7 Shocking Facts About Voyager Dog Food: The 'No Added Copper' Diet That's Changing Liver Care In 2025

Jan 10, 2026 • minute read

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The landscape of canine nutrition is constantly evolving, and as of late 2025, one brand is generating significant buzz among veterinarians and concerned pet owners: Voyager Dog Food. Unlike many mainstream formulas, Voyager has carved out a unique niche by focusing intensely on a single, critical health issue—Copper Storage Disease (CSD)—and formulating its entire product line to address this growing concern. This deep-dive review pulls from the latest available data, customer feedback, and ingredient analysis to give you the most current, unbiased look at this revolutionary dog food brand.

Launched by a veterinary expert, this brand emphasizes "clean and complete" nutrition, steering clear of common fillers and synthetic additives while maintaining a spotless safety record. If you own a breed predisposed to liver issues or are simply seeking a truly unique, health-focused diet, here are the seven most important facts you need to know about Voyager Dog Food in 2025.

The Veterinary Vision: Founder, Safety, and Core Philosophy

The foundation of Voyager Dog Food Co. is built on a specialized understanding of canine health, a factor that immediately sets it apart in the crowded pet food market.

The Man Behind the Mission: Dr. Pete

Voyager Dog Food was founded by Dr. Pete, a veteran in veterinary medicine whose experience led him to recognize the critical, often overlooked, role of dietary copper in canine liver health. The company operates out of Battle Creek, MI, and emphasizes a commitment to real people offering fast, friendly customer support.

Spotless Safety Record and Manufacturing

One of the most reassuring facts for pet owners is Voyager’s commitment to safety. As of October 2025, the brand has maintained a clean safety record, with no FDA recalls or contamination incidents since its launch. The food is lovingly crafted in small batches, which helps ensure purity, consistency, and the highest nutritional value in every bag.

The Core Philosophy: Clean Ingredients and Grain-Inclusion

Voyager’s recipes start with responsibly sourced, nutrient-rich ingredients. They explicitly skip fillers, additives, and synthetic junk, focusing on a clean label that pet owners can trust. A key part of their philosophy is the inclusion of grain, as the company advocates that grain is an essential nutrient for heart health in dogs, directly countering the trend of potentially risky grain-free diets that can contribute to Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).

7 Shocking Facts That Define Voyager Dog Food

The true differentiation of Voyager Dog Food lies in its unique formulation, which is specifically designed to mitigate the risk of a serious, breed-predisposed condition.

1. It’s the Only Food with Absolutely No Added Copper

This is the brand's primary and most important selling point. Voyager Dog Food Co. is the only brand that explicitly states its recipes contain "No Added Copper." This is a direct response to the rising concern over Copper-Storage Disease (CSD), where excess copper accumulates in the liver, leading to Copper-Storage Hepatopathy and, eventually, liver failure.

2. It Protects Against Harmful Chelated Coppers

Most commercial dog foods contain chelated coppers, which are highly bioavailable forms of the mineral. While copper is an essential trace mineral, excessive or highly absorbable copper is believed to be a major contributing factor to CSD in genetically predisposed dogs. Voyager helps protect a dog's liver by eliminating this risk factor entirely from its formulation.

3. It’s a Must-Read for Predisposed Breeds

While any dog can be affected, certain breeds have an inherited sensitivity to copper toxicosis. Owners of these breeds should pay close attention to Voyager's formula. Predisposed breeds include:

Bedlington Terriers (historically the most affected)
West Highland White Terriers
Labrador Retrievers
Dalmatians
Doberman Pinschers

4. The Recipes are High-Quality and Grain-Inclusive

Voyager offers four dry kibble formulas, all of which are grain-inclusive, using wholesome grains to deliver steady fuel without blood sugar spikes. The recipes are:

Clean & Complete Wholesome Ocean Pollock Recipe: A strong profile with a Guaranteed Analysis of 26% Min Crude Protein and 14% Min Crude Fat.
Wholesome Sensitive Skin and Stomach Hydrolyzed Salmon Recipe: Designed for sensitive dogs, utilizing a highly digestible protein source.
Wholesome Farm Chicken Recipe: A highly palatable, protein-rich option.
High Performance Chicken Recipe: Focused on essential amino acids and high energy for active dogs.

5. Customer Reviews Highlight Palatability and Coat Health

Customer feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with many owners reporting that their dogs "love the taste" and that they observe noticeable improvements in overall health, vitality, and a healthy, shiny coat. While some dogs experience normal digestive upset during the transition to a new food, this is not a specific issue with Voyager.

6. It’s an Alternative to Prescription Diets

For dogs already diagnosed with Copper Storage Disease, veterinarians often prescribe therapeutic diets like Royal Canin Hepatic or Hill's Prescription Diet l/d. Voyager, while not a prescription diet, offers a preventative and maintenance option for healthy, predisposed dogs. It stands out from other low-copper alternatives like Purina Pro Plan or Blue Buffalo by having *no added* copper, rather than just a *low* amount.

7. The Brand Also Offers Dog Treats

To maintain a consistent, low-copper diet, owners must also be careful about treats. Voyager Dog Food Co. offers Wholesome ABC Dog Treats, ensuring that the entire feeding program adheres to its clean, low-copper philosophy. The treats have a Guaranteed Analysis of 14.0% Min Crude Protein and 7.0% Min Crude Fat.

Is Voyager Dog Food Right for Your Dog?

The decision to switch to Voyager Dog Food should be informed by your dog's specific health profile and breed. If you own a Labrador Retriever, Bedlington Terrier, or any other breed known to be at risk for Copper-Storage Hepatopathy, the "No Added Copper" formulation is a compelling preventative measure. The commitment to whole grains also appeals to owners concerned about the potential link between grain-free diets and heart issues like Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM).

The brand's average rating of 4 stars across its four recipes suggests a high-quality product that dogs enjoy. The only potential drawback is the limited variety, as the company focuses only on dry kibble and treats, without offering wet food or toppers. However, for those seeking a highly specialized, clean, and safety-focused dry food option—backed by veterinary expertise and a spotless recall history—Voyager Dog Food in 2025 represents a significant, modern advancement in canine nutrition and liver care.

7 Shocking Facts About Voyager Dog Food: The 'No Added Copper' Diet That's Changing Liver Care in 2025

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