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 !!

[Amy and Annabelle]

Annabelle is on the Orijen Six Fish. The last 2 times I have tried to find it at my usual store, they didn't have the smaller sizes. They have the other flavors in the smaller sizes, just not the Six Fish. I can still get it at PS+ or Soldan's, but they are farther away. Although the last time I went there, I took the last 5lb bag they had. I hope this is just because of the transition and isn't a look of things to come. It sure is messing up my free bag by having to buy from different stores.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't think that's caused by the opening of the new facility. In fact, I think it's the opposite. As Stella mentioned above, one reason they built the KY facility was because they were unable to meet the U.S. demand for their products. Once the KY facility is producing the Orijen formulas (I don't think they are yet), it should be easier to get. 

The problem might also have to do with that store's distributor. No store is buying directly from the manufacturer these days, and their selection of products is dictated by the distributor's stock. That's why some stores carry only certain sizes or "flavors" of certain foods, even though the manufacturer makes it in other sizes and flavors; the store's choices are limited by what their particular distributor chooses to carry. It also drives up prices because you have more "middle men", but this is how business is done these days. 

[Amy and Annabelle]

I have never had a problem there with supply until I wanted to purchase the May bag and then had the same issue in June. I will be going out tomorrow to get my July bag and will ask them what the deal is. I really do love the store and am very disappointed with this situation.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

So far, and I will see today as well, my "In Good Health" store is still carrying the Pacific Acana Grain free, they only order a couple of bags a week and throw one behind the counter for me the 3rd week in the month. The prices there are much less than at the other pet stores around me by about 10%.
I will keep a positive attitude unless something changes for Daisy, I truly do love the brand. I did see something about the size of the kibble being much smaller somewhere on one of the FG discussions so clearly the new stuff is out there.
Today is pick up day for Dexter, Daisy isn't due for a couple of weeks. We shall see.

Thanks Karen for the link to this discussion.

[Jolene, Sassparilla &amp; Josie]

Okay Karen I need you expertise. I think it was early last week we started the new Original orijen and each day my girls are scratching and chewing more and more and I'm finding their skin to be getting redder and warm in patches??? Could one of the new local ingredients be the cause?? The food is much more pungent than the adult formula! Oh and Josie is NOT a fan of the new flavor at all! Nothing else has changed?? Seriously baffled. TIA

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The new "Original" formula has less Omega 3 and a higher Omega 6:3 ratio than the old "Adult" formula. It's possible that's the cause of the itching. The ingredients themselves are not that different, and new ingredients aren't what causes food allergy anyway; it's things they have been eating for a long time.Plus, it would be very strange for both of them to develop a sensitivity to the same thing at the same time. You might consider switching to the 6 Fish formula, or one of the Acana formulas, or adding some fish oil to their diets and seeing if that makes a difference.

[Jolene, Sassparilla &amp; Josie]

thanks, we'll definitely give it a try.  That's what I found odd is both of them reacting the same and this is the only change recently??  Geez they drove me crazy this weekend with the snorting chewing and constant scratching.  

How much fish oil should I add?  Sassy is approx 65# and Josie is up to 42#?

Thank you

Ü

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I've never used the actual oil; I use softgel capsules and give one per day. But I'm sure the liquid ones have instructions on the packaging, including how much to use.

[jenn D]

Hi all I'm hopping into this discussion. Any recommendations on what Acana to switch the boys too? They are currently on Wild prarie and love it. 2 of my doodles cannot handle anything with the main protein being only fish ,specifically salmon. They have terrible diarrhea. When we switched to Origen/Acana originally it took months to find the right formula that worked for them. I'm pretty upset about them pulling Wild Prairie from their line up. In addition, I've heard there are less calories in each cup. While I will still feed quality food to my boys, less calories and smaller packaging for the same price is going to increase costs with 4 big boys.
I've heard many folks having digestive issues with there dogs and I've been so happy with Wild Prairie. I need an alternative if it's gong away. And the main protein cannot be salmon.
Thanks.
Jenn

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Meadowland is the formula that replaces Wild Prairie. The proteins are very similar, it's poultry based just like Wild Prairie, and the calorie content is only 38 calories per cup less. 

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Will 38 cals. less a cup make any difference in maintaining weight and if so I wonder how many extra kibble it would take to make up the 38 cals.?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Less than one tenth of a cup, in this particular case. There are 396 calories/cup in the Meadowlands formula, so 39.6 calories in one tenth of a cup. :)