Is Orijen WSAVA-Approved?
WSAVA does not approve, certify, or endorse any dog food brand — no such list exists. What "WSAVA-approved" actually refers to is whether a manufacturer satisfies the five questions the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee tells owners to ask. Orijen meets 1 of the 5, so it sits between the fully compliant brands and those that meet none. It substantiates its diets through formulation to AAFCO profiles rather than feeding trials, and typically costs $80–$130 per month for a 50 lb adult dog.
Orijen against the 5 WSAVA questions
| WSAVA question | Orijen |
|---|---|
| Employs a full-time qualified veterinary nutritionist | No |
| Diets formulated by a credentialed expert | Partial |
| Substantiates diets with AAFCO feeding trials | No |
| Owns and operates its manufacturing plants | Yes |
| Runs a documented quality-control program | Partial |
| Criteria fully met | 1 of 5 |
| Typical monthly cost (50 lb dog) | $80 – $130 |
Strengths
- Some of the highest meat-inclusion percentages on the market
- Strong brand-quality narrative and consumer trust
- Owns manufacturing in Canada and Kentucky
Watch-outs
- Specifically named brand in the FDA's 2018-2022 diet-associated DCM investigation
- Formulation-only AAFCO substantiation
- Premium price
Who Orijen suits
Best for: Owners who prioritize ingredient panel aesthetics and accept the DCM-risk and WSAVA-compliance trade-offs.
Avoid if: Your dog has any cardiac risk factor or breed predisposition to DCM.
Orijen head-to-head
Personalized recommendation
WSAVA compliance is one input. Your dog is the other.
IntelliBowl's free 60-second quiz ranks 13+ brands (including Orijen) against your dog's age, breed, weight, activity, allergies, and budget. Free, no signup.
Methodology: Scores reflect Orijen's publicly documented manufacturer-quality practices as of May 2026, assessed against the WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee's 5-question rubric. WSAVA itself does not certify, approve, or rank any brand. Monthly cost reflects typical US 2026 retail for a 50 lb adult dog at premium spec, before autoship discounts. See our recommendation methodology.