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Primitive Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Earthborn Holistic

Primitive Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Verified Aug 26, 2026

Dog · Dry Puppy Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a high‑protein, grain‑free dry food for puppies and adult dogs, using turkey meal and chicken meal as the main protein sources. Carbohydrates come mainly from tapioca and sweet potato, with added fruits, vegetables, and prebiotics. It’s formulated as a complete and balanced diet and includes taurine, L‑carnitine, omega fatty acids, and probiotics to support overall health.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls

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KibbleLab Score
8.7 out of 10

Strong Choice

This grain-free, all‑life‑stages dry food offers a relatively high protein and fat content, making it suitable for many active adult dogs and puppies, as long as they are not large‑breed puppies. It relies on turkey and chicken meals plus some fish meals, giving a mix of animal protein sources. It’s formulated to AAFCO standards for all life stages except large‑breed growth and includes added taurine and L‑carnitine, which is a thoughtful touch in a grain‑free formula.

Nutritional profile 9.6
Ingredient composition 8.0
Adequacy substantiation 7.0
Health considerations 10.0

Computed from 4 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
Where these benefits come from Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.
Heart Care Probiotic Support
Suitable For
Puppy Adult All Breed Sizes
Not Formulated For
What "not formulated for" means Life stages this food isn't certified complete and balanced for, based on its AAFCO statement.
Excludes Large Breed Growth
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Turkey meal and chicken meal provide concentrated animal protein as the first ingredients.
  • The 32% protein and 18% fat make this a good fit for many active dogs needing higher energy and amino acid intake.
  • Added taurine and L-carnitine are useful inclusions in a grain-free, higher-protein diet.
  • Includes omega-3 and omega-6 sources plus probiotics and prebiotics to support skin, coat, and digestion.

Considerations

  • This grain-free diet uses tapioca and sweet potato instead of grains, which may not be necessary for most dogs and removes a proven grain option.
  • Contains multiple common allergens, including chicken, turkey, egg, and fish, so it is not ideal for dogs with those food sensitivities.
  • It is not appropriate for large-breed puppies, so those dogs should be on a diet specifically formulated for large-breed growth.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Turkey Meal (Natural Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin), Chicken Meal (Natural Source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin), Tapioca, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Flaxseed, Dried Yeast, Dried Egg, Natural Flavor, Salmon Meal, Alaska Pollock Meal, Whiting Meal, Apples, Blueberries, Carrots, Cranberries, Spinach, Dried Chicory Root (A Source of Inulin, a Prebiotic), Choline (Choline Chloride), Salt, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, L-Carnitine, 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)], Minerals [Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite], Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary Extract, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product.

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Turkey
Turkey is commonly used as a primary animal protein in dog and cat foods, offering highly digestible, high‑quality protein and supplying essential amino acids along with B vitamins, phosphorus and zinc to support muscle maintenance and metabolism. Its fat level varies by cut so products can be lean or richer; some pets may develop allergies to poultry, cooked bones are hazardous, raw meat carries bacterial risk, and owners should rely on balanced commercial formulations (and ensure adequate taurine for cats) if turkey is a main ingredient.
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02
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
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03
Tapioca
Tapioca is a processed starch from the cassava root commonly used in pet foods and treats as a gluten-free carbohydrate, binder and thickening agent, providing easily digestible calories but very little protein, fat, vitamins or minerals. While useful in hypoallergenic or grain-free formulations, it has limited nutritional value and a high glycemic index, so it should be used in moderation—especially for overweight or diabetic dogs and cats—and only in properly processed form to avoid cassava-related toxins.
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04
Chicken Fat
Chicken fat is used in dog and cat foods as a concentrated energy and flavor source that supplies essential fatty acids (notably linoleic acid) and aids absorption of fat‑soluble vitamins, improving palatability and supporting skin and coat health. Because it is calorie‑dense, diets must account for added fat to prevent weight gain, and quality (proper rendering and antioxidant protection to prevent rancidity) is important; although fats are less commonly allergenic than proteins, pets with poultry sensitivities may still react in some cases.
05
Mixed Tocopherol
Mixed tocopherols are a blend of natural vitamin E compounds (alpha, beta, gamma and delta tocopherols) used in pet foods primarily as a natural antioxidant and preservative to protect fats and fat‑soluble nutrients and extend shelf life. They also supply dietary vitamin E—an essential antioxidant for immune function, skin and coat health and cellular integrity in dogs and cats—and are generally safe at typical use levels, though they are not a substitute for a complete vitamin formulation and may be less effective in animals with fat‑absorption disorders.

Nutritional Breakdown

How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
32.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
18.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
5.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
10.00%
Low High
3700
kcal / Kg
365
kcal / Cup
Moderate
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Puppy
Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Kibble
Food type Dry

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages All Life Stages
Exclusions Excludes Large Breed Growth
Substantiation Formulation
Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages except growth of large size dogs (70 lb. or more as an adult).

Brand

A premium natural pet food brand focused on holistic nutrition, sustainability, and environmentally friendly packaging. Products often highlight grain-free and limited-ingredient recipes targeting health-conscious pet owners.

Price tier $$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc.
Parent company Nunn Milling Company, Inc.
Founded 1926
Headquarters Evansville, Indiana, USA
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, New York
Manufacturing oversight

Midwestern Pet Foods manufactures its products in company-owned facilities located in Monmouth, Illinois; Evansville, Indiana; Chickasha, Oklahoma; and Waverly, New York. The company oversees production and quality control internally, using established safety and testing protocols. It has been subject to FDA oversight and recall processes, most notably in 2020–2021.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

No recall is listed for Earthborn Holistic Primitive Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.7 /10 Grade A
Primitive Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Earthborn Holistic · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Earthborn Holistic ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Earthborn Holistic. 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.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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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.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. 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.