Orijen Senior Dog Food Review (2024)
This article has been fact checked and verified by our veterinary advisor Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM
As our dogs age, it isn’t only the color of the fur around their eyes and nose that alters, but their dietary requirements change as well.
A senior dog needs plenty of protein to keep their bodies strong and healthy. And with old age, there also comes muscle loss and a decreased ability to build new muscle.
Plus they also need lower-calorie food because their metabolism is slowed down.
Dogs are usually considered seniors somewhere around 6-8 years old, depending on breed and size.
It is around that time that they should be switched over to senior dog food.
Orijen senior dog food is a natural and nutritional option with high-quality ingredients and fresh meat. It is a way for you to show your senior dog how much you love having them with you.
Table of Contents
Orijen Dog Food Senior Dogs Review
Orijen uses fresh and animal ingredients. All the best they can find for your dog’s overall wellness.
With 85% animal protein from free-run chicken and turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs, your dog gets all the essential amino acids they need for muscle and heart health.
This dog food also includes essential fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6, DHA and EPA, for healthy skin and coat and brain and eye development. These fatty acids also make your senior dog stay sharp and smart, even as they grow old.
No worries about the quality because Orijen ensured that their dog food ingredients meet the AAFCO nutritional level standards.
First 7 Ingredients
Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Atlantic flounder, Cage-Free Eggs, Whole Atlantic Mackerel, Chicken Liver, Turkey Liver…
Pros:
+ Grain-free formula
+ 85% high-quality meat & fish ingredients
+ Premium animal protein for essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals
+ No rendered meat or animal by-products
+ Great for senior dogs and their aging joints and muscles
+ All natural ingredients
Cons:
– Expensive
– Large kibble size is not ideal for small senior dogs
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 3,630 kcal/kg, 414 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 38% min |
| Crude Fat | 15% min |
| Crude Fiber | 8% max |
| Moisture | 12% max |
| Calcium | 1.4% min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 3% min |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.8% min |
| Glucosamine | 600 mg/kg min |
Why We Like It: Quality and fresh meat, protein-rich ingredients, and wholesome fruits and vegetables what else could you want in your dog’s diet?
This Orijen senior dog food provides all the necessary nutritional requirements for an aging dog.
It’s even excellent for dogs with food allergies or sensitive stomachs because it doesn’t have the common food allergens like corn, wheat, or soy.
Ingredient Analysis of Orijen Senior Dog Food
The dog food industry has come a long way in providing dogs worldwide with food made with quality ingredients – one of the top contenders for many years is Orijen. Their top senior dog food is complete, natural, and balanced.
And to make sure you and your furry best friend are getting the best dog foods, we made this in-depth review of the ingredients in Orijen’s senior dog food.
High Protein Content
Fresh meat makes up most of the 38% protein content. You find fresh wild-caught fish, chicken, and turkey from free-range farms spread out across Canada on the ingredients list.
They also include whole egg and freeze-dried liver for enhanced natural flavor. You don’t find this kind of
Two-thirds of the meat in every bag is fresh and refrigerated rather than frozen. The other third is carefully dried to retain a maximal protein content.
Natural Supporting Ingredients
Low glycemic carbohydrates are limited to 19% of the overall content. The impressive meat content is complemented with a wide range of fresh vegetables, sweet fruit such as watermelon or celery, and antioxidant-packed legumes.
We Think You’ll Like: Can Dogs Eat Watermelon
Lentils, fibers, pinto beans, green peas, cranberries, kale, butternut squash, apples, and pears are some of the wholesome fruits and vegetables in this dog food.
While it is a high-protein senior food, it’s also crammed with nature’s absolute best selection of greens, full of vitamins and minerals.
Instead of adding these vitamins and minerals, Orijen has consciously chosen to include them naturally through their revolutionary Orijen senior ingredients.
Other Origen Dog Food Lines Suitable for Seniors
1. Orijen Six Fish Dry Dog Food
A delicious fish-based dry food for dogs of all ages! Made with an impressive selection of wild-caught fish like mackerel, flounder, pilchard, sardine, herring, Alaskan cod, and more, coming up to a total of 38% of quality protein content.
