Any thoughts on Orijen 6 Fish

[daisyandduke]

So, I picked up a bag of Orijen 6 Fish today to see if I can transition my doggies to the same food. Daisy is eating Blue Wilderness Salmon and Duke is eating Merrick Chicken and Sweet Potato. They seem to do well with these foods, but I would like to find a food that they will BOTH do well on so I do not have to play "goalie" from them trying to eat each other's food. I am also scared that if for some reason my hubby has to feed them that he will mess it up and give the wrong food to the wrong dog! What a nightmare that would be!!!! I do not even want to think about it....

I have heard on some of the posts that Orijen tends to cause runny poop. I read that it may not contain enough fiber? How much fiber should dog food have? I like the ingredients and the protein in Orijen. Is this true with Orijen 6 as well? I was going to start them on the slooooow transition tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Any thoughts or advice before I transition?

 

[whiskers]

I love love love Orijen. Not something I'm able to feed right now, but I wish I could.

It is unfortunately not uncommon for it to cause loose stools - I don't think fiber is the issue, for some dogs sure they might require more fiber, but 3% isn't really low compared to other foods. I think the culprit is simply the protein, and not so much that it's "high" in protein, but that it's higher in ANIMAL protein. It's just really rich food. I used to work at a pet food store and whenever a customer would tell me their dog wasn't handling the Orijen well, I would tell them to try Acana - same company, same awesome quality ingredients, just a little lighter in the animal proteins so it's a little milder for the stomachs. And that transition would usually go over just fine.

What I would do is, transition them slowly (maybe take about a week or two), and start adding in pumpkin or a probiotic during the transition. Just to keep their digestive systems running smoothly - IMO the best way to ensure the food works for them will be to try to prevent digestive upset from happening in the first place.

 

[Bathel]

I don't use the Orijen 6, but rather the Regional Red. Both are really rich. My little girl had softer stools (still well formed) for about 4 week and then they firmed up really well. I transitioned her rather quickly, about 1 1/2 weeks to get her moved over to the Orijen... but I didn't have a lot of her old food to take it longer. I would suggest moving your pup over slowly over 3 or 4 weeks if you can.

As suggested above, there are other really good foods you can try also.

 

[johann]

I loved how Johann looked when he ate Orijen (esp. the 6 fish). Super shiny coat, no eye goobers, very sleek. He can't eat it anymore due to pancreatitis (unrelated to food)....and his coat is nice on Acana/Wellness, but just not the same sheen.

Definitely do a slow transition. You also don't need to feed very much at all, I think he was eating 1 1/4 cup twice a day as 82 lb adult.

 

[daisyandduke]

I started their slow transition to Origen and they have been doing well. I have been adding pumpkin to help in the transition and their poop has been very nicely formed. I am quite shocked that they are taking it well. When we transitioned to Merrick, their poop was very runny.

They are on Day 2 of their transition, keeping my fingers crossed that the food transition goes well. I will make sure to not feed them so much.

The bag suggests they be fed 3 1/2 cups per day and Duke is only 50 lbs. and Daisy is 45 lbs. Any recommendations on how much I should feed them once they are fully transitioned? They are still growing, should I keep them on 3 cups per day each or should it be less?

 

[Bathel]

According to the Orijen 6 fish food chart:

Weight 44-77 lb

Active 2¼ - 3¼ c

Less Active 1½ - 2¼ c

For pups 6 to 11 months old, feed 1 1/4 times the recommended Adult amount

That would equate to 2 3/4 to 4 cups if they are active. I think I would start them on the lower side and see how they do, moving the food up as they gain weight. Both pups are at the low side of the weight for that food range.

Good luck, I hope they do well on the food. I love that Company and my little girl has loved the Regional Red!

 

[daisyandduke]

Thanks! I will start them on the lower end of the range! Day 3 and they are doing well. Poop is looking good.

Things we get happy about in this forum....LOL!

 

[daisyandduke]

I loved how Johann looked when he ate Orijen (esp. the 6 fish). Super shiny coat, no eye goobers, very sleek.

Oh I noticed today a reduction of eye goobers! Even though they are on Day 3 today, it has already made a difference...I like!!!