Here is our Instinct dog food review.
Dogs are an important part of our families and thus deserve the best there is. And what’s better than offering them the best nutrition at mealtime? Feeding your dog a healthy balanced diet is essential in keeping them in tip-top condition.
As such, it’s crucial for you as a pet parent to determine your dog’s specific needs to identify the kind of food that will satisfactorily meet them.
You should find out exactly what’s in the dog food and if that’s what your pal needs. Your dog can live a happy, healthy, and long life with the right food. Isn’t that want you to want?
However, given the various brands in the market plus loads of conflicting information, it can be overwhelming to pick what’s best for you. To complicate this further, marketers have perfected their gimmicks, and every manufacturer claims to be the best making it even harder for you to make a choice.
So, how do you know what’s best? That’s where we come in. To make it easier for you, we analyze different brands in terms of ingredients quality, availability, variety, safety, and cost to give you an honest review.
This article delves deep into the Instinct dog food to help gauge if it’s what your dog needs. We will touch on who owns the brand, where and who produces the food, any recalls it may have had, and some of its top products.
Founded in 2002 by Bob Milligan, Instinct dog food is a dog food brand that provides high-quality, high-protein nutrition for dogs of different sizes, breeds, and ages. The brand is owned by Nature’s Variety, a pet food company in St. Louis, Missouri.
Instinct uses fresh, natural, and high-quality ingredients from all over the world. It does not include fillers, grains, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
Want to find out more?
Read to the end.
About Instinct Dog Food
Established in 2002 and owned by Nature’s Variety, Instinct dog food provides a natural, nutritious, and raw diet that’s as close to a dog’s ancestral diet as possible. The brand, with the help of a veterinarian nutritionist and other professionals, crafts and offers various recipes designed to meet the varied nutritional needs of dogs.
Who Owns Instinct dog food?
Instinct dog food is owned by Nature’s Variety, a pet food company based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 2002 by Bob Milligan, the brand’s products are produced in its manufacturing facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. Instinct provides a raw, natural, and nutritious diet for dogs at different life stages, sizes, and breeds.
What are the Sub-brands of Instinct Dog Food?
Instinct dog food has the following sub-brands:
Instinct Original Dry
The formulas under this sub-brand feature 70% animal ingredients and healthy oils, plus 30% vegetables and fruits. This high-protein line also includes probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids to help build strong muscles, improve digestion, boost immunity, and promote skin and coat health. The foods are also completely free from grains. The flavors available are chicken, salmon, beef, and rabbit.
Instinct Raw Boost
This sub-brand is marked by foods that incorporate chunks or bits of raw meat into the kibble providing a nutritious diet for dogs at different life stages. The added raw meat aims to boost the nutrient levels of the food. This line’s products are also free from grains and artificial colors and preservatives.
Instinct Limited Ingredient Dry
This consists of kibble formulas made with a few ingredients, including a single animal meat protein and one vegetable. These diets are specially tailored for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities.
Instinct Limited Ingredient Wet
The Instinct limited ingredient wet dog food sub-brand provides high-protein canned dog food formulas that combine a single animal protein and one vegetable providing healthy and well-balanced nutrition targeted to dogs with food sensitivities.
Instinct Original Cans
This line consists of protein-rich recipes with 70% real animal meat protein and healthy fats plus 30% vegetables, fruits, vitamins, and minerals. These meals are also enriched with guaranteed levels of probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids.
Instinct Raw Frozen Diet
This includes recipes crafted with minimally processed, never cooked raw meats plus real organic vegetables and fruits to provide nutrient-dense and highly digestible food for dogs. These diets are aimed at recreating a dog’s original diet without the risk of contamination. The ingredients are frozen at the peak of their freshness to preserve their nutritional integrity.
What is the Nutritional Profile of Instinct Dog Foods?
It is crucial to look at dog food’s nutritional content before you go for it. This will give useful insights into the food’s capability to meet your dog’s needs. The ingredient list can help you gauge any food’s nutrient profile.
Generally, carbohydrates, proteins, and fat are the most important dietary components that make up the nutritional profile of dog food. This is what the nutritional profile of Instinct dog food looks like:
Carbohydrate Value of Instinct Dog Food
Carbohydrates make good sources of energy that dogs need to fuel their activities. Dogs need the energy released when carbohydrates are broken down to play and work. Once in the body, carbs are broken down and converted into sugar which then translates to calories that keep dogs going.
Instinct dog food has a carbohydrate level of 48%, considered moderately high. The brand uses wholesome grains and complex carbohydrate sources like sweet potatoes, oatmeal, barley, whole brown, and rice, as well as legumes such as peas as carbohydrate sources.
Protein Value of Instinct Dog Food
Proteins are essential for healthy muscles and tissues and for boosting dogs’ performance. Proteins supply dogs’ amino acids to build, repair, and maintain healthy cells, tissues, ligaments, and muscles. Instinct dog food boasts 28% protein content above AAFCO’s minimum requirement for dog food.
Fat Value of Instinct Dog Food
Fats are not only essential for keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy and supple but also helpful in lowering cholesterol levels, minimizing inflammations, building stronger cell membranes, and improving brain health. The average fat level in4Health dog food is about 16%. This brand’s main sources of fats are chicken fat, canola oil, and Menhaden fish oil.
