I have recently heard that I should not "free feed" my pets. What is "free feeding" and why should I not be doing it?
Free feeding is very common among pet owners. It is much easier and more convenient to put a bowl of food out for your pet, and fill it as needed. It makes many owners feel that their pet can nibble at any time they and won't go hungry while the owners are out running their busy lives. The problem with this is that dogs and cats are not grazing animals. They are "hunt-kill-eat" animals. When a dog or cat's protein levels drop, it signals hunger. At this time, the hydrochloric acid in the stomach begins to build up. This would be the time in the wild when our pet would be hunting. By having the stomach acid reach the appropriate pH, the pet is able to fully break down and digest its food. It is also the reason why our pets can handle high loads of bacteria without causing harm. When the food bowl is left out all day, even though your pet might not overeat, it does not go into "hunt-kill-eat" mode. Feeding twice, or even only once a day is a natural, safe, and more effective way to feed our pets.

I feed my pet at the same time every day, and now I hear that it might not be the best idea. Why would it make a difference when I feed my pet?
In the wild, animals do not have a set feeding time. Dinner is served, when dinner is caught. When we feed our pets the same time every day, we condition them to expect it. If you feed your pet every evening at 5:30pm, your pet begins to expect this. In response to this expectation, the stomach acids begin to build. If, for some reason, you are running late and do not feed your pet on time, you may find yourself returning home to find that your pet has vomited stomach bile. This is one of the most common reasons why pets do this. Instead of feeding at the same time once or twice a day, change it up every day.

I heard that a pet should eat the same thing every day. Is this true?
It is more a marketing approach than anything else. We are taught to find a food our pet likes, is affordable and convenient to obtain, and to stick with it to ensure our pet's health. The problem with this, is by feeding the exact same thing every meal, we actually make the digestive system weaker. We also set our pets up for stomach upset if the diet is ever changed. If we ate the same thing every day, say a slice of cheese pizza, and then sat down to a meal of salad and a high quality steak, chances are we would be sick too. Humans, and pets are designed to eat a variety of different foods.

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In the past, we have talked about the importance of using only natural, whole foods in the Primal formulas, and in this issue, I would like to address the reasons why this is a better option than using the cheaper choice of synthetic vitamins. One of the most important reasons is that synthetic vitamins have only one component out of a whole family of micro-nutrients that accompany them in their natural state. Here is what Isobel Jennings of Cambridge University has to say on the matter. "The synthetic vitamins may be identical with naturally occurring substances or closely related. The close relations, although useful in many ways, pose some problems in that they may have only a fraction, whether large or small, of the biological activity of the natural products. Synthetic vitamins may perform some of the functions of their natural counterparts while being useless for others. But what may be more important is the fact that synthetic vitamins, prepared from chemicals instead of nature, are frequently less active biologically than their natural counterparts, thereby reducing any beneficial effect they may have."

In addition to being synthetic, isolated vitamins are missing all their naturally occurring essential synergistic co-factors and transporters. A synthetic vitamin can stimulate a cell's metabolism, but it cannot upgrade or replace the cell's components with superior, better quality elements. Instead we end up with a degraded cell. Nature always packages vitamins in groups. The vitamins work together for better absorption.

Unlike protein, carbohydrates, and fats, vitamins do not yield usable energy when broken down. They assist the enzymes that release energy from carbohydrates, proteins and fats, but they do not provide energy themselves. Though vitamins need minerals, neither can do their work without enzymes.

As mentioned before, it is wise to protect and support the enzymes. Primal uses whole, natural foods to obtain the vitamins necessary for your pet's optimum health. For instance, organic alfalfa leaf is high in vitamins C, D, and K. Sunflower seeds are a great source of vitamin E. Organic parsley is rich in vitamins A and C. Our different muscle and organ meats supply B-complex vitamins, including B-6, which supports energy, metabolism and cardiovascular health. Vitamins do not exist as single components that act on their own.

Vitamins are made up of several different components - enzymes, co-enzymes, and co-factors - that must work together to produce their intended biologic effects. By using a variety of wholesome foods, Primal Pet Foods assures your pet a natural, balanced, and biologically available diet.

