Is Joy Ultimate Dog Food Best for My Dog?

Published: 5/4/2021 | Updated: 8/27/2021

Joy Pet Food is a daughter company of Hi-Standard, a US-based dog food company with a focus on high-performance kibble. The company owner and dog-lover, Wade Graskewicz, developed these brands to bring affordable yet high-quality kibble to the furry masses. Many pet parents swear by Joy's Ultimate Dog Food range, partly because it has been around for so long.

In this article, we'll explore if Joy Ultimate Dog Food is worth the hype, and more importantly, if it's right for your dog. We've compiled a complete analysis of the ingredients and cost breakdown so that you can make the best choice for your pet (and your wallet too).

Joy Pet Food first hit the market in 1953 but was sold to Wade Graskewicz, the owner of Hi-Standard dog food, in 2011. Joy Pet Food came about out of necessity in rural areas, where farmers didn't have access to quality foods for their pets. To this day, Joy Dog Food still uses the original formula as a basis for all its recipes.

Joy Pet Food has several recipes for different stages of life and activity levels, but in this article, we'll be focusing on Joy Ultimate Dog Food.

Joy Ultimate Dog Food is formulated without fillers like corn, wheat, soy, and meat byproducts. This dog food is high in protein and contains a moderate amount of fat to supply dogs with the energy they need for both work and play. Joy Ultimate Dog Food also contains omega fatty acids, which keep a dog's fur looking healthy and boosts the immune system.

Joy Ultimate Dog Food is made specifically for active dogs and contains glucosamine and chondroitin to help reduce wear and tear on the joints. Glucosamine and chondroitin occur naturally in the cartilage and help protect the joints.

Now that you have a feel for this dog food brand, let's discuss the price.

At the time of writing, Joy Ultimate Dog Food retails for $34 to $40 for a 28-pound bag, depending on the retailer. This averages out to be roughly $1.32 per pound of dog food.

According to the manufacturer's website, Joy Ultimate Dog Food is suitable for all age groups.

Joy Ultimate Dog Food contains bite-sized pieces that are well-tolerated by all dog breeds. This dog food may be beneficial for working dogs due to the addition of glucosamine and chondroitin. 

Joy Ultimate Dog Food comes in two recipes: Lamb Meal and Rice and Chicken Meal and Rice. Let's take a peek at some of the ingredients.

Joy Ultimate Lamb Meal & Rice Dog Food

The first ingredient in this recipe is lamb meal, a dried product derived from real lamb meat. The next ingredient on the list is brewers rice, the leftover rice product that results from milling rice.

The third and fourth ingredients on the list are a little more straightforward; they're whole grain brown rice and dried peas. Brown rice is suitable for sensitive tummies since it's easily digestible and adds bulk to the stools. Peas are a great source of protein and fiber to add muscle mass and keep the digestive tract moving.

Meat meal is the next ingredient on the list. Meat meal can be made from any meat fit for pet consumption, including chicken, goat, lamb, beef, or a mixture of all of those. While it is a source of protein, this ingredient can be concerning for some pet parents since the source is unknown.

This formula also includes dried beet pulp, flaxseed, dried eggs, and pumpkin meal, all of which are great sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Joy Ultimate Chicken Meal & Rice Dog Food

The first ingredient in this recipe is a chicken meal, a high-protein dried meat product to build muscle and give dogs energy. The second and third ingredients, pearled barley and oat groats, are full of fiber and help stabilize blood sugar levels. Chicken fat comes in fourth on the ingredients list and is an excellent source of energy for canines. When it comes to energy, fats are twice as bioavailable as protein and carbs.

Dried peas, dried beet pulp, brewers rice, rice bran, and flaxseed follow suit. These are all excellent sources of fiber and carbohydrates. Flaxseed in particular has some impressive health benefits for canines due to its high levels of omega fatty acids. Omega fatty acids add shine to the coat and promote heart and joint health.

Both the chicken and the lamb recipes include a vitamin and mineral blend to meet the dog's recommended daily values, as stated by the Association of Animal Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).

Reviewers on dog food retailer Chewy give Joy Ultimate Dog Food a solid 4.8 stars. Generally, pet parents liked the small bite-sized pieces and the affordable price point. Some reviewers stated their dog had a shinier coat after a few months on this product. The reviews were mostly positive, but there were some negative write-ups as well. The number-one complaint for this dog food line was that their pets didn't like the flavor.

Does Joy Ultimate Dog Food contain gluten? 

Yes.

Is Joy Ultimate Dog Food grain-free?

No, Joy Ultimate Dog Food contains whole grains like rice, oats, and barley.

Where is Joy Pet Food made?

Joy Pet Food sources and manufactures its formulas in the US.