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Instinct Raw Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Puppy Food

Instinct Raw Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Puppy 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: $1.13
Primary proteins
  • Chicken
  • Beef Liver
  • Beef Spleen
  • Beef Kidney

Ingredients

Chicken (including Ground Chicken Bone), Beef Liver, Beef Spleen, Beef Kidney, Cod, Carrots, Apples, Sweet Potatoes, Butternut Squash, Montmorillonite Clay, Ground Miscanthus Grass, Ground Flaxseed, Salmon Oil, Pumpkinseed, Chicory Root, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Potassium Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Mixed Tocopherols, Blueberries, Spinach, 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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64%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 61%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 77%
? 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 30%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 61%
? 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

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Protein: 38%

Fat: 29%

Fiber: 6%

Moisture: 6%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 21%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 40.43%

Fat: 30.85%

Fiber: 6.38%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 22.34%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 29.36%

Fat: 54.42%

Carb: 16.23%

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
  • 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
  • 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 Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Puppy 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 Beef Liver. Beef liver is organ meat from any cattle breed. The beef liver in pet food is a source of protein, iron, and many other essential nutrients.

The third ingredient is Beef Spleen. Beef spleen is an organ meat from any breed of cattle. While it might not sound appetizing to us, the beef spleen in pet food is an excellent source of protein, iron, B vitamins, and other fat-soluble vitamins including A, D, K, and E.

The fourth ingredient is Beef Kidney. Beef kidney is kidney tissue from any breed of cattle. This may not sound good to us but in pet food, beef kidney can be a great source of quality protein, vitamins, and minerals including iron.

The fifth ingredient is Cod. Cod is a general term for the meat from any species of codfish. In pet food, cod can be an important source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, as well as Omega-3 essential fatty acid.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Instinct Raw Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Puppy Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per oz

Product Price

$2.46

Market Price avg.

$8.53

% From the Avg

-71%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$1.89

Market Price avg.

$1.41

% From the Avg

+34%

Price per day

Product Price

$1.13

Market Price avg.

$0.84

% From the Avg

+35%

Instinct Raw Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Puppy Food is priced above 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 Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Puppy Food to the other 5 freeze-dried puppy food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

40.43%

All Products avg.

39.91%

% From the Avg

+1%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

30.85%

All Products avg.

26.97%

% From the Avg

+14%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

6.38%

All Products avg.

5.52%

% From the Avg

+16%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

22.34%

All Products avg.

27.6%

% From the Avg

-19%

Analysis Overview

Overall, this is a meat based food that’s moderate in protein with high fat and low 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.

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