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I often hear of the importance of fatty acids in my pet's diet, but I'm still not exactly sure what they are or why they are important. Why does Primal include essential fatty acids in their formulas?
Like their human friends, dogs have specific nutritional needs. Among the nutrients that dogs need are essential fatty acids. EFAs cannot be manufactured by the dog's body, so they must obtain it through their diet. Dogs need both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, and one cannot be converted into the other.

Your dog needs the proper ratio of omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids. The exact ratio hasn't yet been determined, but most veterinarians believe the ratio is somewhere between 5:1 and 10:1 (omega 6:omega 3). Using naturally sourced ingredients, Primal raw diets all fall well within the recommended range. Sunflower seed oil supplies the omega 6, and omega 3 is found in salmon oil, sardine oil and coconut oil. Since omega 6 is found in most vegetable oils, and omega 3 is in fish oils, kibble, which contains mainly the cheaper and more stable vegetable oils, can often be out of balance. Tests have shown that in some brands, it can be as high as 50:1. What this means in simple terms is 50 of the omegas that encourage inflamed, itchy, dry skin, to 1 of the omegas that decrease it.

Fatty acids affect a number of body systems and conditions, some of which are:

• Allergy and autoimmune disorders
• Arthritis
• Inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis
• Dull, dry coat and itchy, inflamed skin
• Yeast infections
• Eye health
• Heart health

You may also wonder about Omega-9 fatty acids. These fatty acids are of no use to a dog's health; in fact, increased amounts of Omega-9's can actually decrease the concentration of Omega-3's and 6's in the blood and skin.

Fatty acids for dogs are not medicines and, when used in isolation, cannot cure diseases such as kidney failure or cancer. However, used in complement with other medication, they can facilitate speedier recovery and improved health conditions.

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I see that Primal Formulas are available in both a dog and a cat formula. What is the benefit of this?
Cats and dogs are very different animals. Having diets formulated with each of their needs in mind makes perfect sense. When comparing the two on the outside, it is easy to see some of the difference, but it is on the inside where their differences in metabolism and chemistry are hidden that are most important. Outlined below are just a few of the unseen biochemical differences between cats & dogs.

Vitamin A: (also called retinol) Required at the cellular level by both cats & dogs.
Cats → Process little or no enzymes that will break down the plant-produced carotenoids. They must eat preformed active Vitamin A (Vitamin A that already has been converted from carotenoids to its active form by some other creature such as a mouse or rabbit). This is a good example of why cats are called strict carnivores, because they need to eat some other animal in order to "borrow" its active Vitamin A.
Dogs → Have enzymes in the lining of the intestine that can break down plant carotenoids and convert these into active Vitamin A.

Niacin: An essential B vitamin. Essential means it must be eaten and can't be made inside the body.
Cats → Can obtain Niacin only by eating the preformed vitamin. They cannot convert Tryptophan to niacin.
Dogs → Obtain Niacin in two ways. One is by converting a dietary amino acid called Tryptophan into Niacin and the other way is by eating preformed Niacin.

Arginine: A building block for proteins, called an amino acid. Arginine is vital to many of the animal's internal chemical factory's functions. If there is no Arginine, the entire system stops working properly.
Cats → Are extremely sensitive to even a single meal deficient in Arginine and are unable to make their own. Cats need lots of protein, and Arginine is involved in aiding the elimination of the protein waste products so the wastes don't pollute the system.
Dogs → Are not very sensitive to low levels of Arginine in their diets and produce enzymes internally that can aid production of Arginine.

Taurine: An amino acid that is not built into proteins, but is distributed throughout most body tissues. Taurine is important for healthy functioning of the heart, retina, bile fluid and certain aspects of reproduction.
Cats → Can't make their own Taurine. Since Taurine is not found in plant tissues, cats must consume meat to obtain preformed Taurine.
Dogs → Make their own in their internal chemical factory.

Dietary Protein:
Cats → If fed a perfectly balanced and 100% digestible protein in a diet, the cat will use 20% of that protein for growth metabolism and 12% for maintenance. Cats need more protein in their diets than dogs.
Dogs → If fed a perfectly balanced and 100% digestible protein in a diet, the dog will use 12% of that protein for growth metabolism and 4% for maintenance. Dogs need less protein in their diets than cats.

