Which is better acana or orijen

Less active dogs may need a smaller proportion of protein to match their needs, and so Acana may be more suitable for those dogs that live less active lifestyles. On the flip side, dogs who are attempting weight loss may want a dog food with a higher ratio of protein to fat to help them remain full while losing weight. This is why it is essential to pick the right dog food for your dog. Before we continue, it is important to note that these proportions above are estimates and are calculated based on the guaranteed analysis of Acana and Orijen products.

Guaranteed analysis list the minimum proportions of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture. Therefore it likely that these figures mildly underestimate protein and fat content and slightly overestimate carbohydrate content. For the exact proportions, your best bet is to contact the manufacturer directly. There is a noticeable difference in the proportion of carbohydrates between the two brands.

This difference is due to Orijen formulas containing a much higher proportion of meat and fish ingredients. These provide additional protein and fat and reduce the need for large portions of fruits and vegetables, which are the primary source of carbohydrates in dog food. The carbohydrate providing ingredients of Acana and Orijen are very similar. This similarity is because they both use legumes almost exclusively. This use of legumes includes ingredients like Lentils, Peas, and Chickpeas.

Legumes such as this are considered one of the better and more high-quality sources of carbohydrates due to the fact they have a low-glycemic index and contain dietary fiber to aid and regulate digestion.

When only whole legumes are used, and by-products such as Pea Protein or Pea Flour are absent, then they can be considered even more favorable. Small quantities of fruits like Apples, Pears and Berries and vegetables like Squash and Pumpkin are great examples. While these ingredients may be present in relatively small amounts, they can provide much-needed vitamins and minerals as well as additional dietary fiber to aid digestion.

Acana and Orijen source their meat and fish ingredients from local suppliers. This level of accountability is second to none and is far superior to most sources for human consumption, let alone dog food. This level of detail shows that Acana is not ashamed or attempting to hide or deceive their consumers. Instead, they are proud of their suppliers and are happy to provide you with additional information to satisfy your curiosity. The fat content of these two brands is almost identical, both in proportion and in quality.

Animal and fish ingredients are the primary source of fat. This proportion of fat can provide dogs with an abundant source of concentrated energy, perfect for a healthy and active dog. The sources of this fat found within Acana, and Orijen formulas are identical to the protein sources, some of which we mentioned above.

The level of these Omega Fatty Acids is listed on the Guaranteed Analysis of both Acana and Orijen formulas despite the fact that it is not a requirement. This addition allows us to easily compare the concentrations in different recipes. Fish are the most reliable source of these fatty acids, and as a consequence, the recipes which focus on fish from both Acana and Orijen contain very high levels.

However, Orijen Six Fish contains 1. This level is extremely high, and there are very few other dog food recipes available at a similar level. For example, in Acana Free Run Poultry , it is 0. However, Orijen tends to contain a higher level of these fatty acids across all its recipes when compared to Acana.

This higher level is undoubtedly thanks to the higher proportion of meat and fish ingredients used in their formulas. However, we should not gloss over the fact that Orijen was once recalled in Australia in quite a unique case. This recall was due to the way that their products were irradiated by Gamma radiation. This irradiation affected a number of cats. For more information about this recall, check out our Orijen page. The lawsuit claims that Champion Pet Foods failed to disclose harmful levels of heavy metals and toxins such as Arsenic and Lead in their products.

Orijen, but we believe that these potential differences are negligible when looking at the big picture. Instead, the primary difference in ingredient quality between these two brands is how much of each ingredient is used. The biggest difference between Acana and Orijen is that Orijen products are formulated with a higher concentration of animal protein. At the same time, Orijen has yet to release any grain-inclusive formulas. If your dog does not require a grain-free diet, Acana is your only option at the moment.

After reviewing Acana and Orijen , there is really no clear winner. Because these two pet food brands share the same parent company, factories, ingredients, and overall mission statement, the final products offered by each label are nearly the same.

