn and soy

This nutrient-dense, balanced kibble will energize your pet and encourage them to lead a more active, healthy life.

• Provides the amino acid L-carnitine for metabolic support
• Naturally-sourced glucosamine and chondroitin support joint health and mobility

Who Makes American Journey Dog Food?

American Journey brand products are made exclusively for the USA-based online retailer Chewy. According to the site, this brand’s dog food products are manufactured in the company’s Kansas-based partner facilities. These products are then distributed and sold alongside other Chewy-exclusive pet product brands, including Frisco, Dr. Lyon, Tylee’s, and True Acre Foods.

Has American Journey Dog Food Been Recalled?

As of the time of this review, American Journey brand dog food products have not faced any FDA recalls. This is generally indicative of a company’s dedication to high levels of safety and quality in its manufacturing and distribution processes. However, Chewy itself is a younger company, having been founded a decade ago in 2011. As such, it’s difficult to say if any of its exclusive brands will be able to maintain this trend in the years to come, but American Journey’s early results seem promising.

Is American Journey a Good Dog Food?

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½

American Journey Dog Food receives our second-highest rating of 4.5 stars. 

Individual Recipe Ratings

The American Journey product lineup includes a decent variety of grain-inclusive and grain-free dry and wet dog food options. Below, you will find a list of this brand’s products, along with a star rating for each.

• American Journey Grain-Free Adult, Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe (5 stars)
• American Journey Grain-Free Small Breed, Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe (5 stars)
• American Journey Small Breed Active Life Formula, Salmon, Brown Rice, & Vegetables (5 stars)
• American Journey Large Breed Puppy Active Life Formula, Chicken, Brown Rice, & Vegetables Recipe (4.5 stars)
• American Journey Large Breed Puppy Active Life Formula, Salmon, Brown Rice, & Vegetables Recipe (4.5 stars)
• American Journey Puppy Active Life Formula, Salmon, Brown Rice, & Vegetables Recipe (4.5 stars)
• American Journey Active Life Formula, Beef, Brown Rice, & Vegetables Recipe (4.5 stars)
• American Journey Active Life Formula, Chicken, Brown Rice, & Vegetables Recipe (4.5 stars)
• American Journey Active Life Formula, Lamb, Brown Rice, & Vegetables Recipe (4.5 stars)
• American Journey Active Life Formula, Salmon, Brown Rice, & Vegetables Recipe (4.5 stars)

Recipe Ingredient Analysis

American Journey Grain-Free Adult, Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe to act as the representative product for the American Journey brand. Ingredients listed here include their water content, which may contribute to their relative prevalence in the product.

This recipe’s first ingredient is deboned duck. This fresh meat ingredient is an easily digestible, high-quality protein source packed with essential omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and antioxidants. Duck is also a flavor favorite among dogs that can shake up their boring kibble routine. 

However, it’s important to take into account that the weight of this ingredient can be skewed due to the water content in real animal ingredients. Meat loses moisture during the cooking process; and since these ingredients can contain a water content of up to 80%, much of the meat’s initial weight may also be lost during cooking. Thus, the duck and associated protein in this product may be less prevalent than it originally seems.

Chicken meal is the next ingredient on this list. Meat meals like chicken meal are rendered meat products that are ground up into powders that act as concentrated sources of protein. Named meat meals are known to contribute much more protein to a kibble’s content than the meat that they are named after due to a lack of moisture content to skew food formula measurements.

In addition to protein, this ingredient is a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin. Glucosamine and chondroitin are natural compounds found in cartilage, and they support healthy joints. The third listed ingredient is chickpeas. Chickpeas are a balanced, low-fat source of protein and dietary fiber packed with nutrients like potassium for heart health and vitamin A for vision health.

Sweet potatoes are the fourth ingredient in this recipe. These high-fiber, high-carb vegetables offer plenty of vitamin A and C, as well as B-vitamins for immune health. Sweet potatoes also serve as prebiotics to ensure that your pup maintains a healthy gut and digestive tract.

The fifth ingredient is turkey meal. Similar to chicken meal, turkey meal is produced by drying and rendering turkey and acts as another protein-rich addition. Turkey meal also supplies essential nutrients like riboflavin and phosphorus, which support food-to-energy conversion and metabolic functions.

Lentils are the sixth listed ingredient. Lentils are low-calorie, high fiber legumes that serve as a great source of fiber and protein, as well as nutrients such as iron and B-vitamins. However, it’s important to be aware of the FDA’s current investigation into the potential link between this ingredient and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy, or DCM .

The seventh ingredient listed is peas. Peas are considered high-quality ingredients that supply an abundance of carbs and dietary fiber, as well as some protein. These vegetables are often used to supply your dog with a healthy, digestible energy source. It should be noted that the previously-mentioned FDA investigation does involve this ingredient as well though.

Chicken fat is the eighth ingredient in this product. Natural animal fats are skimmed off of cooking meat and added to kibble as high-quality fat sources. Chicken fat in particular is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy.

This formula indicates that its chicken fat is preserved with mixed tocopherols. Tocopherols may sound like a frightening chemical, but they are simply a natural preservative that protects kibble from spoiling and does not cause negative health effects.

The ninth ingredient of this recipe is dried plain beet pulp. Dried beet pulp is a plant by-product of sugar beet processing. This ingredient is a natural source of soluble fiber that can support your pet’s digestive system. Pea protein is this product’s tenth ingredient. Pea Protein is a by-product of pea processing that is added to dog food recipes to boost protein levels at a lower price.

Now that we’ve looked at the first ten, most prevalent ingredients in this American Journey product, let’s take a look at some of the other ingredients included in its formula. While these ingredients may contribute slightly less to the overall recipe, it’s important to consider their health benefits and detriments when you make your purchasing decisions.

Less Prevalent Ingredients

This product includes additional high-protein animal ingredients such as duck meal and menhaden fish meal. Both concentrated meals are rich in fatty acids to promote skin health and iron to support muscle maintenance. Flaxseed is packed with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids that will add shine to your dog’s coat. It also has alpha-linolenic acid, which is an essential fatty acid that contributes to overall health and wellness.

Carrots are included as low-calorie sources of fiber and the plant pigment beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A and supports healthy vision development and maintenance. The blueberries in this recipe provide plenty of vitamin C and antioxidants to support cell repair and brain health. This recipe also features small amounts of dried kelp. Dried kelp is a natural source of vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids. It also supplies iodine to support your dog’s thyroid and metabolism.

Nutrient Summary

Dog food nutrient data is calculated on a dry matter basis using the Guaranteed Analysis panel. This panel acts as the dog food equivalent to the “Nutrition Facts” listings found on food products meant for human consumption. It allows us to compare protein, fat, fiber, and moisture content to better understand the overall quality of our pet food products.

However, the nature of these calculations and their inclusion of moisture content makes it a challenge to compare wet and dry food products. Thus, the following information should be considered primarily in comparison to other dry, kibble-based dog foods. Our representative product has a dry matter protein content of 32%. This protein is derived from a variety of quality animal and plant ingredients, including deboned duck, chicken meal, and chickpeas.

This recipe has a fat content of 14%, which consists largely of healthy fats from the deboned duck and chicken fat inclusions. Finally, the estimated carb content of this product is 36%. Sweet potatoes, lentils, and peas all contribute to this carb count.

Additionally, this recipe is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from carrots and blueberries. It’s also filled with omega-3 and 6 fatty acids from flaxseed and salmon oil and is high in easily digestible fiber from chickpeas, sweet potatoes, lentils, peas, and flaxseed.

Our Rating of American Journey Dog Food

You’ll find an average of 36% protein, 16% fat, and 41% carbohydrates across American Journey brand dog food products. This equates to a fat-to-protein ratio of about 39%. Given this data, the American Journey brand includes more protein and fewer carbs and fat than other dry dog food brands, making its products suitable options for all dog breeds and life stages.

We consider American Journey to be a higher-grade dog food brand. Their grain-inclusive and grain-free dog food products feature high-quality animal protein and nutrient-rich ingredient choices. Additionally, the brand’s products are formulated without artificial preservatives, artificial flavors, or fillers. Considering all of these factors, we give the American Journey brand 4.5 stars.

What Do Others Say About American Journey

American Journey fans praise this brand’s dog food for a variety of health benefits. Many of these dog owners boast that their pups’ weight, coat, and digestion all improved as a result of switching to American Journey food. Reviewers also love the affordability of this brand’s pet food and say that even their picky eaters cannot get enough of this tasty food.

“I am very pleased with this food. My 4 dogs love it, and even want to come in the house at eating times! I have 2 Chihuahuas, a Labrador, and a Great Pyrenees. One of the Chihuahuas has a skin allergy that has caused him to lose his hair over half his body. He now has started growing his hair back and there’s less scratching going on.

My Lab has a sensitive stomach and throws up her food on a regular basis. She has now quit throwing up completely. My Great Pyrenees loves to stay outside most of the time, but now he’s at the door reminding me of feeding times. All of my dogs love this food, and they’re very satisfied with it!”

Final Thoughts

In our American Journey product analysis, we took a brief look at the role dried beet pulp plays as a dog food ingredient. There are far more health benefits to this staple vegetable than we had time to talk about here though. To find out more, check out our article discussing how dogs can eat beets safely and all of the nutritional benefits that can come from them.

Sarah Brady

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Review: American Journey Dog Food

Sadly, price is the top factor for most pet owners shopping for dog food. You certainly need to choose a food that fits your budget, but nutrition should be your first concern. Nutrition has a direct effect on your dog's overall health and well-being. Thankfully, brands like  American Journey  dog food are bringing the focus back to nutrition.

Selecting the right dog food for your pet is something that you should not take lightly. You need to have a conversation with your veterinarian about the nutritional needs of your dog's breed and how many calories he'll require based on his weight, energy level and age.

When you're shopping for a new diet for your pup, you need to look for a quality food that fits your budget and provides your pooch with all the necessary nutrients his body needs. The main things you should be looking for are:

• natural ingredients
• quality ingredients (hormone and antibiotic free, no GMO's, no fillers, etc…)
• made and sourced in the USA or other trusted countries
• a reputable company with no recalls

You're not going to be able to get all the information you need  from the label . Research the brand online, and take recommendations from your veterinarian and/or canine nutritionist. You should still check into any recommended brands by researching them online.

When reading reviews, remember that not all products will be a good option for all dogs. American Journey dog food, for example, is made by a reputable company that uses top quality ingredients in their dog food products. My dogs enjoyed eating their kibble, but your dog may not – it depends on your dog's unique preferences.

American Journey Dog Food Review

• Salmon and Sweet Potato
• Chicken and Sweet Potato
• Beef and Sweet Potato
• Lamb and Sweet Potato

Their Landmark brand is available in 3 recipes:

• Plateau Blend – Angus Beef and Pork
• Delta Blend – Rainbow Trout and Herring
• Trailhead Blend – Cage-Free Chicken and Turkey

All of these recipes are grain-free and contain no corn, wheat or soy. The grain-free recipes are formulated for all life stages, but the Landmark recipes are only suitable for adult dogs.

I sampled both types of kibble – the Landmark Plateau Blend and the grain-free Beef and Sweet Potato recipe. My dogs usually eat homemade food, so they can be very picky when it comes to kibble.

As you can see in my video review above, they were all excited to eat American Journey dog food (even my pickiest eater). The kibble size is very small, so it's ideal for small breeds and pets with dental health issues.

The Grain-Free recipes are made with superfood ingredients , like blueberries, carrots and kelp. These ingredients help to support the immune system and offer exceptional nutrient content. Each Grain-Free recipe also includes fiber-rich chickpeas and sweet potato.

ALSO: 16 Tips From Four Famous Vets On Dog Nutrition and Feeding

Landmark recipes contain no potato, gluten or poultry by-product meals. These are high protein recipes that contain 70% animal-source protein and natural fats. These recipes are a great choice for highly active and working dogs. They even include pre- and probiotics to support digestive health and antioxidants for immune support.

All American Journey Dog Food products are made in the USA with USA-sourced protein (except the duck meal, which is sourced in France). American Journey dog foods have never been recalled.

As with all higher quality dog food products, these aren't the cheapest options on the market. American Journey products can only be purchased through Chewy.com . You can purchase a 24-pound bag of the Grain-Free recipes for $39.99 or a 22-pound bag of the Landmark recipes for $54.99. You can also save 10% if you sign-up for Chewy's auto-ship option.

While this price won't fit into everyone's budget, it's very comparable to other dog food options of a similar quality. When it comes to pet food, cheapest is never the best option. You get what you pay for in this case, and I do believe that American Journey dog food offers a good value for the price.

READ NEXT: Expensive Dog Food Brands – Are They Worth the High Cost?

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A Comprehensive American Journey Dog Food Review for Dog Lovers

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Many pawrents are familiar with Chewy’s private brand, American Journey, for being a quality and affordable option for their beloved pooches.

