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Primal vs Holistic Select

Primal vs. Holistic Select

In this comparison article for Primal vs Holistic Select, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Primal and Holistic Select, 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 Holistic Select 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 Holistic Select Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Holistic Select 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. Holistic Select Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodPrimalHolistic Select
Crude Protein48.0%31.4%
Crude Fat26.7%15.9%
Crude Fiber4.6%5.8%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodPrimalHolistic Select
Crude Protein49.5%54.5%
Crude Fat28.4%27.3%
Crude Fiber5.3%4.5%

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 Holistic Select. In fact, the difference between the protein content is roughly 16.60%, which is a significant amount. For wet dog foods, Holistic Select provides more protein (about 5.03% 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 10.81% more fat than Holistic Select recipes. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the fat content of Holistic Select and Primal. For wet dog foods, Primal and Holistic Select provide roughly the same amount of fat.


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

Primal Cat Food vs. Holistic Select Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodPrimalHolistic Select
Crude Protein50.1%37.0%
Crude Fat24.0%18.1%
Crude Fiber4.8%4.3%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodPrimalHolistic Select
Crude Protein54.6%47.3%
Crude Fat25.4%30%
Crude Fiber4.1%4.5%

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 13.11% more protein than Holistic Select. For wet cat foods, Primal provides more protein (about 7.29% 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

Holistic Select dry recipes contain 5.89% less fat than Primal dry recipes. This difference in fat content is a notable difference between Primal and Holistic Select. In addition, Holistic Select wet cat foods also provide more fat than Primal wet foods.


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

Primal Pet Food Ingredients vs. Holistic Select Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Holistic Select.

Canola Oil
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 Holistic Select.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite

Product Safety: Recall History of Primal & Holistic Select?

Primal has been recalled 2 times.

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

According to our records, Holistic Select has never been recalled.

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodPrimalHolistic Select
Per Pound$45.57$3.33
Per Calorie$0.0227$0.0020

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 Holistic Select, 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 Holistic Select 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 Holistic Select. 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 Holistic Select Pet Foods

You can purchase Holistic Select pet food products from these retailers:


16 Recipes In-Stock Today

14 Recipes In-Stock Today

16 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductPrimalHolistic Select
Dry Dog FoodNone16 Recipes
Wet Dog FoodNone3 Recipes
Dog Treats6 TreatsNone
Dry Cat FoodNone3 Recipes
Wet Cat FoodNone5 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

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