Review: Orijen Original 2kg (high-protein dry food)

I tried Orijen Original because I wanted a kibble that felt closer to “real food”—more animal-based protein, fewer fillers, and ingredients I could actually recognize.

Overall, it’s a premium dry food that worked well for us, especially as a stable base with occasional fresh toppers.

What I liked

• Ingredients + smell: it smells more like “food” than many budget kibbles.
• Energy and appetite: my dog stayed excited for meals without needing a lot of coaxing.
• Convenient baseline: easy to measure and consistent day to day.

What to watch for

• It’s rich. Some dogs need a slower transition or smaller portions at first.
• Because it’s calorie-dense, it’s easy to overfeed if you eyeball it.

How I’d use it

• As the “default” kibble, then add small, simple toppers (a bit of cooked meat/veg) when needed.
• For dogs with sensitive stomachs: start with a very gradual transition and watch stool consistency.

One caveat

Not every dog does well on higher-protein formulas. If your dog gets itchy, gassy, or their stool changes a lot, treat it as feedback and adjust (or ask your vet).