Is ORIJEN too rich

Could Orijen Be Too Rich?

the protein content in Orijen is above 70%. For a lot of dogs I would expect hyperactivity and stomach upsets that is a severe amount of concentrate to be fed to a dog. 25% is the following

PACIFIC ORCHARD APPLES

FRASER VALLEY CRANBERRIES

SUN-CURED ALFALFA

PRAIRIE POTATOES

ALBERTA SUNFLOWER

WHOLE CARROTS

VINE-RIPENED TOMATOES

PACIFIC SEA VEGETABLES

Kelp, Irish Moss and Dulse are exceptional foods that are a valuable source for a variety of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes and phytochemicals. Sea vegetables contain iodine and absorb toxins from the bowel, increase and enhance metabolism and restore and nourish the entire body.

We say dogs shouldnt eat cat food long term because it is bad for their health yet Orijen has a higher protein content then most cat foods?! Maybe do a blood test especially on older dogs to test kidney function before whacking them on a diet like this.

I am sorry but I you are mistaken on several levels:

1) Orijen is about 40% protein, not 70%.

2) 70% you are referring to is meat, which sounds about right because dogs are carnivores

3) the 25% IS NOT the list you have since the Orijen Adult ingredients are:

Deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, russet potato, lake whitefish, chicken fat, sweet potato, whole eggs, turkey, salmon meal, salmon and anchovy oils, salmon, natural chicken flavour, sunflower oil, sun-cured alfalfa, dried brown kelp, carrots, spinach, peas, tomatoes, apples, psyllium, dulse, glucosamine Hcl, cranberries, black currants, rosemary extract, chondroitin sulfate, sea salt.

Which means that the 30% vegetables are mostly russet potatoes and sweet potatoes.

4) Cat food is not harmful for dogs. It's the dog food that is harmful for cats as it does not contain enough taurine that the cats cannot make themselves, as opposed to dogs.

5) There is no scientific evidence for kidney problems resulting from high protein meat based foods. There is however evidence that high protein grain foods can be harmful for kidneys. Orijen does not contain any grains.

Back to the OP. It's possible that Orijen does not agree with your dog. However if you feed her in the morning and she is throwing up in the evening, after she has already digested her food, there might be other reasons. For example you might need to feed her twice a day or something else is going on.

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Orijen Dog Food: An In-Depth Review

Table of Contents

• 1Orijen Dog FoodWhy Does Everyone Love It?
  • 1.1How We Evaluated Orijen Dog Food
  • 1.2Lets Learn about Orijen Diet Dog Food
  • 1.3What Can You Find in Orijen Dog Food
  • 1.4Transition to Orijen Dog Food
  • 1.5Meat as the Main Protein Source In Orijen Dog Food
  • 1.6Orijen Dog Food Price
  • 1.7Orijen Dog FoodOur Favourite Picks
    • 1.7.1Orijen Original
    • 1.7.2Orijen Puppy
    • 1.7.3Orijen Senior
  • 1.8Lets Wrap It up
  • 1.9References

Lets Talk About Orijen Dog FoodWhats the Hype?

People are talking about Orijen dog food, and now were going to see what the hype is all about!

Orijen dog food has a reputation that spans more than 30 years.They use fresh ingredients that are never frozen, so they support smaller businesses such as farmers and ranchers. Their food is said to mirror the dogs ancestral diet, which is why its called biologically appropriate.

This brand has received many awards for its top-quality dog food products.Youll find plenty of positive comments about its ingredients on the Internet. Thousands of people vouch for the Orijen dog food products, but how can you know if they will suit your beloved pooch?

How We Evaluated Orijen Dog Food

The value of a product brand is reflected in its impact on customers and their loyalty. This evaluations primary goals are to investigate how the consumers see Orijen dog food brand and test its food quality. The Alpha Paw team loves to be meticulous and provide you with only true and verified facts.

