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ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Company info
Company HQ
Alberta, Canada
Parent company
Champion Petfoods
Product info
Age Range: Senior
Food Form Dry Senior Dog Food
Cost per day: $0.20
Primary proteins
  • Deboned Chicken
  • Deboned Turkey
  • Chicken Liver
  • Turkey Liver

Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Atlantic flounder, Cage-Free Eggs, Whole Atlantic Mackerel, Chicken Liver, Turkey Liver, Chicken Heart, Turkey Heart, Whole Atlantic Herring, Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Turkey, Dehydrated Mackerel, Whole Dehydrated Chicken Liver, Dehydrated Egg, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Whole Green Peas, Chicken Necks, Chicken Kidney, Whole Green Lentils, Whole Navy Beans, Whole Chickpeas, Lentil Fiber, Dried Pumpkin, Natural Chicken flavor, Pollock Oil, Chicken Fat, Ground Chicken Bone, Chicken Cartilage, Turkey Cartilage, Whole Pumpkin, Whole Butternut Squash, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Freeze-Dried Chicken Liver, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Kale, Spinach, Mustard Greens, Collard Greens, Turnip Greens, Whole Carrots, Whole Apples, Whole Pears, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Copper Proteinate, Chicory Root, Turmeric, Sarsaparilla Root, Althea Root, Rosehips, Juniper Berries, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product.

Breed sizes

size-1 Toy
size-2 Small
size-3 Medium
size-4 Large
size-5 Giant

Overall Score

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79%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 66%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 89%
? We scan the FDA’s database and rate each brand by the number of recalls in its history. Brands with fewer recalls receive higher ratings. Recall History 100%
? By comparing the prices of foods in our database, we determine if a food is above or below market average price. Lower-priced foods receive higher ratings. Price 47%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 92%
? Our rating system evaluates each food’s manufacturing method, assigning higher ratings to manufacturing processes that promote higher nutritional value. Manufacturing Method 40%
? Based on the variety of sizes available. Size Variety 100%

Estimated Nutrient Content

To understand the nutrient content of pet food, we visualize its macronutrient composition in three ways. In the charts below, you’ll see a guaranteed analysis on an as-fed basis, a dry matter analysis, and a breakdown of the food’s macronutrients on a calorie-weighted basis.

Remember that all of these values are estimates based on the guaranteed analysis published by the company, and the food’s actual nutrient values may be slightly different.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Protein: 38%

Fat: 15%

Fiber: 8%

Moisture: 12%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 27%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 43.18%

Fat: 17.05%

Fiber: 9.09%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 30.68%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 37.46%

Fat: 35.92%

Carb: 26.62%

Our Review

Pros
  • To our knowledge, ORIJEN has never had a product recall
  • Supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption
  • Contains dried kelp as a natural source of essential nutrients
  • Doesn’t contain fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
  • Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
  • Most customers have good experiences with this food
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains a small amount of plant-based proteins
  • Some dogs may be allergic to fish

Recall History

The following list (if present) shows all dog food recalls related to ORIJEN since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.

Since 2011 ORIJEN has never been recalled.

Ingredient Review

Our review of ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Deboned Chicken. Deboned chicken is chicken meat with the bones removed. In pet food, deboned chicken is a valuable source of protein.

The second ingredient is Deboned Turkey. Deboned turkey is a general term for turkey meat that has had the bones removed. The deboned turkey in pet food is a valuable protein source as well as a source of other essential nutrients to benefit your companion’s overall wellbeing.

The third ingredient is Atlantic flounder. Atlantic flounder is a flatfish found in the Atlantic ocean. It’s rich in proteins, phosphorous, magnesium, B-vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Wild caught Atlantic flounder in your pet’s diet promotes healthy muscles and tissue development.

The fourth ingredient is Cage-Free Eggs. Cage-Free Eggs are sourced from free-range poultry. They are rich in proteins, vitamins A, E, and D. Cage-Free Eggs in pet food are an excellent energy source and support the development of muscles. They also promote good vision

The fifth ingredient is Whole Atlantic Mackerel. Wildly caught Atlantic Mackerel are packed with protein, phosphorous, niacin, vitamins D and B12, Whole Atlantic Mackerel in pet food promotes brain functions, boosts immunity, and reduces inflammation. It also supports healthy skin and a shiny coat.

When we analyzed the ingredients in ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per lb

Product Price

$5.42

Market Price avg.

$3.64

% From the Avg

+49%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.33

Market Price avg.

$0.30

% From the Avg

+11%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.20

Market Price avg.

$0.18

% From the Avg

+10%

ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is priced within the average market price for dry senior dog food.

Nutritional Analysis

As opposed to formulas intended for growth (puppy) and maintenance (adult), there are no special label requirements or legal definitions for “senior” diets. Senior diets are actually only required to meet the same nutritional needs as for adult diets. This means that there can be a lot of variation and interpretation by different food companies on what makes up a senior diet. Senior diets can have varying amounts of protein, fat, carbs, phosphorus, sodium, and fiber.

The assumptions that all senior pets need low protein, low fat and carbs, low phosphorus and sodium, and high fiber across the board are incorrect. The need for higher or lower levels of these nutrients varies greatly from dog to dog. That’s why it’s very important for senior pets for their pet parents to work with their veterinarian to decide what type of diet is most appropriate. For many young senior pets, the adult diets they’ve been on may be just fine to continue.

With that in mind, we’ve compared ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food to the other 109 dry senior dog food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

43.18%

All Products avg.

28.29%

% From the Avg

+53%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

17.05%

All Products avg.

13.36%

% From the Avg

+28%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

9.09%

All Products avg.

5.48%

% From the Avg

+66%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

30.68%

All Products avg.

52.1%

% From the Avg

-41%

Analysis Overview

Overall, this is a meat based food that’s high in protein with high fat and low carbohydrate content relative to other dry senior dog foods.

Disclaimer and Disclosure

At Pet Food Sherpa, our primary goal is to provide pet owners like you with accurate, relevant, and unbiased information about pet nutrition. As such, we do not accept gifts or incentives as motivation to include certain products in our reviews.

We do, however, participate in affiliate marketing programs and we partner with select brands to fund our site. We choose the products we review carefully and review them thoroughly before publishing a review or accepting any form of payment.

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