Monday, June 24, 2013

Raring to Go Raw: My Primal Pet Food and a Giveaway

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

In response to your requests and/or suggestions regarding my transition to a raw food diet, I am going to tell you about the Primal PetFoods Raw Diet and specifically, my Freeze-Dried Duck Formula

Primal Pet Foods
Primal Pet Foods has been committed to elevating the health of pets since 2001.  They are a San Francisco based manufacturer of fully prepared, human-grade raw foods and treats for dogs and cats.

Primal raw foods and treats are produced using fresh, human-grade, antibiotic-free and steroid-free meats, poultry and game, certified organic produce, certified organic minerals and unrefined vitamins.  Primal procures its ingredients from ranchers and farmers throughout the US (as well as New Zealand - for their venison and lamb) that take pride in producing wholesome sources of protein through natural, sustainable agriculture.

You can, and should, read their Integrity Statement here.  


Primal Raw Diet Formulas
Primal's Raw Diet Formulas are based on the BARF (Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) Diet.   They are formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for All Life Stages.

The BARF Diet is made up of feeding raw meaty bones, muscle meat, organs and raw, fresh fruits and vegetables.  This is the type of diet that mimics the eating habits of animals in their natural habitat where they subsist on the flesh and bones, the innards and any predigested fruits, grasses, leaves and seeds of their prey.

Primal Freeze-Dried Duck Formula
If you recall from last Monday's post, I have been eating both the Primal Frozen Formula as well as the Primal Freeze-Dried Formula.  We wanted to try the freeze-dried to see how easy it would be to prepare - and if you recall, in three steps it was ready to eat - because Ma was thinking ahead regarding our camping trips, travel, etc. 

It would sure be difficult to keep the frozen formulas frozen while camping, so the freeze-dried seemed like it would be a good alternative.  It is just as tasty as the frozen but Ma does admit that it does have a slight odor during preparation (nothing that overwhelmed her though).


So, what are the ingredients of the Primal Freeze-Dried Duck?
I know everyone's moms and dads look at the ingredients list to make sure there are no weird or unpronounceable ingredients in the food and rest assured, everything on the Primal Freeze-Dried Duck Formula is a real ingredient! 

Primal Freeze-Dried Duck Ingredients:  Duck, Duck Necks, Duck Wings, Organic Kale, Duck Hearts, Duck Gizzards, Organic Carrots, Organic Yams, Duck Livers, Organic Broccoli, Organic Apples, Blueberries, Cranberries, Organic Pumpkin Seeds, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Copper Carbonate, Sodium Selenite), Organic Parsley, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Salmon Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Quinoa Sprout Powder, Dried Organic Kelp, Alfalfa, Natural Vitamin E, Mixed Tocopherols (natural preservative).

Check out the first five ingredients (you know that's what the moms and dads are really looking at) - Duck, Duck Necks, Duck Wings, Organic Kale, Duck Hearts...  All named proteins except for the Kale.  But don't worry because Kale is a superfood that is as good for dogs as it is for humans.  Kale is known to help prevent certain cancers as well as act as an anti-inflammatory and an anti-oxidant.

There are a couple other ingredients I would like to point out to you as well:

Organic Apple Cider Vinegar - can help maintain the acid/alkaline balance in a dog's body, helps with digestive health, and allergies

Salmon Oil - can improve skin and coat, help prevent allergies, help alleviate symptoms of arthritis and joint problems

Organic Coconut Oil - helps prevent all sorts of skin irritations/infections (yeast, bacterial, hot spots, dry skin, etc), helps prevent certain cancers, improves digestion, help alleviate symptoms of arthritis

You can see all the product information - Guaranteed Analysis, Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids and Fatty Acids by visiting Primal's product page for the Freeze-Dried Duck Formula by clicking here.  Primal actually lists all this information on their website for EVERY product they make!  Talk about integrity.

And speaking of integrity...
My two previous Raw Food Diet posts, have been based on Ma's purchase of my Primal foods at our local pet supply store.  However, as of this post I have officially been accepted into Primal Pet Foods Product Review Program and I recently received my first package of Primal products to try.  But here is the kicker:

Ma forgot to tell Primal that I am allergic to poultry until after I received my first package of products and what do you think they sent?!?  Freeze-Dried Chicken Formula and Turkey Liver Munchies treats.  (Great dawg, she needs more training.)

After apologizing to Primal for her dopey-ness, Primal said 1) they would send me new proteins and 2) I could do whatever I wished with the Freeze-Dried Chicken Formula and Turkey Liver Munchies, including a giveaway.  So...

Are you raring to go raw?!?
If you have been considering the switch over to a raw food diet, but have been too nervous (as Ma originally was), now is your chance to give it a try!  All you have to do is leave a comment telling me why you want to switch to raw (and you can throw in why you haven't tried to go raw yet too - BOL).  The winner will receive the Freeze-Dried Chicken Formula, the Turkey Liver Munchies and a helping paw from me and Ma!