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What does raw food have that my pet is not getting from processed food? PART 3:
The past two months we have gone over two of the three things a raw diet has, that kibble cannot compete with. The third benefit just may be the most important of all.

Intracellular Moisture
Intracellular moisture, or the moisture within a cell, is the most effective way for our pets to absorb the moisture they need to maintain optimum health. Moisture is absorbed during the digestion of the food; this is how nature intended the process to work. Moisture is naturally higher in raw meats, fruits and vegetables. As these foods digest, the moisture is absorbed into the body and effectively hydrates your pet. Cooking the food destroys the moisture, which is why even though canned foods are wet, they do not provide the same moisture benefits of a raw diet.

Of course raw fed pets still need access to fresh, clean water, but you will notice that raw fed pets drink very little water compared to their kibble fed friends. Dogs, and especially cats that do drink a lot of water should be checked for dehydration, as this is one sign of pet lacking proper hydration. Dehydration is a major contributor to many common illnesses that plague our pets. We see this presenting as urinary tract infections, struvite crystals, renal failure and many other common issues that our companion pets are dealing with and are often accepted as normal aging. Your pet's body cannot and will not operate at its fullest potential without the proper hydration level.

On hot days, or when our pets exercise more than normal, they may drink more water. Do not be surprised though if your raw fed pet rarely drinks from the water bowl. A well hydrated pet, is a happy, healthy pet!

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What does raw food have that my pet is not getting from processed food? PART 2:
Last month we looked at the importance of enzymes in your pet's diet. Equally important are amino acids. They are responsible for building proteins, which in turn, build new cells. Amino acids also repair the damaged parts when tissue proteins break down during metabolism. Everything on your pet that grows on a cellular level, which is pretty much your entire pet, needs amino acids to accomplish this.

Amino Acids
As your pet eats a variety of different foods, different amino acids are provided. Your pet then formulates them into the amino acids needed for different functions. There are 20 different amino acids, each with a specific function. A few amino acids are what are called, Essential Amino Acids, or ones that cannot be made by the body. A perfect example of this would be taurine for a cat. A cat lacks the ability to form this from other amino acids and must have it in their diet in its raw, whole form. Raw meat, especially fresh kill, is rich in taurine.

There are several signs of a diet deficient in amino acids. They might include:

• A dry, dull coat
• Excessive shedding
• Poor dental health, due to unhealthy gums
• Reduction in digestive health
• Lack of energy
• Poor heart health

When a protein is cooked, the long chain amino acids which make up the protein, become short chain amino acids, and at this point they become much more difficult for the stomach to digest and the liver to metabolize into energy. It must be argued that protein amino acids in their raw form are far superior in quality and function than processed, short chain amino acids. Primal Pet Foods offer a variety of raw meats and vegetable sources, thereby assuring your pet a healthy, natural diet and elevated health.

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What does raw food have that my pet is not getting from processed food? PART 1
To answer this question, we have to look not only at what raw food does have, but also what processed food does not have. There are three distinct advantages that raw food offers: enzymes, amino acids and intracellular moisture. We will cover the importance of enzymes in this blog entry.

Enzymes
Enzymes function by acting as a catalyst for chemical reactions in the body, making them function in the best possible manner. Different cells require different enzymes in order to function. Enzymes such as those found within the digestive enzymes aid in the breakdown of food and absorption of nutrients from food. There are three classes of enzymes: metabolic, digestive and those found in raw foods. The pancreas produces many metabolic enzymes which perform a wide variety of functions including the destruction and removal of toxins within the body. Metabolic enzymes also aid in the production of energy and are connected to every working organ within the human body and also aid in the repair of damaged and decaying tissues. Metabolic enzymes help the body in the absorption of oxygen, assisting in the body's ability to deliver it to the needed organs and cells.

The most important thing to remember about enzymes is that if your pet does not eat enough raw foods, the digestive enzymes will not receive the boost they need, and will then draw from the metabolic enzymes. This creates a problem for your pet, because the metabolic enzymes are produced in the pancreas and your pet has a certain amount of these available throughout its life. Once these begin to deplete, the aging process is sped up and the door is opened to a variety of different illnesses.

