Primal Raw Frozen Grinds (Raw Frozen)

by Mike Sagman
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Rating: ★★★★★

Primal Raw Frozen Grinds dog food receives the Advisor’s highest rating of 5 stars.

The Primal Raw Frozen Grinds product line includes six dog foods, each intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.

The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review:

  • Primal Beef Grind
  • Primal Lamb Grind
  • Primal Turkey Grind
  • Primal Buffalo Grind
  • Primal Sardine Grind
  • Primal Chicken Grind

Primal Beef Grind raw frozen dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

Primal Beef Grind

Raw Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 47% | Fat = 33% | Carbs = 12%

Ingredients: Beef heart, beef liver, ground beef bone

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2.8%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

Estimated Nutrient Content
MethodProteinFatCarbs
Guaranteed Analysis17%12%NA
Dry Matter Basis47%33%12%
Calorie Weighted Basis34%58%8%

The first ingredient in this dog food is beef heart. The heart is a muscular organ. And although it may not sound very appetizing to us humans, beef heart is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog for life.

The second ingredient is beef liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

The third item is finely-ground beef bone, an excellent source of natural calcium and minerals.

Although we find no mention of added vitamins or minerals on the ingredients list, we’re reassured to find a detailed list of naturally present nutrients on the company’s website.1

Primal Dog Food Raw Frozen Grinds Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Primal Dog Food Raw Frozen Grinds deviates from the company’s Raw Frozen Formula in an important way.

Unlike the “Formula” series, this product was never intended to be fed as a complete and balanced canine diet.

Primal Raw Frozen Grind is a supplement. And because they probably lack some essential nutrients, supplements must not be fed continuously as the sole item in a dog’s diet.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 47%, a fat level of 33% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 12%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 52% and a mean fat level of 28%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 12% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.

Above-average protein. Near-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared with a typical raw dog food.

With no sign of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a raw frozen product containing a significant amount of meat.

What’s more, all of it is “100% human-grade” and “antibiotic and steroid free without added hormones”.2

Bottom line?

Primal Raw Frozen Grinds is a meat-based wet dog food using an abundance of various species as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars.

The product is sold in shrink-wrapped, sausage-shaped chubs.

Enthusiastically recommended (for supplemental feeding only).

For even more raw diet suggestions, be sure to visit the Advisor’s Recommended Raw Dog Foods summary page.

Special Alert

Rice ingredients can sometimes contain arsenic. Until the US FDA establishes safe upper levels for arsenic content, pet owners may wish to limit the total amount of rice fed in a dog's daily diet.

A Final Word

The descriptions and analyses expressed in this and every article on this website represent the views and opinions of the author.

Although it's our goal to ensure all the information on this website is correct, we cannot guarantee its completeness or its accuracy; nor can we commit to ensuring all the material is kept up-to-date on a daily basis.

Each review is offered in good faith and has been designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food.

However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.

For a better understanding of how we analyze each product, please read our article, "The Problem with Dog Food Reviews".

Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt, consult a qualified veterinary professional for help.

In closing, we do not accept money, gifts or samples from pet food companies in exchange for special consideration in the preparation of our reviews or ratings.

To learn how we support the cost of operating this website, please visit our public Disclosure and Disclaimer page.

Have an opinion about this dog food? Or maybe the review itself? Please know we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

04/11/2010 Original review
11/11/2010 Review updated
08/08/2012 Last Update

  1. Primal Pet Foods Website, 8/8/2012 ↩
  2. Primal Pet Foods, 4/11/2010 ↩
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  • Shawna

    Yeah — the two foster dogs that I had that I switched completely to raw———they both would vomit due to excitement or stress (good or bad).  Gus vomitted almost daily usually when I came home to give the dogs a potty break during my lunch break.  Or when I came home for the night.  Or when I was preparing their next meal.

    Gus would vomit up whole kibbles as much as 12 hours after he ate — COMPLETELY undigested.  This was before I myself started using digestive enzymes ALL the time with every dog.

    After I switched him to raw he would still upchuck but never identifiable food after 2 to 4 hours.  It was always liquid (chyme) or water.  Same experience with Muffin.

    In both cases it was the dog not the food but it definitley demonstrated (quite clearly) to me that raw digests better and quicker then kibble (it should be noted that I feed ground raw — chunks of raw may take longer).

    I don’t see raw staying in the digest tract to “rot” unless there is a problem making enzymes or a bacterial issue.  :)

    I have to wonder if the “don’t mix raw with kibble” was started by dog food companies so people wouldn’t experiment with real food — which would take away from corporate profits.  Same reason the “never change your dog’s food” propaganda was started.  We all know that one to be hog wash….. :)

  • InkedMarie

    I know a vet who feeds part raw and she feeds them together with kibble. She feels there is no issue. I tried doing it together but it gave Ginger “hershey squirts” so I now do one meal of raw, one of kibble. 

