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Public ReviewGrade AKibble (Extruded)Manufacturing: Kibble (Extruded)

Orijen

Orijen Puppy Small Breed Dry Dog Food

4.5★Public ScoreManufacturer-independentPublic-data basedIngredients · nutrition · safety

Key points

Protein source

Watch

Whole plant protein source observed early

Top 3: Raw salmon (17%), raw whole herring (16%), raw flounder (7%)

The protein number may include influence from whole plant ingredients.

This is not treated like processed protein boosting, but it is worth checking.

Ingredient guide

Included support ingredients

Nutrient guide
Herring oilSkin and joint support ingredientGreen-lipped musselJoint support ingredientChicoryGut support ingredientYucca extractStool odor support ingredientCranberryUrinary support ingredientTurmeric/curcuminAntioxidant and joint support ingredientMilk thistleLiver support ingredientOmega-3Skin and joint support ingredientOmega-6Skin and coat support ingredientEPA+DHASkin, joint, and heart support ingredientVitamin EAntioxidant and skin support ingredient
Top premium

Ingredient grade

A+

Grade A+

Top ingredient profile

Raw salmon (17%)
raw whole herring (16%)
raw flounder (7%)
Fresh-meat leadPlant booster present
Crude protein40%
Crude protein40%
Crude fat15%
Other 45%

Protein position, fat position, and calorie density position are relative to foods in the same processing type cohort.

biotechProtein position
Higher
query_statsFat position
Typical
local_fire_departmentCalorie density
Higher

This food can stay in comparison, but ingredient quality still needs a more conservative read.

There is enough public data to keep this food in comparison, but the top ingredient structure does not support a stronger positive claim yet.

Nutritional strengths

  • All top three ingredients are animal ingredients.
  • Crude protein is on the higher side.
  • Nutrient disclosure is broad enough to compare real numbers directly.

What still needs work

  • Phosphorus is 1.1% on the label, at or above 1%. Senior dogs or dogs with kidney concerns should have phosphorus restriction reviewed with a veterinarian before using it as a staple food.
  • Whole plant protein sources can contribute to crude protein, so the animal-protein share still needs a closer read.
  • The top three are animal-led, but legumes repeat just below them in the early full ingredient list. Read this as a possible ingredient-splitting pattern rather than a clean top-three issue.

Brand context

Brand background availableRecall history confirmed

Founded in 2005 in Canada. This brand has a confirmed public recall history.

Ingredient analysis

The top ingredients give this recipe a strong first protein read, so the ingredient section starts from a favorable position.

restaurantIngredient Quality Analysis

A+6/6
Ingredient Grade
Top Premium
1Raw salmon (17%)
Fresh Meat · Top
2raw whole herring (16%)
Fresh Meat · Top
3raw flounder (7%)
Fresh Meat · Top

Ingredient Analysis Comments

  • •Raw salmon (17%) is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.
  • •raw whole herring (16%) is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.
  • •raw flounder (7%) is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.
restaurantIngredient Grade A+Top Premium

Full collected ingredient list

42 ingredients
Raw salmon (17%)raw whole herring (16%)raw flounder (7%)raw whole cod (6%)raw whole rockfish (6%)raw whole sole (6%)herring meal (5%)rockfish meal (5%)mackerel meal (5%)blue whiting meal (5%)whole red lentilswhole kidney beanswhole chickpeaswhole green lentilslentil fiberwhole peassunflower oilherring oil (2%)whole white kidney beansraw New Zealand green musselsdried kelpfresh whole butternut squashfresh whole pumpkindried chicory rootfresh whole applesfresh whole carrotsfresh whole pearsfresh whole zucchiniMojave yuccafresh beet greensfresh kalefresh spinachfresh turnip greenswhole cranberrieswhole blueberrieswhole saskatoon berriesturmericmilk thistleburdock rootlavendermarshmallow rootrosehips.
Primary positive ingredients
Support positive ingredients
Neutral ingredients
Caution ingredients
High-caution ingredients

Why did the base review land here?

Ingredient qualityNutrient disclosure levelManufacturing & trust

This review score combines ingredient composition, nutrient disclosure, manufacturing trust, and core nutrient caution signals.

Nutrient disclosure

Partial disclosure

Core guaranteed analysis is usable, but deeper rows still need a more cautious read.

Safety verification

No fails

No major red flag jumps out first, though undisclosed rows still define the limits of this safety read.

Public data trust (ETF)

C2 tier

Detailed nutrition is visible, but not at a product-level traceability standard.

Where it sits in the same processing cohort

Kibble (Extruded) cohortTop tier

Within the Kibble (Extruded) cohort, this recipe sits in the top tier band.

Final word

As a public review, this is a strong candidate to carry forward. The next question is whether it stays this strong for your own dog.

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What to compare next

Criteria to compare with this food

These criteria come from the product name, brand, veterinary purpose, and disclosed nutrients, so you can compare similar foods after reading the review.

Brand analysis

Royal Canin dog food analysis: veterinary diets, breed lines, and label checks

Royal Canin spans veterinary, breed, and daily lines, so product purpose matters first.

Kidney criteria

Best dog food for kidney disease: phosphorus, protein quality, sodium, and appetite checks

Kidney or renal intent means phosphorus, protein, and sodium disclosure should come first.

Heart criteria

Best dog food for heart disease: sodium, taurine, L-carnitine, omega-3, and DCM context

Heart context should connect sodium, taurine, L-carnitine, and omega-3 disclosure.

Joint criteria

Best dog food for joint support: weight control, EPA/DHA, glucosamine, and mobility checks

Joint context should connect weight control, EPA+DHA, and disclosed support ingredients.

Label basics

Best dog food criteria: ingredients, calories, disclosure, and health context

Before the brand claim, compare top ingredients, guaranteed analysis, kcal/kg, and disclosure.