The Orijen Puppy product line includes two dry dog foods… both meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
The design adheres to the company’s “biologically appropriate” high protein concept.1
- Orijen Puppy (for all breeds)
- Orijen Puppy Large Breed
Orijen Puppy Large Breed was selected to represent both products in the line for this review.
Orijen Puppy Large Breed
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Fresh boneless chicken, chicken meal, fresh boneless salmon, turkey meal, herring meal, russet potato, sweet potato, peas, fresh boneless turkey, chicken fat, (preserved with mixed tocopherols), fresh whole eggs, fresh chicken liver, fresh boneless lake whitefish, fresh boneless walleye, sun-cured alfalfa, pea fiber, fresh boneless herring, organic kelp, pumpkin, chicory root, carrots, spinach, turnip greens, apples, cranberries, blueberries, licorice root, angelica root, fenugreek, marigold flowers, sweet fennel, peppermint leaf, chamomile, dandelion, summer savory, rosemary, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, d-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine, folic acid, biotin, vitamLn B12, zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, selenium yeast, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.3%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
The first ingredient in this dog food lists chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains about 80% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost… reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably occupy a lower position on the list.
The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The third item is salmon. Salmon is a fatty marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega 3 fatty acids… essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The next two ingredients are turkey meal and herring meal… two more protein-rich meat concentrate
By the way, we are pleased to note that, unlike many fish meals, all Orijen fish meals appear2 to be ethoxyquin-free.
The sixth ingredient is russet potato. Frequently referred to as an Idaho potato, this is the most common type of potato grown in the United States. Assuming they’re whole, potatoes are a good source of digestible carbohydrates and other healthy nutrients.
The seventh item is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a good source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in fiber, beta carotene and other healthy nutrients.
The eighth ingredient includes peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.
The ninth ingredient lists turkey. Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”.3
The tenth ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With two notable exceptions…
First, the manufacturer appears to have applied friendly bacteria to the surface of the kibble after cooking. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.
And lastly, this food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Orijen Puppy Food
The Bottom Line
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Orijen Puppy appears to be anabove-average kibble.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 42%, a fat level of 18% and estimated carbohydrates of about 32%.
The product line features an average protein content of 43% and a mean fat level of 20%.
Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 29% for the overall product line.
High protein. Above-average fat. And low carbohydrates when compared to a typical dry dog food.
With no sign of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing an abundant amount of meat.
What’s more, it’s important to note the absence here of any critical Red Flag ingredients.
Bottom line?
Orijen Puppy is a grain-free kibble using a generous amount ofchicken meal as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand five stars.
If Orijen Puppy is within your budget, go ahead. Grab a bag. And take it home for your favorite baby dog. For this is one puppy food that’s truly worth the price.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Those looking for a similarly designed adult kibble from the same company may wish to visit our review of Orijen Adult dog food.
A Final Word
This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.
For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.
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