Introduction
Primal Pet Foods was inspired by founder Matt Koss’s personal experience with his dog, Luna, whose health deteriorated on a commercial kibble diet. Leveraging his food background and consulting various veterinarians, Matt transitioned Luna to a raw diet, influenced by pet-feeding practices in Australia and New Zealand and veterinarian Ian Billinghurst’s recommendations. This dietary switch significantly improved Luna’s health, prompting Matt to create Primal Pet Foods.
Primal Raw Food Movement Origins
Initially, he produced the food at home, storing it in basement freezers, and partnered with the American Kennel Club to educate breeders about the benefits of raw diets, building a loyal customer base through high-quality ingredients. As demand grew, production moved to a commercial kitchen, expanding distribution across the San Francisco Bay Area. Starting in 2001, Primal Pet Foods helped pioneer the raw food movement by delivering products to local stores, where retail staff educated consumers on raw food benefits such as better skin, coat, and GI health. The challenge of handling raw meat led to the introduction of freeze-drying around 2010, making raw diets more accessible and popular.
Primal Pet Foods aimed to produce high-quality pet food accessible to many pets. The company evolved from using ice cream tubs for raw food to individually quick-frozen nuggets, and later introduced freeze-drying to enhance convenience and consumer adoption. Diversified products included bone broth and goat milk to mimic raw diets, along with freeze-dried options. Education was pivotal in highlighting the benefits of raw food, species-appropriate diets, and hydration. Retail expansion allowed Primal Pet Foods to be available nationwide, with positive testimonials from pet owners spreading the word about improved health and resolved issues.
Key Points:
- Product Evolution:
- Quick-frozen nuggets
- Freeze-drying for convenience
- Diversified Products:
- Bone broth and goat milk
- Freeze-dried products
- Consumer Education:
- Benefits of raw food and hydration
- Retail Expansion:
- Nationwide availability
- Positive Testimonials:
- Improved pet health stories
Making Raw Food Accessible
Primal Pet Foods addressed cost and convenience challenges of raw diets by developing “Kibble In The Raw,” combining raw food benefits with kibble convenience at a lower price point. Launched six months ago, this freeze-dried product costs $15 per pound, making high-quality nutrition more accessible. Following strong distribution and positive consumer feedback, Primal plans to expand into feline products. Research supports species-appropriate diets, showing improved skin and GI health. While many benefits are anecdotal, peer-reviewed research is increasingly validating these claims.
Benefits of Raw Food Diet
A 2020 study from Helsinki found that feeding a raw meat-based diet to mothers during gestation and to puppies early on reduced atopic dermatitis in adult dogs. High heat processing of dog food can denature proteins, causing reactions between amino acids and sugars, potentially increasing atopic dermatitis risk. Both skin and gastrointestinal tracts have diverse microbiomes influenced by diet, affecting pet health. Ongoing research explores how dietary changes impact these microbiomes.
Key Points:
- Raw Diet Benefits: Reduced atopic dermatitis in adult dogs.
- High Heat Processing: Increases risk of atopic dermatitis due to protein denaturation.
- Microbiome Influence: Diet affects skin and GI tract microbiomes.
- Research Focus: Exploring diet’s impact on microbiome and health.