Skip to main content
Sniff
ORIJEN Original Grain-Free High-Protein Dry Dog Food, 23.5-lb bag
ORIJEN

Original Grain-Free High-Protein Dry Dog Food, 23.5-lb bag

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
dry $4.55/lb

ORIJEN Original Grain-Free High-Protein Dry Dog Food, 23.5-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 74/100 (B) with Fair evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.

PQI

Quality fat sources: named fat with declared fat sources.

FQI

AAFCO feeding trial substantiation for not stated.

ACF

Contains high legume stacking. Multiple pulse-family ingredients in top 15. Mitigated by taurine supplementation or organ meat (natural taurine precursor) in top 10..

CIP
Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 43% ⓘ
Protein
38%
min (as fed)
Fat
18%
min (as fed)
Fiber
4%
max (as fed)
Moisture
12%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

51 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

  2. 2
    turkey

    Real meat. Lean protein, good amino acid profile, often well-tolerated by dogs sensitive to chicken.

  3. 3
    salmon

    Real fish meat. Natural source of omega-3s, which kibble usually has to add back from oil.

  4. 4
    herring

    Whole fish, naturally high in omega-3s and very digestible protein. Common in premium formulas.

  5. 5
    chicken liver

    Organ meat. Dense in protein, iron, vitamin A, and the B vitamins. Among the most nutrient-rich ingredients a dog can eat.

  6. 6
    dehydrated chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

  7. 7
    dehydrated turkey

    Real meat. Lean protein, good amino acid profile, often well-tolerated by dogs sensitive to chicken.

  8. 8
    dehydrated chicken liver

    Organ meat. Dense in protein, iron, vitamin A, and the B vitamins. Among the most nutrient-rich ingredients a dog can eat.

  9. 9
    dehydrated egg

    Whole eggs. The highest-quality protein on any ingredient label, by amino acid score.

  10. 10
    dehydrated sardine
  11. 11
    chicken fat

    Despite the name, a high-quality energy source. Concentrated calories plus essential fatty acids like linoleic acid.

  12. 12
    red lentils

    Same concern as other lentils. Affordable plant protein, part of the legume stack the FDA examined. See why →

  13. 13
    pinto beans
  14. 14
    navy beans
  15. 15
    lentils

    Same concern as peas. Affordable plant protein, but when they pile up in the top 5 ingredients, it's a flag. See why →

  16. 16
    chickpeas

    Also called garbanzo beans. Affordable plant protein source, part of the legume stack the FDA examined in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

  17. 17
    peas

    Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

  18. 18
    turkey giblets
  19. 19
    eggs

    Whole eggs. The highest-quality protein on any ingredient label by amino acid score.

  20. 20
    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

  21. 21
    dried apple pomace
  22. 22
    pollock oil
  23. 23
    chicken heart

    Organ meat. Dense in taurine, B vitamins, and CoQ10. One of the best ingredients dogs can eat.

  24. 24
    vitamin e supplement

    Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.

  25. 25
    pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

Showing first 25 of 51. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

19 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.