Orijen (US) Guardian 8
Dry food · Adult Maintenance
US formulation — recipes for the same product can differ by region.
Furry PI's verdict
Orijen Guardian 8 holds up well under the magnifying glass. Chicken leads the ingredient list — the right start for an obligate carnivore. It isn't flawless — it contains juniper berries. Even so, the overall picture is good for everyday feeding.
What's concerning
- Contains juniper berries — an ingredient our database flags as genuinely problematic for cats.
- An elevated carbohydrate load for an obligate carnivore — a cat's natural prey is almost carb-free.
- A modest share of calories comes from protein.
What works
- Chicken leads the ingredient list — the right start for an obligate carnivore.
- No grains on the label.
- Includes genuinely beneficial ingredients such as chicken and salmon.
The grade is only the cover of the case file. The free app shows the full 100-point breakdown, every flagged ingredient, and better-graded alternatives for your cat.
Open the full investigation — freeNutrition from the label (as fed)
| Protein | 40% |
| Fat | 18% |
| Fiber | 4% |
| Moisture | 10% |
| Ash* | 8% |
| Carbs (estimated)* | 20% |
Label: guaranteed analysis (min/max). * not printed on the label — carbs are calculated, ash/moisture estimated from typical values. How these numbers translate into calories from protein vs carbs — and how this food scores on each pillar — is shown in the app.
Quick answers
- Is Orijen Guardian 8 grain-free?
- Yes — no grains appear on the ingredient list.
- What are the first ingredients in Orijen Guardian 8?
- The label opens with chicken, salmon and turkey. Ingredients are listed by weight, so the first few carry the most.
- Does it contain artificial colours or preservatives?
- None appear on the ingredient list.
More from Orijen
Grades come from a fixed, formula-based method — the same for every food, never paid for. About Furry PI
Furry PI analyses food labels and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice.