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Primal Turkey & Sardine Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food

Primal Turkey & Sardine 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: $1.33
Primary proteins
  • Turkey
  • Turkey Livers
  • Whole Sardines

Ingredients

Turkey (with ground bone), Turkey Livers, Whole Sardines, Organic Squash, Organic Kale, Organic Celery, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Blueberries, Organic Cranberries, Organic Quinoa, Organic Rosemary Extract, Organic Cilantro, Organic Ginger, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Montmorillonite Clay, Organic Coconut Oil, 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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64%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 90%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 67%
? 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 33%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 87%
? 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: 51%

Fat: 23%

Fiber: 3%

Moisture: 7%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 16%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 54.84%

Fat: 24.73%

Fiber: 3.23%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 17.2%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 41.51%

Fat: 45.47%

Carb: 13.02%

Our Review

Pros
  • 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
  • Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
Cons
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains a small amount of plant-based proteins
  • Freeze dried dog food requires rehydration, which is time-consuming
  • The brand has had multiple recalls over recent years

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 Turkey & Sardine Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog 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 Whole Sardines. Whole sardines are small, oily fish that are used for human consumption worldwide. In pet food, whole sardines serves as a source of protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and Omega-3 essential fatty acid.

The fourth ingredient is Organic Squash. Organic squash is a general term for the fruit from any variety of squash plant, that has been raised without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. In pet food, organic squash is often a source of highly digestible gluten-free carbohydrates, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

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 Turkey & Sardine 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

$2.7

Market Price avg.

$2.66

% From the Avg

+2%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$2.22

Market Price avg.

$1.80

% From the Avg

+23%

Price per day

Product Price

$1.33

Market Price avg.

$1.08

% From the Avg

+23%

Primal Turkey & Sardine Formula Nuggets Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food is priced 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 Turkey & Sardine 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

54.84%

All Products avg.

45.03%

% From the Avg

+22%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

24.73%

All Products avg.

27.3%

% From the Avg

-9%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

3.23%

All Products avg.

4.24%

% From the Avg

-24%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

17.2%

All Products avg.

23.05%

% From the Avg

-25%

Analysis Overview

Overall, this is a meat based food that’s high in protein with moderate fat and low 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.

We do, however, participate in affiliate marketing programs and we partner with select brands to fund our site. We choose the products we review carefully and review them thoroughly before publishing a review or accepting any form of payment.

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