Review Summary
Our Final Verdict We give Joy Dog Food a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars.
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Introduction
Joy Dog Food has been making pet food since 1943. It started as Best Feeds, intending to provide supplies to the farming communities around Pennsylvania, but by the mid-50s, it moved into making dog food. Through thorough research and trial and error, it produced a formula that is still the basis of all of its kibble recipes today.
We give Joy Dog Food a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars.
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One of the originators of Joy Dog Food was quoted as saying, “Our customer is the dog, not the dog’s owner,” which is not something that you hear every day!
Joy Dog Food has 10 different kibble formulas designed for different ages and activity levels. If you want to learn more about this company and its food, keep reading!
At a Glance: The Joy Dog Food Recipes:
Image Product Details
Our Favorite
Joy Dog Food High Performance 26/18
High source of protein and fat
Added fatty acids contribute to healthy skin and coat
Highly digestible
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Joy Super Meal Dog Food
Recipe has been in use for over 40 years
Used tocopherols for natural preservation
Good for adult dogs, puppies, and nursing mothers
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Joy Special Meal Dog Food
Recipe has been in use for over 40 years
Used tocopherols for natural preservation
Good for adult dogs, puppies, and nursing mothers
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Joy Puppy Food
Specially formulated to provide all the nutritional value your growing puppy
Highly digestible chicken meal is listed as the first ingredient
Provides puppies with nutrition they need while helping to avoid excess weight gain
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Joy Pure Grain Free Dog Food
Made without soy or grains and contains probiotics
Contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support healthy joints
Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
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Joy Dog Food Reviewed
Joy Dog Food produces high-quality kibble that is formulated for dogs in all life stages but is focused on working and active dogs.
Joy has three lines of food. There are seven recipes in its High-Performance line, which is also its primary line of dog food:
High Performance 26/18
High-Energy
Super Meal
Adult Formula 26/18
Maintenance Plus
Puppy Food
Special Meal
Two recipes in the Ultimate line, which is Joy’s premium dog food:
Ultimate Chicken Meal & Rice Formula
Ultimate Lamb Meal and Rice
Finally, there’s one recipe in the Grain-Free line:
Pure Grain Free
One of Joy Dog Food’s most common features is that it’s quite high in protein and fat — some recipes contain as much as 24% and 32% protein and 18% and 24% fat. These protein and fat levels are specifically meant to help support the energy of an active dog.
- High Performance 26/18
- High-Energy
- Super Meal
- Adult Formula 26/18
- Maintenance Plus
- Puppy Food
- Special Meal
Ultimate Chicken Meal & Rice Formula
Ultimate Lamb Meal and Rice
- Ultimate Chicken Meal & Rice Formula
- Ultimate Lamb Meal and Rice
Pure Grain Free
- Pure Grain Free
Who Makes Joy and Where Is It Produced?
Joy Dog Food was initially based in Pennsylvania, but in 2011, Hi-Standard Dog Food acquired Joy Dog Food, and it is currently based in Pinckneyville, Illinois. The dog food is manufactured in the United States.
Which Types of Dogs Is Joy Best Suited For?
Dogs of all different breeds and life stages can benefit from Joy Dog Food — there’s even a specific recipe for puppies. However, while almost any dog can do well on Joy, it was specifically formulated for working and active dogs.
Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better With a Different Brand?
Most dogs of different ages and breeds can eat this food. However, if a dog has a food allergy or health condition that requires a veterinary diet, they might be better off with food recommended by a vet.
Additionally, dogs with weight issues might need a different brand because many of these recipes are high in fat. It’s always best to speak to your vet before changing your dog’s food.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients
The first five ingredients in dog food usually make up about 80% of the food’s content. The ingredients depend on which recipe you’re interested in. Beef meal or chicken meal are the primary ingredients in all 10 recipes of Joy Dog Food, which are typically followed by a grain, such as whole corn, oats, or rice. Meals tend to be much higher in protein because they are meat concentrates.
Uncertain Ingredients
Peas are an ingredient in some of the formulas and are the second ingredient in the grain-free recipe, as are canola oil, beet pulp, and menadione.
However, there has been controversy over the use of beet pulp and menadione, which is a synthetic source of vitamin K that can cause liver toxicity in large doses.
Additionally, a study in August 2021 found a correlation between the use of peas in dog food and heart disease. The evidence isn’t conclusive yet, but it’s good to be aware of what is in your dog’s food.
