Orijen Original vs Wellness CORE
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 are buying dry food: a 31 lb bag of 85% meat-and-fish kibble on whole-prey ratios.
- Choose Wellness CORE when
- You are buying wet food, or a topper to mix through kibble: twelve cans of 95% meat pâté.
Watch out for: These are two different formats, not two versions of the same food — a 31 lb bag against twelve 12.5 oz cans. Compare cost per day at your dog's weight, not the pack price.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Buy | ||
PawBench Scoremethodology → | Nutrition 77 Ingredients 77 Palatability 74 Value 64 Owner Satisfaction 76 | Nutrition 83 Ingredients 89 Palatability 74 Value 77 Owner Satisfaction 85 |
| 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 Healthiness Pet pleasure Grain-Free Buyers praise quality, healthiness, pet pleasure and grain-free. Mixed feedback on value for money and digestibility. Based on 1,330 user mentions |
| Bag Size | 31 lbs | — |
| Protein Source | Free-Run Chicken & Turkey, Wild-Caught Fish | Turkey & Chicken |
| Life Stage | Adult | Adult |
| Grain-Free | Yes | Yes |
| Special Feature | WholePrey 85/15 meat-to-plant ratio | 95% meat protein pâté, carrageenan-free |
| Pack Size | — | 12 cans (12.5 oz each) |
* 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
Wellness CORE Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken
Pros
- ✓95% meat protein pâté — among the highest on the market
- ✓Zero fillers, carrageenan-free formula
- ✓Rich in omega fatty acids for coat health
- ✓Smooth texture mixes well with kibble
- ✓No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Cons
- ✗Pâté texture isn't for every dog; some prefer chunks
- ✗Premium price compared to chunky-style competitors