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Original Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
Verified Jun 8, 2026
This is a high-protein, freeze-dried meat treat for dogs, made almost entirely from chicken, turkey (including nutrient-rich giblets), and wild-caught flounder. With very low moisture and no added starches, it delivers a concentrated hit of animal protein and fat in a small bite. It’s best used as a training reward or occasional snack alongside a complete and balanced dog food.
Nutritionally, this is a very clean, meat-heavy treat with simple ingredients and no added carbohydrates, making it suitable for most healthy dogs when fed in moderation. The inclusion of organ meats boosts natural vitamins and minerals, and freeze-drying helps preserve nutrients and flavor. It’s calorie-dense, so portion control is important, especially for small or less active dogs.
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
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Extremely high in animal protein and fat, coming from chicken, turkey, organ meats, and fish rather than plant sources.
- Simple, short ingredient list with no added grains, starches, or artificial colors/flavors, which can be helpful for dogs that do better with fewer additives.
- Organ meats (giblets) provide naturally rich sources of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids beyond what muscle meat alone offers.
- Freeze-dried processing helps retain nutrients and aroma, making the treats very palatable for most dogs.
Considerations
- Contains chicken, turkey, and fish, so it is not a good choice for dogs with known poultry or fish allergies.
- Very calorie-dense at about 5 calories per small treat; overfeeding could contribute to weight gain if not balanced against the dog’s regular diet.
- This is a treat only and not a complete diet, so it should make up no more than a small portion of the dog’s overall daily 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
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.
04
Chicken Giblet
Chicken giblet is used in pet foods and treats as a protein-rich organ meat ingredient and palatability enhancer, supplying concentrated vitamins (notably vitamin A and B-complex), minerals such as iron and phosphorus, and high-quality animal protein. It can be a nutritious component for dogs and cats—especially when heart is included, which contributes taurine for cats—but should be part of a balanced formulation because organ meats are nutritionally variable, can be high in vitamin A or fat, and must be properly processed to avoid contamination.
05
Flounder
Flounder is used in pet foods as a lean, high‑quality animal protein that provides essential amino acids, B vitamins (such as B12 and niacin), selenium and modest amounts of omega‑3 fatty acids to support skin, coat and overall health. It can be a suitable option for dogs and cats, but sourcing and processing matter because raw fish can carry parasites, some pets may have fish allergies, and manufacturers must ensure recipes are balanced to meet species‑specific needs (for example taurine for cats).
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
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 Original Freeze-Dried Dog Treats 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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