Like most dog owners, you’re probably carrying the weight of deciding what dog food is best for your beloved pup. Not only is the pet food market saturated with different brands, recipes, and food types but it is also chock-full of confusion and contradicting information. So, how on earth are you supposed to make a final decision you feel secure with?
It all starts with narrowing down which brand is best suited for you and your dog. You have most likely heard of these two of the top-rated brands, Fromm and Orijen. We are here to compare the two of them for you. We’ve done all the dirty work and dug deep into each dog food company, so read along and we’ll break down each brand thoroughly.
A Sneak Peek at the Winner: Fromm
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Fromm Adult Dog Food Classic
Third-party pathogenic bacteria tested
Highly digestible and optimal nutrient utilization
Produced at Fromm’s family-owned-and-operated facilities
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Runner-Up
ORIJEN Original Dry Dog Food
High in protein and fiber
Packed with nutrient-dense organ meat
The first 5 ingredients are from animal protein
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It was certainly a close call, but our top contender for this comparison goes to Fromm. Not only is Fromm more cost-friendly and easier to fit into most budgets, but it’s also a brand that strives for quality and offers much more variety when it comes to food options. That doesn’t mean Orijen is something to look over entirely though, we’ll talk more about this below.
About Fromm
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The Fromm family started by breeding foxes, which eventually led to their passion for providing animals with optimal nutrition that is safe and tasty. Through lots of research and effort into developing the perfect food, the first bag of Fromm dog food hit the market in 1949. The family has served as pioneers in the premium pet food industry with premium recipes passed down through generations.
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Fromm went from a small operating facility to two large manufacturing plants in the state of Wisconsin.
Now a fifth-generation family-owned and operated business, all of Fromm’s foods are crafted in their family-owned plants. They produce a variety of food choices of premium dry food, wet food, and treats. Fromm has three dog food product lines that include 34 dry food recipes, 36 wet food recipes, and 15 different treat varieties.
They offer several different product lines and a variety of recipes and even cater to specialized diets. Animal protein is always the number one ingredient in every Fromm recipe and all dry food batches are third-party tested for pathogenic bacteria. Fromm is among many other brands listed in the FDA’s current investigation into the link between certain dog foods and canine heart disease.
Pros
Affordable
High-quality ingredients
Animal protein is always the #1 ingredient
A large variety of recipes
Grain-free and grain-inclusive varieties of dry/wet food
Cons
Named as a brand by the FDA regarding the potential connection between certain diets and cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Affordable
High-quality ingredients
Animal protein is always the #1 ingredient
A large variety of recipes
Grain-free and grain-inclusive varieties of dry/wet food
- Affordable
- High-quality ingredients
- Animal protein is always the #1 ingredient
- A large variety of recipes
- Grain-free and grain-inclusive varieties of dry/wet food
Named as a brand by the FDA regarding the potential connection between certain diets and cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
- Named as a brand by the FDA regarding the potential connection between certain diets and cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
About Orijen
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Orijen is a premium pet food brand that was founded in Canada in 1985 as a small pet food business. The brand is now known worldwide and is sold in 70 countries. They have manufacturing plants in Canada and Kentucky that fall under the parent company, Champion Pet Foods.
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The goal of Orijen is to get back to its natural origin and produce dog food that is as close to a wolf’s diet as possible. The first five ingredients in Orijen dog food are always derived directly from raw or fresh animal protein sources including meat, organ, and eggs.
Orijen makes dry kibble, canned food, freeze-dried food, and treats. Orijen’s main focus has always been geared toward a grain-free diet but they recently launched an Amazing Grains line following the ongoing FDA investigation into the link between many grain-free foods and heart disease in dogs.
Pros
The first 5 ingredients always come from animal sources
Formulated with 85% premium animal ingredients
Extremely high in protein
Packed with whole-prey nutrition including nutrient-rich organs
Great source of essential protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Cons
Expensive
Geared mainly toward grain-free diets
Named as a brand by the FDA regarding the potential connection between certain diets and cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
The first 5 ingredients always come from animal sources
Formulated with 85% premium animal ingredients
Extremely high in protein
Packed with whole-prey nutrition including nutrient-rich organs
Great source of essential protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- The first 5 ingredients always come from animal sources
- Formulated with 85% premium animal ingredients
- Extremely high in protein
- Packed with whole-prey nutrition including nutrient-rich organs
- Great source of essential protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Expensive
Geared mainly toward grain-free diets
Named as a brand by the FDA regarding the potential connection between certain diets and cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
- Expensive
- Geared mainly toward grain-free diets
- Named as a brand by the FDA regarding the potential connection between certain diets and cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
The 3 Most Popular Brand Fromm Dog Food Recipes
Fromm certainly has no shortage of recipe options for owners that have more specific needs. The company makes it really easy to break down these needs on their website. They offer a variety of premium dry kibble, premium wet food, and even a great choice of dog treat options. Here’s a breakdown of the top 3 best sellers from Fromm:
- Fromm Adult Dog Food Classic
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First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Pearled Barley, Oatmeal
Crude Protein: 23% Min.
