Marco Williams
Open Farm and Orijen sit at the premium end of the dog food market, but they solve the same problem differently: Orijen pushes protein and fat density as high as possible, while Open Farm builds its case on ethical sourcing and traceability. Both brands offer a grain-free flagship, a grain-inclusive alternative, and specialty recipes, which makes a direct product-by-product comparison the clearest way to see where they actually differ.
Below, we compare all seven core dry dog food SKUs across both brands: guaranteed analysis, AAFCO life-stage coverage, price, and cost per day, so you can match a specific product to your dog instead of picking a brand on reputation alone.
- Highest Protein → Orijen Original — ~$2.37/day
- Most Ethically Sourced → Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon — ~$2.75/day
- Lowest Cost Per Day → Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon & Ancient Grains — ~$2.34/day
- Highest Protein Density Overall → Orijen Regional Red — ~$2.92/day
Open Farm vs Orijen: All 7 Products at a Glance
| Product | Protein | Fat | Kcal/Cup | Price/lb | Cost/Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon | 30% | 14% | 420 | $4.55 | $2.75 |
| Open Farm Homestead Turkey & Chicken | 30% | 14% | 436 | $4.27 | $2.58 |
| Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon & Ancient Grains | 26–29.5% | 15% | 424 | $4.05 | $2.34 |
| Orijen Original | 38% | 18% | 473 | $4.55 | $2.37 |
| Orijen Six Fish | 38% | 18% | 466 | $5.40 | $2.85 |
| Orijen Regional Red | 38% | 18% | 463 | $5.20 | $2.92 |
| Orijen Amazing Grains Original | 38% | 18% | 490 | $4.76 | $2.64 |
Brand Overview
About Open Farm
Open Farm was founded in 2014 in Toronto by Jacqueline Prehogan and Isaac Langleben. The brand was built around one idea: pet food that’s good for the dog and doesn’t come at the expense of the animals and farms it’s sourced from. Every ingredient in an Open Farm bag is traceable back to its origin through the company’s transparency tool.
Open Farm doesn’t manufacture in-house. It partners with certified facilities across the US, Canada, and Iceland, each vetted for food-safety standards. The company holds Certified Humane, Global Animal Partnership, and Ocean Wise certifications across its protein sourcing, which is the backbone of its “ethically sourced” positioning.
About Orijen
Orijen is the flagship brand of Champion Petfoods, founded in 1985 and acquired by Mars Petcare in 2023, though it still operates as an independent unit within Mars Pet Nutrition. Unlike Open Farm, Orijen manufactures in its own kitchens: Kentucky for the US market, Alberta for Canada.
Orijen’s whole philosophy is “biologically appropriate” feeding, built to mirror what a dog’s ancestors would have eaten in the wild. That translates into very high animal-ingredient inclusion, 85–90% depending on the recipe, and a WholePrey model that includes meat, organs, and bone rather than just muscle meat.
Open Farm vs Orijen: Product-by-Product Comparison
Grain-Free Flagships: Wild-Caught Salmon vs Original
These are each brand’s core grain-free recipe, the ones most owners compare first. Orijen runs meaningfully higher on protein and fat by design. Open Farm’s numbers sit closer to the standard premium range, which suits dogs that don’t need, or can’t handle, a very rich diet.
Best for: owners who prioritize ethical sourcing and traceability.
Cost per day: ~$2.75 for a 40 lb adult dog.
Why It Made the List?
- Backed by Ocean Wise certification on the primary protein source, not just a marketing claim
- 100% traceable ingredients through Open Farm’s lot-lookup tool
- Certified sourcing standards apply across Open Farm’s entire protein lineup, not just this SKU
Key Specs
- 30% protein min / 14% fat min / 420 kcal per cup
- AAFCO: All Life Stages, except growth of large-size dogs (70 lb+ as adult)
- First 5 ingredients: salmon, chickpeas, ocean whitefish meal, peas, herring meal
Honest Take
- No Amazon’s Choice badge on this listing as of our last check
- Protein and fat sit meaningfully below Orijen’s numbers, which suits dogs that don’t need a rich diet
- Most common owner report: visible coat improvement and good palatability.
- Most common complaint: price given the lower protein percentage versus Orijen.
Best for: large-breed puppies and owners who want the highest protein density on the market.
Cost per day: ~$2.37 for a 40 lb adult dog.
Why It Made the List?
- Only recipe in this comparison with AAFCO coverage for large-breed puppy growth on the base formula
- 38% minimum protein, tied for the highest crude protein floor in this comparison
- Made in Champion Petfoods’ own Kentucky kitchen, not a co-packed facility
Key Specs
- 38% protein min / 18% fat min / 4% fiber max / 473 kcal per cup
- AAFCO: All Life Stages, including growth of large-size dogs (70 lb+ as adult)
- First 5 ingredients: chicken, turkey, salmon, whole herring, chicken liver
Honest Take
- Portion control matters more here since the calorie density is higher than most kibble on the market
- Carries an Amazon’s Choice badge, one of three verified Orijen SKUs that does
- Most common owner report: shinier coat and firmer stool within weeks of switching.