What are the Best Instinct Recipes and Flavors?
Instinct offers a wide variety of recipes and flavors to cater to the needs of dogs at different life stages, breeds, sizes, and health conditions. It has puppy formulas designed to meet the needs of growing dogs, recipes for adult dogs of all breeds, and senior formulas that suit the needs of aging dogs.
It also has breed-specific formulas that address the needs of large, medium, and small dogs. There are also recipes specifically created for dogs with sensitivities and allergies. All these foods come in wet, dry, or raw forms and are available in many flavors, including chicken, turkey, lamb, salmon, beef, and rabbit.
What Makes Instinct Dog Food Unique?
The following aspects make Instinct dog food stand out from other brands:
- Raw diet: Instinct dog food was created to provide holistic nutrition as close as possible to the dog’s original diet. The brand remains committed to this promise as its recipes include raw foods, raw meats, fruits, and vegetables for optimal nutrition.
- Nutrient-dense food: Instinct dog food utilizes wholesome ingredients that are minimally processed and frozen for maximum nutrient preservation.
- High-quality ingredients: This brand uses only the finest, high-quality, and natural ingredients from the US and worldwide. It does not include fillers, animal by-products, or artificial ingredients like flavors and preservatives.
- Wide variety of products: This brand prides itself in providing a wide array of products that cater to different dogs. It has age, breed, and health-specific recipes which come in raw, freeze-dried, dry, and canned food options. Whether you are looking for a puppy formula, senior recipe, or large-breed dog food, this brand makes it available.
- Nutritionally complete and balanced: Instinct dog food is crafted with wholesome ingredients, including proteins from real meats, fruits, vegetables, minerals, and vitamins, to provide a completely balanced nutrition with all the necessary dietary components that dogs need to thrive.
- High in protein: Many Instinct’s formulas contain high amounts of protein from real meats and animal organs. These are designed to support healthy muscles and boost energy levels.
- Adherence to AAFCO standards: Instinct dog food recipes are crafted in adherence to all safety and quality guidelines as set by AAFCO. This shows the brand’s commitment to ensuring the quality of its food.
What are the individual Dog Food Recipes from Instinct Dog Food Brand?
The following are some of the brand’s top recipes:
Instinct Original Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe
Unlock your dog’s potential to thrive with this protein-rich, grain-free recipe specially crafted to meet the nutritional needs of small dogs. The food features real chicken as the key ingredient for sources of easily digestible proteins to build and maintain a healthy muscle mass.
Even better, this delicious recipe contains an ideal balance of proteins, fats, and calories to help your lovely pooch maintain a healthy body weight. Other wholesome foods including real fruits and vegetables, natural antioxidants, probiotics, and omega fatty acids, are added to make completely balanced nutrition that supports your dog’s overall health and wellbeing.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chickpeas, Tapioca, and Chicken Fat.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 35% min, Crude Fat 19.5% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 476 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: Extra small, toy, and small breed dogs.
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A high-protein diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of small dogs.
- Type of product: High-protein, Dry food, grain-free, No Corn, No soy
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Maintaining healthy muscles and building strong bones and teeth
- Price: $ 48.99 for an 11-lb bag
Benefits
- Packed with protein from cage-free chicken to help build strong and lean muscles
- Contains guaranteed calcium and phosphorus levels for healthy bones and teeth
- Fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin to promote joint health
- Has natural sources of probiotics, omegas, and antioxidants to boost digestive, skin, coat, and immune system health.
Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef
With 70% animal protein and healthy fats, 30% vegetables, fruits, and other wholesome ingredients, this recipe delivers 100% natural and fully balanced nutrition for dogs at all life stages.
It features real beef as the first ingredient for protein-dense food to help build strong and lean muscles. The recipe is crafted with zero filler ingredients, including grains like soy, wheat, or corn, and artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors, making it excellent for dogs with sensitive digestive systems.
- First 5 Ingredients: Beef, White Fish meal, Herring Meal, Chicken Fat ( Preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), and Peas.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 35% min, Crude Fat 20.5.5% min, Crude Fiber 3% Max.
- Calories: 508 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A high protein diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Type of product: High-protein, Dry food, grain-free, No Corn, No soy
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: High-energy dogs
- Price: $ 71.24 for a 20-lb bag
Benefits
- Features real beef as the first ingredient for high animal protein to support strong, lean muscles
- Made without grains, corn, soy, wheat, by-product meals, artificial colors, or preservatives hence gentle on the stomach
- Freeze-dried raw coating to add more flavor and enhance nutrition
- Has guaranteed levels of live, natural probiotics, natural omega fatty acids, and antioxidants to promote digestive, skin, coat, and immune system
Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Rabbit Dog Food
Featuring farm-raised rabbit as the number one ingredient, this is protein-rich and formulated with 71% real animal ingredients and oils and 29% fruits, vegetables, and other wholesome ingredients.
This balanced and complete kibble promotes healthy digestion whilst providing simple, natural nutrition. With ingredients like carrots, peas, cranberries, and apples, the food is not only full of flavor but also packed with nutrients that your dog needs to stay healthy.
