ORIJEN Amazing Grains High Protein Dry Dog Food Small Breed Recipe 4lb Bag

I purchased this Orijen Small Breed dog food for my two dachshunds and my Pomeranian because I wanted a high-quality, protein-rich option designed specifically for smaller dogs. All three dogs absolutely love it, which isn’t always easy to find with picky eaters. The kibble size is perfect for small mouths, and I noticed very quickly that it’s highly digestible — no stomach issues or changes in appetite. Since switching to this food, their coats look noticeably healthier and shinier, which tells me they’re getting good nutrition. The only downside is the cost. It is definitely more expensive than many other brands, but based on the ingredient quality, digestibility, and how well my dogs are doing on it, I feel it’s worth the investment. Overall, this is an excellent choice for small-breed dog owners who prioritize high-quality ingredients and are willing to pay a bit more for premium nutrition.

This is the second bag I buy for my mini poodle (12 lbs), and he absolutely loves it! He used to eat a different food when he was a puppy, but I decided to switch to Orijen because of the high-quality ingredients, the smell, and the amazing flavor — and he approved right away! 🐾 The kibble size is perfect for small mouths, and he hasn’t had any negative reactions at all. His energy levels are great, his coat looks shiny, and he eats every meal with excitement. I feel really good knowing I’m giving him a nutritious and protein-rich food. Highly recommended for small breed dog parents who want a healthier option for their pups!

This stuff is ridiculously 'expensive' and I feed my rescue JRT mix this high protein as a way to reduce his carb intake and have more protein. He has some physical challenges and won't ever be doing really long walks or other strenuous exercise to use up the calories he eats but he loves food. He is small guy so this bag will last him quite awhile as I mix this small-bite kibble with Wysong for broader nutrient profile, and he gets a little wet food add in for the same reason. He loves everything so his appetite is not any reliable feedback there but the small pieces are great for him since he only has a couple teeth. I soak the kibble so it is soft and then smash it to be sure it is easy for him to eat. Looks like high quality food but again, it is expensive and really, how would I tell if this food really gives him an edge. He is doing great on it (he is a rescue was in very bad shape when he came to me) but he also gets supplements, some wet food, and I mix this with Wysong for its great profile, too. I selected this because it has about the highest protein content I could find in a kibble. I wanted the high protein for weight management but I keep the Wysong with it for additional nutrients. When I was looking for a 'weight management' dog food, I had to laugh when I kept reading that such-and-such food "would help your dog feel full longer" because my JRT doesn't recognize feeling full -- he was literally starving when he came to us and he eats everything you put in front of him, even now after almost 3 years making a home with us. So instead of 'weight management' food, I decided to search for high protein content. I cut it down the middle for our budget by mixing this with Wysong Adult in a 50/50 ratio. Long as our budget can handle it, it will stay in the boy dog's food bowl. His digestive system had no issue with changing him over to this Orijen/Wysong mix.

My dog loves this food. The only dog food she doesn't turn her nose too. She eats it as soon as I put into her dish. Doesn't smell and the size of the pieces is perfect for her.

Just chaned over to this and my toy poodle loves it. I love the ingredients ans it's a win win.

My pup ate it if I mixed in a tiny bit of canned food topper. Would not eat it plain. Ingredients are incredible but I discovered it was too rich for my pup. She was getting only 1/2 cup a day but went from 10 lbs to 12lbs in just 2 months! That’s a 20% weight gain for my little MaltiPoo Shitzu mix. I started mixing it with Hills Science Diet (one with half the Kcals and less fat and more fiber.) The Hills ingredients do not read nearly as healthy, but she gobbles it down plain and now is almost back to her healthy 10lbs. I have transitioned her to a 90/10 ratio to use up the Orijen but will fade it out completely. If I see any negative changes in her coat, skin, poop, energy level etc, I may start mixing in some Orijen again but will also weigh her weekly. Do remember that an overweight pup has years reduced in lifespan. Don’t let your dog get overweight! If your dog will eat Orijen and stays at a healthy weight on it, I think it is an excellent food. Just not the right one for my little girl.

Pricey. My dogs have taken to it well, no digestive issues. One of the better kibble options.

