Primal Cat Food Reviews: Is Feeding Raw the Best Move?

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Primal cat food

Primal is a pet food company known for making natural raw pet food products for both cats and dogs. They offer freeze-dried raw complete meals, raw frozen product, as well as treats, broths, and food toppers.

To help guide you in picking the best raw food for your cat, we created this Primal cat food reviews of their top-rated cat food products available on Chewy.com.

Launched in 2001, Primal Pet Food was inspired by a dog named Luna. According to Primal’s website, founder Matt Koss’ dog Luna was displaying signs of renal failure.

At the advice of a holistic veterinarian, Matt switched Luna to a diet of raw food and bones known as BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food). This type of diet mimics an animal’s diet in the wild.

Luna’s health dramatically improved, as did her energy levels. Inspired by the overall improvement in his dog’s health and happiness, Matt decided to bring his raw pet food products to the market so other pets can enjoy the same health benefits that Luna had.

According to their website, Primal aims to provide food products as close to nature as possible. The brand offers complete meals for cats and dogs, as well as treats, bone broths, meal toppers, raw frozen product, raw bones, and even raw goat milk.

Their website lists 4 lines of products for the complete meals: Starter Pack, Raw Frozen Formula, Raw Pronto Formula, and Freeze-dried Formula.

Primal Cat Food Reviews: Is Feeding Raw the Best Move? 1

Primal Cat Food Reviews

1. Chicken & Salmon Formula Nuggets

Primal Cat Food Reviews: Is Feeding Raw the Best Move? 2

First 5 ingredients:

Chicken (with ground bone), Chicken Livers, Salmon, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds

Protein: 49.0% min

Fat: 26.0% min

Fiber: 2.0% max

Moisture: 8.0% max

Food Type: Freeze-Dried

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Special Diet: Grain-free

Primal’s Raw Freeze-dried Nuggets offer all the health benefits of raw, natural food with the convenience of dry food. No need to grind, chop, and mix the raw ingredients.

These raw freeze-dried products are recommended for cats of all life stages. It can be served dry just like dry kibble, or mixed with a little water to rehydrate.

This fresh chicken and wild-caught salmon cat food is high in protein, amino, and essential fatty acids. The first of its ingredients is chicken. Finely ground chicken bones are added for a natural source of calcium.

It is rich in vitamins and minerals from organic produce such as kale, squash, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin E (possibly mixed tocopherols) is also included to help support immune system health.

Pros

  • Zero gluten
  • Helps with weight control
  • Increase energy levels
  • Made using cage-free chicken

Cons

  • Doesn't rehydrate well

2. Turkey Formula Nuggets

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First 5 ingredients:

Turkey (with ground bone), Turkey Livers, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Cranberries

Protein: 48.0% min

Fat: 22.0% min

Fiber: 4.0% max

Moisture: 9.0% max

Food Type: Freeze-Dried

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Special Diet: Grain-free

These nuggets has fresh turkey meat as the first of its ingredients for high quality protein. This can also be served as dry food or with some water for a rehydrated wet food.

Finely ground fresh turkey bones are included in this product for optimum levels of calcium. Sardine oil is added for omega 3 fatty acids.

Other healthy ingredients of this freeze-dried raw cat food are organic apple cider vinegar, organic celery and organic coconut oil among others.

Pros

  • Antioxidant-rich
  • Healthy skin and coat
  • No corn, soy or wheat
  • Good for sensitive tummies

Cons

  • Possible recipe change

3. Beef & Salmon Formula Nuggets

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First 5 ingredients:

Beef Hearts, Ground Beef Bones, Beef Livers, Salmon, Organic Kale

Protein: 36.0% min

Fat: 30.0% min

Fiber: 6.0% max

Moisture: 6.0% max

Food Type: Freeze-Dried

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Special Diet: Grain-free

This formula is made of 91% real beef, salmon, organs, and bone. The first of this cat food’s ingredients is beef hearts.

It is rich in omega 3 fatty acids from cold-water wild-caught salmon and salmon oil. Vitamin E is added as another source of antioxidants. This cat food also includes taurine for retinal health.

