Is Orijen Cat Food Good for your feline friend? This comprehensive review from FOODS.EDU.VN explores Orijen’s ingredients, nutritional value, recall history, and customer reviews to help you decide if it’s the right choice. We’ll delve into the benefits and drawbacks, offering insights into species-appropriateness and ingredient quality, so that you can make an informed decision. Discover the key factors for optimal feline nutrition and high-quality pet food choices.
1. Evaluating Orijen Cat Food: A Detailed Overview
Orijen markets itself as a revolutionary pet food, meticulously crafted to cater to the dietary needs of cats, aligning with their evolutionary adaptation to a diet abundant in fresh meat and protein. Let’s delve deeper to assess if Orijen truly lives up to its claims and if it’s the ideal choice for your feline companion.
2. Unpacking the Cats.com Standard: How We Rate Orijen
FOODS.EDU.VN applies a rigorous standard to evaluate cat food, and Orijen is no exception. We scrutinize various aspects, including species-appropriateness, ingredient quality, product range, cost-effectiveness, customer feedback, and recall history. This thorough assessment allows us to provide a balanced and insightful perspective.
- Species-Appropriateness: 8/10
- Ingredient Quality: 9/10
- Product Variety: 6/10
- Price: 4/10
- Customer Experience: 6/10
- Recall History: 5/10
Overall Score: 6.3/10
3. A Glimpse into Orijen’s History
Orijen is the flagship brand of Champion Petfoods, a Canadian pioneer in pet food manufacturing. Founded in 1985 by Reinhard Mühlenfeld, the company started with a vision to create high-quality animal food for local farmers. Over the years, Champion Petfoods expanded its operations, employing over 500 people across facilities in Alberta, Ontario, and Kentucky. In 2024, Mars Petcare acquired Champion Petfoods, integrating Orijen and Acana into its extensive pet nutrition portfolio.
4. Sourcing and Production Transparency
Orijen prides itself on sourcing ingredients from trusted local farms and ranches near its manufacturing facilities. With two state-of-the-art kitchens—the NorthStar kitchen in Alberta and the DogStar kitchen in Kentucky—Orijen ensures quality control and freshness. Canadian, European, and Asian customers receive food from the Alberta facility, while those in the United States, Central, and South America are supplied by the Kentucky kitchen. Champion Petfoods maintains a strict “never outsource” policy, ensuring that Orijen and Acana foods are exclusively produced in their own facilities, which have received internationally-recognized Safe Food Quality (SQF) and Safe Feed/Safe Food (SFSF) certifications.
5. Recall History: Ensuring Safety
Orijen has experienced one recall incident in its history. In 2008, all Orijen cat food sold in Australia was recalled due to several cats becoming ill and dying after consumption. Champion Petfoods attributed the issue to mandatory gamma irradiation, which compromised the food’s safety.
6. Understanding the Irradiation Incident
Australia’s stringent food import regulations required all pet foods containing fresh meat or cooked at low temperatures to undergo irradiation treatment before being sold. This process, designed to eliminate microbial contaminants, inadvertently depleted vitamin A and promoted the release of free radicals in the food. Consequently, numerous Australian cats suffered severe health issues after consuming Orijen food.
7. Addressing Consumer Concerns: The 2018 Lawsuit
In 2018, Champion Petfoods faced a lawsuit alleging misrepresentation of their products due to the presence of heavy metals and toxins. Testing by the Clean Label Project revealed trace amounts of arsenic, BPA, cadmium, mercury, and lead in Orijen and Acana foods. However, the levels were within the FDA’s maximum tolerable limits.
8. Exploring Orijen’s Cat Food Range
Orijen offers a diverse selection of dry foods, wet foods, and treats, all formulated with high levels of animal ingredients. Their dry food formulas boast up to 90% animal meat, while wet foods contain around 95%. Orijen guarantees that the first five ingredients in each diet are fresh or raw animal ingredients.
