Instinct Dog Food Reviews in [2020]

If you are interested in feeding your dog Instinct start with one of the original formulas, like Instinct Original Kibble Beef.

Key Features

• Protein Content—36%
• Fat Content—19%
• Fiber Content—3.5%
• Amino Acids—12%

Instinct Original Kibble Beef only uses USA-raised beef to ensure proper quality control and that dogs are getting a protein source that will help them develop healthy and lean muscles. The ratio for this formula starts with 70% of it being made up entirely of animal proteins, which include not only muscle meat but organ meat as well. The high animal protein content is essential for dogs as it helps them maintain a healthy and properly functioning body.

The remaining 30% of the ingredient list is made up of fruits, vegetables, and other essential wholesome ingredients that are there to benefit the overall health of your dog. The 30% mimics the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that dogs in the wild would naturally obtain through their prey.

To further benefit your dog, each portion of Original Kibble Beef contains guaranteed levels of live probiotics, antioxidants, and Omega fatty acids to promote a healthy digestive system, healthy immune system, and healthy skin and coat. Your dog will naturally have all of the essential nutrients their bodies need thanks to the power of raw Instinct is best known for.

Pros

• Contains no grains, potato, corn, wheat, or soy products
• Does not contain any artificial colors or preservatives
• USA raised beef is the first ingredient and makes up the majority of the ingredients
• Available in 4 lb., 11 lb., and 20 lb. bag options

Cons

• Not an ideal formula for dogs with poultry allergies as it contains chicken fat
• Use artificial outside sources to provide essential vitamins and minerals

Instinct Original Kibble Beef is the formula to use when you are starting to transition your dog onto a raw food diet.

2. Limited Ingredient Diet

Limited Ingredient Diet

$59.99  in stock

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Features

• GRAIN FREE DOG FOOD FOR DOGS WITH SENSITIVITIES: Instinct Limited Ingredient dog food is made with 1 protein & 1 vegetable. No grain, dairy, eggs, chicken, beef, fish, sweet potato, potato, chickpeas, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors or preservatives.
• NATURAL DOG FOOD WITH WILD SALMON: Crafted for dogs with food allergy, our Limited Ingredient Diet is made with simple ingredients like wild caught salmon, a healthy, easily digestible protein that provides all of the essential amino acids to thrive.
• THE FIRST RAW COATED KIBBLE: Instinct Limited Ingredient dry dog food is dry dog food where every piece of kibble is coated in freeze dried raw for nutrition and taste.  Delicious, healthy flavor that small dogs to large dogs crave.
• POWER OF RAW INGREDIENTS: Our dog food is made with the pure, real nutrition of raw. Raw is natural, made from real meat & whole food ingredients, protein packed & minimally processed. Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.
• OUR BEST DOG FOOD FOR ALLERGIES: We craft dry & wet dog food from real ingredients. Compare Instinct to Blue Buffalo, Rachel Ray, Hills Science Diet, Purina One, Taste of the Wild, Merrick, Natural Balance, Wellness, Orijen, Royal Canin, Zignature & Nutro

For the dog who has food sensitivities that still craves a raw diet try feeding them on of Instinct’s Limited Ingredient diet, like Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon.

Key Features

• Protein Content—27%
• Fat Content—17.50%
• Fiber Content—3%
• Amino Acids—8.9%

Some dogs, unfortunately, can develop allergies to certain commonly used ingredients in dog foods, such as chicken, wheat, corn, and other animal proteins.

If your dog happens to fall under this category, you do not have to be limited on what you can feed your dog. Instead, buying dog food can be simple if you are looking in the right place.

Instinct’s Limited Ingredient Diets are made for dogs who have food allergies. These dog foods only use one animal protein and one vegetable, salmon and peas being specific to the Salmon Limited Ingredient Diet.

Salmon is a pure, wholesome animal protein rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, essential amino acids, and is easy for dogs to digest.

The peas are an essential carbohydrate and vegetable that provides another source of needed vitamins and minerals and supplies fiber content.

Even though the Limited Ingredient Diets are free of grains, wheat, corn, soy and other common food allergies that means this diet relies heavily on outside sources to provide nutrients common dogs foods ingredients naturally offer. But looking past that fact this diet is still beneficial to dogs.

