BIOLOGICALLY APPROPRIATE
BIOLOGICALLY APPROPRIATE | A NEW CLASS OF PET FOODS
Passed 'fit for human consumption' our salmon, herring and flounder are loaded with richly nourishing proteins and omega-3 fatty acids — all cooked in their own juices at low-temperature (90c) to preserve their natural fresh-caught goodness.

Dogs and cats evolved as hunters — the structure of their teeth, jaws and digestive system scientifically classifies them as carnivores, adapted to a meat-based diet that's rich in animal protein and fat.

Yet witness the current trend of 'holistic' pet foods that are largely grain-based, contain little meat or protein, exceed 40% carbohydrates, and feature fashionable ingredients — more often for their consumer appeal than for any nutritional benefit to dogs or cats.

BIOLOGICALLY APPROPRIATE ORIJEN IS UNIQUELY DIFFERENT FROM TODAY'S CONVENTIONAL DRY DOG AND CAT FOODS
Protein-rich, carbohydrate-limited and grain-free, ORIJEN features the highest fresh meat inclusions of any dry dog or cat food, at the same time excluding many conventional pet food ingredients — such as inappropriate high-glycemic cereal grains and vegetable proteins that simply are not present in the natural diet.

To mirror the natural diet, ORIJEN also features a diversity of meats including fresh, free-run chicken and turkey, fresh whole eggs, fresh free-range red meats and fresh saltwater and freshwater fish — all in a Biologically Appropriate ratio of 80 percent meat, 20 percent fruits and vegetables, and zero grain (80.20.0).

By mirroring the foods that dogs and cats evolved to eat, Biologically Appropriate ORIJEN nourishes as Mother Nature intended, resulting in the peak health and happiness of your cherished dog or cat, as well as your peace of mind.

Meet our local farmers and fishermen and see why ORIJEN's FRESH REGIONAL INGREDIENTS are unmatched by any other pet food on earth.

The ORIJEN WHITEPAPER explains our BIOLOGICALLY APPROPRIATE philosophy.

Fresh Local Meats
A VARIETY of FRESH and REGIONAL MEATS
CONSIDER THE VARIATION IN A WOLF'S DIET: DUCK TODAY, RABBIT TOMORROW, AND SALMON THE NEXT…
This natural variety is lost in today's dry dog and cat foods, which typically feature only a single meat source such as chicken or lamb. It's hard to imagine how eating chicken twice a day, every day, could be considered 'natural' or 'healthy' for a dog or cat — let alone Biologically Appropriate.

The truth is that a WIDE VARIETY of FRESH MEATS better matches the natural diet and a diversity of fresh meat proteins and fats is required for peak conditioning, while providing the big natural flavors that dogs and cats instinctively crave.

Proteins from meat, poultry, eggs and fish contain all of the amino acids needed by dogs and cats, with each source of animal protein containing varying amino acid amounts. For example, red meat and liver contain higher amounts of taurine and l-carnitine, while fish is high in methionine and leucine. To truly mirror the natural diet, it is essential to include a broad variety of animal based proteins.

NO DRY DOG OR CAT FOOD ON EARTH CAN MATCH THE VARIETY AND FRESHNESS OF ORIJEN's MEAT INGREDIENTS.
To ensure a Biologically Appropriate protein and amino acid variety, ORIJEN features a broad selection of proteins and fats in fresh, natural form including free-run chicken and turkey, whole eggs, a diversity of free-range red meats and freshwater and saltwater fish — each is passed 'fit for human consumption' by the Government of Canada before arriving at our door FRESH EACH DAY.

And because pet lovers want to know where the ingredients in their pets' food come from, we don't buy bulk commodity ingredients produced in distant places beyond the range of our quality control. Instead, we focus on ingredients that are sustainably raised within our region by people we know and trust.

WHAT 'FRESH' REALLY MEANS
Frequently misused in the pet food industry, 'fresh' means an ingredient is never frozen and never exposed to heat or chemicals. Refrigeration is the only allowable means of preservation for ingredients that are truly fresh.