Crude Fat: 15% Min.
Crude Fiber: 4% Max.
Moisture: 10 Max.
Caloric Content: 3,718 kcal/kg, 1,690 kcal/lb, 387 kcal/cup
There’s nothing quite like the classics. The Fromm Adult Dog Food Classic is among the most high-rated and best-selling Fromm products. This recipe is crafted with chicken as the number one ingredient. This recipe contains a blend of top-quality protein sources, essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.
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First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Pearled Barley, Oatmeal
Crude Protein: 23% Min.
Crude Fat: 15% Min.
Crude Fiber: 4% Max.
Moisture: 10 Max.
Caloric Content: 3,718 kcal/kg, 1,690 kcal/lb, 387 kcal/cup
Fromm ensures that the carbohydrates in their recipes are fully cooked for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption. The Adult Dog Food Classic is very reasonably priced and easy to fit most budgets while being high-quality and third-party tested for pathogenic bacteria.
The chicken and egg ingredients can flare up allergies in dogs that suffer from certain protein allergies. This recipe could easily be swapped out for another with a different protein source for dogs that suffer from allergies.
Pros
Easily digested and crafted for ideal nutrient absorption
Third-party pathogenic bacteria tested
Reasonably priced
Great balance of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids
Cons
Not ideal for allergy sufferers
- Fromm Adult Gold with Ancient Grains
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First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken Broth, Whole Barley, Whole Oats
Crude Protein: 26% Min.
Crude Fat: 16% Min.
Crude Fiber: 6% Max.
Moisture: 10 Max.
Caloric Content: 3,702 kcal/kg, 1,683 kcal/lb, 400 kcal/cup
Fromm’s Adult Gold with Ancient Grains incorporates the nutrition of whole ancient grains with high-quality chicken as the number one protein source. This recipe is priced great and is fantastic for active dogs and offers a well-balanced nutrient profile that is crafted to meet AAFCO guidelines.
Easily digested and crafted for ideal nutrient absorption
Third-party pathogenic bacteria tested
Reasonably priced
Great balance of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids
- Easily digested and crafted for ideal nutrient absorption
- Third-party pathogenic bacteria tested
- Reasonably priced
- Great balance of vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids
Not ideal for allergy sufferers
- Not ideal for allergy sufferers
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken Broth, Whole Barley, Whole Oats
Crude Protein: 26% Min.
Crude Fat: 16% Min.
Crude Fiber: 6% Max.
Moisture: 10 Max.
Caloric Content: 3,702 kcal/kg, 1,683 kcal/lb, 400 kcal/cup
Fromm enhances this recipe with probiotics to aid with digestion and includes salmon oil to support healthy skin and coat. As with all of Fromm’s batches, this food comes third-party tested for pathogenic bacteria. Chicken sourced recipes aren’t ideal for dogs that suffer from chicken allergies, but no worries, there are plenty of other recipes that are just as great and well-suited for those needs.
Pros
Well balanced nutrition for active dogs
Third-party pathogenic bacteria tested
Formulated to aid digestion
Reasonably priced
Cons
Not ideal for those with chicken allergies
- Fromm Large Breed Adult Gold Dog Food
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First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chicken Broth, Oat Groats, Pearled Barley
Crude Protein: 23% Min.
Crude Fat: 12% Min.
Crude Fiber: 5% Max.
Moisture: 10% Max.
Caloric Content: 3,561 kcal/kg, 1,619 kcal/lb, 377 kcal/cup
Fromm Family Large Breed Adult Gold Food is specifically formulated for large breed dogs that weigh over 50 pounds. For large breed lovers out there, this recipe is a way to ensure your big dog is getting exactly what they need. This is another chicken-derived recipe that is a top favorite.
Well balanced nutrition for active dogs
Third-party pathogenic bacteria tested
Formulated to aid digestion
Reasonably priced
- Well balanced nutrition for active dogs
- Third-party pathogenic bacteria tested
- Formulated to aid digestion
- Reasonably priced
Not ideal for those with chicken allergies
- Not ideal for those with chicken allergies
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chicken Broth, Oat Groats, Pearled Barley
Crude Protein: 23% Min.
