Original Freeze-Dried Medallions Dog Food
Verified Aug 28, 2026
This is a very high-protein, freeze-dried dog food made primarily from chicken, turkey, whole fish, and eggs, with small amounts of fruits and vegetables. It’s designed to be fed rehydrated as a complete meal or crumbled over other food as a protein-rich topper. The low starch content and inclusion of omega-3-rich fish make it well suited to active dogs who do well on meat-heavy diets.
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Strong Choice
Nutritionally, this is a meat-dense, very low-carbohydrate freeze-dried food that suits most healthy, active dogs when fed as directed. It uses multiple high-quality animal protein sources, with fish and added omega-3s to support a balanced fatty acid profile. It is complete and balanced for all life stages except large-breed puppy growth, so it’s not the right choice as a sole food for large-breed puppies.
Computed from 4 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.
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
Where these benefits come from
Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.What "not formulated for" means
Life stages this food isn't certified complete and balanced for, based on its AAFCO statement.KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Very high protein and fat levels from chicken, turkey, fish, and eggs provide concentrated energy for active dogs.
- Extremely low starch and sugar content can be helpful for dogs that do best on low-carbohydrate diets.
- Includes whole fish and added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support skin, coat, and overall health needs.
- AAFCO complete and balanced for all life stages except large-breed puppy growth, so it can be used as a primary diet for most dogs.
Considerations
- Contains chicken, turkey, eggs, and fish, so it is not suitable for dogs with allergies to any of these proteins.
- The high fat and calorie density may be too rich for some dogs prone to pancreatitis or needing strict calorie control.
- Not appropriate as a sole diet for large-breed puppies, due to AAFCO exclusion for large-breed growth.
- Freeze-dried foods need careful portion control; overeating can quickly lead to excess calorie intake and weight gain.
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.
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02
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
03
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.
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04
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.
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05
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.
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.Not sure how much of this to feed?
The right daily portion depends on your dog's weight, age, and activity level. Create a free account, add your dog, and get their daily calories and portion sizes.
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.
Manufacturer
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
No recall is listed for Orijen Original Freeze-Dried Medallions Dog Food.
Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Orijen ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Orijen. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
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 listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
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