Orijen Cat & Kitten Canadian formula changed so I decided to make a review of this new formula. This new recipe contains 40% protein and 19% low-glycemic carbohydrates. Also, 2/3 of the meats are fresh, either refrigerated or flash-frozen with no preservatives. The other 1/3 is dehydrated fresh chicken, turkey, and fish.
FEATURES
- Grain-free formula
- Proteins represent 40% of the total formula
- 20% fat content (minimum)
- 19% low-glycemic carbohydrates, free of grains, potatoes, or tapioca
- 1/3 of meats are from dehydrated chicken, turkey, and fish
- 2/3 of meats are fresh and refrigerated or raw flash-frozen, without preservatives.
- DHA and EPA naturally from fresh fish
- With a natural source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin supporting the cat joints.
INGREDIENTS
Fresh chicken meat (18%), fresh turkey meat (7%), fresh whole eggs (5%), fresh chicken liver (5%), fresh whole flounder (4%), fresh whole herring (4%), fresh turkey liver (4%), fresh chicken heart (4%), fresh turkey heart (4%), fresh chicken necks (4%), chicken (dehydrated, 4%), turkey (dehydrated, 4%), whole mackerel (dehydrated, 4%), whole sardine (dehydrated, 4%), whole herring (dehydrated, 4%), chicken fat (3%), whole red lentils, whole green peas, whole green lentils, whole chickpeas, whole yellow peas, lentil fiber, whole pinto beans, whole navy beans, chicken cartilage (dehydrated, 1%), herring oil (1%), chicken liver (freeze-dried), turkey liver (freeze-dried), fresh whole pumpkin, fresh whole butternut squash, fresh whole zucchini, fresh whole parsnips, fresh carrots, fresh whole red delicious apples, fresh whole bartlett pears, fresh kale, fresh spinach, fresh beet greens, fresh turnip greens, brown kelp, whole cranberries, whole blueberries, whole saskatoon berries, chicory root, turmeric root, milk thistle, burdock root, lavender, marshmallow root, rosehips, enterococcus faecium.
ADDITIVES (per kg): Nutritional additives: Zinc chelate: 100 mg; Copper chelate: 11 mg; Choline chloride: 1200 mg.
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
Crude protein (min.) 40 % – Fat content (min.) 20 % – Crude ash (min.) 8% – Crude fibers (max.) 3% – Moisture (max.) 10% – Calcium (min.) 1.4% – Phosphorus (min.) 1.1% – Magnesium (min.) 0.1% – Taurine (min.) 0.2% – Omega-6 fatty acids (min.) 3.1% – Omega-3 fatty acids (min.) 1% – DHA (min.) 0.3% – EPA (min.) 0.2%
ANALYSIS OF FIRST 5 INGREDIENTS OF ORIJEN CAT & KITTEN NEW CANADIAN FORMULA:
Fresh chicken meat: Meats contain up to 84% water weight which takes out the protein value from the total formula. 3 stars
Fresh turkey meat: Meats contain water in the muscles, adds weight to dry food before being cooked which is less protein nutrition. 3 stars
Fresh whole eggs: Eggs are a good source of protein, but whole eggs could include some shell (AAFCO accepts up to 6% ash on a dry matter basis). 3 stars
Fresh chicken liver: Good source of iron. It helps for red blood cell production and adds good flavor to the food, but too much liver can be toxic. 3 stars
Fresh whole flounder: Good source of fatty acids. It adds some water on weight and includes all parts of fish. 2 stars
CHANGES MADE IN THE NEW CANADIAN FORMULA
⇒The new formula reduced proteins from 42% to 40%
⇒Reduced low-glycemic carbs from 20% to 19%
⇒It changed the ash content from a maximum of 8% to a minimum of 8% (not good)
⇒The new recipe doesn’t state the maximum amount of Calcium. The old formula stated a maximum amount of calcium of 1.7% while the new formula states a minimum of 1.4% but it doesn’t mention the maximum (it could be more than 1.7%)
⇒The new formula doesn’t state the maximum amount of Phosphorus. The old formula stated a maximum amount of Phosphorus of 1.4% while the new formula states a minimum of 1.1% but it doesn’t mention the maximum (it could be more than 1.4%)
⇒The new formula increased the amount of Magnesium. The new formula guarantees a minimum of 0.1% and it doesn’t guarantee a maximum amount. The old formula guaranteed a maximum amount of Magnesium of 0.09%
⇒Decreased amount of Taurine (essential amino acid) from 0.25% to 0.2%
⇒Reduced Omega-6 from 3.5% to 3.1%
⇒Reduced Omega-3 from 1.2% to 1%
⇒Reduced DHA from 0.7% to 0.3%
What are the Pros and Cons of Orijen Cat & Kitten New Canadian Formula?
PROS
- Meats are fresh from local sources
- Not too much liver from chicken and turkey (9%)
- Reduced carbs to 19%
- Low-glycemic formula, free of grains, potatoes, and tapioca avoids raises in blood sugar
- No by-products
- Gluten-free
- 40% proteins in the total formula
- Fresh meats with no preservatives
- Healthy fatty acids, Omega 3 and 6.
