Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
The most animal-dense dry cat food here - six named whole fish and 40% protein - and the most expensive per calorie. Its fish-forward formula also rules it out for cats with urinary histories.
Score breakdown
The overall score of 91/100 is a weighted sum of the six dimensions below. Each dimension shows what we found in this specific formula.
Weight 30% · Algorithm-computed score 100/100
Algorithm: first ingredient “Whole Herring” is named whole meat; 5 named animal ingredients in the top five; protein 44.4% on a dry-matter basis (target for this stage: 28%).
Weight 20% · Algorithm-computed score 80/100
Algorithm: first ingredient is a named animal source; among the top five, 0 by-product/unnamed and 0 plant-protein concentrate items.
Weight 18% · Editorially assessed score 84/100
AAFCO statement: Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages.. Formulated-to-meet profiles are acceptable but weaker evidence than feeding trials, which caps the score here.
Weight 14% · Editorially assessed score 95/100
Zero FDA or CFIA recalls for Orijen across more than 40 years of production in the US and Canada. The only event on record is a 2018 voluntary withdrawal of select bags from Champion's new Kentucky kitchen for elevated moisture - a quality issue, never a contamination event. The brand was named in FDA's 2019 DCM investigation; that investigation closed without establishing a causal link, and the heavy-metals class actions were resolved in Champion's favour.
Weight 10% · Algorithm-computed score 89/100
Algorithm: about $3.57 per 1,000 kcal ($$$ tier), normalized against same-species peers, wet and dry together (cheapest = 100, most expensive ≈ 15).
Weight 8% · Editorially assessed score 90/100
Owner ratings are consistently high across major retailers, with few recurring palatability complaints.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Six named whole fish - whole herring, salmon, flounder, Acadian redfish, monkfish and whole hake
- 40% protein with 2% omega-3 and 0.65% EPA plus DHA, and 1.1% DHA declared on the label
- All-life-stages statement covers kittens through seniors in one bag
- Chicken-free, which makes it usable for cats with poultry sensitivities
What we don't
- About $3.57 per 1,000 kcal - the most expensive dry cat food in this ranking per calorie
- Very rich at 4,120 kcal/kg; free-feeding this is the fastest route to an overweight cat
- Fish-heavy recipes are a poor choice for cats with a history of urinary crystals or fish allergy
Ingredients & nutrition analysis
The first five ingredients tell most of the story:
Six Fish is the only dry cat food in this ranking whose top five ingredients are all whole, named fish: whole herring, salmon, flounder, Acadian redfish and monkfish, with whole hake and three fish meals following. Protein lands at 40% with 2% omega-3, and Orijen declares DHA, EPA, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and taurine individually.
The caveats are practical rather than nutritional. At $6.67/lb from a 12 lb bag it is about $3.57 per 1,000 kcal - the costliest dry food here - and at 4,120 kcal/kg it is dense enough that free-feeding will put weight on a cat quickly. An all-fish recipe is also a poor choice for a cat with any history of lower-urinary-tract problems.
Alternatives to consider
Other products ranked in Best Dry Cat Food:
85/ 100 Wellness Complete Health Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe
83/ 100 Hill's Science Diet Adult Indoor Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
Frequently asked questions
Is Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Cat Food right for my pet?
It is our pick for: Cats that need very high animal protein and omega-3, and poultry-sensitive cats. It is not the best fit for: Budget households, overweight cats, and cats prone to struvite crystals. Individual animals vary — if your pet has diagnosed health conditions, confirm the choice with your veterinarian.
How much does Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Dry Cat Food cost?
Expect roughly $6.67 per pound ($$$ tier) depending on bag size and retailer. Check the linked retailers for current pricing; our value score compares cost per 1,000 kcal against comparable formulas.
How should I switch to this food?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing increasing proportions of the new food into the old. Go slower for puppies, kittens, seniors and pets with sensitive stomachs, and watch stool quality during the switch.
Score history
Every change to this product's score is logged here, including the reason. Scores are recomputed by algorithm whenever ingredient or price data changes.
- 2026-10-19 — Product data refreshed: guaranteed analysis, ingredient list, AAFCO statement, calorie content and price replaced with values verified against the manufacturer's current US label and current US retail listings. Editorial scores for standards, safety and reviews reassessed against that data.