Orijen and Acana Dog Food companies dominate the market for their innovative recipes. Working alongside nutritionists, these recipes keep getting more advanced, giving dogs a nutrient-rich diet that works best with their bodily systems.
But which brand is better? Here, we do a side-by-side comparison of what these two companies are all about and the quality you can expect when purchasing their products.
A Sneak Peek at the Winner: Acana
Image Product Details
Acana Wholesome Grains
Terrific animal and plant ingredients
Contains easily digestible additives
Great for everyday nutrition
Check Price
Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Diet
Single protein source
Immune and circulation support
No harmful fillers
Check Price
We think Orijen and Acana each have their strengths in the world of dog food, turning corners, and making waves. While both companies have thoughtful recipes that raise the standards for pet nutrition, we have a favorite.
Acana has very similar ingredients to its Orijen competitor. However, the individual bags vary in price quite a bit. We think more families can afford Acana in their budget, making this company slide into our favorite spot.
About Orijen
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Orijen is a pet food company that has been in business for over 30 years. Since the company switched its vision to offer raw and fresh freeze-dried dry kibble options, it’s grown exponentially.
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Today, Orijen offers biologically appropriate recipes to puppies, adults, and seniors. They have a series of specialized grain-free and grain options for dogs. Orijen also has four flavors of high-protein biscuit treats.
Orijen products are considered premium, and the prices reflect that. Unfortunately, Orijen has high-end options at expensive rates, so it might not be an option for all budgets, but the nutritional benefits can definitely be worth your money.
Pros
Premium fresh and raw ingredients
Biologically appropriate recipes
Specialized diets
High protein recipes
Cons
Not the best option for overweight dogs
Pricey
Premium fresh and raw ingredients
Biologically appropriate recipes
Specialized diets
High protein recipes
- Premium fresh and raw ingredients
- Biologically appropriate recipes
- Specialized diets
- High protein recipes
Not the best option for overweight dogs
Pricey
- Not the best option for overweight dogs
- Pricey
About Acana
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Champion Pet Foods own Acana. Like Orijen, they aim to provide biologically appropriate recipes for dogs, which include fresh and raw ingredients. They have been around for quite a while, developing a reputation in the dog food industry.
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Acana offers delicious kibbles, wet canned foods, and treats to appeal to canine appetites. They even carry specialized formulas for sensitive diets.
They have recently adjusted their recipes to create nutritionally wholesome recipes. They now use raw and fresh freeze-dried ingredients in their formulas to give canines a natural dietary experience.
Acana is a premium dog food, reflecting that in price. But we have to say that compared to the quality, the price is fair and affordable on most budgets.
Pros
Premium ingredients
Excellent source of grain and protein
Several recipe choices
Fresh and freeze-dried protein
Cons
Pricey
Premium ingredients
Excellent source of grain and protein
Several recipe choices
Fresh and freeze-dried protein
- Premium ingredients
- Excellent source of grain and protein
- Several recipe choices
- Fresh and freeze-dried protein
Pricey
- Pricey
3 Most Popular Orijen Dog Food Recipes
Orijen has several different recipes and a few lines to offer. Here are our favorites for comparison’s sake.
Regarding the best Orijen dog food for everyday nutrition, we loved Orijen Amazing Grains Original Dry Dog Food. It is a grain-inclusive recipe that pulls only the best nutrients to the batch. It has just the right combination of ingredients to keep your pup healthiest.
Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey, chicken liver, whole herring, whole mackerel
Calories 490 par cup/3,920 per bag
Protein 0%
Fat 0%
Fiber 0%
Check Price on Chewy
This is Orijen’s classic WholePrey diet, containing seven meat ingredients before any grains in the recipe. It contains muscle, organs, and eggs to reap the rewards from animal protein sources. Then, to promote healthy digestion, this recipe includes easy fibrous grains like oat groats and millet.
Each serving contains 490 calories. This is pretty high for most dogs unless they are very active. So, be mindful of servings and consider your dog’s energy levels. The fat content is slightly high for an average, everyday diet, too.
Otherwise, this recipe is a solid meal choice for any canine with an active lifestyle.
Pros
For active lifestyles
Promote healthy digestion
Contain high proteins and grains
Cons
Pricey
When it comes to grain-free food options, we think Orijen Regional Red is an excellent pick. It contains scrumptious, iron-filled protein sources from primal animals like wild boar.
For active lifestyles
Promote healthy digestion
Contain high proteins and grains
- For active lifestyles
- Promote healthy digestion
- Contain high proteins and grains
Main Ingredients Beef, wild boar, goat, lamb
Calories 463 per cup/3,860 per bag
Protein 0%
Fat 0%
Fiber 0%
Each cup has 463 calories, meaning it’s an abundant energy source. In the guaranteed analysis, the protein content is 38.0%, served in raw freeze-dried bits.it also has lots of nutrient-rich red meats: beef, wild boar, goat, and lamb.
