Orijen Original Cat grain-free cat food keeps changing its formula, as it changed again around 2023. Very little is left from the original formula that was labeled as “Cat & Kitten” in the past. As I do usually when brands change their recipe, I researched the new ingredients and the guaranteed analysis to see if those changes point in the right direction. So, here’s my review of this new formula.
Orijen Original Cat Nutritional Features
- Orijen Original is a grain-free formula
- No soy, wheat, corn or tapioca
- 90% Animal ingredients
- The first 5 ingredients are fresh and raw* animal (unprocessed state of the ingredients).
- 10% legumes, fruits, vegetables, and other nutrients.
- Wholeprey diet, including giblets.
- Freeze-dried coated kibbles provide a raw flavor that cats love.
- Free-run chickens and turkeys (in a barn without outdoor access).
- With added probiotics to help the cat’s gut.
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 for healthy skin and shiny coats.
- Made in the USA with local and overseas ingredients.
*Fresh meats mean they are refrigerated as the sole method of preservation. Raw meats are also fresh meats but they are frozen at the peak of freshness to preserve nutrients.
Ingredients Orijen Original Cat 2023 Formula:
Chicken, Turkey, Whole Herring, Turkey Giblets (Liver, Heart, Gizzard), Salmon, Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Turkey, Dehydrated Salmon, Dehydrated Chicken Liver, Dehydrated Egg, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Whole Green Lentils, Chicken Liver, Eggs, Chicken Fat, Natural Chicken Flavor, Whole Navy Beans, Whole Chickpeas, Whole Peas, Pollock Oil, Lentil Fiber, Chicken Hearts, Choline Chloride, Whole Cranberries, Dried Kelp, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Whole Pumpkin, Whole Butternut Squash, Collard Greens, Whole Apples, Whole Pears, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Dried Chicory Root, Turmeric, Sarsaparilla Root, Althea Root, Rosehips, Juniper Berries, Citric Acid (Preservative), Rosemary Extract.
Ingredients Orijen Original Cat older 2020 Formula:
Chicken, Turkey, Whole Mackerel, Turkey Giblets (Liver, Heart, Gizzard), Flounder, Chicken Liver, Whole Herring, Eggs, Dehydrated Chicken, Dehydrated Turkey, Dehydrated Mackerel, Dehydrated Chicken Liver, Dehydrated Egg, Chicken Fat, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Whole Peas, Whole Green Lentils, Whole Chickpeas, Natural Chicken Flavor, Whole Navy Beans, Pollock Oil, Lentil Fiber, Pea Starch, Chicken Heart, Choline Chloride, Dried Kelp, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Whole Cranberry, Whole Pumpkin, Whole Butternut Squash, Collard Greens, Whole Apples, Whole Pear, Freeze-Dried Chicken, Freeze-Dried Turkey, Copper Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Dried Chicory Root, Turmeric, Sarsaparilla Root, Althea Root, Rosehips, Juniper Berries, Citric Acid (Preservative), Rosemary Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product.
Guaranteed Analysis Orijen Original Cat Formula
Crude protein 40% min – Crude fat 20% min – Crude fiber 3% max – Moisture 10% max – DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) 0.2% min – EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid) 0.2% min – Calcium 1.4% min – Phosphorus 1.0% min – Magnesium 0.1% min – Taurine 0.2% min – Omega-6 Fatty acids* 3.5% min – Omega-3 Fatty acids* 0.8% min – Total microorganisms* 1 Million CFU/lb (Lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacterium animalis, lactobacillus casei).
Changes in Orijen Original Cat Dry Food Formula
Typically, I assess the initial five ingredients that have changed. However, in this instance, it’s crucial to delve deeper into the changes as certain ingredients might have a more significant impact on the formula’s balance than others commonly found in cat food. So here are the changes in the first eight ingredients:
3rd Ingredient Swap: Whole Herring replaces Whole Mackerel. Both whole mackerel and whole herring are nutritious options for cat food, each offering protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Mackerel tends to have a stronger flavor, while herring provides a slightly milder taste. “Whole” indicates that these fish include eyes, fins, and other parts, providing a more complete source of nutrients. The choice depends on your cat’s taste preferences. ➔ It may be a bad switch if your cat is used to the taste of the previous formula.
