The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: SallyintNorth on August 15, 2016, 01:04:13 pm
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As the title. A relative has acquired a delightful collie X springer puppy, and asked my opinion about Orijen puppy food.
Normally I'd say avoid excessive protein levels, but as I read the Orijen info, it's a diet based on 'more natural' ingredients. So perhaps protein from 'wild' (naturally fed) animals, and fish, is more suitable?
Has anyone used Orijen? And/or have any other comments?
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Not personally, but heard good things about it- for a dry dog food.
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Meant to be a very good food. High Protein levels are only concerning if the protein source is cereal based as cereals are undigestable by dogs and therefore can linger in the system causing hyperactivity. High quality meat kibbles often have higher protein but it is highly digestible and therefore not an issue. We feed Millies Wolfheart- grain free, British made and top quality.
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I've used Orijen for years, excellent food.
High protein levels for the majority of dogs isn't a problem, it certainly doesn't make them hyper as used to be thought, protein is used for cell growth and repair, any excess is secreted.
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This is indeed very interesting..... I fed my beardie on, as she was too fussy and only ate expensive stuff ::) butchers tinned food, and some fresh meat too also porridge with watered down milk. Is that bad? She did get biscuits too, working dog. How much is this stuff to buy then? Why haven't I heard of it before? And lastly but certainly not least, where can I get it from?
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Human food is not now regarded as suitable for dogs, but there is a trend to feed raw food - however, balance is very difficult to maintain. Any good quality food is suitable for most dogs, and there are raw equivalents available for picky eaters.
I haven't tried Orijen but mainly because I don't have deep pockets. My dogs eat what they are given or don't, and they are considered to be amongst the best of their breed in the UK
It is not necessary to spend a lot of money on specialised and faddy diets for dogs. It IS necessary to use trial and error, and then commonsense when you see your dog thriving.
As regards protein, puppies need a high percentage for growth. Around 27% is usual. My three adult dogs are currently on 18%
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Frankly, I think these companies see us coming. Wonder what the mark-up is. Plays on our lack of confidence and our desire to do the "best" for our pets. Samd with kids - folk have lost confidence in how to be a parent, with so many "experts" around.
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Orijen has a cheaper buddy Acana and there are UK versions that are similar which are also more budget friendly - off top of my head, Purizon and Simpsons 80/20 :) Technically you don't need a specific puppy food if its grain free/balanced- you don't feed pups on raw anything different.
You can get them from amazon but also zooplus and viovet. Sometimes you need to shop around for the cheapest - my lot are on Acana at the mo and I save ££ getting it from Viovet, but similar high quality foods are cheaper on Amazon under subscribe and save - eg Barking Heads Fusspot comes in around £20 cheaper (or did last time I looked)
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So why is Acana cheaper than Orijen? Packaging? Most pretty packaged dog foods cost more.
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http://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/compare-dog-foods/0755-0083/acana-vs-orijen (http://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/compare-dog-foods/0755-0083/acana-vs-orijen)
Thats the 2 compared :)
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So why is Acana cheaper than Orijen? Packaging? Most pretty packaged dog foods cost more.
Branding also makes a product cost more, as you're paying for the brand on top of the product. For example helmanns mayo or heinz salad cream; And no I am not advertising :innocent:
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http://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/compare-dog-foods/0755-0083/acana-vs-orijen (http://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/compare-dog-foods/0755-0083/acana-vs-orijen)
Thats the 2 compared :)
Very useful link. Thanks, nutterly. I did do a double take at the prices! But I suppose one 13kg bag will feed a pup for a few months, depending on its size.
And thanks for all the comment so far, everyone.
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One thing to bear in mind when looking at the price is the amount that you need to feed. We used to give our Wolfhound Orijen and OH decided to buy some cheaper food instead. We ended up needing to feed him so much more of it based on the recommended feeding guidelines that it ended up costing pretty much the same.
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One thing to bear in mind when looking at the price is the amount that you need to feed. We used to give our Wolfhound Orijen and OH decided to buy some cheaper food instead. We ended up needing to feed him so much more of it based on the recommended feeding guidelines that it ended up costing pretty much the same.
That's exactly what I was about to say :) Cheaper food can be a false economy in the amount you need to feed :)
At the end of the day though, as long as you feed a dog that suits YOUR dog and YOUR budget then that's all that matters :)
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Sally- this is all well and good, but you still haven't posted a picture of said puppy! :P
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Awww, sorry, not my puppy! If she comes to visit, I'll get a snap or two and per to put up.
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Permission granted to copy pics from Faceache. :excited:
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She is a real beauty! :love:
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Awwwwwwwww
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Ooooooooooooo, she's GORGEOUS!!! :love:
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Another vote for Millies Wolfheart. All vat free too.
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Gorgeous puppy.
I won a year's supply of Orijen for one dog last year, but unfortunately my dogs cannot seem to tolerate such high protein and it gave them the runs - so I donated it to a local dog charity.
The link already given is brilliant for measuring up one brand against another (and is independent) http://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/the-dog-food-directory (http://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/the-dog-food-directory)
I feed my dogs a half and half diet. Raw for breakfast and Simpsons Premium in the evening.