I will use Random.org to choose the winner.  

What are you waiting for?!?  You know you want to try the Primal Pet Foods Raw Food for Dogs!!!  It is easy to prepare and I just know you will love it like I do!



73 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 24, 2013

    That looks really good and we would like to try it.

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    1. Will do, Roxy! Glad you are back from rendezvous!

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  2. Hey Oz I just sent your post over to the pups I played with at the dog park...Their mom was curious about switching to raw so maybe it will help...Glad you like your new foodables I'd like to try them too!

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    1. Woo-hoo! Thanks for that, Giz...you are a real pal! I will make note of your interest to try the Primal foodies!

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  3. AnonymousJune 24, 2013

    I keep hearing more and more about Raw and although I'm intrigued, we haven't tried these type of Raw yet. Titan as tried the Nature's Variety Instinct Raw medallions and both times, it changed up his stools and not for the better. So with his sensitive tummy and allergies, I've been leary of trying new things. But am very intrigued! We did try Fresh Pets and he liked it a lot, however I have a hard time finding it locally.

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    1. Bren,
      I posted last week that my poop has changed for the better...smaller, no odor, etc. Although, when you are first switching Primal does say it can give one the runs or an upset stomach due to the bodies efforts to get used to the new food. Maybe you should give Primal a try? If you visit their website, they have a store locator so you can see if you can purchase it locally.

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    2. AnonymousJune 24, 2013

      Thanks for the reply! I'll check out there website and see what I can find. Thanks a bunch!

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    3. If you want, enter the giveaway and you can try your paw at winning some. No harm in trying!

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    4. AnonymousJune 24, 2013

      Absolutely! Please enter me! ;)

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  4. I already feed raw but would love to try Primal. Does that count? :-)

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  5. Glad you are enjoying your foodables Oz and we hope we find you well. Have a marvellous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  6. Oh I am sooooo drooling, we don't get that here. Duck sounds so yummy, I nearly caught my own dinner yesterday at the park :) xx00xx

    Mollie and Alfie

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    1. Now that would be fresh raw diet! BOL

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  7. Glad it is working well for you. We don't plan on switching to raw, but we would eat it if it was given to us doggies :) Feel free to send unwanted treats our way, no food allergies here!

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    1. Thank Emma! You got it...all unwanted treats to Emma.

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  8. We eat raw....but me is allergic to all poultry, chicken, duck, turkey so that wouldn't do for us.

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    1. Hmmm, you allergic to duck? Duck isn't poultry...that is odd. That's too bad.

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  9. I'm curious as to the supposed dental benefits of raw. I'd like to try!
    Nola

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  10. Oz - thanks for the info. My momz has been thinking about Raw for awhile now, but just hasn't made the jump (I think she's lazy). Maybe this will give her some incentive!

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    1. Does this mean you are in for the giveaway?!? I will add you in nonetheless...you can always pass on it if you win! BOL

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  11. I want to enter! Pops has been thinking about raw...play bows mate,

    RA

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  12. Glad your new food is working out for you. I like the idea of the freeze dried food.

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  13. I *think* Shiner is probably allergic to chicken, so I try not to feed it to her. Good luck to all those other pups out there though!

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    1. Shiner is just like me then! Too bad.

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  14. I don't feed raw but that was a great review!

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  15. Thanks for the great review! We've been slowly researching the raw diet and just started using Sojos dehydrated turkey. I've been mixing it in with the dogs kibble and wondering if you can do that with the Primal too? I would love to try out the duck formula but Leroy's allergic to fish and can;t have the salmon oil! Darn it!

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    1. Hi Jen.
      I heard that you are NOT supposed to mix raw with kibble. From what I hear, kibble takes much longer to digest than raw so when you mix it, the kibble slows down the digestion process causing the raw food to stay in the gut longer...where it can get rancid and make a dog sick.

      Some split between raw and kibble by giving some raw in the morning and then the kibble at night. This allows the raw to digest in a timely manner before any kibble hits the gut. The kibble then digests overnight, where in the AM it is fully digested and it is safe to give the raw again.

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    2. Thanks Gina! and that's where I get confused, because I asked our holistic vet and he said the same that we could split raw and kibble in the morning and night, but he said that I could mix the Sojos dehydrated raw with kibble, and Sojos said it was ok to do also when I contacted them directly. I could see not being able to mix straight up raw with the kibble, but thought freeze dried would be ok. I'll have to look into this with Primal.

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    3. Well, we all can be confused together! I have some questions for Primal anyway...hoping maybe I can get an interview with someone, so I will put this on my list of questions (and keep my *paws crossed*)

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    4. I hear you on being confused! If you ask, pleas let me know if you have time because I did see this in the store the other and would try it out with Sherman if it's safe mix!