Orijen cat foods incorporate organs, bones, and cartilage in what they call Whole Prey ratios, mimicking the natural proportions of animal parts a cat would consume in the wild. Low-glycemic fruits, vegetables, and other additives make up the remaining percentage of dry cat foods, while wet food formulas are notably low in carbohydrate content, often below 5% on a dry matter basis.
9. Orijen Cat Food: Top 4 Recipes Reviewed
Here’s an overview of four popular Orijen cat food recipes:
| Product Name | Food Type | Price | Our Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orijen Dry Cat and Kitten Food | Dry | $6.67 per lb | B- |
| Orijen Original Entrée Wet Cat Food | Wet | $1.53 per oz | A |
| Orijen FIT & TRIM Cat Food | Dry | $7.04 per lb | B- |
| Orijen Six Fish Dry Cat Food | Dry | $7.00 per lb | B- |
10. Orijen Dry Cat and Kitten Food: A Detailed Look
This dry cat food features chicken, turkey, and eggs as its primary protein sources, making it suitable for cats of all life stages. It includes a variety of protein sources, such as poultry meat, organs, cartilage, whole eggs, flounder, mackerel, and herring.
Approximately two-thirds of the meat is fresh or raw, while the remaining third is dehydrated at low temperatures, providing a concentrated source of animal protein. The food also contains legumes like peas, lentils, and chickpeas. Overall, it’s a meat-based food with moderate protein, moderate fat, and relatively low carbohydrate content. Each cup contains 463 calories.
10.1. Ingredients
Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Whole Eggs, Atlantic Flounder, Whole Atlantic Mackerel, Chicken Liver, Turkey Liver, Whole Atlantic Herring, Chicken Heart, Turkey Heart, Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Turkey, Dehydrated Mackerel, Dehydrated Chicken Liver, Dehydrated Egg, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Chicken Fat, Chicken Necks, Chicken Kidney, Whole Green Peas, Whole Green Lentils, Whole Navy Beans, Whole Chickpeas, Natural Chicken Flavor, Pollock Oil, Ground Chicken Bone, Chicken Cartilage, Lentil Fiber, Choline Chloride, Whole Pumpkin, Whole Butternut Squash, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Freeze-dried Chicken Liver, Kale, Spinach, Mustard Greens, Collard Greens, Turnip Greens, Whole Carrots, Apples, Pears, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Thiamine Mononitrate, 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.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Turkey, Whole Eggs, Chicken Liver, Turkey Liver, Chicken Heart, Turkey Heart, Chicken Fat, Pollock Oil, Chicken Necks, Chicken Bone and Cartilage
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Red Lentils, Pinto Beans, Green Peas, Green Lentils, Navy Beans, Chickpeas, Lentil Fiber
10.2. Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 40%
Crude Fat: 20%
Crude Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 10%
10.3. Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 44.44%
Fat: 22.22%
Fiber: 3.33%
Carbs: 30%
10.4. Caloric Weight Basis
Protein: 34.61%
Fat: 42.03%
Carbs: 23.36%
10.5. Pros
- High protein content
- Made primarily from animal protein sources
- Contains multiple nourishing animal parts
- No artificial ingredients
- Lower carbohydrate content compared to most dry cat foods
10.6. Cons
- Contains legumes
- Some reviewers report their cats became ill
- Expensive
11. Orijen Original Entrée Wet Cat Food: An In-Depth Analysis
This wet food is formulated with 95% animal-derived ingredients, featuring chicken as the primary protein source. Fresh chicken, chicken liver, and whole mackerel are the first three ingredients, followed by nutrient- and protein-rich bone broths.
Mackerel and sardine are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin and coat. Chicken heart adds natural chicken flavor and essential nutrients. This recipe is free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives and contains no added carbohydrates, making it species-appropriate for cats.
