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Sniff
ORIJEN

Puppy Poultry & Fish Pâté Recipe

Evidence Good
wet growth Data verified from brand site

ORIJEN Puppy Poultry & Fish Pâté Recipe earns a Sniff Score of 67/100 (B) with Good evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Reasonable protein quality. chicken delivers solid amino acid coverage..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Reasonable protein quality. chicken delivers solid amino acid coverage.

PQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI

Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).

FQI

Contains guar gum. Emerging microbiome data on emulsifiers; no canine clinical evidence. Minor penalty in canned food..

CIP
Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 50%
Protein
11%
min (as fed)
Fat
6.5%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1.5%
max (as fed)
Moisture
78%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 50%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

25 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

  2. 2
    chicken liver

    Organ meat. Dense in protein, iron, vitamin A, and the B vitamins. Among the most nutrient-rich ingredients a dog can eat.

  3. 3
    chicken heart

    Organ meat. Dense in taurine, B vitamins, and CoQ10. One of the best ingredients dogs can eat.

  4. 4
    mackerel
  5. 5
    chicken bone broth
  6. 6
    turkey bone broth
  7. 7
    broccoli

    Real vegetable. Adds fiber and some antioxidants. Fine in the small amounts used in kibble.

  8. 8
    dried egg product

    Whole eggs with the water removed. Same nutritional value as fresh eggs, just shelf-stable.

  9. 9
    carrots

    Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.

  10. 10
    sweet potato

    Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.

  11. 11
    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

  12. 12
    pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

  13. 13
    guar gum

    Thickener common in wet food. Emerging research on emulsifiers and the gut microbiome, but no smoking gun in dogs yet.

  14. 14
    dicalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.

  15. 15
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  16. 16
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  17. 17
    zinc amino acid chelate

    Zinc bound to amino acids for better absorption. Same idea as zinc proteinate, the premium form of the mineral.

  18. 18
    iron amino acid chelate

    Iron bound to amino acids for better absorption. Premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  19. 19
    selenium yeast

    Organic selenium grown in yeast. The form premium brands use, gentler and more bioavailable than sodium selenite.

  20. 20
    copper amino acid chelate

    Copper bound to amino acids for better absorption. Premium form versus copper sulfate.

  21. 21
    manganese amino acid chelate

    Manganese bound to amino acids for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.

  22. 22
    cobalt amino acid chelate

    Cobalt bound to amino acids for better absorption. Trace mineral needed for B12 synthesis.

  23. 23
    potassium iodide

    Source of iodine, an essential trace mineral for thyroid function. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.

  24. 24
    agar-agar

    Seaweed-derived gel used as a thickener. Functional alternative to carrageenan, generally well-tolerated.

  25. 25
    herring oil

    Concentrated omega-3 from herring. Same role as salmon oil, skin and coat support.

22 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.

AAFCO statement

ORIJEN® Puppy Poultry & Fish Pâté Recipe Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth and maintenance including growth of large size dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult).