Orijen dog food: review of composition, varieties and reviews from dog breeders

Feed overview

Orijen is a Canadian brand that produces world-famous Acana food. The company was founded in 1975 and currently supplies animal products to 60 countries around the world. The production and packaging of Orijen dog food is carried out only in the Canadian province of Alberta, which makes it possible to control the quality and safety of all stages of the production cycle.

Dogs are carnivores by nature, so all Orijen products are high-protein and low-carbohydrate, and contain a high content of meat products - up to 70% , in the absence of grain crops.

Feed manufacturing technology allows you to preserve the maximum amount of nutrients. Every day, fresh meat and fish are delivered to the factory in small quantities, which can be immediately processed. This allows you to avoid freezing products, preserving their biological value and natural taste.

Orijen feed is processed in an oven at a temperature of 90 degrees, which makes it possible to save many useful amino acids from destruction. To avoid excess calcium, which contributes to bone fragility, the meat is thoroughly cleaned of bones and no preservatives are used during production.

The manufacturer produces several Orijen diets intended for different breeds and age groups. Dog owners can choose food for both puppies and adult dogs, as well as for aging pets.

The most popular analogues of Akana

Many brands market their products as holistic or super-premium, but few live up to their claims. Let's consider the most popular and worthy of them.

Blitz.

Food associated with Acana not only by class, but also by general distributor. Although it is produced in Italy, it is in many ways similar to Canadian counterparts and at the same time inexpensive.

Go ! Natural .

One of the leading brands that is most often compared to Acana. It features a maximum variety of lines and flavors, as well as a rich composition.

Landor.

Spanish manufacturer of dry and wet food for cats and dogs. It is notable for its good selection of hypoallergenic ingredients, including those without chicken.

Farmina.

A popular Italian brand that combines tradition and bold innovation. Offers a huge selection of lines, including holistic ones. He focuses on monoprotein recipes, but chose citrus fruits as a feature, which is why some of the products may not be suitable for sensitive and allergic pets.

Brit.

Czech company with many years of experience. A special place among the products is occupied by the super-premium Care line, the only creation of the brand that can be considered as an analogue of Akana.

Wellness Core.

A promising French brand that is actively conquering the market thanks to its good price ratio, decent composition and taste that is attractive to pets.

Canagan.

A popular British brand of grain-free food, both universal for any age and special lines for dental care, as well as for dogs and cats prone to obesity, including sterilized ones.

Composition of Orijen dog food

The composition of Orijen food is represented by three categories of products, which, when combined, allow you to diversify your daily menu and make it healthier.

Composition of Orijen dog food.

Meat. The source of high-quality proteins is turkey, chicken, lake fish fillets (salmon, pike perch, trout, burbot, whitefish), ocean herring and whole eggs. The recipe uses both fresh boneless meat and dehydrated (dehydrated) meat, which contains three times more protein than the raw product.

Important. The percentage of protein in Orijen diets reaches 42%. Many people believe that a high protein diet is unhealthy and puts extra strain on the liver and kidneys. However, there is no scientific evidence for such assumptions, and the opinions of veterinarians still differ.

The composition also includes chicken and turkey liver - valuable sources of vitamins A, D and group B, as well as iron and selenium, which are involved in hematopoiesis. Chicken cartilage is an excellent carrier of collagen, which has a beneficial effect on your pet’s joints, and chicken liver oil is listed as a source of animal fats. The recipe also includes chicken hearts, which contain a huge amount of vitamins and beneficial elements, including potassium, magnesium, copper, nicotinic acid and phosphorus.

Fruits and vegetables. These products are used as herbal supplements. These include potatoes, sunflowers, sweet potatoes (a source of carbohydrates and vitamins PP and B2), black currants, seaweed, apples, cranberries, spinach, carrots and butternut squash. Peas, as well as red and green lentils, are a storehouse of fiber and easily digestible protein of plant origin.

Composition of Orijen dog food.

Healing herbs. The Orijen balanced nutrition formula is completed with phytocomponents that have healing properties and improve the well-being of your pet: alfalfa grass, dandelion and chicory root, mint and medicinal fennel leaves, turmeric, chamomile and psyllium.

None of Orijen's diets contain flavorings, preservatives, grains, questionable by-products or GMOs.

Plant based feed ingredient updates

It can be seen that manufacturers have slightly expanded the number of types of legumes in this diet, but, judging by the shares of animal components, the total share of legumes in the diet has not become larger, and this is what is important - because in this case it is clearly clear that these are additional additives, not a replacement sources of animal protein.

Previously, the varieties of pears and apples were clearly indicated, but now, for some reason, the manufacturer decided not to indicate them. At the same time, in all updated Orijen formulas, pears, apples and other fruits, berries, vegetables and herbs are now o - this means that they were not subjected to any pre-treatment before entering production.