11.1. Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Liver, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Bone Broth, Fish Bone Broth, Chicken Heart, Whole Sardine, Egg, Taurine, Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide, Choline Chloride.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Chicken Liver, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Bone Broth, Fish Bone Broth, Chicken Heart, Whole Sardine, Egg
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: None
11.2. Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 12%
Crude Fat: 6%
Crude Fiber: 0.5%
Moisture: 80%
11.3. Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 60%
Fat: 30%
Fiber: 2.5%
Carbs: 7.5%
11.4. Caloric Weight Basis
Protein: 42.75%
Fat: 51.91%
Carbs: 5.34%
11.5. Pros
- No added carbohydrates
- Bone broth provides a nutritious source of moisture
- Packed with species-appropriate animal protein
- Free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
11.6. Cons
- Limited availability
12. Orijen FIT & TRIM Cat Food: Tailored for Weight Management
This dry cat food is designed for overweight cats or those with lower calorie needs. Chicken is the primary protein source, and the recipe includes fresh, raw, and dehydrated animal proteins, whole prey ratios of muscle meat, organs, bones, and cartilage, and low-glycemic fruits and vegetables.
Chicken, turkey eggs, herring, turkey, mackerel, and flounder serve as the main protein sources, followed by legumes, fruits, and veggies. It’s a meat-based food with high protein, low fat, and relatively low carbohydrate content. Despite being marketed as a low-calorie food, it contains 445 calories per cup.
12.1. Ingredients
Fresh Chicken Meat (14%), Fresh Whole Eggs (6%), Fresh Whole Herring (6%), Fresh Turkey Meat (6%), Fresh Chicken Liver (6%), Fresh Whole Flounder (4%), Fresh Whole Mackerel (4%), Fresh Whole Pacific Hake (4%), Fresh Turkey Liver (4%), Fresh Chicken Heart (4%), Chicken (Dehydrated, 4%), Turkey (Dehydrated, 4%), Whole Mackerel (Dehydrated, 4%), Whole Sardine (Dehydrated, 4%), Whole Herring (Dehydrated, 4%), Alaskan Pollock (Dehydrated, 4%), Lentil Fiber, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Green Lentils, Whole Green Peas, Whole Chickpeas, Whole Yellow Peas, Whole Pinto Beans, Whole Navy Beans, Chicken Cartilage (Dehydrated, 1%), Fresh Turkey Heart (1%), Whole Blue Whiting (Dehydrated, 1%), Chicken Fat (0.5%), etc.
Ingredients We Liked: Chicken, Eggs, Turkey, Chicken Liver, Turkey Liver, Chicken Heart, Turkey Heart, Chicken Cartilage
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Lentil Fiber, Red Lentils, Green Lentils, Green Peas, Chickpeas, Yellow Peas, Pinto Beans, Navy Beans
12.2. Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 42%
Crude Fat: 14%
Crude Fiber: 6%
Moisture: 10%
12.3. Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 46.67%
Fat: 15.56%
Fiber: 6.67%
Carbs: 31.11%
12.4. Caloric Weight Basis
Protein: 40.38%
Fat: 32.69%
Carbs: 26.92%
12.5. Pros
- Rich in nourishing animal protein
- No plant protein fillers
- No artificial ingredients
- Contains multiple animal parts
- Relatively low carbohydrate content
12.6. Cons
- More plant matter than cats require
- Expensive
13. Orijen Six Fish Cat Food: A Seafood-Centric Diet
This dry cat food features Pacific pilchard as the primary protein source and is made from wild fish caught in New England waters, including mackerel, herring, flounder, redfish, monkfish, and silver hake. Fish accounts for 90% of the recipe. Two-thirds of the fish is fresh or raw, while the remaining one-third is dehydrated. The food is infused with freeze-dried cod liver for added palatability. Each cup contains 463 calories.
