Published on: 06/20/2019, updated on: 10/14/2021

Orijen Dog Food Reviews | Their Best Products [2020]

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Welcome to our Orijen dog food reviews.

For over a quarter-century, Orijen has been creating pet foods that nourish dogs just as nature intended. We love this brand because it is largely grain-free and crafted to mimic the natural biological diet that dogs are conditioned to follow.

Orijen dog food products are especially great for dogs that are prone to allergies or have sensitive stomachs. With Orijen dog foods, your dog is guaranteed to enjoy high energy levels and reduced allergic reactions. Even so, sometimes even the best dog foods don’t work for every dog—the real trick is finding a food that works best for your best friend in particular.

That said, let’s explore some of Orijen’s top-rated dog foods, so you can see what’s available and, hopefully, get a better idea where to start. We know how much of a hassle trying out a new dog food can be!

We especially recommend Orijen Original Dry Dog Food the brand’s most popular product. This formula is ideal for virtually all breeds. It contains the right amounts of proteins and fats to ensure your dog stays satisfied, healthy, strong, and happy.

Top-rated Orijen Dog Food Reviews

1. Orijen Original Dry Dog Food

ORIJEN Dry Dog Food

This is the best dog food Orijen has to offer. Orijen Original Dry Dog Food is formulated to keep your dog healthy, strong, and happy in a delicious way.

Features

  • Follows the “whole-prey diet”
  • 38 percent protein
  • 20 percent fat
  • 6 percent fiber
  • Main ingredients: Chicken, turkey, eggs, flounder, mackerel, and herring

What I like about the product

This dog food is grain-free and formulated with animal-based protein. About 33 percent of the protein comes from dehydrated chicken and turkey. The rest come from fresh, raw protein sources.

These proteins account for at least 38 percent of the food and are great for healthy growth and tissue development. The food also features 20 percent carbohydrates to cater to the dog’s energy needs during all stages of its life. Fruits and vegetables account for 15 percent of this food, providing the necessary fiber for healthy digestion.

Orijen Original Dry Dog Food is packaged in four different convenient sizes – 12 ounces, 4.5 pounds, 13 pounds, and 25 pounds – so you can choose what suits your needs.

What I don’t like about the product

Unfortunately, this food may not be appropriate for dogs with allergies and sensitivities as it contains a wide variety of meats and vegetable.

Pros

  • No artificial additives
  • High-quality meat and fish ingredients
  • No grains
  • No by-products

Cons

  • High number of ingredients
  • May not be suitable for some dogs with allergies and sensitivities

Overall, Orijen Original is high-quality dry dog food. It features a well-balanced nutritional profile, with right amounts of protein and fat for dogs of all activity levels. However, it may not be suitable for sensitive dogs, thanks to many different types of meats and vegetables.

Overall Rating: 4.8/5

2. Orijen Regional Red – Best for Active Dogs

ORIJEN Dry Dog Food Grain Free High Protein

If you have working dogs or playfully rambunctious dogs, Regional Red is the best dog food Orijen can offer you.

Features

  • Biologically Appropriate
  • 38 percent protein
  • 18 percent fat
  • 5 percent fiber
  • Carbs maximum: 25 percent
  • Contains Taurine, Glucosamine, and Chondroitin

What I like about the product

Regional Red is composed mainly of red meat – beef, bison, and boar – making it suitable for dogs that love the taste of red meats. However, it may not be a good choice if your dog is sensitive to beef. It also contains chondroitin and glucosamine, which promote healthy joints that agile and physically active dogs need.

Related  Orijen Puppy Food Reviews for Large and Small Breeds

Regional Red is also packed with a variety of vegetables, including lentils, peas, squash, and pumpkin. These are a rich source of carbohydrates that provide the much-needed energy for active dogs. They are also a great source of fiber, which promotes healthy digestion.

What I don’t like about the product

However, due to a large number of vegetable and meat ingredients, this food may not be appropriate for dogs with serious allergies or sensitivities. It’s also not suitable for somewhat inactive dogs, as the high protein and fat content can make them gain weight.

