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Primal vs Solid Gold

Primal vs. Solid Gold

In this comparison article for Primal vs Solid Gold, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Primal and Solid Gold, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Solid Gold vs Primal comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Primal Review Page or Solid Gold Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Solid Gold vs. Primal

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Primal Dog Food vs. Solid Gold Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodPrimalSolid Gold
Crude Protein48.0%30.2%
Crude Fat26.7%14.7%
Crude Fiber4.6%5.5%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodPrimalSolid Gold
Crude Protein49.5%41.8%
Crude Fat28.4%24.8%
Crude Fiber5.3%6.2%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.

The comparison table above shows that Primal dry dog foods provide significantly more protein than Solid Gold. More specifically, Primal guarantees at least 17.79% more protein. For wet dog foods, Primal provides more protein (about 7.70% more).


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

Primal dry dog foods clearly provides more fat than Solid Gold. In fact, the difference between the fat content is roughly 11.98%, which is a significant amount. For wet dog foods, Primal typically provides a little more fat (about 3.59% more).


There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. With regards to wet dog food, Solid Gold and Primal also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Primal Cat Food vs. Solid Gold Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodPrimalSolid Gold
Crude Protein50.1%39.9%
Crude Fat24.0%17.2%
Crude Fiber4.8%5.6%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodPrimalSolid Gold
Crude Protein54.6%53.6%
Crude Fat25.4%15.7%
Crude Fiber4.1%6.1%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.

On average, Primal dry cat food recipes contain 10.29% more protein than Solid Gold recipes. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the protein content of Solid Gold and Primal. For wet cat foods, Primal and Solid Gold provide roughly the same amount of protein.


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
  • Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

There is a relatively large difference between the fat content of Primal and Solid Gold. On average, Solid Gold dry cat food recipes contain 6.81% less fat than Primal recipes. In addition, Primal wet cat foods also provide more fat than Solid Gold wet foods.


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Solid Gold and Primal also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Primal Pet Food Ingredients vs. Solid Gold Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Solid Gold.

Canola Oil
White Rice
Pea Protein
Dried Garlic
Garlic Powder
Tomato Pomace
Vegetable Oil
Dried Tomato Pomace
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Solid Gold.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Primal & Solid Gold?

Primal has been recalled 2 times.

  • March 13, 2015: low thiamine level
  • Dec. 22, 2017: incorrect bone grind size

Solid Gold has been recalled once.

  • May 8, 2012: Salmonella

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodPrimalSolid Gold
Per Pound$45.57$2.90
Per Calorie$0.0227$0.0018
Dry Cat FoodPrimalSolid Gold
Per Pound$45.93$3.62
Per Calorie$0.0230$0.0022

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Primal or Solid Gold, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Primal or Solid Gold will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Primal and Solid Gold. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Primal Pet Foods

You can purchase Primal pet foods from the following stores:


15 Recipes In-Stock Today

20 Recipes In-Stock Today

15 Recipes In-Stock Today

14 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Solid Gold Pet Foods

You can purchase Solid Gold pet food products from these retailers:


76 Recipes In-Stock Today

21 Recipes In-Stock Today

60 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductPrimalSolid Gold
Dry Dog FoodNone23 Recipes
Wet Dog FoodNone13 Recipes
Dog Treats6 TreatsNone
Dry Cat FoodNone8 Recipes
Wet Cat FoodNone28 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

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Triple Layer With Beef & Pumpkin
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