4th Ingredient Swap: Salmon replaces Flounder. Both whole salmon and whole flounder offer valuable nutrients for cat food, including protein and omega-3 fatty acids. While they have distinct flavor profiles—salmon is often perceived as richer and oilier, and flounder with a milder taste—both provide comprehensive nutrition when consumed whole. However, the bad news is that salmon contains higher levels of mercury compared to flounder. ➔ Bad switching.
6th Ingredient Swap: Dehydrated Chicken replaces Chicken Liver. Switching from chicken liver to dehydrated chicken offers some advantages, like extra protein and a longer-lasting product. However, it might mean fewer nutrients and a change in taste that your cat notices. ➔ This switch prioritizes proteins over nutrition and flavor.
7th Ingredient Swap: Dehydrated Turkey replaces Whole Herring. Swapping herring for dehydrated turkey might mean missing out on some omega-3s, but since the cat food still has those omega-3s listed in the guaranteed analysis, and turkey brings other benefits like lean protein and less mercury, this switch could be a good move for an average-sized, healthy cat. ➔ Good switching.
8th Ingredient Swap: Dehydrated Salmon replaces Eggs. Including more fish in a formula with already salmon and herring might raise concerns about too much mercury, potential fish allergies, and nutrient imbalance. Also, the omega-3 fatty acids, important for cats, may not increase since dehydrated salmon loses some during cooking. ➔ Very bad switching.
Analysis of the First 5 Ingredients of Orijen Original Cat
- Chicken (3 stars): A good source of protein for cats but chicken as an ingredient to be cooked, loses weight in the proportion of the formula.
- Turkey (3 stars): The same as chicken, turkey meat contains water weight that after being cooked, reduces the proportion of turkey in the formula.
- Whole Herring (3 stars): A bluefish like Mackerel is a good source of protein and essential fatty acids. However, fish contain some amount of mercury and could create allergies. Whole means it includes all parts of the fish, gills, eyes, and fins.
- Turkey giblets (4 stars): Excellent source of proteins, minerals, and vitamins that mimic the natural cat’s diet.
- Salmon (1 star): A source of protein and omega fatty acids but it adds mercury levels to a formula already containing fish.
What are the Pros and Cons of Orijen Original Cat Formula?
The following are the most important advantages and disadvantages of this formula and how the changes influenced this cat food:
PROS
- Grain-free formula, which means no corn, soy, wheat, or rice.
- The high-protein level of this formula is ideal for cats since they primarily consume proteins in their natural diet.
- The formula only contains natural flavors or preservatives. Artificial ingredients are carcinogens so natural ingredients are always welcomed.
- The formula contains a total of 90% animal ingredients. The first 10 ingredients on the list are animal-sourced proteins.
- Vitamins or minerals are not synthetic, they naturally occur in the ingredients.
- The formula kept the values of the guaranteed analysis.
CONS
- Carbohydrate content is 18%. This is a high percentage for a cat formula. A cat’s diet should contain around 5-10% carbohydrates.
- Legumes and their derivatives correspond to 14.89% of the list of ingredients. This is too many legumes for a cat.
- Vitamins B1, B6, and B9 are not local.
- Whole Herring, Salmon, plus salmon meal further down the list contributes to the formula’s significant fish content.
- Since kibble is coated with freeze-dried raw meat, it needs to be stored always in a cool place. It could be hard to find a good storage location at home during hot summers.
- Although the guaranteed analysis didn’t change, the changes in the complete nutritional profile can’t be determined since the company doesn’t provide the downloadable nutritional sheet on the website anymore.
