This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn more about how we are supported here.

Instinct Raw Boost Puppy Whole Grain Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food

Instinct Raw Boost Puppy Whole Grain Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food
Company info
Company HQ
Lincoln, Nebraska
Parent company
M.I. Industries
Product info
Age Range: Puppy
Food Form Freeze-Dried Puppy Food
Cost per day: $0.17
Primary proteins
  • Chicken
  • Chicken Meal
  • Menhaden Fish Meal
  • Freeze Dried Chicken

Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Barley, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid), Ground Flaxseed, Freeze Dried Chicken, Salmon Oil, Lamb Meal, Freeze Dried Chicken Liver, Natural Flavor, Pumpkinseeds, Salt, Carrots, Montmorillonite Clay, Freeze Dried Chicken Heart, Blueberries, Apples, Cranberries, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Potassium Chloride, Yeast Culture, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Dried Kelp, Rosemary Extract, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product.

Breed sizes

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

Overall Score

Loading
64%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 37%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 75%
? 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 100%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 81%
? Our rating system evaluates each food’s manufacturing method, assigning higher ratings to manufacturing processes that promote higher nutritional value. Manufacturing Method 0%
? 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

Loading

Protein: 25.5%

Fat: 18.5%

Fiber: 4%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 42%

Dry Matter Analysis

Loading

Protein: 28.33%

Fat: 20.56%

Fiber: 4.44%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 46.67%

Calorie Weighted Basis

Loading

Protein: 22.68%

Fat: 39.96%

Carb: 37.36%

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
  • Affordable
  • A good source of omega-3 fatty acids
  • Has all the nutrients your puppy or mother dog needs
Cons
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains 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 Puppy Whole Grain Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Coated 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 Barley. Barley is a cereal grain. In pet food, barley serves as a source of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

The fourth ingredient is Brown Rice. Brown rice is a name for whole-grain rice with its outer hull removed. The brown rice in pet food can be a source of carbohydrates and fiber. Brown rice also contains omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals

The fifth ingredient is Oatmeal. Oatmeal is made with oats that have had their tough outer hulls removed before further processing into a coarse high-fiber substance. The oatmeal in pet food is a source of carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, minerals to support your companion’s overall well-being.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Instinct Raw Boost Puppy Whole Grain Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe 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

$5.06

Market Price avg.

$8.53

% From the Avg

-41%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.28

Market Price avg.

$1.41

% From the Avg

-80%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.17

Market Price avg.

$0.84

% From the Avg

-80%

Instinct Raw Boost Puppy Whole Grain Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food is priced well below the average market price for freeze-dried puppy food.

Nutritional Analysis

A puppy needs plenty of calories to support their growth and development. In general, puppy foods are much higher in calories to help support all of the extra energy that goes into growth. Depending on your pup’s breed, they may need to continue eating puppy food for between 6 and 24 months. Small breeds tend to mature more quickly than large breeds. Make sure to ask your veterinarian how long your puppy should remain on a puppy formula.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Instinct Raw Boost Puppy Whole Grain Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food to the other 5 freeze-dried puppy food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

28.33%

All Products avg.

39.91%

% From the Avg

-29%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

20.56%

All Products avg.

26.97%

% From the Avg

-24%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

4.44%

All Products avg.

5.52%

% From the Avg

-20%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

46.67%

All Products avg.

27.6%

% From the Avg

+69%

Analysis Overview

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

Proceeds from this program and our partners enable us to continue providing high-quality content to our readers. Read more about how we’re funded here.

Leave a Review