Established in 2017, it is a relatively new brand but is already giving older and more expensive brands a run for their money.

Contents & Quick Navigation

Quick Top Picks: Best American Journey Dog Food Recipes in 2021

What makes dog food great? Is it the price point? The quality ingredients?

For us, it’s the nutritional value that your dog gets . One great thing about American Journey is that they never use any by-products in their dog food, and the first ingredient is always high-quality animal protein.

American Journey dry dog food has been making its rounds as trustworthy and lacking in fillers, but we’ve scoped out the complete range and have decided on these as the winning formulas:

• IMAGE PRODUCT Best Overall American Journey Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Sweet Potato Canned Dog Food Best value for money

Reviews of the 8 Best American Journey Dog Food Formulas

We have broken down American Journey’s best dog food for all life stages, and all dog breeds below.

Best Puppy Food for Small Breed

1. american journey puppy lamb & sweet potato grain-free dry dog food.

Boasting 30% protein and 12% fat, your puppy should have all the nutrition they need in order to grow steadily. Fiber is also important to a small breed puppy’s digestive system, and you can be assured that this formula has 5% fiber.

• Dogs with sensitive stomachs have thrived on this formula
• Include omega fatty acids such as DHA for healthy eye and brain development
• Fiber, phytonutrients, and antioxidants sourced from whole fruits and vegetables

• Fiber is slightly higher than the recommended 2 - 4%
• Includes peas which aren’t the best for sensitive digestions

Small Breed Puppy Food Runner’s Up:

• American Journey Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
• American Journey Active Life Formula Puppy Dog Food Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Best Puppy Food for Large Breed

Large breed dogs are especially prone to hip dysplasia and require specific levels of calcium to phosphorus ratios to grow well.

2. American Journey Large Breed Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe)

Salmon is the first ingredient in this pet food, offering quality amino acids for the development of lean muscles.

• Optimum levels of calcium and phosphorus to support healthy joint development
• Arachidonic (ARA) and Docosahexaenoic (DHA) for cognitive growth
• Fortified with antioxidants for a strong immune system
• Does not include probiotics which can aid immature digestive systems
• Fiber is slightly higher at 4.5% than the recommended 2 - 4%

Large Breed Puppy Food Runner’s Up:

• American Journey Large Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
• American Journey Active Life Formula Large Breed Dry Dog Food Puppy Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Best Dry Dog Food for Small Adult Dogs

Small breed adult dogs could also benefit from small-sized kibble. However, now that they are older, their metabolic rate will have slowed down.

3. American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe)

Being on the higher end of the price spectrum, we have the Salmon formula suitable for all dog breeds, including your small adult dog.

• High-quality amino acids and omega-3 from salmon
• Feature fiber-rich complex carbs for longer satiation
• Contains prebiotics for healthy digestion
• Contains pea protein which is considered a low-quality ingredient

4. American Journey Grain-Free Lamb & Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food

If you’re looking for an affordable and high-quality kibble for all dog breeds, you should give this a try. Similar to the salmon formula, it has a nutritional value of 32% protein, 14.0% fat, and a maximum of 5% fiber.

• Fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for better joint mobility
• Naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids for healthy coat and eyes
• Kibble size suitable for small jaws
• May not be suited for dogs with skin allergies as it contains chicken meal and chicken fat

5. American Journey Healthy Weight Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

At 315 kcal per cup, this option is specially crafted for dogs that require a little less.

• Added L-Carnitine for metabolizing fat and developing lean muscles
• Glucosamine and Chondroitin inclusive for joint health
• Suitable for picky eaters
• May increase bowel movement due to high fiber content

Best Dry Dog Food for Large Adult Dogs

Large dog breeds should have considerable levels of glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints. Depending on their activity level, they should also be getting adequate nutrition instead of empty calories.

6. American Journey Large Breed Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe)

This highly rated dog food is well-loved by many furry companions, meeting the nutritional requirements for large breed dogs at 30.0% protein, 12% fat, and 5% fiber.

• Highly recommended by owners of picky eaters
• Long-chain DHA, omega-3, and 6 fatty acids for shiny coats
• Naturally occurring glucosamine and chondroitin
• Kibble sizes could be bigger
• Might not be suitable for dogs with food sensitivities

Large Breed Adult Dog Food Runner Up:

• American Journey Active Life Formula Large Breed Dry Dog Food Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe

Best Wet Dog Food for Adult Dogs

Wet dog food is likely to excite every dog because it’s much more palatable than dry kibble. It’s also easier on the stomach, less saturated with fillers, and protein-rich.

7. American Journey Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Sweet Potato Canned Dog Food

Formulated for all breeds, this pate-type wet food will whet any dog’s appetite and at 9% protein, 7% fat, and 1.5% fiber, which translates to 40.91% protein if converted to dry matter.

• Easy to open lid
• Filled with real protein
• Formulated with limited ingredients, which makes it a great choice for dogs with food sensitivities
• Some owners noted it needs more gravy

Wet Adult Dog Food Runner’s Up:

• American Journey Grain-Free Canned Dog Food Beef & Chicken Recipe
• American Journey Stews Grain-Free Canned Dog Food Beef & Vegetables Recipe in Gravy

Best Dog Food for Senior Dogs

Senior dogs do best on low-fat diets with slightly higher fiber to aid their digestion. Protein should be sourced from real meat.

In addition, regardless of whether they are a large or small breed, they will benefit from heart, brain, and joint-supporting supplements.

8. American Journey Senior Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Boasting 30% protein and 12% fat, your puppy should have all the nutrition they need in order to grow steadily.

• Includes coconut oil with medium-chain triglycerides for cognitive health
• Contains antioxidant blend for a strong immune system
• Blueberries and mineral-rich marine algae give your dog naturally sourced nutrition
• Kibble size isn’t all-breeds friendly
• Might cause weight gain in sedentary pets

Senior Dog Food Runner’s Up

• American Journey Active Life Formula Senior Dry Dog Food Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe
• American Journey Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

American Journey Dog Food Recipe Comparison

American journey dog food review buying guide.

Whether you’re searching for a brown rice recipe with high protein content or if you’re on the lookout for novel proteins such as venison or large breed salmon, American Journey has all the quality protein and complex carbohydrates under one roof.

An Overview of the American Journey Dog Food

You won’t find American Journey on Amazon. American Journey products are only listed on Chewy and PetSmart. Being able to cut out the middleman ensures that they can keep their products at an affordable price.

American Journey Company Information

American Journey is owned by Chewy, Inc – an American company dedicated to providing affordable and quality products to their customers.

Who Makes American Journey Dog Food and Where is it Produced?

American Journey’s pet food is all manufactured in the United States and headquartered in Kansas, MI.

Why Choose this brand?

Aside from having an exceptional nutrition profile, it’s also easy on the wallet and convenient to purchase from Chewy. There is also a wide range of products suitable for just about any dog, lifestyle, and budget.

CHECK PRICE ON CHEWY

What formulas does American Journey have?

The majority of American Journey’s dog food is catered to adult dogs. There are various formulas, ranging from weight control, gluten-free, grain-free, limited ingredient, and high-protein.

American Journey Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Limited ingredient recipes are the perfect option for dogs with food sensitivities. There are close to zero fillers in limited ingredient formulas, and it can also help you determine what your dog is allergic to.

American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

While grain-free food has gotten a bad rep recently, it’s primarily due to the use of excessive legumes in the recipes in an attempt to replace grains.

Therefore, it’s essential to clear with your veterinarian before starting your dog on any diets with peas and chickpeas, which is a common ingredient in American Journey dog food.

American Journey Grain-Free Canned Dog Food

AJ’s wet food doesn’t have the same controversial ingredients, despite also being grain-free.

Catered to sensitive doggos, American Journey’s canned dog food is a great choice for all dogs as it’s the closest thing to the natural diet of a wild dog.

American Journey Landmark

Landmark by American Journey is specially catered to high-activity dogs. With zero carbohydrates, your dogs will be sourcing all their energy from protein.

This diet is rich in protein and contains a premium blend of vitamins and minerals.

American Journey Active Life Formula

Active Life offers a high-protein recipe at an affordable price. A well-rounded diet for dogs of all sizes and ages. Rich in antioxidants and wholesome whole grains.

American Journey Dog Food Ingredients Breakdown

The USA-based company understands how important pets are to their families and want to offer nothing but the best with the help of wholesome fruits and ingredients to support your dog’s health.

However, there has been some controversy surrounding two of their more popular ingredients: dried plain beet pulp and pea protein.

While it is a source of natural dietary fiber, dried plain beet pulp is believed to be an inexpensive filler. Reasonable amounts of beet pulp are acceptable in dog food , especially since it also proven to be beneficial to health.

While pea protein might not be as essential to dogs as amino acids, it can boost protein to dogs that are allergic to common animal protein.

It is also one reason why they feature menhaden fish meal and grain-free options for dogs that need a special diet.

American Journey also employs superfoods like kelp, flaxseed, and cranberries in their formulas while rejecting the use of artificial sweeteners, flavorings, and preservatives.

American Journey Dog Food Guaranteed Analysis

The general caloric breakdown of American Journey Dog Food is made up of 36% carbs, 33% fat, and 31% protein.

American Journey Dog Food Recall History

As far as we are concerned, American Journey has never been recalled, something that has happened to giants like Blue Buffalo or Hill’s Pet Nutrition .

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much is american journey dog food.

All American Journey dog foods offer a good value for the price. While it’s not the cheapest brand out there, we believe you get what you pay for. American Journey only uses high-quality ingredients, and all products are made in the USA.

For American Journey’s dry dog foods, the average price per cup ranges from $0.90 to $1.67.

While the average price per canned/wet food ranges from $1.07 to $1.28, and the average price per can is $1.75. Do note that this calculation is based on an adult dog’s nutritional needs.

We selected American Journey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food (Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe) which is $42.99 for a 24 lb bag to represent the other AJ dry dog food for the calculation below.

Take a look at our table below for a better idea of how much dog food your furbaby would consume:

What do customers say about American Journey?

“My pups are picky eaters, and they love this one! They come running for it! I love American Journey. You can tell the ingredients are great. #ChewyTeamRated” – Jenny, Chewy.com

“Our dog loves this food more than any other brand we’ve tried. Our SIL recommended this food to us because her dog trainer said it was the best.

We are on our third large bag and plan to continue purchasing in the future. We’ve even decided to switch our cat to the American Journey brand as well.” – Shantel, Chewy.com

Watch how these two pups gobble down their American Journey dog food:

What do other people dislike about American Journey?

“My dog refuses to eat it until he’s super hungry right before he goes to bed. I hate writing bad reviews, but my dog eats literally anything. Except this food.” – Pancho, Chewy.com

“The ingredients seem fine, but my dog isn’t a fan. The food sits for hours before she’ll try it.” – KCRL, Chewy.com

How about vets? Do they recommend American Journey?

Dog owners have been warned about the dangers of feeding a high-legume and grain-free formula to their dogs by vets.

However, unless your dog has an actual allergy to grain, there’s no reason to risk putting a dog on a grain-free diet due to the complications that it may cause.

Aside from that, we haven’t seen any vets disapprove of American Journey dog food.

Which types of dogs might do better with a different brand?

Small dog breeds might do better on a different brand, especially puppies.

While the nutrition provided by American Journey satisfies the FDA’s recommended nutritional profile, small dog breeds require more calories, which American Journey has neglected to provide in their small breeds formula.

Verdict: Is American Journey a good dog food brand?

Affordable and made with real meat, which is more than you can say for many dog food products, there isn’t anything to nitpick about American Journey.

It’s a quality dog food that pet owners on the hunt for a new doggo diet should try. You can go for their Active Life formulas for high-performance dogs or their grain-free dog food for pooches with grain sensitivities.

On a scale of one to five, American Journey is a solid 4.5 for quality ingredients and being great value for money.

The only downside is that while they have an extensive range of products, they still have some room to grow!

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American Journey Dog Food Review 2021

So, you have heard that American Journey dog food is a healthy choice for a balanced canine diet, but you would like to double-check if that is true. We do not blame you for being so meticulous. On the contrary, we believe that’s the surest way to find the feeding option that meets the dietary needs of your canine best.

The thing is that what works for one dog won’t necessarily be that great for another pet, especially in terms of nutrition . Even though American Journey has established a solid positive reputation regardless of its young age, it still makes sense to make sure the brand offers the diet that targets the nutritional needs of your canine.

So, we’ve created this detailed review to help you dig the truth out of whether American Journey is a sound solution for your beloved pooch. We’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of this pet food brand and take a closer look at the ingredient quality, nutritional rating, and variety.

Who Makes American Journey Dog Food?

Who makes American Journey dog food? Who owns the company that produces this food? These are the common questions that are of great importance for pet parents. So, we’ll answer them in a jiffy.

