JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Dog Food Review

JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh dog product range is made up of nine recipes with ratings varying from 4 to 4.5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4.5 stars.

Please note: Some recipes from this range are currently unrated. This is because our review methodology is designed for foods which support everyday feeding of healthy dogs. Foods which are designed for a particular nutritional purpose or veterinary condition can contain ingredients or nutritional values which align with a lower rating, but are necessary and appropriate in formulas which tackle certain issues or concerns. We’ll leave these unrated whilst we consider how best to fairly rate this specialized area of the dog food market.

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.

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.

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. 

JustFoodForDogs Dog Food Recall History

The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to JustFoodForDogs through December 2024.

No recalls noted.

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.

Highly Recommended

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.

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