NO DRY DOG OR CAT FOOD ON EARTH CAN MATCH THE VARIETY, FRESHNESS AND QUANTITY OF ORIJEN'S FRESH MEATS.

Rich in Meat and Protein
MEAT CONCENTRATED and PROTEIN RICH
THE DOG IS, BY ALL SCIENTIFIC STANDARDS AND EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY, A DOMESTICATED WOLF.
From Chihuahuas to Great Danes, all dogs carry the same DNA and share a single evolutionary origin — the gray wolf. So it's no surprise to learn that modern dogs of all breeds are not only capable of eating the meat-based diets of their wild ancestors, but actually require it for peak health.

Just like their wild cousins, our companion dogs and cats are carnivores — equipped with sharp teeth, a short digestive tract, and a body specifically evolved to metabolize protein and fat from meat — not carbohydrates from grains.

To match the meat-eating anatomy of dogs and cats, ORIJEN features much higher meat inclusions (75-80%) than conventional pet foods (25-40%). These rich and varied meat ingredients produce a Biologically Appropriate protein level of 38% or greater, which reflects the natural diet.

There are many myths and misconceptions concerning protein and dogs.

A COMMON MYTH IS THAT PROTEIN-RICH FOODS MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR YOUR DOG OR CAT.
This myth has been roundly debunked by modern science. But given that meat-concentrated, protein-rich foods are not budget-friendly for conventional pet food makers, it's no surprise that this myth has been perpetuated.

The truth is that dogs and cats are carnivores with an evolutionary adaptation for an almost exclusively meat-based diet. Any extra protein in the diet is naturally and efficiently metabolized for energy or removed from the body through the natural elimination process.

And while protein is essential and cannot be oversupplied, your dog or cat has absolutely no biological requirement for carbohydrate — which is easily converted to body fat and is the leading cause of obesity in today's companion dogs and cats.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) ABOUT PROTIEN
Want to learn more about protein in the diet of your dog or cat? We've assembled a variety of studies and papers to help expose the high-protein myth. We highly recommend the "Myths of High Protein" below as a first read.

•Myths of High Protein (113KB)
•Effects of High Protein on Renal Function (120KB)
•High Protein in Cat Foods (364KB)
•High Protein and Large Breed Study (708KB)

Carbohydrate Limited
CARBOHYDRATE LIMITED
DOGS AND CATS ARE EVOLVED AS CARNIVORES, AND THEIR NATURAL DIET CONTAINS FEW, IF ANY CARBOHYDRATES.
As carnivores, dogs and cats are anatomically adapted to metabolize meat proteins and fats as energy sources — they have absolutely no carbohydrate requirement.

For dogs and cats, carbohydrates are 'empty calories' or simple sugars that provide little nutritional value beyond their controversial energy potential. As cats and dogs are able to get all of the glucose they need from protein and fat, carbohydrates are not needed in their diet.

The over consumption of complex carbohydrates such as corn and rice break down into sugar in the body. Carbohydrates raise blood sugar levels, which create a rise in a hormone secreted by the pancreas called 'insulin' — an action that affects diabetes and obesity. Feelings of hunger and weakness usually follow the rapid rise and fall of blood sugar levels.

As carbohydrate content is seldom claimed on dog and cat food packages, most pet lovers are unaware that their pet's food contains 40% to 50% of carbohydrates — which are inappropriate for dogs or cats and far removed from their natural diets.

Rich in meat protein and free of cereal grains, ORIJEN carbohydrates are derived from fruits and vegetables and are limited to 20% - 25% to better match the natural diet.

CARBOHYDRATES: WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
The Association of American Feed Control Officials' (AAFCO) 2009 Pet Food Nutrient Profiles show that dogs and cats do not require carbohydrates in their diets. And according to the National Research Council's Committee on Animal Nutrition (2006), "There appears to be no requirement for carbohydrates provided enough protein is given".

Click here to learn more about the role of carbohydrates in your pet's food.

Free of Grains
GRAIN-FREE
DOGS AND CATS ARE EVOLVED AS MEAT EATERS, SO WHY DO SO MANY PET FOODS CONTAIN LARGE AMOUNTS OF CEREAL GRAINS?
The answer is economy and convenience.