Chewy is known for being the American Journey dog food manufacturer and distributor. There’s no exact data about where it is manufactured, but Chewy stresses that they work closely with production partners to formulate and produce recipes that meet the quality standards of pet food. The company also claims that all the formulas are made in the facilities located in Kansas.

American Journey pet food brand aims at fueling canines for daily adventures with complete and quality nutrition. All recipes are free of cheap fillers, by-products, wheat, corn, or artificial preservatives. The company offers formulas for every taste and dietary need, so you’ll definitely find that perfect American Journey diet for your dog.

American Journey Dog Food Reviews

For those folks who believe that not a single review is complete without an overview of the products the brand offers, here’s the section for you. In these American Journey dog food reviews, we’ll apply ourselves to the detailed analysis of the most popular recipes of this company. We’ll go through the nutritional value and the ingredients in the specified formulas.

American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• A grain-free formula packed with quality proteins
• Includes superfoods and vitamin-rich fruit and veggies
• Enhanced with antioxidants, fatty acids, and DHA

American Journey Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• A high-protein formula that features real meat
• Free of grains, fillers, or by-products
• Relies on functional ingredients and vitamins

American Journey Large Breed Adult Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• A balanced recipe for adult large breed dogs
• High-quality animal proteins for lean muscle maintenance
• A perfect amount of calories, protein, fat, and fiber for a large dog

American Journey Active Life Formula Lamb, Brown Rice & Vegetables Recipe Dry Dog Food

• A well-rounded diet with a balanced nutrition profile
• Deboned lamb is the first ingredient
• Contains gluten-free grains and wholesome veggies

American Journey Limited Ingredient Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

• Single-protein source recipe with venison meat
• Free of grains and fillers
• Suitable for dogs with allergies or food sensitivities

WHY YOU SHOULD BUY

A balanced recipe for canines of all breeds and life stages. Packed with quality animal proteins like real meat and protein-rich meal. Enhanced with a combo of supplements, DHA, and antioxidants for overall well-being.

If you are looking for a nutrient-dense diet for your canine, this American Journey grain free dog food with salmon is a good choice. It’s made of quality ingredients like deboned salmon, chicken and turkey meals, peas, sweet potatoes, and some more to provide a pet with essential nutrients. It’s also enhanced with a mix of vitamins, antioxidants, DHA, and fatty acids to ensure the proper functioning of the digestive system, brain, immune system as well as healthy skin.

KEY FEATURES:

• Caloric content: 390 kcal per cup
• Crude protein: 32.0% min
• Crude fat: 14.0% min
• Crude fiber: 5.0% min
• Moisture: 10.0% max
• Key ingredients: deboned salmon, chicken meal, turkey meal, peas, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, pea protein, chicken fat, and more.
• A protein-packed recipe with quality animal ingredients
• No grains, fillers, or by-products

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Type: Dry food
• Breed size: All breeds
• Life stage: All life stages
• Weight: 4 lb., 12 lb., and 24 lb. bags

WHAT WE LOVED:

• Real salmon is the first ingredient
• Quality animal protein sources
• Enhanced with superfoods
• Includes a complex of vitamins
• The price is lower compared to the same quality food options

WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE:

• Not widely available
• Some canines don’t like the flavor

A grain-free recipe without restrictions in calories. Real chicken meat is the first ingredient. Packed with fruit, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals for overall well-being.

If you are in search of a balanced diet for your canine that contains zero grains, then consider this American Journey dry dog food with chicken and sweet potatoes. Being free of grains, it’s suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs. This recipe is made of quality ingredients that include real chicken meat, chicken meal, and turkey meal, which are known for being powerful sources of protein. On top of that, you’ll find peas, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and other functional ingredients following the named meat types. Due to the blend of the ingredients, this formula is high in protein and fats but is not overloaded with carbs.

• Crude protein: 34.0% min
• Crude fat: 15.0% min
• Key ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, peas, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, pea protein, chicken fat, dried plain beet pulp, natural flavor, flaxseed, menhaden fish meal, and more.
• High in animal protein and moderate in carbs
• Enhanced with berries, and natural antioxidants
• Real deboned chicken meat is a key ingredient
• Free of grains, cheap fillers, and by-products
• Fortified with berries, fruit, and veggies
• Suitable for pets with digestive issues
• Picky eaters refuse to eat

Specially formulated to meet the needs of large adult canines. Moderate levels of calories, protein, fat, and fiber. Enhanced with vitamins and minerals for dog’s health.

If you would like to provide your large dog with high-quality food without spending the whole family budget, this American Journey recipe for adult large breeds is your lucky ticket. This American Journey large breed dog food is made of a blend of quality animal ingredients like deboned chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal, which serve as a source of proteins and fats that are required for lean muscle and healthy skin. The protein level is increased due to the use of sweet potatoes, peas, and chickpeas, which also fuel your canine with energy that is sure to last. Wholesome fruit and vegetables provide the essential fiber, antioxidants, and

phytonutrients.

• Caloric content: 370 kcal per cup
• Crude protein: 30.0% min
• Crude fat: 12.0% min
• Key ingredients: deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, peas, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, pea protein, chicken fat, dried plain beet pulp, natural flavor, flaxseed, and more.
• Formulated with the needs of large dogs in mind
• Moderate in nutrients and vitamins
• Breed size: Large dogs
• Life stage: Adult
• A big kibble size which is suitable for large dogs
• Contains a balanced amount of nutrients and vitamins for dog’s health
• High in animal proteins
• Includes wholesome berries, fruit, and vegetables
• Some canines turn their noses from this food

A blend of lamb meat, meal, gluten-free grains, and veggies fuel active dogs for adventures. Rich in antioxidants derived from berries and veggies. Free of corn, wheat, soy, by-products, or artificial flavors.

Most canines do pretty well on a grain-based diet. If that’s the case for your dog, we would recommend paying attention to this recipe with lamb and rice. The American Journey dog food ingredients are headed with real lamb meat, which is then followed by lamb meal and turkey meal. To provide your canine with enough energy for daily adventures, this formula also contains gluten-free grains like barley and brown rice. This formula is suitable for Boxers, for French Bulldog, German Shepherd, and other breeds.

• Caloric content: 339 kcal per cup
• Crude protein: 23.0% min
• Crude fiber: 6.0% min
• Key ingredients: deboned lamb, lamb meal, turkey meal, barley, brown rice, rice bran, peas, natural flavor, chicken fat, flaxseed, brewers rice, dried plain beet pulp, oatmeal, and more.
• Suitable for dogs of all breeds and life stages
• Packed with quality nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
• Breed size: All breed sizes
• Moderately packed with protein, fat, fiber, and carbs
• Quality animal ingredients like real lamb meat and quality named meat meal
• Enhanced with grains to deliver more energy
• Reinforced with functional veggies, fruit, and berries
• Might upset the dog’s sensitive stomach

A limited ingredient recipe with one meat source. Suitable for dogs with allergies and food sensitivities. Includes easily digestible carbohydrates that are good for the digestive system.

According to American Journey limited ingredient dog food reviews, this venison dog food is at the top of formulas for canines that should stick to a special diet due to allergies or food sensitivities. Because this formula includes only one meat type - venison, it’s suitable for dogs that do not tolerate chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, and other popular kibble flavors. Besides, this is a grain free recipe made of ingredients easy to digest. You won’t find wheat, soy, corn, or other fillers that might lead to tummy issues. Please check the feeding instructions if you are switching your dog to this food since the nutritional profile might differ from the previous recipe.

• Caloric content: 325 kcal per cup
• Crude protein: 22.0% min
• Key ingredients: deboned venison, sweet potatoes, peas, chickpeas, venison meal, natural flavor, potato protein, dried plain beet pulp, canola meal, canola oil, flaxseed, tapioca starch, and more.
• Specially formulated for canines with allergies or food sensitivities
• Includes only one meat type (venison) and zero grains
• A higher protein level compared to other limited ingredient recipes
• Contains only one meat type - venison
• Free of grains, fillers, and by-products
• Supported with superfoods and supplements
• Chewy might ship old stock, according to reviews

What Formulas Does American Journey Dog Food Have?

Considering the fact that American Journey is a relatively new player in the market of dog food, it still managed to develop a substantial product line of dog food options. The brand offers four product series to meet the different dietary needs of canines.

Grain-Free Recipes

This line includes formulas crafted without any grains. Judging by American Journey grain free dog food ratings, this product line is loved by dogs and their parents. The recipes rely on real chicken, salmon, beef, or lamb meat combined with different types of meal to provide the food with healthy and natural proteins and fats. They are also enhanced with taurine for heart health. There are recipes for standard or large canines, as well as options for pets of all life stages. If your dog has weight issues, you’ll also find a weight management diet here.

• American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
• American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
• American Journey Healthy Weight Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Active Life Formulas

Based on the reviews on American Journey dog food, this adventure-ready nutrition is meant for dogs that do well on a grain-inclusive diet. Deboned chicken, lamb, beef, or salmon are mixed with wholesome gluten-free grains and healthy vegetables to create a complete and well-rounded diet that would fuel the dog for daily adventures. Because of a blend of ingredients, these recipes are moderate in nutrients and rich in natural antioxidants to promote a healthy immune system and digestion. There are formulas for pets at any life stage, as well as solutions for standard and large breeds.

• American Journey Active Life Formula Senior Chicken and Brown Rice
• American Journey Active Life Formula Salmon and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Limited Ingredient Food

American Journey offers a series of recipes for canines with food sensitivities and allergies. The company formulated single-protein food options without grains or other controversial ingredients that might upset the dog's stomach or lead to a skin rash. The flavor variety includes duck, salmon, venison, lamb, and turkey. These foods are suitable for pets of all life stages and standard size.

• American Journey Limited Ingredient Duck and Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
• American Journey Limited Ingredient Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Landmark formulas by American Journey are nutrient-dense recipes that are packed with premium quality protein sources. They contain up to 70% of animal ingredients that increase the amount of quality protein and fat in these recipes. These are also grain-free recipes empowered with an insignificant quantity of wholesome vegetables to provide canines with fiber that keeps them full for a longer time.

• American Journey Landmark with Angus Beef and Pork Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
• American Journey Landmark with Rainbow Trout and Herring Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

American Journey Wet Dog Food

Compared to the variety of dry recipes, American Journey wet dog food can hardly be characterized by a huge assortment. You’ll find only 7 recipes which are then grouped into bundles.

All the American Journey canned dog food options are grain-free. Some recipes contain several types of meat like chicken & turkey, beef & chicken, while others are made of the mix of a single protein source with fresh vegetables. The wet options by American Journey include standard formulas and limited ingredient recipes suitable for pets with allergies and food sensitivities.

• American Journey Limited Ingredient Diet Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
• American Journey Chicken & Turkey Recipe Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
• American Journey Beef & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
• American Journey Limited Ingredient Diet Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Canned Dog Food

American Journey Puppy Formulas

American Journey dog food has a great myriad of options for puppies. The assortment includes formulas for standard pups and large breed representatives. Puppy formulas are made of real meat combined with named meat meal types to provide enough protein for lean muscle growth. These options are also complemented with calcium and phosphorus to support bone development, fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, plus DHA and ARA to promote brain and vision development. Every formula is enhanced with natural vitamins and minerals that occur in vegetables and fruit, as well as supplements that add lacking essentials to make a fully complete diet for puppies.

American Journey Senior Formulas

The dietary needs of dogs change over the years, so American Journey offers four recipes formulated specially for senior canines to maintain their overall health and support energy levels. Just like all formulas of this brand, products for older dogs are made of real meat with the use of functional ingredients. Coconut oil is a source of medium-chain triglycerides that maintains brain health, while natural antioxidants are vital for the immune system. The optimal levels of glucosamine and chondroitin ensure mobility and joint health. There are both grain-free and grain-based formulas to meet the nutritional needs of your aging pet.

American Journey Dog Food Recalls

It seems like the American Journey dog food recall history is clean, and not a single batch of this food has been ever recalled.

Is American Journey a good dog food? Yes, it absolutely is. This is a highly-rated dog food brand that won’t cost you a fortune.

American Journey uses quality ingredients like real meat, named meat meals, sweet potatoes, peas, gluten-free grains for grain-based recipes, and some veggies and fruit that are packed with natural vitamins. The company doesn’t add by-products, cheap fillers, or toxic preservatives.

The product selection is also impressive. Even though this is a young company, it has formulated a wide range of recipes to target dogs with different dietary needs. You can get high-protein, limited ingredient, grain-free, or grain-based formulas. There are also nutrient-dense options for working or super active pets that require a boost in nutrition.

All in all, American Journey is a decent dog food brand that would provide your four-pawed buddy with all the nutrients and vitamins they need to stay healthy.

American Journey dog food gets high rates from customers, vets, and other experts. This brand offers an awesome combo of price and quality.

In general, yes. But if your canine has special health conditions and requires some extra vitamins, ask your vet for an additional vitamin prescription (if needed).