Crude Fat: 12% Min.
Crude Fiber: 5% Max.
Moisture: 10% Max.
Caloric Content: 3,561 kcal/kg, 1,619 kcal/lb, 377 kcal/cup
Owners rave about how much their dogs love eating this formula and how Fromm was definitely worth the search for the right food. This recipe is also enhanced with salmon oil for healthy skin and coat. It is formulated with probiotics for digestive health and is a great blend of protein and other wholesome ingredients for a well-rounded diet.
Pros
Great food choice for large breeds
Probiotics aid in digestion
Salmon oil is great for skin and coat
Third-party tested for pathogenic bacteria
Cons
The recipe is formulated for large dogs only
Great food choice for large breeds
Probiotics aid in digestion
Salmon oil is great for skin and coat
Third-party tested for pathogenic bacteria
- Great food choice for large breeds
- Probiotics aid in digestion
- Salmon oil is great for skin and coat
- Third-party tested for pathogenic bacteria
The recipe is formulated for large dogs only
- The recipe is formulated for large dogs only
The 3 Most Popular Brand Orijen Dog Food Recipes
Here, we’ll look at the 3 most popular Orijen dog food recipes among dog owners. Most recently, Orijen added a new Amazing Grains line, while they had previously only had grain-free food options. Below is the list of the top sellers and most highly reviewed recipes:
The original recipes are most often the most beloved recipes of them all. The Orijen Original Grain-Free Dry Dog Food features chicken, turkey, flounder, whole mackerel, and chicken liver for a kick of that whole-prey protein.
First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Whole Mackerel, Chicken Liver
Crude Protein: 38% Min.
Crude Fat: 18% Min.
Crude Fiber: 4% Max.
Moisture: 12% Max.
Caloric Content: 3,940 kcal/kg, 473 kcal/cup
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This food is a high-quality source of essential protein, vitamins, and minerals and is freeze-dried coated for a strong kick of flavor. This is a grain-free variety and there are ongoing investigations into grain-free diets.
Pros
First five ingredients are whole animal protein
Freeze-dried coated for added flavor
Extremely high in protein
Offers a well-balanced blend of proteins, vitamins, and minerals
Cons
Expensive
Grain-free foods are currently being investigated for a potential link to heart disease
Orijen Tundra Grain-Free Dry Dog Food features lamb, venison, duck, whole arctic char, and whole pilchard as the top 5 ingredients. Like all foods that Orijen offers, the formula is crafted with 85 percent premium animal ingredients.
First five ingredients are whole animal protein
Freeze-dried coated for added flavor
Extremely high in protein
Offers a well-balanced blend of proteins, vitamins, and minerals
- First five ingredients are whole animal protein
- Freeze-dried coated for added flavor
- Extremely high in protein
- Offers a well-balanced blend of proteins, vitamins, and minerals
Expensive
Grain-free foods are currently being investigated for a potential link to heart disease
- Expensive
- Grain-free foods are currently being investigated for a potential link to heart disease
First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, Venison, Duck, Whole Arctic Char, Whole Pilchard
Crude Protein: 40% Min.
Crude Fat: 18% Min.
Crude Fiber: 5% Max.
Moisture: 12% Max.
Caloric Content: 3,860 kcal/kg, 463 kcal/cup
This formula is high in protein and well-balanced. It makes a great choice for dogs that suffer from allergies, as the protein sources in the recipe are not derived from the most common animal proteins that are the root cause of many cases of food allergies in dogs.
Pros
Great choice for allergy sufferers
Crafted with 85 percent premium animal ingredients
High in protein
Well balanced nutrition for adult dogs
Cons
Expensive
Grain-free foods are currently being investigated for a potential link to heart disease
Even the Ancient Grains line of Orijen lists the first five ingredients like fresh or raw animal protein. The Ancient Grains Regional Red Dry Dog Food is newer to the lineup but is already becoming a fast favorite. As the name describes, this food puts focus on protein-rich red meat.
Great choice for allergy sufferers
Crafted with 85 percent premium animal ingredients
High in protein
Well balanced nutrition for adult dogs
- Great choice for allergy sufferers
- Crafted with 85 percent premium animal ingredients
- High in protein
- Well balanced nutrition for adult dogs
First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Wild Boar, Lamb, Beef Liver, Pork
Crude Protein: 40% Min.
Crude Fat: 18% Min.
Crude Fiber: 5% Max.
Moisture: 12% Max.
