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Primal Duck Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Primal Duck Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Company info
Company HQ
Fairfield, California
Parent company
Primal Pet Foods Inc.
Product info
Age Range: Adult
Food Form Freeze-Dried Dog Food
Cost per day: $1.60
Primary proteins
  • Duck
  • Duck Livers

Ingredients

Duck (with ground bone), Duck Livers, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Cranberries, Organic Blueberries, Organic Kale, Organic Squash, Organic Carrots, Organic Broccoli, Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Parsley, Organic Quinoa, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Fish Oil, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Coconut Oil, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Organic Ground Alfalfa, Dried Organic Kelp, Zinc Sulfate.

Breed sizes

size-1 Toy
size-2 Small
size-3 Medium
size-4 Large
size-5 Giant

Overall Score

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54%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 51%
? 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 25%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 89%
? 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: 33%

Fat: 22%

Fiber: 4%

Moisture: 7%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 34%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 35.48%

Fat: 23.66%

Fiber: 4.3%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 36.56%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 27.4%

Fat: 44.37%

Carb: 28.23%

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
  • Freeze dried dog food requires rehydration, which is time-consuming
  • The brand has had multiple recalls over recent years
  • Some dogs may be allergic to fish

Recall History

The following list (if present) shows all dog 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 Duck Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Duck. Duck is meat from any member of the Anatidae waterfowl. In pet food, duck can serve as a primary protein source as well as a source of animal fat, minerals, and amino acids. It is sometimes used as a novel protein, and is often an ingredient in diets formulated specifically for pets with allergies.

The second ingredient is Duck Livers. Duck gizzards are internal organs from a duck – they perform the job of masticating the duck’s food after it is swallowed, as ducks have no teeth. While this might not sound appealing to most of us, it is rich in a number of essential nutrients including iron and zinc. Added to pet food, duck gizzards are also a source of protein and amino acids.

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 Duck Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per oz

Product Price

$3.53

Market Price avg.

$2.65

% From the Avg

+33%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$2.66

Market Price avg.

$1.80

% From the Avg

+48%

Price per day

Product Price

$1.60

Market Price avg.

$1.08

% From the Avg

+48%

Primal Duck Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food is priced well above the average market price for freeze-dried dog food.

Nutritional Analysis

Your adult dog needs a balance of macro and micronutrients to thrive. A food formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages is made to meet these needs. While there can be a lot of variation in actual calorie density, adult dog foods are generally intended to provide for basic calorie needs of the average active dog. In addition to satisfying their energy needs, these foods provide the protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, and other nutrients your adult dog needs to survive. Again, not all adult foods are the same, so you may have to search around for the right fit for your dog.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Primal Duck Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food to the other 156 freeze-dried dog food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

35.48%

All Products avg.

45.03%

% From the Avg

-21%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

23.66%

All Products avg.

27.3%

% From the Avg

-13%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

4.3%

All Products avg.

4.24%

% From the Avg

+1%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

36.56%

All Products avg.

23.05%

% From the Avg

+59%

Analysis Overview

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

Disclaimer and Disclosure

At Pet Food Sherpa, our primary goal is to provide pet owners like you with accurate, relevant, and unbiased information about pet nutrition. As such, we do not accept gifts or incentives as motivation to include certain products in our reviews.

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