Please, check the American Journey dog food feeding chart for every recipe to learn how many calories are in it. An average American Journey recipe contains 325 calories per cup.

American Journey is a Chewy-exclusive brand and is available only via Chewy and PetSmart.

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American Journey vs. Taste of the Wild: Which Dog Food is Better?

Looking at Taste of the Wild vs. American Journey for your pup's next meal? We compare both brands, including cost, quality, recall history & more.

Last Updated: May 9, 2024 | 10 min read | Leave a Comment

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Are you wondering which dog food brand is better between American Journey vs. Taste of the Wild ? These two brands are well-known and offer great products. But just like us humans, not all dogs are the same. And one brand might be the slightly better option for you and your dog.

There are multiple variables to consider when choosing a food brand for your dog. Age, nutrient needs, ingredient sensitivities, and flavors will all play a part in what your dog eats. Both American Journey and Taste of the Wild have several options here that are worth considering, no matter what age your pup is.

Here in this guide, we will compare these two highly-rated brands against each other to help decide which one is the better choice for you. We look at brand history, the quality of the ingredients they use, what formulas they offer, and much more. All to help you make your decision. So, let’s pit them against each other and take a closer look at these two great dog food brands.

Best For Puppies

Taste of the Wild Puppy

Best For Adults

American Journey Grain-free

Best For Seniors

American Journey Senior

Brand Histories

Good food starts with a good brand. Before you can feel confident about what goes in your dog, you have to feel good about where it comes from. Therefore it’s always important to look at the company itself. Below we look at both American Journey and Taste of the Wild in greater detail.

American Journey

American Journey is a new pet food brand. Because they do not have their own website yet, information is a little limited. Although this is disappointing, don’t let this put you off them! American Journey is Chewy’s house brand, and records show that they have been providing pet food since 2017.

All pet owners out there have heard of the online market Chewy, and so their food is fast becoming popular. They offer high-quality food but at budget prices . They are bringing competition to the pet food arena and proving to be a big hit with their customers. So they are high up in our recommendations for our readers.

Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild is an established dog food brand that is owned and manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. Diamond Pet Foods was founded in 1970, and they created the brand in 2007. Before this, Diamond Pet Food had a sticky history, and Taste of the Wild was their chance to earn the trust of their consumers once again with a healthier and more premium line.

Their ethos is to provide premium pet food at affordable prices . Taste of the Wild is only marginally more expensive compared to American Journey. Also making them good value for the money compared to other similar brands out there.

Here we are going to take a look at each brand’s recall history. This is an excellent indicator of how seriously a brand takes the safety of our beloved pooches. To do this, we have researched the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) websites. So, let’s take a look.

Although they have only been around since 2017, American Journey has a clean bill of recall health, with no recall records whatsoever . This is brilliant for a budget brand, and it also leads us to believe that they take the health of our pooches very seriously.

We’ve compared them to several other major manufacturers as well, including comparisons against Purina Pro , against Nutro , and again against Blue Buffalo .

Taste of the Wild has 10 extra years of operation to their belt when compared to American Journey. But, records show that there is only 1 record of a product recall . This recall occurred in May 2012, but it’s important to bear in mind that this was not limited to Taste of the Wild, and other brands were affected.

After investigation, some batches of pet food made at certain facilities owned by Diamond Pet Foods were contaminated with Salmonella. Unfortunately, thousands of pets across America became ill, but thankfully there hasn’t been anything since. When comparing this to other higher-end brands , Taste of the Wild also holds a good safety record.

Food Ingredients

Now to one of the most vital sections, what ingredients do each brand put into their formulas? Some brands promise to only use high-quality ingredients with no added colors or preservatives. Whereas some do not make this promise. Your own ethos and what you want to feed your pooch might determine which brand you pick. So, let’s inspect each brand’s promises and ingredients lists.

When it comes to meat protein, American Journey always promises to use deboned meat as their first listed ingredient. They also never use meat by-products, which is a lower quality ingredient.  This is usually a guarantee that only premium brands offer, so for a budget brand to promise this is terrific. Their favored proteins are chicken and salmon, with a few other meat options for variety.

Although American Journey offers a seemingly high protein content for a budget brand, the ingredients list shows that they split pea ingredients. This is common amongst budget brands to boost the protein content to make them seem meatier than they are. This makes it difficult for consumers to determine the true meat protein content. They separate peas into 4 sub-ingredients.

American Journey primarily offers grain-free options, but they also recognize that some of their consumers want grain inclusive options. When it comes to their grain-free options, they use ingredients such as sweet potato and lentils . Which are wholesome and a great source of fiber and healthy carbohydrates.

When it comes to their grain inclusive formulas, they stick to gentle grains such as brown rice and oatmeal that are known to assist with digestion. Unlike other budget brands, they promise never to use any corn, wheat, or soy. These are known to be hard to digest for dogs with sensitive guts. Budget brands tend to stick to cheap grains and fillers, so again, this is promising.

Taste of the Wild uses a wider variety of meats compared to American Journey. These include beef, bison, wild boar, fish, fowl, lamb, and venison. They, too, offer a high protein content for a somewhat budget brand. They also ensure that meat by-product ingredients are never used .

The majority of their formulas are grain-free, and they replace them with ingredients such as sweet potato , legumes, and peas. They have a limited grain inclusive offering, but here they use ancient grains, such as chia seeds, quinoa, millet, and sorghum. Similarly, they also do not use cheaper corn, wheat, and soy , which is good to know that they put your pooches health over profits.

Taste of the Wild always uses ingredients that are known to be easily digestible. Ingredients such as chicory root offer prebiotic fiber for regular digestion. Probiotic ingredients such as lactobacillus acidophilus and bacillus subtilis are listed. These help to promote friendly bacteria in your pooch’s gut. They also guarantee live microorganisms in every pound of kibble.

Like American Journey, they also split pea ingredients, but they only typically use 2 compared to 4. This makes them less guilty of the ingredient splitting tactic. This also probably means that it is meatier than American Journey, but it is difficult to say for sure.

Range of Formulas

Dogs have different dietary needs. Because of this, brands need to offer a range of formulas to cater to the wider doggy market. Dog food formulas will range widely , and usually, get distinguished by dog age.  There are different formulas within each age range, so let’s take a quick glance at each brand’s dog food offerings.

The American Journey brand offers a total of 3 product lines. Their product lines include their standard kibble, a limited ingredient line, and their Landmark line which has higher protein content. When it comes to grain inclusive vs. grain-free, American Journey’s standard kibble offers both grain-free and grain inclusive options. However, the two other lines are grain-free only.

Taste of the Wild has two different product lines. They are their standard kibble formula, and then their Prey line. Prey is their limited ingredient line of food . They offer both grain-free and grain inclusive recipes , but their limited ingredient line is only offered in a grain-free version. Their grain-free formulas are the most popular with many dog owners, especially those with sensitive stomachs.

Puppy Formulas

Taste of the Wild Puppy Formula

• Top pick for puppies.
• Grain-free recipe.
• Made with bison and venison.
• No corn, wheat, or fillers.
• No artificial flavors.
• 370 Calories per cup.
• 32% Protein, 18% Fat, 4% Fiber.

Puppyhood is thought to be the most critical nutritional period in a dog’s life because the right nutrition sets the foundations for a healthy body. Because of this, it’s important to make sure that you start them off on the right paw. Both American Journey and Taste of the Wild have different formulas, some of which are better for Large Breed puppies, and some of which are better for Small Breed puppies.

In total, American Journey offers 6 puppy formulas . There are 2 formulas specially designed for large puppies that limit the calcium and phosphorus content. Sadly, there are no choices for small breed puppies. Overall, there are grain-free and grain inclusive options in their standard kibble range, as well as a choice of meat flavors.

There are a total of 2 puppy specific formulas , each with a different meat source. The Pacific Stream puppy formula is free from chicken and egg ingredients, which most brands do not offer at the puppy stage.

They are both grain-free and state that they are suitable for all puppies. Although Taste of the Wild states that they are for all puppies, it is unlikely that the kibble pieces are small  enough for small breed puppies and their compact mouths.

Taste of the Wild is a widely panned favorite when it comes to puppy food. Unfortunately, if you have a small breed pup neither of these brands cater to them. But overall we crown Taste of the Wild the winner here due to their history and user satisfaction when it comes to their puppy formulas. It’s worth noting that if you are on a strict budget, American Journey will be the better pick.

Adult Formulas

American Journey Grain-free Adult

• Budget-friendly.
• Omegas for skin & coat health.
• Fiber-rich veggies for digestion.
• Free of corn, wheat, and soy.
• 390 Calories per cup.
• 32% Protein, 14% Fat, 5% Fiber.

During adulthood, his kibble should provide a well-balanced diet . It is also essential that you ensure your pooch’s own individual needs are catered too. Which is why it is important for brands to offer a range of kibbles. Your pup will likely be eating this food for the majority of their life, so it’s important to pick a brand that functions well nutritionally and also won’t break the bank.

American Journey offers a total of 22 adult kibbles . 8 of these kibbles are grain-free recipes, and 7 are grain inclusive recipes that use brown rice as their main grain ingredient. There are also 2 high-protein offerings. As well as 5 limited ingredients recipes for those who need fewer ingredients.

American Journey caters to large dogs with 4 formulas specifically designed for them. Unfortunately, there aren’t any options for small breed adults. And they also provide 3 diet management kibbles for those who need to lose a few pounds.

Taste of the Wild offers a total of 16 adult kibbles across both of their lines, all with different flavor offerings. 4 of these formulas are made using ancient grains, and 12 of them are grain-free. 3 of these are from their Prey line, which is created with just 4 ingredients for those who need simpler diets.

Overall, none of their adult kibbles are designed for small breeds or large breeds. This is more of an issue for toy breeds who cannot eat standard-sized kibbles. There aren’t any healthy weight management food options here either.

Both brands are very well thought of in the dog food industry, but American Journey gets the slight edge here because of the different flavor and dietary preferences they offer for adults. If your pup is a picky eater, there’s certain to be a flavor that your pup will enjoy in American Journey’s food offerings. The grain-free salmon recipe is a fan favorite that we recommend.

Senior Formulas

American Journey Grain-free Senior

• Antioxidant blend for immune health.
• Glucosamine boost for joint health.
• MCT’s help with brain function.
• Free of wheat, corn, and soy ingredients.
• 355 Calories per cup.
• 30% Protein, 11% Fat, 7% Fiber.

As a dog ages, his bones and joints begin to weaken, and they need extra glucosamine and chondroitin for support. It is also essential that he gets extra vitamins and minerals to keep his aging immunity healthy. As well as easy to digest formulas with fewer calories.

In total, there are 3 formulas designed with senior dogs in mind. 2 of these are grain-free, and the other is grain inclusive. They aren’t size-specific, but for all seniors. They do have a lower calorie content which is vital for inactive seniors who need far less energy.

Looking at the glucosamine content, one of their options is exceptionally high for a budget brand. This is their salmon and sweet potato recipe. The grain inclusive formula offers a much lower content.

Taste of the Wild does not offer any senior-specific food options . Instead, they state that their adult, or ‘all life stage’ kibbles as they refer to them, are suitable for seniors. Although they wouldn’t have any problems with this as such, this isn’t ideal. As they do not have increased levels of glucosamine or lower calories, which seniors need.

Senior dog food can be tough! Some brands create senior specific dog food, which we feel is a plus, but other brands will say their food should be good enough for all age ranges. Because American Journey has a dedicated senior line that offers a higher dose of glucosamine, we give the nod to American Journey wins this round.

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Wet Food

• Grain-free formula wet food.
• Made with real beef.
• Natural antioxidants from real fruits & veggies.
• Omega fatty acids for skin & coat.
• Made in the United States.
• 322 Calories per can.
• 8% Protein, 3.5% Fat, 1% Fiber.

Wet foods are a fantastic way to add flavor and moisture to dried kibbles. Many pooches would much rather eat chunks of meat, whereas some find it challenging to eat dried kibble alone.

In total, American Journey offers a total of 7 wet foods . Here your pooch will find a variety of flavors and limited ingredient formulas to choose from. Unfortunately, their wet foods are grain-free only, and there aren’t any small breed, puppy, or senior wet formulas.

Taste of the Wild provides 5 wet food options. They are all grain-free and simply offer 5 different meat flavors. They are for all dogs, with no size or age-specific formulas. Some dog owners like the simplicity here, while others want something specific to their dog’s size or age.

When it comes to wet food offerings, American Journey offers more. However, Taste of the Wild has several grain-free options, and several different highly regarded flavors. Taste of the Wild’s wet food is focused on high quality ingredients, specifically for pups with sensitive stomachs. We give Taste of the Wild a win this round.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, a total overview of each brand and what they offer. Both American Journey and Taste of the Wild are highly rated by other dog owners and provide high-quality products . But overall, it’s difficult to declare an outright winner, because it depends on both yours and Fido’s individual needs and wants.

