Highly Recommended
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Our Verdict
Primal Kibble In The Raw product range is made up of five recipes with ratings varying from 3.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars.
Kibble in the Raw recipes use raw protein as the primary ingredient, each ingredient is uniquely prepared and freeze-dried to preserve the nutrients and flavor.
Pros
- Quality protein-rich recipes
- No synthetic vitamins or minerals
- Freeze-dried to preserve nutrients
Cons
- Expensive
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Primal Kibble In The Raw Beef Recipe | 4.5 | M |
| Primal Kibble In The Raw Chicken Recipe | 5 | M |
| Primal Kibble In The Raw Small Breed Chicken Recipe | 5 | M |
| Primal Kibble In The Raw Fish & Pork Recipe | 5 | M |
| Primal Kibble In The Raw Puppy Recipe | 5 | G |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Primal Kibble In The Raw Fish & Pork Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Primal Kibble In The Raw Fish & Pork Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Pacific whiting, pork (with ground bone), sorghum, pork liver, salmon oil, pork lard, egg, organic sweet potato, organic apple, organic carrot, pork plasma, organic kale, organic spinach, dried yeast, montmorillonite clay, miscanthus grass, organic coconut, vitamin E supplement, vegetable oil, cod liver oil, organic ground alfalfa, inulin, dried organic kelp, liquid lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, liquid lactobacillus casei fermentation product, liquid lactobacillus reuteri fermentation product, liquid bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, mixed tocopherols (preservative), taurine, green tea extract, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 8%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 28% | 21% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 29% | 22% | 42% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 24% | 43% | 34% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is pacific whiting. Pacific whiting, also known as hake, is a whitefish species. Like all fish species whiting is a rich source of protein, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals:
Pacific whiting contains approximately 19 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, and 260 milligrams of omega-3 per 100 grams, as well as vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, selenium, and magnesium.
The second ingredient is pork. Pork can be defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered pork” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1
Pork is naturally rich in all 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The third ingredient is sorghum. Sorghum (milo) is a starchy cereal grain with a nutrient profile similar to corn.
Since it is gluten-free and boasts a smoother blood sugar behavior than other grains, sorghum may be considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient.
The fourth ingredient is pork liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fifth ingredient is salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high-quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
The sixth ingredient is pork fat, a product from rendering pig meat.
Commonly known as lard, pork fat can add significant flavor to a dog food. And it can be high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life.
Although it may not sound very appetizing, pork fat (in moderate amounts) is actually an acceptable pet food ingredient.
The seventh ingredient is whole eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
The eighth ingredient is organic sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
The ninth ingredient is organic apple, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
This recipe has three notable exceptions.
Taurine is present in this recipe, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
We note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
Also, montmorillonite clay, a naturally occurring compound rich in many trace minerals. Montmorillonite has been approved for use in USDA Organic Certified products.
Reported benefits include the binding of certain mold-based toxins and even controlling diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Primal Kibble In The Raw Fish & Pork Recipe looks like an above-average raw product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 30.4%, a fat level of 22.8% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 38.7%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 30.2% and a mean fat level of 23.9%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 37.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 80%.
This means this product line contains below-average protein, above-average carbohydrate and below-average fat, when compared to typical raw dog food.
Primal Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Primal through November 2024.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Primal Kibble In The Raw Dog Food
Primal Pet Foods is committed to using fresh, humanely raised ingredients that are free from antibiotics, steroids, and added hormones. They do not use any meat meals or by-products. This high-quality range certainly deserves the 5 stars that the brand has received in our review.
It is worth noting that the lower ratings within this range are due to the high fat to protein ratio. With lower fat content all of these recipes would have been 5 stars. We highly recommend these recipes for working or highly active dogs. If you give this particular formula to pets and less active dogs, we recommend you monitor their weight regularly to ensure they remain their ideal size.
About
Primal Pet Foods Inc. is based in Fairfield, California. It was founded in 2000 by Matt Koss and acquired by Kinderhook Industries, LLC. in 2021.
Kinderhook owns Prairie Dog Pet Products, Himalayan and Holistic Hound, and will combine all four brands under a new name, Primal Pet Group.
All Primal Pet Foods products are manufactured in Fairfield, CA and Abilene, TX.
Compare Primal Kibble In The Raw Dog Food
How does Primal Kibble In The Raw compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
Sources
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
