Orijen Original vs Taste of the Wild High Prairie
Scored head-to-head on every dimension — with a clear verdict and the best price on each.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, PawBench earns from qualifying purchases. Prices shown are approximate and subject to change. Always verify current pricing on Amazon before purchasing.
Which one is right for you
- Choose Orijen Original when
- You want the highest meat inclusion of the two — 85% meat and fish on whole-prey ratios, with organs and cartilage — and the budget for it.
- Choose Taste of the Wild High Prairie when
- You want a grain-free kibble at roughly half the price, on roasted bison and venison with no artificial colours or preservatives.
Watch out for: Both are grain-free, and the FDA has studied a possible link between grain-free diets and DCM — raise it with your vet. Orijen is rich enough that dogs with sensitive stomachs can struggle with it.


| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Buy | ||
PawBench Scoremethodology → | Nutrition 77 Ingredients 77 Palatability 74 Value 64 Owner Satisfaction 76 | Nutrition 77 Ingredients 89 Palatability 74 Value 77 Owner Satisfaction 84 |
| Buyer sentiment | Quality Ingredients Healthiness Taste Value for money Digestion Odor Buyers praise quality, ingredients, healthiness and taste. Mixed feedback on digestibility. Some flag value for money and digestion. Based on 758 user mentions | Quality Ingredients Healthy Pet Preference Diarrhea Buyers praise quality, ingredients, healthy and pet preference. Mixed feedback on value for money and palatability. Some flag diarrhea. Based on 1,288 user mentions |
| Bag Size | 31 lbs | 28 lbs |
| Protein Source | Free-Run Chicken & Turkey, Wild-Caught Fish | Bison & Venison |
| Life Stage | Adult | Adult |
| Grain-Free | Yes | Yes |
| Special Feature | WholePrey 85/15 meat-to-plant ratio | — |
| Special Diet | — | Grain-Free |
* Prices are approximate and may vary. Please check the latest price on Amazon.
What owners actually say
Pros & cons
Orijen Original Grain-Free
Pros
- ✓85% meat and fish ingredients, 15% plants
- ✓Whole-prey ratios with organs and cartilage
- ✓Fresh and raw ingredients, never outsourced
- ✓No synthetic supplements except zinc
- ✓Consistently tops independent nutritional analyses
Cons
- ✗Significantly more expensive than competitors
- ✗Too rich for dogs with sensitive stomachs
Taste of the Wild High Prairie
Pros
- ✓Grain-free with roasted bison and venison
- ✓No artificial colors or preservatives
- ✓Competitive per-pound cost for a premium grain-free (28 lb bag)
Cons
- ✗FDA studied grain-free diets and DCM — consult your vet
- ✗High protein can cause issues for some dogs

