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American Journey Protein & Grains Dry Dog Food Review
Home Reviews American Journey Protein & Grains Dry Dog Food Review
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Review of American Journey Protein & Grain Dry Dog Food
American Journey Protein & Grains Dry Dog Food receives the Advisors second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.
This American Journey product line includes the 16 dry dog foods listed below.
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| American Journey Protein & Grains Beef, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4.5 | A |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Salmon, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4.5 | A |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Chicken, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4.5 | A |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Lamb, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4 | A |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Large Breed Salmon, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4.5 | A |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Puppy Chicken, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4.5 | G |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Large Breed Puppy Chicken, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4.5 | G |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Healthy Weight Chicken, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4.5 | M |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Senior Chicken, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4.5 | M |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Large Breed Puppy Salmon, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4.5 | G |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Senior Salmon, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4.5 | M |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Healthy Weight Salmon, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4 | M |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Puppy Salmon, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4.5 | G |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Small Breed Chicken, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 5 | M |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Small Breed Salmon, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 5 | M |
| American Journey Protein & Grains Large Breed Chicken, Brown Rice and Vegetables | 4.5 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
American Journey Protein & Grains Chicken, Brown Rice and Vegetables was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
American Journey Active Life Chicken, Brown Rice and Vegetables
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, rice bran, peas, barley, natural flavor, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), flaxseed, suncured alfalfa meal, fish oil, dried plain beet pulp, dried tomato pomace, dicalcium phosphate, salt, calcium carbonate, dried egg product, carrots, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, l-threonine, blueberries, cranberries, dried kelp, choline chloride, taurine, dried chicory root, mixed tocopherols (preservative), iron amino acid complex, zinc amino acid complex, vitamin E supplement, ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, Yucca schidigera extract, copper amino acid complex, copper sulfate, sodium selenite, manganese amino acid complex, vitamin A supplement, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, manganous oxide, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, calcium iodate, folic acid, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 6%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Guaranteed Analysis | 25% | 15% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 28% | 17% | 48% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 24% | 35% | 41% |
Ingredient Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.
The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The third ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The next ingredient includes rice bran, a healthy by-product of milling whole grain rice. The bran is the fiber-rich outer layer of the grain containing starch, protein, fat as well as vitamins and minerals.
The fifth ingredient lists peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, theyre rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
The sixth item is barley, a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
After the natural flavor, we find chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The ninth ingredient is flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this American Journey product.
With 6 notable exceptions
First, we find tomato pomace. Tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient, a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.
Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.
Just the same, theres probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.
Next, this food includes alfalfa meal. Although alfalfa meal is high in plant protein (about 18%) and fiber (25%), this hay-family item is more commonly associated with horse feeds.
In addition, beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.
Next, we note the use of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
Additionally, chicory root is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.
Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, its also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dogs digestive tract.
This product also contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
And lastly, we note the inclusion of sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, American Journey Protein & Grains Dog Food looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 28%, a fat level of 17% and estimated carbohydrates of about 48%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 28% and a mean fat level of 15%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 49% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 55%.
Which means this American Journey product line contains
Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas, flaxseed and alfalfa meal, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a notable amount of meat.
Our Rating of American Journey Protein & Grains Dog Food
American Journey Protein & Grains is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a notable amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus receiving 4.5 stars.
Highly recommended.
American Journey Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls since 2009 related to American Journey.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Get Free Recall Alerts
Get free dog food recall alerts sent to you by email. Subscribe to The Advisors recall notification list.
More American Journey Brand Reviews
The following American Journey dog food reviews are also posted on this website:
Compare This Dog Food
How does this brand compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
American Journey Grain Free Dog Food Review (Dry)
Home Reviews American Journey Grain Free Dog Food Review (Dry)
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All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Which American Journey Grain Free Dry Recipes Get Our Best Ratings?
American Journey Grain Free Dog Food receives the Advisors best rating of 5 stars.
The American Journey Grain Free product line includes the 17 dry dog foods listed below.
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile when available Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
Recipe and Label Analysis
American Journey Grain Free Salmon and Sweet Potato was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
American Journey Grain Free Salmon and Sweet Potato
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Deboned salmon, chicken meal (a source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate), turkey meal, peas, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, pea protein, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), dried plain beet pulp, natural flavor, flaxseed, menhaden fish meal, blueberries, carrots, salt, salmon oil, dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product, dried kelp, fructooligosaccharides, vitamin E supplement, choline chloride, taurine, mixed tocopherols (preservative), ferrous sulfate, zinc proteinate, zinc sulfate, iron proteinate, Yucca schidigera extract, niacin supplement, copper sulfate, potassium chloride, sodium selenite, d-calcium pantothenate, copper proteinate, riboflavin supplement, manganese sulfate, vitamin A supplement, manganese proteinate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, calcium iodate, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Guaranteed Analysis | 32% | 14% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 36% | 16% | 41% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 31% | 33% | 36% |
Ingredient Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is salmon. Although it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, raw salmon contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.
The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The third ingredient is turkey meal, another protein-rich meat concentrate.
The fourth ingredient includes peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, theyre rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
The fifth ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The next ingredient includes chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. Like peas, beans and lentils, chickpeas are a nutritious member of the fiber-rich legume (or pulse) family of vegetables.
However, chickpeas contain about 22% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The seventh ingredient is pea protein, what remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable.
Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
The next ingredient is chicken fat. This item is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The ninth ingredient is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other ingredients.
But realistically, items located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this American Journey product.
With 7 notable exceptions
First, we find flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
Next, we note the inclusion of menhaden fish meal, yet another high protein meat concentrate.
Fish meal is typically obtained from the clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings of commercial fish operations.1
In addition, this recipe includes salmon oil. This item is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Next, this recipe contains fructooligosaccharide, an alternative sweetener2 probably used here as a prebiotic. Prebiotics function to support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine.
Additionally, this food includes chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
We also note the addition of taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
And lastly, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, American Journey Grain Free Dog Food looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 36%, a fat level of 16% and estimated carbohydrates of about 41%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 34% and a mean fat level of 14%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 44% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 41%.
Which means this American Journey product line contains
Above-average protein. Below-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to other dry dog foods.
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.
Our Rating of American Journey Grain Free Dog Food
American Journey Grain Free is a dry dog food using a significant amount of named meat meals as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars.
Enthusiastically recommended.
American Journey Grain Free Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to American Journey through April.
No recalls noted
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Get Free Recall Alerts
Get free dog food recall alerts sent to you by email. Subscribe to The Advisors recall notification list.
More American Journey Brand Reviews
The following American Journey dog food reviews are also posted on this website:
Compare This Dog Food
How does this brand compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