Two-thirds of the fish used was fresh at processing (refrigerated, not frozen, and without preservatives). The other third was gently dried at 90 degrees to turn it into a concentrated protein source.
It is packed with vegetables and legumes, with red lentils, green lentils, chickpeas, fiber, and peas, as a few examples.
While this is not a dog food made specifically for senior dogs, it is suitable for dogs all life-stages, including seniors (and is a great senior dog food without chicken and one of the best dog food for sensitive or allergic dogs), thanks to its high protein content and balanced nutritional value.
First 7 Ingredients
Whole Atlantic Mackerel, Whole Atlantic Herring, Monkfish, Acadian Redfish, Flounder, Whole Silver Hake, Mackerel Meal…
Pros:
+ Very satisfactory nutrition
+ Large range of high-quality fish & vegetable ingredients
+ 85% quality animal ingredients
+ Grain-free diet
+ No grains or by-products
Cons:
– May be too rich for some puppers
– Expensive
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 3900 kcal/kg, 445 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 38% min |
| Crude Fat | 18% min |
| Crude Fiber | 4% max |
| Moisture | 12% max |
| Calcium | 1.6% min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 2.1% min |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 1.8% min |
| Glucosamine | 300 mg/kg min |
Why We Like It: Looking for a protein-rich and balanced nutrition diet?
This is one of the best Orijen dry dog foods you should consider. They use high-quality ingredients to ensure that your dog gets optimal nutrition essential for their overall development.
2. Orijen 1 Original Dry Dog Food
This Orijen dog food variety is a treat for any dog that gets to have a taste!
The mix of free-run chicken, turkey, wild-caught fish, and nest-laid eggs is made entirely from ingredients that would be deemed fit for human consumption.
Quality fish meat makes up most of the protein content. It comes from free-range farms in Canada, where animals are picked carefully.
This kibble is also filled with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals from the many fruits, vegetables, and legumes, great for boosting your dog’s immunity.
Since suitable for dogs of all ages, this variety also works as a great large breed senior dog food.
Ingredients
Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Liver, Turkey Giblets (Liver, Heart, Gizzard), Whole Herring, Eggs, Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Turkey, Dehydrated Chicken Liver, Dehydrated Egg, Dehydrated Mackerel, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Chicken Fat, Whole Green Lentils, Whole Navy Beans, Whole Chickpeas, Lentil Fiber, Natural Chicken Flavor, Whole Peas, Pollock Oil, Pea Starch, Chicken Heart…
Pros:
+ Contains at least 85% animal ingredients like meats, poultry, eggs, and fish
+ Contains no more than 15% plant ingredients, a majority of which are lentils, fruits, and wholesome vegetables
+ Excellent ingredients throughout
+ Well-considered whole prey diet
+ No corn, wheat, soy, and other grains and ingredients that produce gluten
Cons:
– High in calories
– Expensive
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 3,940 kcal/kg, 473 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 38.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 18.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 4.0% max |
| Moisture | 12.0% max |
| Calcium | 1.40% min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 3.0% min |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.8% min |
| Glucosamine | 600 mg/kg min |
3. Orijen Tundra Wholeprey Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
With protein sources that don’t compare with any other dog dry food Orijen has exceeded itself by creating a variety that no dog will resist.
The 80% protein content comes from Wild Boar, Venison, Mutton, Arctic Char, Goat, and free-run Duck. The other 20% is made up of juicy fruit and wholesome vegetables.
The composition of fresh meat, cartilage, and organs naturally has all the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that a dog needs to thrive. Only Zinc has been added separately.
It is grain-free, just like all other Orijen products, and aimed at providing dogs with a diet that falls close to what they would eat in the wild. Same as the Orijen Senior Dry Dog Food – this variety is suitable for older and aging dogs.
