This is an American Journey cat food review.
As a feline Nutritionist and pet owner, I have bought various types of foods for my cats. My main concern always was how to provide the best nutrition for my pets.
I believe that our pets deserve the best possible food that we can provide.
In this article, I aim to show:
- what ingredients are in branded pet food
- how this affects your loved cat
So you can make an informed choice if particular cat food is best for your pet.
With so many options available on cat food shelves, it is easy to be overwhelmed, which is the best cat food overall.
I have researched American Journey cat food products in-depth to help you determine if this cat food brand is the best diet for your cat.
American Journey is a dry and wet cat food brand, which provides balanced nutrition for most cats.
This brand of pet food was Launched in 2017, exclusively sold by Chewy.com.
According to their website, their cat food is crafted in the USA and never has any corn, wheat, or soy. They prepare their recipes in the USA with trusted ingredients from around the world.
This comprehensive cat food review will analyze this brand’s ingredients and nutritional content. We will also discuss customer reviews, possible recalls, and potential alternatives for this pet food from American Journey.
Keep reading for more details.
American Journey Cat Food Review
American Journey Cat Food Overview.
American Journey cat food makes a dry and wet food product. This cat food includes real, deboned meats and wholesome fruits and vegetables, with no poultry by-product meal or artificial preservatives.
They also have a range of cat treats, food toppings, and a salmon oil supplement in their products for cats.
This brand prides itself on the promise to provide solid nutrition with 40% protein and assures that this formula is made without poultry by-product meal or artificial preservatives.
All their wet and dry cat food products are grain-free.
All formulas meet AAFCO Guidelines for pet food.
Here are their most popular options for American Journey cat food:
- American Journey Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
- American Journey Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
- American Journey Minced Poultry & Seafood in Gravy Variety Pack Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
- American Journey Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
- American Journey Landmark Broths Tuna, Shrimp and Whitefish Recipe Wet Cat Food Complement Pouches
We select American Journey Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food for detailed analysis.
This cat food is designed for adult cats.
Also, the American Journey Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food formula is the most popular option in the American Journey food range.
Label Analysis.
Below we have a detailed analysis of the American Journey cat food label.
American Journey Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Ingredients list: Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Tapioca Starch, Dried Egg Product, Pea Protein, Peas, Deboned Chicken, Natural Flavor, Menhaden Fish Meal, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed, Pea Fiber, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Inulin, DL-Methionine, Taurine, Salt, Spinach, Apples, Blueberries, Carrots, Cranberries, Pumpkin,
Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, L-Carnitine, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Rosemary Extract, Yeast Culture, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis:
| Crude protein | 40.0% min |
| Crude fat | 15.0% min |
| Crude fiber | 4.0% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
Total caloric content:
395 kcal/cup
Ingredients Analysis
This kibble features real, deboned turkey as the first ingredient, wholesome fruits and vegetables, and deboned chicken: no poultry by-product meal, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives.
Deboned Turkey:
Turkey is a very rich source of protein.
Other benefits include:
- Niacin boosts brain function,
- Vitamin B6 for energy,
- Zinc helps the immune system and metabolism,
- Vitamin B12 keeps blood and nerve cells healthy.
Turkey and Chicken Meal:
Dry product from a combination of clean flesh and skin with and without accompanying bone, derived from whole carcasses of turkey, which might include feathers, heads, feet, and entrails.
It’s high in protein and amino acids to help strengthen and maintain your pet’s muscles. It’s also a high-quality source of glucosamine for joint health.
Tapioca Starch:
Tapioca is a starch extracted from the roots of the cassava plant. Free of common allergens and easy to digest.
Tapioca Starch is used in pet foods as a Gluten & Corn free thickening agent or binder.
They are known to support weight gain. Cat owners need to make sure to feed appropriate daily portions to their cats.
Other benefits include:
- Source of calcium for healthy bones,
- Low in salt,
- Source of iron. Can support energy and focus, gastrointestinal processes, the immune system, and body temperature regulationimprovetreatto increase.
Dried Egg Product:
Dried eggs are the highest quality protein available to pet food manufacturers. Their form is highly digestible, and they provide a great source of antioxidants and nutrients.
Pea Protein:
It’s typically used to increase the protein content in pet foods.
Pea protein is a high-quality protein and a great source of iron. It can aid muscle growth, weight loss, and heart health.
