Highly Recommended
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Our Verdict
JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh dog food receives the Dog Food Advisor rating, 4.5-stars.
Pros
- Vet-developed recipes for specific health needs
- No preservatives
- Human-grade
Cons
- More expensive than other brands of a similar quality
- High carbohydrate levels
The product line includes nine dog foods.
Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Chicken and White Rice | 4.5 | A |
| JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Turkey and Whole Wheat Macaroni | 4.5 | M |
| JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Beef and Russet Potato | 4 | M |
| JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Lamb and Brown Rice | 4 | M |
| JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Joint and Skin Support | 4.5 | M |
| JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Balanced Remedy | N/R | M |
| JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Renal Support Low Protein | N/R | S |
| JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Metabolic Support | 4.5 | M |
| JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Hepatic Support Low Fat | N/R | S |
Recipe and Label Analysis
JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Chicken and White Rice was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Chicken and White Rice
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Water, chicken, rice, carrots, spinach, apples, safflower oil, salt, rice starch, dicalcium phosphate, cod liver oil, potassium chloride, calcium carbonate, choline bitartrate, zinc amino acid chelate, taurine, ferrous fumarate, magnesium oxide, copper amino acid chelate, vitamin E supplement, selenium yeast, D-calcium pantothenate, manganese carbonate, thiamine mononitrate, riboavin, niacin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, potassium iodide, folic acid
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 3% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 33% | 11% | 49% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 30% | 25% | 45% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is water, which adds nothing but moisture to this food. Water is a routine finding in most wet dog foods.
The second ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. 1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The third ingredient is rice. Is this whole grain rice, brown rice or white rice? Since the word “rice” doesn’t tell us much, it’s impossible to judge the quality of this item.
The fourth ingredient is carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient is spinach. Due to its exceptional vitamin and mineral content, spinach exhibits a remarkably high nutrient Completeness Score 2 of 91.
The sixth ingredient is apple, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
The seventh ingredient is safflower oil. Safflower oil is nutritionally similar to sunflower oil. Since these oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids and contain no omega-3s, they’re considered less nutritious than canola or flaxseed oils.
Safflower oil is notable for its resistance to heat damage during cooking.
The eighth ingredient is salt (also known as sodium chloride). Salt is a common additive in many dog foods. That’s because sodium is a necessary mineral for all animals — including humans.
However, since the actual amount of salt added to this recipe isn’t disclosed on the list of ingredients, it’s impossible to judge the nutritional value of this item.
The ninth ingredient is rice starch, a starchy powder extracted from rice and most likely used here as a thickening agent.
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 the product.
However, there is one notable exception.
Taurine, which is 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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Chicken and White Rice looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 32.6%, a fat level of 10.9% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 48.5%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 26.6% and a mean fat level of 12.5%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 52.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 53%.
This means JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh range contains below-average protein, above-average carbohydrate, and below-average fat when compared to typical wet dog food.
Just Food For Dogs Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Just Food For Dogs through April 2024.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of JustFoodForDogs Fresh Dog Food
Pantry Fresh uses a unique methodology, cooking ingredients at low heat, under pressure, inside the packaging. This protects the nutritional value and taste of the food.
These out-of-the-box meals, which can be stored safely for up to two years (refrigeration is only required once opened), are made from 100% human-grade ingredients and contain no preservatives.
The Dog Food Advisor recommends this food.
About
JustFoodForDogs was founded in 2010 by entrepreneur Shawn Buckley, who was inspired by his first dog Simon.
All its food is made in its USDA-inspected kitchens, which are in California, New York, and Washington, and staffed by full-time food safety experts and nutrition consultants.
The company has also branched out into making cat food and says its main aim is to improve the length and quality of a pet’s life through real food and nutrition.
Compare JustFoodForDogs Dog Food
How does JustFoodForDogs compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
Sources
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.
