Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Verified Aug 18, 2026
This is a high‑protein, small‑kibble dry food designed specifically for small breed puppies. It relies on multiple animal proteins like chicken, turkey, fish, organs, and egg for concentrated nutrition, with added DHA, EPA, and omega fatty acids to support growth and brain development. The recipe also includes probiotics and fiber-rich ingredients to help support healthy digestion during the puppy growth phase.
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Strong Choice
Nutritionally, this is a rich, meat‑forward formula that suits most small breed puppies who do well on higher protein and fat diets. The added DHA/EPA, appropriate calcium and phosphorus, and small kibble size make it well tailored for growing small dogs. Because it uses many different animal proteins and several legumes, it’s best for puppies without existing food sensitivities and not ideal if you are specifically trying to avoid grain‑free, legume‑heavy diets.
Computed from 3 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.
KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
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 multiple animal sources support active, growing small breed puppies well.
- Includes DHA, EPA, and a good calcium-to-phosphorus balance, which are important for healthy growth and brain development.
- Contains probiotics, chicory root, and various fibrous ingredients that can help support digestive health.
- Complete and balanced to AAFCO All Life Stages (excluding large-breed growth), so it covers puppy nutritional needs appropriately.
Considerations
- Grain-free and relies heavily on legumes and pulses, which some owners may wish to avoid due to emerging DCM concerns in dogs.
- Includes multiple common allergens such as chicken, turkey, egg, fish, and peas, so it is not ideal for puppies with food allergies or sensitivities.
- At 494 calories per cup, it is quite calorie-dense, so portions need to be measured carefully to prevent excess 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
Salmon
Salmon is commonly used as a high-quality animal protein and rich source of omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) in dog and cat foods, supporting skin and coat condition, joint and cognitive health, and overall muscle maintenance. While very nutritious, salmon can be an allergen for some pets and raw salmon may pose risks from parasites, thiaminase-related thiamine loss, and region-specific pathogens (e.g., salmon poisoning); owners should avoid feeding uncooked bones and consider sourcing to minimize contaminant and sustainability concerns.
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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
Whiting
Whiting is a lean whitefish commonly used in pet foods as a digestible animal protein and flavor source (either as fillet or fish meal), contributing to overall protein content and palatability. It provides essential amino acids and modest omega‑3 fatty acids while being relatively low in fat, but formulations—especially for cats—must ensure adequate taurine and proper sourcing/processing to minimize contaminants, histamine, or potential allergen concerns.
05
Haddock
Haddock is a lean white fish used in pet foods as a high-quality, highly digestible animal protein that supplies essential amino acids, B vitamins, phosphorus, selenium and modest amounts of omega‑3 fatty acids. It is palatable for dogs and cats and useful in low‑fat or limited‑ingredient diets, but products should be properly cooked and deboned to avoid parasites and bones, and owners should be mindful of fish allergies, potential contaminants (source-dependent), and not rely on haddock as the sole protein to prevent nutrient imbalances.
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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 Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food.
Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Sep 1, 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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