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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.

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

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.

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10 Best UK Dog Foods for Safe, Effective Weight Loss and Maintenance

Overview of Burns Weight Control Dog Food

Burns Pet Nutrition is renowned for its dedication to creating wholesome, natural pet foods that cater to dogs specific nutritional needs. Their Hypoallergenic Complete Dry Dog Food formula is specially designed for adult and senior dogs requiring weight control support.

True to the Burns philosophy of keeping things simple and ethical, this food contains a limited number of high-quality protein and carbohydrate sources. There are no artificial additives, just thoughtful ingredients crafted into nutrient-dense kibble perfectly suited for weight loss and maintenance.

At the heart of this formula is high-quality white fish and brown rice, providing dogs with highly digestible protein for lean muscle maintenance. Brown rice offers slow-release carbohydrates to help control blood sugar spikes. Combined, these ingredients promote satiety while delivering complete and balanced daily nutrition.

This dedication to premium ingredients aligned with your dogs dietary requirements reflects why pet owners have trusted the Burns brand for over 100 years. Their hypoallergenic recipe makes no compromises, using thoughtful formulations tailored to your dogs needs for healthy weight loss.

Key Benefits for Weight Management

The Burns Hypoallergenic Weight Control formula is thoughtfully designed to help dogs lose weight safely and effectively.

A primary benefit is the high fibre content from rice bran, aiding digestive health and promoting satiety. By keeping your dog feeling full and satisfied, it reduces tendencies to overeat and beg for food. The added fibre also encourages a healthy gut microbiome.

In addition, the measured calorie count creates the necessary calorie deficit for weight loss while ensuring complete nutrition. With the average adult dog requiring around 400 calories per day, Burns provides 358 calories per bowl along with balanced levels of protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients. This considered approach prevents starvation modes during dieting.

The recipe also derives energy from brown rice and fish, providing slow-burning carbohydrates instead of rapid sugars. This gives your dog consistent energy rather than spikes and slumps, while the high protein keeps them strong and energised while losing weight. The nutritional balance helps prevent sluggishness sometimes associated with weight loss.

Ultimately, the tailored formula provides effective weight loss through appetite control, calorie reduction, and balanced energy sources. Burns makes it simpler for you to help your dog reach a healthier weight.

Hypoallergenic and Ethical Considerations

A standout benefit of Burns Weight Control recipe is how it caters to dogs with food sensitivities. Containing a single source of protein and carbohydrate, it limits ingredients that commonly cause adverse reactions.

The fish and rice formula provides a hypoallergenic, easily digestible meal. With no wheat, beef, dairy or soy, it avoids typical triggers. Many owners find it suits dogs with grain allergies better than grain-free diets, as the single carb source is well-tolerated. There are also no artificial additives, colours or preservatives that can cause issues.

Sensitivities can make weight management challenging if owners must rotate foods regularly. The simplicity of this formula allows consistent nutrition for sustained weight loss.

Ethically, Burns Pet Nutrition aligns with modern expectations around sustainability and community values. They source ingredients from trusted suppliers and sustainable fisheries to reduce environmental impact. Packaging utilises recyclable materials, demonstrated through their partnership with TerraCycle.

The brand also gives back via fundraising events for animal welfare charities and the Burns Pet Nutrition Foundation. This supports canine health studies improving quality of life. Conscientious owners appreciate Burns commitment to pets and the planet.

Ultimately, the hypoallergenic properties allow dogs with sensitivities to safely manage weight without complications. And the ethical practices around ingredients and sustainability provide further peace of mind.