Orijen: food for small breed dogs and puppies

Any caring owner wants the best for their pet. Especially when it comes to choosing dog food. Everyone knows that a high-quality and nutritious diet is the key to the proper development, well-being and attractive appearance of a dog.

For this reason, most owners of not only dogs, but also cats, prefer to purchase industrially produced food: its composition is verified and calculated in accordance with the needs of the animal. In addition, this is very convenient, since you don’t have to rack your brain every day about what to feed your pet.

The modern dog food market is very diverse and offers the buyer various options that differ in manufacturers, composition, quality and price range. In this article we will look at the Orijen premium food line.

About the manufacturer

This product is produced by a Canadian company located in Edmonton. It has been operating since 75 of the last century. Its main motto is to produce safe dog and cat food and treats from natural, locally produced ingredients.

The main advantage of this enterprise is that it is engaged not only in the sale, but also in the direct production of feed. Thus, the owners of the company directly control the quality of the raw materials used and the goods produced. According to Champion Petfoods employees, only natural raw materials grown on the farms of this enterprise are used to operate the enterprise.

Description and composition of food

The manufacturer offers a wide selection of products in the orijen line. Here you can choose both universal dry mixtures for daily use by dogs of any breed and age, as well as narrowly targeted products. These include food and treats for large breeds, aging individuals, neutered dogs, and so on. There are also foods for pets with certain health problems (for example, food for obese dogs or for neutered dogs).

According to the manufacturer, orijen food contains only natural ingredients that have passed appropriate control. No genetically modified organisms are used, as well as preservatives that have a negative impact on the dog’s health. The use of grain crops is minimized.

The main components of orijen dog food are:

• chicken is a valuable high-quality protein, the amount of this meat reaches 15%;
• turkey - this dietary meat has a rich composition, low level of allergenicity and cholesterol, in the finished product it is up to 7%;
• Whole eggs – provide your pet with high-quality protein and essential amino acids. A special feature of these feeds is the use of fresh whole eggs, and not egg powder;
• meat and bone meal from chicken or turkey is also an indispensable supplier of protein, proteins and calcium in a dog’s diet;
• river, lake and sea fish provide additional protein, as well as valuable Omega-3 amino acids, which have a positive effect on the coat and skin of pets. Whitefish, flounder, pike perch, pike, herring, and salmon are used to produce feed. According to the manufacturer, all fish is used only fresh, not frozen;
• offal - usually the liver and heart of chicken or turkey. These ingredients are an additional source of nutrients and also improve the smell and taste of the resulting feed;
• cereals - despite the fact that carbohydrates in the feed are kept to a minimum, lentils, beans and beans can be found among the ingredients;
• vegetables and fruits should also be present in any dog’s diet as an important source of fiber. Therefore, in the composition of orijen you can find such vegetable crops as pumpkin, zucchini, cabbage, carrots, spinach. Among the fruits there are apples and pears. These phytocomponents are added to feed in dried form.

In addition to the above components, orijen products contain special vitamin supplements and additional amino acid complexes to maximum meet the dog’s needs, which is why these foods are called “biologically appropriate.”

Feed composition overview

The company does not hide the components of solid and freeze-dried diets. Origin dog food contains the following ingredients:

• 13% - chicken meat;
• 7% each - turkey meat and chicken eggs;
• 6% - whole herring;
• 5% - whole flounder.

Dog Chow: food for dogs and puppies of large and small breeds

Additional sources of proteins include:

• 6% - chicken liver;
• 5% - turkey liver;
• 4% each - necks and hearts of chicken and turkey.

Dried meat or meal consists of 4% chicken, mackerel, sardines, herring, turkey.

Important! The manufacturer does not purchase dehydrated components from third-party suppliers and provides a guarantee of high quality products.

Orijen line

The following are used as secondary sources of carbohydrates:

• yellow and green peas;
• red and green lentils;
• Turkish nuts - chickpeas;
• beans, whole navy beans;
• lentil vegetable fiber.

The extraction of polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3 and 6), microelements and chondroprotectors is carried out from the fat of herring, chicken and cartilage. Coarse fiber and vitamins come from butternut squash, butternut squash, parsnips, zucchini, apples, pears, carrots and cabbage.

The main sources of vitamins are:

• cranberries, blueberries;
• chicory and marshmallow root;
• cucurma, milk thistle;
• lavender flowers, rose hips;
• beet and turnip leaves;
• spinach, brown seaweed,
• berries of alder serviceberry.

100 mg of zinc chelate is used as a supplement. The calorie content of Origin dog food is 390 kcal for every 100 g.

Important! The low calorie content of Orijen senior and other variations is explained by the balance of fats and the absence of cereals in the original food. The company adheres to the principles of proper nutrition for four-legged animals and does not try to reduce the cost of products by increasing the amount of wheat.

Daily feeding rate

The amount of food required per day is individual for each individual and depends on such indicators as the dog’s age, weight, mobility, character and lifestyle characteristics, as well as health status.

On the packaging, the manufacturer gives general recommendations for selecting the daily intake for the animal; they are presented in the form of a table on each pack. This greatly simplifies the process of calculating each dose of feed. So, if a dog weighs 10 kilograms, depending on the activity and mobility of the animal, its daily requirement will be from 120 to 150 grams of food.

