The 9 Best Cat Foods From Primal
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Domestic cats, like their wild cousins, are obligate carnivores.
This means that people not only crave raw meat, but also require it for good health. Obligate carnivores' gastrointestinal systems are built to extract all necessary nutrients from meat alone.
Unfortunately, most commercial cat food recipes nowadays do not provide adequate nutritional balance to cats since they contain meat by-products and filler goods rather than actual meat.
Needless to say, these meals can be harmful to your cat's health, which is why chronic disorders such as feline obesity are on the rise nowadays.
The good news is that a few manufacturers are actively addressing this issue by offering raw and free-dried foods that are healthier and more appropriate for felines. One of these brands is Primal Pet Food.
Primal Cat Food is a collection of freeze-dried raw cat food recipes designed to resemble a cat's natural diet.
The brand is well regarded by pet owners due to how much their cats enjoy the recipes, as well as the tremendous health gains they have experienced after feeding their felines Primal Cat Food.
Everything you need to know about this brand is right here with the review of the best cat foods from Primal by BestForPets (bestforpets.org).
Reviews
Primal Turkey Freeze-Dried Nuggets
The Primal Freeze-Dried Turkey Nuggets Formula is made up of 93% turkey organs and 7% supplements.
This formula is currently one of the best cat feeds we’ve found because it offers cats with a comprehensive and balanced diet without incorporating unneeded or filler ingredients.
Furthermore, the turkeys used are raised organically, assuring that their meat has no substances that could be hazardous to the health of a cat.
The Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets Turkey Formula, like other Primal recipes, is grain-free and free of fillers and additives. This formula, unlike wet cat food, has a lengthy shelf life.
However, this recipe can take up to 15 minutes to prepare, so it cannot be served quickly.
Pros
- This mixture contains 93% high-quality turkey organs.
- Excellent for cats of all ages.
- Long storage life
- There are no additives or fillers in this product.
Cons
- Preparation takes a long time.
Freeze-Dried Chicken and Salmon Formula from Primal Pet Foods
Cats love the Primal Pet Foods Freeze-Dried Chicken and Salmon Formula because it tastes great. The hens and fish used to manufacture this dish, like the turkey formula, are raised organically.
It is also supplemented with vitamins and minerals, making it a full and well-balanced diet suitable for cats of all ages.
The Primal Pet Foods Freeze-Dried Chicken and Salmon Formula is also grain-free, free of fillers and additives, and freeze-dried to protect nutrients.
However, because it is essentially a dry composition, it must be diluted with water before serving.
Pros
- Meat derived from organically raised chicken and salmon
- Excellent flavor
- Mineral and vitamin fortification
- Cats of all ages will enjoy it.
- It is grain-free and has no fillers or additives.
Cons
- Water must be delectable.
Rabbit Formula Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets
If your cat like rabbit meat, the Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets Rabbit Formula will make their day.
Rabbit meat is a high-protein source that accounts for the majority of the content in this formula. The rabbit meat used in this recipe, like other Primal products, is derived from ethically bred rabbits.
This recipe is additionally supplemented with a variety of minerals and vitamins to provide your cat with a well-balanced diet. It is also freeze-dried to provide a long shelf life while retaining all nutrients.
While the Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets Rabbit Formula is a fantastic product, some cats do not seem to enjoy the taste.
Pros
- The principal ingredient is organic rabbit meat.
- Offers a well-balanced dinner
- Ideal for cats of all ages.
- Protein of high grade
Cons
- Some cats may dislike it.
Grain-Free Raw Freeze-Dried Cat Food Primal Pork Formula Nuggets
The predominant protein source in this freeze-dried cat chow appears to be pork.
The freeze-dried nuggets are produced mostly of antibiotic-free, hormone-free, and steroid-free swine hearts and organs.
The remaining 7% is made up of vegetables and supplements such as collard greens, squash, green beans, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and others.
The cuisine, like many Primal recipes, depends on natural foods rather than synthetic chemicals, however it also contains taurine.
Nutrients and necessary fatty acids are provided by sardine oil, coconut oil, and cod liver oil. It should be noted that animal fat is ideal for cats.
Although coconut oil is high in lauric acid, which has antimicrobial characteristics, it is not very useful to cats. Overall, this food is high in protein, low in fat, and high in carbohydrates.
The recipe contains 93% pork components. It contains about 8% organs and 6% bones, which roughly corresponds to the composition of your cat’s natural prey.
Per ounce, the food contains 147 calories.
Pros
- It makes use of a combination of muscle meat and organs.
- Muscle meat, organs, and bones are distributed in species-appropriate proportions.
