Primal Dog Food Reviews: A Raw Revolution in Canine Nutrition

Primal is a premium raw food company that positions itself as an industry leader in the area of all-natural organic pet foods. They believe that dogs should eat in a way that closely mimics how they would if they were out in the wild.

The Primal dog food contains the highest quality ingredients and 100% edible-grade meats and certified organic produce.

The company refers to their food as “species-appropriate nutrition,” so everything they include in their food is put in there for a specific reason.

All the food gets made with fresh, antibiotic and steroid free muscle meat, organs, and bones without any added hormones.

Lastly, they do not use any pet-grade meats in any of their products. This means that you as a human would be able to eat this food and it would be considered healthy for you.

All of their protein gets naturally sourced from ranches in the United States, New Zealand, Australia and Europe.

Primal’s Quality Guarantee:

No grain, gluten, corn, wheat, soy, synthetic vitamins, steroids, hormones, antibiotics, or crates get used in the process of creating their food.

All the animals are grass fed, vegetable fed, wild caught, ethically raised, manufactured in the USA, human-edible, certified organic, and sustainably sourced.

Read on below for all the details that you need to know with our comprehensive Primal Dog Food Reviews.

Brand Quick Look

• Parent Company: None
• Founded in: 2000
• Made in: California USA
• Available at:  Local Retailers, and limited products available on Chewy, Amazon, Petsmart
• Types of Food: Raw, Freeze-Dried, Meaty Bones, Treats
• Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients? : Yes
• Recalled in Past? : Yes

Behind the Brand

The story of Primal Foods started in early 2000 when the founder Matt Koss saw that his dog was showing early signs of renal failure. He tried everything to help with this issue to no avail and decided it was time to take serious action.

He took his pup to a holistic veterinarian who recommended switching him to a diet of bones and raw food which closely mimics how his dog would eat in the wild.

It didn’t take long before he noticed Luna was not only eating better, but she showed signs of increased energy and overall quality of life. Once Matt saw these incredible results he felt like he had to share it with the world.

Matt set out to create a pet food brand focused on using only the best human-grade ingredients to feed our pets like they are a member of our family. Since then, Primal has changed the lives of pets and pet owners nationwide.

 

Primal Dog Food Reviews

1. Pork Formula Nuggets

This is one of the complete meals from Primal’s balanced bases for dogs. The ingredients in this recipe are freeze-dried raw. This shelf-stable raw food is convenient to feed to dogs. Simply break the nuggets into your desired portion sizes, shred, and rehydrate with water, broth, or goat milk.

It is a high-protein (39%) freeze-dried dog food, with pork hearts as the main ingredient, providing both quality protein and a rich flavor dogs enjoy.

Ethically sourced, crate-free pork is used, free from hormones, antibiotics, and steroids. The formula includes fresh pork bone for natural calcium and organic produce like collard greens, cranberries, and blueberries for essential nutrients and antioxidants.

It contains no grains, gluten, or artificial additives, making it ideal for sensitive dogs. Convenient to serve and rehydrate, it’s a popular choice for pet parents transitioning their dogs to a raw diet.

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2. Chicken Formula Nuggets

This is another one of the brand’s balanced bases. They are called balanced bases as they are complete meals that can be served as a base for Primal’s meal boosters like bone broths, Edible Elixirs, and raw goat’s milk. These freeze-dried nuggets are a convenient way to serve raw meals to your pup.

This is a high-protein (37%) grain-free freeze-dried dog food made from fresh chicken meat, necks, gizzards, and liver, offering a rich, meaty flavor that dogs love.

The protein helps maintain lean muscle mass, while finely ground chicken bones provide natural calcium. The recipe includes nutritious fats from salmon oil and organic coconut oil to promote healthy skin and coat.

Packed with organic produce like kale, carrots, and squash, it delivers fiber, antioxidants, and balanced nutrition without synthetic additives. Free from common allergens like grains, corn, wheat, and soy, it’s ideal for sensitive dogs.

Pet parents report improvements in their dogs’ overall health, digestion, and coat quality, though some find it costly, especially for larger or multiple dogs. Many use it as a kibble topper to maximize its benefits while managing costs.

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3. Turkey & Sardine Formula Nuggets

This is a convenient freeze-dried complete meal that features two sources of protein. This recipe is perfect for canine fish fans. It is rich in flavor and all the nutrients naturally found in its organic ingredients.

This product offers an easy-to-prepare, nutrient-dense raw diet option for dogs. Simply break or shred the freeze-dried nuggets and rehydrate with water.