With that said, we recommend Acana for most dogs and their owners. However, if your dog requires a grain-free, high-protein diet and you can afford the higher price tag, Orijen technically offers slightly better nutrition.

Originally from Canada, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband in New Zealand. Nicole has a strong love for all animals and has experience caring for all types of dogs, from Yorkies to Great Danes. Nicole even worked as a dog sitter during her travels through South America and cared for stray pups — something she holds close to her heart.

Doggie Designer is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. A Sneak Peek at the Winner: Acana Choosing between Acana and Orijen is difficult, especially since these two dog food brands are incredibly similar.

The winner of our comparison: Check Price on Chewy. Our Favorite Deal Right Now. Offers grain-free and grain-inclusive options Made in the U. Not widely available at all retailers Not ideal for true limited-ingredient diets No senior or small breed formulas available. Extremely high in animal proteins Ideal for dogs on a grain-free diet Made in the U. Limited product range No grain-inclusive options More expensive than some competitors Not available in all pet supply retailers.

High in Fiber and Gluten-Free: 60 percent premium animal ingredients balanced with high-quality When it comes to quality, there are few better companies than Champion. The ingredients are natural, healthy, and the way they are sourced is not hidden for a moment. This guarantees the maximum quality that makes customers stick to Acana and Orijen products. Acana is a mixture of the words Alberta and Canada. It has been considered a premium dog food since its first introduction, and its success among pet owners is unbroken.

Orijen was introduced in by the company. Reinhard Muhlenfeld founded champion Petfood in This means that these foods should be as close to natural as possible. According to experts, the body and digestive system of dogs have not changed significantly since domestication. Therefore, it is worth striving to provide them with a diet similar to that of wolves. Acana and Orijen do not have as wide a selection as other commercial dog food.

Nevertheless, anyone who chooses these two brands for their dog can be satisfied. In addition to sourcing premium ingredients, manufacturers have also made sure to produce recipes for dogs of all sizes, life stages, and nutritional needs. Acana has more products than Orijen. They are all high in protein and low in carbs, and many of them are grain-free. One of the most popular Acana range is Singles.

This, in turn, results in less problematic protein or carbohydrate sources in the food. This type of diet is ideal for dogs with sensitivities or allergies. Puppies, by definition, have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. The quantity and quality of proteins required for growth are critical.

Acana has products made specifically for puppies. Each of these products is also biologically compatible. The manufacturer makes Regionals recipes exclusively from ingredients found in Kentucky. I put products like freeze-dried foods and treats, and biscuits in this group.

Freeze-drying is a very advantageous processing method, as the food retains its nutrient content as much as possible during preservation. Biscuits are high in protein and usually contain some kind of grain-free carbohydrate source. You will surely be able to impress your dog with this.

In terms of offers, Orijen makes things even less complicated. The brand has a total of nine dry foods. Four of these recipes are right for every dog, and only differences in taste can be discovered. All of these products are grain-free. Six Fish. Regional Red. The Puppy formula is ideal for all kinds of puppies. The Puppy Large formula was developed for our large young four-legged friends. Also, there is a Senior recipe on offer that meets the nutritional needs of older dogs.

The Small Breed recipe is essentially suitable for small dogs due to small kibbles. This provides maximum support for weight management. Large Puppy. Small Breed. We can make meals similar to canned wet food with just rehydration. If your dog is very picky, consider these. To be able to compare two brands properly, I have to contrast their similar products. Since both Acana and Orijen have Puppy formulas, I will review the most popular products from this range.

After that, I compare them to find out which one is better. Growing puppies need plenty of protein and other useful nutrients. Because of this, this recipe is a perfect choice for them. Four of the first five ingredients are high-quality protein sources. Deboned chicken and turkey are well digestible meats and provide all the necessary amino acids for growth.

Turkey meal and chicken meal further increase the protein content. Besides, they have very good glucosamine and chondroitin content. Other animal sources are included in this recipe.