I spent numerous full work weeks researching holistic diets for my 2 fur babies whom passed from cancer in Dec ' 24 and then in Jan. '25 (ages 8yrs & 15 yrs). I experienced caretaker burnout. I spent HOURS grocery shopping for key ingredients to cook / pre-prep meals for them to try everything within my power to save them. I joined a holistic group for dogs fighting MCT cancer on facebook and followed the protocols / diet regimes. I gave absolutely everything I had trying to keep them fed on an organic and full balanced home cooked diet with hand ground meats, vegetables, vitamins, fish oils, liver, hearts, hand slicing organs that would make you cringe...you name it - if i couldn't find it i would order it because I would have done anything for my fur babies to keep them healthy and well fed. After all my failed attempts, 3 months of fighting this battle, Cancer was no match. I, nor any doctor could fight this deadly disease. I blamed myself, maybe thought it could've been prevented if I would have done things differently. Maybe it was the food I had let them consume, the tap water i let them drink, maybe I should've started researching health needs long before it was too late. Not like i fed them Ol'Roy or WalMart crap food, they did get what I thought was high quality food for the majority of their lives. I kept them vetted, doted on them like they were my children well... because they were. After the heartbreak of losing them both to cancer, going thru the motions of the healing process, I decided it may be time to adopt again. My life had been in sheer disarray, empty, and knowing that a home just isn't a home without a dog. I knew this time I would NOT be feeding anything like science diet / royal canin / other top name brands found on store shelves. Not saying these foods are horrible but they truly aren't the greatest out there. I also knew I could not afford Dr. Harvey's, Paradigm, Farmers Dog, Ollie, or expensive brands often shown on videos and ads either. Thinking about adopting again wasn't easy, until Lille stole my heart a couple weeks ago. She is a 7 year old Cairn terrier mix breed full of life and love! And even though I can't help what she may or may not have been fed these past 7 years - I am going to feed her the healthiest dog food I can possibly find for our remaining years together. That's when I had discovered Orijen! They even had mentioned the benefits of this dog food on the holistic groups for dogs I had joined! I got to reading, digging, asking the thousands of followers in the holistic group, dissecting every ingredient listed on the bag. I wanted to know where it was made, how it was made, if there was any suspicious ingredients that would give me the slightest inclination that it could lead to health problems. I am not a vet, or a dog nutritionist, but I CAN say that i researched every single ingredient in this bag of food and every single one of them checks out. Even the grains they use! Everyone has a different view on grains - grain free but Grains are an essential part of a dogs diet for energy! You just have to know which ones are healthy! I also learned that Orijen DOES NOT use high heat cooking methods, which I had learned during the decline of my previous dogs that HIGH HEAT cooking can actually lead to release of toxins in kibble / dog food / even human food that is cooked at extreme temperatures. High Heat cooking, according to some research, causes cancer! Orijen dog food uses a gentle extrusion process with steam injection, cooking ingredients at temperatures between 195-240 degrees Fahrenheit (SAFE), which is high enough to remove pathogens but low enough to maintain nutritional integrity. I was amazed! This was below the high heat carcinogen causing limit! Little known fact here - High heat cooking in other dog foods = Formation of Harmful Compounds: High heat can create compounds like acrylamide and heterocyclic amines, which are known carcinogens. WHERE WAS THIS DOGFOOD 15 YEARS AGO?! I was just blown away at how great all of this sounded. Then I researched where it was made, and here's the kicker... Orijen dog food, a brand of Champion Petfoods, is manufactured in both Alberta, Canada and Kentucky, USA!!! Pinch me this can't be real! ♪♫Oh Canadaaa♪♫ I placed my order 3 days prior to adoption. Finally, the day came where I got to meet Lillie and bring her home. I was anxious about feeding time. (You have to keep in mind that my past experience 3 months of trying to get my hospice pets to eat before they passed would literally bring me to tears.) I was so nervous, praying my newly adopted Lillie would like the new food. GUESS WHAT?! Lillie Approved her new Orijen Kibble!!! Now i was crying happy tears! (Y'all probably think I'm crazy if you've read my review this far) But seriously... I can now safely say that I am 110% confident I am feeding my dog the cleanest safest diet that is within my budget that is on the market now. I can go to sleep knowing that I won't have to worry about her health and if the food I am feeding her will lead to health issues. If you are thinking of making the switch or just starting out with a new pup, start them off right. Go with Orijen!