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 !!

[jenn D]

Thanks Karen! You came through again! I appreciate it!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hope the doodles like the change. :)

[debbie stevenson]

I am currently transitioning Daisy from Nutro puppy lamb and rice to the Acana applachian ranch. she is 10 mos so I hope its ok to transition to a regular not puppy.? She does not tolerate chicken so this is what the natural pet store recommended. I am also giving her probiotics once a day. she has been doing great, no more picky eater she is eating it as soon as it is put down. she never did this before.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A regular (not puppy) formula is perfectly fine for a 10 month old doodle. By this age, her skeletal growth should be complete.

I'm glad to hear that she is enjoying the new food. :) 

[Erin]

I'm curious what's in the puppy formula that's not in the adult for skeletal growth?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Puppy formulas typically contain more fat and calories, and there are some minor differences in the mineral content. There's not all that much difference, and in fact many people never use "puppy" formulas. There are lots of ALS (all-life stages) formulas that work perfectly well for most puppies and adult dogs. 

[Nancy & Echo]

Echo, my mini, has been on Orijen puppy from 13 weeks to her present 8 months.  She was getting the Canadian Orijen until a month ago when I got my first bag of USA Orijen puppy.  The USA Orijen puppy contains a LOT more 'powder', which often sticks to the kibble bits (?by static electricity?)  Roughly 1/4 of the kibble by volume is powder.   I don't know if this happens in transit (I live in California), or it comes from the factory that way. I need to sweep the floor a lot more with this new kibble.  I don't know if this is an issue with 'adult' Orijen formulas.  Has anyone experienced this with other Orijen flavors?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd be interested in knowing if anyone else has experienced this, too. Orijen has always been very low in particulate matter. Nancy, do you buy it from a local store, or do you order it online? 

[Nancy & Echo]

I get it from a local store.  I've only gotten one bag of the USA sourced Orijen puppy, and, as you advised, split it up into plastic bags for the freezer, and keep only 1 months supply at room temp.

Maybe I exaggerated using the 1/4 volume number, , but there's a LOT of powdery stuff.  I expected the powder to all drop to the bottom of the bag, but much of it sticks on the kibble.  There wasn't hardly any in the Canadian sourced Orijen puppy.  Maybe my next bag will be different?  But maybe I'll be switching to an adult formula by then?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You can switch to an adult formula when your pup's skeletal growth is complete, which is usually between 8-10 months for all but the biggest standards, and as early as 6 months for minis. 

It will be interesting to see if there is a difference between the Puppy and Adult formulas in this regard. 

[Nancy & Echo]

Thanks again for the info, Karen.  Since this bag will last a few months, she'll be ready for an adult formula for the next bag.

[Nancy & Echo]

The last 2 bags or Orijen Adult  (Original) have been just fine - very little if any powder.  I get it from a local store in my town in California.