Food enzymes are denatured at temperatures of 118 degrees Fahrenheit. Kibble is extruded between 200-600 degrees, which makes enzymes one of the things that raw does have and processed food does not.

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I hear a lot of talk about the benefits of a raw diet for dogs. Is a raw diet appropriate for my cat?
Yes, very much so. Cats especially benefit from a raw natural diet. Because cats are true carnivores, they need a diet high in protein. Primal raw diets provide bio-available protein, meaning it is in a form that the cat can fully utilize. Cats evolved in a very arid climate, and therefore require a diet high in moisture to reach their maximum health potential. The prey animals eaten by cats in the wild contain on average about 70% moisture, and Primal feline diets were designed to mimic those amounts.

Why is moisture in a cat diet so important?
Many of the health issues our feline companions face are directly related to diet, specifically, the lack of moisture within the diet. As mentioned above, the cat evolved in an arid climate, water was often scarce and the cat did not develop a high thirst drive. The most effective way for the cat to obtain moisture is within its diet. This is also the most effective way for the digestive system to operate. This is not to say that cats do not need access to water, but raw fed cats will drink significantly less.

I have noticed that Primal feline diets do not contain grains or high carb foods. Is there a reason for this?
Because cats are obligate carnivores and are such successful hunters, they did not develop amylase in their digestive system; therefore they cannot digest carbohydrates properly. Instead of turning a carb into energy, it is instead stored as fat. Since the average housecat is somewhere around 5% dehydrated, this fat builds up toxins that cannot be flushed from the body and over time begin to over-tax the cats system. A raw diet is a perfect balance for the cat, it is high protein, high moisture and low carbohydrate.

I see that there is produce added to feline formulas. If cats are such successful hunters, why do they need any produce at all?
The amount of produce we add, which is a small percentage, is enough to mimic what a cat would eat in stomach contents of small prey animals. The other reason we add our fresh, organic produce is to provide natural food-based vitamins and minerals. We do not add any synthetic vitamins or supplements to our formulas.

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Is it true that domesticated dogs evolved from wolves?
Dogs evolved from a handful of wolves domesticated in East Asia about 15,000 years ago, a new genetic analysis reveals. A team led by Peter Savolainen at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm analyzed samples of mitochondrial DNA from dogs in Asia, Africa, Europe and arctic America. The analysis showed that modern dogs fall into five distinct genetic groups, with three of the groups accounting for more than 95 per cent of the dogs sampled. Each group is thought to be descended from a single female wolf.
11:40 22 November 2002 by Jeff Hecht (NewScientist)

Scientists know the process was under way by about 14,000 years ago but do not agree on why. Some argue that humans adopted wolf pups and that natural selection favored those less aggressive and better at begging for food. Others say dogs domesticated themselves by adapting to a new niche - human refuse dumps. Scavenging canids that were less likely to flee from people survived in this niche, and succeeding generations became increasingly tame. According to biologist Raymond Coppinger: "All that was selected for was that one trait - the ability to eat in proximity to people."
(National Geographic Magazine-Karen E. Lange "Wolf to Woof-The Evolution of Dogs")

How has domestication changed our pets from their wild ancestors?
At the molecular level not much changed at all: The DNA makeup of wolves and dogs is almost identical.
(National Geographic Magazine-Karen E. Lange "Wolf to Woof-The Evolution of dogs")

Dogs are so much like wolves physiologically that they are frequently used in wolf studies as a physiological model for wolf body processes¹ and Mitochondrial DNA².
¹(Mech, L.D. 2003. Wolves: Behavior), ²(Wayne, R.K. Molecular Evolution of the Dog Family)

But hasn't feeding them a cooked diet changed how they digest their food?
Although now "domesticated", our pet dogs and cats have not evolved rumens along their digestive tracts in order to ferment cellulose and other plant material, nor have their pancreases evolved a way to secrete cellulase to split the cellulose into glucose molecules. Additionally, dogs and cats have not become efficient at digesting, assimilating, and utilizing plant material as a source of high quality protein.