Dogs were eating meat and fat for thousands of years, and it has been less than a 100 years that they've been eating grains and starches.

Grains first appeared in pet food about 70 years ago, when consumers were much less educated about pet nutrition than today and wanted the convenience of dog or cat food in a bag. Pet food manufacturers were able to reduce costs by using inexpensive calories from grains and grain byproducts.

While grains such as rice or wheat provided low-cost calories, their high carbohydrate content and high-glycemic properties cause blood sugar swings and elevation, which leads to excess body fat, diabetes and a host of related health problems.

The fact is that cats and dogs are simply not evolved to metabolize the large quantities of cereal grains found in today's conventional pet foods, and are designed to metabolize their energy from protein and fat.

So why are these ingredients still present in today's dog and cat foods?
Widely practiced by today's conventional pet food makers, the traditional "grain-and-carbohydrate" approach to dog and cat food is likely here to stay as the low cost of cereal grains, combined with ready availability and easy storage and handling all provide substantial savings and convenience to pet food makers.

We wonder what dogs and cats think about thatClick here to learn more about the role of grains in your pet's food.

No Plant Oils
ANIMAL FATS, NOT PLANT OILS
DOGS AND CATS ARE MEAT EATERS, SO IT SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE THAT FATS FROM ANIMALS — NOT PLANTS — ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THEIR PEAK HEALTH
As carnivores, dogs and cats are biologically adapted to digest and metabolize animal fats. Animal fats are essential for dogs and cats, providing a concentrated source of energy and a biologically important function in providing insulation, vitamins, essential fatty acids and mechanical structure to every cell.

Unlike humans, dogs and cats don't suffer from cholesterol problems or heart disease caused by higher levels of animal fats. Dogs and cats are extremely efficient at digesting animal fat which contributes to their healthy skin and hair coat, healthy immune function, regulation of the inflammation process, and prenatal development.

While humans require some carbohydrates for energy and endurance, carnivores need fats for creating glucose and developing stamina. While both fats and carbohydrates provide energy, they function very differently in the body of a dog or cat. Animal fats digest at rates of about 95% and are an essential part of the natural diet, while carbohydrates are not.

Just as with protein, fats are also not created equally and differ greatly in their component structure and quality.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Fat contains essential fatty acids (EFAs) — these are fatty acids that cannot be synthesized by the body, must be present in the diet, and are vital for health.

Two fatty acids in particular are important for dogs and cats: omega-6 or linoleic acid (found in animal sources such as chicken, pork and beef), and omega-3 or linolenic acid most commonly found in fish and flax seed.

While more and more people are learning the importance of omega-3 in their diet, few understand the distinctions between omega-3 types and its sources. There are the two primary categories of omega-3 fatty acids from different source, animal or plant:

1.EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) found in animal organs such as brain and liver, and cold water fish.
2.ALA (Alpha linolenic acid) found in plants such as flax.
The difference between Omega-3 from animal source (DHA and EPA) and plant source (ALA) is important. EPA and DHA omega-3s are considered to be in 'active form', which means they are readily absorbed by the body.

Extracted from plants such as flax or canola, ALA is an 'inactive' form of omega-3 that is not utilized by dogs and cats. For ALA to be utilized in the body of a dog or cat, it must first be converted into EPA and DHA, a process for which carnivores like dogs or cats do not have the required enzymes.

Although reputable sources like the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition report that Omega 3 from plants (ALA) is of little nutritional use to dogs and cats, conventional pet food makers continue to use sunflower, flax, coconut or canola oils, largely due to their lower cost and longer shelf life.

Regional Fruit and Vegetables
A DIVERSITY of FRUITS and VEGETABLES
INSTEAD OF HIGH-GLYCEMIC CEREAL GRAINS LIKE RICE OR CORN, ORIJEN FEATURES A FULL 20% COMPLEMENT OF REGIONAL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

Dogs and cats have eaten fruits and vegetables the entire period of their evolution. Fruit is thought to provide vitamins for wolves in summer, with seeds from raspberries and blueberries apples, figs, pears, plums all reported in wolf stool. Wild canids including wolves, coyotes and fox also eat grass, which is thought to clean the digestive tract and purge the intestines.

