The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Orijen is a dog food brand that taps into your pup's ancestral diet, using only fresh or
raw meat in its recipes. All Orijen dog foods are freeze-dry coated to preserve their raw flavor. All fresh ingredients in Orijen's foods are refrigerated until they're ready for cooking, while raw ingredients are frozen when they're freshest.
Orijen believes providing a whole-prey, biologically appropriate diet consisting of only the best cuts of meat is key to your pet's nutrition. To mimic a dog's natural diet in the wild, most parts of the animal — including organs and cartilage — are used in the whole-prey diet.
At least 85% of Orijen dog foods are high-quality animal ingredients, with the first 5 ingredients always fresh or raw animal
protein. The other 15% comprises premium fruits, vegetables, botanicals, vitamins, minerals, and natural preservatives. Orijen doesn't use artificial preservatives or genetically modified fruits or vegetables.
Orijen must be doing something right — Business Insider awarded the brand the Best Dog Food Overall in 2020 and 2021. But is Orijen dog food best for your dog? Read our in-depth Orijen dog food review to find out!
Orijen dog food product ranges and flavors
Orijen offers over 25 dog food products across five product ranges, including a line of dog treats.
Orijen dry dog food for all life stages
Orijen grain-free dry dog food
Orijen grain-free dry dog food is Orijen's flagship range. These recipes are
grain-free and suitable for all life stages. Each recipe consists of at least 85% high-quality animal protein, with five fresh or raw animal proteins as the first five ingredients.
For example, Orijen's Original recipe lists chicken,
turkey, flounder, whole mackerel, and chicken liver as the first five ingredients. Secondary ingredients include red lentils, which are rich in
B vitamins and
calcium, and whole chickpeas, which are a great source of
iron. Further down the ingredient list you'll find nutritious all-natural produce, like pumpkin, apples, collard greens, and
cranberries.
Orijen grain-free dry dog foods are high in protein and fat to fuel your pup's active lifestyle. Orijen Original dry dog food contains above-average protein (43.1% as dry matter) and above-average fat (20.4% as dry matter) compared to standard canine kibble.
We love the quality and nutrient levels in Orijen grain-free recipes, with Orijen Original ranking highly in our round-up of the
best dry dog foods!
Orijen grain-free dry dog food varieties:
- Original
- Regional Red
- Six Fish
- Tundra
- Small Breed
- Large Breed
Orijen Amazing Grains dry dog food
Amazing Grains is Orijen's grain-inclusive range, featuring 90% premium animal ingredients.
Each recipe contains a blend of oat groats, millet,
chia seeds, and quinoa seeds instead of lentils, beans, and peas. Oat groats are the eighth ingredient in each food and the most common
grain. Oat groats provide nutritional value for dogs, as they're rich in B vitamins and linoleic acid.
Aside from the change from pulses and legumes to grains, the overall ingredient quality is the same as Orijen's grain-free dog foods.
Orijen Amazing Grains Original contains 43.1% protein as dry matter and 20.4% fat as dry matter, which is above average for dry dog food and the same as Orijen's Original grain-free recipe.
Orijen Amazing Grain varieties:
- Original
- Six Fish
- Regional Red
Orijen Puppy food
Orijen’s puppy recipes are specially formulated to support growth. Both Puppy and Puppy Large contain 85% poultry and fish ingredients, as they're excellent sources of vitamins and minerals.
Orijen includes high fish and fish oil quantities in its puppy recipes. Fish and fish oils are rich in
DHA and EPA fatty acids and
vitamin A, which promote immune health, skin health, and brain development. Grain-free and grain-inclusive Orijen puppy recipes are available.
Orijen puppy foods have similar protein but higher fat levels than Orijen's adult foods to fuel your pint-sized pooch's development. Orijen Puppy grain-free dry food contains above-average protein (43.1% as dry matter) and above-average fat (22.7% as dry matter) compared to standard puppy food.
Orijen puppy food varieties:
- Puppy
- Puppy Large
- Amazing Grain Puppy
- Amazing Grain Puppy Large
- Puppy Poultry & Fish Pâté
Orijen wet dog food
Wet foods are the newest addition to Orijen’s product range. These canned foods contain at least 95% premium animal ingredients. Orijen’s wet foods have great texture, with visible shreds of high-quality meat and chunks of veggies. The brand-new pâté varieties have a smooth consistency for pups that have trouble chewing.
Each recipe lists real meat, broth, and liver among the top five ingredients. Common secondary ingredients include carrots, broccoli, dried eggs, and pumpkin.
Carrots are high in fiber and provide vitamin A, while
broccoli is rich in
vitamin K and
vitamin C.
