Instinct Raw Longevity Raw Frozen Dog Food Review (Raw Frozen)

Instinct Raw Longevity Raw Frozen product range is made up of 14 recipes with ratings varying from 4.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars.

Raw Frozen Longevity features various high-quality muscle and organ meats as its main ingredients, complemented by nutrient-rich items such as yellow squash, apples, and broccoli, which are abundant in vitamins A and C.

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.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Instinct Raw Longevity Raw Frozen Bites Farm-Raised Rabbit Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient is rabbit. Rabbit is considered “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered rabbit” and associated with skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart, esophagus or other tissues accompanying the flesh.¹

Rabbit is naturally rich in all 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The second ingredient is pork liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.

The third ingredient is pork 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 fourth ingredient is pork fat, a product from rendering pig meat.

Commonly known as lard, pork fat can add significant flavor to any dog food. And it can be high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life.

Although it may not sound very appetizing, pork fat (in moderate amounts) is actually an acceptable pet food ingredient.

The fifth ingredient is ground pork bone, an excellent source of natural calcium.

The sixth ingredient is yellow squash. Squash is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

The seventh ingredient is apple, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.

The eighth ingredient is carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.

The ninth ingredient is miscanthus grass, also known as elephant grass. Miscanthus is a non-GMO source of crude fiber.

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 five notable exceptions.

First, flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flaxseeds 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, fish oil. Fish oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.

Depending on its level of freshness and purity, fish oil should be considered a commendable addition.

We also note, yeast culture. Although yeast culture is high in B-vitamins and protein, it can also be used as a probiotic to aid in digestion.

Taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

We view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.

Lastly we note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Instinct Raw Longevity Raw Frozen Rabbit looks like an above-average raw product.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 40.3%, a fat level of 27.8% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 8.3%.

As a group, the brand features a protein content of 41.8% and a mean fat level of 26.6%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 11.8% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 66%.

This means this Instinct product line contains above-average protein, 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 Raw Longevity Raw Frozen Dog Food

This Instinct product range certainly deserves the 5 stars it has received in our review. All meals are minimally processed, high in protein, and never cooked to maintain the integrity of each ingredient.

Highly Recommended

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.

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