Based on the above info, what is the most appropriate diet for my dog?
Dogs in the wild eat a variety of different raw foods. They do not have the luxury, nor do they need, their diet cooked for them. Primal Pet Foods has researched how to best to feed your pet a raw, natural diet. We mimic, as close as possible, the diet of dogs in the wild. Our wholesome raw ingredients offer an array of naturally occurring and necessary vitamins, minerals and other non-synthetic nutrients. Unaltered enzymes, amino acids and moisture are another benefit to feeding your pet our raw diets. We offer our canine formulas in eight different proteins, assuring that your pet will have the benefits of a natural rotational diet.

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Why does Primal make the Nuggets and Patties in so many different protein sources?
When feeding our pets, it is very important to look at how this animal would eat in the wild. One aspect that needs to be addressed is the need to rotate protein sources. Under no circumstances in the wild, would a dog or cat ever eat the exact same protein for every meal. Primal canine formulas are available in nine varieties, and the feline formula is available in seven.

I notice that the meat to produce ratios are different between the different formulas, why is this important in a raw diet?
Again, in looking at how our animals would eat in the wild, we see that dogs would never be so lucky as to catch meat for every meal. They are hunters, but in comparison to cats, they are not very effective at catching prey. In our canine formulas, we vary anywhere from a 60/40 ratio, to a 90/10. By doing this, we not only ensure that our dogs are eating a more natural diet, but are also less likely to become constipated from a lack of enough dietary fiber. Because cats are naturally better hunters, our feline formulas have a consistently higher meat to produce ratio.

Why does Primal have such a variety of produce and natural supplements in the different formulas?
One reason is that because Primal does not use any synthetic vitamins, all our vitamins and minerals come from natural raw foods. Each ingredient in the formulas was chosen based on some level of benefit it provides our pets. For instance, the organic apple cider vinegar we use is naturally high in potassium, it also improves digestion by normalizing the acid levels in the stomach, prevents muscle fatigue, alleviates the symptoms of arthritis, and reduces gas and fecal odor. For a complete list of benefits each ingredient provides, either go to our website, or contact your local Primal sales rep.

I have noticed that the formulas all contain not only muscle meat, but bone and organs as well. Is there a benefit to this combination?
Not only is there a benefit, this is a necessary combination. It is very important to have these in the proper ratios. The calcium to phosphorus ratio is especially important. Without the proper ratios, an imbalance can be created in the animal. Organ meat supplies important amino acids as well as iron and other important nutrients. By rotating through different protein sources, we are assuring our pets receive the healthiest, most natural diet that can be provided.

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What are the benefits of feeding raw bones?

• Cleaner teeth: "Chewing" action and enzymes from the raw bone help break down and remove plaque.
• Provides healthy chewing option for growing puppies: Puppies have a physical and psychological need to chew. It is important to provide appropriate outlets for this behavior (not your shoes!)
• Provides recreation activity for adult dogs
• Poultry bones contain "wet" glucosamine: The natural form of glucosamine is easier for the dog to digest and utilize.

Are raw bones safe to feed? I've always heard that I should never give a bone to a dog.
Dogs should never be fed cooked bones. When bones are cooked, the structure of the bone changes and becomes more likely to splinter and less digestible. Raw bones are far less likely to cause injury to pets, however, any time a dog is given a chew toy, they should be supervised.

How should raw bones be introduced into a dog's diet?
If the dog is already eating raw food, it is an easy introduction. Simply offer the dog the bone and watch to see that the dog chews it, instead of trying to gulp it down. We recommend giving the bones frozen, this way the marrow is harder for the dog to remove which makes it last longer, and also lessons the chance of the dog getting loose stools from the rich marrow. If this is the first introduction to raw food, you will want to do it slowly. Give the dog the bone for no longer than 10-15 minutes, remove it and wrap it up, refrigerate and save it for the next day. After one or two days of this, the dog should tolerate the bone without any difficulties. As when introducing anything new into your pet's diet, watch for signs of loose stool and adjust the schedule accordingly.

Can I give my puppy raw bones?
Yes, a puppy can very much benefit from chewing on the raw bones. To begin a puppy on bones, a very good place to start is in the bathtub. Lay a bath towel down and give the puppy the size appropriate bone, following the recommendations above. This will teach the puppy at an early age that bones are something to be chewed on in one place, and not carried around the house. After the puppy has matured enough to understand the concept, you can then transfer them to a sheet or blanket on a hard surface floor. After one or two times of the puppy losing the bone for trying to carry it off, they learn pretty quickly to stay put. Of course if you are giving the bones outside, it won't be necessary to go through this method.

