Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Pronto dog food consists of five recipes with ratings that vary from 3.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars.
This product line contains vital nutrients to support the overall health of your dog. All formulas are free from synthetic vitamins and minerals.
Pros
- Responsibly & sustainably sourced protein
- Minimall processed to preserve nutrients
- Without corn, wheat, soy, legumes, or lentils
Cons
- More expensive than some dog food
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Pronto Lamb Recipe | 3.5 | M |
| Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Pronto Beef Recipe | 5 | M |
| Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Pronto Chicken Recipe | 4.5 | M |
| Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Pronto Puppy Recipe | 5 | G |
| Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Pronto Pork Recipe | 5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Pronto Chicken Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Pronto Chicken Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken (with ground bone), chicken livers, organic carrots, organic squash, organic kale, organic apples, organic parsley, organic pumpkin seeds, organic sunflower seeds, organic sunflower oil, dried yeast, montmorillonite clay, organic broccoli, organic blueberries, organic cranberries, organic apple cider vinegar, cod liver oil, fish oil, organic coconut oil, vitamin E supplement, organic rosemary extract, organic ground alfalfa, dried organic kelp, liquid lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, liquid lactobacillus casei fermentation product, liquid lactobacillus reuteri fermentation product, liquid bifidobacterium animalis fermentation product, taurine
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 8%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 39% | 30% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 41% | 31% | 20% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 30% | 56% | 15% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. 1.
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken livers. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The third ingredient is organic carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fourth ingredient is organic squash. Squash is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The fifth ingredient is organic kale. Kale is a type of cabbage in which the central leaves do not form a head. This dark green vegetable is especially rich in beta-carotene, vitamins C, vitamin K and calcium. And like broccoli, kale contains sulforaphane, a natural chemical believed to possess potent anti-cancer properties.
The sixth ingredient is organic apples. A nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
The seventh ingredient is organic parsley. Due to its exceptional vitamin and mineral content, parsley exhibits a remarkably high nutrient Completeness Score 2 of 91.
The eighth ingredient is organic pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and, more importantly, linoleic acid — an essential omega-6 fat.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
This recipe has four notable exceptions.
Firstly, fish oil. Fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high-quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Next, taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
We view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
We note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
Since this recipe contains a number of organic ingredients, we feel compelled to grant this line a more favorable status as we consider its final rating.
That’s because organic ingredients must comply with notably more stringent government standards – standards which significantly restrict the use of any synthetic pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, hormones or antibiotics.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Pronto Chicken Recipe looks like an above-average freeze-dried product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 43.6%, a fat level of 34% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 13.1%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 43.4% and a mean fat level of 29.1%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 15.8% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 68%.
This means this Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Pronto range contains above-average protein, below-average carbohydrate and near-average fat when compared to typical freeze-dried dog food.
Primal Pet Foods Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Primal Pet Foods through July 2026.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Pronto Dog Food
This range of food offers recipes which are high in protein, derived from good quality animal meats. These recipes include real whole foods and organic produce.
About
Primal Pet Foods Inc. is based in Fairfield, California. It was founded in 2000 by Matt Koss and acquired by Kinderhook Industries, LLC. in 2021.
Kinderhook owns Prairie Dog Pet Products, Himalayan and Holistic Hound, and will combine all four brands under a new name, Primal Pet Group.
All Primal Pet Foods products are manufactured in Fairfield, CA and Abilene, TX.
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Sources
A Final Word
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