Peas:
Peas are a good source of vitamins C and E, zinc, and other antioxidants to strengthen the immune system.
Other nutrients, such as vitamins A and B and coumestrol, can help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
Deboned Chicken:
An excellent quality real meat provides lean protein for your cat’s balanced nutrition.
Lean meats provide all necessary for a strong heart, good vision, and a healthy reproductive system.
Natural Flavor: these are not regulated for cat food.
They usually are added to enhance the meaty flavor in cat food.
Menhaden Fish Meal:
Menhaden fish meal is the clean, dried ground tissue of the small, marine fish.
This meal provides an excellent source of amino acids and fatty acids that can help to improve:
- Skin and hair coat,
- Digestion,
- Immune system,
- Bone health,
- Metabolic function.
Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols):
Fat is an important energy source for your cat. Helps transport nutrients and other substances across the body. Keep your cat’s skin and coat healthy.
Mixed-tocopherols are a natural form of Vitamin E.
Essential vitamin for cats:
- Helps maintain optimal health,
- Antioxidant to protect cells from damage (helps add oxygen to the cell body),
- Improves immune system and fertility,
- Heart health.
Flaxseed:
It contains Omega 3 fatty acids, which can be beneficial for your cat’s coat health.
In pet foods, it might be used to aid digestive health and ease constipation. However, there is no conclusive evidence about cats.
Pea Fiber:
This ingredient has many benefits for digestive health.
Fiber feeds the good bacteria in your cat’s intestines, keeping them healthy and preventing unhealthy bacteria from overpopulating.
Choline Chloride:
A building block for the nervous system, however too much of it can have adverse effects like vomiting in your cat.
Potassium Chloride: is a form of flavorless salt. This enhances the flavor of cat food. Also, potassium is a crucial mineral:
- Helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals,
- Reduces blood pressure and water retention,
- Prevents kidney stones and osteoporosis.
Inulin:
Inulin is a type of fiber that’s found in plant foods.
Inulin helps:
- improve the digestive health of pets,
(by promoting beneficial changes in the microbiome and modulating the gut environment)
- promotes mineral absorption,
- can reduce litter box odor,
- beneficial to cats during all stages of life.
DL-Methionine:
Methionine is an essential amino acid for all animal species.
Used to prevent liver damage in acetaminophen (Tylenol) poisoning.
It is also used to increase the acidity of urine, treat liver disorders, and improve wound healing.
Taurine is a critical amino acid for your cat.
Essential for:
- normal vision,
- digestion,
- heart muscle function,
- maintaining normal pregnancy and fetal development,
- healthy immune system.
Salt is a source of essential minerals needed for maintaining good health and the proper metabolism in cats.
It is composed of sodium and chloride, which are two essential minerals for cats. They maintain the balance of body fluids.
Salt can be added to canned food to make the food taste better. Added salt might increase thirst and water consumption. But not to worry, extra salt is excreted in cats’ urine.
Spinach:
High in vitamins and minerals: A, K, B6, B2, E, and C.
Beneficial for eye health, constipation and can protect against age-related eye degeneration.
Note:
Consult if this food is appropriate with your veterinarian if your cat has urinary and kidney problems.
Apples, Carrots:
They are added to cat food for fiber content, and they are low in calories. These help cats stay satiated longer and can help with cat obesity.
Cranberries and blueberries:
Full of antioxidants for immune system support and urinary tract health.
Pumpkin:
Rich in vitamin K- helps heal wounds, zinc- supports immune system health to fight bacteria and viruses, Rich in antioxidants- helps the body with inflammation in liver, bladder, and joints.
Vitamins and minerals are essential for your cat’s overall wellbeing and healthy body.
Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Copper Proteinate, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, L-Carnitine, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Calcium Iodate, Vitamin D3 Supplement,
Rosemary Extract:
A natural preservative that helps prevent oxidation and maintain product quality.
Yeast Culture:
Sources for B vitamins, flavor enhancement, immune support, and gut health.
Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract:
A probiotic, or good bacteria, is added to cat food formulas to help support healthy digestion.
Nutrient analysis.
American Journey cat food is made with quality meat protein as its first ingredient.
Additional benefits include Grain-Free, No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy, High-Protein for Skin & Coat Health, Immune Support, Vitamins & Minerals.
