Earthborn Holistic Pet Food Primitive Natural
Dry Extruded complete High meat

Is Earthborn Holistic Pet Food Primitive Natural a good dog food?
We score it 52/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Why this score?
This recipe achieves an overall rating of 52 out of 100. The inclusion of ingredients without printed percentages contributed -10.6 points, and the processing format adjusted the score by -6.7. Conversely, the overall quality of the ingredient list added +6.5 points, while being labelled nutritionally complete contributed +2.3 points to the final evaluation.
Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.
100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.
- Recipe52
- Nutritionallow100
- Transparency60
- Safety100
- Evidencestrong100
The Recipe score measures how attractive and transparent the declared ingredient list is. It is not, by itself, proof that the food is nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The Nutritional and Evidence scores measure what we can verify towards that stronger claim.
Why you might choose it
- Meat makes up an estimated 30% of the dry matter (23% as fed).
- Doesn't list grain ingredients.
- Declares energy content, which most labels omit.
Why you might not
- 100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.
Estimated composition
Typical analysis (as fed)
- Protein
- 32%
- Fat
- 18%
- Fibre
- 5%
- Moisture
- 10%
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- 1.20%
- Omega-6 fatty acids
- 2.20%
Energy: 370 kcal/100g
Additives & feeding info
Nutritional additives
Vitamin E (α-Tocopherol Acetate); Vitamin C (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate); Vitamin B3 (Niacin); Vitamin B5 (Calcium Pantothenate); Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate); Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin); Vitamin A (Vitamin A Acetate); Vitamin B12 Supplement; Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride); Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol); Vitamin B7 (Biotin); Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid); Zinc Sulfate; Ferrous Sulfate; Manganese Sulfate; Copper Sulfate; Zinc Proteinate; Manganese Proteinate; Copper Proteinate; Calcium Iodate; Sodium Selenite; Taurine; L-Carnitine 50 mg/kg; Vitamin E minimum 300 IU/kg
Technological additives
Mixed Tocopherols (preservative for chicken fat); Yucca Schidigera Extract; Rosemary Extract
Feeding guide
Feed according to feeding chart based on weight and age (1-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 12+ months). Portions vary by age, breed, temperament and environment. Food can be served dry or with warm water (3 parts food to 1 part water).
Reviews
Trustpilot: 0.0/5 · 0 reviews
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists dried chicken protein
- Your dog avoids turkey: the label lists dehydrated turkey protein
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon protein
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.
Ingredients (31)
| # | As declared | Matched | Category | Tier | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turkey Meal (Natural Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin) | Dehydrated turkey protein | meat | good | - | 4.3 |
| 2 | Chicken Meal (Natural Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin) | Dried chicken protein | meat | good | - | 4.2 |
| 3 | Tapioca | Tapioca | carb | medium | - | 4.1 |
| 4 | Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) | Chicken Oil and Fat | oil | medium | - | 4.0 |
| 5 | Sweet Potato | Sweet Potatoes | carb | good | - | 4.0 |
| 6 | Pumpkin | Pumpkin | veg | good | - | 3.9 |
| 7 | Flaxseed | Linseed | veg | good | - | 3.8 |
| 8 | Dried Yeast | Yeast | supplement | good | - | 3.8 |
| 9 | Dried Egg | Dried Egg | meat | medium | - | 3.7 |
| 10 | Natural Flavor | Flavor | additive | poor | - | 3.6 |
| 11 | Salmon Meal | Salmon Protein | meat | good | - | 3.6 |
| 12 | Alaska Pollock Meal | Pollock | meat | good | - | 3.5 |
| 13 | Whiting Meal | Whiting | meat | good | - | 3.4 |
| 14 | Apples | Apples | veg | good | - | 3.4 |
| 15 | Blueberries | Blueberries | veg | good | - | 3.3 |
| 16 | Carrots | Carrots | veg | good | - | 3.2 |
| 17 | Cranberries | Cranberries | veg | good | - | 3.2 |
| 18 | Spinach | Spinach | veg | good | - | 3.1 |
| 19 | Dried Chicory Root (A Source of Inulin, a Prebiotic) | Chicory root | veg | good | - | 3.0 |
| 20 | Choline (Choline Chloride) | Choline | supplement | good | - | 3.0 |
| 21 | Salt | Salt | additive | medium | - | 2.9 |
| 22 | Potassium Chloride | Potassium Chloride | supplement | medium | - | 2.8 |
| 23 | Taurine | Taurine | supplement | good | - | 2.7 |
| 24 | L-Carnitine | L-Carnitine | supplement | medium | - | 2.7 |
| 25 | Vitamins [Vitamin E (α-Tocopherol Acetate), Vitamin C (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Calcium Pantothenate), Vitamin B1 (Thiamine Mononitrate), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin A (Vitamin A Acetate), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), Vitamin B7 (Biotin), Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)] | Vitamin A | supplement | good | - | 2.6 |
