Buying guide for best American Journey dog food
If you consider your dog a member of the family, you want to care for it as well as you can. Choosing the right food for your pup is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make, so a high-quality brand like American Journey dog food is worth considering.
American Journey dog food is made in the United States, so you can be confident that it contains safe, quality ingredients like sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and first-rate proteins. The brand also creates formulas designed to provide balanced nutrition depending on a dog’s age and activity level. You can also find dog foods that cater to specific dietary needs, such as grain-free formulas or recipes with limited ingredients for dogs with allergies or sensitive stomachs.
If you’re interested in giving your pup American Journey dog food, start by determining which formula would work best for your pet. Then choose between wet and dry recipes and decide if your dog needs a special formula. A good shopping guide and product recommendations can help you make the best choice for your furry friend.
Who makes American Journey dog food?
Before you purchase any dog food, you want to know you can trust the maker behind it. American Journey dog food is a relatively new brand, established in 2017. Its parent company is Chewy, one of the most trusted retailers of pet food and supplies, and for many pet owners that provides peace of mind.
American Journey grain-free dog food is made in Kansas, and the limited-ingredient formulas are made in California. The ingredients come from reputable suppliers in the United States and around the globe.
How to buy the best American Journey dog food
Formulas
American Journey offers several formulas that target a dog’s nutritional needs based on age and activity level. All its dog foods are formulated without corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. The brand’s formulas include the following:
Puppy: Young dogs need plenty of nutrients to ensure healthy growth, proper immune function, healthy weight, and disease prevention. American Journey’s puppy formulas contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients to keep a pup healthy. They also feature high-quality protein from deboned meat or fish and amino acids to help a puppy build lean muscle mass. They include omega fatty acids too, helping to support skin and coat health and brain and eye development.
Adult: These American Journey formulas provide a well-rounded, balanced diet that helps maintain an adult dog’s health. The food includes real deboned protein, such as beef, chicken, or salmon. They also contain a blend of omega fatty acids to keep the skin, coat, eyes, and brain healthy. They’re high in antioxidants and other nutrients that help boost the immune system too.
Senior: These American Journey formulas help keep a senior pup healthy and active as it ages. They contain nutrients that meet the needs of aging dogs, such as triglycerides to support brain health, antioxidants for immune system support, and omega fatty acids to keep the skin and coat healthy. Many formulas also include glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and alleviate the mobility issues that befall many older dogs.
Active lifestyle: American Journey active lifestyle formulas offer the nutrition necessary to meet the demands of regular activity and play. These formulas contain nutrients that help boost energy for an active lifestyle and other ingredients that support your pet’s overall health.
DID YOU KNOW?
Pay careful attention to the expiration date on your dog’s food. While your dog probably won’t get sick if the food is just a few weeks past that date, the food’s nutritional value might be compromised.
STAFF
BestReviews
Features to look for in American Journey dog food
Wet vs. dry
American Journey offers both wet and dry dog foods. Both types provide the nutrients a dog needs, but your pet might prefer one over the other.
Wet dog food: These formulas have a higher moisture content, so if your dog doesn’t drink enough water or has hydration issues, one of these might be a good option. For example, dogs with kidney or urinary issues do well with wet food. The wet formulas usually have stronger aromas and flavors too, which can be more appealing to some dogs. Wet food typically keeps a dog feeling full longer, so it can also help with weight management. If your dog has dental issues, weight food is easier to eat than dry food.
Dry dog food: These formulas have a hard texture, so they can help prevent tartar buildup and other dental issues. Spills are easier to clean up than with wet formulas, and they don't spoil as quickly if left out. You can pre-portion the food easily too. Dry food also works well for dogs that eat slowly and for use with food puzzles.
Flavors
American Journey dog food is available in several different flavors. Your choice will depend on your dog’s preferences. The formulas include the following flavors:
- Beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, or salmon
- Beef, chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, venison, or salmon plus sweet potato
- Lamb, venison, and beef
- Salmon, whitefish, and trout
Grain-free
Some American Journey formulas contain no grains. They include complex carbohydrates sourced from foods like sweet potatoes, so they won’t upset the stomach of a dog that’s sensitive to grain. However, American Journey grain-free formulas still include high-quality protein, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to help support a dog’s overall health.