- High in protein from animals
- Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives are not used.
- No synthetic ingredients
Cons
- In comparison to other Primal dishes, this one has a high carbohydrate level.
- This recipe was disliked by a considerable number of consumers’ cats.
Freeze-Dried PRIMAL Feline Beef & Salmon Formula Nuggets
- Food Type: Freeze-Dried Raw
- Beef hearts, livers, ground beef bones, salmon, and organic greens are the first five ingredients.
- 53% protein, 30% fat, 3% fiber, and 3% moisture are guaranteed.
- 157 kcal/oz calories per cup
- Price per pound/ounce: $2.29
This beef and salmon formula, Primal’s other dual-protein meal, begins with cow hearts as the first component, followed by beef liver and ground beef bones. Fresh salmon is the fourth and only animal component in this recipe.
Following the protein elements (which also serve as the principal sources of healthy fats), a variety of organic and conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as pumpkin and sunflower seeds, are included.
Another advantage of these freeze-dried formulae is that they do not contain any vitamin or mineral additives.
The inclusion of supplements in cat food is not inherently a bad thing, but a strong reliance on them indicates low nutritional quality of the components themselves.
The absence of any signifies that the raw ingredients and the product are extremely nutritious.
PRIMAL Raw Frozen Feline Duck Nuggets
- Food Type: Raw Frozen
- Duck (with ground bone), Duck Livers, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Cranberries are the first five ingredients.
- Analysis guaranteed: 11% protein, 8% fat, 1% fiber, 79% moisture
- Caloric content per cup: 36 kcal/oz.
- Price per pound or ounce: $8.33
This formula, like the preceding one, is prepared with a single source of animal protein. The key distinction is that the food is delivered as nuggets rather than bite-sized chunks.
Fresh duck is the major ingredient in this recipe, followed by duck necks, gizzards, and livers. You’ll discover fresh fruits and vegetables (both organic and conventionally raised), as well as organic pumpkin and sunflower seeds.
Salmon oil, along with coconut oil, is added to this recipe and others to assist offer a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for your cat’s skin and coat health. Unlike many others, this recipe contains only one synthetic vitamin, vitamin E.
A Brief Examination of Primal Cat Food
Pros
- Mimics a wild cat’s natural diet
- Contains human-grade components
- The meats utilized contain no steroids or antibiotics.
- A diverse range of recipes
- All recipes have the “Complete Diet” label.
Cons
- Phosphorus concentration is high.
History of Primal Cat Food Recalls
Checking a brand’s recall history is one of the finest ways to determine its adherence to high-quality standards. A recall does not suggest that a brand’s quality standards are substandard.
This is due to the fact that product recalls occur for a variety of causes, including minor ones such as labeling errors. They can, however, be caused by major complications such as pollution.
As a result, the most crucial factor to examine when evaluating a brand’s recall history is the reason for the recalls. A long history of recalls is also not a good omen.
Since its inception, Primal Cat Food has experienced three recalls.
They are as follows:
- Primal’s Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula was recalled by the FDA in May 2011 owing to probable salmonella contamination.
- The FDA issued a recall for Primal’s Feline Turkey Raw Frozen recipe in March 2015 owing to inadequate levels of thiamine.
- December 2017 – The company recalled 9 of its freeze-dried recipes due to excessively large bone grind sizes.
Review of Primal Cat Food
In this part, we’ll go through the Primal Cat Food brand in detail.
While this brand is well-known for its freeze-dried raw foods that closely resemble a wild feline’s diet, it is critical that you understand its goods and components in order to determine whether this brand is worth your investment.
Who manufactures Primal Cat Food and where is it manufactured?
Primal Cat Food has been in business since 2001 and is situated in San Francisco, California.
Raw cat food is offered by the company as a healthier alternative to the profusion of poor commercial cat feeds on the market today.
Which Cats Are Primal Cat Foods Suitable For?
Primal Cat Food is appropriate for all types of cats because it closely resembles their natural diet around the world. As a result, if you intend to transition your cat’s current diet to a raw diet, Primal Cat Foods is a fantastic brand to consider.
Primary Ingredients Discussion (Good and Bad)
According to the producer, all of their formulations are made using human-grade components that are free of steroids and antibiotics.
Furthermore, they provide unprocessed vitamins and minerals to guarantee that your cat receives adequate nutrition.
Primal Cat Foods claims to get their ingredients from farms and ranches in the United States and New Zealand.
Furthermore, all of their dishes adhere to the Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods (BARF) diet and exclude grains, gluten, rice, wheat, and other fillers.