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Why are some Primal products in chub form?
Primal offers two different types of chubs. We have our Grinds and our Mixes. Think of the mixes and grinds as tools in your raw feeding program. Each offers something a little different, to compliment and supplement our complete diet formulas.

What are the differences between Grinds & Mixes?
Primal Grinds are a combination of muscle meat, organ meat and ground bone. They do not contain any produce. Primal Mixes are a combination of the muscle meat, organ meat, ground bone and they have the addition of fresh, organic produce. Neither the Mix, nor the Grind contain our added natural supplements. Both are labeled for supplemental feeding only.

Why would I want to add in a product that is intended for supplemental feeding only?
By adding both the Grinds and Mixes into your feeding program you can achieve two very important benefits. First of all, both are available in protein sources not offered in our complete formulas. By adding in more protein varieties, you will increase the benefits of a rotational diet, and give your pet a diet which most closely mimics a diet in the wild. The second, very important benefit is cost. The Grinds and Mixes are available in both a 2# and 5# chub. Because of the differences in production needs, the costs of these chubs are significantly less than that of the complete diets. You can supplement 15-20% of your pet's total diet with the Grinds and Mixes and save on your budget, while elevating your pet's health. For example, feed a bag or two of the nuggets or patties, and then feed a chub, then another bag of the nuggets.

I am used to the convenience of the nuggets and patties. How will I managed a 2-pound chub?
It is actually very easy to manage once you break it down into smaller portions. First partially thaw the chub in cool water till it is just soft enough to saw through. You can use either a serrated knife, or a small hack saw. Take the two pounds and cut it in half. Now you have two, one pound pieces. Cut these in half, now you have four half pound pieces, and so on. By doing this, you basically make your own portioned feedings. Separate the newly sized portions into ziplock baggies and refreeze till needed. This works equally as well on the five pound chubs. Once you start incorporating the chubs into your pet's diet, you will find it not only beneficial and cost effective, but also easy.

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Primal raw food Formulas, Mixes & Grinds are made with 100% natural ingredients and no synthetics. When using all natural ingredients, factors such as climate, season and region can play a role in the appearance and odor of raw materials such as kelp, alfalfa, spirulina and leafy greens. Variation in color of these raw materials can affect the appearance of our finished products. Thus, if you purchase our products year round, you may notice a slight color and/or odor variation. This change in color and/or odor is completely normal and has no affect on our quality or the consistency of the nutrient values in our foods.

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A pet food label must state guarantees for the minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, as well as the maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture. The "crude" term refers to the specific method of testing the product, not to the quality of the nutrient itself.

Guarantees are declared on an "as fed" or "as is" basis, that is, the amounts present in the product as it is found in the can or bag. This doesn't have much bearing when the guarantees of two products of similar moisture content are compared (for example, a dry dog food versus another dry dog food). However, when comparing the guaranteed analyses between dry and moist (raw/canned) products, one will note that the levels of crude protein and most other nutrients are much lower for the moist product.

This can be explained by looking at the relative moisture contents. Moist foods typically contain 65-78% moisture, whereas dry foods contain only 10-12% water. To make meaningful comparisons of nutrient levels between a moist and dry product, they should be expressed on the same moisture basis.

The most accurate means of doing this is to convert the guarantees for both products to a dry matter basis. The percentage of dry matter of the product is equal to 100% minus the percentage of moisture guaranteed on the label. A dry food is approximately 88-90% dry matter, while a moist food is only about 22-25% dry matter. To convert a nutrient guarantee to a dry matter basis, the percent guarantee should be divided by the percentage of the dry matter then multiplied by 100.

For example, a moist food guarantees 12% crude protein and 75% moisture (or 25% dry matter), while a dry food contains 27% crude protein and 10% moisture (or 90% dry matter). Which has more protein, the dry or moist? Calculating the dry matter protein of both, the moist contains 48% crude protein on a dry matter basis (12/25 X 100 = 48), while the dry has only 30% on a dry matter basis (27/90 X 100 = 30). Thus, although it looks like the dry has a lot more protein, when the water is removed; the moist food actually has a little more protein.