  • http://www.dfwpugs.com/ sandy

    That is the premise of the Hollywood Diet as well…couldn’t do it.  Wanted my meat and veggies and bread all in the same meal!  Not one at a time.

  • EvesHumanMom

    That makes sense, to me, too, Shawna.  I have trouble understanding why there would be problems giving raw with kibble, thinking the enzymes in the raw would be helpful in digesting the kibble rather than the other way around (kibble inhibiting digestion of raw and causing it to “rot,” which I don’t understand as the stomach environment of acids and enzymes would make it unlikely, I thought, and as a topper, even less so.)  Have been feeding reconstituted K9tripe every morning for a month on her kibble to no ill effect.  I would think the tripe, especially, would not “rot” even with kibble, since it comes with alot of goodies to begin with?

  • BryanV21

    I’m reading different opinions on the subject, but this is one of the better explanations I’ve read. Thanks.

  • Shawna

    There was a book for humans out about 20 years ago called “Fit for Life” by Lou and Marilyn Diamond.  The premise of the book was to eat carbs (excluding non-root veggies) and proteins at different meals as they digest at different rates.  I followed the eating plan for about 6 months and I did have improved digestion but it was just impractical to eat that way long term, for me at least.. 

    When I think about the above when it comes to dog food — I would imagine kibble is very hard to digest (why I always recommend adding digestive enymes).  In my opinion, adding raw to a kibble diet (especially when supplemental enzymes aren’t utilized) seems like a good thing as the raw will cause more enzymes to be released by the body which should then help not only digest the raw but the kibble as well. 

    I have 8 of my own, puppy sit for 7 dogs and have had over 30 foster dogs come through my home.  I had two that couldn’t digest kibble well at all so I switched them over to raw exclusively.  The rest have been able to digest kibble topped with raw (or with my dogs raw with a little kibble) without issue..  Of course, there may be dogs that don’t tolerate it but I think it is the exception not the standard. 

  • Pattyvaughn

    I have one dog that I don’t mix raw and dry with, but my other two don’t have any problems with it, so I think it just depends on the dog.  If they don’t have a problem, then it’s not a problem. 

  • BryanV21

    I’d be careful feeding raw and dry, as they digest at different rates and can cause stomach issues. Perhaps the grind is different, so I’d be curious to read what others think.

  • Barbara

     My dogs (2 mini poodles) love the sardine grind; they look at me like I am a goddess when I feed them this!
    I feed a good quality dry food; rotate between Blue Wilderness and Now TOPPED with a thin slice of the grind.  I used to feed about a tablespoon of canned Evo and mix with their dry, so I am just replacing the small amount of canned with about the same amount of sardine or chicken grind.  A two pound roll costs $7.75, so not only is it highly nutritious, but economical when just used as a topper.  This is what I was told to do by the place I buy it from….I let it thaw in fridge ever so slightly so I can slice it while frozen, being careful not to really let it thaw.  I then put a couple slices (enough for a meal) in individual baggies and quick into the freezer.   I feed my dogs twice a day so I take a baggie out of freezer and put in fridge just before going to bed so it is thawed but still really cold by morning for breakfast.  For evening meal I remove a baggie from freezer and let thaw for a couple hrs on counter.  It is still slightly frozen and with raw food that is the safest way to do it.   I thought my dogs would mind slightly frozen food, but trust me they don’t and they woof it down!  I don’t think I would ever feed a completely raw diet because I just don’t want the mess, but as a topper it is great and the poodles now turn their noses up at canned food. lol

  • Pattyvaughn

    Thanks HDM

    I’m also looking to increase the amount of raw my puppy is getting and cutting down carbs. He had a rough start in life because his breeder didn’t think it mattered what they were fed as long as the first ingredient was meat. He’s had several digestive issues and now is showing signs of a systemic yeast infection. I’ve caught it early, so it’s not bad, but I certainly don’t want it to get that way.

  • Hound Dog Mom

    Hi Pattyvaughn –

    The grinds or mixes would make a wonderful topper. They’re a balanced blend of muscle meat, organ meat, and bone (the mixes – which I occasionally use – also contain fruits, veggies, and herbs). They’re packaged in 2 lb. or 5 lb. chubs.

  • Pattyvaughn

    Help from a raw feeder, please. I top with raw. Sometimes it’s chopped up liver, sometimes it’s a chicken wing or part of a thigh, sometimes it’s ground beef, sometimes it’s a piece of frozen fish, what ever I find. Sometimes I want something a little more convenient, like when I travel. Would the grinds make a good topper? Does anyone know how they are packaged?