- Most common complaint: price, and some dogs needing a slower transition due to richness.
Grain-Inclusive: Ancient Grains vs Amazing Grains
Both brands offer a grain-inclusive alternative to their flagship recipe. Grain-inclusive isn’t a downgrade for most healthy adult dogs; it’s a different macronutrient mix, with oats, quinoa, and other whole grains replacing some of the legume content in the grain-free versions.
Best for: dogs with sensitive stomachs, or owners who don’t need a grain-free diet.
Cost per day: ~$2.34 for a 40 lb adult dog, the lowest in this comparison.
Why It Made the List?
- Lowest cost-per-day of any SKU in this comparison at $2.34/day for a 40 lb dog
- Open Farm’s own product copy recommends this recipe specifically for dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Grain-inclusive formula gives an option for dogs that don’t need a grain-free diet
Key Specs
- 26–29.5% protein min / 15% fat min / 424 kcal per cup
- AAFCO: All Life Stages, except growth of large-size dogs (70 lb+ as adult)
- First 5 ingredients: salmon, oats, ocean whitefish meal, sorghum, quinoa
Honest Take
- Lower protein than Open Farm’s grain-free flagship, which is the point for dogs with sensitive digestion
- No Amazon’s Choice badge on this listing as of our last check
- Most common owner report: easier digestion and steady weight on this recipe.
- Most common complaint: price relative to Open Farm’s protein numbers versus competitors.
Best for: owners who want Orijen’s protein density with a grain-inclusive formula.
Cost per day: ~$2.64 for a 40 lb adult dog.
Why It Made the List?
- Carries an Amazon’s Choice badge, and the highest review rating of any SKU in this comparison at 4.7 stars
- Highest calorie density in this comparison at 490 kcal per cup
- Same 38% protein floor as the grain-free Original, so grain inclusion doesn’t cost you protein density
Key Specs
- 38% protein min / 18% fat min / 4% fiber max / 490 kcal per cup
- AAFCO: All Life Stages, including growth of large-size dogs (70 lb+ as adult)
- First 5 ingredients: chicken, turkey, chicken liver, whole herring, whole mackerel
Honest Take
- Highest calorie density in this comparison means the smallest daily scoop, worth noting for owners managing portion size visually
- 1K+ bought in the past month per Amazon, the strongest sales signal of any SKU we checked
- Most common owner report: dogs transitioning well from the grain-free Original.
- Most common complaint: price relative to Open Farm’s grain-inclusive option.
Alternative Proteins & Specialty Recipes
Beyond each brand’s flagship, both offer alternate-protein recipes for dogs that need variety or have a specific protein preference.
Best for: small and medium breed puppies, and owners who want dual-protein variety.
Cost per day: ~$2.58 for a 40 lb adult dog.
Why It Made the List?
- G.A.P.-certified sourcing on both turkey and chicken, not a single-protein claim
- Marketed suitability for small and medium breed puppies specifically
- Free of peas, corn, wheat, and soy
Key Specs
- 30% protein min / 14% fat min / 436 kcal per cup
- AAFCO: All Life Stages, except growth of large-size dogs (70 lb+ as adult)
- First 5 ingredients: turkey, chicken, ocean whitefish meal, potatoes, chickpeas
Honest Take
- No Amazon’s Choice badge on this listing either, a consistent pattern across all three verified Open Farm dry SKUs
- 541 reviews at 4.5 stars, the most-reviewed of Open Farm’s three core dry SKUs
- Most common owner report: good acceptance from picky eaters.
- Most common complaint: bag runs out faster than expected for larger dogs.
Best for: dogs with poultry sensitivities, and owners who want high protein from an all-fish source.
Cost per day: ~$2.85 for a 40 lb adult dog.
Why It Made the List?
- Poultry-free, built entirely around fish protein, a clear pick for dogs with chicken or turkey sensitivities
- Carries an Amazon’s Choice badge and the highest review count in this comparison at 1,525 reviews
- Six distinct fish sources for amino acid diversity, not a single-fish formula
Key Specs
- 38% protein min / 18% fat min / 4% fiber max / 466 kcal per cup
- AAFCO: All Life Stages, except growth of large-size dogs (70 lb+ as adult)
- First 5 ingredients: whole herring, salmon, monkfish, Acadian redfish, flounder
Honest Take
- Highest price per pound of any SKU in this comparison at $5.40/lb
- Strong fish smell reported by owners, worth knowing before switching
- Most common owner report: improved coat shine and reduced shedding.
- Most common complaint: strong odor and premium price point.
Best for: owners who want a red-meat protein source instead of poultry or fish.
Cost per day: ~$2.92 for a 40 lb adult dog, the highest in this comparison.
Why It Made the List?
- Built around beef, wild boar, and lamb, the only red-meat-first recipe in this comparison
- Same 38% protein floor as Original and Six Fish, so protein density isn’t traded off for the different protein source
- Rounds out a protein-rotation plan alongside Original or Six Fish
Key Specs
- 38% protein min / 18% fat min / 4% fiber max / 463 kcal per cup
- AAFCO: All Life Stages, except growth of large-size dogs (70 lb+ as adult)
- First 5 ingredients: beef, wild boar, lamb, pork, beef liver
Honest Take
- No Amazon’s Choice badge on this listing, the only Orijen SKU we checked without one
- Highest cost per day of any SKU in this comparison at $2.92 for a 40 lb dog
- Most common owner report: strong palatability, even with picky eaters.