In addition to providing soluble and insoluble fiber, fruits and vegetables contain many important health promoting nutrients including vitamins, masses of enzymes, and various anti-aging factors including antioxidants and phytochemicals.

While conventional dog and cat foods feature a small fraction of fruit and vegetables (and a correspondingly high content of cereal grains), ORIJEN features a full 20-25% of healthful fruits and vegetables. As with our fresh meats, our focus is upon fruits and vegetables produced within our region.

RUSSET POTATO | Southern Manitoba
Harvested from Manitoba's prairie farms, russet potatoes are a highly nutritious, nutrient-dense food. Low-temperature cooked at 90c/195F, russet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamins B and C and are naturally rich in potassium, copper, magnesium and iron.

SWEET POTATO | Idaho
The sweet potato is one of the most nutritious vegetables known to man. An important source of Vitamin B6, iron, potassium and fiber, sweet potatoes are an important source of beta-carotene, vitamin B6, iron, potassium and fiber.

RED DELICIOUS APPLES | Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Harvested from British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, red delicious apples are a source of healthy fiber, which aids digestion, stool formation and elimination. Apples are rich in phytonutrients, or naturally occurring compounds that act as antioxidants and help to protect cells from free radical damage within the body.

SUN-CURED ALFALFA | Southern Alberta prairies
Leaves of the alfalfa plant are rich in minerals and nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, potassium and carotene as well as Vitamins E and K. In Chinese medicine, physicians even use alfalfa leaves to treat disorders related to the digestive tract and the kidneys.

CRANBERRIES | Fraser Valley, British Columbia
Native to Canada, cranberries have long been valued for their role in treating urinary tract infections. Loaded with potent antioxidant properties, cranberries are a rich source of flavonoids — natural compounds that help fight aging, heart disease and even cancer.

ORGANIC KELP | Vancouver Island, British Columbia
A high source of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes and phytochemicals, kelp helps remove toxins from the bowel, increase and enhance metabolism, and restore and nourish the entire body.

GREEN PEAS | Southern Saskatchewan
As Canada's largest pulse crop, green peas are grown over a significant portion of Saskatchewan and Alberta. Their nutritional composition includes complex (low-glycemic) carbohydrates and important antioxidant vitamins and minerals, including folate and iron.

WHOLE CARROTS | British Columbia and Alberta
Whole carrots provide an excellent source of beta-carotene, which converts to Vitamin A and rhodopsin in the body to improve night vision and combat free radicals.

TOMATOES | British Columbia and Alberta
Tomatoes are packed with healthy phytochemicals, including beta-carotene and lycopene, the latter being the predominant carotenoid in tomatoes and one of nature's most powerful antioxidants.

PUMPKIN | Eastern Canada
Not only is pumpkin loaded with vitamin A and antioxidant carotenoids, particularly alpha- and beta-carotenes, it's also a good source of Vitamins C, K and E -- as well as minerals such as magnesium, potassium and iron.

TURNIP GREENS | British Columbia and Saskatchewan
Cultivated for over 4000 years, turnip greens are loaded with Vitamins K, A and C and glucosinolates — phytonutrients that can be converted into isothiocyanates (ITCs) with cancer-preventing properties.

SPINACH | British Columbia and Saskatchewan
Spinach is at the top of many super food lists and its health benefits are numerous. Its abundance of folic acid, Vitamin K, iron, carotenoids, lutein and bioflavanoids make spinach a nutritional powerhouse.

Botanicals
HEALTH-PROMOTING BOTANICALS
WHEN LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES, DOGS AND CATS INSTINCTIVELY SEEK OUT WEEDS AND PLANTS THAT ENHANCE THEIR LIFE-FORCE.
Botanicals are part of the natural diet, acting as tonics and builders to help strengthen organs and tissues in specific parts of the body. Botanicals support the digestion process and help the body eliminate toxins by stimulating physiological processes, such as the cleansing of the liver. The daily consumption of botanicals helps the body heal itself naturally, keeping it functioning in a healthy and happy manner, including:

1. STRENGTHEN IMMUNITY Botanicals help create and sustain a healthy immune system which helps the body fight off common infections as well as degenerative diseases.