An easier way is to remember this is that the amount of dry matter in the dry food is about three to four times the amount of dry matter in a moist product. To quickly compare guarantees between a dry and moist food, multiply the guarantees for the moist food by three to four times.

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The rotation of protein sources plays an integral part in feeding a raw food diet to your canine and feline. Through an ongoing rotation of proteins, you will offer your pet a varied source of amino acids and fats, the two most crucial elements of a wholesome diet for dogs and cats. Each protein source offers different omega fatty acid structures.

We recommend rotating your pet's food source often. Most consumers will rotate to a new protein source after each bag is finished. While you can rotate each protein source daily, we don't recommend feeding multiple protein sources for one meal.

If your animal is allergic to a particular protein source, simply eliminate that source from the rotation. You can utilize our wide selection of proteins to offer your pet protein alternatives.

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We receive numerous consumer inquiries regarding the availability of our raw frozen and treat pet products in retail stores throughout the country.

Primal currently has over 110 products on the market and most retailers carry a selection of our products in their stores. However, due to some retailer's space restrictions, you may not see all of our products in your local retail store.

If you see a product or products on our website that you would like to purchase but are not able to locate in your retail store, simply inquire with the store manager and request a special order for that item(s). All retail stores have access to our entire line of products through their regional distributor.

Happy feeding!

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Primal's treat line consists of 7 products for dogs and cats. All Primal Treats are single-source protein and are produced using meat, poultry and game from the USA and Zealand. Primal Treats contain no preservatives, grains or fillers.

Our treat line offers a wide variety of unique protein sources including Buffalo and Venison. In addition, we produce our treats using various cooking methods including slow dry roasted, freeze dried and jerky style offering your pets both crunchy snacks and soft treats that are excellent for training.

Look for the complete line of Primal Treats in your local retail store and offer your pet a healthy snack option with our human-grade, all-meat snacks and treats.

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Raw food diets offer our companion animals a species appropriate, nutritionally sound alternative to eating processed, cooked pet foods. Comprised of human grade meat and poultry products with the addition of a variety of fruits, vegetables, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, commercially available raw food diets provide a nutrient dense source of food in a 100% digestible format.

Evidence of the benefits of feeding raw present themselves quickly with such characteristics as an increase in energy, clear eyes, lush soft coats, bright white teeth, healthy pink gums, slim and muscular body tone as well as healthy bowel and intestinal health.

Primal Pet Foods is committed to elevating the health of all pets and we would appreciate hearing about the benefits that your pet has experienced as a result of eating a fresh raw food diet.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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Primal Pet Foods began out of a desire to find alternative methods of nourishing our family pets Luna, Oso and Cedric. As Luna began to age she started showing signs of common canine ailments often associated with diet. As for Oso and Cedric, these thriving boys were in need of a diet that would better compliment their exceptionally high level of energy.

Primal Pet Foods utilized the expertise of one of its founders, a trained chef in fine food and product development, to create easy-to-serve, wholesome and delicious formulas based on the BARF diet. Having developed our formulas and having witnessed the benefits to Luna, Oso and Cedric's health, we felt compelled to share our recipes with other pet owners and Primal Pet Foods was born.

Production of Primal Formulas started in 2001 and primarily serviced the San Francisco Bay Area. Primal Pet Foods grew quickly and soon outgrew their small facility. With a commitment to elevating the health of your pet, Primal products are now sold in nearly 2000 retail stores across the United States. We hope you enjoy our quality products.

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You may have noticed a few changes around here. Yes, we've made some major updates to our website. We set out to design a new web environment that would bring dynamic content to our customers in an easy to use package.

We've added even more detailed information on all of our products. Everything is there right at your finger tips. Still have questions? Check out our Knowledgebase. It's all here!

Poke around and explore. There's lots to see and do. Visit our entirely reconstructed Education section. We've made it even easier to learn about feeding raw. Check out our Primal Community section. Add a testimonial. Give us your thoughts on our blog. Stop by anytime and visit often.

And there's much, much more. We hope you enjoy the new online experience!

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