Expert Verdict
Orijen is a Canadian premium pet food brand that has become the flagship of the natural feeding movement, championing biologically appropriate diets that mimic what dogs and cats would eat in the wild. Manufactured by Champion Petfoods in Alberta, Orijen uses fresh regional ingredients from Canadian farmers, ranchers, and fishermen, with formulas that contain up to 90% meat content. This approach rejects grain fillers, by-products, and artificial additives in favor of whole prey ingredients including muscle meat, organs, and cartilage.
The company's WholePrey philosophy includes meat, organs, and cartilage in ratios that mirror natural prey, providing nutrients in their most bioavailable forms. The Original formula contains free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs, with a variety of animal sources that no single-protein diet can match. The Six Fish formula uses Pacific salmon, herring, and flounder for omega-3 fatty acid profiles that support coat and cognitive health. All ingredients are delivered fresh or raw to the company's own kitchens, where they are processed within days of harvest.
Champion Petfoods operates its own manufacturing facilities rather than outsourcing to co-packers, allowing complete control over sourcing and processing. The company has faced criticism for marketing claims that some veterinarians consider overstated, particularly regarding grain-free diets and heart disease risk. The FDA investigation into diet-related dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) implicated some grain-free foods, though no causal link was established.
For pet owners who believe that dogs and cats thrive on high-meat, low-carbohydrate diets, Orijen represents the premium expression of that philosophy. The price is significantly higher than conventional brands, and the high protein content may not suit all animals, particularly those with kidney issues. The kibble is dense and nutrient-rich, meaning feeding amounts are smaller than with lower-quality foods. For committed natural feeders with healthy pets, Orijen delivers ingredient quality that mass-market brands cannot approach.
What stands out
- Up to 90% meat content
- Whole prey ingredient philosophy
- Fresh regional Canadian sourcing
- Own manufacturing facilities