Pros

• Uses only one animal protein to help support dogs who may have allergies to specific animal proteins
• Made with no grains, dairy, potatoes, corn, wheat, soy, or other common food allergens
• It comes in 4 lb., and 20 lb. bag sizes

Cons

• Uses only one vegetable, so needs outside artificial sources of vitamins and minerals

Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon is a healthy dog food alternative that still follows Instinct’s desire to provide dogs with an all-natural raw food source that will benefit them.

3. Ultimate Protein Grain Free

Ultimate Protein

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Features

• HIGH PROTEIN GRAIN FREE DOG FOOD WITH CAGE FREE CHICKEN: Instinct Ultimate Protein dry dog food has up to 3x more real chicken & 95% of the protein comes from chicken vs. vegetables or animal meals. Unmatched digestibility for optimal nutrient absorption.
• NATURAL DOG FOOD: Made with guaranteed levels of natural probiotics for digestive health, omegas for skin & coat, and antioxidants for immune health. Made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by product meal, artificial colors or preservatives.
• THE FIRST RAW COATED KIBBLE: Instinct Ultimate Protein dry dog food is high protein dog food where every piece of kibble is coated in freeze dried raw for nutrition and taste.  Delicious, healthy flavor that small dogs to large dogs crave.
• POWER OF RAW INGREDIENTS: Our dog food is made with the pure, real nutrition of raw. Raw is natural, made from real meat & whole food ingredients, protein packed & minimally processed. Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.
• OUR BEST DOG FOOD WITH HIGH PROTEIN: We craft dry & wet dog food from real ingredients. Compare Instinct to Blue Buffalo, Rachel Ray, Hills Science Diet, Purina One, Taste of the Wild, Merrick, Natural Balance, Wellness, Orijen, Royal Canin, Iams & Nutro.

Dogs thrive on a high animal protein diet, which Instinct Ultimate Protein Kibble Chicken focuses on providing.

Key Features

• Protein Content—47%
• Fat Content—17%
• Fiber Content—3%
• Amino Acids—17.70%

While chicken is a common dog food allergy, it is a highly nutritious food source. Chicken is easy to digest and provides a balanced nutrient source. Instinct Ultimate Protein only uses one animal protein, in this case, chicken.

The formula uses not just the muscle meat, but organs as well since organs provide extra nutrient content not many dog food brands take advantage of.

Dogs in the wild would naturally eat the organs of their prey as that is where they obtain nutrients from fruits and vegetables that their prey has eaten.

Instinct Ultimate Protein does not use as many fruits and vegetables in the diet, which does mimic what a dog would naturally obtain in the wild, but that also means there is a high content of artificial outside sources to provide the vitamins and minerals dogs need to thrive.

As a positive, though, your dog will have access to guaranteed levels of live, natural probiotics, Omega fatty acids, and antioxidants.

Pros

• 95% of the formula is made up of chicken
• Free of grains, potato, corn, and soy products
• Contains no artificial colors or preservatives
• It comes in 12 OZ, 4, and 20 lb. bag options

Cons

• Main animal protein is chicken, so not ideal for dogs with allergies to poultry
• Tapioca is the second ingredient on the formula list, which is considered a low-grade filler ingredient

Instinct Ultimate Protein Kibble Chicken is ideal for active dogs that burn through calories fast and need the extra protein boost to keep their bodies up and moving.

4. Freeze Dried Raw Boost

Freeze Dried Raw Boost

$11.99  in stock

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Features

• FREEZE DRIED RAW DRY DOG FOOD TOPPER FOR GUT HEALTH: Add raw to your dog bowl with Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Gut Health grain free dog food toppers. Responsibly sourced cage free chicken is the #1 ingredient plus all natural, functional ingredients.
• GRAIN FREE DOG FOOD MIXER: Made with whole food ingredients for digestive health – cage free chicken, pumpkin, sweet potato, chicory root, apple cider vinegar & probiotics. Made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors or preservatives.
• DOG FOOD TOPPER OR DOG TREATS: Raw, whole food ingredients are freeze dried to gently remove moisture, locking in nutrients and intensifying flavor. Add variety and excitement to every meal with the perfect natural dog food topper for picky dogs & puppies.
• POWER OF RAW INGREDIENTS: Our dog food is made with the pure, real nutrition of raw. Raw is natural, made from real meat & whole food ingredients, protein packed & minimally processed. Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.
• OUR BEST DOG FOOD TOPPER: We craft dry & wet dog food from real ingredients. Compare the ingredients in Instinct to Blue Buffalo, Rachel Ray, Honest Kitchen, Hills, Purina One, Taste of the Wild, Merrick, Iams, Natural Balance, Primal, Stella & Chewys.

