ORIJEN Guardian 8 Grain-Free High-Protein Premium Dry Cat Food, 4-lb bag

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At a Glance

  • High-Protein
  • Natural
  • Grain-Free
  • Sensitive Digestion
  • Digestive Health
  • Skin & Coat Health
  • Heart Care
  • Immune Support
  • Hip & Joint Support
  • Made in USA
  • All Lifestages

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($8.75 /lb)
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About This Item

Details

  • This grain-free dry cat food provides nutritional support for healthy immune function, digestive health, skin and coat health, muscle maintenance, heart health, joint health, brain and cognitive function, and eye health.
  • Loaded with up to 90% animal ingredients, including ORIJEN WholePrey ingredients like organs and bone, this formula helps your kitty eat like her ancestors did in the wild.
  • The first five ingredients come from fresh or raw animal sources, including chicken, wild-caught salmon and rabbit for a tasty meal packed with 16 total fresh or raw ingredients.
  • Responsibly farmed pollock oil provides healthy levels of omega-3, EPA and DHA.
  • A delicious, freeze-dried liver coating wows with a burst of irresistible raw flavor.

Ingredient Information

Feeding Instructions

Learn More About ORIJEN From Our Team of Experts

ORIJEN Guardian 8

Cats need precise nutrition to thrive at every stage of life. ORIJEN Guardian 8 is packed with nutrient-rich fresh or raw animal ingredients to naturally support your cat’s vitality. With minimal synthetic supplementation, each meal helps your cat look and feel their best—no matter their age.

Nature Nourishes

As the fullest expression of Biologically Appropriate nutrition, ORIJEN delivers protein-rich food made from the freshest ingredients* your cat was born to eat. You nourish yourself with the best, and your pet deserves the same—feed them ORIJEN to help them reach their full potential and enjoy every moment together.

*Our included fresh ingredients use refrigeration as the sole method of preservation, and our included raw ingredients are frozen at their peak freshness

Guard Your Cat’s Vitality

Formulated to support your cat’s health from the inside out, ORIJEN Guardian 8 helps protect against common feline concerns through the power of natural ingredients—not synthetic additives. Immune health leads the way, supported by increased levels of Omega-3s, EPA, DHA, and antioxidants for eight targeted wellness benefits.

The Power of WholePrey Nutrition

In the wild, your pet’s ancestors consumed every part of their prey for maximum nourishment and nutrition. That’s why every ORIJEN diet is packed with WholePrey ingredients like protein-rich meat, poultry or fish, and succulent, nutrient-rich organs. These nutritious ingredients mimic your pet’s ancestral diet to provide them with the well-rounded nourishment they need to unlock their true potential.

About ORIJEN

ORIJEN food helps dogs and cats thrive by fueling their daily lives with biologically appropriate nutrition. With rich inclusions of WholePrey animal ingredients, each ORIJEN recipe delivers nutrient-dense, succulent proteins that support strength, vitality, and overall well-being—helping your companion reach their full biological potential.

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Questions & Answers

21 Customer Questions

Where is this product made and processed?

Answer by Chewy • Aug 09, 2021
This recipe is made in the USA. ORIJEN's focus when sourcing ingredients has always been on using ingredients from suppliers they know and trust. Part of this commitment is choosing suppliers with the technical expertise and discipline to give the best ingredients available. While they do not source ingredients directly from China, some of their B vitamins are made with raw materials that originate in China. This would apply to vitamins B1 and B6, and is consistent throughout the pet food industry. They require that any vitamin components sourced from China must be human grade, and as such they undergo intensive testing to ensure the purity of the ingredient and accuracy of the blend.

What are the 8 common ailments of cats that this food is formulated to address?

Answer by Chewy • Sep 15, 2021
This recipe features 8 health benefits including: immune support, muscle maintenance, joint health, digestive health, healthy skin and coat, aids brain function, eye health and heart health.

If 2/3 of the animal ingredients are "fresh and raw" before cooking, what condition are the other 1/3 of the animal ingredients?

Answer by Chewy • Oct 03, 2021
The remaining 1/3 of the animal ingredients are composed of meat meals and dehydrated meats.

Are the salmon, herring, and mackerel wild caught?

Answer by Chewy • Apr 29, 2022
The Orijen fish are all sustainable and wild-caught.
Reviews
Write a Review
4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
792 Ratings
Terms & Conditions

Customers Mention

Chewy identifies key considerations with the help of artificial intelligence and our veterinarians.

Digestibility

88% Positive

Ingredients

84% Positive

Nutritional Value

89% Positive

Palatability

86% Positive

294 Customer Reviews

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Kirsten on Jan 20, 2026

I can’t go back after trying this cat food High protein Orijen formula

This particular formula of Orijen high protein cat food, I got a deal on, and so I bought it because it was not only the best dry food but also because it includes

This particular formula of Orijen high protein cat food, I got a deal on, and so I bought it because it was not only the best dry food but also because it includes rabbit, which is technically the species (rodents) cats evolved to eat. I’m a vegetarian myself but my cat is an obligate carnivore specifically evolved to survive primarily on rodent. My cat is so mych healthier and more satisfied. Royal Canin was an improvement but it is nowhere near the quality of this high protein vetsion of origen. Of course, i try to keep my cat on wet food, for the most part, but she is due for dental during pet dental month, and the dry food irritates her teeth less right now. (She is a rescue so her teeth were not brushed).