- First 5 Ingredients: Rabbit, Salmon Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Chickpeas, and Canola Oil ( Preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), and Peas.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 36.5% min, Crude Fat 20.5% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 524 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A high protein diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Type of product: High-protein, Dry food, grain-free, No Corn, No soy
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for Allergy-sensitive dogs
- Price: $ 91.99 for a 20-lb bag
Benefits
- Loaded with probiotics to promote digestive health
- Made with real rabbit for good sources of protein to help build strong and lean muscles
- Includes essential fatty acids from salmon to improve skin and coat condition
- Free from grains and gluten hence ideal for sensitive dogs
- Offers complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs of all breeds
Instinct Original Grain Free with Real Salmon Dog Food Recipe
Thoughtfully crafted with wholesome ingredients including real salmon, fruits, and vegetables, guaranteed levels of probiotics, natural omega fatty acids, and lots of antioxidants for a completely balanced nutrition for dogs of all breeds and sizes. This food delivers not only tasty but also a high-protein, easily digestible diet.
The salmon recipe contains essential fatty acids to promote a healthy coat and skin. What’s more, every piece of this kibble is coated with freeze-dried raw food delivering a nutrient-dense meal.
- First 5 Ingredients: Salmon, White Fish Meal (Pacific whiting, pacific sole, pacific rockfish), Peas, Menhaden Fish Meal, and Canola Oil ( Preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid).
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 37.5% min, Crude Fat 20.5% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 523 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A high protein diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Type of product: High-protein, Dry food, grain-free, Gluten-free, No Corn, No soy
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Sensitive and allergic dogs
- Price: $ 77.99 for a 20-lb bag
Benefits
- Formulated with wholesome ingredients including real fruits and vegetables for a completely balanced meal to support overall wellbeing
- Packed with animal protein from wild-caught salmon to support strong lean muscles
- Free from grains, gluten, by-product meals, corn, soy, artificial colors, and preservatives hence easy on the stomach
- Contains guaranteed levels of antioxidants, probiotics, and omega fatty acids to boost immunity, digestion, and skin and coat healthy.
Instinct Original Grain Free with Real Chicken Dog Food Recipe
This is made with cage-free chicken as the primary source of animal protein to support healthy muscle mass. It’s further enhanced with real fruits and vegetables plus probiotics, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids for a completely balanced nutrition suitable for adult dogs of all breeds.
Made with only natural ingredients, this meal does not contain artificial preservatives, flavors, colors, grains, wheat, corn, or soy hence ideal for dogs with sensitive puppies.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat ( Preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), and Tapioca
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 37% min, Crude Fat 20% min, Crude Fiber 3% Max.
- Calories: 518 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A high protein diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Type of product: High-protein, Dry food, grain-free, Gluten-free, No Corn, No soy
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Adult dogs of all breeds
- Price: $ 72.99 for a 20-lb bag
Benefits
- Made with real chicken as the first ingredient for animal proteins to build strong and lean muscles
- Packed with real fruits and vegetables, antioxidants help fight free radicals that cause oxidative damage.
- Filled with omega fats from chicken fat to help your pup maintain healthy and shiny skin and coat
- Nutritionally complete and well-balanced nutrition with all essential nutrients to promote overall body health
Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free with Real Chicken Dry
This recipe has boosted nutrition that can help your canine companion thrive by featuring real cage-free chicken and bites of freeze-dried raw meat. It’s loaded with high-quality animal protein to build healthy muscles.
This high-protein formula includes enhanced levels of probiotics, higher omega fatty acids, and more antioxidants for a complete meal for dogs. This formula is free from filler ingredients, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat ( Preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), and Tapioca
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 37% min, Crude Fat 20% min, Crude Fiber 4% Max.
- Calories: 508 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A high protein diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Type of product: High-protein, Dry food, grain-free, No Corn, No soy, Raw
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: High-energy dogs
- Price: $ 47.99 for a 21-lb bag
Benefits
- Includes only wholesome ingredients that support a healthy digestive system in dogs
- It’s grain and gluten-free, making it ideal for dogs with allergies and sensitivities.
- Boosted nutrition with raw bites of chicken
- Has more antioxidants for healthy skin and coat
- Made from the finest ingredients from all over the world, quality is assured.
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free with Real Lamb Dry
This formula is purposefully crafted with limited ingredients to cater to the needs of dogs with food allergies. Designed to recognize the importance of a simple and raw diet, this grain-free recipe contains all your dog needs to thrive.
The limited ingredient diet boasts of including only premium ingredients sourced globally to provide optimal nutrition in its purest form. It features grass-fed lamb as the first ingredient for an excellent source of easily digestible protein that’s packed with essential amino acids.
- First 5 Ingredients: Lamb meal, Lamb, Tapioca, Peas, and Canola Oil ( Preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid).
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 24% min, Crude Fat 21.5% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 447 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A limited ingredient diet specifically tailored for dogs with food sensitivities.