Some dogs may not be getting enough fiber in their diets. If that is the case for your dog, top off their food with Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Gut Health.

Key Features

• Protein Content—36%
• Fat Content—30%
• Fiber Content—15%
• Amino Acids—N/A

Instinct Raw Boost Mixer Gut Health provides dogs with freeze-dried raw pieces of chicken blended with whole-food ingredients packed with fiber and natural probiotics to maintain digestive health.

The formula uses pumpkin, sweet potato, chicory root, apple cider vinegar, and other probiotics that are essential to maintaining a healthy digestive system thanks to the high fiber source.

Since all of the ingredients are freeze-dried raw, the vital nutrients and flavors are locked in at their peak that will best benefit your dog and satisfy their cravings.

This is not a diet you can feed on its own but rather serves as a food topper if you feel like your dog needs a boost in their digestive health.

Pros

• Contains wholesome fruits and vegetables ideal for supporting a healthy digestive system
• Comes in 0.75 OZ and 5.5 OZ bag options

Cons

• Includes chicken, which is not suitable for dogs with a poultry allergy

Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Gut Health will help keep your dog firm and regulate their bathroom habits for a healthy digestive system.

5. Be Natural Real Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe

Natural Real Salmon & Brown Rice

$14.99  in stock

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Features

• LOOKING FOR PRAIRIE BY NATURE’S VARIETY?: Prairie has a new look and is now called Instinct Be Natural – but it’s the same great recipe!
• NATURAL DOG FOOD WITH WILD CAUGHT SALMON: Instinct Be Natural Real Salmon & Brown Rice dry dog food is made with responsibly sourced animal protein as the #1 and #2 ingredients, plus whole grains, fruits & vegetables, and omegas.
• DRY DOG FOOD WITH NO FILLERS: Be Natural is made with animal protein and wholesome grains – no chicken or poultry by-product meal, corn, wheat, soy, brewer’s rice, artificial colors or preservatives – ingredients known to trigger food sensitivities.
• THE FIRST RAW COATED KIBBLE: Be Natural Dry Dog Food is high protein dog food where every piece of kibble is coated in freeze dried raw for nutrition and taste.  Delicious, healthy flavor that small dogs to large dogs crave.
• POWER OF RAW INGREDIENTS: Our dog food is made with the pure, real nutrition of raw. Raw is natural, made from real meat & wholefood ingredients, protein packed & minimally processed. Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.

Instinct Be Natural Kibble Salmon combines the power of raw with hearty grains for a nutritional and tasty meal.

Key Features

• Protein Content—25%
• Fat Content—14%
• Fiber Content—5.50%
• Amino Acids—N/A

Instinct Be Natural combines wholesome ingredients and freeze-dried raw nutrition. The grains provide essential nutrients dogs need for a healthy body.

The dry kibble is tumbled with crushed freeze-dried raw animal protein to coat the power of raw on the kibbles for high protein content with optimal nutrition.

There is a hearty supply of fruits and vegetables, but the recipe still relies on outside sources for vitamins and minerals to complete the rounded diet. It is a simple diet, but it still provides dogs with the power of raw that best benefits their bodies.

Pros

• Poultry-free recipe
• Contains no corn, wheat, soy, or by-products
• All ingredients harvested in the USA
• It comes in 4.5 lb. and 24 lb. bag options

Cons

• Includes a high content of grains, which risk it being a diet of mainly filler ingredients

If your dog is not allergic to grains, consider feeding them Instinct Be Natural Kibble Salmon for a well-rounded diet.