We look behind the brands marketing strategies and focus on the service. But we never work alone.Our research is always supported by a group of people with plenty of experience in the field.For this topic, we decided to seek help from:

1. Veterinary nutritionists
2. Dog owners
3. Dog lovers community

Our veterinary nutritionists have years of experience in testing different dog food brands.These experts came across many top-quality dog recipes in their practice.They have also seen many products with great advertisement strategies, which later turned out to be harmful to dogs. We wanted to pick their brains and check which category Orijen dog food belongs to.

Dog owners are always a great source of information as they give us an insight into specific dog reactions.These dog parents own different dog breeds with various health issues. If a certain brand provokes adverse responses to their beloved pets, we are informed about it.

Finally, the dog lover community is always there to give us additional info we use to round off the evaluation.The members of this community warned us that these formulas are costly, but there is a good reason for that. Well come to that soon.

And dont forget, we are not paid to advertise or badmouth any food company.Our greatest interest is to help you find the best recipe for your hairy companion so that they can thrive and be healthy. This evaluation is the fruit of our thorough research.

Lets Learn about Orijen Diet Dog Food

The name of the brand stems from the Latin wordorigin,which refers to the roots.Orijen strives to make natural food products that follow the dogs evolution.It uses fresh and often local ingredients that meet all your dogsnutritional needs.

Although dogs are often associated with their closest relativeswolvesthe nutrition of these two species has changed a lot throughout the centuries. While the howl-at-the-moon species has remained carnivorous, dogs requirements are both meat and plant-based.

Orijen dog food believes that dogs are mostly carnivorous animals, and they put the focus on dogs need for meat. This brands recipes are similar to the food that our dogs can find and eat in nature.

Orijen dog food is one of the most popular brands today. Their popularity stems from their satisfied customers whose trust they have earned.They pride themselves on using the food thats biologically appropriate for dogs.

Most of their recipes are made for all life stages.This means you can feed your pup with their formulas, the moment they start munching on kibble. Another great advantage of this is that you can apply a method of rotational feeding once your pooch gets used to the Orijen diet.Nobody loves to eat the same food day in and day out. Plus, your pup will be less likely to miss out on any useful ingredient.

If youre looking for an Orijen store in your surroundings, you can find it with the help of their online store locator.

What Can You Find in Orijen Dog Food

This brand is famous for its meat-based products, but how much meat are we talking about here? In comparison to other popular dog food products, Orijen uses large quantities of meat in their recipes, which is, in a way, their hallmark.Each formula contains 85%90% meat.

The formula also contains 2/3rds of raw or fresh meat.If you decide to get your pup used to raw food, make sure you choose the one that contains top-quality ingredients. Canines need 37 vital nutrients to meet all their dietary requirements, which is sometimes challenging to manage with raw dog food.

At least six different meats are found in each Orijen product.In this case, we like to saythe more, the merrier. Meat contains protein, and dogs are naturally equipped to digest large quantities of meat. However, canines also require plant-based nutrients, which they can find in vegetables and fruits. Also, meat doesnt contain enough calcium, but it can be compensated by eating bones in raw foodwhole or ground. You can find a quality source of calcium in:

• Chicken wings
• Chicken legs
• Lamb ribs
• Chicken, turkey, lamb, or goat necks

Due to high-meat content, energy source mostly comes from protein and less from carbs.If your pooch gets too many carbohydrates, they will be more prone to gaining weight. Although many people claim that a high-protein diet is not beneficial for senior dogs, its not harmful. If the diet has more protein, it contains fewer carbs. Our grandpa doggos surely shouldnt gain weight, so be careful with their carb intake.

This brand uses organ meats, such as:

These organs are rich in mineralsmagnesium, iodine, copper, and iron, as well as vitaminsE, D, A, and K. Orijen uses WholePray ratios of raw organs, muscle meat, and cartilage.

Proteins also come from fish and eggs. Fish provides your pup with amino acids that promote healthy skin and coat. Eggs are a high-quality protein source, too.

Transition to Orijen Dog Food

Orijen food recipes are different from commercial dog food products.Their food is mostly meat-based, and the transition from regular food to their formulas can be a massive change for your pup.