- Type of product: Limited ingredient, Dry food, grain-free, No Corn, No soy
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Sensitive digestion
- Price: $ 79.99 for a 20-lb bag
Benefits
- High in easily digestible protein from grass-fed lamb to help build strong and lean muscles.
- Made with few ingredients, including one animal protein and one vegetable making it excellent for dogs with food sensitivities
- Does not contain any chicken, beef, grain, potato, chickpeas, peas, sweet potatoes, corn, wheat, or artificial ingredients.
- Packed with antioxidants to promote skin and immune system health
Instinct Frozen Raw Bites Grain-Free Real Beef Recipe
Designed to offer optimal nutrition in its purest form, this meal is made with whole food ingredients that are minimally processed and never cooked to mimic your dog’s ancestral diet. The food is protein-rich with 85% beef and organs plus 15% fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals for a fully balanced diet that dogs deserve.
This food is gentle on your dog’s system and is made without fillers like corn, soy, wheat, grain, artificial colors, or preservatives. Feeding this Instinct with frozen raw bites will energize your pup and promote its dental, immune, and digestive health.
- First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney, Beef Spleen, and Carrots.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 12% min, Crude Fat 8% min, Crude Fiber 3% Max.
- Calories: 183 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A highly nutritious food designed to boost energy levels, improve immune health, and promote dental health
- Type of product: Raw, Grain-free, No Corn, No soy, Pea-free
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Overall health
- Price: $ 39.99 for a 6-lb bag
Benefits
- Formulated to support strong muscles, better digestion, higher energy levels, and healthy teeth and gums.
- Uncooked, minimally processed bites offer maximum nutrition that keeps dogs strong.
- Made with wholesome, raw ingredients that are frozen at the peak of their freshness for optimal nutrient preservation
- Includes whole food ingredients like real beef and non-GMO fruits and vegetables and never artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives; hence it’s gentle on the stomach.
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free with Real Turkey Dry
With a food-sensitive dog, it’s crucial to find the right kind of food that can help control the condition. This is exactly what this recipe offers. It’s intentionally formulated with few ingredients, including a single animal protein and one vegetable making it ideal for dogs with sensitivities.
Inspired by the simplicity and purity of raw food, the Instinct limited ingredient diet with real turkey is straightforward and offers all the crucial nutrients your dog needs to thrive.
- First 5 Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Peas, Turkey, Tapioca, and Canola Oil ( Preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid).
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 26% min, Crude Fat 18% min, Crude Fiber 3.5% Max.
- Calories: 469 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A Limited ingredient diet that’s tailored for dogs with sensitive digestive systems
- Type of product: High-protein, Dry food, grain-free, No Corn, No soy, limited ingredient
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Sensitive digestion
- Price: $ 69.02.24 for a 22-lb bag
Benefits
- Limited ingredient diet for dogs with sensitive digestive systems
- Crafted with cage-free turkey for easily digestible proteins to support healthy muscles
- Provides a balanced diet for dogs of all life stages and sizes
- Fortified with guaranteed levels of omegas and antioxidants to support skin and coat health as well as boost the immunity of dogs
Instinct Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Natural Wet
Featuring real cage-free chicken as the number one ingredient, this is a delicious protein-packed food packed with healthy nutrients that dogs need to keep going. With 95% animal protein from chicken, turkey, and chicken liver, this food can help your dog build and maintain strong, lean muscles.
Besides real meat, this grain-free recipe is carefully crafted using only wholesome ingredients, including organic fruits and vegetables, for hearty and healthy food that promotes overall health. It’s also enriched with good amounts of omega-fatty acids to promote smooth skin and a shiny coat.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, and Flaxseed.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 9.5% min, Crude Fat 8.5% min, Crude Fiber 3% Max.
- Calories: 502 kcal/13.2 0z can
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A flavorful, protein-packed diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Type of product: Wet food, High-protein, grain-free, No Corn, No soy
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Picky dogs, sensitive digestion
- Price: $ 22.14 for a 13.2 oz
Benefits
- Packed with protein from chicken, turkey, and chicken liver for lean sources of protein to build healthy muscles
- Free from grains, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meal, artificial colors, and preservatives hence gentle on the stomach
- Includes natural sources of omega-fatty acids to foster healthy skin and a shiny coat
- Made with wholesome ingredients like real meat and organic vegetables and fruits for a completely balanced diet that supports overall health
Instinct Be Natural Dog Food Review (Dry)
The Instinct Be Natural dog food is a grain-inclusive line that comes with a significant amount of named animal meat meals as its primary ingredient. It offers wholesome kibble with freeze-dried raw coating on each piece for more nutrition.
There are four flavors to choose from under this line: chicken, lamb, salmon, and beef. This Instinct Be Natural Real Lamb & Oatmeal Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food is one of the formulas in this line. The food features real grass-fed lamb as the first ingredient for animal proteins to help build strong muscles. It also adds wholesome grains like oatmeal, barley, and millet for carbohydrates and
- First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, Menhaden Fish Meal, Oatmeal, Barley, and Millet.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 25% min, Crude Fat 14% min, Crude Fiber 6% Max.
