Earthborn Holistic Pet Food Primitive Natural

Dry Extruded complete High meat

Primitive Natural
Average
our rating

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.

How we score

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.

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.

View the source page

Estimated composition

supplement29.4%
veg29.3%
meat22.6%
carb8.1%
additive6.5%
oil4.0%

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 declaredMatchedCategoryTierDeclared %Est. %
1Turkey Meal (Natural Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin)Dehydrated turkey proteinmeatgood-4.3
2Chicken Meal (Natural Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin)Dried chicken proteinmeatgood-4.2
3TapiocaTapiocacarbmedium-4.1
4Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)Chicken Oil and Fatoilmedium-4.0
5Sweet PotatoSweet Potatoescarbgood-4.0
6PumpkinPumpkinveggood-3.9
7FlaxseedLinseedveggood-3.8
8Dried YeastYeastsupplementgood-3.8
9Dried EggDried Eggmeatmedium-3.7
10Natural FlavorFlavoradditivepoor-3.6
11Salmon MealSalmon Proteinmeatgood-3.6
12Alaska Pollock MealPollockmeatgood-3.5
13Whiting MealWhitingmeatgood-3.4
14ApplesApplesveggood-3.4
15BlueberriesBlueberriesveggood-3.3
16CarrotsCarrotsveggood-3.2
17CranberriesCranberriesveggood-3.2
18SpinachSpinachveggood-3.1
19Dried Chicory Root (A Source of Inulin, a Prebiotic)Chicory rootveggood-3.0
20Choline (Choline Chloride)Cholinesupplementgood-3.0
21SaltSaltadditivemedium-2.9
22Potassium ChloridePotassium Chloridesupplementmedium-2.8
23TaurineTaurinesupplementgood-2.7
24L-CarnitineL-Carnitinesupplementmedium-2.7
25Vitamins [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 Asupplementgood-2.6
26Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite]Manganese proteinatesupplementgood-2.5
27Yucca Schidigera ExtractYucca Schidigerasupplementgood-2.5
28Rosemary ExtractRosemaryveggood-2.4
29Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation ProductEnterococcus Faeciumsupplementgood-2.3
30Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation ProductLactobacillus caseisupplementgood-2.3
31Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation ProductDried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Productsupplementgood-2.2

Brand

Earthborn Holistic Pet Food logo
Address
9634 Hedden Rd., Evansville, IN 47725
Social
Instagram

Trust and provenance

Recall history
No recalls recorded in our database
Label data last checked
2026-09-15
Scored with
Model v3 (methodology)

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.

ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.79.191+6.52
Carb share of dry matter2.9%-0.115-0.34
Oil share of dry matter5.8%-0.092-0.53
Vegetable share of dry matter13.8%-0.005-0.07
Additive share of dry matter8.5%0.163+1.38
Supplement share of dry matter39.0%-0.012-0.48
Recipe graded poor3.6%-0.065-0.24
Number of poor ingredients1-0.876-0.88
Largest single poor ingredient3.6%0.060+0.22
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
Additive penalty-7.880.222-1.75
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Show all 40 components
ComponentInputCoefficientContribution
Base score-30.909+30.91
Average ingredient quality0.79.191+6.52
Meat share of dry matter0.0%0.096+0.00
Carb share of dry matter2.9%-0.115-0.34
Oil share of dry matter5.8%-0.092-0.53
Vegetable share of dry matter13.8%-0.005-0.07
Additive share of dry matter8.5%0.163+1.38
Supplement share of dry matter39.0%-0.012-0.48
Other share of dry matter0.0%-0.375+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter0.0%-0.027+0.00
Recipe graded poor3.6%-0.065-0.24
Poor-quality meat in recipe0.0%-0.179+0.00
Number of poor ingredients1-0.876-0.88
Largest single poor ingredient3.6%0.060+0.22
Undeclared quantities100.0%-0.106-10.56
Prints ingredient percentagesno0.000+0.00
Complete dietyes2.294+2.29
Frozen or chilled freshno0.000+0.00
High meat (30%+ of dry matter)no0.707+0.00
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)yes-3.158-3.16
High carb and low meatno-1.180+0.00
Meat share × printed percentages0.00.000+0.00
Meat share × fresh0.00.000+0.00
Fresh × high meat0.011.084+0.00
Additive penalty-7.880.222-1.75
Processing multiplier0.9833.786+33.11
Processing: Rawno-0.054+0.00
Processing: Fresh Chilledno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Frozenno-2.354+0.00
Processing: Fresh Refrigeratedno0.000+0.00
Processing: Fresh Shelfno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Dry Freeze Driedno6.629+0.00
Processing: Dry Air Driedno6.331+0.00
Processing: Dry Cold Pressedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Bakedno-6.713+0.00
Processing: Dry Extrudedyes-6.713-6.71
Processing: Dry Semi Moistno-6.174+0.00
Processing: Dry Mueslino-10.146+0.00
Processing: Wet Pateno-0.672+0.00
Processing: Wet Chunksno-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.

NutrientAs fed (label)Dry matter (scored)Score
Protein3235.4 (band 18 to 40%)100
Fat1819.9 (band 5.5 to 20%)100
Fibre55.5 (band 0.5 to 5%)100
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3)--100
Energy (kcal/100g)370408.8100

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.

ItemPoints
✓ Ingredient list on the label (mandatory)10/10
✗ Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file0/20
✗ Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file0/15
✓ 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 file0/5

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.

ClaimTypeCheckSubstantiation
high protein dog food (on pack)High/low levelconsistentManufacturer assertion
grain-free and gluten-free recipe (on pack)Free-fromconsistentManufacturer assertion
L-Carnitine helps burn fat and maintain lean muscle mass (on pack)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Enriched with Taurine for heart health (on pack)Functionalnot checkableManufacturer assertion
complete and balanced grain-free diet (on pack)ContentconsistentManufacturer assertion
Added pre- and probiotics (on pack)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Nutrient-rich superfoods like pumpkin, apples, and carrots (on pack)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Turkey meal is #1 ingredient (on pack)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion
Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin (from Turkey and Chicken Meal) (on pack)Contentnot checkableManufacturer assertion

The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.

Other products from Earthborn Holistic Pet Food

See all products from Earthborn Holistic Pet Food

Alternatives to Primitive Natural

Foods in our database that are similar on ingredients, protein, format or price. Scores and figures are from the same deterministic model used everywhere on the site.

See all alternatives

Community

Owners' verdict
0 votes

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share how this went down with your dog.

Comments are reviewed before they appear.