The rules for feeding puppies and pregnant animals are specified separately: they need increased feed consumption (from 25% to 100% in addition to the above norm). If the dog is lactating, free access to food should be provided at any time.

For convenience, it is recommended to use a measuring cup or scale. It is recommended to feed the animal 2 – 3 times a day. It should be taken into account that the average calorie content of food is 400 kcal per 100 grams.

Be sure to have free access to water at all times of the day!

Feeding standards

1st Choice for dogs: food for small breeds

Each pet's body is different and food needs may vary depending on age, temperament, activity level and weather conditions. Dog handlers advise feeding animals with industrial food 2 to 3 times a day.

Important! It is strictly prohibited to mix the lines of different manufacturing companies, or to combine natural and prepared food. Violation of the recommendations can cause diseases of the digestive tract, including gastritis and chronic ulcers.

Feeding rates depend on age and a number of circumstances. Standard requirements include:

• puppies 1.5-3 months - the norm for an adult dog, reduced by 2 times;
• 3-6 months - 50% of food is added to the diet of sexually mature pets;
• 6-11 months - plus 25% to the adult standard;
• during pregnancy - add from 25 to 50% of the standard norm.

Important! During lactation and feeding babies, food for the mother should be freely available.

Feeding rate Orijen Original Dog

The food is complete and fully balanced, suitable for feeding dogs of any breed and age. To determine daily feeding rates, you must use a measuring cup or kitchen scale.

Important! For neutered animals or pets with eating disorders, the daily dosage should be adjusted by a veterinarian.

Feeding rate Orijen Senior Dog

Complete and balanced food for dogs over 7 years old.

Important! High activity means walking with physical exercise for one hour or more every day.

Feeding rate Orijen Puppy Large Dog

The product is intended for small and medium-sized babies. It is completely balanced and meets the requirements of complete nutrition.

Important! The manufacturer advises not to change the standards; the diet should not be increased or decreased. In the first case, the baby will be obese, in the second - a developmental delay compared to peers.

Product line

Adult

Suitable for adult dogs. The composition focuses on meat components, and fish is also added. This food does not contain grains, as they are not typical for feeding dogs in the wild. The missing vitamins and microelements are added in the form of phytocomponents (dried vegetables and fruits).

Senior

Designed for older people. The features of these feeds are considered to be a reduced carbohydrate content and an increased protein content due to an increase in the proportions of chicken meat and eggs. In addition, this food contains an additional complex of B vitamins to maintain the vitality of the dog.

Puppy food

Perfect for puppies of small and medium breeds. The composition of the feed is selected in accordance with the needs of a growing organism: it contains a reduced carbohydrate content, but contains more fat and protein. In addition, there are microelements that are so important at this stage of development: calcium, phosphorus, and the Omega-3 amino acid.

Puppy Large

Food specially formulated for large breed puppies. It also keeps carbohydrate content to a minimum. Due to the components from fish and poultry, the feed contains the ideal combination of calcium and phosphorus. In addition, due to the increased protein content, feed is consumed more economically.

Six Fish

These products are suitable for feeding dogs with allergies to chicken protein, as well as problems with hair and skin. The main components of this food are marine and freshwater fish species: salmon, herring, pike, whitefish and others. In addition, the food is enriched with various phytocomponents and a vitamin-mineral complex. This allows you to strengthen your pet's immunity.

Fit & Trim

The food is intended for feeding dogs that are prone to gaining excess weight or have already gained it. Due to the reduced amount of carbohydrates and fats in the food, while receiving adequate nutrition, the dog will get into better physical shape.

Advantages and disadvantages

The undeniable advantages of orijen dog food include:

• quality and naturalness of the raw materials used;
• a well-chosen proportion of nutrients: proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which is best close to the diet of dogs in the wild;
• absence of grain crops, which are replaced by vegetables, fruits, and phytocomponents.

The main disadvantage of this food is its high cost compared to other dog foods. This is explained by the high quality of the finished product and the level of enterprise management.

In addition, some users note that dogs gain weight quickly. However, taking into account the fact that the calorie content of this food is lower than that of its analogues, most likely we are talking about overfeeding the pets.

Composition and rating of Orijen dog food

Orijen dog food currently occupies the top places in our rating; this is not surprising, because CPT experts, when giving a score to a diet, rely primarily on the composition of the product, correlating each of its components with the nutritional value that it represents for dogs. Accordingly, the highest score is for fresh meat, the type of which is clearly indicated by the manufacturer (for example, fresh turkey).

Looking at the composition of Orijen dog food, we can say with confidence that this recipe is ideal for predators, however, each animal has its own characteristics, and an individual reaction may occur to some components. Be sure to share with us your experience of feeding your pet with Orijen dog food - what pros and cons did you notice for yourself while using these products? Of particular interest to us are reviews from veterinarians about Orijen dog food, as well as the opinions of breeders.

Briefly about the main thing

1. Today, orijen is not only one of the most expensive, but also the highest quality premium dog food.
2. According to both experts and ordinary users, the cost of this food is very justified by the high quality of natural ingredients and optimally selected composition.
3. By purchasing this product, the owner provides his dog with a complete diet, as close as possible to the diet of a dog in the wild.
4. Proper nutrition is fundamental to the health and well-being of pets.