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Primal Turkey Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food

Primal Turkey 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: $1.30
Primary proteins
  • Turkey
  • Turkey Livers

Ingredients

Turkey (with ground bone), Turkey Livers, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Cranberries, Organic Blueberries, Organic Celery, Organic Kale, Organic Squash, Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Cilantro, Organic Ginger, Organic Quinoa, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Fish Oil, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Coconut Oil, Cod Liver Oil, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Organic Ground Alfalfa, Dried Organic Kelp.

Overall Score

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62%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 86%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 66%
? 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 54%
? 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 92%

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: 48%

Fat: 22%

Fiber: 4%

Moisture: 9%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 17%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 52.75%

Fat: 24.18%

Fiber: 4.4%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 18.68%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 40.53%

Fat: 45.11%

Carb: 14.35%

Our Review

Pros
  • Rich in protein
  • Low carbohydrate content
  • 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 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 Turkey Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Turkey. Turkey is an easily digested meat that’s relatively low in fat. In pet food, turkey might be the primary protein source or it may be part of a blend made with different proteins.

The second ingredient is Turkey Livers. Turkey livers is a general term that can refer to fresh, frozen, cooked, or freeze dried liver from a turkey of any breed. The turkey livers in pet food are more than just a source of protein – they are also a good source of vitamin A, copper, niacin, zinc, and other essential nutrients.

The third ingredient is Organic Pumpkin Seeds. Organic pumpkin seeds are flat, oval, protein-rich seeds from inside of any variety of pumpkin that has been grown organically, i.e without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. It’s not common to find organic pumpkin seeds in pet food but when they are part of a recipe, they can increase protein content, add healthy fat, and provide plenty of important vitamins and minerals.

The fourth ingredient is Organic Sunflower Seeds.

The fifth ingredient is Organic Cranberries. Organic cranberries are the fruit of the cranberry plant, grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. In pet food, organic cranberries double as a source of healthy fiber and important antioxidants. Organic cranberries are high in vitamins A and C, plus they’re a good source of potassium.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Primal Turkey Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat 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

$2.17

Market Price avg.

$2.29

% From the Avg

-5%

Price per day

Product Price

$1.30

Market Price avg.

$1.38

% From the Avg

-6%

Primal Turkey Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food is priced within 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 Turkey 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

52.75%

All Products avg.

48.5%

% From the Avg

+9%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

24.18%

All Products avg.

26.84%

% From the Avg

-10%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

4.4%

All Products avg.

4.67%

% From the Avg

-6%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

18.68%

All Products avg.

19.42%

% From the Avg

-4%

Analysis Overview

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

Disclaimer and Disclosure

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