Many dog owners want to make sure their furry friends are as well taken care of as possible, and one way to do so is by feeding them the best food possible. As an increasing number of pet owners make changes to their dogs’ diets for their health, several independent luxury dog food companies have developed cult-like followings, and for a good reason.
Two of the most well-known dog food manufacturers in the world are Acana and Orijen. Even though neither brand is widely accessible at all shops, their use of high-quality, regional ingredients and well-balanced nutrition has allowed them to carve out a niche in the market for their respective products. Choosing between Acana and Orijen may be challenging, mainly since these two dog food brands are very similar and target the same markets.
To help and guide you in weighing which would you get, here are some comparisons of these two brands:
Acana
Acana uses physiologically suitable, locally sourced ingredients to produce its premium dog food formulations. Acana's product portfolio in the United States may be divided into three main categories. As the name suggests, Acana's Originals collection represents the starting point of the company's history. Along with typical tastes such as red meat or chicken, you'll discover the brand's Puppy & Junior Formula and Healthy & Fit Formula here, as well as the brand's Healthy & Fit Formula.
Acana varieties include:
Regionals
The Regionals line from Acana is inspired by local ecosystems and the natural protein sources found within them. While the Regionals line sold in the United States is based on components from Kentucky, the Regionals line marketed in Canada is based on ingredients from Alberta.
Singles
The Acana Singles recipes are created with just one source of animal protein per formula, allowing for greater efficiency. These formulations, which include a minimal number of plant-based components, are intended for dogs needing a restricted ingredient diet due to sensitivities or allergies. In addition to conventional kibble, the Singles range offers a variety of freeze-dried dog treats in different flavors.
+ Nutrient-dense Grains
Initially, all Acana dog food products were designed to be ultimately grain-free, and this remained the case. With the launch of its Plus Wholesome Grains products, Acana has increased the number of grain-inclusive formulations available in each of its three major product lines listed above from one to two. Because these dishes are made using oats instead of wheat, they remain gluten-free.
Orijen
Orijen, like Acana, is made using components that are native to the area and are physiologically suitable. Although there are some similarities between these two dog food brands, the most significant distinction is that Orijen's recipes include up to 15% more meat and animal-based components. These are the different dog food types available right now from Orijen:
Dry Kibble
Orijen's primary product line consists of a variety of grain-free kibble varieties. In addition to a few standard adult formulae, you'll discover recipes for puppies, seniors, various breeds, and weight control, as well as recipes for other specific needs.
Freeze-dried
In addition to the traditional kibble recipes, many dog owners flock to Orijen for the range of freeze-dried dog meals and treats. These recipes include up to 90 percent of freeze-dried animal products to maintain nutrition and taste while eliminating the mess and shortening the shelf life associated with wet formulas. All of Orijen's freeze-dried meals and snacks, much like the company's kibble formulations, are entirely grain-free.
Final Verdict
While Orijen's formulations include more animal components and protein on average, Acana emerges as the victor due to a wider variety of products, the availability of grain-free alternatives, and a more reasonable pricing point than the competition.
If you are looking for the best local and holistic pet store for your dog food needs, check us out at Wags To Wiskers! We provide quality products for your furry friends that can be ordered online or picked up at our Ann Arbor, Chelsea, and Ludington, MI locations. Check out our product line today.