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  16. Oooo this sounds very yummy, my friend! What a lucky woofie you are to have humans that take such good care of you!!

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    1. You know, Rumbles...they make delicious foodies for cats too!

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  17. Haven't thought about it but our Shih Tzu is picky. Might be worth a try! Thanks for the informative review.

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  18. Hi Y'all!

    I am watching with interest...does the freeze dry have to be refrigerated? or is it like any dry dog food?

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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    1. Hey Hawk!
      The freeze-dried stores well in the pantry! No refrigeration needed unless you mix up too much and want to save it (but the feeding guidelines are very clear so you probably wouldn't mix up too much). The freeze-dried is very lightweight too, which we think will be good for traveling!

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  19. This food actually sounds worth a try. Thank you for the review
    Benny & Lily

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  20. I am reluctant to switch to a raw food diet, but I'm willing to see what it is all about. Maya and Pierson are not allergic to anything as far as I can tell so they'd love to give it a try.

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  21. I loves your reviews Oz!! Now, you know that Ma has been thinkin' abouts this, and hearin' of your success, she's on the edge of givin' this a try. And, since they are in my backyard, this would be the company she would go with.
    Yes, enter me! I would like to to NEKKID!!! Oh, that's not it? OH, I mean RAW!! hehehe
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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    1. They are right in your backyard, Ruby!!! BOL "Go Nekkid"...you are a trip!

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  22. I've have not tasted a DUCK. But I had Kale (chips). I've tried to have a raw diet when I was a bit young but not for me ... but for some we know it works well. I guess the breed of a dog matters. Great packaging. Happy Tasty Tuesday. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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    1. Oh Sugar, I bet you would love duck! It is delicious.

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  23. Barkly & Vlad are SO glad OZ is doing better on the rawrrrrr diet! It's so great of you to be giving someone else the chance to see the amazing changes that ALWAYS occur!

    Paw^5s to you, OZ, for getting the word out to help other pet parents enrich their furbabies' lives!

    Note: Please don't enter FurkidParent's babies in the drawing. As you know, they're already raw. Someone that hasn't already changed needs a chance to see the wonders!

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    1. Thank you, Barkly and Vlad. I love this food and I hope it will have the same great effects on others. I surely won't enter you in, as I know you eat raw already. Great seeing you here and thanks for great conversation last night on #petchat!

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  24. We are feeding raw, but I'm interested in the freeze dried food for the reasons you mentioned. It would be so much easier on vacations if I had freeze dried instead of freezer!

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    1. Exactly! It's so nice that Primal makes both!

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  25. We've been very curious about trying raw, but were afraid it was too expensive, and also that it would be too hard to keep the right balance. You make it sound pretty appealing, though! I'd really love to try it!


    Bunny

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    1. You got it, Bunny. It is more expensive than kibble but we are hoping that it will keep me healthier so I spend less time (and MONEY) at the vet!

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  26. I did kind of "switch" to raw a few month ago. I feed Chester and Gretel one meal of raw food and one of grain-free kibble a day. They actually just finished their bag of Primal pheasant yesterday. We are not particular about what raw food we feed though. Now they are eating Honest Kitchen. Chester and Gretel would gladly switch back if we won a bag though :)

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    1. Oooh, I have not found pheasant by me...yet! I'm dying to try that one and Rabbit. I will put you in the giveaway!!!

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  27. *le gasp* Silly moms! I love RAW! How do we enter? Do we just say that we want to enter?

    ~mason

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  28. Well, as you know, Oz, we're cats here. So we're going to pass on entering your awesome giveaway this time. But we wish everyone else good luck! :)

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    1. Awww, you're such a good kitty. You know, they make a kitty version too!

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  29. Sounds good. I *almost* had raw squirrel for breakfast bol

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  30. We would love to try that food for our pugs, Norbert is not fond of freeze dried raw (we tried in the past). The pugs did love the honest kitchen though and this food founds amazing.
    We currently eat orijen but mom always feel guilty that its not raw

    urban hounds

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    1. Well, then you are entered for a chance to win. The Primal comes in both so even if he doesn't like the freeze-dried you could always try the frozen!!!

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  31. I never chose to go raw because I didn't know much about it. I think my 2 dogs, Toby and Sushi would love to try this.

    Thank you for the chance!

    2dogs5catscrew@att.net

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  32. AnonymousJune 26, 2013

    OK, we are in, I really would like to try it, Mom has never given us any cause she is not sure about raw, other than some bones!

    Susie & Sidebites

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    1. Well, you can't eat just bones, you Mad Scots!!! BOL I will enter you!

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving a pawprint. I enjoy reading each and every one!
Cairn cuddles,
Oz the Terrier