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Essence Air & Gamefowl Dry Cat Food Orijen Guardian 8 Dry Cat Food

Orijen Guardian 8 Dry Cat Food scores higher on KibbleLab, 8.7 to 7.8. Compare ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and AAFCO nutritional adequacy, side by side.

Essence Air & Gamefowl Dry Cat Food and Orijen Guardian 8 Dry Cat Food compared

Nutrients:
As Fed
Essence Air & Gamefowl Dry Cat Food
Essence Air & Gamefowl Dry Cat Food

Verified Jul 20, 2026

Orijen Guardian 8 Dry Cat Food
Orijen Guardian 8 Dry Cat Food

Verified May 18, 2026

KibbleLab score The KibbleLab expert rating, 0 to 10, based on published veterinary science. No one can pay for a higher score.
7.8 / 10 8.7 / 10
Guaranteed analysis (as fed)
Protein Guaranteed analysis gives label minimums and maximums, not measured values, shown as fed.
40.00% 40.00%
Fat 18.00% 18.00%
Fiber 4.00% 4.00%
Calcium 1.50% 1.40%
Phosphorus 1.00% 1.10%
Omega-3 0.25% 1.20%
Omega-6 3.00% 3.00%
Taurine 0.20% 0.10%
Moisture Higher moisture means a wetter food; it dilutes the other percentages above.
10.00% 10.00%
Calories 3940 kcal/kg 3980 kcal/kg
Calorie density Moderate Moderate
Ingredients
Full ingredient list Every ingredient on each label, in order of weight.
Turkey, Chicken, Duck, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal, Chicken Meal, Red Lentils, Chickpeas, Green Lentils, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Guineafowl, Potassium Chloride, Coconut Flour, Choline Chloride, Pumpkin, Magnesium Proteinate, Dandelion, Taurine, FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDE, Salt, Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, Rosemary Extract, Chia Oil, Niacin Supplement, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B5 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement. Show full list
Chicken, salmon, turkey, whole herring, chicken liver, dehydrated chicken, dehydrated turkey, dehydrated sardine, dehydrated chicken liver, dehydrated egg, whole red lentils, whole pinto beans, turkey giblets (liver, heart, gizzard), eggs, rabbit, pollock oil, whole green lentils, whole navy beans, whole chickpeas, whole peas, ground miscanthus grass, natural chicken flavor, chicken fat, chicken hearts, whole cranberries, choline chloride, dried kelp, mixed tocopherols (preservative), whole pumpkin, whole butternut squash, collard greens, whole apples, whole pears, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, dried chicory root, hydrolyzed yeast, dried brewers yeast, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, vitamin B12 supplement, copper proteinate, dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product, turmeric, sarsaparilla root, althea root, rosehips, juniper berries, citric acid (preservative), rosemary extract. Show full list
Limited ingredient No No
Health focus Digestive health, Immune support Immune support, Digestive health, Skin coat health, Heart care, Joint care, Bone health, Cognitive health, Brain health, Eye health
Format & suitability
Food type Dry Dry
Texture Kibble Flakes
Processing Not listed Freeze Dried
Life stage Adult Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes All Breed Sizes
AAFCO nutritional adequacy
Complete & balanced Whether the manufacturer's label claims the food meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for a life stage. Not an independent test.
Yes Yes
Life stages Adult Maintenance Adult Maintenance
Substantiation How adequacy was established. Feeding trials are the higher bar; formulation means the recipe is calculated to meet the profile.
Formulation Formulation
Maker standards
WSAVA guidelines The World Small Animal Veterinary Association publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer: qualified nutritionists on staff, feeding trials, and published research. It does not certify or endorse brands.
No No
PSC accredited The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact through third-party verification. It reflects sustainability practices, not food quality.
No No
Recalls & where to buy
Recalls on record KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.
None None
Where to buy
Amazon Chewy
Amazon Chewy

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Shared ingredients

Both foods list these among their top ingredients, by label weight.

  • Turkey
  • Chicken

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Common Questions

Which food scores higher on KibbleLab?

Orijen Guardian 8 Dry Cat Food scores higher, 8.7 to 7.8 out of 10. Scores reflect published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score.

Do these two foods share ingredients?

Yes. They share these top ingredients: Turkey, Chicken.

Are both foods AAFCO complete and balanced?

Yes, both foods are labeled AAFCO complete and balanced.

See the full profiles: Essence Air & Gamefowl Dry Cat Food and Orijen Guardian 8 Dry Cat Food .

KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

This is a neutral, factual comparison, not a ranking or an endorsement of either product. A food's guaranteed analysis gives legal minimums and maximums for a few nutrients, not measured values. No one can pay for placement or a higher score.

Product details are compiled from public sources and may not reflect the latest formulation. Represent one of these brands? Request a correction. Anyone else can email us.