First 7 Ingredients
Deboned Goat, Deboned Wild Boar, Whole Arctic Char, Deboned Venison, Steelhead Trout, Deboned Duck…
Pros:
+ So much meat, fish, organs (whole prey)
+ Freeze-dried to retain nutrients
+ Transparency with ingredients
+ Fresh ingredients such as goat, venison, mutton, bison, and rabbit are used in this unique formula
+ 80% protein and 20% fruits and vegetables
Cons:
– Pricey
– Gives a fishy breath
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 3860 kcal/kg, 460 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 40% min |
| Crude Fat | 18% min |
| Crude Fiber | 5% max |
| Moisture | 12% max |
| Calcium | 1.8% min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 2.5% min |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 1% min |
| Glucosamine | 400 mg/kg min |
Why We Like It: A high-protein diet has multiple benefits for your dog. It provides the optimal nutrition for your dog to grow healthy and happy.
Including making their skin and coat healthier, promotes lean muscle growth, and boost the immune system.
4. Orijen FIT & TRIM Dry Dog Food
For dogs that struggle to keep weight off, it might be necessary with a special diet to lose those extra kilos.
However, a diet food shouldn’t mean fewer nutrients, flavor, and quality, which Orijen sets an excellent example for.
This grain-free and nutrient-dense dog food are made with 42% protein from lean meat – meaning free-run chicken and turkey, low-fat fish caught in Canada, and protein-packed egg. There are also some low-fat dog foods available in the market if you’d like to check other options.
It also has a unique mix of soluble fiber to aid digestion and get the metabolism back on track, which promotes healthy weight loss.
The levels of protein, fiber, carbohydrates, and more have been altered to fit the nutritional needs of a dog struggling with their weight.
Senior dogs that need to lose weight can safely use this product as low-calorie senior dog food. But once the extra weight is gone, they should be switched to the senior variety.
Ingredients
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Liver, Turkey Liver, Cod Liver, Cage-Free Eggs, Flounder, Deboned Turkey…
Pros:
+ 42% quality protein from chicken, turkey, flounder, herring, and cage-free eggs
+ High-quality meat and vegetable ingredients
+ High levels of omega fatty acids
+ No grains or by-products
+ Formulated to promote healthy weight management
+ Suitable for dogs of all breed sizes
Cons:
– Not a resealable packaging
– Not recommended for sensitive stomachs
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 3530 kcal/kg, 402 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 42% min |
| Crude Fat | 13% min |
| Crude Fiber | 8% max |
| Moisture | 12% max |
| Calcium | 1.7% min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 2.5% min |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 1% min |
| Glucosamine | 600 mg/kg min |
Why We Like It: Specifically designed to help dogs lose some unwanted weight. This dog food is rich in protein and even keeps your dog’s hair shiny, all the while helping them maintain a healthy weight.
It’s a solution to three problems at once in just one Orijen dog food. Want to learn more? Take a deeper dive into this comprehensive review of Orijen Dog Food.
BONUS BUY: 4-Pack Orijen & Acana Dog Food Dog Treat Bundle
Orijen and their sister brand Acana produce high-quality and grain-free dog food varieties and a wide selection of delicious dog treats.
This bundle includes four different varieties. Orijen Original, Orijen Regional Red, Acana Duck & Pear, and Acana Lamb & Apple – providing the opportunity to test them all to see which one the dog loves the most.
If you are already feeding nutritious dog food, you might as well follow up with healthy and delicious treats.
Pros:
+ Comes with 4 different dog treat recipes
+ All 4 with flavorful formulas to choose from
+ 100% meat and 100% natural ingredients
+ Nutrient-dense WholePrey diet
+ Gently free-dried to preserve nutrients
+ Biologically Appropriate, grain-free, and protein-rich treats
Cons:
– Easily crushed and becomes crumbly
– Has a fish odor
Why We Like It: We love these dog treats that you can easily sprinkle on top of your dog’s dry kibble. It’s even greater because it comes in 4 different flavors, all made with natural ingredients (fresh or raw) and full of natural flavor!