Examples include Flounder, Cage-Free Eggs, and various chicken organs. The latter provides plenty of useful vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for puppies. That way a side-by-side comparison will show you who has the most beneficial balance for your pup. In order to fully understand the importance of these nutrients, let us recap why the above nutrients are so important for your pup and a word or two about who wins in the battle of nutritional balance. Protein is calorie rich without being fatty and detrimental, which benefits your pup by boosting energy levels.

It will keep your doggo fueled for hours, and then when he is finished exercising it will also provide him with the amino acids needed to repair and rebuild, and it is this process that allows him to become healthier and stronger. High-quality proteins will also encourage healthy skin and a shiny coat, whereas poor-quality proteins can lead to problems such as itchy and irritated skin.

In the protein comparison we can see that both brands offer an exceptionally high protein content on all their foods compared to other brands. The clear winner here Orijen, as we can see that all three foods have a protein content up into the high thirty and early forty percentiles, meaning there is an abundance of protein ingredients. Fats are the most calorific ingredients in food and as such provide the most concentrated source of energy in his diet. A lack of essential omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are commonly associated with poor eyesight and impaired cognitive ability.

As we can see the fat content between both brands is similar, with Acana having a slightly lower amount to help balance it against the lower protein content. Both are within the recommended amount for a balanced diet. So, if your pooch is experiencing any of these problems take a minute to think about whether he is getting enough fiber in his diet, and if not, speak to your Veterinarian about changing his food or supplementing fiber in his diet.

It is a great way to re-establish intestinal balance and movement and can be beneficial to dogs young and old. Here we can see that both Acana and Orijen provide similar and high proportions of fiber , which is great for digestive systems and will help pooches to digest the rich protein content.

But the same cannot be said for our pooch and his food, and often dogs are given the same food day in and day out for our ease and because their digestive systems prefer routine. Dry kibble can sometimes be a bit boring for dogs, and some will even turn their nose up and only eat it if there is nothing else on offer my spoilt English Bull Terrier being the biggest culprit of them all! Both Acana and Orijen, whilst not offering the largest selection of flavors amongst pet food creators, do have a handful of flavors for each product , so your doggo should be happy with his meal times should you choose to add a little variety to it.

Value for money is usually at the top of many pet owners lists when it comes to buying food, especially if you have a big eater such as a Mastiff or Rottweiler.

Sometimes, like human products, you can be paying for the name not the quality. Prices can vary wildly for effectively the same food, so it is important to know how to sort the wheat from the chaff. To do this you first need to know what type of diet your pooch needs and why.

For example, smaller dogs with high energy will burn a lot of calories so a food with a higher calorie content per cup is best, compared to a sedentary old timer who will need less calories and more in the way of beneficial vitamins and glucosamine. Then it becomes a simple calculation of value for money and who gives you better quality protein ingredients, calories and vitamins for the least amount of money. This table offers a quick comparison of the average cost of both brands on their most popular grain free size specific and weight management dry food.

On a pound for pound basis Acana comes out considerably cheaper than Orijen by over a dollar per pound which directly correlates to the price breakdown per calorie. While Orijen does have a much higher protein content, the price would appear to be disproportionately higher on a percentage-based cost comparison.

Calories are slightly higher per cup with Orijen, but not enough to warrant the extra price, so here, we feel that Acana offers better value for money. As with all products there will be questions that are not answered by nutrition content alone. Q: Are expensive dog foods worth it? A: We believe that paying for good food is worth the extra cost in the long run. A good quality food will make your pup healthier and help to stave off a lot of health conditions that can be caused by poor diet and dog food ingredients.

That being said, you should balance cost and benefits in regards to your budget. Q: Where can I buy Acana and Orijen? A: Both brands are readily available in most pet stores and easily purchased via online marketplaces such as Amazon. Q: How do I know which has better nutritional content for my dog?