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Is Instinct a good dog food?
In this review… The Dog Food Advisor takes a close look at Instinct Dog Food… and its six most popular sub-brands.
We’ll also reveal…
- Is Instinct Dog Food made in the United States?
- Has Instinct been recalled?
- Which flavors and recipes get our top ratings?
But first…
Which Instinct Sub-Brand Is Right for You?
In the section below, you’ll discover Instinct’s 6 most popular sub-brands. We’ll share what makes each one different. So, you can choose the food that best suits your do
Instinct Original Dry
Original is Instinct’s classic grain-free kibble… ideal for those who prefer a high-protein, dry diet.
- No corn, wheat, rice or barley
- 39-42% protein (above-average)
- Added 30% fruit and veggie blend
- 4 recipes (ratings consistent)
Instinct Raw Boost
Raw Boost is Instinct’s premium dry food. The grain-free recipe starts with a high-protein kibble… and adds in real freeze-dried raw meat… all in the same bag.
- No BHA, BHT or other high-risk preservatives
- 33% mean carbs (below-average)
- 15 recipes (ratings vary)
Instinct Limited Ingredient Dry
This is Instinct’s limited ingredient grain-free dry kibble… and a smart choice for a dog with a suspected food sensitivity.
- Only one animal protein, one vegetable per recipe
- Each kibble piece is raw-coated
- 3 recipes (ratings vary)
Instinct Limited Ingredient Wet
This is the wet version of Instinct’s dry limited ingredient canine diet (above). For the same reasons, this canned line may be helpful for dogs with possible food sensitivities.
- Single animal protein source
- Tasty topper for matching limited ingredient kibble
- 3 recipes (ratings vary)
Instinct Original Cans
Instinct Original grain-free wet boasts a fine-chopped pate texture… which makes it an easy-to-mix, tasty topper to enhance any dry kibble.
- 2 can sizes. Ideal for small or medium breeds
- 95% meat, low carb recipe
- 6 recipes (ratings vary)
Instinct Raw Frozen Diet
Instinct Raw Frozen includes 100% fresh raw (not cooked) meat and veggies… minimally processed to preserve the integrity of every ingredient.
- 85% fresh uncooked meat
- 15% non-GMO fruits and veggies
- 5 recipes (ratings vary)
Our Verdict
Instinct dry product range consists of four recipes, each receiving the Dog Food Advisor’s rating of 5 stars.
Pros
- A sustainable and environmentally-responsible company
- Made without - grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meal, artificial colors or preservatives
- High-quality ingredients
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.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, chicken meal, peas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), tapioca, herring meal, menhaden fish meal, natural flavor, dried tomato pomace, salt, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, niacin supplement, thiamine mononitrate, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin), carrots, apples, cranberries, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, ethylenediamine dihydriodide), potassium chloride, montmorillonite clay, taurine, choline chloride, freeze dried chicken, freeze dried chicken liver, pumpkinseeds, freeze dried chicken heart, dried bacillus coagulans fermentation product, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 37% | 20% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 41% | 22% | 29% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 33% | 44% | 23% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.
The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The third ingredient includes peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
The fourth ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The fifth ingredient is tapioca, a gluten-free, starchy carbohydrate extract made from the root of the cassava plant.
The next two ingredients include herring meal and menhaden fish meal, yet more high protein meat concentrates.
After the natural flavor, we find tomato pomace. Tomato pomace is a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup. Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others believe it’s often used as an inexpensive pet food filler.
As the presence of fiber in a dog’s diet is shown to have great importance, we view the inclusion of tomato pomace in this food as a positive.
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 this Nature’s Variety product.
With four notable exceptions…
First, this recipe contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
In addition, we find 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.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
Next, montmorillonite clay is 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).
And lastly, this food contains dried fermentation products. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken appears to be an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 41.8%, a fat level of 22.8% and estimated carbohydrates of about 24.7%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 41.3% and a mean fat level of 23.4%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 23.9% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
Which means this Instinct product line contains…
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Instinct Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Instinct through February 2026.
No recalls noted.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Instinct Dog Food
The Dog Food Advisor finds Instinct to be an exceptional grain-free dry kibble. The Original recipe uses an abundance of named meat meal as its primary source of animal protein… thus earning the brand 5 stars.
What Do Others Say About Instinct Dog Food?
A Quick Guide to Instinct Raw Boost
Thinking about Instinct Raw Boost… but confused by its unusual design? This short video from Chewy may help.
Who Makes Instinct Dog Food?
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.
The company’s chief scientific officer holds a PhD in food science. And one of its directors of research and development holds a masters degree in the same field.
Compare Instinct Dog Food
How does Instinct compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
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