In case you don’t know, our mobile app will scan the barcode found on the back of pet food products and alert you if the product has been recalled by the FDA (get it on the Apple store or Google Play).  While gathering the data needed to build our app database, we noticed a few brands that were consistently on the recall list so this sparked our interest. Our thoughts shifted towards the brands that have NEVER been on the FDA recall list and with a little bit of research we quickly found a few brands but one stood out consistently above the rest. Orijen.

Information on Orijen

Orijen is a brand made by the Canadian company, Champion Petfoods®. They believe in feeding your pet biologically appropriate foods that match what your dog or cat would eat in their natural environment. This includes foods that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates.  Far more meat because this is what your dog or cat would primarily eat in their natural environment.

Why we picked Orijen

Orijen uses only meats that are farmed or fished by local farmers in western Canada.  Fresh meats arrive daily, never frozen and in the most natural form possible and according to the company “fit for human consumption”.  The idea of using local farmers to supply their meats with no preservatives and never being on the FDA recall list are the main reasons we switched to Orijen and our girls LOVE it!

Review

Packaging – The product comes in a vacuum sealed bag.  It’s a re-sealable bag that will help keep the food fresh by keeping air and bugs out. We found that the bag was a little difficult to reseal but after a few seconds we got it completely sealed and the seal held.

Color – We’ve tried multiple Orijen products and all of them have been the same brown color.  This is a good thing because it means that they don’t add dyes to their food.  Dyes are chemicals other pet food company’s use to make the food look appealing to humans.

Texture – Our three girls are Chihuahuas and they have no problems chewing this food.  Our heaviest is 5.5 lbs and the lightest is 3 lbs. The kibble is big enough to make them chew and it breaks off easily. This is important for us because of past experiences with other brands of dog food.  If the kibble is too small or too hard, our girls will just swallow it whole.

Smell – The food does have a strong odor but that’s due to the freshness. After all, this food is not meant to be appealing to humans.

The Cons

There are a couple of cons when it comes to Orijen and that is the price and availability. It’s true what they say, you get what you pay for. You are paying a premium for a premium grade quality food and at the end of the day, do you really want to put your pet’s health at risk in order to save a few dollars? The average price of a 15lb bag of Orijen food is around $60.  You could find it cheaper online but beware; there are some companies in China that are counterfeiting the product.  Find out more here.
Orijen is only sold at select locations here in Houston. Our local Petsmart or Petco does not carry the Orijen brand so we have to drive a few miles further to a fantastic pet shop called Woof Gang Bakery.


The Safe Pet Treats team highly recommends this product for all Dog and Cat owners. Champion Pet Foods (the makers of Orijen) has been in business for over 25 years and their values mirror that of pet owners who only wish to provide their pets with the highest quality ingredients available without the use of preservatives and other chemicals. Give Orijen a try, your pets will love it!

We also created a video of this review.  Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel if you find it helpful.

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