Rather than using potentially irritating ingredients, this recipe contains lentils and pinto beans. This provides a carbohydrate source without triggering allergies.
This recipe also caters to gut health, offering over 1 million CFU/lb of probiotics. It also contains a necessary nutrient called glucosamine to give joint and muscle support.
All in all, we have to say that these ingredients and the flavor in this recipe score pretty high on the list.
Pros
Extremely high protein
Live probiotics
Glucosamine for joint support
Cons
Not all dogs need a grain-free diet
Puppy health is of prime importance. Orijen Puppy Grain-Free Dry Puppy provides a comprehensive diet to feed your dog’s growing body throughout juvenile stages. We think you’ll appreciate this puppy chow.
Extremely high protein
Live probiotics
Glucosamine for joint support
- Extremely high protein
- Live probiotics
- Glucosamine for joint support
Not all dogs need a grain-free diet
- Not all dogs need a grain-free diet
Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey, turkey giblets, flounder, whole mackerel
Calories 475 per cup/3,960 per bag
Protein 0%
Fat 0%
Fiber 0%
If you have a pup with boundless energy, they need a meal that will help replenish those burning calories. This recipe contains 475 calories per cup, providing an excellent carb source for optimal energy levels.
Both fresh and raw freeze-dried meat dominate the recipe, containing several healthy protein sources right off the rip. Then, it contains DHA, EPA, and glucosamine for healthy immunity, brain development, and joint support.
Rather than using grain, it is full of nutritious legumes.
Pros
Excellent formula for growing puppies
DHA, EPA, and glucosamine
No harsh grains
Cons
Not for adult dogs
Excellent formula for growing puppies
DHA, EPA, and glucosamine
No harsh grains
- Excellent formula for growing puppies
- DHA, EPA, and glucosamine
- No harsh grains
Not for adult dogs
- Not for adult dogs
3 Most Popular Acana Dog Food Recipes
When it comes to a solid everyday nutrition recipe, we recommend Acana Wholesome Grains. It contains an excellent combination of ingredients to keep your adult dog feeling and looking its best.
Main Ingredients Beef, deboned pork, beef meal
Calories 371 per cup/3,370 per bag
Protein 0%
Fat 0%
Fiber 0%
In one serving, there are 371 calories. This is a modest total, working for low to moderate activity levels—fitting the needs of most domestic dogs. It also contains nutrient-heavy protein sources like beef and deboned pork.
On top of animal protein, it has some pretty phenomenal plant-based additives like butternut squash and pumpkin. This recipe is easy on the digestive tract, balanced, and complete.
However, if you have a very active breed, this formula’s caloric content might be a little low.
Pros
Terrific animal and plant ingredients
Contains easily digestible additives
Great for everyday nutrition
Cons
Low calories aren’t good for active breeds
If you want to check out one of Acana’s grain-free options, we think you’ll love the Acana Singles Limited Ingredient Diet. Using pork and squash, it offers a novel protein with easily digestible grains as carbohydrates.
Terrific animal and plant ingredients
Contains easily digestible additives
Great for everyday nutrition
- Terrific animal and plant ingredients
- Contains easily digestible additives
- Great for everyday nutrition
Low calories aren’t good for active breeds
- Low calories aren’t good for active breeds
Main Ingredients Deboned pork, pork liver, sweet potato, whole chickpeas
Calories 388 per cup/3,408 per bag
Protein 0%
Fat 0%
Fiber 0%
This recipe has incredible protein content, measuring at 31.0% on the guaranteed analysis. In addition to pork, it also contains pork organs, and pork fat to provide extra benefits. But it only contains a single protein source to avoid triggering allergies.
In one serving, there are 388 calories, making it suitable for most adult dogs. This particular recipe hones in on joint support, circulation, and immune health. It also contains taurine and other important nutrients to keep their systems moving smoothly.
This recipe also contains no peas, corn, or isolates.
Pros
Single protein source
Immune and circulation support
No harmful fillers
Cons
Not all dogs need grain-free diets
If you want a well-rounded diet for your puppy, Acana Puppy Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is an affordable option containing fresh and raw benefits.
Single protein source
Immune and circulation support
No harmful fillers
- Single protein source
- Immune and circulation support
- No harmful fillers
Not all dogs need grain-free diets
- Not all dogs need grain-free diets
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, chicken meal
Calories 408 per cup/3,575 per bag
Protein 0%
Fat 0%
Fiber 0%
While it contains chicken, which can sometimes be an allergy trigger, they use the best-sourced ingredients for less chance of an internal upset. It also has a high amount of protein and fiber for optimal development.