If you have a smaller budget, or your pooch has specific dietary needs which American Journey caters to , then we think that they are the winner. They also offer a high-protein range which is something that Taste of the Wild does not.

But, if your pooch has an unusual flavor preference that is not offered by American Journey, or your pooch needs a diet that focuses on easy digestion, we would suggest Taste of the Wild . They also offer a chicken and egg free option too which some pooches cannot do without.

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American Journey vs. Wellness: Which Dog Food is Better?

The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

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American Journey is a brand of pet food that is sold exclusively through Chewy. They have a variety of options for your pet with their health in mind.

Today, in this American Journey dog food review, we’re taking a look at the ingredients and what other people have loved about this wet & dry dog food brand.

At A Glance

• Parent Company: Chewy, Inc.
• Headquartered In: Kansas, USA
• Where to Buy: Chewy
• Types of Food: Wet, Dry, Treats
• Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients?: Yes (wet and dry dog food)
• Ever Recalled?: No

American Journey offers natural, limited ingredient, and grain-free dog food that fuel your pet's everyday adventures. 

A Deeper Dive Into The Brand

American Journey is a special brand of wet & dry dog food knowing that all dogs are curious, love to explore, and are adventurous. Furthermore, they keep this in mind when creating their recipes that are healthy for your dog, high in protein, and will help them grow big and strong.

This particular brand is made in the USA and only uses real ingredients from trusted farmers. There are no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors in any of their recipes, whether it’s wet or dry dog food.

Above all, they have a variety of options for various pups such as grain-free, gluten-free, limited ingredient diet, and more. They also think about texture and have treats that are crunchy or soft chews making sure to meet every dog’s needs.

American Journey dog food contains the best from real meat, fruits and vegetables, antioxidants, DHA, omega fatty acids, and high protein. Their products are suitable for dogs of all sizes.

Also, the majority of their products are for adult dogs, but they do have senior and puppy food options as well.

What Is the Variety Of Foods They Produce?

American Journey dog food has a variety of food options for your pup that ranges from weight control, gluten free, grain free, limited ingredient diet, and high protein.

In addition, all the ingredients that are in American Journey’s dog food are highly nutritious and have nothing in mind but the best for your pup.

There are a lot of options to choose from as well. It comes in dry dog food, canned food, and treats. They even have cat food for you feline lovers in the crowd.

American Journey dry dog food comes in a variety of recipes and many flavor options.

The dry dog food is suitable for small, medium, or large breeds as well as puppies and seniors in addition to adult dogs.

The grain-free dry dog food options always have real meat as their first ingredient as well as fruits and vegetables, salmon oil and flaxseed allowing fatty acids, and supporting your dog’s overall health.

• Salmon & Sweet Potato (plus large breed option)
• Sweet Potato & Chicken (plus puppy, senior, large breed, large breed puppy, and healthy weight options)
• Beef & Sweet Potato
• Lamb & Sweet Potato (plus puppy option)

Protein First

The protein first dry food options also have real meat as their first ingredient. It contains fruits and vegetables and grains such as brown rice and barley.

While not a grain-free option, the ingredients are still nutritious.

• Brown Rice & Chicken (plus puppy, senior, large breed, and healthy weight options)
• Salmon & Brown Rice (plus large breed option)
• Beef & Brown Rice
• Lamb & Brown Rice

Ultra High Protein

The ultra-high protein dry dog food options are known as Landmark by American Journey. This particular dry dog food is also grain free and gluten free and has ingredients that are 70% animal-source protein with amino acids and probiotics.

However, the flavor options seem to be more limited than their other products.

• Angus Beef & Pork
• Rainbow Trout & Herring
• Cage-Free Chicken & Turkey

Limited Ingredient Diet

American Journey dog food also has limited ingredient diet options which is great for dogs with food allergies or sensitive stomachs.

These recipes contain fatty acids with real meat as the first ingredient allowing your pooch to stay energized and grow in a healthy way.

• Salmon & Sweet Potato
• Duck & Sweet Potato
• Lamb & Sweet Potato
• Turkey & Sweet Potato
• Venison & Sweet Potato

While canned food doesn’t have that crunchy texture, it is great for your pet because it adds more flavor to their meal time and it also allows for more nutrients to get in their body.

Like their dry dog food, American Journey has a wide variety of options for their canned food. It’s great for all dogs small, medium, or large, as well as any age for puppies, adults, and seniors.

Like the dry dog food, American Journey has grain free canned food recipe options that have real meat as the first ingredient with vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids.

Should you choose to feed your dog a grain-free diet, these canned options are the way to go. Plus, you can mix and match flavor options giving your pup a variety of tastes.

It’ll also be easier to see which flavors they enjoy best.

• Beef & Vegetable Stew (also comes in a two-pack with the chicken and vegetable stew recipe)
• Chicken & Vegetable Stew
• Beef & Chicken Loaf (also comes in a two-pack with the chicken and turkey loaf)
• Chicken & Turkey Loaf

The wet food limited ingredient diet options are great for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. They’ll go hand in hand with the limited ingredient dry dog food.

• Duck & Sweet Potato (also comes in a two-pack with the chicken and sweet potato)
• Chicken & Sweet Potato

American Journey dog food has a wide variety of treat options that come in crunchy or soft as well as a multitude of flavors that your pup will surely love.

Treats, while should only be given as snacks here are there, are a great add-on to any wet and dry dog food diet. Every pup deserves a treat now and again, which is why this brand has quite a few options to choose from.

For treats, this brand has three different flavor jerky options . These treats are good for all size dogs and are grain-free. They’re all natural with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. Real meat is the first ingredient.

The oven baked treat options are crunchy biscuits that are good for any size breed. These treats contain real meat as the first ingredient along with fruits and vegetables for added flavor.

• Peanut Butter

High Protein

These high protein options are perfect for an active dog. These are crunchy textured treats that are easily digestible, grain-free, and have real meat as the first ingredient that makes up 30% of the protein in each treat.

Limited Ingredient

These limited ingredient options are great for any size breed. Real meat is the first ingredient with absolutely no chicken as a protein source. These treats are wonderful for your pet if they have a sensitive stomach.

These soft baked treat options are good for any sized breed. They’re soft which makes them easy to chew. All the ingredients are natural, grain free, and rich in flavor.

Snacking Sticks

The snacking sticks treats are ideal for any dog that loves to have a stick-like object in their mouth.

These treats are shaped long, but they’re soft making them easy to chew for your dog and easy to break for you (in case you’re training or only want to give half to your pup).

Training Bits

These training bits treats are perfect for training your dog no matter what size or age. They’re small and soft, making it easy to chew.

Each treat is only four calories, so you don’t need to worry about giving them too many while training – they are made without any controversial ingredient in the mix as well.

These particular treats are grain-free packed with a lot of nutrients for your growing pup’s needs.

Recall History

Luckily, American Journey dog food has never been recalled, at the time of writing this article. And that goes the same both for their dry dog food and wet dog foods.

This particular brand is sold exclusively through Chewy and doesn’t have much information on the company.

However, the quality of the food and the ingredients are made carefully. Due to having no recalls, it shows.

Best American Journey Dog Foods

American Journey has a wide range of pet food from dry dog food and canned dog foods to dog treats. They have a lot of different flavors and cater to most dogs’ needs as well as size and age.

Here are just a few different quick reviews of American Journey including dry dog food, wet dog food, puppy food, and treats.

American Journey Stews Poultry & Beef Variety Pack Grain-Free Canned Dog Food

American Journey has a few different canned food options. One of them comes in a stew with two flavors, which you can get together in the same case.

The canned food comes in cases of 12.5 oz cans of 12, and you can get each flavor by itself or together. For this quick review, we’re taking a look at both flavors, chicken & vegetable and beef & vegetable.

First Five Ingredients (Chicken & Vegetable Flavor)

• Chicken Broth
• Chicken Liver
• Dried Egg Whites

First Five Ingredients (Beef & Vegetable Flavor)

Both flavors have real meat animal protein as the first ingredient, which is good to see in an adult dog pet food.

Comparing the two lists, I personally wonder how different the two flavors actually taste since they seem to have the same ingredients, more or less.

While it’s not in the first five ingredients, these stews do have a decent variety of vegetables such as carrots, peas, and potatoes – though we like to see beet pulp in the mix as well. They do have plenty of animal protein content, vitamins, and minerals, which is a plus.

With American Journey Poultry & Beef Stews Variety Pack Grain-Free Canned Dog Food, your dog will get the nourishment he needs for any adventure the day might bring.

You can check out our full review of this product here.

Key Features

• Packed in BPA-free cans
• For adult dogs small, medium, and large
• Contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and omega fatty acids such as omegas 3 and 6
• High animal protein content for lean muscles
• No corn, wheat, or soy
• No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives

American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

This brand has a plethora of dry dog food in a multitude of flavors. We’ll be taking a look at the American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato flavor.

It seems to be the best-seller on Chewy out of all the American Journey dry dog food that’s available.

First Five Ingredients

• Deboned salmon
• Chicken meal
• Turkey meal
• Sweet potatoes

American Journey Salmon contains salmon, not fish meal, as the first main ingredient of this particular dry dog food product. It’s real and with the added turkey and chicken meal (no chicken fat), your pup is bound to get a boost of protein content and energy, which is what this product is designed for – to keep your pooch energized.

It’s also great that the first five ingredients of American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Flavor also contain a couple of vegetables. This dry dog food seems wholesome and very nutritious. Other ingredients are just as good as it contains some fruit and various vitamins, minerals, and supplements.

• Designed for adult dogs in small, medium, and large
• Grain-free and gluten-free
• Contains salmon oil and flaxseed
• Contains DHA and fatty acids supporting healthy development of the brain and eyes

The Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food formula features real, deboned salmon with the protein and amino acids your dog needs for leaner muscles, and the exceptional flavor she instinctively craves.

American Journey Peanut Butter Recipe Grain-Free Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit Dog Treats

These oven-baked dog treats are small, bite-sized snacks that your pup will surely love. This particular product is a peanut butter flavor that’s made with real roasted peanuts to give it that natural flavor, and nutrients.

These oven-baked goodies come in different flavors mimicking the dry and wet foods, but we’re taking a look at the peanut butter because what dog doesn’t enjoy a good peanut butter snack once in a while?

All Ingredients

• Peanut butter
• Cane molasses
• Chicken fat
• Rosemary extract

There isn’t much that goes into these tasty treats. However, when it comes to nutrition, your pup may not get too much out of this snack.

Likewise, they’re sure to love the flavor and it’s not a meal – it’s just an every-once-in-a-while snack.

• Made for adult dogs small, medium, and large
• Crunchy texture
• All natural

American Journey Peanut Butter Recipe Grain-Free Oven Baked Crunchy Biscuit Dog Treats are grain-free, crunchy snacks sure to please your pup whether you’re both on the go or right at home. 

American Journey Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

The Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food formula features real, deboned chicken with the protein and amino acids your dog needs for leaner muscles, and the exceptional flavor she instinctively craves.

Another fantastic option from American Journey is their Chicken & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Dog Food. It is super popular with over 1500 reviews on Chewy. American Journey is committed to producing healthy, natural food for our furry friends so let’s take a look at the ingredients.

• Deboned chicken

This dry dog food from American Journey is packed full of delicious ingredients that’ll get your pup looking forward to meal times like never before. Their number one ingredient is deboned chicken which is of course a fan favorite of almost every dog. It’s not all about the meat though; this delicious dog food is packed full of veggies and fruits too like sweet potato, peas, blueberries, chickpeas and carrots! 

All of these healthy ingredients means your dog is getting all the nutrients, antioxidants, fiber and phytonutrients that they need to be their healthiest, happiest selves. It’s also packed with omega fatty acids, particularly DHA, for healthy brain and eyes development. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or a grain allergy, this recipe is ideal because it doesn’t contain any grain, wheat, corn or soy.

• First ingredient is deboned chicken
• Grain, wheat, soy and corn-free
• Contains lots of fruits and vegetables including peas, carrots and blueberries
• Contains omega fatty acids for healthy brain and eyes development
• Lots of nutrients, phytonutrients, antioxidants and fiber
• For all breeds of dog

American Journey Active Life Formula Beef

For your dog, an active life is one filled with adventure, so feed them a meal to fuel their adventurous spirit while keeping them healthy with American Journey Active Life Formula.

Another fantastic range of dog food from American Journey is their Active Life selection. If you and your dog lead an active lifestyle then you’ll understand how important it is to have a diet that supports all your activities. The Active Life Beef, Brown Rice & Vegetables Dry Dog Food is packed with slow energy releasing ingredients like brown rice and barley to keep you and your sidekick going for hours. 

• Deboned beef
• Barley 

With up to 25% protein packed into each cup, this food will support the natural muscle growth in your active pooch and the fact that it’s first ingredient is real, deboned beef will surely get your dog excited. Vegetables, such as sweet potato and carrots, as well as omega fatty acids will help in supporting your dogs immune system, coat and skin. 

