Orijen - Kentucky ? Do we need to switch?

[April S.]

So there's been a couple posts on Facebook of people being told by their normal pet stores where they buy Orijen that they should look to change because of the new sourcing and kitchen in Kentucky for Orijen.   I thought maybe this was misinformation but I'm seeing info that some of the ingredients did indeed change along with vitamin levels.  I stopped at our local store (Hollywood Feed) and they said the same thing about the quality level going down.   Both of my doodles are on Six Fish and they do very well with it.  I hate the thought of changing but I don't want to feed them something that isn't up to par quality wise and I certainly don't want to pay for quality that isn't there anymore.  Any info on this or thoughts?   I remember when they announced the new facility they assured the quality would not be compromised and all that, but I'm having trouble trusting it based on the limited info so far.  Picture of my girls for fun.  <3 them !!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, because in keeping with their commitment to use local vendors and regional sources, they are buying the ingredients here in the U.S. instead of in Canada. As the article says, "For example, instead of wild-caught Pacific fish, they’re now using wild-caught Great Lake fish or wild-caught North Atlantic fish." So they changed the names to reflect that. Pacifica is now called Wild Atlantic. They are being just as transparent as ever about the sourcing, listing the new vendors on their websites, which is one of the things that has always made them so trustworthy, IMO.   

[F, Calla & Luca]

I guess I will have to switch. I may have yo adjust quantities if the calorie count difference is significant. I do trust them to make good food and I'm glad to have them. Thanks Karen.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Meadowland has 38 calories less per cup than Wild Prairie. 

[Melissa]

 I have been reading all the old posts over the last few months and appreciate all the time you have put into this discussion.  Can you point me in the direction of the list of vendors and regional sources you are referencing?  I thought there was a list with specific sources, but can no longer locate any such information on their US website.  

I have been following all the comments on Acana's Facebook page, and I'm concerned after reading their post where they mention that the lamb meal is sourced from New Zealand, not Kentucky or Canada (dated Sept. 9th), which seems contradictory to their "regionally sourced" statements. My dogs have been on Acana since day one, but I only have one bag of Canadian formula left, and need to make a final decision on whether or not to try the new formulas. Thank you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Just about every manufacturer of quality pet foods uses lamb from New Zealand, I've never been able to determine exactly why, but it's not a concern. 

Here's a link to the section of Orijen's website where they list their U.S. suppliers: 

https://www.orijen.ca/orijen/fresh-regional-ingredients/?lang=us

[Stella]

Acana has always used New Zealand Lamb, this hasn't changed.

[Melissa]

Thank you!  That is reassuring.

[April S.]

I wouldn't have put much thought into it if I hadn't stopped at our store as well and they said something similar.  I wonder why they are telling people to switch. Very strange. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The stores may make a bigger profit on some brands than others. Over the years we've had people post all kinds of strange advice and recommendations about foods and brands that they were given by pet food store employees, most of which were nonsense, lol.

[charlotte bednarsh]

Wow, this is so very interesting. As most of you know, my beloved Paz crossed the rainbow bridge over a month ago, and I've placed a deposit with a very reputable labradoodle breeder for a puppy from a planned litter that is due at the beginning of September;  I've been doing lots of research on high quality large breed puppy food ( my puppy will be a large standard) and Orijen always seems to be so highly recommended.....I told the breeder I would be transitioning the puppy to Orijen and she said that would be great.   Please keep me posted if that recommendation has been changed.  I lost my beloved Paz after he waged a courageous 6 month battle against lymphoma and Paz was only 6 years old, so I'm really neurotic about minimizing any risk factors over which I have control when a puppy comes into my life.;...I figure the puppy's food is one area in which I have control.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Charlotte, the recommendations regarding Orijen and Acana have not changed one iota, and I truly doubt very much that they will. It's still the best dry food you can buy. 

[charlotte bednarsh]

Karen, thanks so much for your immediate response;  I know you're aware how devastated I am about losing Paz to lymphoma, and i will readily admit I'm really neurotic about doing my research so I can make informed decisions for my puppy when it arrives.  I've even negotiated with the breeder to have only a partial spay /neuter performed on the puppy, so the hormone production continues until the puppy matures; based upon the recent studies which are linking early spay/ neuter with the early onset of canine cancer and joint disorders, I was determined to delay the full spay/neuter.   Any suggestions you can make about food, or anything else, I'm all ears!   Thanks again, for your research and sage advice.