The scores
Fromm Gold Puppy: A (90/100) — Excellent. Duck + chicken meal + chicken as primary proteins, grain-inclusive with oatmeal and pearl barley, Wisconsin family-owned manufacturing, comprehensive whole-food premix.
Orijen Puppy: A (90/100) — Excellent. Multiple fresh and raw named meats, grain-free with lentils and peas, 85% animal ingredient composition, biologically appropriate formulation.
How the ingredients compare
The top five ingredients:
Fromm Gold Puppy: Duck, Chicken Meal, Chicken, Oatmeal, Pearl Barley
Orijen Puppy: Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Cage-Free Eggs, Whole Mackerel
Both formulas open with three to five named animal ingredients in the top five — a standard only the top of the premium market achieves. They diverge on the carb strategy. Fromm Gold Puppy positions four and five as oatmeal and pearl barley, making this a grain-inclusive formulation — which is the safer choice for large-breed and DCM-predisposed puppies per current FDA guidance. Orijen Puppy goes grain-free, with legumes and whole pumpkin/squash appearing later in the ingredient deck.
Orijen’s top five is more animal-ingredient-dense — three different named meats plus whole eggs plus whole fish. Fromm’s top five includes two grains alongside its three named animal ingredients. Further down, Fromm adds Wisconsin cheese, chicken fat, salmon oil, carrots, celery, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, parsley, and its signature probiotic and vitamin blend. Orijen adds multiple raw and fresh organ meats (liver, heart, kidney), lentils, peas, chickpeas, whole cranberries, whole blueberries, and a comprehensive botanical panel. Both brands stack the ingredient list deep into whole-food territory.
Where Fromm Puppy pulls ahead
Grain-inclusive is safer for DCM-predisposed breeds: For Golden Retriever, Doberman, Great Dane, and other breeds the FDA has flagged in its ongoing DCM investigation, grain-inclusive kibble is the cardiology-recommended default. Fromm Gold Puppy delivers grain-inclusive nutrition at the same A-grade rubric quality — no compromise on ingredient quality, significantly reduced DCM risk.
Controlled calcium for large-breed puppy growth: Fromm publishes guaranteed calcium percentages appropriate for large-breed puppy growth (1.0-1.8% dry matter). Excessive calcium during the rapid-growth phase accelerates orthopedic disease (OCD, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia); controlled calcium is critical for puppies expected to exceed 50lb adult weight. Orijen Puppy also controls calcium but its higher overall mineral density from raw organ inclusions means extra attention to feeding guidelines in giant-breed applications.
Wisconsin family-owned, single facility: Fromm is still a fifth-generation family-owned operation making every bag in Wisconsin. For buyers who prioritize family-scale manufacturing and supply-chain simplicity, this is genuinely differentiating in a category increasingly dominated by multinational consolidation. Shop on Amazon →
Where Orijen Puppy holds its own
85% animal ingredient composition: Orijen publishes a guaranteed 85% animal-ingredient composition by volume, with the remaining 15% being fruits, vegetables, and botanicals. That ratio is unmatched in the commercial kibble category. For small- and medium-breed puppies without DCM predisposition, the biologically appropriate density delivers protein and amino acid richness that builds lean muscle fast.
Multiple raw and fresh organ inclusions: Orijen’s ingredient list includes fresh and raw chicken liver, turkey liver, chicken heart, turkey heart — organ meats in their least-processed form deliver taurine, B-vitamins, and iron in highest bioavailability. Fromm includes organ meat in the protein meal ingredients but not typically as fresh/raw organ inclusions in the top half of the ingredient list.
Higher guaranteed protein and fat for highly active puppies: Orijen Puppy sits around 38-40% guaranteed protein, which is higher than Fromm Gold Puppy’s low-30s range. For working-line breeds, high-drive sport dogs, and any puppy with a very active trajectory, the extra protein supports faster lean-mass accumulation. Shop on Amazon →
The bottom line
This is a true top-of-market tie, with the right answer depending on breed category. For large-breed or DCM-predisposed puppies, Fromm Gold Puppy is the smarter pick — grain-inclusive and controlled calcium are non-negotiable for these dogs, and Fromm delivers both without compromising rubric quality. For small- and medium-breed puppies without DCM predisposition, Orijen Puppy’s biologically appropriate density is a meaningful advantage — more protein per calorie, more whole-food density, more animal-ingredient richness. Both brands are at the top of the market; neither is a wrong choice for a healthy puppy, and both stand among the top picks in our best puppy foods guide.