- Calories: 524 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A high protein diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Type of product: Dry food, grain-free, No Corn, No soy, with grains
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: All adult dogs
- Price: $ 69.49 for a 24-lb bag
Benefits
- Coated with minimally processed, crushed freeze-dried raw real meat for enhanced flavor and nutrition
- Features real animal meat as the first ingredient for lean healthy muscles
- Includes whole grains like oatmeal and barley for a source of carbohydrates to provide energy to keep dogs going.
- Added vitamins and minerals for complete and balanced nutrition that supports overall health in dogs
- Free from fillers, corn, wheat, chicken, soy, poultry by-product meal, artificial colors, and preservatives hence easy on the stomach.
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food Review (Canned)
The Instinct Limited ingredient dog food line is formulated specifically for dogs with food allergies and sensitivities. It’s made with a single protein and vegetable and includes a significant amount of named animal meat as its primary source of proteins.
This line offers 3 flavor formulas to choose from turkey, rabbit, and lamb. It does not include soy, corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or preservatives. For this analysis, we will focus on this Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Real Turkey Recipe Wet Canned Dog Food.
- First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Turkey liver, and Pea Protein.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 12.5% min, Crude Fat 7.5% min, Crude Fiber 2% Max.
- Calories: 499 kcal/13.2 oz can
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A high protein diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of adult dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Type of product: Wet food, limited ingredient, grain-free, No Corn, No soy
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Sensitive digestion
- Price: $ 48.90 for a 13.2 oz can
Benefits
- Features easily digestible protein from turkey to help build strong and healthy muscles
- Crafted with a short ingredient list including a single animal protein and vegetable to address the needs of dogs with food sensitivities
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals for a well-balanced diet for optimal health and overall body wellness
- Offers enhanced nutrition with chunks of real raw meat for easy digestibility and more flavor.
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Dog Food Review (Dry)
Just like the canned version of the Instinct Limited ingredient dog food, this dry food line is purposefully crafted with few ingredients making it suitable for dogs with sensitivities. It contains one animal meat protein and a single vegetable.
The limited ingredient diets are formulated with simple, wholesome ingredients that improve digestion. Thus, they don’t include fillers, grains, corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors, or preservatives. These formulas offer optimal nutrition with real raw meat coating. Instinct offers 3 dry dog foods under the limited ingredient line, including real turkey, salmon, and lamb flavors. We will analyze this dog food line using the Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Dog Food.
- First 5 Ingredients: Salmon Meal, Salmon, Peas, Tapioca, and Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 28% min, Crude Fat 18% min, Crude Fiber 3% Max.
- Calories: 515 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A high protein diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Type of product: High-protein, Dry food, grain-free, No Corn, No soy, limited ingredient
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Sensitive digestion
- Price: $ 79.99 for a 20-lb bag
Benefits
- Filled with natural omega fatty acids and antioxidants for healthy skin, coat, and immune system
- It is specially tailored for dogs with sensitive digestion as it contains one animal protein and vegetables.
- Rich in easily digestible animal protein from turkey for strong lean muscles
- Formulated with wholesome ingredients, including organic vegetables and fruits for optimal nutrition
Instinct Original Dog Food Review (Canned)
The Instinct original dog food utilizes real animal meat as the first ingredient plus other wholesome ingredients, including real vegetables and fruits plus healthy doses of probiotics, antioxidants, and essential omega fatty acids for a completely balanced diet that promotes overall health.
This dog food line is also completely free from fillers, grains, corn, wheat, artificial colors, and preservatives. The formulas are crafted to cater to the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds, life stages, and sizes. There are six canned dog foods under this line, with chicken, beef, and rabbit flavors. This Instinct Original Puppy Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Wet Canned Dog Food
- First 5 Ingredients: Rabbit, Salmon Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Chickpeas, and Canola Oil ( Preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), and Peas.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 10% min, Crude Fat 6% min, Crude Fiber 3% Max.
- Calories: 434 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A high-protein diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of puppies of all breeds.
- Type of product: High-protein, Wet food, grain-free, No Corn, No soy
- Life stage: Puppy
- Best for: Muscle maintenance
- Price: $ 23.32 for a13.02 oz can
Benefits
- Enriched with natural DHA to promote healthy brain and eye development
- Loaded fruits and vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, blueberries, peas, tomato, and cranberries for natural sources of antioxidants to boost immunity and combat free radicals
- High in proteins from chicken, beef liver, and salmon to support healthy muscle development
- Completely free from grain, corn, soy, wheat, and any artificial ingredients like colors and preservatives making it great for dogs with delicate systems
Instinct Raw Boost Dog Food Review (Dry)
This Instinct’s dog food line includes chunks of freeze-dried raw meat for enhanced nutrition and flavor that can unlock your pup’s potential to thrive. The formulas under this line are packed with real animal protein to support healthy muscle development.
These high-protein formulas are also crafted with a healthy blend of prebiotics and probiotics to promote healthy digestion. It’s also packed with fruits and vegetables for natural sources of antioxidants that support overall health. Additionally, the recipes are completely free from filler ingredients and artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives. To better analyze the Instinct raw boost dog food, we will look at this Instinct Raw Boost Gut Health Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken & Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces Adult Dry Dog Food.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Tapioca, and Canola Oil ( Preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid).