Pros

  • Wide range of high-quality meats and vegetables
  • High Omega-3 fatty acid content
  • No grains
  • No animal by-products

Cons

  • High number of ingredients may cause allergic reactions
  • Might be too high protein for some dogs

Orijen Region Red can be an excellent option for anyone looking to feed their dog a grain-free food that is rich in red meat protein. Peas are the primary source of carbs in this food, and hence may not be a good option if your dog has difficulty digesting peas. Nonetheless, it's an excellent dog food with plenty of high-quality meat and fish protein.

Overall Rating: 4.6/5

3. Orijen Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best for Active Pups

ORIJEN Puppy Dog Food Grain Free

Orijen Puppy is specially formulated for young puppies that require a special diet to meet their growing needs. It is packed with a range of fresh meats and fish, ensuring your pup gets a high-quality, protein-rich food.

Features

  • WholePrey ratios
  • 38 percent protein
  • 20 percent fat
  • 6 percent fiber
  • Contains taurine, chondroitin, glucosamine.
  • Main ingredients: chicken, eggs, turkey, flounder, mackerel, and herring

What I like about the product

This dog food is especially ideal for highly active puppies, thanks to its high protein and fat content. It also contains generous amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin, to ensure your puppy’s joints are healthy. It’s great for small breed dogs who have a high risk of developing joint complications like hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis, too.

What I don’t like about the product

However, it may not be appropriate for large dog breeds, as they usually grow rapidly and need a special balance of macronutrients to facilitate a more gradual growth.

Pros

  • High-quality fish and meat ingredients
  • High protein content
  • No grains
  • No by-products

Cons

  • Quite expensive
  • Not suitable for large breed puppies

Orijen Puppy is high-quality dry dog food, an excellent option if you are looking for a grain-free food that is rich in meat protein for your puppies. It is especially ideal for active puppies. However, it’s more expensive than most other dog foods that offer similar benefits.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

4. Orijen Six Fish for Dogs – Best Fish-based Dog Food

Orijen Six Fish The Best All Fish Dog Food 2

Fish provides high-quality nutrients that can be great for your dog’s overall health, especially their skin and coat health—and it just so happens Orijen Six Fish Formula is one of the best fish-based dog foods on the market.

What I like about the product

This dry dog food provides a rich blend of fresh wild-caught fish for your dog’s nourishment and health. The fish ingredients result in a high amount of natural Omega-3 fatty acids, which provide a wide range of health benefits.

Fish is also a rich source of amino acids. Canines that don’t get sufficient amino acids typically have weak immune systems and hence prone to various health issues like skin and coat problems.

This food also contains a variety of vegetables, including chickpeas and peas, which provide generous amounts of high-quality carbohydrates. These vegetables are also a great source of fiber, which promotes healthy digestion.

What I don’t like about the product

However, the large number of vegetable and fish ingredients may cause allergic reactions in some dogs, especially those with fish or legume-related sensitivities.

Pros

  • No artificial additives
  • No grains

Cons

  • Quite expensive
  • The fishy smell may be unpleasant for some dogs

Overall, Orijen Six Fish is a great food for dogs of all activity levels. It is rich in amino acids that promote a long and healthy life. However, it may not be a good choice if you are shopping for affordable dog food.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

5. Orijen Senior Dry Dog Food – Best for Older Dogs

ORIJEN Senior Dry Dog Food

Orijen Senior Dry Dog Food is composed of 85 percent high-quality meat ingredients that provide the nutritional needs for your senior dog.

Features

  • Utilizes whole protein sources (meat, organs, bones, etc.)
  • 38 percent protein
  • 15 percent fat
  • 8 percent fiber
  • Main ingredients: boneless chicken, chicken liver, chicken meal, turkey meal, and whole herring

What I like about the product

Besides the high protein content, this dog food has a moderate fat content that is essential for your senior dog’s optimum health. It also contains saltwater fish ingredients, which are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, DHA, and EPA. These are effective in promoting a strong immune system and nervous system.

