Loyal Saints vs. Orijen: Freeze-Dried Raw vs. Kibble
Orijen is a premium, high-protein 'biologically appropriate' kibble. Loyal Saints is freeze-dried raw. Both prioritize meat — but they differ fundamentally in processing. Here’s the honest comparison.
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Where Loyal Saints wins
- Freeze-dried raw (no cooking step) vs. kibble (extruded at 160–200°C)
- Whole-food nutrition vs. heat-processed pellets fortified with synthetic premix
- No fillers — no corn, wheat, or soy
- Highly digestible raw protein vs. heat-denatured protein
- Human-grade quality ingredients, woman-owned, founded on King’s story
| Category | Loyal Saints | Orijen |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | Freeze-dried raw — no heat | Extruded kibble — high heat (typically 125–150°C) |
| Processing | Never cooked — natural enzymes kept, heat-sensitive vitamins largely retained | Cooked at high heat; vitamins added back afterwards |
| Protein digestibility | 94% for a freeze-dried raw diet (2024 controlled study) | 82% for the extruded kibble in the same study |
| Fillers | None — no corn, wheat, soy | Often contains grains/fillers |
| Synthetic vitamin premix | None — vitamins come from whole foods | Required to replace heat-lost nutrients |
| Ingredient grade | Human-grade quality ingredients | Typically feed-grade |
| Daily cost (35 lb dog, complete meal) | ~$12–15/day | Comparable (premium kibble) |
| Woman-owned, founder-led | ✓ Yes — King’s story | ✗ No |
Premium kibble vs. freeze-dried raw
Orijen is one of the highest-quality kibbles available — high meat content, named ingredients, and a 'biologically appropriate' philosophy we genuinely respect. But it’s still kibble: extruded at high heat, which denatures protein and degrades heat-sensitive nutrients, then fortified with added vitamins/minerals. Loyal Saints delivers a similar meat-first philosophy in a genuinely raw, no-heat format.
Same philosophy, different processing
Orijen and Loyal Saints agree that dogs thrive on meat-rich, biologically appropriate diets. The difference is the final step: Orijen cooks its excellent ingredients into kibble; Loyal Saints freeze-dries them raw, with no cooking step to inactivate enzymes, degrade heat-sensitive vitamins or damage lysine.
Ingredients and completeness
Both use quality meats. Loyal Saints goes further with human-grade quality ingredients and no synthetic vitamin premix — while Orijen, like all kibble, is fortified after extrusion.
Value
Orijen is a premium kibble at a premium kibble price. Loyal Saints, at about $2–3/day as a ½-cup daily topper, delivers genuinely raw nutrition in the same price neighborhood as premium kibble — without the heat processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Loyal Saints better than Orijen?
Both prioritize meat-rich, biologically appropriate nutrition — Orijen is among the best kibbles. The key difference is processing: Orijen is high-heat extruded kibble (with synthetic fortification), while Loyal Saints is genuinely raw, freeze-dried with no heat, made with human-grade quality ingredients, and free of a synthetic vitamin premix. For no-heat raw nutrition, Loyal Saints; Orijen is an excellent kibble if you prefer that format.
Is Orijen kibble as good as freeze-dried raw?
Orijen is a top-tier kibble with high meat content, but it’s still extruded at high heat, which can damage lysine and heat-sensitive vitamins. Freeze-drying never cooks the food, and in a 2024 controlled study a freeze-dried raw diet was more digestible than an extruded kibble (94% of protein against 82%). Freeze-dried raw delivers a similar meat-first philosophy without the heat processing.
Does Orijen use synthetic vitamins?
Yes — like all kibble, Orijen is fortified with added vitamins and minerals after high-heat extrusion to meet nutritional requirements. Loyal Saints gets its vitamins from whole-food ingredients, with no synthetic vitamin premix.
Should I switch from Orijen to Loyal Saints?
If you appreciate Orijen’s meat-first philosophy and want it in a genuinely raw, no-heat format with human-grade quality ingredients and no synthetic vitamin premix, Loyal Saints is a natural next step. Transition gradually over 7–10 days.
Real food. Real proof. Real value.
Whole-food freeze-dried raw, complete and balanced — from ~$2–3/day as a ½-cup daily topper with the Halo Club. No fillers, no synthetic premix.
Real dogs. Real bowls.
We Read a Dog Food Label to Strangers
Meat and organs first, freeze-dried raw and ready the second you open the bag. Start as a topper on your dog’s current food for about $1.74 a day with a 14 oz bag. New here? Take 40% off your first order with code KING40.
Quick answers
How does Loyal Saints compare to other premium dog foods?
Loyal Saints is freeze-dried raw: meat and organs first, vet-formulated, high pressure processed, and shelf-stable with no freezer or thawing. Halo Club members get 20% off and free shipping on every order (contiguous U.S.), and new customers can type KING40 at checkout for 40% off a first order.
Where can I buy Loyal Saints?
At loyalsaintspets.com (Halo Club: 20% off and free shipping on every order (contiguous U.S.); KING40 takes 40% off a first order when typed at checkout), and on Amazon, Chewy and Target.
How much Loyal Saints should I feed?
Follow the amounts printed on the bag: for Beef or Turkey + Salmon, about ¾ cup a day for a 6 lb dog, 1¼ cups for 12 lb and 2 cups for 25 lb. Use about 25% of that as a topper. Ease in over 7 to 10 days.