- Most common complaint: price and only available in a 25 lb size, no smaller bag option confirmed.
AAFCO Life Stage Coverage: Where the Brands Really Differ?
Orijen Original and Orijen Amazing Grains Original are the only two recipes in this comparison formulated for All Life Stages including large-breed growth. Every other SKU, on both sides, is All Life Stages except growth of large-size dogs (70 lb or more as an adult).
If you’re feeding a large-breed puppy, talk to your vet before choosing an all-life-stages formula. Growth-phase nutrition needs are strict, and getting the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio wrong during rapid growth carries real orthopedic risk.
Recall History & Safety
Recall information here is sourced directly from FDA.gov records, not aggregator sites.
Open Farm: In December 2024, Open Farm announced a voluntary product removal of select lots across five Freeze-Dried Raw Morsel recipes and its Front Range Ancient Grains RawMix, due to small pieces of soft plastic film found in the product. The company classified this as a removal, not a formal recall, and reported no injuries. None of the seven dry kibble products in this comparison were affected.
Orijen: No US or Canada recalls on record. In June 2019, the FDA named Orijen as one of 16 brands under review in its investigation into a possible link between grain-free diets and canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). No recall resulted, and the FDA itself described the issue as complex and not conclusively tied to diet.
If your dog has any cardiac risk factors, talk to your vet before choosing a grain-free formula from either brand. The DCM investigation remains open-ended, and your vet is better positioned than any comparison article to weigh your dog’s individual risk.
Pros & Cons
Open Farm
Pros:
- Full ingredient traceability, farm to bag
- Certified Humane, G.A.P., and Ocean Wise sourcing
- Lower cost per day across every SKU we compared
- Grain-free and grain-inclusive options across all three verified SKUs
Cons:
- Lower protein and fat density than Orijen across the board
- No large-breed puppy growth coverage on any of the three verified SKUs
- No Amazon’s Choice badge on any verified SKU
- December 2024 product removal, even though limited in scope and no dry kibble affected
Orijen
Pros:
- Highest protein density in this comparison, 38% minimum across all four verified SKUs
- Two of four SKUs cover large-breed puppy growth on the base formula
- No US or Canada recall history
- Amazon’s Choice badge on 3 of 4 verified SKUs, a real trust signal
Cons:
- Higher cost per day across every SKU despite similar price per pound to Open Farm
- Named in the 2019 FDA grain-free/DCM investigation, still unresolved
- Very rich formula may not suit dogs with sensitive digestion
- No brand-wide ethical-sourcing certifications comparable to Open Farm’s
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Open Farm or Orijen product is best for large-breed puppies?
Orijen Original or Orijen Amazing Grains Original. They’re the only two recipes in this comparison formulated for All Life Stages including large-breed growth on the base AAFCO statement.
Which is cheaper day to day, Open Farm or Orijen?
Open Farm, across every SKU we compared. For a 40 lb adult dog, Open Farm runs $2.34 to $2.75 per day versus $2.37 to $2.92 for Orijen.
Is there a poultry-free option in either lineup?
Yes. Orijen Six Fish is poultry-free and built entirely around fish protein, a direct option for dogs with chicken or turkey sensitivities.
Has Open Farm or Orijen ever been recalled?
Open Farm had a voluntary product removal in December 2024 affecting freeze-dried and raw mix lines, not dry kibble, due to plastic contamination. Orijen has no US or Canada recall history, though it was named in a 2019 FDA investigation into grain-free diets and DCM.
Do both brands offer a grain-inclusive option?
Yes. Open Farm’s Wild-Caught Salmon & Ancient Grains and Orijen’s Amazing Grains Original are each brand’s grain-inclusive alternative to its grain-free flagship, and both share the same protein percentage as their grain-free counterpart at Orijen, while Open Farm’s grain-inclusive version runs slightly lower in protein.
Is Orijen too rich for dogs with sensitive stomachs?
It can be. Every Orijen SKU in this comparison runs at least 38% protein and 18% fat. If your dog has sensitive digestion, Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon & Ancient Grains is the gentler option in this comparison. Talk to your vet if you’re unsure.
Final Recommendation
If your dog is a large-breed puppy, or you want the highest protein density on the market, Orijen Original is the strongest pick across all seven products in this comparison. If your dog has poultry sensitivities, Orijen Six Fish covers that specifically, and Regional Red is worth rotating in if you want a red-meat protein source instead.
If ethical sourcing and a lower cost per day matter more to you, Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon is the strongest pick on that side. Open Farm Wild-Caught Salmon & Ancient Grains is worth a look if your dog has a sensitive stomach, and Homestead Turkey & Chicken is a solid choice for small and medium breed puppies.
Whichever product you choose, introduce it gradually over 7-10 days and monitor your dog’s weight and stool quality as you transition.