Limited ingredient
For dogs with food allergies and sensitivities, American Journey makes formulas that contain just a few ingredients that still provide the essential nutrients your dog needs. This dog food contains no grains or fillers that might upset a sensitive stomach or make a dog sick.
Quantity
American Journey dry dog food comes in bags ranging from 4 to 28 pounds. The larger bags generally provide a better value, but you might prefer a smaller quantity if you’re trying a new flavor or aren’t sure a certain formula will agree with your dog.
American Journey wet food comes in 12.5-ounce cans, and each bundle contains 12 cans. In addition, you can find some bundles that include multiple flavors with 12 cans of each. If you feed your dog a combination of dry and wet food, some bundles include a 24-pound bag of dry food and 12 cans.
Treats
In addition to wet and dry dog food, American Journey makes treats you can use to supplement your dog’s diet throughout the day. While they don’t provide the complete nutrition of the foods, they are handy for training your pet. You can choose from the following types of treats:
- Biscuits and crunchy treats
- Soft and chewy treats
- Jerky treats
- Dental treats
It might be a hassle, but it’s a good idea to wash your dog’s bowl after every meal. Bacteria, mildew, mold, and other contaminants can grow easily if you don’t clean the bowl regularly.
STAFF
BestReviews
Accessories for American Journey dog food
Dog food toppers
If your dog isn’t eating its dry food, a topper can help make the food more appealing. Some toppers have a soupy or gravy-like texture, while others include shredded or chunks of meat. You can choose from many flavors, such as turkey stew and beef bisque, to find one that appeals to your pup.
Dog bowls
You need a high-quality dog bowl for your pet’s food at mealtime. Many dog bowls are made of stainless steel to prevent bacterial growth and allow for easy cleaning. If your pup has a habit of wolfing down its food, you can also find bowls designed to prevent your dog from eating too quickly.
DID YOU KNOW?
Chicken, turkey, and beef are excellent proteins for dogs because they’re easily digestible and have flavors that dogs enjoy. Chicken and beef can sometimes trigger allergies, though, so experiment to find the right proteins for your pup.
STAFF
BestReviews
How much does American Journey dog food cost?
Inexpensive
The most affordable American Journey dog food includes treats and small bags of dry food. This price range includes grain-free and limited-ingredient formulas too. This food generally costs between $3 and $16.
Mid-range
This American Journey dog food includes midsize bags of dry food and 12-packs of wet food. In addition, you can find grain-free and limited-ingredient formulas in this price range. This food typically costs between $16 and $40.
Expensive
The most expensive American Journey dog food includes large bags of dry food and bundles that contain dry food and a 12-pack of wet food. You can find grain-free and limited-ingredient formulas in this price range. This food usually costs between $40 and $100.
Tips
- Measure out the portions carefully. It’s easy to overfeed your pet, which can lead to weight and health issues. Consult the guidelines on the food’s packaging to see how much your dog should eat based on age, size, and activity level.
- Consult your veterinarian before choosing dog food. If your dog has special dietary needs, you want to be sure your pet gets the nutrients it needs without upsetting its stomach or aggravating any allergies.
- Transition slowly to new dog food. If it’s a formula your dog hasn’t had before, your pet can experience stomach upset, including symptoms like gas, diarrhea, or soft stool. That’s why it’s best to introduce new food gradually over a week to 10 days. Start with just 25% new food in your dog’s existing food, increasing the amount each day until you’re feeding only the new food.
FAQ
Q. Has American Journey dog food had any recalls?
A. No. However, the brand has only been making dog food since 2017, so its track record isn’t quite as long as that of other dog food brands.
Q. How often should I feed my dog?
A. It’s generally recommended that a dog eat at least two times a day, so its meals are no more than 12 hours apart. However, you might prefer to feed your pup three times a day on a breakfast, lunch, and dinner schedule. Make sure to consult the food’s packaging for the total amount of food your pet should eat each day and divide it evenly between the feeding times.
Q. What’s the best way to store dog food?
A. You should keep dog food in a cool, dry location, such as a pantry or other storage cabinet. Keep dry food in a sealed container. You can secure the top of the bag with clips or empty the bag into an airtight food storage container.
