Label analysisGrade AListed ingredientsKibble (Extruded)

Orijen

Orijen Puppy Small Breed Dry Dog Food

Calculate portions with this foodChoosing for your dog
Editor ingredient insight

Orijen Small Breed Puppy has a strong fish axis with 17% raw salmon, 16% raw whole herring, flounder, cod, rockfish, sole, fish meals, and green mussels.

At 40% protein, 15% fat, 4,000 kcal/kg, and 1% EPA+DHA, it makes sense for small puppies that thrive on fish and need growth energy.

Choose another recipe for fish intolerance, allergy troubleshooting, kidney-sensitive puppies, or legume-sensitive puppies because calcium is 1.5%, phosphorus is 1.1%, and lentils, beans, chickpeas, and peas are present.

Fresh-meat leadPlant booster present
Illustration of salmon beside a dog-food bowl
Primary protein ingredient · Salmon

01. NUTRIENT PROFILE

Key nutrients & mineral profile

As-fed basis
Disclosed protein and fat
Protein 40%Fat 15%Other 45%Other includes moisture, ash and remaining components.
Position within the same processing type

Compare protein, fat and energy density in low, typical and high bands.

Protein positionHigher

This food is on the higher side for crude protein among extruded foods.

Fat positionTypical

This food sits around the typical crude fat range among extruded foods.

Calorie densityHigher

This food is on the higher side for calorie density among extruded foods. The same serving can provide more energy, so check portion guidance.

Key guaranteed nutrientsAs-fed
Calcium1.5%
Phosphorus1.1%
Crude fiber4%
Omega-32%
Omega-62%

Undisclosed values are not treated as zero.

02. INGREDIENT QUALITY & DISCLOSURE

Disclosed ingredients & ingredient grade

The analysis uses the registered ingredients. Complete-panel coverage is not verified, so an unlisted ingredient cannot be assumed absent.

Listed ingredients

Read the listed ingredients below. Complete-panel coverage is not verified here; do not infer that an unlisted ingredient is absent.

Salmon ingredient illustration
Primary protein ingredient · Salmon
A+6/6Ingredient gradeTop Premium
Ingredient #1 · Raw salmon (17%)Top
Fresh Meat
Ingredient #2 · raw whole herring (16%)Top
Fresh Meat
Ingredient #3 · raw flounder (7%)Top
Fresh Meat
Ingredient #1Top

Raw salmon (17%)

Raw salmon (17%) is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.

Ingredient #2Top

raw whole herring (16%)

raw whole herring (16%) is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.

Ingredient #3Top

raw flounder (7%)

raw flounder (7%) is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.

Available ingredient listIn disclosed order
Raw salmon (17%) — Primary positive ingredientsraw whole herring (16%) — Primary positive ingredientsraw flounder (7%) — Primary positive ingredientsraw whole cod (6%) — Primary positive ingredientsraw whole rockfish (6%) — Primary positive ingredientsraw whole sole (6%) — Primary positive ingredientsherring meal (5%) — Support positive ingredientsrockfish meal (5%) — Support positive ingredientsmackerel meal (5%) — Support positive ingredientsblue whiting meal (5%) — Support positive ingredientswhole red lentils — Caution ingredientswhole kidney beans — Caution ingredientswhole chickpeas — Caution ingredientswhole green lentils — Caution ingredientslentil fiber — Neutral ingredientswhole peas — Caution ingredientssunflower oil — Neutral ingredientsherring oil (2%) — Support positive ingredientswhole white kidney beans — Caution ingredientsraw New Zealand green mussels — Neutral ingredientsdried kelp — Support positive ingredientsfresh whole butternut squash — Neutral ingredientsfresh whole pumpkin — Neutral ingredientsdried chicory root — Support positive ingredientsfresh whole apples — Neutral ingredientsfresh whole carrots — Neutral ingredientsfresh whole pears — Neutral ingredientsfresh whole zucchini — Neutral ingredientsMojave yucca — Support positive ingredientsfresh beet greens — Neutral ingredientsfresh kale — Neutral ingredientsfresh spinach — Neutral ingredientsfresh turnip greens — Neutral ingredientswhole cranberries — Neutral ingredientswhole blueberries — Neutral ingredientswhole saskatoon berries — Neutral ingredientsturmeric — Neutral ingredientsmilk thistle — Support positive ingredientsburdock root — Neutral ingredientslavender — Neutral ingredientsmarshmallow root — Neutral ingredientsrosehips. — Neutral ingredients
Primary positive ingredientsSupport positive ingredientsAlternative proteinNeutral ingredientsCaution ingredientsHigh-caution ingredients
Protein sourceIngredient guide

Whole plant protein source observed early

Animal protein · Raw salmon (17%) (#1), raw whole herring (16%) (#2), raw flounder (7%) (#3), raw whole cod (6%) (#4), raw whole rockfish (6%) (#5), raw whole sole (6%) (#6), herring meal (5%) (#7), rockfish meal (5%) (#8), mackerel meal (5%) (#9), blue whiting meal (5%) (#10)

Plant protein · whole red lentils (#11), whole kidney beans (#12), whole chickpeas (#13), whole green lentils (#14), whole peas (#16), whole white kidney beans (#19)

The protein number may include influence from whole plant ingredients.

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

Included support ingredientsNutrient 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

03. CHOOSING FOR YOUR DOG

What to consider before feeding

Raw salmon (17%), raw whole herring (16%) supply animal protein at the start of the ingredient list. whole red lentils, whole kidney beans contribute plant protein alongside carbohydrates and fiber further down the ingredient list. Total crude protein is not a measure of meat-derived protein alone.

lentil fiber supply fiber. For stool or satiety considerations, the disclosed crude-fiber amount adds useful context beyond the ingredient's presence.

Across the registered ingredients, multiple protein sources appear, including salmon, herring, flounder, cod, mackerel, whiting. Some protein sources are not fully identified, which limits choices that require excluding a specific protein.

What works well in this food

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

Check before feeding

  • 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.

When this food fits your dog

Among foods made the same way, protein is higher, fat is typical, and calorie density is higher. Compare this combination when both protein and concentrated energy matter. It can help plan smaller portions, but dogs prone to weight gain should not switch gram-for-gram from a less calorie-dense food.

Consider it first when

  • Your dog already eats the listed animal and plant ingredients comfortably
  • You want animal ingredients first without excluding plant ingredients

Choose another food first when

  • You need to exclude a listed ingredient
  • You need a verified animal-protein proportion, which ingredient order alone cannot provide

High calorie density remains the clearest trade-off here.

04. COMPARE FOODS

Smart salmon / whitefish alternatives

Exact protein-type matches come first, then close protein-family matches fill the comparison.

05. MANUFACTURING & DISCLOSURE

Manufacturer background & public information

Orijen background

Founded in 2005 in Canada.

Disclosure confidence C2

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

Recall information

This brand has a confirmed public recall history.

May 12, 2026

Final word

Interpret this for my dog

The food-first public score is only the starting point. Once your dog’s activity, weight goals, life stage, and health status are applied, the recommendation order and interpretation can change.

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.