Primal vs Wellness
Primal is made by Primal Pet Foods, Inc. (owned by Pure Treats, Inc.), and Wellness is made by Wellness Pet Company (owned by Clearlake Capital Group), and both make food for cats and dogs. On KibbleLab, Wellness averages 8.7 out of 10 across its scored foods, compared with 8.6 for Primal. Primal's maker dates to 2001, while Wellness's launched in 2021.
Primal and Wellness compared
| Attribute |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Primal Pet Foods, Inc. | Wellness Pet Company |
| Parent company | Pure Treats, Inc. | Clearlake Capital Group |
| Founded | 2001 | 2021 |
| Headquarters | Abilene, Texas, USA | Tewksbury, Massachusetts, USA |
ManufacturingWhether a brand makes its own food in-house or has it produced by an outside contract manufacturer or co-packer. |
In-house | In-house |
| Made in | United States | United States |
| Manufacturing region | Texas | Arkansas; Indiana |
| Products listed | 37 | 224 |
| Serves | Cats & dogs | Cats & dogs |
Price tierA relative price guide, from $ (most affordable) to $$$$$ (most premium), based on the brand's typical retail cost. |
$$$$$ | $$$$ |
WSAVA guidelinesThe World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer: qualified nutritionists on staff, feeding trials, and published research. It does not certify or endorse brands. |
No | No |
PSC accreditedThe Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. It reflects sustainability practices, not food quality. |
Yes | Yes |
ScoreThe average KibbleLab score across this brand's scored foods, on a 0 to 10 scale. Foods are scored on published veterinary science. How scoring works . |
8.6 (avg of 37) | 8.7 (avg of 224) |
Recalls on recordWe track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here. |
None | None |
| Where to buy |
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Primal vs Wellness: how they compare
Scores
Wellness scores higher on KibbleLab, averaging 8.7 out of 10 across 224 scored foods, compared with 8.6 across 37 for Primal. Scores apply the same criteria-based rubric to every food, drawn from published veterinary science.
Who makes them
Primal is made by Primal Pet Foods, Inc., owned by Pure Treats, Inc., based in Abilene, Texas, USA, founded in 2001. Wellness is made by Wellness Pet Company, owned by Clearlake Capital Group, based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, USA, founded in 2021.
Standards and range
Neither meets WSAVA's published manufacturer criteria. Both are accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition. KibbleLab lists 37 Primal foods and 224 Wellness foods.
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Common Questions
Which scores higher on KibbleLab, Primal or Wellness?
Wellness scores higher: it averages 8.7 out of 10 across 224 scored foods, compared with 8.6 for Primal. Scores reflect published veterinary science.
Who makes Primal and Wellness?
Primal is made by Primal Pet Foods, Inc., which is owned by Pure Treats, Inc. Wellness is made by Wellness Pet Company, which is owned by Clearlake Capital Group.
Which brand has more products on KibbleLab?
Wellness has 224 products in the KibbleLab database, compared with 37 for Primal.
Where is each brand based?
Primal is based in Abilene, Texas, USA. Wellness is based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, USA.
Are Primal or Wellness PSC Accredited?
Both Primal and Wellness are PSC Accredited businesses. The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that Accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact.
Have Primal or Wellness been recalled?
Neither Primal nor Wellness has a recall on record in the KibbleLab database. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
More comparisons
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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
This is a neutral, factual comparison, not a ranking or an endorsement of either brand. KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through links. No one can pay for placement or a higher score.
Brand and manufacturer details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing. Recall data is compiled from public FDA filings, and a filing may name the parent company rather than the brand. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
KibbleLab scores and commentary are editorial opinions based on published data. Represent one of these brands? Request a correction. Anyone else can email us. See our Terms.