Final thoughts about Orijen Original Cat
Orijen’s changes to the animal ingredients haven’t altered the guaranteed analysis percentages, but they have increased the fish content, thus introducing more mercury into the cat’s diet. With fish-based ingredients like Whole Herring and Salmon dominating the first 5 ingredients and the addition of salmon meal further down the list, the formula now contains a significant amount of fish. This raises concerns about potential mercury exposure and the risk of food allergies and UTIs, especially in male cats. Additionally, the high legume content, totaling about 14.89% of the ingredients, contributes to the formula’s calorie density, with one cup providing 515 calories.
Bottom Line
I don’t believe the changes in Orijen Original Cat formula enhanced its nutritional value, but rather the opposite, as it added mercury to the cat’s diet. From a long-term feeding standpoint, this formula is not suitable for indoor cats, even less so for male cats. However, Orijen Original cat formula could serve as a rotational food to address specific issues like dull coat appearance due to the lack of proper omega-3 fatty acids, as some foods may rely on bad sources of omega-3 for cats, like flaxseed.
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Thanks so much for writing out this review! My cat has loved the Cat & Kitten formula, but I was anxious to try the new one afraid they changed the formula. Your review solidified my concerns and I really appreciate your thorough attention to detail for what the change in formula will mean for my cat. Thanks again!
You are welcome NewCatMom!
My cat has been having stomach issues since the recipe change 😩
I took her to the vet and all tests showed she is healthy.
The only change in her life was the new bag of cat food. I wasn’t pleased with the name change, and did notice the elimination of eggs. I had no idea about the increase in fish and what that could do.
Thank you for posting this information!
Hello Johnna, one of the Cons I mentioned in my review is the fact that with this new version the kibble is coated with freeze-dried raw meat. If this cat food is not properly stored, it could lead to some type of bacteria. Always buy in stores that keep the cat food at a cool and dry temperature. I am sorry your cat is not doing well with this cat food.
Hi Lorena, my cats have been on the Cat and Kitten version for a couple of years, and it had the freeze-dried coating as well, which was never a problem, and the cats LOVED the taste. My cats have had a horrible digestive problems with this formula change, and the kibble is a different color and size. It doesn’t have the shiny coating of the freeze-dried meat they are used to, so Orijen is probably getting super cheap with their ingredients — though their price point won’t change — and the poor cats will be the ones who suffer. I hate when good companies start cutting corners, but not their prices.
Hi Melissa, the cause of the digestive issue your cat is experiencing with this food could be hard to pinpoint. It could be the increase of fish instead of eggs, the high amount of legumes, or any other ingredient your cat may be sensitive to. What’s the exact digestive issue your cat has? Diarrhea, vomiting? In any case, if the digestive issue your cat is having came right after switching to this new formula I suggest trying a different one. Sometimes, it takes one change in the ingredients to affect the cat’s digestive function. I hope you can find a good formula for your cat. I suggest you try a brand which I have been feeding my cat with for the last few months and my Sophie’s doing great with it. It’s Wellness Core Grain Free Turkey and Duck formula. The good thing about this formula is that it gives your cat a break from Chicken, fish, and eggs, which are common allergens on a long-term feeding. I hope it works well for your kitty and it won’t have any digestive issues with it. Hope that helps!
Since the original formula has changed, neither of my 2 cats will eat it! I bought it originally due to it being for cat and kitten since I have multiple age groups! The price has gone up but the quality seems to have gone down ! This used to be a food both cats would gobble up! Not now! Sorry they had to change something good!
I am sorry your cats don’t like the new formula. To be honest, I am not fond of this new formula either as I stated in my final thoughts. I hope you can find better dry cat food for your cats.
Thank you so much for this post!