Pros

  • Zero grains
  • Rich and tasty
  • Optimum levels of vitaminsnd minerals
  • Promotes beautiful, shiny coats

Cons

  • Hard to crumble

4. Rabbit Formula Nuggets

Primal Cat Food Reviews: Is Feeding Raw the Best Move? 5

First 5 ingredients:

Rabbit (with ground bone), Rabbit Livers, Organic Kale, Organic Celery, Organic Pumpkin Seeds

Protein: 57.0% min

Fat: 19.0% min

Fiber: 3.0% max

Moisture: 10.0% max

Food Type: Freeze-Dried

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Special Diet: Grain-free

This rabbit formula’s ingredients is made of 93% rabbit, organs, and bone. Only 7% of this freeze-dried product is made of produce and supplements.

The first of its ingredients is rabbit. This freeze-dried raw cat food is perfect for cats with allergies to grains, chicken, fish, and any other proteins. As rabbit is the only animal protein source, it is highly recommended for cats with dietary restrictions.

It contains produce such as organic celery, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, collard greens, and even apple cider vinegar as sources of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Pros

  • Novel protein
  • With organic veggies and fruits
  • Gentle on the stomach
  • Reduces allergies

Cons

  • Nuggets are a bit too tough

5. Pronto Chicken & Salmon Formula

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First 5 ingredients:

Chicken (with ground bone), Chicken Livers, Salmon, Organic Kale, Organic Squash

Protein: 47.0% min

Fat: 32.0% min

Fiber: 4.0% max

Moisture: 8.0% max

Food Type: Freeze-dried

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Special Diet: Grain-free

This Pronto recipe features cold-water wild-caught salmon and cage-free raised chicken to provide your cat with optimum levels of amino (13 to be exact) and essential fatty acids (omega 3 and omega 6). 

The formula uses only USDA organic produce and no synthetic vitamins. Only naturally-sourced ones are provided. 

Pros

  • Meaty
  • Low calorie
  • Premium ingredients
  • Bite-sized, easy-to-portion

Cons

  • Not easy to find

6. Pronto Pork Formula

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First 5 ingredients:

Pork (with ground bone), Pork Livers, Organic Kale, Organic Squash, Organic Carrots

Protein: 13.0% min

Fat: 6.0% min

Fiber: 2.0% max

Moisture: 78.0% max

Food Type: Freeze-dried

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Special Diet: Grain-free

Using pork as the main ingredient, this recipe is crafted to appeal to cat owners who have sensitive pets.

While pork is not exactly a novel protein anymore (with the recent trend in utilizing it in pet food), it is still not as common as chicken or beef and is not associated with too many allergy reports.

Packed with organs and ground bones, this formulation seeks to make it even more nutritious for your feline. Several different products (all USDA organic) round off the recipe to make it more balanced.

Pros

  • Easy to serve
  • Good amount of protein
  • Nutrition for all life stages
  • Comes with several fruits and veggies

Cons

  • Not easily found in stores

7. Pork Bone Broth

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First 5 ingredients:

Pork Bone Broth (Filtered Water and Pork Bones), Organic Carrots, Organic Butternut Squash, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Celery

Protein: 2.0% min

Fat: 0.1% min

Fiber: 0.1% max

Moisture: 98.0% max

Food Type: Broth

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Special Diet: Grain-free

This product offers cats a more tempting way to hydrate. It’s common for many cats not to drink as much water as they need, which can lead to dehydration.

The broth is a good way to deliver moisture while also providing felines with a little more flavor and nutrition on top of their regular food.

It comes with an herb — turmeric — to aid your cat’s digestion and serve as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and detoxifier.

Pros

  • Easy pour
  • Convenient packaging
  • Ethical and organic
  • Suitable for cats and dogs

Cons

  • Not widely available

8. Fresh Topper Omega Mussels

Primal Cat Food Reviews: Is Feeding Raw the Best Move? 9

First 5 ingredients:

Steamed Chilean Mussels, Pork Bone Broth, Organic Chia Seeds, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Parsley

Protein: 16.0% min

Fat: 4.0% min

Fiber: 1.0% max

Moisture: 75.0% max

Food Type: Frozen, Topping

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Special Diet: Grain-free

This Fresh Topper formulation employs a mélange of mussels to support your cat’s joint health.

Mussel meat is known for its glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acid content — enough to help keep your cat moving and more active every day.

Since the topper also contains bone broth, the collagen from the broth provides additional glucosamine and chondroitin.

It also employs a raw and organic apple cider vinegar to support your feline buddy’s skeletal system.

