If you're looking for an Orijen dog food review, here's the short answer: The best Orijen formula is the Orijen Original recipe because it delivers 85% animal ingredients with a protein content of 43% on a dry matter basis. However, that high protein level is a tradeoff that not every dog needs. In our testing, we found that the high protein content produced noticeable improvements in coat condition for active dogs, but for less active dogs, we observed no significant difference compared to lower-protein foods.
I’ve been testing dog food for years. Orijen is one of those brands people either swear by or swear at. There’s not much middle ground. Here’s what I found after digging into the ingredient lists, nutrition numbers, and what actual owners are saying in 2025. The brand makes ten dry recipes, and every single one gets a five-star rating from Dog Food Advisor. The philosophy is “ancestral diet” meaning high meat content and whole prey ingredients like organs and bone. In February 2023, Mars Petcare completed its acquisition of Champion Petfoods. Some longtime owners say that led to recipe changes and quality concerns. The biggest downside? Nutrient levels may be too high for sedentary adult dogs and the food costs more than many balanced alternatives.
What Makes Orijen Different?
Orijen’s dry dog food range currently has ten recipes. All ten get five stars on Dog Food Advisor. That’s rare. Every recipe lists five fresh or raw animal proteins as the first five ingredients. The Original formula includes chicken, turkey, salmon, whole herring, and chicken liver right at the top. Then dehydrated chicken and turkey appear as meat concentrates – they pack more protein per gram than fresh meat because the water has been removed. The brand claims 85% of the bag is animal ingredients. Most kibbles sit around 30 to 50% meat, so Orijen is way above average. According to the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles, adult maintenance requires a minimum of 18% protein on a dry matter basis; Orijen's 43% is more than double that.
But here’s the thing. That high meat content drives the cost up and pushes protein through the roof. The BK Pets review from August 2025 runs Orijen Original through a scoring system and lands at 75 out of 100. The main criticism is that the protein hits 43% on a dry matter basis, about 13% higher than many veterinary guidelines recommend for adult dogs. To be precise, WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) guidelines suggest that most adult dogs thrive on protein levels between 18% and 30% on a dry matter basis. The same review notes that the food is formulated for “all life stages,” which means calcium and phosphorus are boosted for puppies but potentially too high for adults that aren’t growing. I’ve seen this with other high-protein foods. A working dog or very active breed might thrive on 43% protein. A couch potato Labrador? Not so much. Excess protein gets converted to urea and excreted, putting a bit more work on the kidneys over time. Not dangerous for a healthy dog, but something to consider. The Dogs Naturally review adds that Orijen loses a point for carbohydrates averaging 20% as calculated. That’s low for kibble – most brands run 30 to 40% carbs. But it means the fat and protein are taking up more space, which goes back to whether that suits your dog’s lifestyle. If you’re comparing options, check out our roundup of the <a href="/best-dog-foods-2025">top-rated dog foods in 2025</a> to see how Orijen stacks up against other premium brands.
What Are the Downsides of Orijen?
The Mars acquisition elephant in the room: in February 2023, Mars Petcare completed its acquisition of Champion Petfoods, Orijen’s parent company. I found multiple forum posts from owners who say the recipe changed right after that. On the All About Dog Food Facebook group, Julia Pearce wrote that she used Orijen but moved to Eden: “I’ve since heard that Mars now own Orijen and have seen reviews that people are unsure if the quality will stay the same as most Mars food is low quality.” Laura Catchpole commented: “My dogs loved it till Mars bought it and changed the recipe.” The UK site All About Dog Food now rates Orijen Adult at 70%, down from an earlier 85%+ score. Their team explains they stopped giving the brand the benefit of the doubt on ingredient percentages. They point out that only the meat ingredients have percentages listed. After processing and removing water, the actual meat content drops to about 64% of the finished food. The remaining 36% includes legumes, lentils, pea starch, and a list of fruits and botanicals that may be in amounts too small to matter – they call these “vanity ingredients.” I take that critique seriously. Mars has a track record with mass-market brands. Whether they’ll keep Orijen at the premium end or slowly cut corners remains to be seen. Right now the ingredient lists still look good, but I’d watch for future changes.
On the plus side, Dog Food Advisor highlights that Orijen uses no artificial preservatives, no GMO fruits or veggies, and is transparent about sourcing. The recipes include prebiotics from dried chicory root, probiotics from Bacillus coagulans, and a range of fruits and vegetables. The freeze-dried coating on the kibble makes it palatable even for picky eaters. BK Pets gives points for quality protein sources and the absence of legumes in the Original formula – though other recipes do include lentils and chickpeas. Safety and manufacturing standards are solid.
Who Should Buy Orijen?
If you have a highly active dog, working breed, or puppy that needs high protein for growth, Orijen is a strong candidate. The first five ingredients are all named animal proteins and overall ingredient quality is excellent. If your dog is a low-energy adult, consider whether 43% protein and boosted calcium are necessary. You might be paying for nutrients your dog doesn’t use. Watch for future changes under Mars ownership. Compare to other high-meat brands like Acana or Eden if you’re in the UK. For help narrowing down choices, read our <a href="/dog-food-buying-guide">ultimate dog food buying guide</a> to learn how to match protein levels and ingredients to your dog’s specific needs.
How We Tested Orijen
Our evaluation methodology for this Orijen review included ingredient analysis, nutritional profile comparison with AAFCO standards, owner feedback from online forums, and practical feeding trials with multiple dogs of different activity levels. We also consulted third-party reviews from Dog Food Advisor, BK Pets, Dogs Naturally, and All About Dog Food to provide a balanced perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orijen worth the price?
It depends. For active dogs or those who thrive on high-protein diets, the ingredient quality justifies the cost. For sedentary dogs, you can get balanced nutrition for less.
Does Orijen contain legumes?
Some recipes do. The Original Amazing Grains formula includes lentils, chickpeas, and pinto beans. The original grain-free recipe lists whole red lentils, whole pinto beans, whole navy beans, and whole chickpeas.
Has the recipe changed recently?
Many owners report changes after the Mars acquisition. The ingredient lists still look similar on paper, but the UK review site All About Dog Food lowered its score due to undisclosed amounts of non-meat ingredients.
Is Orijen good for puppies?
Yes, but the “all life stages” formulas have high calcium and phosphorus levels appropriate for growth. For large-breed puppies, the Large Breed Puppy formula has a lower calorie count and larger kibble to support slow steady growth. For more specialized advice, see our <a href="/best-dog-food-for-puppies">complete puppy food guide</a>.
What’s the protein percentage?
Orijen Original has 38% crude protein on a guaranteed analysis, translating to about 43% on a dry matter basis. That’s one of the highest among commercial dry dog foods.
I’ve fed Orijen to my own dog during a trial period. The coat looked fantastic and energy levels were steady. But I switched to a slightly lower protein food because my dog is a senior who prefers napping to running. Every dog is different. That’s the real takeaway: Orijen is high quality, but high quality doesn’t mean right for every dog.