13.1. Ingredients
Fresh Whole Pacific Pilchard (26%), Fresh Whole Pacific Hake (9%), Fresh Whole Pacific Mackerel (8%), Fresh Whole Pacific Flounder (5%), Fresh Whole Rockfish (5%), Fresh Whole Sole (5%), Whole Mackerel (Dehydrated, 5%), Whole Herring (Dehydrated, 5%), Whole Blue Whiting (Dehydrated, 5%), Herring Oil (5%), Alaskan Cod (Dehydrated, 5%), Whole Red Lentils, Whole Green Lentils, Whole Green Peas, Sunflower Oil (Cold-pressed), Whole Sardines (Dehydrated, 1.5%), Lentil Fiber, Whole Chickpeas, Whole Yellow Peas, Whole Pinto Beans, Cod Liver (Freeze-dried), Fresh Whole Pumpkin, Fresh Whole Butternut Squash, Fresh Whole Zucchini, Fresh Whole Parsnips, Fresh Carrots, Fresh Whole Red Delicious Apples, Fresh Whole Bartlett Pears, Fresh Kale, Fresh Spinach, Fresh Beet Greens, Fresh Turnip Greens, Brown Kelp, Whole Cranberries, Whole Blueberries, Whole Saskatoon Berries, Chicory Root, Turmeric Root, Milk Thistle, Burdock Root, Lavender, Marshmallow Root, Rosehips, Enterococcus Faecium.
Ingredients We Liked: Herring Oil
Ingredients We Didn’t Like: Red Lentils, Green Lentils, Lentil Fiber, Chickpeas, Yellow Peas, Pinto Beans
13.2. Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein: 42%
Crude Fat: 20%
Crude Fiber: 3%
Moisture: 10%
Ash: 9%
13.3. Dry Matter Basis
Protein: 46.67%
Fat: 22.22%
Fiber: 3.33%
Carbs: 17.78%
13.4. Caloric Weight Basis
Protein: 39.41%
Fat: 45.58%
Carbs: 15.01%
13.5. Pros
- Primarily made from animal protein sources
- Protein-rich
- Contains herring oil as a source of species-appropriate omega-3 fatty acids
- Relatively low carbohydrate content
- No artificial ingredients
13.6. Cons
- Expensive
- Fish-based foods are not appropriate for long-term feeding
14. What Do Customers Think of Orijen Cat Food?
Customer reviews of Orijen cat food are mixed. While the brand received consistently positive feedback when manufactured exclusively in Canada, some customers in the United States, Central, and South America have reported a decline in quality since the opening of the facility in Auburn, Kentucky. These customers cite issues such as inconsistency, strange smells, and their cats becoming ill. However, most reviews focus on dry food products, and the wet food line is too new to have substantial feedback.
14.1. Positive Reviews
“My cat is a picky eater, and usually prefers canned food to dry kibble. I was actually looking for the canned version of this brand, which I’d head good things about, but I didn’t see it on Amazon. So I bought this instead. I was shocked that my cat actually likes it! And my cat’s vet says this dry kibble is just as healthy as the canned version, and is actually better for my cat’s teeth. My cat and I are very happy with this!” – Bonnie, reviewing Orijen Fit & Trim Cat Food February 28, 2025
“I only buy this when I have a coupon or it’s on sale somewhere, but in terms of quality, nothing tops this food. There’s no reason this (or anything) should be as expensive as it is, but the fact remains that it is unmatched in terms of junk-less, quality cat food.” – Kelly, reviewing Orijen FIT & TRIM Cat Food on Mar 20, 2025
14.2. Negative Reviews
“My cat is a former barn cat, hunter of rodents, and has eaten any cat food I have put before him…until now. He finally did eat some, after he wasn’t given any choice (I normally give him wet food also), but he only ate a little to stave off his hunger. I ended up giving this bag away, and went back to his favorite brand, Halo.” – Heather A., reviewing Orijen Dry Cat and Kitten Food November 17, 2024
“My cat seems to like this food, and looking at the ingredients I thought it would be really good for him. I’m on my second bag, and unfortunately he’s started vomiting after every meal, so we’ll be switching back to something a little more cost and tummy friendly.” – Barry Ariel, reviewing Orijen Six Fish Cat Food February 16, 2025
15. Understanding Orijen Cat Food Costs
Orijen dry cat food typically costs between $0.30 and $0.35 per ounce. Based on the company’s feeding recommendations, the daily cost for an average 11-lb cat is approximately $0.91. Pricing for Orijen wet foods is currently unavailable but is expected to be in a similar range to other species-appropriate wet food brands like Ziwi Peak and Identity.
