Six Fish Review

Full review of Six Fish By Orijen

Nutritional Analysis

The ideal nutrition for a dog is entirely dependent on its unique circumstances. However, a high proportion of protein and fat combined with a lower proportion of carbohydrates is the most appropriate nutrition profile for the vast majority of dogs.

Dogs are very capable of consuming a high proportion of carbohydrates, but a diet high in protein and fat is more appropriate and a better reflection of their natural ancestral diet.

Carbohydrate Content Analysis

Dogs use carbohydrates as a simple energy source. Dogs do not require significant carbohydrates in their diet and they are commonly added to reduce cost and increase shelf life.

As the chart above displays, a maximum of 23% of Orijen – Six Fish calories are derived from carbohydrates.

Please note that this is the maximum amount of carbohydrates as calculated by the guaranteed analysis. In reality, this value of carbohydrates is likely to be a lot lower. This is significantly below average for a Dry Dog Food.

The vast majority of this carbohydrate content appears to be from the vegetable content of this dog food which includes over ten different vegetables in small quantities.

Usually, dog foods that use a very large range of ingredients to contribute carbohydrates do so to make these ingredients appear further down the ingredient list. This can often give a false impression that they are not significant.

But when they are combined, they often contribute a considerable amount. For Orijen – Six fish, this is not the case as even when combined, the relative proportion of vegetables present is still low.

Protein Content Analysis

Dogs use Protein for growth, development, and maintenance. Excess protein can be burned as calories. As the chart above displays, a minimum of 37% of Orijen – Six Fish calories are derived from protein.

Please note that this is the minimum amount of protein as calculated by the guaranteed analysis. In reality, this value of protein is likely to be higher. This is significantly above average for a Dry Dog Food.

This level of protein will be more than sufficient for almost all dogs, including those who are extremely active.

This protein appears to be mostly sourced from a large range of fish ingredients which are considered a high-quality source.

In addition to this, vegetables present likely to contribute a small proportion of protein that will act as a supplement to fish-based protein.

Fat Content Analysis

Dogs use fat as a concentrated energy source. In addition, fats also play a role in development and maintenance. As the chart above displays, a minimum of 40% of Orijen – Six Fish calories are derived from Fat.

Please note that this is the minimum amount of fat as calculated by the guaranteed analysis. In reality, this value of fat is likely to be a lot higher. This is significantly above average for a Dry Dog Food.

The fat present in this dog food appears to be sourced from the fish ingredients, which is a high-quality source.

Fish, particularly those present in this Orijen – Six Fish,  contain very high levels of the Omega 3 Fatty Acids, which are known to provide a variety of health benefits.

This low estimate of the fat content is more than sufficient to provide even the most active dogs with a concentrated source of energy.

Calorie Density

Overall Orijen – Six Fish contains an average of 3940 kcal/kg or 449 kcal per 8oz. cup.

Disclaimer

Once again, please note that the values in this section are calculated using the product’s guaranteed analysis.

The guaranteed analysis only lists the minimum and maximum values, and as a consequence, these can sometimes be an inaccurate representation. As a rule of thumb, most dog foods will contain slightly more protein and considerably more fat than their guaranteed analysis.

This will have the knock-on effect of reducing the relative amount of carbohydrates present. However, also note that every dog food is different, and some will be considerably closer to the guaranteed analysis than others.

Guaranteed Analysis – Orijen – Six Fish

Pet foods in the United States are legally required by the AAFCO to have a guaranteed analysis on their packaging.

A guaranteed analysis must display certain nutritional information. This is similar to how nutritional values are now commonly displayed on food for human consumption.

The information that must be displayed includes Crude Protein, Crude Fat, Crude Fiber, and Moisture. Some guaranteed analyses will contain additional information. The guaranteed analysis for this product is listed below.

• Crude Protein (Min) – 38.00%
• Crude Fat (Min) – 20.00%
• Crude Fiber (Max) – 6.00%
• Moisture (Max) – 12.00%

• Calcium (Min) – 1.4%
• Phosphorus (Min) – 1.2%
• Omega 6 Fatty Acids (Min) – 2.3%
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Min) – 2.0%

Ingredient Analysis

The ingredients of pet food are disclosed on the packaging of the product as a list in descending order. Therefore the ingredients at the start of the list make up the bulk of the pet foods content.

As a consequence, the quality of these primary ingredients is the most significant factor in determining the quality of pet food.

However, ingredients listed further down the ingredient list should not be ignored, especially if they could have adverse or harmful effects on a pet.

High-Quality Ingredients

• Mackerel
• Herring
• Flounder
• Redfish
• Monkfish
• Hake
• Mackerel Meal
• Herring Meal

Low-Quality Ingredients 

• N/A

Dangerous / Harmful Ingredients

• N/A

In-Depth Meat/Fish Ingredient Review

The meat and fish ingredients of dog food are, without a doubt, the most important. They are critical as they provide the majority of the protein and fat that dogs desperately need.

Also, these ingredients would have made up the bulk of dogs’ ancestors’ diet. Therefore, the quality of a dog food formula’s meat and fish ingredients is crucial. Orijen – Six Fish contains more than ten sources of meat or fish.