• For active dogs
• 25% protein from real deboned beef
• No wheat, corn or soy
• Vegetables offer nutrients and antioxidants 
• Blend of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for coat and skin health
• Natural fiber and easily digestible grains

American Journey Beef Recipe Soft & Chewy Training Bits

Reward your sidekick with a chewy, tasty treat that’s just the right size for training. American Journey Soft & Chewy Training Bits are moist, soft bites that are crafted with real beef as the first ingredient for the taste dogs crave.

American Journey understand there needs to be treats for different occasions. Large treats are great for big rewards or to keep your furry friend occupied for a while but they wouldn’t be great to train with. That’s where the Beef Recipe Soft & Chewing Training Bits come in. They’re just 4 kcal per treat making them ideal for training for any lengths of time and the ingredients list will just go to show how much your dog will love these treats.

• Chickpea flour
• Whole dried potatoes 
• Potato protein

What this doesn’t tell you is that these treats are also packed with salmon oil and flaxseed which provide the necessary omega fatty acids for healthy skin and fur. Sweet potatoes, peas and chickpeas all help with healthy digestion as well as just general wellbeing. These treats aren’t solely for training purposes though. They’d be a great addition to a long hike or an active day out.

• 4 kcal per treat
• First ingredient is beef
• Salmon oil and flaxseed for healthy coat and skin
• Perfect for any length training sessions
• Sweet potatoes, peas and chickpeas for healthy digestion

American Journey Customer Reviews

American Journey dog food reviews are pretty good on Chewy. Overall, this brand is taken well from buyers.

Every single product they have has an average rating of between four and five stars, which is great.

What Do People Like About This Brand?

My Greyhound/Pit cross has gone through 15+ high protein dog foods trying to find something that will keep a little bit of weight on him. He’s only had it now 4 days and he’s already gained a pound. Sammi, Chewy.com

Her energy is great, and even her breath has GREATLY improved since getting her off the canned (Pedigree) food I’ve fed her over the past year. Cleopatra, Chewy.com

He seems to really enjoy his meals now too and his skin and coat look much healthier. Lawroellis, Chewy.com

American Journey dry dog food is not only great quality but also cost efficient! Jess, Chewy.com

He has gained weight and his coat looks to be much shinier. As far as the taste he really seems to enjoy it and eats it with great pleasure. Carol911, Chewy.com

What Do People Dislike About This Brand?

They are always hungry! Not to mention they “go” up to 7 times a day– very unusual for them. MomOf4ESSs, Chewy.com

My dog didn’t like this dry dog food at all. Crazyscoutdog, Chewy.com

They are constantly hungry. Also, it smells horrible. Sarah, Chewy.com

With this food he was very gassy and had 9 bowel movements plus a day. Rampage, Chewy.com

Why pea protein? Why legumes which suppress the absorption of taurine? Low levels of taurine cause heart disease. Amanzi, Chewy.com

American Journey dog food seems like a great option if you’re looking for new food for your beloved pet.

All the products look great as they cater to various dog breeds, sizes, and ages. Also, there’s a huge choice of flavors, so with some trial and error, even picky eaters should enjoy.

Real meat is definitely a common theme in all of their products as it tends to be the first ingredient in all the dry and wet canned food. Similarly, the other ingredients are just as well keeping in mind food allergies, sensitive stomachs, picky eaters, and overall health such as a clean coat, brain, and eye development, and keeping your active pup energized and ready to go.

As dog owners, we all want the best to go into our furry little friends and want the best nutrition possible for them.

Above all, it’s always a good idea to research multiple dog food brands, and you can check out some other brand reviews we’ve done in addition to this American Journey dog foods review.

If you own a kitty, you should check out American Journey cat food as well.

Continue reading:

American Journey Grain-Free Canned Dog Food Review 2022

Protecting Your Dog’s Health: Vaccination Schedule

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Dog Food Review

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American Journey Dog Food Reviews: Recalls & Coupons for 2024

Ma. Leonor Dollisen

Updated on:

American Journey is the house brand for Chewy.com , the online pet food and products retailer. American Journey is Chewy’s first foray into selling their own pet food brand.

Offering wet and dry food varieties, American Journey has been making waves in the dog food industry since its launch. It’s mostly due to the brand’s promise of sticking only to natural ingredients and its aversion to using wheat, soy, poultry by-products, and fillers in any of its products.

We’ve decided to write this article, American Journey dog food reviews, to see just why its dog food products are so popular and check what’s inside each of their lines. But before that, a little background info on the company.

Here at DogFood.Guide we have a dedicated mission to provide dog owners like you with well-researched information so they can provide the nutrition and health care towards their dogs.

Our readers rely upon our dog food articles, reviews and recall alerts that we took the time to research. We also routinely update and review our own reviews ensuring that any changes by manufacturers are brought to your attention.

DogFood.Guide is maintained by Mary Nielsen & her staff. Mary is an advocate and lover. She and her staff are passionate about animals and work hard to provide you with a wealth of information for you and your dog.

Our site is supported by our readers. If you make a purchase through one of our links, we may earn a referral fee. This helps cover the cost of operating our free blog. Thanks for your support!

Who makes American Journey Dog Food?

American Journey is owned by online pet product and food retailer, Chewy.com. It’s Chewy’s house brand and is made right here in the U.S . All meals are designed to cater to the specific and various needs of pups of varying life stages.

It manufactures and sells both grain free and rice-mixed as well as wet and dry dog food recipes, many of which feature sweet potato as a healthier alternative to grains for a pup’s carbohydrate needs.

Essential Nutrients

Our analysis of each American Journey dog food recipe includes some of their nutrient content. Here are some quick facts about why each of these is considered important and to help you better understand each American Journey dog food review we wrote below.

1. Protein – As one of the most important nutrients in dog foods, protein provides energy, supports muscle development, aids in tissue repair and growth, and keeps bones healthier. Most good dog food recipes list meat protein as the first ingredient.

2. Fiber – Fiber in pet food aids in digestion, speeds elimination, and can reduce symptoms of constipation or diarrhea.

3. Fat – It’s a source of energy for pets. It can also be a source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which support healthy fur and skin.

4. Moisture – Moisture in dog food helps keep pets from dehydration, particularly those who don’t consume much water. A higher moisture content is especially ideal for furries who are prone to kidney problems or urinary tract infections. Dry foods have lower moisture content than wet ones.

5. Calories – Calories are good for the body and are used for energy. Too much, though, when a body can’t burn enough of it (through inactivity) can lead to weight gain. It’s good to check the calorie content of a dog food, particularly if your pet is on the heavy side.

American Journey Dog Food Reviews (Dry)

The dry dog food category of the American Journey company is composed of several different ranges, including Grain Free, Healthy Weight, and Brown Rice. Each of the range targets a specific life stage, breed size and weight, or food preference.

Some pooches have a hard time digesting grains, while others suffer from skin allergies as a result of eating foods that have wheat, legumes, or rye. American Journey dedicated an entire line for sensitive pups to help them get their daily dose of complete and balanced nutrition without the grain that can make them ill.

The brand’s regular Grain Free line of pet food varies only in the main protein ingredients and slightly on the nutrient content.

They all feature superfoods like blueberries for its load of vitamin C and E, dried kelp for its contribution to skin and coat health, carrots as a great source of fiber and beta-carotene, and sweet potatoes for starch and complex carbohydrates.

Let’s break each recipe down a bit more:

• American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
• American Journey Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
• American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe
• American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe

1. American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

Carrying the unique taste of both the sea and freshwater, the deboned salmon in the American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe offers pups an exceptional meal full of flavor.

The fish provides the kibbles with a good amount of omega fatty acids and DHA for the proper development of the eyes and brain plus a shiny coat and healthy skin.

There’s a high level of protein included — a minimum of 32% — with crude fiber at 5% max, crude fat at 14% minimum, and moisture at 10% max.

Note: If your pet is allergic to chicken or poultry, do note that the second ingredient in this dry dog food after salmon is chicken meal. There’s also chicken fat included as well turkey meal.

2. American Journey Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

Chicken is a very popular meat ingredient in dog foods because it’s simply flavorful. In this recipe, real deboned poultry meat is the first ingredient and the main source of protein — pegged at a high 34% minimum.

Deboned chicken in the ingredients list is followed by chicken meal for your pup’s dose of glucosamine (a joint supplement that replenishes cartilages and provides relief from arthritic pain).

A crude fat percentage of 15% gives pets the needed calories to keep them active. Fiber is at 5% max and moisture at 10% max.

3. American Journey Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe

Beef has a rich and savory taste that meat eaters love. It’s a common protein ingredient in feeds, right up there with chicken in popularity, because the taste is powerful enough that a dog can enjoy the beef in kibbles even without artificial flavors added.

In this recipe, American Journey uses real deboned beef to provide 32% minimum crude protein. A fiber amount of 5% minimum keeps furry tummies happy. The fat content is pegged at 14% minimum, while moisture is at 10% max.

Note: The second ingredient in this dog food after beef is chicken meal. There’s also chicken fat inside. It’s best to avoid it if your pup is allergic to poultry.

4. American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe

Pups that are allergic to beef products but want the taste of red meat will do well with the American Journey Lamb and Sweet Potato recipe. Among the various kinds of meat, lamb provides one of the most digestible forms of protein for our furry companions.

The first ingredient is deboned lamb, which offers a good 30% minimum amount of crude protein. The fat content is at 12% minimum — the lowest among the recipes in the regular Grain Free line — which may be a good thing if your pup needs to lose a little weight. The max percentage for moisture is set at 10%, while for fiber it’s 5%.

Note: Chicken meal is the second ingredient in this recipe, and there’s also chicken fat content. Although the poultry ingredients are considered healthy, it’s best to note this for dog owners whose fur companions are allergic to fowl.

Limited Ingredient

American Journey’s Limited Ingredient line keeps it simple for pet owners whose pups may be sensitive to many types of foods . The animal protein in these formulations come from a single source , so you’ll know at a glance if it will work for your dog or not.

The list is blissfully short. Sweet potatoes and peas take the place of problematic grain as sources of carbohydrates. There’s plenty of omega fatty acids in each recipe, taken from flaxseed and sunflower oil.

And while it promises balanced nutrition, you can be sure there are no common allergens like wheat, soy, corn, poultry by-products, and artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors in the mix.

Products reviewed are as follows:

• American Journey Limited Ingredient Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
• American Journey Limited Ingredient Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe
• American Journey Limited Ingredient Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe
• American Journey Limited Ingredient Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe
• American Journey Limited Ingredient Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe

1. American Journey Limited Ingredient Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

Salmon provides the only animal protein source in this delicious combo of salmon and sweet potato. The deboned fish is a healthy alternative to meat, but it’s not bland by any means. Salmon has a subtle and refreshing taste that differentiates it from other fish meat, which is why a lot of dogs go wild for it.

The protein is pegged at 25% minimum, not as much as other flavors in this range, but it makes up for it with the high levels of omega fatty acids the food contains. (1.8% min for omega-6 and 1.2% minimum for omega-3). Fat is 12% minimum, while crude fiber and moisture are at 6% max and 10% max respectively.

2. American Journey Limited Ingredient Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe

A novel animal protein source for canines who are tired of the usual, duck provides quite a tasty alternative. It’s a frequent ingredient in hypoallergenic dog foods because of its novelty, and it is much richer in flavor when compared to chicken.

Duck also contains lots of fat and is high in nutrients like iron. Crude fat is at 12% minimum, for example. The crude protein is listed at 25% minimum, while crude fiber and moisture are at 6% and 10% respectively.

3. American Journey Limited Ingredient Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe

Lamb is similar in taste to beef but it has a much tangier flavor. It’s a great addition to any flavor rotation, and it can be an excellent option for canines who have food sensitivities from other animal protein sources. Besides, lamb is rich in essential amino acids that are necessary for growth and beautiful skin and coat.

The crude protein content in the American Journey lamb recipe is listed as 22% minimum, while fat is at a minimum of 12%. Crude fiber and moisture are the same as the other flavors in this range, which is 6% max for fiber and 10% max for moisture.

4. American Journey Limited Ingredient Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe

Turkey is another popular meat in dog food recipes. Usually, dogs that are allergic to chicken do fine with turkey. And if you compare the caloric value, turkey meat has a lower value than chicken, making it more suitable for older doggies or canines who are on the chubby side.

This recipe includes a minimum crude protein content of 25% and a minimum crude fat content of 12%. A moisture content of 10% max and and a max crude fiber of 6% are contained in the formulation.

5. American Journey Limited Ingredient Venison & Sweet Potato Recipe

Venison is lower in cholesterol when compared to other meats, while rich in B vitamins and omega fatty acids. This recipe contains more omega-6 fatty acids than any other recipe under the same range, and its omega-3 fatty acid content is comparable to the salmon flavor.