Orijen wet dog foods all exceed AAFCO nutrient guidelines by a considerable distance — Orijen Original Stew with Chicken, Turkey & Eggs contains 61.1% protein as dry matter and 22.2% fat as dry matter.
Overall, the quality of Orijen wet foods is top tier — highly recommended.
Orijen wet dog food varieties:
- Regional Red Stew with Shredded Beef & Lamb
- Tundra Stew Recipe with Shredded Beef, Duck & Lamb
- Beef Stew with Shredded Beef & Eggs
- Chicken Stew with Shredded Chicken & Eggs
- Original Stew with Chicken, Turkey & Eggs
- Tundra Pâté with Liver
- Chicken Pâté with Liver
- Puppy Poultry & Fish Pâté
Orijen freeze-dried food medallions
Orijen Freeze-Dried Medallions dog food
Freeze-drying preserves the nutrient content of raw ingredients and extends the shelf life of dog foods. You'll need to crumble up the medallions into your dog's bowl, then add warm water and stir before serving. Freeze-drying dog food preserves high nutrient levels and ensures shelf-stability for easy storage.
While the top five ingredients are quality cuts of meat, Orijen Freeze-Dried Food Medallions can't be considered limited ingredient and contain some filler ingredients, like pea fiber. That said, the overall ingredient quality in Orijen Freeze-Dried Medallions is top-of-the-line, making them a great choice for your doggo.
Orijen Original Freeze-Dried Food Medallions contains 41.6% protein as dry matter and 35.4% fat as dry matter. High fat contents means Orijen Freeze-Dried Medallions may not be the best choice for
overweight dogs.
Orijen Freeze-Dried Medallion dog food varieties:
- Original
- Regional Red
- Tundra
Orijen Freeze-Dried Epic Bites dog food
Orijen Freeze-Dried Epic Bites contain almost identical ingredients to its Freeze-Dried Food Medallions. The main difference is Orijen Freeze-Dried Epic Bites come in bite-sized morsels, making them great as a topper or for miniature mutts. As with the Freeze-Dried Medallions, you need to add warm water before serving.
Orijen Freeze-Dried Epic Bites contain the same protein levels as Orijen Freeze-Dried Food Medallions.
Orijen Freeze-Dried Epic Bites dog food varieties:
Orijen Freeze-Dried dog treats
Orijen Freeze-Dried Dog Treats are limited-ingredient dog treats that contain 99% animal ingredients. They're great for
dogs with food allergies, and with only five calories per treat, they're suitable as high-value training rewards.
Orijen Freeze-Dried Dog Treats contain 40% protein as dry matter on average, which is high for a dog treat product.
Orijen Freeze-Dried dog treats varieties:
- Original
- Regional
- Tundra
- Beef
- Duck
- Lamb
Other Orijen dog food recipes
Other Orijen dog food recipes
Orijen produces two specialty dog foods for weight management and senior dogs:
Fit & Trim dry food for adults: With 47.7% protein as dry matter and 14.7% fat as dry matter, this food is perfect for dogs who require a high-protein diet.
Senior dry food: Orijen Senior contains fewer calories, less crude fat, and more crude fiber than Orijen’s dry foods for all life stages.
Why Wag! likes Orijen dog food
Here are a few reasons why Wag! gives Orijen dog food a flawless five out of five paws up!
High-quality protein sources
Orijen dog foods contain a minimum of 85% premium animal ingredients. The first five ingredients in most Orijen recipes are fresh or raw animal protein. Fresh ingredients are never frozen, and raw ingredients are frozen at the height of freshness. Common ingredients like whole mackerel, chicken liver, and turkey are quality sources of lean protein.
Fresh produce
Fresh, high-quality fruits, vegetables, and botanicals make up 5% to 15% of the ingredients in most of Orijen's foods. Chicory root is a popular ingredient in high-quality dog foods as it contains inulin, a source of soluble dietary fiber. Inulin is also a prebiotic that helps the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Other ingredients in Orijen's foods, like whole
apples, whole
pumpkins, and
turmeric, are nutritionally valuable to pups.
Suitable for all life stages
According to the AAFCO, all Orijen's dog foods (except for specially formulated varieties for puppies and seniors) are suitable for all life stages. Protein, rather than
carbohydrates, is the primary energy source in Orijen's foods. This is especially beneficial for dogs on a weight management diet since calories from excess amounts of carbs are stored as body
fat.
Eco-friendly ingredients and transparency
Orijen is transparent about its dog food production and sources its ingredients from trusted sources. All dry dog food sold in Canada, Europe, and parts of Asia are cooked at Orijen's kitchens in Auburn, Kentucky. Champion Petfoods also has kitchens in Morinville, Alberta, Canada that make recipes sold in Canada, Europe, and other parts of Asia.