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 31% min, Crude Fat 17% min, Crude Fiber 4% Max.
- Calories: 471 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A high protein diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Type of product: High-protein, Dry food, grain-free, No Corn, No soy
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: All adult dogs
- Price: $ 79.99 for an 18-lb bag
Benefits
- Full of antioxidants and omega fatty acids to promote immune health and ensure smooth and shiny skin and coat
- Added prebiotics and probiotics to foster smooth and healthy digestion
- Includes natural, minimally processed, and freeze-dried ingredients for maximum nutrient preservation
- Made with easily digestible chicken meat to encourage healthy muscle growth and maintenance.
Instinct Raw Frozen Diets Dog Food Review (Raw Frozen)
Instinct raw frozen diets are crafted with real whole ingredients like responsibly sourced animal meats and non-GMO fruits and vegetables that are minimally processed and never cooked but frozen at the peak of their freshness to preserve their full nutritional goodness.
These formulas offer nutrient-dense food packed with natural flavors, antioxidants, proteins, vitamins, and minerals to promote dogs’ overall health and well-being at all life stages. They are designed to mimic a wild dog’s natural optimal diet.
The Instinct Raw frozen diet line offers 11 dog foods to offer tailored nutrition to dogs at different life stages. This Instinct Bites Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Cage-Free Raw Frozen Senior Dog Food is one of the foods under this line.
- First 5 Ingredients: Chicken( including ground chicken bone), Beef Liver, Beef Spleen, Beef Kidney, and Carrots.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 13% min, Crude Fat 8% min, Crude Fiber 3% Max.
- Calories: 189 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A high protein diet designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Type of product: High-protein, Frozen, grain-free, No Corn, No soy
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Brain health, muscle health
- Price: $ 19.99 for a 3-lb bag
Benefits
- Specially designed for senior dogs with easily digestible raw ingredients
- Loaded with proteins from chicken and beef organs to help maintain lean muscles
- Added DHA to support brain and eye health
- Fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin to support your aging dog’s joint health
Nature’s Variety Prairie Dog Food Review (Dry)
This is made using natural ingredients like real animal meat plus wholesome sources of carbohydrates, including oatmeal, barley, and millet. These meals are completely devoid of any artificial colors or preservatives and meat by-products.
Vitamins and minerals and crushed, freeze-dried raw meat are added to this food for a nutritious and completely balanced meal that encourages optimal health for dogs.
- First 5 Ingredients: Lamb, Menhaden Fish Meal, Oatmeal, Barley, and Millet.
- Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein 25% min, Crude Fat 14% min, Crude Fiber 6% Max.
- Calories: 418 kcal/cup
- Suitable for which dogs: All dog breeds; small, medium, and large
- Feeding: Appropriate feeding amounts differ depending on the dog’s weight, health status, and activity level.
- Key Benefit: A completely balanced food designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs of all breeds and sizes.
- Type of product: Dry food, grain-free, No Corn, No soy, Pea-free, chicken-free, with grains
- Life stage: Adult
- Best for: Overall health
- Price: $ 69.49 for a 24-lb bag
Benefits
- Nutrient-dense food containing freeze-dried raw food for optimal health
- Features real grass-fed lamb as a source of proteins to help build lean, healthy muscles
- Completely balanced with vitamins and minerals to support overall health
- Includes wholesome carbohydrate sources like oatmeal and barley to boost dogs’ energy levels.
Customer Reviews
While Instinct dog food has many positive reviews, it has its share of negative reviews, just like other big brands. Check out what some customers had to say about this dog food.
Positive
‘’My miniature schnauzer loves this food. Of course, she eats the raw pieces out first, but I can use the kibble as treats during training because she likes it so much. It has not irritated her skin. I love giving her high-quality food. I do not fear giving her this food, I know it is good for her’’
Customer review.
Negative
‘’My Boston Terrier survived Parvo about 6 months ago and has had a sensitive tummy (mostly just soft stool). Usually, he scarfs down any food in seconds, but after the first day of trying this food, he started throwing up and refused to eat until we changed the food. Been having very good results with the blue buffalo limited ingredient food’’.
Customer review
Instinct Dog Food Recalls
While Instinct has recorded several recalls in the past as follows:
- In February and March 2010, the FDA recalled Instinct’s Chicken Formula Raw Frozen diet due to possible salmonella contamination.
- In July 2012, the brand issued a voluntary recall of its Prairie Beef Meal and Barley Medley kibble due to an unusual odor on the food.
- In Feb 2015, Instinct issued a recall on one batch of organic chicken formula with a ‘Best By’ date of 10/4/2013. This was due to the potential choking risk due to clear pieces of plastic in the food.
- In July 2015, the company voluntarily recalled its Instinct Raw Chicken Formula with a ‘’Best By’’ date of 27/4/2016 due to possible salmonella contamination.
- In July 2021, the brand recalled its frozen raw dog pet having duck due to a salmonella outbreak.
Instinct Legal Issue
Besides the voluntary recalls, Instinct dog food has not been involved in any legal issues. This shows that the brand is trustworthy and committed to providing quality nutrition to all dogs.