It’s also got an earthy taste that dogs love and can be a good option for pet parents whose fur companions suffer from food sensitivities.

This formulation has a minimum crude protein content of 25% and a minimum crude fat content of 12%. A moisture content of 10% max and and a crude fiber of 6% maximum are contained in the formulation.

Large Breed & Healthy Weight Selections

Large breed.

Large canines have a whole lot of love to give but they also have a whole lot more needs than regular-sized pets when it comes to nutrition. A range of dog food specifically-formulated for these biggies will give them all the fuel and nutrients they require to go on their big-sized adventures. This is where the American Journey Large Breed comes in.

The Large Breed range supports doggos with their daily food needs by supplying them with large amounts of high-quality protein from real meat. Superfood ingredients like sweet potatoes, kelp, carrots, and blueberries deliver all the powerful nutrients a doggie needs for wellness from his nose to his tail.

Just like with the brand’s other ranges, you won’t find any soy, wheat, or corn in this line. It’s also grain free.

• American Journey Large Breed Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
• American Journey Large Breed Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

1. American Journey Large Breed Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

Because big breeds deserve big nutrients, this salmon formulation keeps the crude protein level at a high 30% minimum.

The protein is taken from salmon, — the number one ingredient — pea protein, and turkey meal, which is also a good source not only of protein but also of chondroitin and glucosamine (supports healthy cartilage).

The crude fiber is pegged at 5% max, crude fat at 12% minimum, and moisture at 10% maximum. Each cup contains a caloric content of 370 kcal. This recipe is designed to meet all the needs of big pups of all life stages.

2. American Journey Large Breed Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

Chicken meat is one of the top ingredients in plenty of dog foods because it’s tasty, and it’s considered a lean meat. This Large Breed recipe calls for real deboned chicken as the first ingredient with chicken and turkey meal providing additional and abundant sources of animal protein.

Chicken fat in the mix provides a natural source of omegas, plus it makes the food taste better.

Pea protein contributes to bring the crude protein content to 30% minimum. The crude fat is at 12% minimum, while the crude fiber and moisture are at 5% and 10% maximum, respectively.

The omega-3 fatty acid here (0.7% minimum) is slightly lower compared to the salmon recipe which has 1% minimum, although both enjoy a 2.5% minimum when it comes to omega-6 fatty acids.

Healthy Weight

While chunky doggos are overwhelmingly cute, a good balanced weight is still best if we want what’s healthy for them. American Journey’s Healthy Weight range aims to cover all the nutritional bases that canines need while keeping the calories at a minimum. It’s designed to keep doggies fitter, healthier, and a lot more active.

Each Healthy Weight kibble is packed with lots of fibers (from natural sources) to help dogs feel fuller after meals (a necessity for dogs struggling with obesity), plenty of protein for building lean muscles, and all the minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants every pup needs to maintain a healthy weight.

The kibbles contain L-Carnitine for fat metabolism and glucosamine + chondroitin for overall mobility and joint health. They also have flaxseed, which provides natural fiber and omega-3 fatty acids; pumpkin for Vitamin A and fiber; sweet potatoes for carbohydrates; and blueberries for immune support.

As always, there are no grains, wheat, soy, corn, poultry by-products, or any artificial flavor, color, or preservative.

• American Journey Healthy Weight Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe
• American Journey Healthy Weight Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

1. American Journey Healthy Weight Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe

This recipe takes most of its protein from yummy deboned salmon that gives each kibble a refreshing taste of the sea. Chicken and turkey meal provide additional sources of animal protein, while pea protein helps bring the total crude protein of each feed up to 30% minimum.

While crude protein is up, crude fat is down to 9% minimum to keep each meal leaner. The fiber is at a high 9% maximum, while moisture is at 10% max.

The calorie content is measured at 315 kcal/cup only.

2. American Journey Healthy Weight Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

Deboned chicken provides much of the flavor and the largest source of animal protein in this dog food recipe. Turkey and chicken meal lend supplemental protein while chicken fat offers a richer flavor into the mix.

Although it has slightly more calories than the salmon flavor, each cup of this recipe still offers a caloric content that is a good deal lower than that of the other ranges at 337 kcal per cup.

The protein is a good 30% minimum, crude fat at 10% minimum (a little higher compared to the salmon flavor), crude fiber at 10% max, and moisture at 10% max.

Landmark & Brown Rice Recipes

Landmark is American Journey’s take on pet food that is patterned after the protein-rich diet of our dogs’ ancestors. It’s a purposeful blend that’s inspired by the wild, with 70% of the meal consisting of natural protein and fat from meat and fish sources and the rest of the feed from nutrient-dense ingredients.

This prey-based 70-30 diet keeps the protein high for sustained energy, a healthier immune system, active growth, and lean muscles.

Along with protein, each kibble is filled with naturally-occuring vitamins, minerals, and a broad array of amino acids. There are also prebiotic and probiotic ingredients thrown in for good digestive health.

Unlike the other American Journey dog food ranges, Landmark does not contain potatoes. It also does not have corn, grains, soy, gluten, or poultry by-product meals.

• American Journey Landmark Plateau Blend with Angus Beef & Pork
• American Journey Landmark Delta Blend with Rainbow-Trout and Herring
• American Journey Landmark Trailhead Blend with Cage-free Chicken & Turkey

1. American Journey Landmark Plateau Blend with Angus Beef & Pork

Made for adult dogs, this recipe uses premium livestock such as US Angus beef and pasture-raised pork as the first ingredients. Since pork is considered a novel meat (less commonly fed to dogs), this formulation can be a great option for pets who are not allergic to beef but can’t tolerate some meat sources.

Deboned beef is the first ingredient followed by deboned pork and turkey meal. The three meats provide the bulk of the protein in the food, bringing it to a high 40% minimum. Crude fat is listed at 15% minimum, crude fiber at 2% maximum, and moisture at maximum of 10%.

Let me bring your attention to our personal review about this particular product. The cutie doggo, Alaina is not used to eating dry dog food alone, her normal diet is dry mixed with wet food. However when given this blend, she chowed it down eventually and even ate more after the video was recorded according to Dennis.

2. American Journey Landmark Delta Blend with Rainbow-Trout and Herring

Adult canines who love fish will be wagging their tails with this fishy dog food recipe. It features farmed rainbow trout and wild-caught herring as the first two ingredients. The blend of ocean and river fish gives this formulation a distinct and rich taste.

Turkey meal provides an additional source of protein in this mix, along with pork meal, bringing the total to 40% minimum crude protein. The crude fat and moisture composition is the same as that of the Plateau Blend (15% and 10% respectively), but the max fiber is a little bit higher at 3%.

Note: There’s also poultry fat and dried egg product in the formula, which could be a cause for concern for doggies with food sensitivities to poultry.

3. American Journey Landmark Trailhead Blend with Cage-free Chicken & Turkey

Itty-bitty puppies need their mega dose of proteins too, and this American Journey puppy food provides all they need to help them grow beautifully. Cage-free chicken and turkey top the list of ingredients, providing the main source of protein in this puppy formulation.

It is heavy on the protein with the crude minimum listed as 40%. The max fiber is 2%, max moisture is 10%, and minimum fat is 15%.

Note: It also contains Pork gelatin, dried egg product, duck meal, and salmon oil.

Everyday is an adventure for our furry companions, and the Brown Rice range aims to provide all the energy our pets need for their explorations.

It offers a complete and balanced diet that uses protein-filled meats accompanied by healthy grains and wholesome veggies and fruits for excellent health inside and out.

Protein coming from real deboned meat is always the first ingredient in every recipe. Wholesome grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and barley provide fiber and lots of sustained energy for active pups. Brown rice is also good for the heart.

Each of the products in the Brown Rice range contain guaranteed levels of DHA included for proper eye and brain development, balanced omegas for coat health and the immune system, and a ton of antioxidants and phytonutrients.

• American Journey Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe
• American Journey Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

1. American Journey Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe

Deboned salmon and menhaden fish meal provide the main sources of protein here, amounting to a total of 25% minimum. There is much fiber in here at 6% maximum, all the better to help dogs with digestion and elimination.

Energetic pups are fully supported with complex carbohydrates found in the brown rice, bran, and other grains in this recipe.

Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) in the ingredients list contributes to the total crude fat in each meal, which is listed as 15% minimum. Moisture is listed as 10% maximum, and the DHA level is .08% minimum.

2. American Journey Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

The first ingredient here is deboned chicken, fully supported by chicken meal for additional protein, which is listed as 25% minimum. It’s a tasty recipe that utilizes whole foods like cranberries, blueberries, and carrots for complete nutrition.

The 6% minimum crude fiber content is excellent for keeping the colon cells and the whole digestive system healthy. There’s also crude fat at 15% minimum for extra fuel and a moisture content of 10% maximum.

American Journey Wet Dog Food Reviews

There are currently three ranges under the wet dog food category: Stews in Gravy, Limited Ingredient, and Premium Loaf. These are all canned dog food that vary in texture and number of Stews In Gravy

Gravy makes food that much more delicious for humans, and it’s the same thing for dogs. The Stews in Gravy range by American Journey feature morsels of real meat in hearty gravy for a truly satisfying meal rich in moisture, protein, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

Each recipe in this range lists real high-quality animal protein as the first ingredient. There are also potatoes to provide the needed carbs without resorting to grains. Fish oil and flaxseed, meanwhile, provide levels of DHA & EPA for healthy coats and skins.

The meals contain an appetizing broth that does not resort to artificial flavoring to give a satisfying taste. There are also no artificial colors or preservatives, grains, wheat, soy, or corn included.

• American Journey In Gravy Beef & Vegetable Stew
• American Journey In Gravy Chicken & Vegetable Stew
• American Journey Premium Loaf Beef & Chicken
• American Journey Premium Loaf Chicken & Turkey

1. American Journey In Gravy Beef & Vegetable Stew

Beef and beef broth are the main ingredients here, providing the main flavor. However, chicken broth, meat, and liver also contribute some to the taste and the nutrients, bringing the total amount of crude protein to 8% minimum.

The minimum crude fat content is a low 5%, perfect for old doggies or chonky canines in need of a diet. The fiber, however, is only 1.5% maximum, but it’s made up for by a high amount of moisture set at 82% max.

2. American Journey In Gravy Chicken & Vegetable Stew

Real chicken starts off the recipe list here followed by broth and liver for additional doses of poultry flavor. There’s also beef broth added in to make the taste of this dog food recipe more complex, and there are plenty of superfood ingredients to provide a whole balanced meal.

The nutrient content is the same in this formula as the Gravy Beef flavor with protein at 8% minimum, crude fat at 5% minimum, crude fiber at 1.5% maximum, and moisture at 82% maximum.

Premium Loaf

A pooch that enjoys the soft texture of wet dog food will probably enjoy the smooth texture of each American Journey Premium Loaf meal. Real animal proteins taken from chicken, beef, or turkey start off each wholesome recipe for a substantial feed.

Vegetables and fruits such as carrots, peas, and potatoes are thrown into the mix to give your dog a wide range of health benefits including the development of lean muscles, healthy coat and skin, and sustained energy for daily activities.

Each ingredient has been carefully selected to provide all the beneficial nutrition a dog needs while ensuring that it comes in a tasty package that he will crave

There are plenty of essential amino and omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and added vitamins and minerals but no grains, wheat, soy, poultry by-product meal, or artificial flavors and preservatives.

1. American Journey Premium Loaf Beef & Chicken

The combination of beef and chicken provide a more complex but delicious taste in this American Journey dog food recipe. The two meats are accompanied by chicken liver and beef broth for a richer flavor and texture.

The crude protein content of this formula is listed at 9% minimum. Crude fat is at 6% minimum, crude fiber at 1.5% maximum, and moisture at 78% max. The caloric content for this formulation is 443 kcal/12 oz can.

2. American Journey Premium Loaf Chicken & Turkey

Chicken and turkey offer plenty of nourishment for poultry-mad doggies. Together, the two provide much of the protein content in this meal, reaching 9% minimum. There’s also liver for a richer and more savory taste, not to mention it’s a good source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.

The fat is listed at 6% minimum, crude fiber at 1.5% max, and moisture is at 78% maximum. It’s mostly the same nutrition content as the Premium Loaf Beef flavor, except for the caloric count, which is lower at 426 kcal/12 oz can.

American Journey Recalls

We did not find any recalls for American Journey foods in the FDA database. These products have been around for quite some time and there haven’t been any recalls yet as of this writing.

There are various comments online from buyers that they had to stop feeding the food because their dog had some gastrointestinal distress but you can find similar comments for many dog food brands.

Is This Food Good For My Dog?

When considering whether any food is good for your dog you need to think about several different factors. First and foremost, you should determine your dog’s nutritional needs . His basic dietary needs will be affected by his health, age, size, and other unique traits.

Then you need to consider the dog food. Are the ingredients high in quality? Does the company have good quality control measures? Do you know much about the manufacturing processes? Does the company have a history of recalls?

