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Primal vs Pure Balance

Primal vs. Pure Balance

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

Guaranteed Analysis: Pure Balance 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. Pure Balance Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodPrimalPure Balance
Crude Protein48.0%29.2%
Crude Fat26.7%16.7%
Crude Fiber4.6%5.6%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodPrimalPure Balance
Crude Protein49.5%34.6%
Crude Fat28.4%24.6%
Crude Fiber5.3%7.2%

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.

On average, Primal dry dog food recipes contain 18.78% more protein than Pure Balance recipes. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the protein content of Pure Balance and Primal. Similarly, Primal wet dog foods provide significantly more protein than Pure Balance wet foods.


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Like protein, fats are an essential part of a dog's body. Fats are needed for the proper development and function of the canine body.

When you look at the average percentages of crude fat for dry dog food, it's clear that Primal provides significantly more fat. On average, Primal guarantees about 10.05% more protein than Pure Balance. For wet dog foods, Primal typically provides a little more fat (about 3.79% more).


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

Primal Cat Food vs. Pure Balance Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodPrimalPure Balance
Crude Protein50.1%39.9%
Crude Fat24.0%17.7%
Crude Fiber4.8%5.9%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodPrimalPure Balance
Crude Protein54.6%42.0%
Crude Fat25.4%25.4%
Crude Fiber4.1%7.2%

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.

The comparison table above shows that Primal dry cat foods provide significantly more protein than Pure Balance. More specifically, Primal guarantees at least 10.26% more protein. Similarly, Primal wet cat foods provide significantly more protein than Pure Balance wet foods.


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):

  • Help transport nutrients across cell membranes
  • Fats produce metabolites, which help control inflammation
  • Maintain healthy blood pressure
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Fats improve the taste/texture of food.

The table shows that Pure Balance provides far less fat than Primal. The difference in fat content is roughly 6.35%. For wet cat foods, Pure Balance and Primal provide roughly the same amount of fat.


Primal and Pure Balance both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet cat foods, Pure Balance typically provides a little more fiber (about 3.05% more).

Primal Pet Food Ingredients vs. Pure Balance Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Pure Balance.

Canola Oil
Pea Protein
Brewers Rice
Garlic Powder
Pea Protein Concentrate
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Poultry Fat (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 Pure Balance.

Added Color
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Primal & Pure Balance?

Primal has been recalled 2 times.

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

According to our records, Pure Balance has never been recalled.


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 Pure Balance Pet Foods

You can purchase Pure Balance pet food products from these retailers:


Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductPrimalPure Balance
Dry Dog FoodNone7 Recipes
Wet Dog FoodNone15 Recipes
Dog Treats6 TreatsNone
Dry Cat FoodNone5 Recipes
Wet Cat FoodNone4 Recipes
Cat TreatsNone3 Treats

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