What is the quality of ingredients in Instinct Dog Food?
Instinct dog food brand uses only high-quality ingredients. All its formulas include fresh, natural, and nutritious ingredients responsibly sourced from all over the world. Real meat is always the first ingredient in all the brand’s recipes. Instinct does not include fillers, grains, corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors, or preservatives.
Do Instinct Dog Food Products include Chicken?
Yes, Instinct dog food includes chicken as the primary ingredient in some recipes. It also uses chicken meal and chicken liver for enhanced protein levels in its formulas. This is because chicken is a good source of easily digestible proteins that help build lean muscle mass. However, chicken is also a major cause of allergies in dogs.
Are Instinct Dog Foods produced from slaughterhouse waste?
Yes, Instinct dog food includes chicken as the primary ingredient in some recipes. It also uses chicken meal and chicken liver for enhanced protein levels in its formulas. This is because chicken is a good source of easily digestible proteins that help build lean muscle mass. However, chicken is also a major cause of allergies in dogs.
Discussion of Most Important Ingredients – Good and Bad
Instinct dog food uses high-quality ingredients in its recipes. However, it also includes a few controversial ingredients in some of its products. Check out some of the brand’s ingredients below:
- Chicken: Chicken meat is highly nutritious and provides a good source of easily digestible proteins, fats, and other nutrients, including omega fatty acids. It’s packed with essential amino acids to help build healthy muscle mass.
- Chicken meal: Chicken meal provides a concentrated protein source. It’s made from chicken meat that has had its moisture removed. Meat meals generally contain up to four times the proteins meats have and thus form a good source of nutrients.
- Salmon: Besides being an excellent source of high-quality protein, this is also a great source of omega-3 fats that help in improving skin health, boosting immunity, and reducing inflammation. Salmon is especially great for dogs allergic to beef or chicken meat.
- Menhaden fish meal: Manhaden fish is a good source of proteins and omega-fatty acids. Since these are small ocean fishes, they have low mercury levels.
- Salmon meal: Pure Balance includes a salmon meal with amino acids to help build healthy muscles and improve eye health.
- Peas: These provide additional proteins and some energy for dogs. They are also good fiber sources that keep the digestive system flowing smoothly. While they are quite starchy, these legumes are also loaded with vitamins A, B6, C, and K, plus minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc.
- Fruits and vegetables: These include apples, spinach, broccoli, carrots, dried kelp, and cranberries. These pack lots of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
- Lamb: This provides an excellent source of easily digestible proteins that dogs need to build and maintain strong muscles.
- Tapioca: This helps improve the taste and texture of kibble and is also a wonderful source of fiber that promotes digestion.
- Potatoes: When used in moderation, these form great sources of carbohydrates that provide energy to keep dogs active. Potatoes contain minerals and vitamins, including vitamins A, C, B6, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron.
Controversial ingredients
While most of the ingredients included in Instinct dog food are good, the brand also includes a few others that are less desirable. These include:
- Tomato pomace: Although it adds fiber to dog food, it’s believed to cause diarrhea in some dogs. Pomace consists of processed tomato skins and seeds used to make ketchup.
- Salt: While this is good for seasoning, high amounts can lead to dehydration and sodium poisoning.
Instinct Dog food Advantages: What We Like About It.
Several aspects make Instinct dog food appealing to many users. The following are some of the things we like about this brand.
- High-grade ingredients: Instinct uses high-quality ingredients like real animal meats, organic vegetables, and fruits. The brand does not include filler ingredients like corn, soy, wheat, meat by-products, artificial flavors, or preservatives.
- Nutrient-dense food: This food brand includes wholesome ingredients that are minimally processed and freeze-dried, providing highly nutritious meals to support overall health. Besides meat, most recipes include animal organs like the liver or heart for more concentrated nutrients.
- Nutritionally complete and balanced: Instinct dog food contains all the nutrients dogs need to thrive. It includes appropriate levels of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that contribute to optimal health.
- AAFCO-approved: Instinct dog food meets the quality and nutritional standards set by AAFCO. All its recipes are formulated to meet or exceed the minimum nutritional requirements for dog food.
- Wide variety of products: This brand offers a wide range of products designed to meet different dog needs. It offers grain-free, wet, dry, and raw meals and age-appropriate formulas for puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs.
- Delectable taste: Instinct dog food is nutritious and highly tasty, making it irresistible to many dogs.
- Raw diet: The brand offers recipes that include raw foods, including raw meats, fruits, and vegetables, for optimal nutrition.
Instinct Dog Food Disadvantages: What We Don’t Like About It
While Instinct is a good dog food brand, it has shortcomings, just like any other popular brand. The following are some things we don’t like about this brand:
- Past recalls: Instinct dog food has had a past recall on some of its products which makes its commitment to quality questionable.
- Controversial ingredients: The brand includes controversial ingredients in some recipes.
Is Instinct good food dog brand?
Yes, Instinct is a good dog food brand as it utilizes high-quality, natural, and human-grade ingredients in all its products. It includes real animal meat protein as the first ingredient, plus wholesome vegetables and fruits. It does not include fillers like corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
Is Instinct Dog Food good for dog skin?