2. INCREASE ENERGY Botanicals are effective in helping the body use more energy, more efficiently. Avoiding high-glycemic carbohydrates is also effective as simple sugars deplete deep energy from the body.

3. ENHANCE DIGESTION Good digestion supports the immune system, increases energy and helps the body detoxify and strengthen. The importance of good digestive health cannot be overstated, and botanicals are an excellent way to improve digestive health.

CHICORY and LICORICE ROOT | CHICORY ROOT has a well-documented history of assisting with liver problems, and ancient Romans used chicory to cleanse the blood. Chicory also provides the soluble fiber inulin, which feeds digestive flora in the intestines, helps promote optimal blood sugar levels, and increases stool consistency. LICORICE is rich in antioxidant compounds called flavonoids, helps soothe and tone the digestive tract and, through beneficial action on the liver, increases bile to aid the digestion of fats.

ANGELICA ROOT and FENUGREEK | ANGELICA ROOT has been used to treat intestinal health and to stimulate appetite for centuries. Used to treat a variety of health problems in Egypt, Greece, Italy and South Asia, FENUGREEK helps lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and may be an effective treatment for both type 1 and 2 diabetes. Fenugreek is also known for its cardiovascular benefits.

LAVENDER and CHAMOMILE FLOWERS | LAVENDER is known for its ability to remove nervous tension, relieve pain, enhance blood circulation and treat respiratory problems. CHAMOMILE soothes and tones the digestive tract and has a positive influence on bowel disorders. Indeed, one of the most common uses of Chamomile in small animal medicine is to soothe and heal irritated intestines in inflammatory bowel disease.

PEPPERMINT and SWEET FENNEL | Used around the world to soothe an upset stomach and to aid digestion, PEPPERMINT calms the stomach and improves the flow of bile to help digest fats. SWEET FENNEL is an ancient plant known to the Greeks for its unique combination of phytonutrients that provide strong antioxidant activity. Fennel is thought to open obstructions of the liver, while stimulating gastric juices to speed the absorption of nutrients.

MARIGOLD FLOWERS and JUNIPER BERRIES | Flower petals of the MARIGOLD have been used for medicinal purposes since at least the 12th century, and JUNIPER BERRIES were administered to the sick to restore good health for centuries. Loaded with nutrients like lutein and beta-carotene, marigold flowers and juniper berries are rich in flavonoids (plant-based antioxidants) that protect the body, and also cause a hypoglycemic effect by reducing blood sugar variances.

ALFALFA and SUMMER SAVORY | Grown locally, these age-old nutritive herbs provide extra nutritional punch and are loaded with chlorophyll, minerals, beta-carotene, B vitamins, and vitamins C, E, and K. Known for their appetite stimulant properties and as overall tonics, Chinese medicine makes use of ALFALFA LEAVES to treat disorders related to the digestive tract and the kidneys.

Mineral Balanced
MINERAL BALANCED
THE OVERSUPPLY OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS IS ACOMMON CONCERN FOR MANY HIGH-PROTEIN DOG AND CAT FOODS.
Today's high-protein dog and cat foods contain high ratios of chicken meal, fish meal or turkey meal. Made of flesh, bones and cartilage, these 'meat meal' ingredients provide a high source of protein, with their bone content providing a very rich source of minerals.

When present in excess, these very ingredients that supply essential, health-lifting proteins can also cause undesirable increases in mineral levels. In fact, many high-protein dog foods reach the established upper limit of calcium (2.5%) and phosphorus (1.6%).

BIOLOGICALLY APPROPRIATE ORIJEN DOES NOT OVERSUPPLY CALCIUM OR PHOSPHORUS.
Rather than relying on conventional or commodity meat meals as the source of animal protein, ORIJEN uses the highest ratios of fresh, boneless meats that are low in mineral content. Chicken, turkey and fish meals in ORIJEN are custom prepared, especially for Champion Petfoods, to utilize a much lower ratio of bones to flesh, thereby reducing the mineral content and improving the protein quality.