| 26 | Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite] | Manganese proteinate | supplement | good | - | 2.5 |
| 27 | Yucca Schidigera Extract | Yucca Schidigera | supplement | good | - | 2.5 |
| 28 | Rosemary Extract | Rosemary | veg | good | - | 2.4 |
| 29 | Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product | Enterococcus Faecium | supplement | good | - | 2.3 |
| 30 | Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product | Lactobacillus casei | supplement | good | - | 2.3 |
| 31 | Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product | Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product | supplement | good | - | 2.2 |
Brand
- Address
- 9634 Hedden Rd., Evansville, IN 47725
- Contact page
- www.earthbornholisticpetfood.com
- Social
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-09-15
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- www.earthbornholisticpetfood.com
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Scored with model v3 on 2026-09-26. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.52 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.9% | -0.115 | -0.34 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 5.8% | -0.092 | -0.53 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 13.8% | -0.005 | -0.07 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 8.5% | 0.163 | +1.38 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 39.0% | -0.012 | -0.48 |
| Recipe graded poor | 3.6% | -0.065 | -0.24 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 3.6% | 0.060 | +0.22 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| Additive penalty | -7.88 | 0.222 | -1.75 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.7 | 9.191 | +6.52 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.096 | +0.00 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 2.9% | -0.115 | -0.34 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 5.8% | -0.092 | -0.53 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 13.8% | -0.005 | -0.07 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 8.5% | 0.163 | +1.38 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 39.0% | -0.012 | -0.48 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 3.6% | -0.065 | -0.24 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 1 | -0.876 | -0.88 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 3.6% | 0.060 | +0.22 |
| Undeclared quantities | 100.0% | -0.106 | -10.56 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | no | 0.707 | +0.00 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | yes | -3.158 | -3.16 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | -7.88 | 0.222 | -1.75 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Additives declared on label
- +2 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 51.7
- Final score
- 52/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 32 | 35.4 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 18 | 19.9 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 5 | 5.5 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 100 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
| Energy (kcal/100g) | 370 | 408.8 | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 5 declared nutrients (combined weight 70); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.
Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file | 0/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file | 0/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) | 5/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
100/100 · strong — 3 checkable claims: 3 consistent, 0 contradicted.
Consistent with the label
- "high protein dog food" — supported by the declared high protein data.
- "grain-free and gluten-free recipe" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
- "complete and balanced grain-free diet" — supported by the declared complete and balanced data.
6 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Strong: at least three checkable claims, all consistent with the declared label, and no compliance cap.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| high protein dog food (on pack) | High/low level | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| grain-free and gluten-free recipe (on pack) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| L-Carnitine helps burn fat and maintain lean muscle mass (on pack) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Enriched with Taurine for heart health (on pack) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| complete and balanced grain-free diet (on pack) | Content | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| Added pre- and probiotics (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Nutrient-rich superfoods like pumpkin, apples, and carrots (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Turkey meal is #1 ingredient (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin (from Turkey and Chicken Meal) (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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