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Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food

Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food
Company info
Company HQ
Lincoln, Nebraska us-flag
Parent company
M.I. Industries
Product info
Age Range: Adult
Food Form Dry Dog Food
Cost per day: $0.12
Primary proteins
  • Duck
  • Chicken Meal
  • Egg Product
  • Turkey Meal

Ingredients

Duck, Chicken Meal, Peas, Egg Product, Turkey Meal, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Tapioca, Natural Flavor, Montmorillonite Clay, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Carrots, Apples, Cranberries, Dried Tomato Pomace, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Potassium Chloride, Freeze Dried Duck (including Freeze Dried Ground Duck Bone), Choline Chloride, Pumpkinseeds, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.

Breed sizes

size-1 Toy
size-2 Small
size-3 Medium
size-4 Large
size-5 Giant

Overall Score

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73%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 57%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 68%
? We scan the FDA’s database and rate each brand by the number of recalls in its history. Brands with fewer recalls receive higher ratings. Recall History 100%
? By comparing the prices of foods in our database, we determine if a food is above or below market average price. Lower-priced foods receive higher ratings. Price 75%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 86%
? Our rating system evaluates each food’s manufacturing method, assigning higher ratings to manufacturing processes that promote higher nutritional value. Manufacturing Method 40%
? Based on the variety of sizes available. Size Variety 100%

Estimated Nutrient Content

To understand the nutrient content of pet food, we visualize its macronutrient composition in three ways. In the charts below, you’ll see a guaranteed analysis on an as-fed basis, a dry matter analysis, and a breakdown of the food’s macronutrients on a calorie-weighted basis.

Remember that all of these values are estimates based on the guaranteed analysis published by the company, and the food’s actual nutrient values may be slightly different.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Protein: 34.5%

Fat: 20.5%

Fiber: 3%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 32%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 38.33%

Fat: 22.78%

Fiber: 3.33%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 35.56%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 29.67%

Fat: 42.81%

Carb: 27.52%

Our Review

Pros
  • Low carbohydrate content
  • To our knowledge, Instinct has never had a product recall
  • Freeze-dried food retains the nutritional value of raw meat
  • Supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption
  • Doesn’t contain fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
  • Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains a small amount of plant-based proteins
  • Freeze dried dog food requires rehydration, which is time-consuming

Recall History

The following list (if present) shows all dog food recalls related to Instinct since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.

Since 2011 Instinct has never been recalled.

Ingredient Review

Our review of Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Duck. Duck is meat from any member of the Anatidae waterfowl. In pet food, duck can serve as a primary protein source as well as a source of animal fat, minerals, and amino acids. It is sometimes used as a novel protein, and is often an ingredient in diets formulated specifically for pets with allergies.

The second ingredient is Chicken Meal. In pet food, chicken meal is often listed as a source of protein. Chicken meal is produced by baking and grinding chicken meat and skin. As a dry form of animal protein, it is most often found in kibble and treats.

The third ingredient is Peas. Pea is a general term to describe whole, split, or milled peas, which are a grain-free, gluten-free source of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. In pet food, pea products serve as an energy source as well as a supplementary source of vitamins and minerals.

The fourth ingredient is Egg Product. Egg product is a broad term that can refer to egg yolks, egg whites, whole eggs, eggshells, or any combination of different parts of the egg. In pet food, egg product is typically used as a source of protein, although it also has thickening and binding properties.

The fifth ingredient is Turkey Meal. The turkey meal in pet food is typically a byproduct of turkey meat production. Turkey meal is high in protein, and is easy for pets to digest. It is a good source of B vitamins and amino acids to support your pet’s overall well-being.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per lb

Product Price

$4

Market Price avg.

$3.69

% From the Avg

+8%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.20

Market Price avg.

$0.34

% From the Avg

-39%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.12

Market Price avg.

$0.20

% From the Avg

-39%

Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food is priced below the average market price for dry dog food.

Nutritional Analysis

Your adult dog needs a balance of macro and micronutrients to thrive. A food formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages is made to meet these needs. While there can be a lot of variation in actual calorie density, adult dog foods are generally intended to provide for basic calorie needs of the average active dog. In addition to satisfying their energy needs, these foods provide the protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, and other nutrients your adult dog needs to survive. Again, not all adult foods are the same, so you may have to search around for the right fit for your dog.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food to the other 1801 dry dog food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

38.33%

All Products avg.

30.14%

% From the Avg

+27%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

22.78%

All Products avg.

15.9%

% From the Avg

+43%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

3.33%

All Products avg.

5.46%

% From the Avg

-39%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

35.56%

All Products avg.

47.61%

% From the Avg

-25%

Analysis Overview

Overall, this is a meat based food that’s high in protein with high fat and low carbohydrate content relative to other dry dog foods.

Disclaimer and Disclosure

At Pet Food Sherpa, our primary goal is to provide pet owners like you with accurate, relevant, and unbiased information about pet nutrition. As such, we do not accept gifts or incentives as motivation to include certain products in our reviews.

We do, however, participate in affiliate marketing programs and we partner with select brands to fund our site. We choose the products we review carefully and review them thoroughly before publishing a review or accepting any form of payment.

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