A Quick Look at Joy Dog Food
Pros
High protein and fat source
Supports active and working dogs
Includes important vitamins and minerals
No artificial colors or flavors
Cons
Too high in carbs and fat for some dogs
Uses a few controversial ingredients
No added probiotics
Recall History
Joy Dog Food has not had any recalls at the time of this writing.
High protein and fat source
Supports active and working dogs
Includes important vitamins and minerals
No artificial colors or flavors
- High protein and fat source
- Supports active and working dogs
- Includes important vitamins and minerals
- No artificial colors or flavors
Too high in carbs and fat for some dogs
Uses a few controversial ingredients
No added probiotics
- Too high in carbs and fat for some dogs
- Uses a few controversial ingredients
- No added probiotics
Reviews of the Joy Dog Food Recipes
Let’s take a closer look at three popular recipes of Joy Dog Food in more detail.
- Joy Dog Food High Performance 26/18
Check Latest PriceThis dog food’s main ingredient is beef meal, which contributes to the high 26% protein and 18% fat content. This food is highly digestible, provides active dogs a ton of energy, and includes omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, which can give dogs healthy and shiny coats. High Performance is a great choice for high-performance dogs.
Pros
High source of protein and fat
Added fatty acids contribute to healthy skin and coat
Highly digestible
Cons
Top ingredients are corn, wheat, and gluten
- Joy Super Meal Dog Food
Check Latest PriceJoy Super Meal Dog Food uses chicken meal as its primary ingredient and is even higher in protein (30%) and fat (20%) than the High-Performance recipe. Since it is higher in protein and fat, it can provide much-needed energy to energetic dogs. It contains omega-3 and -6 for your dog’s skin and coat, and the kibble can have liquid added to it without it becoming gummy.
Pros
30% protein and 20% fat
Omega-3 and -6 for healthy skin and coat
Liquid can be added without the food becoming pasty
Cons
Top ingredients are heavy on grains
- Joy Special Meal Dog Food
Check Latest PriceThis has been Joy’s long-standing recipe for over 40 years. It starts with beef meal for 26% protein content and like the other recipes, is formulated with omega-3 and -6 for your dog’s skin and coat health. All Joy Dog Foods use tocopherols for natural preservation, and this recipe is good for most dogs — pregnant and nursing mothers and puppies included.
Pros
Recipe has been in use for over 40 years
Used tocopherols for natural preservation
Good for adult dogs, puppies, and nursing mothers
Cons
Expensive
What Other Users Are Saying
This dog food’s main ingredient is beef meal, which contributes to the high 26% protein and 18% fat content. This food is highly digestible, provides active dogs a ton of energy, and includes omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, which can give dogs healthy and shiny coats. High Performance is a great choice for high-performance dogs.
High source of protein and fat
Added fatty acids contribute to healthy skin and coat
Highly digestible
- High source of protein and fat
- Added fatty acids contribute to healthy skin and coat
- Highly digestible
Top ingredients are corn, wheat, and gluten
- Top ingredients are corn, wheat, and gluten
Joy Super Meal Dog Food uses chicken meal as its primary ingredient and is even higher in protein (30%) and fat (20%) than the High-Performance recipe. Since it is higher in protein and fat, it can provide much-needed energy to energetic dogs. It contains omega-3 and -6 for your dog’s skin and coat, and the kibble can have liquid added to it without it becoming gummy.
30% protein and 20% fat
Omega-3 and -6 for healthy skin and coat
Liquid can be added without the food becoming pasty
- 30% protein and 20% fat
- Omega-3 and -6 for healthy skin and coat
- Liquid can be added without the food becoming pasty
Top ingredients are heavy on grains
- Top ingredients are heavy on grains
This has been Joy’s long-standing recipe for over 40 years. It starts with beef meal for 26% protein content and like the other recipes, is formulated with omega-3 and -6 for your dog’s skin and coat health. All Joy Dog Foods use tocopherols for natural preservation, and this recipe is good for most dogs — pregnant and nursing mothers and puppies included.
Recipe has been in use for over 40 years
Used tocopherols for natural preservation
Good for adult dogs, puppies, and nursing mothers
- Recipe has been in use for over 40 years
- Used tocopherols for natural preservation
- Good for adult dogs, puppies, and nursing mothers
Expensive
- Expensive
Conclusion
Joy Dog Food has been in the dog food manufacturing business for a while. It’s a great option if you have a hard-working dog or one that is super energetic. But speak to your vet before switching your dog’s food. This is particularly important if your dog has any kind of health condition.
Joy Dog Food is a little pricier than some other brands, but it uses several high-quality ingredients that help boost protein and fat levels. If you’ve been trying to find a high-quality kibble for your active dog, take a look at Joy Dog Food.
