QUESTIONS ABOUT US (CHAMPION PET FOODS)
OUTSOURCING: Does Champion outsource the production of ORIJEN Petfoods?
A: No. ORIJEN products are made exclusively within our own factories here in Morinville, Alberta, Canada.
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FACTORY: Does Champion Petfoods produce ORIJEN in their own factories?
A: Yes. Champion owns their own state-of-the-art pet food processing facilities in Morinville, Alberta where we make ORIJEN and ACANA pet foods.
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OUTSOURCING: Many pet foods are made at factories that are not owned or controlled by the brand. What about ORIJEN?
A: ORIJEN is made exclusively in our own factories and ORIJEN is never made or packaged in any other facility.
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CHAMPION PETFOODS: How long has Champion been making pet foods?
A: Since 1975 - over a quarter century.
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CHAMPION PETFOODS: What makes Champion different from the typical multinational pet food makers?
A: Champion is a family owned-and-operated, boutique pet food producer with a mission that is simple and strong: make world-class pet foods from fresh regional ingredients.
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QUESTIONS OF HEALTH
URINARY HEALTH? Does ORIJEN promote urinary health?
A: Yes. Due to the high meat content and low magnesium content, ORIJEN is naturally acidic and helps promote a healthy bladder.
ORIJEN foods have a pH of about 5.5, which is naturally mildly acidic and well suited to the maintenance of healthy bladder function in both cats and dogs.
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OVERWEIGHT DOGS AND CATS: Is ORIJEN suitable for overweight cats and dogs?
A: Yes. ORIJEN has a Biologically Appropriate distribution of energy, where more energy is supplied from protein and less energy is supplied from carbohydrate.
Carbohydrates are
an empty calorie, which means they have no essential function in the body and provide only sugar for energy, which converts quickly to glucose in the blood. If carbohydrates are provided in excess (as they often are), the convert easily into body fat.
Protein supplies the same amount of energy as carbohydrate but has a very different effect on the body. Unlike carbohydrate, protein is essential for life, but is when present in excess protein is NOT stored in the body as fat; it is simply removed from the body through natural elimination functions.
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WILL HIGH PROTEIN DIETS CAUSE MY DOG OR CAT TO BE FAT?
A: NO. ORIJEN has quite the opposite effect. As ORIJEN is high in protein, dogs and cats typically show an increase in lean muscle mass after a month or so. ORIJEN is low in carbohydrate, so most cats and dogs actually lose body fat when fed ORIJEN.
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DOES HIGHER PROTEIN STRESS THE KIDNEYS?
A: NO. There is no study in science to show a higher protein diet has any negative effect on the kidneys of dogs or cats. In fact, scientific studies show quite the opposite; dogs with poor kidney functions or dogs that had only one kidney showed improved health on higher protein diets.
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IS ORIJEN SUITABLE FOR A LARGE BREED PUPPY OR DOG?
A: YES. The main dietary concerns for large breed puppies and dogs are assuring appropriate calcium and energy levels in the food.
CALCIUM: The ideal calcium content for large breeds is thought to be between 1.0 and 1.4% on an “as fed” basis. It is believed that calcium in
excess of 3% on a dry weight basis can predispose to significant skeletal abnormalities. When formulating for large breeds it is also important to keep in mind that certain vitamins (Vitamin D) can increase absorption of dietary calcium (to possibly excessive levels). ORIJEN is formulated to meet these calcium ideals.
ENERGY: If too many calories are supplied and consumed on a daily basis, too rapid growth can result and the excess mass that must be supported on an immature skeleton can result in damage to skeletal tissue, with subsequent malformation and/or malarticulation of joints.
There are 3 sources of energy in commercial pet foods; protein, fat and carbohydrate. ORIJEN is moderate in fat, high in protein and, importantly, very
low in carbohydrate.
Carbohydrate has
no essential function in the body, and as it converts to sugar quickly and easily, carbohydrate is the most common dietary cause of excess weight. Restricting carbohydrate in the diet is ideal for promoting peak physical conditioning in all dogs, including large breed puppies and dogs.
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HIGH PROTEIN AND JOINT HEALTH FOR LARGE BREED DOGS?
A: Research into the growth of Great Danes (Nap RC, The Netherlands,) has shown that the protein level of a diet has no significant influence on skeletal development. High protein intake does not result in increased risk for OCD or HD, and there is no effect on the development in the longitudinal growth of the bone." Additionally, while protein does not cause orthopedic problems, other nutrients can.
It is not excess protein that causes joint problems, but over feeding dogs can contribute to arthritis and orthopedic problems. Please note that most orthopedic and joint problems are inherited, but puppies and dogs that are over weight have a greater chance of an increase in pain and discomfort, and the potential of developing orthopedic problems as younger animals and arthritis later on in their life.
And while some nutritionists recommend feeding more fiber than meat and protein for weight gain, this can also have consequences, as it can block absorption.
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WHAT IS ZEA MAYS and WHY IS IT IN ORIJEN?
A: The Zea Mays in ORIJEN is
CORN SILK which is actually classified as an herb or botanical – not a grain. Corn Silk is
NOT made from grain but rather from filaments from the flowers of female corn plant. This costly botanical features Maizenic Acid as an active ingredient and is formulated in ORIJEN diets at 300mg/kg. As corn silk does not contain corn starch or corn protein it poses absolutely no risk to dogs that may have corn allergies.
Corn silk is used to treat urinary tract infections and kidney stones and is regarded as a soothing diuretic useful for any irritation of the urinary system (a common health problem in today’s companion dogs and cats). As corn silk is used as a kidney remedy and in the regulation of fluids, this herb is believed to be helpful in treating high blood pressure and water retention.
As a well known herbal remedy, corn silk is used to treat urinary conditions in countries including the United Sates, China, Haiti, Turkey, and Trinidad. Furthermore, in China, corn silk as a component in an herbal formula is used to treat diabetes.