Switching your dog to a new recipe is more complex than just filling their bowls with food.Introducing the new diet slowly will reduce the risk ofdigestive system problems. Patience is the key. The sudden transition can make their tummy hurt and change their discharge.

Start by giving your furry friend 25% of new food and 75% of the food they are used to.Over the next two weeks, slowly increase the intake of new food. If you find that they are having issues, either slow down the process even more or take your beastie to the vet.

When you start the transition, choose an Orijen recipe that has the same meat-type as the food you have been feeding them before shifting.

Meat as the Main Protein Source In Orijen Dog Food

While meat is a great protein source, you cant say that the product is safe until you find the one that contains real meat. Lots of food companies praise their formulas as part of their marketing strategy, although the food they make does not provide your dog with everything the pooch needs. Always check out the ingredient list before putting the product in your shopping cart. If youre not sure about the amount of protein you should feed your dog, consult your vet.

Meat that you can find in high-quality formulas is:

1. Chicken
2. Beef
3. Turkey
4. Duck

Meat by-products consist of slaughterhouse waste.They do have some protein, but your pooch will find it very difficult to digest.Meat by-products typically contain:

• Horns
• Claws
• Feathers
• Hooves
• Hair
• Beaks

You should always strive for recipes that contain real meat, such as Orijen. Meat-quality is essential for this brand, and you can sleep tight, knowing that its biologically appropriate for your hairy friend.

Orijen Dog Food Price

This brand belongs to the list of the most expensive ones on the market.If you look at the list of ingredients, youll understand why. Orijen uses high-quality ingredients, and its rich in top-quality protein, too.

Its price depends on the package youre purchasing. The formulas come in sizes of 12-ounce, 4.5-pound, 13-pound, and 25 pounds bags.

The brand also offers nine different treats that come in 1.5-ounce and 3.25-ounce bags.

Orijen Dog FoodOur Favourite Picks

The brand has only eight dry dog food formulas. Even though they are excellent recipes for your pup, there arent many options here for picky dogs.Despite that, Orijen dog food boasts top-quality ingredients that you should consider giving to your hairy one.

Below, youll find our favorite products with their nutritional information. Take a look if theres anything your pooch would like to munch on.

Orijen Original

Source:orijen dog food

Orijen Originalis a formula made with cage-free chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs, which are the primary sources of protein. These premium ingredients willkeep your dog healthy. The taste and nutrients correspond to your poochs nature.

This particular Orijen dog food is a high-quality dry dog food. It posts a very satisfactory nutrient profile and its recipe claims an above average amount of protein and fat, which makes it suitable for dogs of all activity levels. Yes, even active dogs are suitable for this recipe!

It is made with high-quality meat ingredients, such as chicken and turkey, which are protein-rich substances and provides an excellent amount of vitamins and minerals that your dogs need! It includes some fish too that adds extra protein, as well as vital fatty acids.

Aside from meat-based ingredients, the Orijen Naturals includes healthy vegetables like beans and peas. These are high-quality sources of carbohydrates and offer fiber that promotes healthy digestion.

After a short period of eating this recipe, your dog may show some changes in their behavior. They can become more energetic, and their coat may become shinier and nicer. These healthy, natural ingredients will reduce the risk of allergies and sensitivities. Its not pleasant only for your buddys nose, but for yours as well! You will also notice that a little beastie has a fresher breath. And you no longer need to use supplements or extra vitamins. Its all there in the package.

However, keep in mind that this Orijen dog food contains a wide range of ingredients so it might not be suitable for dogs with allergies or a sensitive stomach.

