Anyone use Orijen?

[SunHawk]

S&T -
Is Symba gate trained?  By that I mean, does he stay behind & not jump over a baby gate?  If not, train him to do so, then just put a baby gate in the doorway to where the kitty box is.  Trooper can get in to use the box, Symba stays out, and humans can easily step over the gate.   I've always had big dogs & kitties, and I've always gate-trained the dogs.  It's a great convenience that also has the side benefit of being able to confine a dog to one area without crating.

[Laura]

   Isn't that what we're all here for?  We can exchange ideas, offer support and findings...  I know we're specifically in the Orijen column, so to be on topic, I can say that so far, I am still very pleased with feeding it to my boy-  I took a couple pics of him the other day, and will try to do so again in a month so I can see if there[s a difference- keeping in mind that he's just starting to "blow" his coat.  He always gets to be my "guinea pig"!

[Cindy Nevarez]

Yes, I can tell you first hand that a flap will not deter any sized dog. My dogs' sizes run the gamet from 90 lbs. down to 9, and ALL of them find various ways to get into the boxes...and we've had all kinds from the simple trays to the cover with flaps to the Littermaid. Now we have the large domes.

[SymbaandTrooper]

Thanks SunHawk for the tip about the babygate.  I did some searching on the internet for 'contraptions' to protect the litterbox, and was amazed at how many options there are!  Feeling inspired, I desired to create my own contraption this evening. 

I try to describe it here:  I used a large cardboard box, leaving the top and one side open.  The box is about 18" tall and is just slightly wider than my littlerbox.  I then slid the bottom of the box under my hooded litterbox, leaving about a foot of space in front of the entrance of the litterbox.  This has created a sort-of protected pathway to the litterbox.  Symba can still stick his into the pathway (since the top is open), but he can't stick his head directly into the entrance anymore (because the sides are so high).  I had left the top of the box open because I was hoping Trooper would jump over the sides of the box to make his way in, but he was not impressed with that idea.  So I cut out a little door on the side of the box, and he seems happier with that option.

It's just been a few hours, but so far so good.....the true test will be when we actually leave the apartment, since Symba won't go near the litterbox when we're home.  If all else fails, the dome litterbox and babygate sound like good back-ups.

[Caylynn]

Symbaandtrooper - glad to hear you've found something that seems to be working!

Orijen continues to be eaten by my Sphynx (mixed in with some of his other dry food) with no problems.   It looks like now I'll have to start searching for a wet food to feed him when we move back to Canada.

[Springer Mom]

I have had my senior dog on Origen for 2 weeks now, after years of Iams and a couple of dry food bags from Nutro. I thought it was best to try a brand that wasn't cereal based, had by-products and preservatives. The first week on it was fine, but this second week, I am beginning to wonder if it is right for my dog. Two positives with this food is that my dog doesn't have anymore ear infections and he stopped eating his own poop. Downside, he has AWFUL smelly gas, and often will have runny greenish/black poops. Either it is taking a while to adjust or it isn't agreeing with him. He also seems to have less energy.

Curious to hear feedback on other senior dogs who are on Origen senior formula.

[Bonkers]

  I tried the Orijen some time ago and my cats seem to enjoy it. Unfortunately it became too costly for me as I had to order it online. My local feed store is getting the Orijen in some time in November and I look forward to adding it as part of their rotation of foods.

[GreyGhost]

Misty was on Orijen for a month or so before I switched to N.V.  It was ok for her. Nothing dramatic. They had some issues earlier but have since fixed the problem that I know of. Since I feed 100% raw and a spoonful of canned I don't think I will be using it again.

[meatball]

Having some good results with my basement cat and the garage cats eating Orijen.
Did a little research and they are the only ones who include zea mays.......cornsilk...........in their food.  This is used to soothe the bladder and possibly prevent the formation of stones.  Zea mays is very helpful in humans with interstitial cystitis and hopefully will keep things quiet for the kitty bladders.