This recipe contains awesome superfoods that carry all sorts of nutritional benefits. Some easily digestible and nutrient-rich ingredients include pumpkin, collard greens, apples, and pears.
This recipe is a fabulous choice for growing dogs, as it provides a primal recipe with all sorts of top-notch nutrients. But breeds prone to weight gain might not benefit from it.
Pros
Nourishing pumpkin
Contains lots of superfoods
Great for puppies
Cons
Not suitable for adult dogs
Recall History of Orijen & Acana
We have to say, we’re colored impressed. Orijen or Acana have ever been recalled. We want to put out there that this is a rare occurrence and shows the company’s integrity.
Nourishing pumpkin
Contains lots of superfoods
Great for puppies
- Nourishing pumpkin
- Contains lots of superfoods
- Great for puppies
Not suitable for adult dogs
- Not suitable for adult dogs
Both brands undergo rigorous testing to ensure that their products are quality. This is especially important to do with raw and fresh diets, as risks for foodborne illnesses tend to be higher.
Orijen & Acana Comparison
In order to get a really thorough understanding of exactly what goes into your dog’s food bowl, we will compare similar recipes from both companies.
Recipes
Orijen Regional Red Acana Wholesome Grains Red Meat & Grains
Main Ingredients Beef, wild boar, beef liver, pork, beef meal Beef, deboned pork, beef meal, oat groats, whole sorghum, whole millet
Protein Sources Beef, wild boar, pork, fish, lamb Beef, pork, lamb
Calories 463 per cup 371 per cup
Protein 38% 27%
Fat 18% 17%
Fiber 4% 6%
Moisture 12% 12%
Orijen and Acana are protein-dense recipes with optimal ingredients. But if we break down these two similar recipes, what do we see?
The protein content in Orijen Regional Red is significantly higher than Acana—exceeding Acana by 11%. Orijen contains wild boar, and Acana plays it safe with three protein sources.
Orijen has a much higher calorie count than Acana. While this will liven up the energy levels of most active dogs, it can cause serious weight gain in some dogs. You should steer away from the number of calories in Orijen food if your dog is already overweight or suffers from diabetes.
Because Orijen offers so many protein sources in the first several ingredients, it’s probably no surprise that they beat Acana with protein content. Acana has a moderate protein level that is still much higher than most commercial brands. While Orijen aims to give a more primal diet, it can be too much protein for some dogs.
Acana contains more fiber, promoting healthy digestion. But Orijen still has a fair amount—more than enough to be sufficient.
Both recipes contain the same moisture content. These recipes can also be rehydrated for a tasty textured eating experience.
Taste
Orijen
Using delicious fresh and raw ingredients, both companies have tasty recipes canines love. Both take pride in using both novel and common protein, but only the best of the best.
However, since Orijen has such a large variety of protein sources, we think they win the vote for taste.
Nutritional Value
Acana
We believe nutrition is the single most important aspect of choosing a brand. Both brands offer superb value to canines. However, they are a bit different.
Acana uses premium ingredients to cater to the greater whole. Orijen targets high-energy, working breeds.
Price
Acana definitely wins the prize here. Orijen is very expensive. However, we understand that they use human-grade ingredients, which are considered pricier to formulate.
Due to Acana having such similar nutritional value, we can’t say we could justify voting Acana to be the winner.
Selection
Both Acana and Orijen have a variety of recipes, but Acana outdoes its competitors here. They have neck-in-neck numbers in wet food and treats, but Acana offers 22 different dry dog food formulas—Orijen has 16.
Orijen, however, outdoes Acana with treats, offering 13 flavors. We think both companies have excellent product lines, considering allergies and sensitivities.
Acana
22 bags of dry kibble
6 wet canned food
8 Freeze-dried
7 Treats
Orijen
14 bags of dry kibble
6 wet canned food
13 treats
Overall
We think that Acana would work better in most households. It has valuable nutrition at a fraction of the price of its competitor, Orijen.
22 bags of dry kibble
6 wet canned food
8 Freeze-dried
7 Treats
- 22 bags of dry kibble
- 6 wet canned food
- 8 Freeze-dried
- 7 Treats
14 bags of dry kibble
6 wet canned food
13 treats
- 14 bags of dry kibble
- 6 wet canned food
- 13 treats
Also, while Orijen has protein-rich recipes, it might be too much for mild to moderate activity levels, causing canine weight gain.
Conclusion
We think your dogs can benefit from Orijen and Acana alike. However, some factors make Acana the better choice. Ultimately, it’s quality raw and fresh freeze-dried ingredients and healthy, versatile recipe choices—textures and tastes like.
But Orijen really aims to give a majority of animal protein using meat, organs, and other parts for optimal benefits. Active dogs can definitely get the most from these premium recipes.
