ORIJEN ORIGINAL CAT DRY FOOD (ALL LIFE STAGES)

ORIJEN Original is a high-end, biologically appropriate dry cat food designed for all breeds and all life stages (kittens, adult cats, seniors). The philosophy is to mimic the natural diet of cats, who are obligate carnivores: heavy in animal protein, minimal in grains. 

Key Features & Claims

1. High Animal Ingredient Content

   • Made primarily with fresh or raw meats — chicken, turkey, wild-caught fish, and cage-free eggs. 

   • Uses a “WholePrey” approach: includes muscle meat, organs, bones of prey to naturally provide nutrients. 

2. 85-90% Meat & Fish Ingredients

   • Different sources quote ~85% meat & fish derived from unprocessed states for many markets; some Indian vendors mention ~90%. 

3. Grain-Free

   • No grains (like wheat, corn, soy, tapioca) are included. This reduces carbohydrate load and is intended for cats that thrive on more protein. 

4. Freeze-Dried Liver Coating

   • Added for flavour: gives a raw-like taste that many cats prefer. 

5. Complete & Balanced Nutrition

   • Meets standards for “all life stages” (kittens through senior cats) as per regulatory bodies like FEDIAF. 

   • Contains key vitamins, minerals, taurine etc. required for cat health. 

Nutritional Analysis (Typical Values)

From sources (e.g. Philippines & official ORIJEN sites), these are approximate guaranteed analysis/nutrient contents: 

Energy density: about 4160 kcal/kg dry matter. 

Feeding & Usage

• Because of its high protein & fat content, feeding amounts should be adjusted to cat’s age, weight, activity level. Overfeeding may lead to obesity. Official feeding guides are on packaging. 

• Always transition slowly from existing food to ORIJEN to avoid digestive upset.

• Provide plentiful fresh water, since dry diets have low moisture.

Benefits & What Owners Like

• Cats tend to have good coat quality, strong muscles, good overall condition when fed this type of food.

• Many operators like that the ingredients are more “natural / raw-rich” with minimal processing and no grains.

• Good for maintaining lean body condition.

• Taste is often well received (freeze-dried liver, variety of meats).

Possible Downsides / What to Watch For

• Price is high compared to mass-market cat foods.

• Some cats might find it too rich; issues may occur if switched too abruptly (digestive upset like vomiting or soft stools).

• Dry food naturally has low moisture, so hydration should be monitored.

• Grain-free is not always necessary unless recommended by a vet for specific issues; for some cats, certain grain-free formulas can pose risks (urinary, etc.), so vet advice can be helpful.