Stella & Chewy's vs Orijen Dog Food
Orijen Original Dry Dog Food ($35.99/4.5lb) wins on protein density and whole-prey ingredients for dogs that do well on kibble. Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Patties win for maximum raw nutrition without cooking.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  ORIJEN Original Dry Dog Food |
Best Orijen Pick | $35 | Buy → |
| 2 |  ORIJEN Regional Red Grain-Free High Pro… |
Best for Large Dogs | $81 | Buy → |
| 3 |  Stella and Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Dinn… |
Best Stella Overall | $34 | Buy → |
| 4 |  Stella and Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Simp… |
Best Single Protein | $79 | Buy → |
| 5 |  Stella and Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Rabb… |
Best Topper Value | $11 | Buy → |
Stella & Chewy's vs Orijen Dog Food Buying Guide
Stella & Chewy's and Orijen occupy the premium tier of dog food, but they approach nutrition differently. Stella & Chewy's uses freeze-drying to preserve raw meat without cooking — all the enzymes and nutrients of raw food in a shelf-stable format. Orijen uses fresh and raw animal ingredients in a highly concentrated kibble, with 85%+ animal content by weight.
Protein Content and Sources
Orijen Original lists chicken, turkey, flounder, whole eggs, and Atlantic mackerel as its first five ingredients — 85% animal ingredients with no plant-based protein fractions. Stella & Chewy's Beef Dinner Patties are 95%+ beef, organ meat, and bone — as close to whole raw prey as commercially available. Both significantly exceed AAFCO minimums, making them strong choices for high-protein diets.
Price Per Day Comparison
Orijen Original at $35.99 for 4.5 lbs works out to roughly $2.50–$4.00/day for a medium dog. Stella & Chewy's freeze-dried at $34.89 for 14 oz is $5.00–$8.00/day for the same dog when fed as a complete diet. Many owners use Stella & Chewy's as a kibble topper (1–2 patties rehydrated) to get raw nutrition benefits at lower cost.
Digestibility and Transition
Both foods are highly digestible compared to grain-inclusive kibbles. Switch gradually over 7–10 days regardless of which you choose — high-protein, high-fat foods can cause loose stools if introduced too quickly. Dogs with sensitive stomachs do better starting with a single-protein option (Stella & Chewy's Simply Venison is a good elimination diet starting point).
Which is Better for Your Dog
Choose Orijen if your dog thrives on kibble, you want the best whole-prey dry food, and budget matters. Choose Stella & Chewy's if your dog has food sensitivities requiring a single-protein diet, your vet recommends raw, or you want freeze-dried convenience. Use both: Orijen as the base with Stella & Chewy's patties rehydrated as a topper delivers outstanding nutrition at a reasonable cost.
Stella-and-Chewys freeze-dried line and Orijen kibble are both available on Amazon with Subscribe and Save discounts — an easy way to reduce per-meal cost on either brand.
Our Picks
ORIJEN Original Dry Dog Food (Best Orijen Pick) — $35 See Price →
ORIJEN Regional Red Grain-Free High Protein Dry Dog Food, 13 lb (Best for Large Dogs) — $81 See Price →
Stella and Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties Beef Recipe for Dogs (Best Stella Overall) — $34 See Price →
Stella and Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Simply Venison Dinner Patties 25 oz (Best Single Protein) — $79 See Price →
Stella and Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Rabbit Dinner Patties 15 oz 3-Pack (Best Topper Value) — $11 See Price →
Showing 5 of 5 products
ORIJEN Original Dry Dog Food
“Premium 85% animal ingredient formula — the gold standard in dry kibble.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 85% quality animal ingredients
- Fresh and raw inclusions
- No artificial preservatives
Watch out for
- At $36 for 4.4 lbs ($8.18/lb), costs 3–4x more than premium-tier competitors like Purina Pro Plan at $3.50/lb — appropriate primarily for owners prioritizing a biologically appropriate raw-inspired diet over cost
- 38% protein content calibrated for highly active working breeds — sedentary dogs, seniors, or those with kidney disease require veterinary clearance before consuming protein at this density
- Rapid protein-level transition causes loose stools in the first 7–10 days — transition by mixing with current food at a 75/25 ratio (old/new) and increase the Orijen proportion over 10 days
ORIJEN Regional Red Grain-Free High Protein Dry Dog Food, 13 lb
“Orijen Regional Red's 85% animal ingredient pledge and 38% protein sets the premium standard. The poultry-free red meat formula suits Huskies with chicken sensitivities, though supplemental fish oil i”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 85% quality animal ingredients (beef, wild boar, lamb, pork)
- 38% crude protein -- premium density for working dogs
- Fresh and raw ingredients for maximum nutrient bioavailability
- Poultry-free -- suitable for chicken-sensitive Huskies
Watch out for
- Most expensive per-pound option in this category
- Red meat primary (not fish) -- lower omega-3 than salmon-based formulas
- 13 lb bag is relatively small for a large active dog
Stella and Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Patties Beef Recipe for Dogs
“Stella & Chewy's original and most popular recipe — high-protein beef freeze-dried raw patties for dogs that thrive on ancestral diets.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Freeze-dried raw preserves nutrition without cooking
- Beef is 90% of the recipe — high protein, low carb
- No fillers, grains, artificial preservatives, or added hormones
Watch out for
- Freeze-dried raw is significantly more expensive than kibble
- Must be rehydrated for best palatability and digestion
Stella and Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Simply Venison Dinner Patties 25 oz
“For sensitive dogs — Stella & Chewy's Simply Venison is a limited-ingredient freeze-dried raw built around one protein source.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Single-protein venison formula ideal for food-sensitive dogs
- 25oz bag is one of the larger sizes for cost efficiency
- Freeze-dried raw retains enzymes and nutrients lost in cooking
Watch out for
- Venison flavor is very specific — some dogs prefer beef or poultry
- High cost per ounce vs. kibble alternatives
Stella and Chewys Freeze-Dried Raw Rabbit Dinner Patties 15 oz 3-Pack
“The most specialized Stella & Chewy's recipe — rabbit freeze-dried raw in a value 3-pack for dogs that need novel protein sourcing.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Rabbit is a novel protein rarely seen in mainstream dog food
- 3-pack provides better value than single-bag purchases
- Freeze-dried raw supports skin, coat, and digestive health
Watch out for
- Rabbit is the most unusual protein — not all dogs take to it immediately
- Freeze-dried raw requires transition period to avoid GI upset
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