The primary fish source present is Mackerel. Mackerel is considered a high-quality source of protein. It contains very high levels of the Omega 3 Fatty Acid.

In addition, it contains high levels of Vitamin D and Vitamin B12. Unfortunately, Mackerel contains a high concentration of water.

Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Mackerel. However, given that Mackerel is the first listed ingredient, its proportion will still be relatively high even after the cooking process.

The secondary fish source present is Herring. Herring is considered a high-quality source of protein. Vitamin B12 is extremely abundant in Herring.

In addition to this, similar to other fish, Herring is very rich in the Omega 3 Fatty Acid. Unfortunately, Herring contains a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Herring.

However, given that Herring is the second listed ingredient, its proportion will still be relatively high even after the cooking process.

Another fish source present is Flounder, Flounder is considered a high-quality source of protein. It is known for being a  particularly lean source of protein in comparison to other fish.

However, it does contain high levels of salt and lower levels of the Omega 3 Fatty Acid than other fish. Unfortunately, Flounder contains a high concentration of water.

Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Flounder. However, given that Flounder is the third listed ingredient, its proportion will still be relatively high even after the cooking process.

Another fish source present is Redfish. Redfish is considered a high-quality source of protein. Redfish is not a commonly known fish, but that doesn’t mean it is nutritionally poor. Just like other fish, it contains high levels of the Omega 3 Fatty Acid, and to add to this, it has high levels of potassium.

Unfortunately, Redfish contains a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Redfish.

However, given that Redfish is the fourth listed ingredient, its proportion will still be relatively high even after the cooking process.

Another fish source present is Monkfish. Monkfish is considered a high-quality source of protein. Monkfish has high levels of the minerals phosphorus and selenium.

Unfortunately, Monkfish contains a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Monkfish.

Given that Monkfish is not one of the primary ingredients, its proportion will not be relatively high after the cooking process.

Another fish source present is Hake. Hake is considered a high-quality source of protein. Hake is lower in the Omega 3 Fatty Acid than some other fish but still contains more than traditional meat.

Hake is also known to contain lower levels of mercury compared to other ocean fish.  Unfortunately, Hake contains a high concentration of water. Much of this water is evaporated during the cooking process leaving a lesser proportion of Hake.

Given that Hake is not one of the primary ingredients, its proportion will not be relatively high after the cooking process.

Another fish source present is Mackerel Meal. Mackerel Meal is considered a high-quality source of protein.

Fish Meal is a concentrated form of fish that has already had the majority of its moisture removed. This means that gram for gram is much richer in protein and other nutrients.

Mackerel Meal will contain the same vitamins and minerals as Mackerel but in higher concentrations. This includes the high levels of Vitamin D and Vitamin B12.

Another fish source present is Herring Meal. Herring Meal is considered a high-quality source of protein. Fish Meal is a concentrated form of fish that has already had the majority of its moisture removed.

This means that gram for gram is much richer in protein and other nutrients. Herring Meal will contain the same vitamins and minerals as Herring but in higher concentrations. This includes the high levels of Vitamin B12 and the Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

In-Depth None-Meat Ingredient Review

This formula contains Peas, Lentils, and Garbanzo Beans (also known as Chickpeas). These are all members of the legume family of vegetables.

Legumes are famous for having a relatively high amount of protein for a vegetable. Legumes also contain a high amount of fiber, which is important for healthy digestion.

Pet foods often use legumes as a replacement for grains in grain-free pet food. Protein from vegetables such as legumes should not be a replacement for protein from meat. Instead, it should act as an additional protein source.

Pumpkin is a high-quality vegetable ingredient and a beneficial addition to a dogs diet. Pumpkin contains high levels of a variety of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Potassium.

However, Pumpkin is probably best known for the Dietary Fiber it can contribute. This fiber can improve and regulate digestion.

Finally, Pumpkin does not contain significant levels of plant-based protein. This lack of protein prevents Pumpkin from being used solely to inflate protein levels like other vegetables, such as Peas, often are.

Dried Chicory Root or Chicory Root Extract is an additive or supplement to dog food. It can provide a range of health benefits, including soluble fiber to enable regular passage of stool, probiotics to aid and promote digestion, as well as potentially eliminate or prevent intestinal worms.

While these benefits are not fully proven, there is strong evidence behind them. The proportion of Chicory Root used in most dog food recipes is tiny and does not contribute to meaningful nutrition. Find out more in Dried Chicory Root In Dog Food.

Full Ingredient List – Orijen – Six Fish

Whole atlantic mackerel, whole atlantic herring, whole atlantic flounder, whole acadian redfish, atlantic monkfish, whole silver hake, mackerel meal, herring meal, blue whiting meal, herring oil, whole green peas, whole navy beans, whole red lentils, alaskan cod meal, pollock meal, sunflower oil, whole yellow peas, whole pinto beans, whole chickpeas, whole green lentils, lentil fiber, natural fish flavor, safflower oil, freeze-dried cod liver, whole pumpkin, whole butternut squash, kale, spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, turnip greens, whole carrots, whole apples, whole pears, dried kelp, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, zinc proteinate, mixed tocopherols (preservative), copper proteinate, chicory root, turmeric, sarsaparilla root, althea root, rosehips, juniper berries, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, dried lactobacillus casei fermentation product.

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