Ingredients:

Fresh chicken meat (13%), fresh turkey meat (7%), fresh cage-free eggs (7%), fresh chicken liver (6%), fresh whole herring (6%), fresh whole flounder (5%), fresh turkey liver (5%), fresh chicken necks (4%), fresh beet greens, fresh turnip greens, fresh chicken heart (4%), fresh turkey heart (4%), whole navy beans, herring oil (1%), chicken (dehydrated, 4%), turkey (dehydrated, 4%), whole mackerel (dehydrated, 4%), whole sardine (dehydrated, 4%), whole herring (dehydrated, 4%), whole red lentils, whole green lentils, whole green peas, lentil fibre, whole chickpeas, whole yellow peas, whole pinto beans, milk thistle, burdock root, lavender, marshmallow root, rosehips, chicken fat (1%), chicken cartilage (1%), chicken liver (freeze-dried), turkey liver (freeze-dried), fresh whole pumpkin, fresh whole butternut squash, fresh whole zucchini, fresh whole parsnips, fresh carrots, fresh whole Red Delicious apples, fresh whole Bartlett pears, fresh kale, fresh spinach, brown kelp, whole cranberries, whole blueberries, whole Saskatoon berries, chicory root, turmeric root. ADDITIVES (per kg): Nutritional additives: Zinc chelate: 100 mg. Enterococcus faecium. NCIMB10415: 60010^6 CFU.

Source:orijen dog food

Orijen Puppy

Puppies are energetic little creatures that jump around all day long. They need nutrition that can follow their restlessness. Orijen Puppy is a perfect formula for your growing baby. Its full of high-quality protein that comes from wild-caught fish and free-run chicken and turkey. It is made from 38% pure protein and is designed to help rapid growing puppies grow into a healthy and strong adult dog.

Orijen Puppy is a grain-free and gluten-free dog food so it is ideal for puppies with sensitive stomachs and grain allergies.

To know more about Orijen Puppy, here is the ingredient breakdown thatll tell you what your dog is ingesting.

This particular Orijen dog food contains boneless chicken and chicken meal, which are good sources of animal protein. As mentioned, Orijen uses free-run chickens in their dog recipes, this means that it is hormone- and antibiotic-free. Chicken meal is more highly-concentrated since its been cooked to remove moisture and is a welcomed addition to this recipe.

Other significant ingredients are chicken liver that gives protein but is more jam packed with vital vitamins and minerals, like vitamin A, D, B, iron, phosphorus, and folic acid and whole herring for boosting the health of its nervous system and heart.

The product improves your puppy pups stool and is excellent for their digestion. Its suitable for hairy cuties with sensitive tummies. Plenty of Omega 3 and Omega 6 acids promote your babys coat and skin, letting them strut in every walk.

The formula doesnt contain any:

1. Artificial colors
2. Artificial flavors
3. Artificial preservatives

Ingredients:

Fresh chicken meat (11%), fresh turkey meat (7%), fresh cage-free eggs (6%), fresh whole herring (6%), fresh chicken liver (5%), fresh whole flounder (5%), fresh turkey liver (5%), fresh chicken heart (4%), fresh turkey heart (4%), fresh chicken necks (4%), whole herring (dehydrated, 4%), chicken fat (4%), herring oil (2%), chicken (dehydrated, 4%), turkey (dehydrated, 4%), whole mackerel (dehydrated, 4%), whole sardine (dehydrated, 4%), whole red lentils, whole green peas, whole green lentils, whole chickpeas, lavender, marshmallow root, rosehips, whole yellow peas, lentil fibre, whole cranberries, whole blueberries, whole Saskatoon berries, whole pinto beans, whole navy beans, chicken bone and cartilage (1%), chicken liver (freeze-dried), turkey liver (freeze-dried), fresh whole pumpkin, fresh whole butternut squash, fresh whole zucchini, fresh whole parsnips, fresh carrots, fresh whole Red Delicious apples, fresh whole Bartlett pears, fresh kale, fresh spinach, fresh beet greens, fresh turnip greens, brown kelp, chicory root, turmeric root, milk thistle, burdock root. ADDITIVES (per kg): Nutritional additives: Zinc chelate: 100 mg. Enterococcus faecium. NCIMB 10415: 60010^6 CFU.

