Vital Essentials: Raw Food Nutrition, Butcher Quality Standards

Company Origins and Mission

Vital Essentials was founded in 2009 by Carnivore Meat Company, an independent raw pet food manufacturer based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The brand was created to provide premium, biologically appropriate raw food that supports the health, vitality, and longevity of dogs and cats.

In 2023, Carnivore Meat Company—and its flagship brand, Vital Essentials—was acquired by Greater Sum Ventures, a private equity firm with interests in the pet care space. The company continues to operate its own manufacturing facility and upholds its founding mission: to deliver raw, whole-prey nutrition made with single-source proteins and uncompromising safety standards.

Mission:
To deliver premium, biologically appropriate raw pet food that supports the health, vitality, and longevity of dogs and cats.

Three pillars guide everything they do:

• Transparency – Full ingredient traceability and in-house production 
• Safety – Rigorous pathogen control with test-and-hold protocols and HPP 
• Simplicity – Minimal ingredients, no synthetics, no grains or fillers 

What Makes Vital Essentials Unique?

1. Single-Source Protein Philosophy

Each recipe is built around a single animal protein, reducing the risk of food sensitivities and making it easier to feed pets with allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether your pet prefers beef, duck, turkey, or rabbit, every recipe delivers high-protein, organ-rich nutrition—without fillers or mixed proteins.

2. Freeze-Dried and Frozen Options for dogs & cats

Vital Essentials gives pet parents flexibility. Choose between:

• Frozen Raw – Ideal for full raw feeding at home 
• Freeze-Dried Raw – Perfect for travel, training, or raw feeding without refrigeration 

Both formats preserve the nutritional integrity of raw, minimally processed ingredients.

3. USDA-Inspected and Made in the USA

Every ingredient is sourced from USDA-inspected facilities, and all production takes place in their own Green Bay, Wisconsin facility. This gives them full control over sourcing, safety, and quality.

4. Whole-Prey Approach

Vital Essentials follows the “Alpha Prey Model,” using whole-animal nutrition—muscle meat, organs, and bone—to mirror what carnivores eat in the wild.

• The core line is 100% complete and free from fruits, vegetables, or synthetic vitamins. 
• The Raw Fusion line includes produce and offers one of the best values in raw pet food. 

5. No Compromise on Ingredients

Every recipe reflects their prey-model philosophy. Only USDA-approved meats and organs go into the food—no grains, no fillers, and no synthetic additives.

6. Transparent Safety Measures

Vital Essentials uses High Pressure Processing (HPP) for pathogen control in frozen foods and follows strict test-and-hold protocols before releasing any product. They also maintain SQF Level 2 certification, ensuring high standards for food safety.

Is Vital Essentials Right for Your Pets?

Vital Essentials is a great choice for pet parents seeking:

• • A straightforward, safe transition to raw feeding 
  • A grain-free, low-carb diet with no synthetic additives 
  • Recipes for pets with food allergies or sensitivities 
  • Options with or without fruits and vegetables 

• High-quality raw food that’s also affordable—ideal for large dogs or multi-pet households

Browse:

Vital Essentials for cats: frozen raw  or freeze-dried

Vital Essentials for dogs: frozen raw or freeze-dried

Cost per day for 50lb dog starts at about $6 for the 12lb chicken formula

2-3 x patties, 24/box $75.49