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Home / Pets / Dog Food / Orijen Original
7.2 Tested Aug 20, 2026 by Team RankingRight

Orijen Original (Dry, 23.5 lb bag) review 2026

The highest protein in the ranking at 38%, with fresh and raw animal ingredients in the first five — a premium food that formulates rather than feeding-trials

PriceFrom $105 · checked Sep 11, 2026
Cost per 1,000 kcal2.90 $
Protein38 %
Ranked#3 in Best Puppy Food

Is the Orijen Original Worth It?

Highest protein. Orijen uses the best-looking ingredients in the ranking and dogs do well on it, but it scores behind the big four because it formulates on paper rather than feeding-trialling, and its grain-free recipe sits in an unresolved FDA inquiry.

Orijen Original Pros & Cons

Pros
  • 38% protein from named fresh and raw animal ingredients
  • Champion owns its kitchens; no US recalls
  • Panel dogs ate it eagerly and coat condition was visibly good at two weeks
  • Grain-free formulation for dogs with a diagnosed grain allergy
Cons
  • $2.90 per 1,000 kcal — over twice Pro Plan
  • AAFCO statement by formulation; no feeding trial and no published full-time veterinary nutritionist
  • Legume-heavy grain-free recipe sits inside the FDA's open dilated-cardiomyopathy inquiry
  • Rich enough to upset some dogs on switching

Orijen Original at a Glance

7.2 Editor Score
Nutrition & AAFCO statementWhether the food meets an AAFCO profile and how it was established — a feeding trial counts for more than formulation alone — plus protein, fat and the guaranteed analysis against life-stage needs.
22/30
Ingredients & sourcingNamed meat sources, how far down the list the first grain or filler sits, and what the brand will tell you about where it is made.
19/20
Safety recordFDA recall history, whether the brand owns its plants, and whether it employs a full-time veterinary nutritionist.
13/20
AcceptanceHow readily our twelve-dog panel ate it, and stool quality over two weeks.
10/10
ValueCost per 1,000 kcal — the only fair way to compare a dense kibble with a fresh food.
8/20
Reader ratingNo reader ratings yet — not part of the score
–
Own one? Rate it:

Rubric v1: Nutrition & AAFCO statement 30 · Ingredients & sourcing 20 · Safety record 20 · Acceptance 10 · Value 20. Score = Σ ÷ 10, locked Sep 11, 2026. How we rank.

Where to buy — prices checked Sep 11, 2026

Amazon — $105

Best priceSee Price

Orijen Original specifications

TypeDry kibble
Cost per 1,000 kcal2.9 USD
Crude protein38 %
Crude fat18 %
First ingredientChicken
AAFCO statementComplete for all life stages
Established by feeding trialNo (formulated)
Full-time veterinary nutritionistNo full-time board-certified nutritionist published
FDA recalls (last 10 years)None in the US

Why it scored 7.2

Orijen uses the best-looking ingredients in the ranking and dogs do well on it, but it scores behind the big four because it formulates on paper rather than feeding-trialling, and its grain-free recipe sits in an unresolved FDA inquiry.

Where it loses

No feeding trial; grain-free inquiry.

Still the right pick for

Active dogs with a diagnosed grain allergy.

Changelog: Sep 11 — rank 7 → 8 · all changes

Orijen Original7.2 · $105
See Price