Orijen is the highest-meat dry cat food we stock. Original runs 40% protein and 85% animal ingredients, with a freeze-dried liver coating on the kibble. Every recipe here is dry, in 1.8kg bags, with a larger 5.4kg bag on the main recipes.
Who Orijen suits
Cats who need a lot of nutrition from a small amount of food. Orijen Original is 4,160 kcal/kg, so a neutered 4–5kg cat needs roughly 43–52g a day. That's a modest-looking scoop, and it's the single most common mistake people make with this food.
It's also a good bet on a fussy cat. The freeze-dried liver coating is the reason, and it's the pattern that comes through most clearly in our reviews across the range.
Orijen Original meets FEDIAF all life stages standards, so in a multi-cat house a kitten and an adult can share the same bag. Check the individual recipe before you rely on that.
Which recipe
Original is the default: poultry and fish, and comfortably our most-reviewed Orijen cat food. Six Fish is the one for cats who prefer fish. Regional Red drops poultry for red meat, which is worth knowing if chicken doesn't agree with your cat. Fit & Trim is aimed at cats carrying a bit too much weight, and there's a Kitten recipe.
Orijen or Acana?
Same maker. Acana sits at 34–37% protein and 65–75% animal ingredients; Orijen goes to 40% and 85%. That's a real difference, but a smaller one than the price gap suggests. If your cat is thriving on Acana, we wouldn't push you to move up.
Who Orijen isn't for
There's no wet Orijen in the UK, so this is a dry-only diet. Cats take most of their water from food, and some don't drink enough to make up the difference. If your cat has had urinary or kidney trouble, speak to your vet and feed wet cat food alongside it whatever brand you choose.
It's also the wrong food for a sedentary indoor cat who's already carrying weight, unless you're weighing portions properly. Energy-dense food and free-feeding don't mix.