Note: Pricing is not yet available for Orijen wet cat food. This section will be updated once these products are available online.
16. Final Verdict: Is Orijen Cat Food a Good Choice?
Orijen cat food has earned its place among the best dry cat foods due to its whole-prey-inspired recipes, featuring fresh muscle meat, organs, and bones. Its low carbohydrate content and commitment to sourcing integrity are unmatched by many dry food companies.
However, Orijen may not be suitable for every cat. Since opening the DogStar kitchen in the United States and reformulating recipes, the brand has faced customer complaints and concerns about quality. The recent release of a wet food line has not yet clarified where these products are manufactured.
Orijen’s emphasis on variety, including multiple animal species in each recipe, may also be a concern for cats with allergies or food sensitivities. While Orijen foods are generally high-quality, recent manufacturing changes may have affected the quality of products sold in the US, Central America, and South America.
17. Where to Purchase Orijen Cat Food
Orijen cat food is primarily sold in-store through independent pet specialty retailers, similar to premium brands like Open Farm and Koha. Dry food formulas are also available on Amazon and Chewy. Wet foods, recently launched in May 2022, are expected to become available through online retailers and local specialty pet food stores soon.
18. Expert Nutritional Advice for Cat Owners
Choosing the right cat food can be a daunting task. At FOODS.EDU.VN, we understand the challenges pet owners face when seeking reliable and easy-to-understand information.
18.1. Common Challenges
- Finding trustworthy recipes: Many online recipes lack credibility.
- Understanding ingredients and techniques: Mastering the nuances of feline nutrition can be overwhelming.
- Discovering new foods: Expanding your cat’s palate can be tricky.
- Adjusting recipes: Tailoring recipes to your cat’s specific dietary needs can be challenging.
- Seeking accurate information: Separating fact from fiction in the pet food industry is essential.
18.2. How FOODS.EDU.VN Can Help
- Detailed and accessible recipes: Providing step-by-step guidance that is easy to follow at home.
- In-depth knowledge of ingredients and techniques: Sharing expert insights into feline nutrition and cooking.
- Introducing unique and special foods: Encouraging culinary exploration for your cat.
- Guidance on adjusting recipes: Helping you adapt recipes to meet your cat’s individual needs.
- Answering all your food-related questions: Ensuring you have the knowledge to make informed choices.
19. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Orijen Cat Food
19.1. Is Orijen cat food grain-free?
Yes, Orijen cat food formulas are grain-free, focusing on high animal protein content.
19.2. What are the main ingredients in Orijen cat food?
The main ingredients include fresh or raw meat, organs, and bones from sources like chicken, turkey, and fish.
19.3. Is Orijen cat food suitable for kittens?
Yes, Orijen offers a “Cat & Kitten” formula designed to meet the nutritional needs of growing kittens.
19.4. Where is Orijen cat food manufactured?
Orijen cat food is manufactured in Champion Petfoods’ NorthStar kitchen in Alberta, Canada, and DogStar kitchen in Kentucky, USA.
19.5. Has Orijen cat food ever been recalled?
Yes, Orijen cat food was recalled in Australia in 2008 due to issues related to gamma irradiation.
19.6. Does Orijen cat food contain artificial ingredients?
No, Orijen cat food is formulated without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
19.7. How does Orijen source its ingredients?
Orijen sources ingredients from carefully-vetted local farms and ranches near its manufacturing facilities.
19.8. Is Orijen cat food expensive compared to other brands?
Yes, Orijen cat food is generally more expensive than many other cat food brands due to its high-quality ingredients and manufacturing standards.
19.9. Is Orijen cat food good for cats with allergies?
Orijen may not be ideal for cats with allergies due to the variety of animal proteins in each recipe.
19.10. Does Orijen offer wet cat food options?
Yes, Orijen has recently launched a line of wet cat food formulas.
20. Discover More with FOODS.EDU.VN
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