The fresh meats in this formula provide sufficient amounts of chondroitin and glucosamine, which are good for joint health. The food also contains a wide range of vegetables, fruits, and legumes, which provide sufficient amounts of high-quality carbohydrates to meet your senior dog’s energy needs. These ingredients also provide fiber for healthy digestion.

What I don’t like about the product

Unfortunately, the wide range of ingredients may make this food inappropriate for dogs with dietary sensitivities and allergies.

Pros

  • No grains
  • No artificial additives
  • Ideal for senior dogs

Cons

  • May cause allergic reactions in some dogs

Overall, Orijen Senior Dry Dog Food is a great choice for those with older dogs. It is crunchy yet soft, making it easy for your senior friend to chew and swallow. It is the best senior dog food if you’re looking for natural food that is rich in meat protein.

Overall Rating: 4.4/5

6. Orijen Fit & Trim Dry Dog Food – Best for Weight Loss

ORIJEN Dry Dog Food Grain Free High Protein 2

If your dog has weight-related issues and you want to help it shed off some pounds, Orijen Fit & Trim Dry Dog Food can help you achieve your goals much faster.

What I like about the product

Ideal for virtually all breeds, this dry dog food is composed of high-quality protein sources, such as fish, whole eggs, and chicken. These proteins are great for promoting the development of lean muscle mass and helping your inactive dogs to maintain a healthy weight. The food is enriched with liver that has been slightly freeze-dried to enhance the taste.

It also contains a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and legumes, providing high-quality carbohydrates for energy and fiber for healthy digestion.

What I don’t like about the product

However, the wide range of meat and vegetables, again, can make it unsuitable for dogs that are prone to allergic reactions. I know, I might sound like a broken record with these downsides, but it really is hard to find something not to like about Orijen products. I had to nitpick a little.

Pros

  • Low-calorie content
  • No high-glycemic carbs
  • No allergenic grains
  • No artificial supplements

Cons

  • Fat content is quite low
  • Protein content may be high for some dogs

Delicious and low in calories, Orijen Fit & Trim dog food is a great option for overweight dogs. It provides the benefits of protein-rich, low-carb meal that promotes lean muscle mass and keeps the body in an ideal condition. However, it may not be a good choice for dogs with meat and legume-related allergies.

Overall Rating: 4.2/5

Why You Should Feed Orijen's Newest Formula Fit & Trim

About Orijen Dog Food Brand

Orijen is a product of Champion Pet Food, an award-winning pet food manufacturer based in Alberta, Canada. Since its inception in 1985, the company has consistently produced high-quality pet foods consumed by pets in over 70 countries across the globe.

Orijen for small dogs logo

Orijen dog foods are formulated to meet the nutritional standards set by AAFCO dog food nutrient profile for all life stages. The brand offers seven main dog food varieties, the best of which have been covered in this Orijen dog food reviews article:

  • Puppy
  • Puppy- Large
  • Adult Dog (Orijen Original)
  • Six Fish
  • Regional Red
  • Senior Dog
  • Tundra
All of the brand’s dog foods comprise five elements that are Biologically Appropriate™ for dogs.

These are:

  • Various fresh meats
  • Fresh vegetables and fruits
  • Wholeprey™ meat ratios
  • High amounts of meat protein
  • High amounts of fresh meat

While Orijen has been largely successful in the pet food market, it has not been without a few setbacks. One of the major setbacks is the recall of the brand’s cat food in Australia in 2008 due to issues with gamma irradiation treatment. However, there are no recorded cases of recall of the brand’s products in the United States or Canada.

Orijen - World Branding Awards (Animalis Edition) 2017 - Hofburg Palace

Final Thoughts

When searching for the right food for your dogs, you want to ensure the food has the right nutritional content before purchasing it. That’s why Orijen provides different varieties of dog food products. They’re committed to ensuring your dog—whether young, mature, or old - stays healthy, strong, and happy with their specially formulated dog food products.

You only need to ensure you are purchasing the right Orijen Dog Food for your adult dog or puppy. We hope these Orijen dog food reviews help you find the best food for your dog’s individual needs.

Do check out our opinions of the brands like Taste of the Wild and IAMS.

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