Caloric Content: 3,860 kcal/kg, 463 kcal/cup
Crafted with beef, wild boar, lamb, beef liver, pork, and an assortment of ancient grains, this food is great for muscle maintenance and provides a healthy, well-balanced diet choice. There are even some added probiotics and prebiotics for digestive support. In addition, the pollock oil contains DHA and EPA to help support skin and coat health.
Pros
Includes prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion
DHA and EPA from pollock oil helps maintain healthy skin and coat
High in protein
Real meat sources make up the first 5 ingredients
Cons
Expensive
Includes prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion
DHA and EPA from pollock oil helps maintain healthy skin and coat
High in protein
Real meat sources make up the first 5 ingredients
- Includes prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion
- DHA and EPA from pollock oil helps maintain healthy skin and coat
- High in protein
- Real meat sources make up the first 5 ingredients
Expensive
- Expensive
Recall History of Brand Fromm and Orijen
Fromm does have a recall noted from March of 2016, which was their first-ever recall in the history of the company. Fromm voluntarily recalled 5,500 cases of Fromm Shredded can Entrée dog food due to potentially elevated levels of Vitamin D. No other Fromm products were affected by the recall.
Orijen also experienced a recall in November of 2008 that was limited to only Australia. The issue surrounding the recall was due to irradiation treatment required by Australian law. As a result of the recall, Orijen foods were pulled from the shelves in Australia directly by the company.
Important Note About Both Brands
In June of 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration identified both Fromm and Orijen as one of 16 pet food brands that are being investigated for links to heart disease in dogs and cats. None of those 16 brands have been recalled as of yet due to the FDA’s ongoing investigation. Most of the pet foods under investigation are grain-free dry kibble dog food formulas.
This is information that is important for any dog owner to be aware of. Currently, without the results from the investigation, it is best to speak directly with your dog’s veterinarian about their thoughts on certain diets and the potential health effects. Your veterinarian is a great resource if you have questions about feeding your dog the proper diet.
Fromm vs Orijen Comparison
So here we are going to break down each significant category and discuss how each of these food brands compares against the other.
Taste
When it comes to taste, we have to call it a tie. Orijen is packed full of animal protein and some of their recipes are freeze-dried coated to pack more of a flavorful punch. On the downside, Orijen doesn’t have nearly as many recipes to choose from, limiting what you can try out for taste testing, so Fromm has the advantage there.
Nutritional Value
Both Fromm and Orijen use quality ingredients in their dog food recipes. Orijen certainly uses higher amounts of whole animal protein and is much higher in protein overall, with recipes containing 85 percent animal ingredients. Each Orijen recipe trumps all Fromm recipes in terms of protein content.
Fromm does add some vegetables but added fruit is much less common in their recipes in comparison to Orijen. Fromm has more controversial ingredients and includes some potential allergens in some recipes, but the jury is still out on a lot of the controversy surrounding dog food ingredients.
As mentioned, Fromm recipes are lower in protein, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Some dogs do not have the high protein requirements as you’ll find in Orijen. If you are looking for higher protein content though, Orijen would be the best choice.
Price
It’s no secret that when you break down the cost into a pound-for-pound comparison, Orijen is significantly more expensive than Fromm. The expense of Orijen is to be expected because of the amount of whole animal protein in the ingredient list.
The winner of the price comparison goes to Fromm. It is great quality food that offers a much wider variety of product and recipe selections at a great price.
Selection
Fromm is the winner in terms of selection, hands down. Fromm has three dog food product lines with 34 dry food recipes, 36 wet food recipes, and 15 different treat varieties. On the other hand, Orijen may offer dry kibble, wet food, and freeze-dried food but the selection, albeit full of great products, is far from that provided by Fromm.
Overall
This was a pretty difficult choice and both Fromm and Orijen are high-quality dog food brands that certainly deserve some recognition. Overall, we chose Fromm as the top contender in this comparison for several reasons. Fromm is more price friendly, uses high-quality ingredients, and offers an amazing selection of recipes and food types.
Orijen is certainly nothing to be scoffed at, however. This brand offers recipes with unbeatable amounts of protein and always has fresh or raw meat making up the majority of the recipe. Orijen is much more expensive, and while it’s due to quality animal sources, it’s not going to work for all budgets.
Conclusion
While we did pick Fromm as the overall winner in this comparison, Orijen certainly put up a good fight and made the decision very difficult. Ultimately, it comes down to quality, price, and selection.
Considering that Orijen is mostly based on grain-free foods, except for the recent Amazing Grains line, Fromm overall offers up the best selection at the best price while being of great quality.
Fromm and Orijen are two well-known dog food brands for a reason. These two companies both put quality at the top of their priority list and offer some outstanding food choices for all types of dog owners.
