Orijen dog food - worth it?

Swans1912

I have 2 CKCS's - a 3.5 year old male and a 9 month old b!tch. The male is on James Wellbeloved and the female on Beta puppy. The female is quite happy on Beta puppy, and the only reason she is still on this food is because this is what the breeder fed her on and I didn't want to switch her diet around. When she switches to adult food I'd like the two dogs to be on the same food.

The male is happy to eat the JW food, but he has a problem where his an*l glands fill up at quite an unusual rate (had them emptied in January, then again in March - was so compacted that he needed to have antibiotics) the vet has suggested that we move him to a different food and seemed to push Hill's Science Plan for whatever reason. Now, I've looked at the ingredients in this, and to be frank, i'm not that impressed with it.

So I've started looking at Burns and Orijen, and am leaning more towards Orijen. It's quite expensive, and if its what's best for my dogs, then money isn't an issue, they will have it. But I'm just wondering - is the food as wonderful as it sounds? 80% meat, 20% fruit & veg, 0% filler. Is it worth the price? Just wondering what other's experiences have been.

lipsthefish

I think all anyone can do is feed the best possible food we can afford.
You will probably find that every vet in the country recommends Hills I'm sure Krlyr will pop in on here and will give fantastic advice as I think she researched some brands costs for a friend. I know the better quality food means you usually have to feed less so it doesn't end up costing as much as you think. If you do swap foods you need to do it gradually, I think it starts at 90/10 and then keep increasing the amount of the new stuff. Good luck!

melbury

I fed my dog on Burns for a few years but then switched to CSJ following many recommendations - he loves it.

Have a look at the website:

http://www.csjk9.com

Dollardog

I feed my dog on Arden Grange, he has never had a problem with his anal glands and his poos are solid.

zaksmum

melbury wrote: »

I fed my dog on Burns for a few years but then switched to CSJ following many recommendations - he loves it.

Have a look at the website:

http://www.csjk9.com

Another vote here for CSJ. my dogs are thriving on it...I actually switched from Hills to CSJ and the results amazed me. My older dog was becoming quite stiff and had the most horrendous poos, but since starting on CSJ, she's much more mobile and the poos have firmed up too.

At £30 for 2 15kg bags delivered, you can't go wrong!

Wellyboots6

I found Arden Grange to be brilliant for my dog, but have recently switched to Autarky Autumn as it was recommended by someone for his joints. I got this off the CSJ website.

I must say I wish I hadn't changed now! It is cheaper, but doesn't seem to be digested as well.

I think my next choice will be to try CSJ or Skinners and if this is still no good then go back to Arden Grange, but I have heard that CSJ is supposed to be great.

Swans1912

lipsthefish wrote: »

You will probably find that every vet in the country recommends Hills

Is there a reason for that? I did find it a bit odd they were pushing it so much...

Swans1912

Thanks folks, looks like another brand I need to research, I've never even heard of CSJ before!!

melbury

zaksmum wrote: »

Another vote here for CSJ. my dogs are thriving on it...I actually switched from Hills to CSJ and the results amazed me. My older dog was becoming quite stiff and had the most horrendous poos, but since starting on CSJ, she's much more mobile and the poos have firmed up too.

At £30 for 2 15kg bags delivered, you can't go wrong!

Changed our dog from the Command Performance to the Lamb Senior/Lite (even though he was only 5) and he loves it. We felt he didn't need such a high protein food and it is still wheat/gluten free.

I think it costs about £20 per 15Kg bag (plus delivery) which is considerably cheaper than I was paying for Burns. I always buy two bags at a time to even out the delivery cost.

Dollardog

The vets usually sell Hill's so probably get money for pushing it.

penny_pincha

iKennett wrote: »

So I've started looking at Burns and Orijen, and am leaning more towards Orijen. It's quite expensive, and if its what's best for my dogs, then money isn't an issue, they will have it. But I'm just wondering - is the food as wonderful as it sounds? 80% meat, 20% fruit & veg, 0% filler. Is it worth the price? Just wondering what other's experiences have been.

I have fed Orijen to my cats (not dogs though as I haven't any) and I was very impressed with it (I usually feed Hills Professional or James Wellbeloved). I had one girl in particular, who had lost weight and needed building up. She took to it very well and imediately began to gain weight. Her stools were also more formed and less smelly.

Hope this helps.