Owned by
Mars Petcare
Made in
Canada, United States
Founded
2005
Where it's made
Canada (NorthStar Kitchens, Acheson, Alberta) and the United States (DogStar Kitchens, Auburn, Kentucky); AU-sold product is sourced from these Champion-owned kitchens
About this brand
Champion Petfoods flagship, owned by Mars Petcare since February 2023. AU-sold dry is manufactured at the NorthStar Kitchen in Acheson, Alberta (Canada), not the US Kentucky facility. 'Biologically Appropriate' WholePrey positioning emphasises high meat and organ inclusion.
Sister brands
The food
Obligate carnivore lens
The first ten ingredients on AU Original cat are named animal proteins (chicken, turkey, herring, giblets, salmon, plus dehydrated forms and egg) with roughly 90 percent stated animal content. Six legumes follow in close succession, which is the strict-lens caveat. Strong on animal content, with whole pulses substituting for plant protein isolates.
Pragmatic lens
AAFCO All Life Stages compliant with very high crude protein and labelling specificity that most brands at any price do not match.
Pros
Named animal proteins occupy at least the first ten ingredient positions, no plant protein isolates (whole pulses used instead), AAFCO All Life Stages flexibility for multi-cat households, highest animal-content density in the AU dry segment.
Cons
Six different legumes appear in close succession after the animal-led top, premium pricing at the top of the AU dry market, recent Mars ownership transition is too new to fully assess for formulation drift.
Recommendation
One of the more carnivore-aligned extruded kibbles available at AU retail, especially for households that want maximum animal-content density and are comfortable with the price band. Works well for households wanting whole pulses rather than plant protein isolates as the non-meat portion.
Common questions
Who owns Orijen?
Orijen is owned by Mars Petcare (US multinational, privately held). It shares a parent with Advance and Royal Canin.
Where is Orijen made?
Orijen sold in Australia is made in Canada and the United States.
Is Orijen grain-free?
Yes. Every Orijen recipe in our catalogue is grain-free.
Is Orijen good for cats?
One of the more carnivore-aligned extruded kibbles available at AU retail, especially for households that want maximum animal-content density and are comfortable with the price band. Works well for households wanting whole pulses rather than plant protein isolates as the non-meat portion.
The range
Products
16
Made in
Canada, USA
Most common first ingredients: chicken, duck, lamb, whole herring
No products in this range trigger synthetic preservatives, synthetic colours, synthetic flavours, added sugars, caramel colour, animal digest, plant protein.
Products
16 of 16Where to buy
Pet Circle, Petbarn, VetSupply, independent pet specialty retailers; importer Champion Petfoods Australia (shop.championpetfoods.com.au; apac.orijenpetfoods.com/en-AU)
Same recipe, different life stage
Orijen makes a chicken wet recipe across two life stages. Same protein, same format, so the difference you see below is the life stage, not the recipe.
Different life stages
A kitten food and an adult food are not interchangeable. Growth formulas run higher in protein, fat, calcium and energy. This is the difference to look at, not a like for like swap.
Chunks & Shreds Chicken & Tuna
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Chunks & Shreds Original Entrée
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
Compare with
Recall history
Orijen cat food was the subject of a 2008 precautionary recall in Australia, linked to gamma irradiation applied to imported product at the border. How recalls work in Australia →
Data reflects manufacturer-published information at the time of collection; formulations change, so always verify against the label on the product you intend to buy.
Last verified April 2026
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