The pea fiber in the composition was replaced with lentil fiber, but, in our opinion, there is practically no difference in this. The list of herbal supplements has also changed a little - you can click on the name of each of them and read what it is in our database. However, we do not pay much attention to them, since we always strive to focus readers more on the main ingredients of the diet, and not on the meager amount of herbs and spices.

The list of ingredients shows that in addition to the source of the prebiotic, chicory root, a probiotic was added to the composition - Enterococcus faecium strain NCIMB10415, designed to improve the balance of flora in the intestines.

Pros and cons of food

The undeniable advantages of the Orijen brand include:

• a large percentage of real high-quality meat;
• the presence of vegetables, fruits and even medicinal herbs;
• there is a vitamin and mineral complex necessary for the health of the pet;
• absence of flavor enhancers and other synthetic substances;
• The country of origin is Canada, famous for its high quality standards.

The only downside is the high cost, which makes it inaccessible to a wide range of consumers.

Why is this food better than others?

The food contains no grains, which is a major advantage.
The main advantage of Orijen food in comparison with other brands in the holistic category is the complete absence of grain crops. According to the laws of nature, it is unusual for dogs to eat grains, so the manufacturer did not add them to the recipe, replacing them with healthier sources of carbohydrates in the form of vegetables and fruits. In addition, cereals, especially wheat and corn, are a common cause of allergic reactions. For example, Savarra and Earthborn Holistic contain barley and oats.

A significant advantage of Orijen food is its increased protein content, which will perfectly satisfy the needs of active, service and hunting dogs prone to increased stress. By comparison, Orijen's diets contain between 38 and 42% protein, Kanide's about 24%, and Akan's about 27%.

Another advantage of the food is the absence of by-products of dubious origin. The manufacturer specifically indicates on the packaging the meat composition of the food: dehydrated meat, fresh meat, liver, heart, cartilage, etc. For example, in ANF holistic food, the main ingredient is duck flour, and what is included in the concept of “duck” is unknown. Pronature Holistic food mentions turkey and also does not specify whether it is meat or offal.

Attention. Orijen food packaging indicates the percentage of each meat component. If the manufacturer does not provide such information to buyers, then he has something to hide, and there is not much meat in the composition.

Advantages and disadvantages

Every food product has its positive and negative sides, regardless of its class. With more expensive types, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The advantages of using the Orijen line of dog food include:

• completely natural ingredients;
• absence of flavorings, flavor enhancers, food colorings;
• natural type of preservatives;
• full compliance with the food obtained by the wild relatives of domestic pets;
• variety of product - food is made for miniature, medium and large dogs, elderly individuals, with allergic reactions;
• Orijen food for puppies is available in two versions;
• biscuits are produced in packages of different weights;
• You can buy the products at any pet store.

The negative qualities of the original food are the high price, unaffordable for some lovers of four-legged animals, and possible overeating of the pet due to tasty biscuits.

The company produces one of the highest quality types of food that are commercially available. It meets the needs of animals at any age and does not leave them half-starved. The food is made from natural ingredients, which do not include special flavor enhancers that can cause addiction in pets.

Reviews from veterinarians and dog handlers about the product are only positive. Experts emphasize that the first ten positions in any type of food are occupied by meat or fish products. It does not contain cereals and potatoes. The only problem is the high cost of packaging.

Orijen dog food line

Orijen dog food is presented in a product line with six items: for adult dogs, for puppies and for aging pets.

Line of feed.

• Adult Dog – balanced and complete nutrition for adult pets of all breeds. Since dogs are carnivores, the correct balance of animal protein, vitamins and minerals is necessary to maintain good physical fitness and health. Adult Dog is 80% protein sourced from free-range chicken and turkey, northern walleye and wild herring, and whole eggs from laying hens. The composition contains 20% fruit and vegetable mixture and is completely free of grains, tapioca and potatoes.
• Adult Dog Freeze Dried is a freeze-dried food for adult dogs, developed using Freeze-Drying technology. By exposing the product to low temperatures (-50 degrees), only moisture is removed from the components, while all trace elements, minerals and vitamins are preserved. The diet formula contains 90% meat product (chicken, turkey, herring and egg), entrails and cartilage, as well as 10% vegetables and fruits.
• Six Fis is an easily digestible dry food designed for adult pets. It differs from other options in its high fish content (salmon, flounder, pike, pike perch, whitefish and herring) and the complete absence of chicken, which is the optimal solution for dogs with allergies to chicken meat.
• Puppy is a diet for daily feeding of puppies, containing an optimal balance of animal and plant proteins and a limited amount of carbohydrates. Compared to other foods, there are half as many carbohydrates here. The recipe consists of 80% meat product, including not only poultry meat and fish fillets, but also heart, liver and cartilage for the full development of the growing body, strengthening its immunity and skeletal system.
• Puppy Large is a balanced diet for large breed puppies, including 80% meat. The composition includes special ingredients from fish and chicken with low ash content, which allows you to maintain calcium and phosphorus at the level necessary for health. Properly selected food components contribute to the formation of muscle mass and skeleton of the little giant.
• Senior Dog is a complete diet for pets over 7 years old, rich in proteins and limited in carbohydrates. The basis of the food is poultry meat and fish fillet; there is also a fruit and vegetable cocktail and medicinal herbs. The recipe does not contain high-glycemic foods: rice, grains and potatoes, which is necessary to prevent excess weight, high blood sugar levels and the further occurrence of diabetes.

