Orijen food - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

Matt Vandart · 10-08-2012, 05:33 AM

Anyone on here use Orijen food?

I am thinking of putting my dobies on to it.
any good?
Is it worth the extra dollar?

Thanks
matt

BenVera · 10-08-2012, 05:46 AM

I use Orijen Regional Red. I found the other formulas, which had a slightly higher protein percentage, created soft stools. I also tried their less costly line, Acana, but found they seemed less satisfied by it and weren't digesting it as well as the Regional Red. Their stools were larger, more frequent and not as firm. So, even though it's the most expensive formula, the RR has been the best for my dogs.

As for their condition, I've never seen a single flea or tick; they are "regular" and always have small, formed, dark stools; their coats are beautiful - no dry skin or dandruff and lots of shine.

I love the stuff. More importantly, they love the stuff (I feed it to my cats also). And when I'm traveling for work, this becomes the staple of their diet (vs pre-packaged raw) as it's easier for my mom to prepare for them.

If you buy it at your local high-end pet food/supply store, be sure to ask about a frequent buyer card. If you buy so many, you get the "x" number bag for free, which sure helps when you're paying this much for pet food.

**MeadowCat** · 10-08-2012, 10:57 AM

I feed Orijen (regular adult formula). Shanoa grew up on Orijen large breed puppy. I'm extremely happy with it. She's always thrived on it. Very shiny coat, small, firm stools, and she loves it. I feed a lot less of it than other foods because it's higher in calories, so it doesn't actually cost me that much more than other foods. I personally love it, and recommend it.

Hank · 10-08-2012, 11:00 AM

My Doberman was on Orijen Adult dog. I definitely think it's worth it for a high quality kibble.

My cats are on Acana Grassland now.

**PatchworkRobot** · 10-08-2012, 11:10 AM

Many people here feed it and I"ve heard nothing but great things. Transition the dogs slowly, however, especially if they're not used to a food so rich.

Matt Vandart · 10-08-2012, 11:22 AM

well this is the thing, my dogs are fed on beta food which I have never had a problem with but after reading an article on here:

Aritaur Dobermanns - Breeders of Dobermanns for Work, Show and Pet

I decided it was crap.the only reason my dogs do any good on it I spose is because it is suplimented with raw food, the occasional chicken, eggs, whole rabbits, lamb etc (not a whole lamb obv.)

I am looking for a replacement so I don't have to go out hunting rabbits which made up a good bit of the supplement.
The chickens are no problem because my son breeds them, but de-boneing lamb chumps leaves hardly any lamb lolz.
It is also financially motivated, it would be a massive increase in outlay.

Also as you feed less mass I think my dogs will be bugging I for food more often, anyone find this the case or does the 'better' nutrition make up for less volume?

Hank · 10-08-2012, 11:35 AM

I feed a full raw diet now and it's definitely cheaper than Orijen

vcrocher · 10-08-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Vandart

Aritaur Dobermanns - Breeders of Dobermanns for Work, Show and Pet

While the article does make good points, I'd be hesitant to trust someone who describes Science Diet as "excellent."

ZeldaRules · 10-08-2012, 11:41 AM

Can't get much better than Orijen or Acana as far as quality and credibility goes. Their meats are fresh and never frozen before production.

Jonesy'sMom · 10-08-2012, 12:17 PM

I can't deny that it isn't a great food, it is.

When I compare it to what I feed Jones and my fosters, I couldn't tell the difference. Minus the dent in my wallet was much less. I feed Earthborn Hollistic (Lamb for Jones, Fish for the fosters)

Jonesy's coat is always getting compliments, it's always healthy and shiny. His BM healthy and firm.

So for the 30$ difference I'll pass on the Orijen

Matt Vandart · 10-08-2012, 12:23 PM

Can't get that here

BenVera · 10-08-2012, 01:51 PM

My dogs seem just as satisfied on less Orijen kibble as they were when eating more of a lesser quality food. And they're clearly digesting more of it than they were of the other. That, to me, makes up for the cost, knowing they're getting more out of each bite.

Jonesy'sMom · 10-08-2012, 02:15 PM

I can promise you just because it doesn't cost 80$ a bag doesn't make what I feed any less better than Orijen. I feed Jones 2 cups A DAY. 1 cup in the morning and 1 at night. I fed Orijen it was the same amount. BM same/ Coat same... but I pay 50$ instead.

It all depends on the dog, some dogs will do well with a certain food others some dogs I know can't be fed Orijen.

I know people that feed Nature's Variety, another great food, but Jonesy's BM were almost dry when they came out, and I didn't like that.

**MeadowCat** · 10-08-2012, 02:18 PM

Jonesy'sMom is right - what's best for your dog is what your dog does best on. Simon can eat almost anything and I see no difference in him. If Shanoa is not on Orijen there is a noticeable difference, so that's what she eats. Each dog is an individual and you have to find what works for them.

BenVera · 10-08-2012, 02:50 PM

I totally agree. I was in no way trying to sound like a food snob. Nor was I attempting to sound like I knew what was best for everyone's dog(s).

When my dogs came to live with me, they were both in rescues, and eating various donated brands of food. I tried them on TOTW and Acana, which both didn't work out that well for them. And I also tried them on other Orijen formulas, but again found that the Regional Red is just what seems to work for them.

Believe me, I wish the stuff were cheaper, and I'll be happy when I can formulate a completely raw diet that works and is much less expensive. But for now, this is what they get, and I have no complaints.

I've found pet food to be a trial-and-error kind of thing. Find what works and stick with it.

**EmilyB** · 10-08-2012, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesy'sMom

I know people that feed Nature's Variety, another great food, but Jonesy's BM were almost dry when they came out, and I didn't like that.

Do you think that is a bad thing?