Pros

  • Resealable
  • Contains no grains
  • No legumes or lentils
  • Completely balanced

Cons

  • Being sold frozen, difficult to source online

9. Goat Milk+ Pumpkin Spice

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First 5 ingredients:

Raw Goat Milk, Organic Pumpkin, Dried Lactobacillus lactis fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product

Protein: 3.0% min

Fat: 3.0% min

Fiber: 1.0% max

Moisture: 90.0% max

Food Type: Milk

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Special Diet: Grain-free

Raw goat milk makes a perfect supplement for cats who suffer from various kinds of allergies.

It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe itchy skin or upset tummies. 

The recipe is also crafted with beneficial organisms to keep the digestive system as healthy as possible.

Pros

  • Aids digestion
  • Long shelf life
  • Contains beneficial organisms
  • Loaded with electrolytes and vitamins

Cons

  • Not every cat likes it

10. Butcher’s Blend Lamb

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Only ingredients:

Lamb Heart, Lamb Bone, Lamb Liver

Protein: 13.0% min

Fat: 13.0% min

Fiber: 1.0% max

Moisture: 70.0% max

Food Type: Raw, Topping

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Special Diet: Grain-free

Butcher’s Blend gives regular kibbles or wet food a big protein boost.

It features fresh and raw lamb as a topper to give your kitty more of the essential amino and fatty acids he deserves.

Utilizing bone and organs, this recipe raises the nutrition level even further. 

There are only three ingredients in the recipe — lamb heart, lamb bone and lamb liver.

Pros

  • 100% raw meat
  • Resealable bags
  • All meat and bone
  • Ethically-raised lamb

Cons

  • Not many stores stock this up

11. Market Mix Chicken

Primal Cat Food Reviews: Is Feeding Raw the Best Move? 12

First 5 Ingredients:

Chicken, Chicken Neck, Chicken Heart, Chicken Liver, Organic Kale

Protein: 12.0% min

Fat: 5.0% min

Fiber: 1.0% max

Moisture: 79.0% max

Food Type: Raw, Topping

Best for: All Lifestages, Adult

Special Diet: Grain-free

Market Mix Raw Toppers are similar to Primal’s Butcher Line with one exception — it has certified organic produce too.

The raw topper offers a bit more nutrition for kitty cats who may need supplemental feeding. 

This recipe’s main ingredient is fresh chicken that has been raised cage-free and without the use of antibiotics.

Pros

  • Low on calories
  • Uses organ meats
  • Naturally-sourced calcium
  • Superior levels of amino acids

Cons

  • A little expensive

12. Kibble in the Raw Chicken & Fish Recipe

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First 5 ingredients:

Chicken (with ground bone), Pacific Whiting, Chicken Livers, Sorghum, Egg

Protein: 36.0% min

Fat: 21.0% min

Fiber: 3.0% max

Moisture: 8.0% max

Food Type: Freeze-Dried

Best for: All Lifestages

Crafted with cage-free chicken, wild-caught fish, and organic produce, this kibble contains no synthetic vitamins, minerals or artificial additives.

The premium raw ingredients are freeze-dried to preserve their natural nutrients and flavor, offering your cat a meal that’s both wholesome and delicious.

Every recipe is carefully designed to support optimal nutrition and easy digestion, helping your cat stay healthy and vibrant.

The ingredients are gently prepared to retain their nutritional integrity before being formed into bite-sized pieces and freeze-dried—making mealtime simple for you and nourishing for your pet.

With this recipe, your cat gets the convenience of kibble without sacrificing quality or nutrition.

Pros

  • Non-GMO
  • Convenient
  • Multi-protein meal
  • Freeze dried to retain flavor and nutritional value

Cons

  • Steep price

13. The G.O.A.T. Chicken & Goat Milk Treats

Primal Cat Food Reviews: Is Feeding Raw the Best Move? 14

First 5 ingredients:

Chicken, Chicken Liver, Goat Milk, Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Rosemary Extract

Protein: 39.0% min

Fat: 31.0% min

Fiber: 1.0% max

Moisture: 9.0% max

Food Type: Treats, Freeze-Dried

Best for: All Lifestages

Special Diet: Grain-free

Crafted with organic, cage-free chicken raised without added antibiotics, hormones or steroids, these treats deliver clean, high-quality protein in every bite.

Gently freeze-dried to create a satisfying crunch, they’re as fun to eat as they are nutritious.