Reviews from veterinarians

Veterinarians recommend this food for active dogs.
Natalia, veterinarian, 43 years old. Many dog ​​breeders wonder why Orijen food contains so much protein and whether it is harmful to the dog’s body. I hasten to dispel this myth, since a high protein diet is biologically appropriate for carnivorous dogs. In addition, over the past 15 years, many studies have been conducted and published that refute these opinions. Orijen's high-protein, low-carbohydrate foods are as close as possible to the natural diet of dogs and provide the animal with all the necessary nutrients. All ingredients are of high quality, and there is no need to feed your pet with any additional additives. I strongly recommend this natural food for daily nutrition.

Yuri, veterinarian, 56 years old. Holistic Orijen has proven itself to be quite good. The composition contains high-quality ingredients that have never been exposed to preservatives or frozen. The formula is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. The meat components used are meat and fish, both fresh and dehydrated - this is a big plus. The food has a perfectly balanced vitamin and mineral composition and contains phytocomponents that improve the performance of the dog’s body. I would like to warn owners of dogs with obesity or liver problems - this food can aggravate the situation, since it contains a very large amount of proteins. I can recommend this food only to pets with excellent health and normal activity.

Reviews from dog breeders about Orijen dog food

Not all dog owners were happy with this food, but in general the reviews were more positive than negative.
Anna. We spent a long time selecting food for our Yorkshire Terrier, read a bunch of reviews and research, and ultimately settled on Orijen Adult food with chicken flavor. The food does not contain grains, but is rich in various types of fresh meat, vegetables, fruits and even herbs. Everything a dog would eat in the wild. I immediately bought a 7-kilogram package, which lasted us for 6 months. I paid about 2,300 rubles for it. I would like to note that the dog eats it with great appetite, during all this time he has never had any problems with digestion, and goes to the toilet as scheduled. The condition of the coat has noticeably improved - a gorgeous shine has appeared. We are now finishing our second pack and have no intention of changing food.

Veronica. Our Basenji dog is very active and playful. But she suffers from constant problems with her stomach and digestion of food. We decided to try Orijen food, deciding that if it was expensive, it would definitely suit our dog. However, after a couple of weeks of regular feeding, a whole series of problems befell us: diarrhea, terrible flatulence, constant rumbling in the stomach. The dog began to lose weight, but his coat was shiny as never before. The dog ate the food without much pleasure. We visited the veterinarian, who said that the high protein content puts a lot of stress on the liver. As a result, we changed the food to a similar one, but with a lower level of protein. All our problems disappeared. Therefore, before feeding your dog Orijen, make sure that he is completely healthy.

Top 5. Blitz grain-free, lamb, salmon

Rating (2021): 4.64

39 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, OZON, Magizoo, Wildberries

Recommended by the official representative of Akana This brand was founded by the official distributor of Akana and adopted a number of its advantages, but adjusted for accessibility. She was the one recommended by the company in an open appeal.

Best price per kilo One of the most inexpensive grain-free holistic products. The price starts from 496 rubles per kilogram. At the same time, if you wish, you can stock up on food for a long time by choosing a 12 kg package.

• Characteristics

  Average price: 859 rub.

• Country: Italy
• Type of animal: small breed dogs
• Age: adults (1-6 years)
• Packing options, kg: 0.5; 1.5; 12
• Flavor: lamb and salmon
• Proteins: 29%
• Fat: 18%

Despite the very reasonable price, Blitz Holistic Lamb & Salmon is a godsend for small breed dogs. Small flat granules with a diameter of 8 millimeters with a dense, but not too hard texture, are easy to chew and are suitable even for very little ones. At the same time, the food is of good quality. Being a grain-free holistic product, this Blitz creation contains neither corn nor rice. Like Akana, it is based on lamb and salmon, which are considered hypoallergenic and fairly easy to digest. The food is also supplemented with probiotics - yeast extract and fructooligosaccharides, so it is suitable for sensitive digestion. But it is sometimes criticized for not having the richest composition and inconvenient packaging.

Advantages and disadvantages

• Sensitive digestion
• Probiotics
• Small granules
• Grain-free

• Not the most convenient packaging
• Relatively simple composition

Conclusions about food

The majority of reviews about Orijen food are positive, which indicates its high quality and naturalness. It contains a large amount of meat, which is suitable not only for large dogs, but also for active pets of all breeds. The price of the food corresponds to the quality of its contents - only natural high-quality ingredients and a huge percentage of meat product. On average, a dog breeder will pay from 1,800 to 2,300 rubles for a small package weighing 2.27 kg, and from 6,200 to 7,500 rubles for a large 13-kilogram pack.