Orijen Senior

Source:orijen dog food

Orijen Senioris made especially for our grandpa and grandma doggos. It contains less fat content compared to its other products, to protect our senior citizens from putting on too much weight.Fresh chicken liver provides them with protein, zinc, folate, and iron.

Its high-quality dry dog food and its nutrient profile states it is substantially above average, this means this particular Orijen dog food contains above average amount of protein and fat. Its protein content, in particular, is higher compared to other dry dog food.

Its ingredients only contain high-quality poultry and fish substances, such as chicken, turkey, and flounder. In addition, chicken meal and turkey meal are excellent and concentrated sources of protein and contain three to four times as much protein. It also contains whole herring which promotes healthy skin, coat, nervous system and heart due to its omega-3 content.

Aside from these, Orijen senior also contains a wide range of legumes, fruits and vegetables that provides a good amount of carbohydrates and fiber that promotes healthy digestion.

In case your dog has dry skin, you need to give them amino acids, of which this product has plenty. Aside from that, due to its abundant supply of fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6, DHA and EPA, it also promotes brain and eye development, making your senior dog stay sharp and smart even at an older age.

This grain-free recipe is excellent for senior dogs who have sensitive tummies. In some cases, dog owners reported that eating this formula helped their canines reduce vomiting and severe constipation. This biologically appropriate dog food offers them flavors that theyll love.

Ingredients:

Fresh chicken meat (13%), fresh cage-free eggs (7%), fresh turkey meat (7%), fresh whole herring (7%), fresh chicken liver (6%), fresh whole flounder (4%), fresh turkey liver (4%), fresh chicken necks (4%), fresh chicken heart (4%), fresh turkey heart (4%), chicken (dehydrated, 4%), turkey (dehydrated, 4%), whole mackerel (dehydrated, 4%), whole pinto beans, fresh chicken cartilage (1%), whole Saskatoon berries, whole sardine (dehydrated, 4%), whole herring (dehydrated, 4%), whole red lentils, fresh kale, fresh spinach, whole green lentils, fresh whole green peas, lentil fibre, fresh whole chickpeas, fresh whole yellow peas, whole navy beans, herring oil (1%), chicken fat (1%), fresh turkey cartilage (1%), chicken liver (freeze-dried), turkey liver (freeze-dried), fresh whole pumpkin, fresh whole butternut squash, fresh whole zucchini, fresh whole parsnips, fresh carrots, fresh whole Red Delicious apples, burdock root, lavender, marshmallow root, rosehips fresh whole Bartlett pears, fresh beet greens, fresh turnip greens, brown kelp, whole cranberries, whole blueberries, chicory root, turmeric root, milk thistle. ADDITIVES (per kg): Nutritional additives: Zinc chelate: 100 mg. Zootechnical additives: Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415: 60010^6 CFU.

Lets Wrap It up

In case your pup isnt a picky eater, Orijen dog food is an excellent choice for their diet. It has formulas for puppies, adults, and senior dogs.Their recipes are made of high-quality, palatable ingredients, rich in protein, mostly from meat.

If your dog is used to different nutrition, make sure you make a gradual transition to Orien formulas. Their recipes mostly consist of raw food, and your pooch will need some time to get used to it.

Final Thoughts

In case you consider Orijen formulas too big a change in your pups diet and want to continue your quest for perfect food, we have some suggestions. Take a look at our list ofbest large breed dry dog foodperhaps youll find something in there.

Steer clear of theworst dry dog foodbrands. If you are looking for canned food, scan through the best-canned dog foodon the market. The dog parents searching for something that will improve your canines dental health should check out thetop 10 best dog dental chews.

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orijen
2. Tjernsbekk, M. T., et al. Raw Mechanically Separated Chicken Meat and Salmon Protein Hydrolysate as Protein Sources in Extruded Dog Food: Effect on Protein and Amino Acid Digestibility. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, vol. 101, no. 5, 2017, doi:10.1111/jpn.12608.
3. Robertson, Debora. Bone appetit: 50 Clean Recipes for Healthier, Happier Dogs. Harper Design, 2019.