American Journey is the exclusive dog food brand for Chewy.com, the online pet store. Which means you can only buy American Journey dog food from Chewy.com directly, or from a few other online marketplaces. The brand’s mission is to provide your pup with natural, grain-free blends that are rich in protein. Simply, Chewy wants to give us the quality we can trust.
This company prides itself on providing all-natural and healthy dog food. Also, keep checking their site for deals on this in-house dog food brand. Chewy.com is always running promotions on its exclusive dog food.
So, if you’re here because you’ve heard about American Journey and curious to learn more about their food products, then continue and read through our in-depth review.
About the Brand
If you did a quick Google search of American Journey, you wouldn’t find an official website of any kind. That’s because it is Chewy.com’s private label. So, any type of information you need about the food brand can be found directly on the Chewy.com product page.
But after spending some time searching through the internet, here’s what we found out about the brand. Chewy Inc. has its food produced and packaged by a third-party by a factory in Kansas. However, if you were to contact their customer service line, that’s as far as you will get. They do not make the information public.
So, we can only speculate who is responsible for the production of their in-house food brand. But, some possibilities are Mars Petcare, CJ Foods, and Ainsworth, all of which have factories in Kansas.
Nutrition
American Journey’s goal is to be innovators in the pet food industry. They have a staff of top industry professionals with over 20 years of experience. They work closely with production partners to create and develop healthy, unique recipes. Their goal is to give customers and pets the food they want and need.
The first thing you’ll notice with all American Journey food products is that they’re grain-free. Some dogs are sensitive to grains, such as wheat or rye. So the makers put together grain-free recipes that provide your pup with more than enough vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
It’s also important to mention that each dog food blend is gluten-free. Each recipe is enriched with a different high-quality protein, deboned meat. It doesn’t include any organs whatsoever. However, the meat is not free of antibiotics or hormones. Nor do they meet cage-free or free-range standards. Chewy cannot guarantee that the other ingredients are not free of GMOs.
Some people might think the use of GMOs or not following free-range, or cage-free guidelines automatically equals an unhealthy product, but that’s not the case here. It’s important to note that the factories and farms where the meat is sourced, meet USDA, FDA, and AAFCO standards. Another positive about the brand is that you won’t find any artificial flavoring, coloring, or preservatives.
Below is the guaranteed analysis for the various dry food blends by American Journey.
  | |||
  | |||
  |
Ingredients
Like we said in the previous section, the protein and other ingredients used in American Journey dog food products may contain antibiotics, hormones, or GMOs. But on the bright side, they are free of any preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, and other animal by-products. Also, the deboned meat and protein used, like the chicken and beef are born, raised, and sourced in the U.S.
American Journey dog food products are manufactured in the US, but some ingredients are outsourced if they are not available in the US. For example, chickpeas, peas, dried kelp, and flaxseed are sourced from throughout the US and Canada. Then you’ll find menhaden fish meal, and yucca schidigera extract is imported from Mexico. You can find a list of other imported ingredients on the product page.
Each recipe and blend features a protein as its base. Some other nutritious ingredients include sweet potatoes, which are a source of complex carbs, vitamins, and minerals. Sweet potatoes will give your dog energy.
Blueberries provide your dog with vitamin E and C. Blueberries along with carrots are sources of healthy antioxidants, which promote a stronger immune and urinary tract system. You may find flaxseed, kelp, and fish oil for omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are great for a healthier coat and skin.
DHA is a supplement used to support brain and vision development. As a pet parent, it’s comforting to know that American Journey products are free of Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex. That’s a synthetic and cheap source of vitamin K.
Safety
The American Journey food line is safe to give to your pup. For instance, every bag of dry dog food is subject to high standards of quality testing. Chewy’s factory in Kansas follows the strict rules and guidelines of the USDA, AAFCO, and FDA.
Each dog may react differently after consumption, so always check the ingredients to make sure it is safe for your dog to consume. Check with your veterinarian if you are still unsure. Remember, you can never be too safe when it comes to your furry friend.
Breed
American Journey is designed for all size dogs and breeds. The kibble size measures 12 millimeters by 5 millimeters so you won’t have to worry about your pup choking if they’re small in size. Another benefit is there is no artificial ingredients or grain in any food products, which some breeds are sensitive and allergic to. Some breeds are sensitive to chicken and poultry, so you may want to look out for that and consult a professional before giving your pet chicken.
Food Form
The brand’s food products come in both dry and wet form. American Journey also has its own line of treats, like bites and jerky. There are also supplements or toppers available like Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil, which encourages a healthier coat and skin. Like we said earlier, the dimensions of one kibble is about 12mm to 5 mm.
The wet food comes in a 12.5 oz can. And just like the dry food from American Journey, they made from premium animal proteins. Now, within the wet food section, you can pick a chicken or beef stew, or a loaf with chicken, turkey, or beef. There are many delicious options to choose from.
Life Stage
All American Journey products are perfectly safe and healthy for various life stages. You’ll just have to alter the feedings based on the breed, age, and lifestyle of your dog. But, if you’re the type that feels more comfortable with a specific blend, let’s say…for example a puppy.
Then American Journey also has a chicken and sweet potato recipe for large breed puppies. So, as you can see, this brand has you covered for all your healthy dog food needs.
Recall History
From our research, fortunately, the brand has not had any recalls on any of its products.
Allergies
As always, check the label on any product you buy to check for any ingredients your dog may have an allergic reaction to. But for the most part, American Journey products are grain-free and exclude corn and soy. Grain usually is a trigger in dogs with allergies and other food sensitivities, leading to itchy skin or an upset stomach.
Some recipes do include poultry, which can also be a trigger for dogs with food allergies. American Journey also has limited ingredient blends, which are safe and healthy choices for dogs with allergies. These recipes exclude ingredients that may trigger those horrible sensitivities. But don’t worry, your pup is still getting the daily nutrition it needs.
Feeding Directions
Always follow the feeding instructions on the back of the package. You’ll see that American Journey still notes that you should alter the feedings based on your dog’s age, weight, and lifestyle. Adult dogs, puppies, and dogs that are nursing or are pregnant have different feeding instructions. So always check. The dry food and wet food serving instructions differ according to weight and age.
Below are the feeding instructions that you will find on some of the American Journey food packages.
Soft Food instructions:
- Adult: Feed 1 to 1 1/4 cans per 15 lbs of body weight per day.
- Puppy: Feed up to twice the adult amount per day.
- Feed at room temperature and refrigerate unused portion.
Dry Food Instructions:
- ½ a cup for every 10 lbs.
- When it comes to dry food, you can serve it with water if your dog prefers the food to be a tad softer in texture.
Final Thoughts
Chewy’s American Journey dog food products are a healthy choice for your furry friend. Their food products are made with high-quality ingredients, under strict guidelines. Each formula highlights a different protein, like salmon, chicken, beef, turkey, and even venison.
The grain-free recipes and even the limited ingredient ones are great for pets with food sensitivities or allergies. No matter the age, size, or breed, American Journey has you covered.
However, some customers have concerns over the fact that beef and chicken are not free of antibiotics or hormones. Or the fact that other ingredients may contain GMOs. If those concern you, then maybe try another brand that ethically sources its ingredients, and guaranteed organic, like Open Farm. Overall, we highly recommend this food product to our readers and encourage you to try it for yourself.