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Evolve vs Primal

Evolve vs. Primal

In this comparison article for Evolve vs Primal, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Evolve and Primal, 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 Primal vs Evolve comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Evolve Review Page or Primal Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Primal vs. Evolve

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.

Evolve Dog Food vs. Primal Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodEvolvePrimal
Crude Protein28.6%48.0%
Crude Fat15.3%26.7%
Crude Fiber4.7%4.6%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodEvolvePrimal
Crude Protein44.9%49.5%
Crude Fat28.4%28.4%
Crude Fiber6.6%5.3%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

Primal dry dog foods clearly provides more protein than Evolve. In fact, the difference between the protein content is roughly 19.38%, which is a significant amount. For wet dog foods, Primal provides more protein (about 4.59% more).


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Dietary fats serves a multitude of roles in the proper development and function of our canine companions. Here are some of the benefits (not exhaustive):

  • Help produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among other critical functions.
  • Aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Improve skin and coat health
  • Improve the palatially of your dog's food

On average, Primal dry dog food recipes contain 11.39% more fat than Evolve recipes. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the fat content of Evolve and Primal. For wet dog foods, Evolve and Primal provide roughly the same amount of fat.


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

Evolve Cat Food vs. Primal Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodEvolvePrimal
Crude Protein38.4%50.1%
Crude Fat16.8%24.0%
Crude Fiber4.5%4.8%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodEvolvePrimal
Crude Protein50.2%54.6%
Crude Fat23.6%25.4%
Crude Fiber6.1%4.1%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

When you look at the average percentages of crude protein for dry cat food, it's clear that Primal provides significantly more protein. On average, Primal guarantees about 11.71% more protein than Evolve. For wet cat foods, Primal provides more protein (about 4.33% more).


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):

  • Aid in the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Improve the health of skin/coat
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Slow the development and spread of certain type of cancers.
  • Maintain healthy blood pressure

Evolve dry recipes contain 7.19% less fat than Primal dry recipes. This difference in fat content is a notable difference between Primal and Evolve. For wet cat foods, Primal and Evolve provide roughly the same amount of fat.


As you can see, Evolve and Primal guarantee a similar amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Evolve and Primal also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Evolve Pet Food Ingredients vs. Primal Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Evolve.

Poultry
Canola Oil
Iron Oxide
Canola Meal
Pea Protein
Durum Semolina
Powdered Cellulose

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 Evolve.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Evolve & Primal?

Evolve has been recalled 2 times.

  • July 29, 2021: Aflatoxin
  • Nov. 27, 2018: elevated levels of Vitamin D

Primal has been recalled 2 times.

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

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodEvolvePrimal
Per Pound$3.03$45.57
Per Calorie$0.0019$0.0227
Dry Cat FoodEvolvePrimal
Per Pound$3.11$45.93
Per Calorie$0.0019$0.0230

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 Evolve or Primal, 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 Evolve or Primal will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Evolve and Primal. 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 Evolve Pet Foods

You can purchase Evolve pet foods from the following stores:


22 Recipes In-Stock Today

26 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Primal Pet Foods

You can purchase Primal pet food products from these retailers:


15 Recipes In-Stock Today

20 Recipes In-Stock Today

15 Recipes In-Stock Today

14 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductEvolvePrimal
Dry Dog Food12 RecipesNone
Wet Dog Food7 RecipesNone
Dog Treats26 Treats6 Treats
Dry Cat Food5 RecipesNone
Wet Cat Food11 RecipesNone
Cat TreatsNoneNone

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Grain-Free Deboned Chicken & Chickpea Recipe For Cats
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Classic Canned Turkey Recipe For Kittens
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Top Rated Primal Recipes

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Freeze-Dried Formulas Freeze-Dried Canine Venison Formula
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Raw Frozen Formulas Canine Venison Formula
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Freeze-Dried Formulas Freeze-Dried Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula
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Raw Frozen Formulas Feline Beef & Salmon Formula
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