Choosing the right dog food can feel overwhelming, especially when you want to ensure your pup is getting high-quality nutrition without unnecessary fillers or additives. Ollie’s Fresh Chicken Dog Food with Carrots is crafted with human-grade ingredients and designed to support digestion, energy, and overall wellness—making it a strong contender for dogs with sensitive stomachs or picky appetites.
In this review, we’ll break down the ingredients, nutritional profile, and benefits to help you decide if this fresh food option is the right fit for your dog.
TL;DR: Quick Summary
Crafted entirely from freeze-dried bites, this scoop-and-serve recipe delivers whole food nutrition without synthetic vitamins or minerals. Made with grass-fed beef and minimally processed to preserve vital nutrients, it’s backed by peer-reviewed research showing improved digestibility and gut health compared to high-heat cooked foods.
Key Features
Ingredient Quality Scorecard
This ingredient scorecard breaks down each component in the recipe so you can see exactly what your pup is eating — and how safe and nutritious each ingredient really is. I used the Chicken Recipe as our example since that’s the one I tried . Actual ingredients vary slightly depending on which recipe you choose.
🟡 Note: Some ingredients (like sorghum, dried yeast, and green tea extract) are safe in moderation but can be controversial for sensitive dogs. Primal balances these with high meat content and natural supplements.
Nutrient Breakdown (Dry Matter Basis)
Understanding your dog’s food starts with knowing what’s inside — and how those nutrients stack up. This breakdown highlights the key nutritional values in Ollie’s recipe, including protein, fat, fiber, and carbs.
We’ve also included dry matter basis numbers to help you compare fresh food to kibble more accurately. Why? Because fresh food contains a lot of moisture, which can make it look like it has less nutrition on paper. By removing the water from the equation, the dry matter basis gives you a clearer, apples-to-apples comparison across all food types.
Again, this is based on the Chicken Recipe.
💡 Note: Dry matter values are calculated using 8% moisture (DMB = nutrient ÷ 92% × 100). Carbs are estimated by difference and assume ~8% ash; plug in the exact ash to refine.
Fat-to-Protein Ratio: ~85% (23% ÷ 27% as-fed; same on DMB)
Caloric Density: varies by recipe; typically high due to fat content.
Real-World Review: Freya’s Take on Primal Kibble in the Raw
So, let’s get into the good stuff—how this food actually works in real life. Because ingredient lists and guaranteed analysis numbers are nice, but what matters is whether your dog will eat it and how it fits into your routine.
Freya, my Pharaoh Hound, is a certified food critic (or at least she thinks she is). She can be picky about kibble, but she’s been a big fan of Primal Kibble in the Raw. We didn’t fully switch her over—her main diet is still what’s been working for her sensitive stomach—but I’ve been using this as a food topper and, honestly, as the world’s easiest training treat hack.
It works beautifully for:
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Training games — little crunchy bites that don’t crumble everywhere.
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Snuffle mats — toss a handful in, and she’ll happily work for every last piece.
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Quick rewards — “Yay, you went potty outside!” (Yes, she’s 9 years old and still demands recognition for this. Don’t judge. She’s spoiled, and she knows it.)
And let’s talk about the smell factor—it smells like real food, not “mystery kibble dust.” Freya gets excited as soon as she hears me open the bag, which honestly says more than any marketing slogan ever could.
Bottom line: Primal Kibble in the Raw has earned a permanent spot in our house—not as her full-time meal, but as our go-to topper, training treat, and “good dog, you exist” reward.Beyond the Kibble: Other Primal Goodies We Tried
Primal isn’t just about kibble. They’ve got a whole lineup of extras that can either stand on their own or work as boosters to your dog’s main meals. Since I’m always on the hunt for things to keep Freya both happy and healthy (and let’s be honest, spoiled), we tested out a couple of their other products alongside the Kibble in the Raw.
Primal Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Treats
We tried the Peeling Fantastic variety. These are basically little bite-sized gems made with pork, banana, and peanut butter. Freya went nuts for them. They’re lightweight but packed with flavor, so they work as a quick training treat without crumbling into dust in my pocket. Bonus: the ingredient list is short and clean, which always makes me feel good about handing over “just one more” when those big hound eyes stare me down.
Primal Dehydrated Goat Milk
This one was new territory for us. I’ve read so many good things about goat’s milk as a natural probiotic boost, so I figured why not let Freya give it a try? She absolutely loved the taste—it turned her bowl into a “don’t even think about touching this” kind of moment. The first time, it did make her a little runny. Not full-on tummy trouble, just looser than her normal Pharaoh Hound poops. Honestly, that’s pretty common when you introduce goat’s milk for the first time, especially if your dog has never had it before. After a few servings, her system adjusted just fine, and now it’s a nice way to mix things up.
A natural, probiotic-rich topper that supports digestion, hydration, and immune health. Just mix with water for a creamy boost your pet will love.
Final Thoughts: Is Primal Worth It?
After testing Primal’s Kibble in the Raw along with a few of their extras, I can honestly say this brand impressed both me and Freya. The kibble strikes a great balance between raw nutrition and everyday convenience—it’s easy to scoop, works beautifully as a topper or training treat, and actually gets my picky hound excited at mealtime.
The extras, like their Freeze-Dried Peelin’ Fantastic treats and Dehydrated Goat Milk, round things out nicely. The treats are a total hit (and pocket-friendly for training sessions), while the goat’s milk added a fun new twist to Freya’s routine. Sure, it made her a little loose the first time, but that’s to be expected when introducing something new. After that, no issues at all—just one happy dog.
Is Primal the cheapest option out there? Nope. But with pet food, you really do get what you pay for, and I’d rather spend a little more on something that’s high-quality, versatile, and backed by a company that clearly cares about nutrition.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for a way to add raw benefits to your dog’s diet without committing to a full raw feeding routine, Primal is a fantastic middle ground. Freya gives it two paws up (and would probably give it four if she didn’t need them for balance).
Crafted entirely from freeze-dried bites, this scoop-and-serve recipe delivers whole food nutrition without synthetic vitamins or minerals. Made with grass-fed beef and minimally processed to preserve vital nutrients, it’s backed by peer-reviewed research showing improved digestibility and gut health compared to high-heat cooked foods.