Nonetheless, we investigated their recipes to discover if the manufacturer’s claims were true. Here’s what we discovered:
Primal Cat Food’s Primary Ingredients
Primal Cat Food’s varied cat food formulas contain up to 55 distinct components.
However, in the United States, cat food ingredients are arranged and listed by weight, so the first five ingredients make up the majority of the meal.
The most common components in Primal Cat Food’s top 5 include:
- Chicken
- The turkey neck
- Gizzard of a chicken
- Collard green, organic
- Squash, organic
Right away, you can see that the majority of Primal Cat Food’s recipes contain high-quality protein sources, which we all love.
Dyes Synthetic
Artificial dyes are commonly used by pet food manufacturers to enhance the color and appeal of their recipes.
Artificial dyes are not only unneeded, but they may also be dangerous. This is why we advise against feeding pet meals containing artificial colours.
Primal, thankfully, does not use artificial food coloring in their recipes.
By-Products of Animals
Animal by-products are non-rendered, non-meat portions obtained from slaughtered animals, according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
They are essentially the carcass leftovers after it has been processed for meat.
While animal by-products are not necessarily dangerous (in fact, some can be beneficial), most consumers associate them with slaughterhouse waste.
As a result, premium brands avoid utilizing animal byproducts in their components, instead opting for branded organ meats.
Primal Cat food does not contain any animal byproducts in its formulations.
Grain Cereals
Cats, as previously said, are obligate carnivores, which means they cannot digest plant-based components. As a result, grain-free cat food is required.
Unfortunately, most manufacturers add grains as filler ingredients in their cat food formulas. Fortunately, all Primal Cat Food recipes are grain-free.
What Other Customers Have to Say About Primal Cat Food
It is usually a good idea to seek the advice of others who have used a product you are thinking about purchasing, as they have first-hand knowledge with it.
We scoured the internet for user feedback on Primal Cat Food. The feedback has been overwhelmingly good. Many cat owners attribute healthier coats, weight regulation, and increased energy levels in their cats to Primal Cat Food.
Furthermore, cats with sensitive stomachs or food allergies do not appear to have a problem with this cat food, which is a huge comfort for their owners.
Many customers appreciate Primal Cat Food’s lack of fillers and chemical boosters. However, some people claim that their cats do not love Primal Cat Food. Raw food is not preferred by all cats.
You may read the reviews for yourself by clicking here.
Conclusion
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) truly believes Primal Cat Food is one of the greatest cat food brands available today. This producer does not skimp on the quality of their numerous formulations.
This is demonstrated by the fact that their remedies only contain 100% USDA human-grade ingredients, with no cheap fillers, animal by-products, or artificial chemicals. Furthermore, their meat comes from organically raised animals.
After carefully looking at and testing all of the best cat foods from Primal, we think that Freeze-Dried Chicken and Salmon Formula from Primal Pet Foods and Primal Turkey Freeze-Dried Nuggets are the two most important and reliable ones for you to consider.
Cats thrive on a diet similar to that of their wild relatives, which is why a raw diet is undoubtedly the finest type of diet to offer your cat.
Primal Cat Food is the highest quality commercial freeze-dried raw cat food available.
FAQs
What Is the Price of Primal Cat Food?
It would cost roughly $3.18 per day to feed your 10-pound cat 1.5 ounces of Primal cat chow each day (about 200 calories). As a result, it is among the more expensive goods on the market.
It costs substantially more than the usual dry food, is comparable to some high-end canned products, and is slightly more expensive than Stella & Chewy’s, another popular raw cat food brand.
Is Primal a Good Choice in General?
Primal raw cat food is produced with high-quality ingredients and delivers a species-appropriate, whole-prey-inspired diet that is high in muscular meat, organs, and bone for your cat.
Despite the fact that their feeds are made from plant materials rather than manufactured additives, they are low in carbs and have a species-appropriate macronutrient distribution.
Primal is not without flaws, despite being one of the top brands on the market.
Primal goods, like many raw foods, have a rather high phosphorus concentration, with a normal phosphorus value of around 1.0%, or about 2 grams per 1,000 calories.
That’s close to the quantity advised for developing kittens and far too much for a cat with kidney illness.
While most customers appear to enjoy Primal cat food, others complain that the food is inconsistent. Several recalls have been made by the corporation over the years.
When combined with the consumer complaints, this calls into doubt the company’s quality control. Aside from these reservations, Primal appears to be one of the best cat food products available.
Where Can I Get Primal Cat Food?
Primal is only available at pet specialty stores. Find a Primal merchant near you by clicking here. If you prefer to shop online, Primal is available on Chewy and Amazon.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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