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Our Verdict
Just Food For Dogs Just Fresh product range is made up of three recipes with ratings varying from 4.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars.
Just Fresh is a new fresh food from Just Food For Dogs which comes in easy, open and serve, resealable pouches.
This range is designed to be a standalone meal or a tasty topper to tempt even the pickiest eaters. Both recipes are vet-formulated, preservative-free and made with human-grade ingredients.
Pros
- Vet-developed recipes
- No artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors
- Human-grade ingredients
Cons
- More affordable than other fresh food brands, but still pricey
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Just Food For Dogs Just Fresh Home-Cooked Chicken Recipe | 4.5 | M |
| Just Food For Dogs Just Fresh Home-Cooked Beef Recipe | 4.5 | M |
| Just Food For Dogs Just Fresh Home-Cooked Pork Recipe | 5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Just Food For Dogs Just Fresh Home-Cooked Beef Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Just Food For Dogs Just Fresh Home-Cooked Beef Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Ground beef, oats, beef liver, long grain brown rice, kale, carrots, flaxseed oil, potato starch, omega marine microalgae oil, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, l-methionine, choline chloride, potassium chloride, potassium iodide, salt, taurine, vitamin E supplement, iron amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, selenium yeast, cholecalciferol, riboflavin
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 72%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 9% | 7% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 9% | 7% | 76% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 9% | 17% | 74% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus. 1
Beef is naturally rich in all 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is oats. Oats are rich in B-vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The third ingredient is beef liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is long-grain 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 fifth ingredient is kale. Kale is a type of cabbage in which the central leaves do not form a head. This dark green vegetable is especially rich in beta-carotene, vitamins C, vitamin K and calcium.
And like broccoli, kale contains sulforaphane, a natural chemical believed to possess potent anti-cancer properties.
The sixth ingredient is carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The seventh ingredient is flaxseed oil, one of the best non-fish sources of omega-3 fatty acids — essential to a dog’s health.
The eighth ingredient is potato starch. Potato starch is a gluten-free carbohydrate used more for its thickening properties than its nutritional value.
The ninth ingredient is omega marine microalgae oil, this is usually included as a plant-based source of omega 3 fatty acid DHA. Studies have found DHA to be beneficial for many areas of the body, through reducing inflammation, as well as supporting brain and eye health.
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 are two notable exception.
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.
We view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
In addition, 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.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Just Food For Dogs Just Fresh Home-Cooked Beef Recipe looks like an above-average fresh product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 32.8%, a fat level of 25% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 10.7%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 32.5% and a mean fat level of 21.4%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 11% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 66%.
This means Just Food For Dogs Just Fresh range contains near-average protein, below-average carbohydrate, and below-average fat when compared to typical fresh 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 March 2025.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Just Food For Dogs Just Fresh Dog Food
Just Fresh is another high-quality range produced by Just Food For Dogs. Foods made in the USA from globally sourced ingredients that are cooked in their own kitchens.
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 Just Food For Dogs Just Fresh Dog Food
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A Final Word
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