Orijen's protein sources come from cage-free chickens, ranch-raised cows, and wild-caught or responsibly farmed fish. The company is also transparent about where ingredients are sourced — for example, the
lamb in Orijen's recipes comes from New Zealand.
Concerns & considerations
Here are some concerns and considerations to think about before purchasing Orijen dog food.
Cost
Premium ingredients and human-grade protein sources mean higher prices. At the time of writing, a 4.5-pound bag of Orijen Original available through Chewy, one of Orijen's leading retailers, costs $33.29, which works out to $7.40 per pound. This pricing makes Orijen one of the most expensive dog food brands on the market.
Concerns about pulses and legumes in dog food
Many of Orijen's recipes are grain-free and contain pulses and legumes. There are concerns among scientists and veterinarians that dog foods that are high in pulses and legumes can be harmful to dogs. In 2018, the
FDA opened an investigation into reports of a connection between these dog foods and
canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
Initially, this investigation focused on grain-free dog foods, but
recent statements from the FDA state that it includes grain-free and grain-inclusive dog food varieties. There is no concrete evidence that legumes and pulses are harmful to dogs, and the FDA's investigation is ongoing.
Consult your vet if you have any questions about feeding your dog a diet high in legumes and pulses.
What pet parents say about Orijen dog food
"This stuff is great. I have been feeding my dogs raw for two years, but I am getting tired of the hassle that I tails raw feeding. I found Origen after the endless search for a quality kibble to change them to. Origen fit the bill. It has everything in it that feeding raw delivers. This is quality food and my dogs love it too."
"My Greyhound is not a big eater and a bit picky so when I gave him his first taste of Orijen I was surprised that he ate the whole bowl! That is a first for dry food. I like the ingredients list with a variety of proteins."
"This dry food is full of protein (and not pea protein!) from animals and other nutrients. [It] is worth paying a little extra and my dogs love it!"
Read more reviews on
Chewy.
Orijen dog food brand history
Orijen is manufactured by Champion Petfoods, a Canadian pet food company founded in 1985 by Reinhard Mühlenfeld, philanthropist and pet lover. Outside of his work with Champion Petfoods, Mühlenfeld is a patron of arts and education who supports local pet rescue programs throughout Alberta.
Champion Petfoods began as a small operation, with just a dozen employees working with local farmers and businesses to produce food using limited equipment in a small factory. Today, Champion Petfoods has over 500 employees and sells products in 90 countries. To sell its foods internally, Champion Petfoods must meet the pet food quality control standards of that country. The approval process can be long, particularly in European countries where pet food regulations are stricter.
Champion Petfoods also manufactures
Acana dog food. The company partners with the veterinary college at the University of Guelph, as well as Best Friends Animal Society.
In February 2023, Mars Petcare, Inc. acquired Champion Petfoods, which is still operating independently as a Mars Petcare business unit. Mars Petcare, Inc. owns several pet food brands, including
Pedigree and Royal Canin.
Orijen dog food recall history
There have been no recalls of Orijen dog food as of February 2025.
All product images sourced from Chewy. Copyright Mars Petcare US, Inc.
FAQ
Is Orijen formulated to meet AAFCO standards?
Yes — all of Orijen’s dog foods meet the Nutrient Profiles established by the AAFCO. Most Orijen dog foods meet the Nutrient Profile for all life stages, meaning they can be fed to dogs of any age or size, including large breeds weighing over 70 pounds. Orijen’s puppy foods also meet the AAFCO Nutrient Profile for growth.
Champion Petfoods owns Orijen. Champion Petfoods is a Canadian pet food company that was acquired by Mars Petcare, Inc. in Feburary 2023. Champion Petfoods is an independent business unit of Mars Petcare, Inc.
Where is Orijen dog food made?
Orijen pet food products sold in the US are manufactured at the company's DogStar Kitchen in Auburn, Kentucky. Some products sold in Canada, Europe, and parts of Asia are made in the company's kitchens in Morinville, Alberta, Canada.
How does Wag! determine paw ratings for dog food?
Our editorial team conducts independent research when rating featured foods. Our paw ratings are largely based on the ingredients and nutritional content of each food. Here's a quick guide to what our paw ratings mean
- 1 paw
: High filler content, meat not listed as first ingredient
- 2 paws
: Meat meal, bone meal or meat by-products listed as first ingredient
- 3 paws
: Named meat listed as first ingredient (e.g., chicken)
- 4 paws
: Same as 3 paws, but also made with whole, limited ingredients and minimal processing
- 5 paws
: Same as 4 paws, but is also veterinarian or veterinary body approved and includes human-grade ingredients
- Half-paws
may be awarded for extra benefits, like affordability, trustworthiness, etc.