Each treat features the added benefits of real probiotics and goat milk to support healthy digestion and overall well-being.

Free from grains, corn, wheat, soy, and artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, these treats are a clean and nourishing option for even the most sensitive cats.

Give your furry companion a treat that’s as pure as it is delicious.

Pros

  • Locally made (US)
  • Crunchy texture
  • Limited ingredient
  • Zero synthetic supplements

Cons

  • Caused stomach upset in some

What Primal Cat Food Offers

Primal’s cat foods are divided into different ranges. We’ve only touched on a few, but all of its offerings are listed down here.

Balanced Bases

The Balanced Bases consists of cat food ranges that are crafted to be complete meals.

Raw Frozen Pronto Formulas

  • Chicken & Salmon 
  • Pork
  • Rabbit
  • Turkey

Freeze-Dried Nuggets

  • Beef & Salmon
  • Chicken & Salmon
  • Duck
  • Pork

Raw Frozen Nuggets

  • Beef & Salmon
  • Chicken & Salmon
  • Duck
  • Pork

Toppers & Hydrators

These cat food lines feature supplemental nutrition in the form of meat or hydration.

Bone Broth:

  • Chicken
  • Pork
  • Turkey
  • Beef

Edible Elixirs/Fresh Toppers

  • Omega Mussels
  • Awesome Squash
  • Power Greens

Raw Goat Milk

  • Original
  • Green Goodness
  • Pumpkin Spice
  • Cranberry Blast
primal cat food review

Butcher’s Blend Raw Toppers

  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Lamb
  • Pork

Market Mix Raw Toppers

  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Lamb
  • Pork

Treats & Chews

These lines feature high-quality snacks for your good feline.

Munchies

  • Freeze-Fried Beef Liver
  • Freeze-Dried Pork Liver
  • Freeze-Dried Turkey Liver

Raw Recreational Bones

  • Beef Marrow

Raw Meaty Bones

  • Chicken Neck

Takeaway

Primal is popular among cat owners who have switched their cat to a diet that is closer to what nature intended. The brand offers products such as freeze-dried raw meals and raw frozen products.

Its freeze-dried products can be served like dry food or with some water for wet food meals. The brand has many protein options, and you can be sure to find at least one suitable for your cat – even for one who has special dietary requirements.

The ingredients in Primal’s cat food are all high quality freeze-dried raw meat, such as chicken, rabbit, beef, quail, duck, venison, and pork that are raised ethically and without antibiotics or added hormones.

The company also uses cold-water wild-caught salmon. All of its complete cat food lines are free from grains, wheat, soy, corn, and potatoes.

The plant-based ingredients are highly-nutritious, such as organic celery, kale, cranberries, blueberries, carrots, spinach, and many others.

These are the sources of vitamins and minerals instead of synthetic supplements. However, Primal does include vitamin E supplement (likely mixed tocopherols) in some of their products.

The brand does not use artificial enhancers such as flavors, colors, or preservatives. Ingredients with known multiple health benefits, such as apple cider vinegar and organic coconut oil, are also included in its Primal Nuggets products.

The cat foods have received great reviews regarding the health benefits they give to numerous cats. From healthier skin and coats, to regulated weights, to higher energy levels. Many pets seem to thrive on Primal’s cat foods, especially those with food sensitivities.

Primal Cat Food Reviews: Is Feeding Raw the Best Move? 15

The single-source protein options have been great for cats who have food allergies or sensitive stomachs. Cats who suffer from allergy symptoms, such as skin problems, diarrhea, and vomiting have been given relief by being put on a Primal Pet Food diet. Their conditions have significantly improved or were completely resolved.

However, just like other raw foods, Primal’s cat foods tend to have a higher phosphorus content. This is not recommended for a cat with kidney disease, as they require food with a much lower phosphorus content.

Due to the high-quality ingredients, Primal products cost more than your average cat food. The foods do, however, save you time and effort in preparing a wholesome raw meal for your cats.

Based on ingredient quality, results delivered, reviews from cat parents, and cost, Primal is a good brand of cat food if you wish to switch your cat to a raw food diet. The brand offers a variety of choices even to those who have food restrictions.

The meals are convenient and easy to serve and have delivered good results to numerous cats. As these products are raw, Primal says to make sure that all work surfaces, hands, and bowls be washed with hot, soapy water after handling freeze-dried raw meat products.

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