Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Instinct FreshRaw Meals product range is made up of four recipes with ratings varying from 4.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars.
These are protein-packed raw recipes, made with responsibly sourced meat and non-GMO vegetables and fruits.
Pros
- 100% raw and frozen to preserve nutrients
- Partners with veterinary experts
- 1st ingredient is responsibly sourced meat raised without antibiotics or added hormones
Cons
- Expensive
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Instinct FreshRaw Meals Grass-Fed Beef Recipe | 4.5 | M |
| Instinct FreshRaw Meals Grass-Fed Lamb Recipe | 5 | M |
| Instinct FreshRaw Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe | 5 | M |
| Instinct FreshRaw Meals Cage-Free Turkey Recipe | 5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Instinct FreshRaw Meals Cage-Free Turkey Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Instinct FreshRaw Meals Cage-Free Turkey Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Turkey, turkey gizzards, turkey livers, turkey hearts, carrots, spinach, blueberries, apples, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, ground flaxseed, ground miscanthus grass, montmorillonite clay, tricalcium phosphate, salmon oil, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin D3 supplement), dried kelp, potassium chloride, choline chloride, zinc proteinate, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 11% | 7% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 39% | 25% | 28% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 31% | 48% | 22% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is turkey. Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”.1
Turkey is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is turkey gizzards. The gizzard is a low-fat, meaty organ found in the digestive tract of birds and assists in grinding up a consumed food which can be considered a natural part of a canine’s diet.
The third ingredient is turkey liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is turkey heart. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, heart tissue is pure muscle – all meat. It’s naturally rich in quality protein, minerals and complex B vitamins, too.
The fifth ingredient is carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The sixth ingredient is spinach. Spinach is rich in vitamins A, K, and C, as well as folate, iron, and magnesium. Spinach is a source of fiber. For dogs predisposed to oxalate stones spinach should be avoided, due to it’s high oxalate content.
The seventh ingredient is blueberries. Blueberries are a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
The eighth ingredient is apple, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
The ninth ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
This recipe has three notable exceptions.
First, flaxseed. Flaxseed is one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
Next, salmon oil. Salmon oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Also, montmorillonite clay, a naturally occurring compound rich in many trace minerals. Montmorillonite has been approved for use in USDA Organic Certified products.
Reported benefits include the binding of certain mold-based toxins and even controlling diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Instinct FreshRaw Meals Cage-Free Turkey Recipe looks like an above-average raw product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 39.1%, a fat level of 25% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 22.5%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 39.5% and a mean fat level of 27.4%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 19.2% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 69%.
This means this Instinct FreshRaw Meals contains above-average protein, near-average or below-average carbohydrate, and below-average fat, when compared to typical raw dog food.
Instinct Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Instinct through December 2025.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Instinct FreshRaw Meals Dog Food
This Instinct product range is certainly deserving of the 5 stars it has earned in our review. All meals are minimally processed, rich in protein, and never cooked to preserve the integrity of each ingredient.
About
Instinct is owned by Natures Variety of Lincoln, Nebraska. All Instinct recipes are made at the company’s own facilities in Lincoln.
Each Instinct dog food is formulated by the company’s on-staff professionals. This includes a veterinarian who is board-certified in both veterinary nutrition and integrative medicine.
Compare Instinct FreshRaw Meals Dog Food
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