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Primal Beef & Salmon Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food

Primal Beef & Salmon Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Company info
Company HQ
Fairfield, California
Parent company
Primal Pet Foods Inc.
Product info
Age Range: Adult
Food Form Freeze-Dried Cat Food
Cost per day: $1.16
Primary proteins
  • Beef Hearts
  • Beef Livers
  • Salmon

Ingredients

Beef Hearts, Ground Beef Bones, Beef Livers, Salmon, Organic Kale, Organic Squash, Organic Carrots, Organic Apples, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Cranberries, Organic Blueberries, Organic Broccoli, Organic Parsley, Organic Quinoa, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Fish Oil, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Rosemary Extract, Taurine, Organic Coconut Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Vitamin E Supplement, Organic Ground Alfalfa, Dried Organic Kelp, Zinc Sulfate.

Overall Score

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58%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 57%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 69%
? We scan the FDA’s database and rate each brand by the number of recalls in its history. Brands with fewer recalls receive higher ratings. Recall History 25%
? By comparing the prices of foods in our database, we determine if a food is above or below market average price. Lower-priced foods receive higher ratings. Price 66%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 74%
? Our rating system evaluates each food’s manufacturing method, assigning higher ratings to manufacturing processes that promote higher nutritional value. Manufacturing Method 0%
? Based on the variety of sizes available. Size Variety 100%

Estimated Nutrient Content

To understand the nutrient content of pet food, we visualize its macronutrient composition in three ways. In the charts below, you’ll see a guaranteed analysis on an as-fed basis, a dry matter analysis, and a breakdown of the food’s macronutrients on a calorie-weighted basis.

Remember that all of these values are estimates based on the guaranteed analysis published by the company, and the food’s actual nutrient values may be slightly different.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Protein: 36%

Fat: 30%

Fiber: 6%

Moisture: 6%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 22%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 38.3%

Fat: 31.91%

Fiber: 6.38%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 23.4%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 27.51%

Fat: 55.68%

Carb: 16.81%

Our Review

Pros
  • Freeze-dried food retains the nutritional value of raw meat
  • Contains kelp as a natural source of essential nutrients
  • Doesn’t contain fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
  • A good source of omega-3 fatty acids
Cons
  • Low protein content
  • High in carbohydrates
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains plant-based proteins
  • Doesn’t receive consistently positive customer reviews
  • Freeze dried cat food requires rehydration, which is time-consuming
  • The brand has had multiple recalls over recent years
  • Some cats may be allergic to fish

Recall History

The following list (if present) shows all cat food recalls related to Primal since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.

Primal - Cat Food (05/28/2011) -+
Date: 05/28/2011
Company Name: Primal Pet Foods Inc.
Product Description: Cat Food
Recall Reason: Salmonella
Primal - Cat food-Feline Turkey Raw Frozen Formula (03/13/2015) -+
Date: 03/13/2015
Company Name: Primal Pet Foods Inc.
Product Description: Cat food-Feline Turkey Raw Frozen Formula
Recall Reason: low thiamine level
Primal - Freeze Dried Pet Food (12/22/2017) -+
Date: 12/22/2017
Company Name: Primal Pet Foods Inc.
Product Description: Freeze Dried Pet Food
Recall Reason: Bone grind size too large

Ingredient Review

Our review of Primal Beef & Salmon Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Beef Hearts. Beef hearts is muscle tissue from the heart of any cattle species. In pet food, beef hearts serve as an excellent source of protein, iron, zinc, B vitamins, and many trace minerals to support your companion’s overall well-being.

The second ingredient is Ground Beef Bones. Ground beef bones are dried, ground bones from cattle. In pet food, ground beef bones can be a source of calcium and phosphorus, two essential nutrients to keep your pet’s joints, bones, and teeth healthy.

The third ingredient is Beef Livers. Beef livers is a general term for liver meat from any cattle breed. The beef livers in pet food are a source of protein, iron, and many other essential nutrients.

The fourth ingredient is Salmon. Salmon is meat from any fish in the salmon family, and in pet food, salmon might also refer to other parts of the fish including skin and organs. Salmon is an excellent source of protein, and it is a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids.

The fifth ingredient is Organic Kale. Organic kale is a variety of leaf cabbage that is grown without chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides, usually for human consumption. In pet food, organic kale can be a source of natural coloring as well as a source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Primal Beef & Salmon Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from fish based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per oz

Product Price

$2.7

Market Price avg.

$2.99

% From the Avg

-10%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$1.94

Market Price avg.

$2.29

% From the Avg

-16%

Price per day

Product Price

$1.16

Market Price avg.

$1.38

% From the Avg

-16%

Primal Beef & Salmon Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food is priced below the average market price for freeze-dried cat food.

Nutritional Analysis

Adult cat foods can have a lot of variability in calorie density but generally meet requirements for the average active cat. With formulations addressing a wide variety of needs, including weight loss or gain, indoor or outdoor living, or hairball problems, individual recipes may vary greatly in calorie, fiber, and nutritional content.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Primal Beef & Salmon Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food to the other 58 freeze-dried cat food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

38.3%

All Products avg.

48.5%

% From the Avg

-21%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

31.91%

All Products avg.

26.84%

% From the Avg

+19%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

6.38%

All Products avg.

4.67%

% From the Avg

+37%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

23.4%

All Products avg.

19.42%

% From the Avg

+20%

Analysis Overview

Overall, this is a fish based food that’s low in protein with high fat and high carbohydrate content relative to other freeze-dried cat foods.

Disclaimer and Disclosure

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