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Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Dry Dog Food

Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Dry Dog Food
Company info
Company HQ
Lincoln, Nebraska us-flag
Parent company
M.I. Industries
Product info
Age Range: Puppy
Food Form Dry Puppy Food
Cost per day: $0.15
Primary proteins
  • Chicken
  • Chicken Meal
  • Egg Product
  • Freeze Dried Chicken

Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Egg Product, Tapioca, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Ground Flaxseed, Dried Tomato Pomace, Freeze Dried Chicken, Menhaden Fish Meal, Freeze Dried Chicken Liver, Lamb Meal, Natural Flavor, Salt, Pumpkinseeds, Freeze Dried Chicken Heart, Salmon Oil, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Carrots, Apples, Cranberries, Potassium Chloride, Montmorillonite Clay, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Choline Chloride, Dried Kelp, Blueberries, 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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70%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 54%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 76%
? 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 46%
? 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 83%

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: 33.5%

Fat: 18.5%

Fiber: 5%

Moisture: 9%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 34%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 36.81%

Fat: 20.33%

Fiber: 5.49%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 37.36%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 29.8%

Fat: 39.96%

Carb: 30.24%

Our Review

Pros
  • 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
  • Contains health promoting ground flaxseed for fiber
  • Contains dried kelp as a natural source of essential nutrients
  • Doesn’t contain fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
  • Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
  • A good source of omega-3 fatty acids
  • Has all the nutrients your puppy or mother dog needs
Cons
  • Not a Calorie-dense recipe
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains a small amount of plant-based proteins
  • Freeze dried dog food requires rehydration, which is time-consuming
  • Some dogs may be allergic to fish

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 Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Dry Dog Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Chicken. Chicken is meat from the domesticated bird of the same name. In pet food, chicken is used as a primary protein source.

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 Tapioca. Tapioca is a type of starch that comes from the cassava root. It is often used as a filler or binder, as well as a source of easily digested carbohydrates. In pet food, tapioca is often added to grain-free and gluten-free recipes.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Dry Dog Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per lb

Product Price

$4.75

Market Price avg.

$3.85

% From the Avg

+23%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.25

Market Price avg.

$0.23

% From the Avg

+7%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.15

Market Price avg.

$0.14

% From the Avg

+6%

Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Dry Dog Food is priced within the average market price for dry puppy food.

Nutritional Analysis

Like puppies of any breed, large breed puppies require extra calories to support growth and development. However, large breed puppies grow more slowly and are at an increased risk of developing bone deformities. That’s why puppy formulas for large breed dogs should have an optimal ratio of calcium to phosphorus. This helps to ensure appropriate large bone growth rate over the typically extended period of growth time for these big dogs and mitigates against bone deformities.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Instinct Raw Boost Large Breed Puppy Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Dry Dog Food to the other 221 dry puppy food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

36.81%

All Products avg.

32.39%

% From the Avg

+14%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

20.33%

All Products avg.

17.95%

% From the Avg

+13%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

5.49%

All Products avg.

4.64%

% From the Avg

+18%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

37.36%

All Products avg.

44.28%

% From the Avg

-16%

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 puppy 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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