  • Rheseyj

    I mean as in would this be all the meat in my dogs raw food diet or would I have to additionally purchase muscle meat as well to make the meat content balanced ??

  • Rheseyj

    To make them a complete diet it said to add vegetables and suplements to the meat . Also does anyone know if I would need to add muscle meat to this ?

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Layla,

    Although most of us tend to think of meat as skeletal tissue, heart and liver are both still considered to be meat.

    Here’s the Wiki definition of meat:

    “Meat is animal flesh that is used as food. Most often, this means the skeletal muscle and associated fat and other tissues, but it may also describe other edible tissues such as organs and offal.”

    Hope this helps.

  • Layla

    How do these grinds have a bunch of meat when the ingredient list doesn’t list any animal meat? It only lists some organs and bones. I’m confused. Do they just not list the meat content? I thought they had to list everything on the ingredient list.. but from their list it looks like it’s just ground up organs and bones lol

  • “Ryo”

    Hi, Mike. Thanks for the feedback! I myself choose to not to feed kibble, though, so I’m glad you got this out there for any unknowing person who feeds raw and kibble. Thanks so much~ :)

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Ryo… As with humans, dogs digest various foods at different rates. And these rates are notably dependent upon such things as the protein, fat and carbohydrate proportions of the meal, whether the food is cooked, raw, dry or wet as well as many other factors.

    With that understanding, there’s no scientific evidence to support the fears and rumors that different rates of digestibility have any negative impact on a dog’s health (any more than mixing raw vegetables, breads and cooked meats at the same meal have on the health of humans).

  • “Ryo”

    Just a comment….
    You said that this can be fed as “an appetizing topper for kibble”. The truth is, though, the dog will digest kibble before raw food- even if the kibble is grain-free and/or potato free…. the raw food will just sit there, which can lead to illness.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Irene… Here’s a list of some of the dehydrated dog foods in my database. For better quality and more meat, look for a 4 or 5-star product on that list. Hope you enjoy your research.

  • Irene Archer

    sorry meant to type 3 or 4 days a week…

  • Irene Archer

    Just today i called the company who makes Primal to ask them what you would add to the food if you were to buy the grinds and use them daily. In a nut shell i did not get an answer. He did say that many people feed the Primal Formulas 3 or 4 a week and then feed the Primal Grinds or Mixes 3 or 4 days a week. He said doing that you can save money and they will still get a balanced nutrition on the whole. I would like to buy the Grind meats and then supplement them with a good dehydrated dog food so the nutrition will be complete. But i am not sure which dehydrated would be best in that application. Any ideas? The idea of using the Grinds as far as i can tell is either for occasional feeding or in combination with vegetables and supplements. By using the dehydrated i would hope to get the balance to the meats. Primal meats seem to be the best as far as i can tell.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Patricia… Don’t worry. Here, there are no dumb questions.

    In my opinion, you should not be feeding this (or any other “supplemental food”) as the only food in your dog’s diet. I have no problem using a food like this as an occasional treat or special meal (or two). However, unless your naturopathic consultant can assure you the diet he recommends is “complete and balanced” (with all vitamins and minerals, etc.) for a pet at your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, senior) you are taking an unnecessary risk with your Yorkies’ health.

    If you need to know what to add to the food to make it complete (a difficult task, indeed), you’ll have to contact the manufacturer.

    In any case, be sure your “naturopath” is qualified to give advice on canine diets. Otherwise, stick with foods that meet AAFCO nutritional standards for growth or adult maintenance. Hope this helps.

  • Patricia

    I guess I am pretty dumb. This article did not really tell me what I am trying to find out. I have 3 yorkies (5LBS and under). My naturopathic vet said they should be fed the raw ground meats ( not the formulas with veggies, grains etc.) Just the pure meat, bone and organs. However I keep reading that these grinds are not to be fed as the primary diet. Nothing tells me what I should add to these grinds to have a balanced meal for my yorkies and as I already stated my naturopathic says just the raw meat, bones and organs should be fed. So who is right my naturopathic vet or AAFCO. How much more confusing can it get?

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Patricia… According to the Primal Grinds website (and probably the packaging, too), this dog food should not be considered a complete and balanced diet and must only be used for “intermittent or supplemental feeding only”. To better understand this rating, please be sure to read my article, “Understanding Dog Food Nutrient Profiles“. Hope this helps clear up the confusion.

  • Patricia

    You say this(Primal Grinds)should only be used as supplemental feeding. The pet stores say it can be fedd daily. I am confused. What should be added to these grinds to make them suitable for every day feeding?