With fresh turkey as the main protein source, along with sardines rich in omega-3 fatty acids, this 40% protein formula supports skin, coat, and joint health. Compared to other recipes, it’s lower in fat (23%) and includes organic coconut oil for added skin benefits.

Organic produce like collard greens, squash, blueberries, and cranberries provide antioxidants and fiber. Free from grains, fillers, and synthetic additives, this recipe is ideal for dogs with sensitivities.

Fur parents appreciate its convenience, quality, and health benefits, though some find it expensive and use it as a kibble topper to manage costs.

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4. Lamb Formula Nuggets

This is a highly nutritious raw dog food that has been freeze-dried for your convenience. It has all of the nutrients of a raw diet, without the short shelf life or risk of unwanted bacteria. This lamb recipe can be served on its own, or as a kibble-topper.

It has fresh lamb hearts and livers as the main protein source. These ingredients make up most of this recipe’s 39% protein content. They come from ethically raised lamb that is free from steroids, added hormones, and antibiotics.

The Lamb hearts and livers give this freeze-dried raw food a rich and delicious flavor that dogs love. Finely ground fresh lamb bones provide dogs with optimum levels of calcium. This lamb recipe has ideal levels of amino acids, essential fatty acids, and natural enzymes.

Featuring salmon oil and organic coconut oil for skin and coat health, it also includes fresh organic produce like kale, carrots, squash, and blueberries for fiber and natural nutrients. Free from common allergens like wheat, corn, and soy, it contains no synthetic additives.

Versatile and easy to prepare, it can be served as a full meal or a kibble topper to save costs. Primal also suggests pairing it with their bone broths, raw goat milk, or Edible Elixirs for added health benefits.

Consumers report that it is gentle on sensitive stomachs and highly palatable, though the high cost leads some to use it as a treat or topper.

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5. Duck with Turkey & Fish Nuggets

This right here is a high-protein raw food that is shelf-stable and ready to serve. The freeze-dried raw nuggets are a breeze to serve. Simply shred the nuggets, rehydrate with water, and serve to your pup. It can be served on its own as a meal, or as a meal enhancer.

Made with antibiotic, hormone and steroid-free fresh duck meat, turkey, fish and organs, it provides high-quality protein for your dog’s muscle mass maintenance. At 42% protein, it has one of the highest protein content among Prima’s freeze-dried nuggets recipes.

This is a flavorful, nutrient-dense freeze-dried raw dog food. Made from several quality meats, organs and finely ground bones, it provides high-quality protein and natural calcium.

The 30% fat content comes from healthy fats like salmon oil and organic coconut oil, which promote skin and coat health through omega and medium-chain fatty acids.

Packed with organic vegetables and superfoods like kale, carrots, squash, apples, blueberries and cranberries, it offers antioxidants for immune support. Free from grains, fillers and synthetic additives, it’s ideal for sensitive dogs.

Pet owners love the recipe’s palatability and health benefits, though many use it as a kibble topper due to its high cost.

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6. Venison Nuggets

This is a nutritionally complete raw meal for dogs that is conveniently freeze-dried. Made of raw venison, this ultra high-protein dog food combines the nutrition of a raw diet with the convenience of ready to serve food.

It boasts the highest protein content in the brand’s freeze-dried range, with 59% protein to support lean muscle mass, mimicking dogs’ ancestral diets.

Made from antibiotic, hormone, and steroid-free venison meat, organs, and bones, it also includes sardine oil and organic coconut oil for a 28% fat content, promoting healthy skin and coat.

The recipe includes organic produce like collard greens, squash, blueberries, and cranberries for antioxidants and fiber. Free from grains, gluten, corn, and soy, it’s ideal for sensitive dogs and retains natural nutrients without synthetic supplements.

While the freeze-dried nuggets are convenient and easy to prepare, some pet parents find them harder to break compared to other formulas. Although dogs generally enjoy the venison flavor, some prefer other proteins.

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7. You Maple My Day Pork & Maple with Goat Milk 

These crunchy dog treats are a sweet and savory reward your pup will love. Made in the USA, these delicious treats use organic, crate-free pork raised without added antibiotics, steroids or hormones.

Each piece is gently freeze-dried to preserve nutrients and deliver an irresistibly crunchy texture. The recipe features a tasty blend of maple, probiotics and real goat milk to support healthy digestion while keeping snack time exciting.

They’re completely free from grain, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives, making them a wholesome, high-quality treat you can feel good about giving your dog.

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8. Let’s All Get A Lung Beef Treats