- Natural source of vitamins and minerals, reducing synthetics supplements
- Natural source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin
CONS
- Proteins have been reduced
- “Meats” may include bones
- 2/3 of formula adds water weight (water contained in meats or organs and ice from frozen meats and fish)
- Eggs add ash (eggs could contain some pieces of shell from the industrial process)
- The minimum amount of Phosphorus in the formula is 1.1% which is high (if lower than 1% avoids chances of cats developing urinary issues)
- The maximum levels of minerals and ash are not stated on the Guaranteed Analysis (e.g. Calcium, Phosphorus)
- Whole fish may include all parts of fish
- Meats, whole fish, whole eggs, and chicken necks may add more calcium and Phosphorus to the diet (bones, some small pieces of shell)
- Ash content went from a maximum of 8% to a minimum of 8%
- Magnesium has been increased
- Taurine has been reduced
- Omega-3 has been reduced
- DHA has been reduced.
CONCLUSION
The formula eliminated chicken meal which represents a pure concentrated source of chicken and replaced it with whole eggs. Chicken meal is a better ingredient than whole eggs, especially considering that this new formula doesn’t state the maximum amount of Calcium in the total formula. Whole eggs add calcium and ash to the cat’s diet. Too much calcium is not good for cats.
Also, the old formula had boneless chicken and turkey and these ingredients have been replaced by “fresh meats” which may include bones. This also could add Calcium and Phosphorous as well.
Finally, the formula decreased the amount of Taurine, which is an essential amino acid crucial for the cat’s vision, digestion and heart functions.
The 5 first ingredients represent most of the cat food formula, but in order to rank the actual quantity of protein, I decided to consider the first 3 ingredients for a more accurate rate. The average rating based on the first 3 ingredients is 3 Stars which is an average number of dry cat food.
Very Important: You need to feed your cat wet canned food and provide a fresh source of water available at all times when feeding your pet this cat food.
BOTTOM LINE
In summary, the new formula reduced proteins, omega-3, Taurine, and DHA, this is not good. A good change was reducing the low-glycemic carbs from 20% to 19%.
In my opinion, due to the change from boneless meats to “fresh meats” which may include bones and the addition of whole eggs, the formula increased the amount of Calcium and Phosphorus. The new Orijen formula doesn’t guarantee a maximum amount of minerals you are feeding your cat and it’s always good to know how many minerals you are feeding your pet. Too many minerals could cause urinary issues. Due to these facts, in my opinion, the changes to the new formula did not point in the right direction.
Though this formula has a lower quality in comparison to the original, it’s still a good cat food, it’s a protein-based recipe and informing all the 11 essential amino acids cats need.
Note: The new formula is the one that shows: 85% 15% 0% on the package.
Joseph M Lopez says
Lorena have you reviewed Origen RED made in USA
Lorena Ávila says
Hello Joseph, so far I have only reviewed Orijen Cat & Kitten formulas, American and Canadian.
Brenda says
My cats loved the cat and kitten Orijen produced in Canada but they don’t like the cat and kitten orijen produced in Kentucky. Can you still order this product from Canada?
Lorena Ávila says
Hello Brenda, you can get the Canadian formula here. Unfortunately, the product is only for 340 gr.
Darcey says
Trying to find a good high protein, grain free dry cat food to wean my new adopted kittens onto, as well as a new high protein, grain free wet food to add to their diet once they are totally on the really good dry stuff. Just curious, what do you feed your cats? Also, do you have any recommendations? I was really liking the Orijen after researching so many other crappy brands.
Lorena Ávila says
Hi Darcey, currently I am feeding my cat Petcurean GO Chicken mixed with Wild Calling Turkey (you can find a full review of both on my page). As wet food, I feed my cat Wellness Healthy Indulgence Chicken & Turkey in Savory Sauce (morsels with gravy). She is lean and doing pretty good with it. Hope that helps!
Bonnie Magallanes says
I used to feed my cats Nulo freestyle and Origen but stopped the Origen because of ingredients. Now I feed Farmina hard food and Nulo wet food and Weruva wet food stew style. Farmina is highly recommended.
Bonnie says
I feed my cats Farmina dry food and Weruva wet food and Nulo wet food
Kathleen Luria says
I read in your review of Origen Cat and Kitten dry good that it is important to also feed them wet food when feeding them this food. Why? After two years of feeding him freeze dried food and wet food after weaning him from kibble. Then suddenly he stopped eating. Had multiple tests, nothing wrong. Vet said to feed him Origen. In Vet school she focused on nutrition so I felt comfortable with her recommendation. It’s the only kind he will eat. He has gained quite a bit of weight. Went from 11.5 to 14.5 over 8 months or so. He is a big cat (part Maine coon) I feed him a little less than 1/2 a cup a day. Approx 200cal.
Lorena Ávila says
Hi Katheleen, when feeding dry food you need to provide your cat wet food as well to keep a balance of hydration in the cat’s diet. Orijen is very concentrated in protein so we need to provide more hydration to keep cats from getting urine issues. It’s OK to have different opinions I just state mine on my reviews.