A few months back, when the change happened, I was skeptical about buying a new bag but I could find no info online about any changes, so I gave it a shot. I have a very good nose and as soon as I opened the bag I knew it was all wrong. I offered a small handful to the cats and they literally walked away – something that would never happen with the old formula. I took the bag back that very night and let the clerk know that, no matter what her supplier was telling her, there was a change and it wasn’t for the better.
I’ve looked online several times to try and find any information on a current buyout or change and still had had no luck, not sure how I missed your review but I’m certainly glad I finally came cross it!
It is good (and bad) to hear that I’m not alone in disliking the change and not feeding it any longer.
I am happy I could help you with my review. I am trying to review and compare the changes of different cat food brands because as a cat owner I know this information is not easy to find online. I will keep up with my work to help cat owners. Thanks for your comment!
Hello,
Do you suggest buying the old recipe or the new one? I see in the comments only those cats which have ate the old formula before seem to have issues with the new ones? Maybe that won’t be the case if we start feeding it with the new formula directly? I am currently feeding Royal Canin Kitten food btw.
Please can you help?
Hello Jashim, you can feed a cat this formula, but please note the high content of legumes (almost 14%) this means high in calories and risk of your cat gaining weight. If you are going to feed your cat this formula I suggest keeping a proportion of 50% wet food and 50% this dry food.
My cat won’t eat the new bag of Orijen food. Which dry cat food has the best balance? My cat refuses wet food or any good human food. Please give me a brand name so I can get to the pet store and help her. Thanks!
Hi Judy, the brand I currently feed my cat with is Wellness Core Grain Free Turkey and Duck formula. This recipe is free of eggs, chicken, and fish. I hope it works for your cat. Good luck!
May I know what’s your opinion on another new
formula of Orijen, Kitten and Gurdian 8? Would you recommand to try? I’ve searched, but not a lot of information.
Thank you.
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I will check and make a review of this formula ASAP.
Update: I checked the ingredients and noticed that this formula contains 3 types of fish within the 5 first ingredients. Personally, I don’t like formulas with too many fish, it creates more tendency to develop food allergies in cats.
My problem is different; it has been the recomended brand for Ferret owners for years despite the problem with peas causing kidney stones. Is it still a good brand for Ferrets? Is the new ‘Kitten’ Brand better?
rob
Hi Robert, I am sorry I don’t know much about ferrets, I hope some of our readers can help you with that. Regarding suitability, I wouldn’t recommend this formula for kittens. Hope that helps!
Hello,
I really need your opinion.
I have a 4 month cat and he eats this dry food with no problem. I wanted to give my cat a good food, and after research I decided on this one.
What do you thing, would you recommend another dry food that is better, or I can stay with this?
I read you feed your cat with wellness core grain free, do you think it’s better?
I’m looking for the food and I can’t figure out which one is really good.
Hi Anastasia, Orijen is good quality food, but maybe you could try dry food specially formulated for kittens? I recommend you feed your kitten with Wellness CORE Grain-Free Kitten Formula, it has good quality ingredients and it’s specially formulated for kittens. Hope that helps!
Thanks for your comparison and analysis between the old and new formulas. It was just the info needed. I have fed the Cat and Kitten formula to my cats for 10-12 years. With the new formula I noticed that my cats did not like it as much as the previous formula and all 8 cats started gaining weight. It must be the high carbohydrate count from the legumes/beans. In my opinion, beans in cat food are just as much of a cheap filler as grains and need to be avoided. I am now searching for a replacement cat food with human-grade quality ingredients suitable for cats and bean and grain-free. Recommendations are welcome.
Hello Greg, thanks for your comment. I recommend Wellness Core which is egg, chicken, and fish free, which are the most common food allergens in cats. The formula doesn’t have artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It only has peas as the third ingredient but is 100% grain-free. It has potatoes as the 10th ingredient but this is further down the list so it doesn’t impact the cat’s weight. My cat has been eating this formula for a while and she has beautiful coat, kept her weight (you can see her walking on a leash here), and in general with good energy and mood. This is my review of Wellness cat food. Hope that helps!