Crude protein 40.0% min
Kittens will need around 30%- 40% crude protein in their diet per day. They are growing fast, so they need as much lean protein as possible to maintain good bone and muscle health. High energy output requires higher protein, minerals, vitamins, and amino acid foods.
Adult cats require 35%- 40% protein in their diet.
But is it possible to feed too much protein to a cat? Generally, if a cat has a shiny coat, is alert, has normal stool and skin, ideal weight. It probably means that the food is okay.
Senior cats
It can be a bit tricky to determine how much protein a senior cat needs. The difficulty is in the fact that elderly cats might develop kidney disease. A high protein diet could harm the kidneys further. On the other hand, a low protein diet will mean muscle mass loss.
The best things to do in this case:
- See your cats veterinarian for a kidney check-up
- Focus on quality rather than quantity in protein.
For example, if your cat’s food label has chicken as the first ingredient. This means that your cat is getting quality lean protein.
- Change your cat’s diet to a lower protein diet
(do it gradually as cats do not like change in diet).
Crude Fat 15.0% min
Cats get their energy from protein and fat and favor a meal where protein and fat are high.
Some owners might be tempted to feed a cat a low-fat diet to ensure obesity is not a problem. However, cats need more fat content and tend to overeat low-fat food to meet their nutritional needs.
Look for actual animal fat in your cat’s food label. There is chicken fat in American Journey Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food as described in the ingredients overview.
Crude Fiber 4.0% max
The fiber in cat food has become somewhat a controversial topic. It might seem that cats in the wild only eat meat, but actually, they eat all the animals with their prey’s skin, hoves, intestines, and stomach contents.
This could mean that our felines do need a bit of fiber content in their meals.
Your veterinarian might prescribe a low or high-fiber diet if your cat is experiencing digestive problems.
For example, a high fiber content can help a diabetic cat, and a low fiber diet can help with small intestine problems.
It is always important to speak to your veterinarian for advice on your cat’s diet if digestive problems occur.
American Journey Cat Food Reviews:
93% of cat owners on Chewy would recommend American Journey Turkey & Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food formula. Over 1500 reviews give the product 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Most reviews share that the food is:
- Kibble smells great to cats, so they come running,
- Mixed reviews from cat owners if their cat would eat this brand,
- Most agree that ingredients are better than some cheaper or similarly priced brands they have tried before.
- A bit pricey,
- The bag of kibble opens and seals perfectly.
“I recently switched my cat from kitten food to adult food and chose American Journey for the wet and dry food. The ingredients were what sold me. It was affordable and looked appropriate for my cat. I took a month to switch slowly for her, and she had no problem taking to the new food. We now have completed the transition, and she eats it all. Also, a weird side note, but thank you, Chewy, for putting a non-purebred cat on your packaging!!”
You can read more on:
Recalls
There is no current recall of this product.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) require that all animal foods, like human foods, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances, and be truthfully labeled. In addition, canned pet foods must be processed in conformance with the low acid canned food regulations to ensure the pet food is free of viable microorganisms. (2)
You can find a complete list of FDA recalls here.
Alternatives
Suppose you think that American Journey cat food is not the ideal choice for your cat. There are a few alternatives to consider.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
Blue Buffalo is a High Protein Grain Free, Natural Adult Pate Wet Cat Food.
Quality protein is the first ingredient like chicken, meat, or fish.
Designed for all stages of your cat’s life with specific formulas for kittens and older cats included.
Stella & Chewy’s Chick Chick Chicken Dinner Morsels Freeze-Dried Raw Cat Food
Stella and Chewy’s freeze-dried raw cat food is one of the favorites among cat owners when commercial freeze-dried raw food is mentioned.
Never contains grains, gluten, fillers, artificial preservatives, or colorings.
Instinct limited ingredient formula is great if your cat develops sensitivity or food intolerance.
Never contain any grain, dairy, eggs, chicken, beef, fish, sweet potato, potato, chickpeas, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, or preservatives.
In Conclusion
We recommend American Journey Cat Food for owners looking for a balanced nutrition product for their pets.
This review shows that American Journey is a cat food brand loved by other cat owners and cats. With real protein as the first ingredient to start with. They also pride themselves on the promise that their recipes are: Grain-Free, No Corn, No Wheat, No Soy, and High-Protein.
Quality ingredients with 40% protein for everyday meals for your cat.
Speak with your cat’s veterinarian today to determine if American Journey cat food would be an excellent formula for your cat.
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