FAQs
We are committed to earning the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere and we know that trust is earned by being open and transparent. That’s why we hope to provide answers to any question you might have about our Biologically Appropriate ORIJEN foods. Looking for more information about where we source our ingredients, how our diets are formulated, or food safety procedures in our NorthStar kitchen? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions to learn everything you need to know about ORIJEN!
HOW CAN I FIND AN ORIJEN RETAILER?
Our online store locator will help you locate retailers in your area.
HOW DO I TRANSITION MY PET TO ORIJEN FOODS?
Dogs and cats are often fed the same food for a long period of time, which means a sudden food change makes it difficult for their digestive systems to adapt. That’s why it’s important to introduce new food gradually. Going slowly will give your dog or cat time to adjust to their new food and will also reduce the chances of digestive upset. Click here for full details on making the switch.
WHAT DOES BIOLOGICALLY APPROPRIATE MEAN?
The Biologically Appropriate concept is simple: mirror the freshness and variety of meats that dogs and cats are evolved to eat. ORIJEN represents the fullest expression of our Biologically Appropriate philosophy. ORIJEN’s recipes reflect diets as close as possible to what our dogs’ and cats’ ancestors found and consumed in nature. Our recipes feature 85-90%* quality animal ingredients in unparalleled variety. With high meat inclusions from superior quality meat, poultry, and produce, feeding ORIJEN means feeding your pet the best.
*Approximate and derived from the unprocessed state of the ingredients.
WHAT DOES WHOLEPREY MEAN?
Nature matched the nutrients in whole animals to perfectly meet your dog or cat’s biological needs. ORIJEN WholePrey incorporates meats, organs, and bone to reflect the natural diet, resulting in a food that requires less supplementation.
WHERE DO YOU SOURCE YOUR INGREDIENTS?
WHAT IS MEATMATH?
MeatMath is designed to help you assess if your food is Biologically Appropriate. Biologically Appropriate foods are formulated to match the eating anatomy of the animal they are intended for. Dogs and cats are evolved as carnivores, which means they require high concentrations of meat, high inclusions of fresh meat, and a rich diversity of meat.
Is your food Biologically Appropriate?
Answer the three meat questions: How Much? How Fresh? How Many?
- How much meat is in a recipe? ORIJEN contains 85%-90%* quality animal ingredients
- How much fresh or raw meat is in a recipe? ORIJEN’s animal ingredient content contains 2/3 fresh or raw.
- How many meats are included in a recipe? Each ORIJEN recipe contains a minimum of 6 different animal ingredients
FRESH, RAW OR DRIED – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
FRESH: Our fresh ingredients meet the FEDIAF standard of refrigeration as the sole method of preservation.
RAW: Our raw ingredients are the same as our fresh but are frozen at the peak of freshness to preserve nutrients.
DRIED: Dried fish and meat ingredients are made of flesh, bones and cartilage, and provide a concentrated source of protein, with their bone content providing a very rich source of minerals. Dried ingredients are made by removing water from the meat, bone, and cartilage ingredients through a cooking process.
DO YOU OFFER A FREQUENT BUYER PROGRAM?
In the UK we do not currently offer a frequent buyer program, however many of our retail partners do have their own in-store loyalty programs which may include ORIJEN. Please ask in store for more details.
ARE ORIJEN FOODS SUPPLEMENTED WITH AMINO ACIDS, VITAMINS, OR MINERALS?
ORIJEN foods feature WholePrey inclusions of fresh muscle meat, organs, and bone to reflect the ancestral diets and resulting in a food that requires less supplementation. Organ meats are concentrated, natural sources of nutrients your dog or cat needs to thrive, including essential vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and vital amino acids. Organ meats such as kidney, liver, and tripe are loaded with minerals such as iron, copper, magnesium, and iodine, and provide important fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, all of which nourish dogs and cats as nature intended.
WHO FORMULATES YOUR DIETS AND WHAT ARE THEIR CREDENTIALS?
WHO MAKES ORIJEN FOODS AND WHERE ARE THEY MADE?
ORIJEN dry foods are made by Champion Petfoods in our own kitchens.
DO YOU PERFORM ANY TYPE OF ANIMAL TESTING?
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR QUALITY ASSURANCE PROTOCOL
HOW SHOULD I STORE MY ORIJEN FOOD?
WHERE IS THE BEST BEFORE DATE?
Each ORIJEN™ product is guaranteed until the Best Before Date printed on the package. The Best Before (BB) date is printed on the back of the bag at the top of the ORIJEN™ package along with our lot number and production information. Our BB dates should be read Day, Month, Year.
ARE ORIJEN BAGS RECYCLABLE?
At present, our packaging is not recyclable in most areas. Due to the nature of our foods, our bags need to form a complete barrier to protect your pet’s food from the outside environment. We know sustainable packaging is important to Pet Lover’s and as such, we are working towards a solution. We will continue to explore these opportunities to provide you and your pets with the best Biologically Appropriate foods possible.