Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Instinct Raw Freeze-Dried Meals product range is made up of five recipes with ratings varying from 4 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars.
Each of these recipes features high-quality cuts of both organ and muscle meat as the primary ingredients. They also include nutritionally rich ingredients, such as pumpkin seeds, salmon oil, and apples. Raw recipes are freeze-dried to produce a less processed food, which promotes better digestion and nutrient absorption.
Pros
- Can be kept in the pantry for convenience
- Minimally processed to preserve nutrients
- Responsibly sourced meat
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 Raw Freeze-Dried Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe for Puppies was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Instinct Raw Freeze-Dried Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe for Puppies
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, beef liver, beef spleen, beef kidney, cod, pumpkin seeds, carrots, apples, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, montmorillonite clay, ground miscanthus grass, ground flaxseed, salmon oil, 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 (for freshness), blueberries, spinach, rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 6%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 38% | 29% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 40% | 31% | 21% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 30% | 55% | 15% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient is beef liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The third ingredient is beef spleen. Like other organ meat, spleen is low in fat and rich in protein.
The fourth ingredient is cod. Cod is a lean fish, found in the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Cod is high in protein, supplying approximately 16g/100g fresh. Cod is a source of polyunsaturated and particularly omega 3 fatty acids, but at much lower levels than seen in oily fish such as Mackerel and Salmon. Minerals, such as selenium and phosphorus are present in Cod, as well as B vitamins. Overall, we view Cod as a quality ingredient.
The fifth ingredient is pumpkin seed. Pumpkin seeds are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and, more importantly, linoleic acid – an essential omega-6 fat.
The sixth ingredient is carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The seventh ingredient is apple, a nutrient-rich fruit that’s also high in fiber.
The eighth 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.
The ninth ingredient is butternut squash. Squash is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and dietary 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 four 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, 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.
We also note chicory root. Chicory is rich in inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.
Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
This food also contains chelated minerals, that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Instinct Raw Freeze-Dried Meals Cage-Free Chicken Recipe for Puppies looks like an above-average, freeze-dried product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 42.9%, a fat level of 32.6% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 10.8%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 41.6% and a mean fat level of 34.3%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 11.2% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 83%.
This means this Instinct product range contains above-average protein, below-average carbohydrate, and above-average fat, when compared to typical freeze-dried 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 Freeze-Dried Meals Dog Food
Instinct uses quality ingredients and responsibly sourced meats, making this product range a very good choice.
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 Raw Freeze-Dried Meals Dog Food
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