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Summary
Nutrition
Recipe
Protein
Verdict
Orijen
Original
Rating
★★★★★
5.0 / 5
Protein Clarity
High
Animal Protein
High
Allergy Highlights
Contains:
Egg
Legumes
Poultry
Fish
Free From:
Gluten grains
Grains (gluten-free)
Dairy
Nuts
Red meat
Shellfish
Unknown Meal
Pros
Uses clearly named animal protein sources for better transparency.
Contains organ meats that provide natural vitamins and minerals.
Includes plant ingredients that can provide fiber and natural antioxidants.
Uses mainly organic mineral sources, which are typically better absorbed.
Is Orijen Original pet food good?
Orijen Original is a pet food rated 5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and strong animal protein content. The recipe lists most animal ingredients by name and features real muscle meat as a primary protein source. This recipe is free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Egg, Legumes, Poultry, Fish.
Nutrition Breakdown
Dry Matter
As Fed
Protein
43%
Fat
21%
Est. Carbs
24%
Fiber
4.5%
Ash
8%
Moisture (12%) removed so you can compare foods fairly.
Dry matter basis = label value ÷ (100% − moisture%). Carbs estimated from remaining.
Tips
Protein is Super High (43% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. This can suit some active or growing pets, but medical conditions such as kidney disease need veterinary guidance.
References
Fat is High (21% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. It may be useful for higher energy needs, but less active or medically complex pets need a closer fit check.
References
Ingredients Analysis
51 of 51 matched
Prefer
15
Concerned
3
Notice
0
1
Chicken
2
Turkey
3
Salmon
4
Whole Herring
5
Chicken Liver
6
Dehydrated Chicken
7
Dehydrated Turkey
8
Dehydrated Chicken Liver
9
Dehydrated Egg
10
Dehydrated Sardine
11
Chicken Fat
12
Whole Red Lentils
13
Whole Pinto Beans
14
Whole Navy Beans
15
Whole Green Lentils
16
Whole Chickpeas
17
Whole Peas
18
Turkey Giblets
19
Eggs
20
Natural Chicken Flavor
21
Dried Apple Pomace
22
Pollock Oil
23
Chicken Heart
24
Vitamin E Supplement
25
Whole Pumpkin
26
Whole Butternut Squash
27
Collard Greens
28
Whole Apples
29
Whole Pears
30
Whole Cranberries
31
Dried Kelp
32
Salt
33
Zinc Proteinate
34
Mixed Tocopherols
35
Niacin
36
Thiamine Mononitrate
37
Calcium Pantothenate
38
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
39
Riboflavin
40
Folic Acid
41
Vitamin B12 Supplement
42
Copper Proteinate
43
Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product
44
Dandelion Root
45
Turmeric
46
Sarsaparilla Root
47
Althea Root
48
Rosehips
49
Juniper Berries
50
Citric Acid
51
Rosemary Extract
Tips
Named animal proteins near the top: Chicken, Turkey are listed early in the ingredient panel.
Ingredients worth checking: Dried Apple Pomace, Salt, Citric Acid.
Possible digestion triggers: Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Whole Navy Beans, and 4 more have digestion notes; watch tolerance if your pet has a sensitive stomach.
Protein Analysis
How this recipe earned its protein scores.
Protein Clarity
High
High
Named
100%
Strong clarity: 100% of Orijen Original's animal-protein ingredients are clearly named (like chicken or salmon). Only 0% use vague terms such as "meat meal" and 0% are by-products. Named protein ingredients let you verify the source and check for allergens.
Contributing ingredients
Named
Chicken
Turkey
Salmon
Whole Herring
Chicken Liver
Dehydrated Chicken
Dehydrated Turkey
Dehydrated Chicken Liver
Dehydrated Egg
Dehydrated Sardine
Turkey Giblets
Eggs
Chicken Heart
Animal Protein
High
High
Animal
94%
Plant
6%
Meat-forward: 94% of the weighted protein in Orijen Original comes from animal sources. Plant signals are modest (6% whole plants, 0% plant concentrates), so the protein profile leans on real meat.
Contributing ingredients
Animal
Chicken
Turkey
Salmon
Whole Herring
Chicken Liver
Dehydrated Chicken
Dehydrated Turkey
Dehydrated Chicken Liver
Dehydrated Egg
Dehydrated Sardine
Turkey Giblets
Eggs
Chicken Heart
Plant
Whole Red Lentils
Whole Pinto Beans
Whole Navy Beans
Whole Green Lentils
Whole Chickpeas
Whole Peas
Orijen Original pet food Review
Orijen Original is a strong choice — rated 5 stars with high ingredient transparency and strong animal protein content. A confident pick when the ingredient panel matches your pet's needs.
Best for
Owners who want clearly named protein sources
Pets avoiding gluten grains
Pets that thrive on muscle-meat protein
Avoid if
Your pet is allergic to eggs
You're avoiding legumes
Key takeaways
Named animal proteins make up 100% of the recipe's protein panel — a clear sourcing win.
Contains common allergens: Egg, Legumes, Poultry, Fish.
On a dry-matter basis: 43% protein, 21% fat, 24% estimated carbohydrates.
94% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources.
Free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
Frequently asked questions
Is Orijen Original good for pets?
Yes — rated 5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and strong animal protein content.
Does Orijen Original contain Dairy?
Does Orijen Original contain Egg?
Does Orijen Original contain Legumes?
Does Orijen Original contain Nuts?
Is Orijen Original grain-free?
What are the main protein sources in Orijen Original?
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