The company’s reputation also comes into play, along with how the dog food is marketed. Be careful, however, that you don’t allow brilliant marketing to convince you that a mediocre food is a great food.

At the end of the day, there are only a couple of things that really matter: 1) Does your dog like the food and eat it willingly? And, 2) Is the food nutritious for your dog? It doesn’t matter if your friend’s dog loves the food and thrives on it. Your dog is the one that matters to you .

Our Verdict

Based on our American Journey dog food reviews of each line of pet food offered by the company, we have to say that the brand’s products all pass with flying colors.

The wide range of choices available combined with premium ingredients, lack of grains (in most of the pet foods offered), and the non-use of artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors in the recipes are all excellent points in our book.

From little pups to big ones and from lean fur buddies to heavy canines, there’s a range for every need. And because we didn’t want to rely on just our own dog food review to come out with our verdict, we also checked customer product reviews to gather more information.

A large majority of American Journey buyers have found these dog foods more than satisfactory.

But while everything else looks good, there’s one caveat. Except for the Limited Ingredients wet or dry dog food range, most products include animal ingredients that come from sources other than those listed as the flavors.

For example, the Trailhead Blend in Chicken & Turkey flavor contains pork gelatin, salmon oil, and duck meal, and the Grain Free Beef & Sweet Potato recipe has chicken meal in it.

It’s always best to check the full ingredient list when buying pet food to avoid giving our pups anything that they might be sensitive to.

Dry Dog Food vs. Wet Dog Food

It’s a long-running debate, but the truth is, each type of dog food has its pros and cons. It all boils down to the individual requirements and preference of each dog and his owner.

The advantages of dry dog food products:

• The hard texture is great for maintaining oral hygiene.
• Usually packed with more protein and carbohydrates
• Less messy than wet food
• Easy to store
• Lasts longer when left out
• Less expensive than wet food

The disadvantages of dry dog food are the following:

• Can be harder to chew for young puppies or old ones
• Doesn’t contain much moisture

Wet dog food products, meanwhile, has these as its pros:

• Less processed than dry food
• Contains more moisture, making it more hydrating
• Can be better for pups who need to lose weight because the moisture helps satiate bellies faster
• Often more flavorful which can entice picky eaters

The drawbacks to wet dog food are as follows:

• Shelf life is short once opened
• Exclusive wet food eaters need more dental maintenance
• Many pet owners find that mixing these two types of dog foods can also be a good compromise. In fact, doing so can provide your dog with the benefits of both.

Is American Journey dog food AAFCO approved?

American Journey meets the AAFCO guidelines for a natural dog food with added vitamins and minerals.

Who is American Journey dog food made by?

The American Journey Dog Food brand is owned by Chewy Inc., one of the largest online stores for pet products. Chewy Inc. was founded by Ryan Cohen and Michael Day and now sells over 1,000 brands online to a vast customer base. American Journey Dog Food is one of the brands manufactured and sold by Chewy Inc.

Does American Journey dog food have taurine?

The American Journey Chicken & Sweet Potato Grain-Free Senior Recipe is specifically formulated for senior dogs and is made with natural sources for key amino acids. It also contains supplemental taurine and L-carnitine and provides a total of 30% crude protein.

Is American Journey dog food healthy?

American Journey dry dog food and wet food is packed with high-quality animal protein, antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies to support a healthy immune system, fiber to help maintain healthy digestion and Omega-3 fatty acids, and contains no corn, wheat or soy. Quality ingredients and wholesome nutrition you can trust.

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American Journey Dog Food Review

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More

American Journey dog food is the private label brand for Chewy.com, the online pet food and product retailer. It’s also sold at PetSmart, the company that owns Chewy.com.

American Journey offers grain-free dog foods, limited-ingredient diets, some foods with grains, kibbles, and canned foods, as well as treats. American Journey is positioned to offer premium dog food at a lower price because it is owned by Chewy.com.

American Journey Dog Food: Top 5 Recipes Reviewed

Brand score.

• American Journey makes foods for dogs of different ages, sizes, and lifestyles
• Their foods have no corn, wheat, or soy
• Peas galore in many of American Journey’s foods
• Some people have reported that Chewy.com has removed their negative reviews of American Journey products; this experience has been happening since the brand debuted and it raises questions about all of the reviews on Chewy.com
• Chewy.com refuses to reveal any information about who makes the dog foods for them

Our reviews are based on extensive research and years of professional knowledge of dog food brands. In order to remain objective, we do not accept gifts of free products or write sponsored posts on this site.

We’ve examined American Journey dog foods closely and graded the brand according to the PupJunkies.com standard. Our criteria include ingredients, quality, customer experience, recall history, working with veterinary nutritionists to formulate the food, nutritional standards, research, and price.

About American Journey

American Journey is owned by Chewy.com. It was introduced in 2017.

American Journey has no web site so information about their foods has to be obtained from the Chewy.com site. That means that some information that is normally available about other dog foods is not available for American Journey.

Information about the brand also changes. For example, when the brand was first introduced, the company said that they did not use ingredients from China. Now it says that they will use them, depending on the market.

Sourcing And Manufacturing

American Journey’s dog foods are made in the United States from ingredients that are sourced from all over the world. Some ingredients may come from China, depending on the global market.

According to the company, their foods are made by a third-party manufacturer located in Kansas. Chewy refuses to release the name of this manufacturer. This lack of transparency bothers many pet owners.

There is speculation about who makes foods for American Journey in Kansas but it’s only speculation. American Journey representatives have also posted in the past on the Chewy.com web site that their brown rice dog foods were made in California but there is no more information on that subject.

Recall History

We didn’t find any recalls for American Journey, though the brand has only existed since 2017

What Kinds of Dog Food Does American Journey Offer?

American Journey offers the following kinds of dog foods:

• Dry foods, wet foods, treats, and toppings
• Special diets (no corn, wheat, or soy; grain-free; high protein; limited-ingredient diet; gluten-free; pea-free; weight control; sensitive digestion)
• Various flavors
• Various textures
• Lifestage (adult, puppy, senior)
• Breed size (Extra small and toy; small; medium; large; giant)

American Journey : Top Recipes Reviewed

We’re taking a look at five of the top-selling American Journey dog foods as found on Chewy.com so you can get a good idea of what some of these different formulas are like.

American Journey Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

View on Chewy

Product Info

• Protein: 32% Min
• Fat: 14% Min
• Fiber: 5% Max
• Moisture: 10% Max

American Journey Salmon & Brown Rice Protein First Recipe Dry Dog Food

• Protein: 25% Min
• Fat: 15% Min
• Fiber: 6% Max

American Journey Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food

• Fat: 12% Min

American Journey Healthy Weight Chicken & Brown Rice Protein First Recipe Dry Dog Food

• Fat: 9% Min
• Fiber: 9% Max

American Journey Lamb & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Puppy Dry Dog Food

• Protein: 30% Min

How Much Does American Journey Dog Food Cost?

American Journey foods are priced lower than most other premium dog foods.

What Do Customers Think of American Journey Dog Food?

Many customers on Chewy.com have good things to say about American Journey dog foods. However, as mentioned earlier, we have seen people report that they had posted negative comments about the foods on the site and Chewy.com had removed them.

This is very troubling since it raises questions about all of the reviews on the site and whether Chewy.com removes negative comments about other brands.

Overall, Is American Journey Dog Food a Good Choice?

All American Journey dog foods appear to include peas in the first ten ingredients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has specifically suggested that it’s not a good idea to feed your dog foods that contain peas, lentils, or legumes as a main ingredient (one of the first ten ingredients), at least while they are investigating the dietary form of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

It’s hard to ignore this advice. As a consumer, you can buy whatever dog food you like for your dog. However, we can’t be responsible for recommending foods that might be harmful, even if only a few dogs out of thousands might become sick.

This is probably a brand that should be revisited at a later time.

Where Is American Journey Dog Food Sold?

You can buy American Journey dog foods from Chewy.com and from PetSmart.

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Dog Food Is Being Recalled From Walmart Because It May Contain ‘Metal Pieces’—Pet Owners, Take Note

D og owners beware—dog food sold at Walmart has been recalled by Mars Petcare due to the fact that it may contain loose pieces of metal, the company announced on May 17.

This recall affects 44-pound bags of Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food sold in Walmart stores across four states. Find all of the details, including what to do if you’re in possession of one of the recalled products, below.

Walmart Pedigree Dog Food Recall

315 44-lb bags of Adult Complete Nutrition Grilled Steak & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food have been recalled. These recalled products were sold at 176 Walmart stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. Here is a complete list of stores.

To figure out if you have purchased a recalled bag, you can check the best by date and lot code. Recalled products are marked with a best by date of March 4, 2025 and lot code 410B2TXT02.

All recalled food has been removed from Walmart stores in these four states. If you've already purchased one, the FDA urges you to stop using it and contact Mars Petcare to make a return at 1-800-525-5273, or by visiting https://www.pedigree.com/update .

Staying on top of recalls like this is an important part of keeping you and your family (including your furry friends!) safe. Other recent recalls include pretzels and cream cheese that could be contaminated with salmonella.

READ MORE:  Planters Nuts Recalled In Publix & Dollar Tree Due To Potential Listeria Contamination

Over 20,000 pounds of beef products recalled for not being properly inspected, USDA says

South American Meat Inc., also known as 5Gogi LLC, is recalling over 20,000 pounds of various frozen raw beef products that were not presented to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service for import reinspection upon entry to the United States.

The items were imported from Uruguay on or around March 17, 2024, according to the USDA, and were shipped to distributors, restaurants, retailers and institutions in Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington.

According to the USDA notice, the problem was discovered during "routine FSIS surveillance activities of imported products" and it was determined that the products were not presented for FSIS import reinspection.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products, according to the USDA, and anyone concerned about a reaction should contact a healthcare provider.

The recall affects the following products:

• Various weight cardboard cases labeled as “Frigorífico Casa Blanca S.A. AGUJA CHUCK ROLL” with case code JP0001 containing individually vacuum sealed products displaying “FRICASA”.
• Various weight cardboard cases labeled as “Frigorífico Casa Blanca S.A. ASADO SIN HUESO SHORT RIB” with case code JP0002 containing individually vacuum sealed products displaying “FRICASA”.
• Various weight cardboard cases labeled as “Frigorífico Casa Blanca S.A. BIFE ANCHO CUBE ROLL” with case code JP0003 containing individually vacuum sealed products displaying “FRICASA”.
• Various weight cardboard cases labeled as “Frigorífico Casa Blanca S.A. BIFE ANGOSTO STRIPLOIN” with case code JP0004 containing individually vacuum sealed products displaying “FRICASA”.
• Various weight cardboard cases labeled as “Frigorífico Casa Blanca S.A. BIFE GRANDE DE VACÍO FLAP MEAT” with case code JP0005 containing individually vacuum sealed products displaying “FRICASA”.
• Various weight cardboard cases labeled as “Frigorífico Casa Blanca S.A. CARNAZA DE PALETA SHOULDER CLOD” with case code JP0006 containing individually vacuum sealed products displaying “FRICASA”.
• Various weight cardboard cases labeled as “Frigorífico Casa Blanca S.A. LOMO TENDERLOIN” with case code JP0007 containing individually vacuum sealed products displaying “FRICASA”.
• Various weight cardboard cases labeled as “Frigorífico Casa Blanca S.A. MARUCHA OYSTER BLADE” with case code JP0008 containing individually vacuum sealed products displaying “FRICASA”.
• Various weight cardboard cases labeled as “Frigorífico Casa Blanca S.A. PECHO BRISKET” with case code JP0009 containing individually vacuum sealed products displaying “FRICASA”.

The USDA says the products subject to recall bear Uruguay establishment number 58 printed inside the Uruguay inspection mark located on the shipping box and vacuum sealed product packaging.

Any individual or entity who have purchased these products are urged not to consume or serve them. The USDA says the products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Cucumber recall: Salmonella linked to recalled cucumbers could be two separate strains; FDA, CDC investigate

Raw ground beef products recalled over possible E. coli contamination

As USA TODAY previously reported in early May, Cargill Meat Solutions recalled over 16,000 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli.

The products were produced on April 26-27, 2024, according to the USDA. The company reported the issue to FSIS after they identified that "previously segregated product had been inadvertently utilized in the production of ground beef."

• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF" with lot code 117 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
• 2.25-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.
• 1.33-lbs. plastic-wrapped trays containing four "90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES" with lot code 118 and establishment number "EST. 86P" printed on the back of the label.

The USDA says there have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products and anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider. The USDA is urging consumers not to consume these products, but rather throw them away or return them to their place of purchase.

Symptoms of E. coli contamination include dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps anywhere from 2 to 8 days after exposure to the organism, according to the USDA.

Contributing: James Powel, Mike Snider

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X  @GabeHauari  or email him at [email protected].