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By J on Dec 15, 2025

There are foreign objects, and my cat doesn't like to eat it

This cat food was very disappointing. I found foreign matter that looked like chicken feathers in the food, and it was not just a one-time occurrence, which raises

This cat food was very disappointing. I found foreign matter that looked like chicken feathers in the food, and it was not just a one-time occurrence, which raises serious concerns about quality control. What was even more frustrating is that my cat only sniffed the food and walked away, completely refusing to eat it. As a pet owner, I expected a safe and palatable product for my cat, but this experience was truly disappointing. I will not consider repurchasing it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Brian on Jan 13, 2026

I'm starting to wonder if my cat eats better than I do.

My cat, Nandor, is not food-motivated. At all. I can't find a single treat he likes. But this stuff, lordy. I still get his Sheba Gravy Indulgence wet foods, but

My cat, Nandor, is not food-motivated. At all. I can't find a single treat he likes. But this stuff, lordy. I still get his Sheba Gravy Indulgence wet foods, but now he just licks up all the gravy and eats his Orijen. My daughter brought her cat over not too long ago, and he curled up next to his dispenser like a jealous dragon, protecting his hoard.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Charles on Jan 11, 2026

Fish Heavy

It’s incredibly challenging trying to purchase pet food with quality ingredients and something that my cats will eat. When i opened this bag of food i was immediately

It’s incredibly challenging trying to purchase pet food with quality ingredients and something that my cats will eat. When i opened this bag of food i was immediately overwhelmed by a strong fish odor. My two cats and a little neighborhood stray did not like this food. I believed this would be a more balanced offering as of the first ingredient listed was chicken.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Joshtine on Jan 3, 2026

Customer Service

This package was sent to my old address and I needed this urgently as I would be leaving out of town - thankfully customer service was quick and kind to send me

This package was sent to my old address and I needed this urgently as I would be leaving out of town - thankfully customer service was quick and kind to send me another package before we left! Thank you! My boys love this kibble! We’ve noticed their skin and fur have changed drastically and they’re so healthy and soft!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Emily on Jan 5, 2026

My cats love and are thriving on this food!

We switched our cats (1 year old tabby’s) to this food about 6 months ago. Their coat has never been silkier and they love it. No issues with quality control, after

We switched our cats (1 year old tabby’s) to this food about 6 months ago. Their coat has never been silkier and they love it. No issues with quality control, after plenty of research this was our top contender for natural based cat dry food. We value that it is full of ingredients we can read. I would recommend switching to this food!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Lisa on Dec 13, 2025

Kibble Keeps Disappearing

Back to healthier basics. Mini loves the flavor and I enjoy a healthier kibble than grocery store options. She's missing a couple of teeth, so the small size of

Back to healthier basics. Mini loves the flavor and I enjoy a healthier kibble than grocery store options. She's missing a couple of teeth, so the small size of the kibble is ideal.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Cheryl on Dec 17, 2025

The girls love Orijen Guardian

I love that it's Grain-Free, the girls love that there are real proteins inside. Every time I open the bin, they come running to see if I am filling their bowls

I love that it's Grain-Free, the girls love that there are real proteins inside. Every time I open the bin, they come running to see if I am filling their bowls.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Kelly on Nov 13, 2025

Causes diarrhea and vomiting

This food has given my cat watery diarrhea and causes her to vomit. Don't recommend; it is the only recent change in her food and has been intermittent since August

This food has given my cat watery diarrhea and causes her to vomit. Don't recommend; it is the only recent change in her food and has been intermittent since August. I only give her a little each day to supplement wet food.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Sheryl on Sep 8, 2025

2 FLUFFY GIRLS LOVE IT!

Both of my medium haired cats really love this food! After trying a few other Foods over the years the cats can both agree that they love this food the best my older

Both of my medium haired cats really love this food! After trying a few other Foods over the years the cats can both agree that they love this food the best my older cat who's 7 years old has finally lost weight on this recipe. She used to be a 12 lb cat now she's 9 and 1/2 to 10 1/2 lb. They both beg for the food every single morning and they're very excited to get their food! They both appear to be very happy mobile. Our 2-year-old is full of energy! Our 7 year old cat is more perky although being 7 years old she is a senior now and she still very lazy and sleeps a lot throughout the day but she still finds time to play with her 2 year old sister. When are 7-year-old cat was 12 lb about one and a half years ago she seemed very lazy and depressed and she seems more upbeat on this formula and in a better mood and she's always more lovable and not so grouchy like she was on other Foods. Highly recommend this stuff very good healthy clean formula. A lot of vets approve of this formula and also recommend it it's a little costly but it's definitely worth our fluffies extra lifespan feeding them this I would much rather feed them quality over a cheap affordable garbage food any day! Our fluffies are part of our family they are our lives and they get spoiled. We want them to live as long as possible and cats have a shorter lifespan if they are even 1 to 2 lb overweight. I found out recently that if your cat is even slightly overweight the chances of it making it past 10 years old are very slim one to two pounds for a cat is a huge percentage of their body weight doesn't seem like much for us humans but it's a lot for your cat. We want our kitties to live as long as possible <3 Well worth the investment and the slightly higher cost very nutritious well-rounded formula highly recommend if I could give it 10 Stars I would give it 10 Stars!