Wild Reserve Free-Run Chicken & Wild-Caught Fish Recipe Dry Cat Food
Verified May 20, 2026
A very high-protein, high-fat dry cat food made from multiple animal sources including fresh and dehydrated chicken, turkey, salmon, and whole fish. It also contains organ meats, egg, and added pollock oil to support essential fatty acid intake, plus probiotics and fiber sources for digestive support. This formula is designed as a complete diet for cats of all ages who do well on a rich, meat-heavy kibble with added freeze-dried chicken pieces for extra palatability.
This is a nutrient-dense, meat-forward dry food that should suit healthy, active cats and growing kittens who tolerate higher protein and fat well. The use of multiple named meats, organ meats, and fish, along with good omega-3 levels and probiotics, makes it a strong option from a nutritional standpoint. It is formulated to be complete and balanced for all life stages, but the legume-heavy carbohydrate profile and very high caloric density mean portion control and careful monitoring of body weight are important.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- High protein (40% as-fed) with multiple named animal sources, including fresh and dehydrated meats, organs, egg, and whole fish, which support a full amino acid profile for carnivorous cats.
- Rich in omega fatty acids, including EPA and DHA from fish and pollock oil, which can support skin, coat, and overall health.
- Includes probiotics (Bacillus coagulans) and prebiotic fiber sources like chicory root and lentil fiber that may help support digestive health.
- AAFCO-formulated as complete and balanced for all life stages, so it can be used for kittens, adults, and seniors if fed in appropriate amounts.
Considerations
- Legumes (lentils, beans, chickpeas, peas) are used heavily as carbohydrate and fiber sources; while more concerning in dogs due to DCM research, some cats with sensitive digestion may not do as well on legume-heavy formulas.
- Very calorie-dense (about 515 kcal per cup), so overfeeding is easy; many cats will need smaller portions than owners expect to maintain a healthy weight.
- Contains common proteins such as chicken, turkey, fish, and egg, which are frequent triggers for food allergies in sensitive cats, so it is not a good fit for cats needing a limited-ingredient or novel-protein diet.
- High protein and fat levels may be too rich for some sedentary, overweight, or pancreatitis-prone cats, who often need more moderate calorie and fat intake.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
02
Turkey
Turkey is commonly used as a primary animal protein in dog and cat foods, offering highly digestible, high‑quality protein and supplying essential amino acids along with B vitamins, phosphorus and zinc to support muscle maintenance and metabolism. Its fat level varies by cut so products can be lean or richer; some pets may develop allergies to poultry, cooked bones are hazardous, raw meat carries bacterial risk, and owners should rely on balanced commercial formulations (and ensure adequate taurine for cats) if turkey is a main ingredient.
03
Herring
Herring is commonly used as a high-quality, palatable fish protein and oil source in dog and cat foods, supplying digestible protein along with beneficial long-chain omega-3s (EPA/DHA), vitamin D, B vitamins and trace minerals. It can support skin, coat and joint health, but may be an allergen for some pets and raw fish can contain thiaminase (typically destroyed by commercial cooking); owners should also consider fat content for pancreatitis-prone animals and look for responsibly sourced, low-contaminant products.
04
Turkey Giblet
Turkey giblets (commonly hearts, livers, gizzards and sometimes neck) are used in pet foods as a flavorful animal protein source and palatability enhancer, supplying concentrated protein, B vitamins (notably B12), iron, zinc and other trace minerals. They are nutrient-dense for both dogs and cats but should be included in balanced amounts because liver is very high in vitamin A and can cause hypervitaminosis if overused, may trigger poultry allergies in sensitive animals, and must be properly processed to minimize bacterial contamination.
05
Turkey Heart
Turkey heart is an organ meat commonly used in pet foods as a high-quality protein and palatability ingredient that also provides essential amino acids (including taurine), B vitamins, iron, zinc and other trace minerals. It can be especially beneficial for cats because of its taurine content and for dogs as a nutrient-dense protein source, but should be included in balanced amounts (not as the sole diet component) and handled/processed properly to avoid pathogens or intolerance in sensitive pets.
Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Brand
ORIJEN is Champion Petfoods' flagship super-premium brand, designed to mimic the evolutionary diets of dogs and cats. ORIJEN foods feature a high inclusion of fresh, whole meats and minimal processing. The brand positions itself in the super-premium segment, appealing to pet owners prioritizing ancestral feeding principles and transparency in ingredient sourcing.
Visit OrijenManufacturer
Champion Petfoods maintains full control over its manufacturing through its own award-winning kitchens — NorthStar in Alberta, Canada, and DogStar in Kentucky, USA. The company implements strict quality control, adheres to HACCP and FDA manufacturing standards, and monitors safety through both internal testing and third-party audits.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Orijen Wild Reserve Free-Run Chicken & Wild-Caught Fish Recipe Dry Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Orijen ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Orijen. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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