Yes, Instinct dog food is enhanced with essential fats like omega 3 and 6 fatty acids essential in maintaining skin health. These are sourced from chicken fat, salmon, and menhaden fish.
Is Instinct Dog Food good for itchy skin?
Yes, Instinct does not include common food allergens like soy, wheat, or corn contributing to itchy skin. It also contains healthy fats from chicken or fish oil which help the skin supple and avoid itching.
Is Instinct Dog food good for puppies?
Yes, Instinct is good for puppies. The brand offers many puppy-specific recipes designed to cater to the needs of puppies of different sizes and breeds. It also lacks artificial flavors and preservatives that may harm a puppy’s delicate system.
Is Instinct Dog food good for older dogs?
Yes, Instinct offers some formulas specially designed to cater to the needs of aging dogs. These formulas include supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint health.
Is Instinct Dog Food healthy for dog’s growth?
Yes, Instinct dog food is healthy for a dog’s growth as it’s formulated with the right amounts of all the necessary nutrients that dogs need for optimal growth. The food is balanced with appropriate levels of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
Is Instinct Dog Food expensive?
Yes, Instinct dog food is fairly expensive and may thus be unaffordable to many dog owners. However, the high cost is justified as it includes high-quality ingredients without fillers.
Is Instinct Dog Food AAFCO approved?
Yes, Instinct formulates all its recipes to meet or exceed all AAFCO standards. It adheres to all nutritional and safety requirements set by AAFCO.
Is Instinct Dog Food grain free?
Yes, Instinct dog food is free from grains like corn, soy, and wheat which are considered top food allergens in dog food. This makes it a good choice for dogs with sensitivities.
Is Instinct Dog Food high energy for dog food?
Yes, Instinct has some recipes specially designed to meet the needs of high-energy dogs including working or sporting dogs. These are formulated with high protein and fat levels to meet the high energy needs.
Is Instinct Dog food produced in the USA?
Yes, Instinct dog food is produced in the USA. All the products are manufactured in the brand’s facilities located in Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.
Where to buy Instinct Dog Food products in the USA?
You can purchase Instinct dog food from online and physical stores like Chewy, Amazon, Petco, Walmart, and Petsmart. It’s also available in the local pet stores in the USA.
How is the Instinct Dog Food shipment speed?
Instinct dog food has a good shipment speed. Depending on your location, it takes 4-5 business days to deliver your product after ordering.
Comparable Brands
While Instinct dog food is a good brand, it may not be suitable for all dogs for various reasons. If this is your case, you can try these other brands comparable to Instinct in various aspects.
Acana
Acana dog food is a Canadian-based multinational producer of ‘’biologically appropriate’’ dog food. The company was established to provide quality nutrition that stands out from traditional dog foods by mixing a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet with health-promoting botanicals, fruits, and vegetables. The brand does not include grains like corn, soy, and wheat linked to adverse reactions, allergies, and digestive issues in dogs.
Pro
- Offers nutritionally complete and balanced nutrition for dogs
- Has no recalls
- It’s readily available from local pet stores
- Offers a wide range of products to choose from
Cons
- Includes some undesirable ingredients
- It’s a costly dog food option
- Has limited wet food option
Crave
Crave is a new pet food brand that provides high-protein, grain-free dog food in wet and dry recipes. All the brand’s products are manufactured by Mars Petcare, with real meat as the first ingredient. Crave formulates all its recipes to meet AAFCO guidelines for whole and complete nutrition.
Crave aims to provide specie-specific recipes for dogs with lean, meat-based protein formulas plus other varied nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
Pro
- All recipes feature meat-based protein as the first ingredient
- Uses high-quality ingredients
- Offers nutrient-packed nutrition for dogs of different ages, breeds, and sizes
Con
- It offers only grain-free foods, which can be limiting to some dog owners
- It has limited varieties to choose from
- Contains some controversial ingredients
Dr. Tim’s
Founded in 2004, Dr. Tim is a pet food brand owned by Dr. Tim’s Pet Food company in Michigan. The brand claims to include up to 93% animal-based proteins as it believes in meat-based diets high in animal-based protein and fat. It comes with a moderate product range that includes dry dog recipes. It thus does not provide wet or canned dog food.
Dr. Tims offers various specialty recipes for very active dogs and weight management formulas. All the brand’s products are produced in a manufacturing facility owned by Alphia Foods in Kansas.
Pro
- It includes only high-quality ingredients
- Formulated with the right amounts of protein
- It’s a knowledgeable and trustworthy brand
- Offers specialized foods for specialized dogs
Con
- It’s not readily available
- Includes some controversial ingredients like beet pulp
Final Word
Based on our analysis, Instinct is a good dog food brand worth your trial. The brand uses above-average ingredients in terms of quality and does not include fillers, artificial additives, or preservatives.
What’s more, the brand has a wide variety of products to choose from, allowing you to switch to different flavors to avoid your dog becoming bored. While Instinct dog food is fairly expensive, the cost is justified given the quality of ingredients used in making it.
If you are looking for a nutritious, healthy, protein-packed food for your beloved canine, we strongly recommend trying Instinct dog food.