See our full Acana Dog Food Review.
Orijen Senior Dog Food Buying Guide
A dog’s nutritional needs change with the years, but here is where Orijen stands out a little. Many of their regular varieties are so well balanced that they can actually work well as a regular or a diet dog food for senior dogs.
You can find a suitable Orijen dog food for diabetic dogs, overweight dogs, dog food for dogs with food allergies, and flavor preferences.
Regardless of whether you choose Orijen senior pet food or one of their all-life-stages presentations, your furry best friend is likely to thank you in their own way.
Benefits of a Grain-free and Natural Diet
All Orijen products are free from grains, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Their aim is to keep their dog food as close to nature as possible.
All meat products come from animals either kept in good and humane conditions or animals (such as fish) caught in the wild. Their philosophy is that no animal should have to suffer in making their dog food products.
Dogs need meat to stay healthy and strong, but there is no reason why it couldn’t be provided ethically.
Orijen Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food has no fillers allowing your senior dog to get direct access to all the nutrients. It is the best senior dog food you can find if you want natural food with high protein content.
More than that, this dog food is good for dogs with food sensitivities. Grains like corn, wheat, or soy are the most common food allergens for dogs, and having grain-free senior food can prevent allergies.
Looking for something less pricey? Try one of these cheap dog foods available on Amazon.
What to look for when buying Orijen senior dog food?
This soft dry dog food for senior dogs makes being the owner of an older dog a lot easier. It already has everything you want to find in senior dog food.
It lives up to the senior dog protein requirements, and the Orijen dog food feeding guide tells you exactly how much your dog should eat following their weight. Therefore, there is only really a question of whether Orijen is the right brand for you and your dog because once you have found it and decided to give it a go – there really isn’t much else to look for. The decision almost makes itself.
You will, however, want to consider any potential food allergies your dog might have. Some dogs are allergic to chicken, which this senior dog food contains. So if that’s the case, you could always start your dog off on one of the regular Orijen varieties, such as Orijen 6 Fish which is poultry-free and suitable for seniors.
This is a major benefit with the Orijen brand since it gives you a lot of good and high-quality options as the pet parent of a senior dog.
This is already a soft kibble for senior dogs, but don’t let it be a problem if you know that your dog isn’t fond of eating only dry food, and just mix in a bit of wet food if needed!
For older dogs suffering from teeth loss and oral disease, the kibble can have water added to it for a mushier consistency.
Where to buy Orijen dog food?
Orijen products are available in most various pet stores in the United States and many other countries worldwide. Another great option is to purchase it online because it gives you a better overall of the product.
More than that, you have a chance to compare prices and deliver them directly to your front door.
No need to go from pet store to pet store until you find the product you want, and you won’t have to carry heavy kibble bags around, risking hurting your back.
Many nationwide pet stores have online shops that deliver, or you can look at Amazon and its massive selection of Orijen dog food products.
Once you know what you are looking for, Orijen Senior Dog Food is easy to find. Once you try it and see its positive effects on your senior dog, chances are high that you are never going to want to try anything else.
Senior dogs may benefit from rest on walks with the use of a suitable dog bike trailer.
Orijen Dog Food Recall History
Fortunately for dog parents, Orijen has not had one recall in any of their dog foods.
However, they had one recall for their Orijen cat food back in 2008. Until now, in 2022, no Orijen pet product has been recalled in the United States.
Conclusion
Based on the overall performance, nutritional value, Orijen dog food review from various dog owners, we love the Orijen Senior Dog Food for its quality.
Although it’s a little bit expensive, they make up for the ingredients they use, all fresh or whole ingredients. Probably the most impressive thing about Orijen is where they get their meat ingredients from.
One thing about Orijen for sure is that they deliver high-quality protein for your pooch. What’s even better is that you will have no worries about animal by-products or rendered meats in your pet’s diet.
So if you’re willing to spend a few more bucks on your dog’s food, Orijen is one very big contender for the top quality dog foods for senior dogs.