6. Raw Boost Healthy Weight

Raw Boost Healthy Weight

$69.99  in stock

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Features

• GRAIN FREE HEALTHY WEIGHT DOG FOOD WITH FREEZE DRIED RAW CAGE FREE CHICKEN: Instinct Raw Boost dry dog food combines high protein, grain free kibble with all natural bites of freeze dried raw chicken. Cage free chicken is the #1 ingredient.
• HEALTHY WEIGHT DOG FOOD PLUS FREEZE DRIED RAW PIECES: With fat burning L-Carnitine for healthy metabolism & the ideal fiber level to help your dog feel full. Made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, byproduct meal, artificial colors or preservatives.
• POWER OF RAW INGREDIENTS: Our dog food is made with the pure, real nutrition of raw. Raw is natural, made from real meat & whole food ingredients, protein packed & minimally processed. Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.
• OUR BEST DOG FOOD BOOSTED WITH RAW: We craft dry & wet dog food from real ingredients. Compare Instinct to Blue Buffalo, Rachel Ray, Hills Science Diet, Purina One, Taste of the Wild, Merrick, Natural Balance, Wellness, Orijen, Royal Canin, Iams & Nutro.
• THE FIRST RAW BOOSTED KIBBLE FOR WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: Raw Boost mixes natural, grain free dog food with our freeze dried raw dog food toppers in one bag. Complete & balanced nutrition with 25% less fat and 15% fewer calories than Instinct Raw Boost.

When you want to start adding more raw meat to your dog’s diet past the dry kibble try using Instinct Raw Boost Kibble + Raw Healthy Weight.

Key Features

• Protein Content—33%
• Fat Content—11%
• Fiber Content—7.50%
• Amino Acids—10.50%

Instinct Raw Boost combines both high-protein kibble and freeze-dried raw pieces. This formula line is the best to use when you are ready to start feeding your dog a raw diet past the dry kibble variety.

Your dog will be able to transition easier to the raw food without having an upset stomach. What makes this formula different from the other Instinct Raw Boost formulas is that it is specially made to help dogs maintain a healthy weight.

Not all dogs are active due to age or personality, so they need food that will not add any extra weight. Chicken is a lean animal protein packed with essential nutrients dogs need.

Each freeze-dried raw bite has 25% less fat and contains 15% fewer calories than the other Raw Boost formulas.

L-Carnitine is added to the recipe to help burn fat, support a healthy metabolism, and provide fiber to help your dog feel fuller longer. You can feed Instinct Raw Boost on its own or as a topper on your dog’s current food for a smoother transition.

Pros

• Boosted nutrition to help dogs maintain a healthy weight
• Free of grains, potatoes, corn, wheat, and soy
• Contains fruits and vegetables to provide a natural source of vitamins and minerals
• It comes in 4 lb. and 20 lb. bag options

Cons

• Includes chicken and turkey, so not ideal for dogs with poultry allergies
• Contains tapioca, which is considered a lower grade filler ingredient

The freeze-dried pieces in Instinct Raw Boost Kibble + Raw Healthy Weight will satisfy your dog’s raw meat cravings while also keeping their bodies lean and fit.

Key Ingredients in Instinct Dog Food

Protein

Instinct uses a variety of raw proteins that aim to benefit your dog’s overall body health. Instinct uses the following animal protein sources in their various formulas.

• Beef
• Chicken
• Duck
• Rabbit
• Salmon
• Lamb
• Turkey
• Cod
• Venison

Fats

Since Instinct has a high animal protein source that means that your dog will have access to the natural fats provided by the animal protein. This helps your dog maintain proper body weight, even if they aren’t as active.

Carbohydrates

Instinct uses wholesome carbohydrates to ensure that your dog is not going only to get high sugars but carbs that can benefit their body’s overall health.

Vitamins and Minerals

Instinct only uses a few fruits and vegetables in their formulas as it best mimics what a wild dog would naturally eat as it would be in the stomach of the prey they caught. But the fruits and vegetables still provide enough essential vitamins and minerals for proper body functions.

Bottom Line

Instinct dog food offers a variety of formulas and options that you can choose. From Instinct adult dog food to Instinct puppy food, you can find a recipe for any age and size.

They have such an extensive list of formulas because they understand that every dog is different and has various needs.

Instinct cares about dogs and their overall well-being, which is very comforting for pet owners who only want the best for their dog. If you are considering a raw food option, consider trying out Instinct.

Every portion will benefit your dog, satisfy their cravings, and even save you some money. Since it is such a protein-heavy brand, you can feed your dog less and still fill their stomachs.