I just switched Kodee over to Orijen Lg. Breed Puppy food about a week ago. He loves it! He never was that interested in his other foods (he started on Science Diet til I did my research, then Nutro Natural Choice, then Canidae (very briefly til I decided on Orijen). I gradually switched him from Canidae to Orijen. He is now on only Orijen plus Vit E, Salmon oil, and occassionally I give him egg and meat (cooked). He hasn't been on it long enough for me to see much difference yet, but his coat IS looking better (probably starting to see results from the Salmon Oil and Vit E. Anyway, I had a question - his poos have turned really dark (practically black) since being on the Orijen. Why is this? He's doing great (I know it's not dark blood in his stool - I know what that looks like from prior experience working at a vet clinic). But I never saw a dog have such dark poops before. Are other people's dogs doing this on Orijen? Is it from the lack of grain or something? I just wondered if this is normal. Kodee looks and acts great, so I'm not worried, just curious.

Thanks for your input!

P.S. I plan on switching him to adult formula at about 5 mos of age.

Interesting story...I recently wrote Orijen and asked about distribution here in Texas...they said they weren't interested because they don't have any reliable, close sources of raw food here in Texas to any of their plants.

Makes me wonder about what comes first? The chicken or the plant?

I always notice a correlation between the color of the kibble and the color of the stool. Dogs that eat Hill's have very light brown stool to go with the very light color of the kibble. My dogs have pretty dark stools too, all I can assume is that its because Orijen is a pretty dark colored kibble!?

I wouldn't cook the meat (or the egg). I'd feed the raw meat and raw egg (with shell) in a seperate meal, maybe a lunch time snack or something.

Mike, thats a strange answer to a question about distribution?? Do you mean manufacturing?? They distribute the stuff in all 50 states and also Europe via ZooPlus.

Yes' I back up what Mike has said regards the colour of the Stools, they are Dark' but as Mike says the Kibble is a very dark colour so i expect that is the reason but the stools are always nice and firm,
Its the best Kibble i have used for the 33 years i have fed my Dogs on Kibble. I feed my two Pups on 75% Meat Orijen and 25% Fish Orijen, both together at each meal.
Twice a day for 11 month old Fred,
And Three times a day for 4 month old Goran.
On the morning feed a good Squirt of Salmon Oil and Vitamin E
Capsule.
They look very well indeed on it

Yeah, Mike, I meant manufacturing...they don't have a distribution network in Texas because they say they can't find reliable raw sources of food---which would keep them from building a plant here to make the food from fresh sources, or so they say.

You can order it thru mail but can't find it in the stores, here.