I feed NV with dehydrated raw, plus a meal of premade raw alone.

I was loving the poops being easy to pick up, and isn't that more how raw fed dogs poop is?

I know all I need to do to loosen it up is add a little canned food if I have to.

As far as Orijen and Acana, tried a couple times. Doesn't work for me, too much gas and runny stool.

ZeldaRules · 10-08-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesy'sMom

I can promise you just because it doesn't cost 80$ a bag doesn't make what I feed any less better than Orijen. I feed Jones 2 cups A DAY. 1 cup in the morning and 1 at night. I fed Orijen it was the same amount. BM same/ Coat same... but I pay 50$ instead.

It all depends on the dog, some dogs will do well with a certain food others some dogs I know can't be fed Orijen.

I know people that feed Nature's Variety, another great food, but Jonesy's BM were almost dry when they came out, and I didn't like that.

I will have to look into the kibble you feed, prime is on 3 cups a day of Acana.

Jonesy'sMom · 10-08-2012, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyB

Do you think that is a bad thing?

Well I don't know about you, but I don't think passing a rock is a good thing... Literally his BM's were rock hard, and he was struggling to pass, almost like he was constantly constipated. It was hard for me to watch him go, because it just looked painful.

Versus what he is on now which are still small and firm, but not rock solid and dry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeldaRules

I will have to look into the kibble you feed, prime is on 3 cups a day of Acana.

Got to remember Jones is tiny

he's between 65-70lbs on the package it says 61-80lbs (3 to 3-3/4 cups)
I tend to give Jones less food because I give lots of treats when we train so it kind of evens out. If I give him 3 cups a day he starts to look a little chunky. Gotta keep him fit for Agility and his joints. Sometimes I will do 1.5 cups for a meal if he is looking too small.

And I don't think he looks to small.

**EmilyB** · 10-08-2012, 03:17 PM

Ah, okay. There is no straining or difficulty going on here, otherwise yes, I too would be concerned.

Jonesy'sMom · 10-08-2012, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmilyB

Ah, okay. There is no straining or difficulty going on here, otherwise yes, I too would be concerned.

Yeah gotta love him, I swear...

No chicken food, No grains... Picky about food in general...
He's my little princess (Must be reading to many Niz post)

ZeldaRules · 10-08-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesy'sMom

Well I don't know about you, but I don't think passing a rock is a good thing... Literally his BM's were rock hard, and he was struggling to pass, almost like he was constantly constipated. It was hard for me to watch him go, because it just looked painful.

Versus what he is on now which are still small and firm, but not rock solid and dry.

Got to remember Jones is tiny

he's between 65-70lbs on the package it says 61-80lbs (3 to 3-3/4 cups)
I tend to give Jones less food because I give lots of treats when we train so it kind of evens out. If I give him 3 cups a day he starts to look a little chunky. Gotta keep him fit for Agility and his joints. Sometimes I will do 1.5 cups for a meal if he is looking too small.

And I don't think he looks to small.

Prime is only around 73-75 pounds. Jonesy looks great and I could use a less expensive kibble as I am broke!

Jonesy'sMom · 10-08-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeldaRules

Prime is only around 73-75 pounds. Jonesy looks great and I could use a less expensive kibble as I am broke!

See I always thought Prime was bigger, That chest of his is deceiving! How tall is he?

RottenVonSpotten · 10-08-2012, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesy'sMom

I can't deny that it isn't a great food, it is.

When I compare it to what I feed Jones and my fosters, I couldn't tell the difference. Minus the dent in my wallet was much less. I feed Earthborn Hollistic (Lamb for Jones, Fish for the fosters)

Jonesy's coat is always getting compliments, it's always healthy and shiny. His BM healthy and firm.

So for the 30$ difference I'll pass on the Orijen

I feed Earthborn Holistic Grain Free too and love it

Stella was eating the bison formula and Bam is now eating the chicken formula.

Eta: when I took Stella to the vet a couple months ago the vet told me that Earthborn wasn't a good food because it has alfalfa in it. I looked at my bags and no alfalfa in the ingredients list. This vet is also a Science Diet and Royal Canin pusher so I took her food advice with a grain of salt. It did make me curious though as to what effects alfalfa might have?

PotentialDobby · 10-16-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonesy'sMom

I can promise you just because it doesn't cost 80$ a bag doesn't make what I feed any less better than Orijen. I feed Jones 2 cups A DAY. 1 cup in the morning and 1 at night. I fed Orijen it was the same amount. BM same/ Coat same... but I pay 50$ instead.

It all depends on the dog, some dogs will do well with a certain food others some dogs I know can't be fed Orijen.

I know people that feed Nature's Variety, another great food, but Jonesy's BM were almost dry when they came out, and I didn't like that.

This. Don't be a food snob. My dog did awful on Orijen. She did terrible on tons of "quality" kibbles to be honest. In the end, she couldn't process the kibble. I know plenty of owners who feed Purina, Nutro, Eukanuba etc and their Dobermans looked better than mine did on Orijen. I don't hate Orijen, I wish Coco could eat it for simplicity sake but she can't, so I don't give it to her.

PotentialDobby · 10-16-2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RottenVonSpotten

I feed Earthborn Holistic Grain Free too and love it

Stella was eating the bison formula and Bam is now eating the chicken formula.

Eta: when I took Stella to the vet a couple months ago the vet told me that Earthborn wasn't a good food because it has alfalfa in it. I looked at my bags and no alfalfa in the ingredients list. This vet is also a Science Diet and Royal Canin pusher so I took her food advice with a grain of salt. It did make me curious though as to what effects alfalfa might have?

Vets get a kickback from Science Diet and Royal Canin from the food reps that visit the office. I'm assuming your vet has these bags on stock?