Instinct Original is a grain-free line built on recipes that lead with meat, fish or a meat broth. It comes in kibble, wet food, toppers and one freeze-dried recipe. Every recipe except the freeze-dried Pollock Bites contains peas or lentils, and none lists potato.
The six kibbles run from 34.5% to 37.5% protein (as fed) and 21.5% to 26% estimated starch, against a catalog kibble average of 26.9% protein and 37.4% starch. They average 509 kcal per cup against a catalog average of 395. Kibble proteins include fish, chicken, turkey, egg, beef, rabbit and duck. The five wet recipes span 8.5% to 11.5% protein, above the 8.3% wet average. The four toppers sit at 8% to 9% protein, below the 18.4% topper average, and the Pollock Bites show 39% protein and 11% starch against freeze-dried averages of 42.1% and 13.2%.
The trade-offs: owners avoiding legumes have one choice here, the Pollock Bites. The kibbles are calorie dense, so portions need careful measuring. The Small Breed Chicken, Rabbit and Duck kibbles are marked discontinued, which narrows the kibble choice to beef, chicken and salmon.
| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon | 37.5% | 21% | 21.5% | 537 | Salmon, White Fish Meal (Pacific Whiting, Pacific Sole, Pacific Rockfish), Peas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken | 37% | 20% | 24% | 499 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Rabbit | 36.5% | 20.5% | 23.5% | 524 | Rabbit, Salmon Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef | 36% | 20.5% | 24.5% | 508 | Beef, Chicken Meal, White Fish Meal (Pacific Whiting, Pacific Sole, Pacific Rockfish) |
| Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken | 35% | 19.5% | 26% | 476 | Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Chickpeas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck | 34.5% | 20.5% | 26% | 510 | Duck, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| Line average | 36.1% | 20.3% | 24.3% | 509 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
37.5% protein · 21% fat · 21.5% starch · 537 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
The salmon kibble has the most protein at 37.5%, the least estimated starch at 21.5% and the most calories at 537 kcal per cup. Its proteins are all fish, including white fish meal and menhaden fish meal, suiting dogs fed fish only.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon37% protein · 20% fat · 24% starch · 499 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This chicken kibble lists chicken, chicken meal, peas, chicken fat and tapioca, with 37% protein and 24% estimated starch. Its 4250 kcal per kg is the lowest per kg among the kibbles, for chicken-fed dogs.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken36.5% protein · 20.5% fat · 23.5% starch · 524 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
The only kibble here with rabbit, it pairs rabbit with salmon meal, menhaden fish meal and chickpeas, and lists no chicken. Marked discontinued, it shows 36.5% protein, 23.5% estimated starch and 524 kcal per cup, for owners avoiding poultry.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Rabbit36% protein · 20.5% fat · 24.5% starch · 508 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
The only kibble here with beef, it lists beef, chicken meal, white fish meal and peas first. It shows 36% protein, 24.5% estimated starch and 508 kcal per cup, for owners who want a beef-led kibble still on sale.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef35% protein · 19.5% fat · 26% starch · 476 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
Made for small breeds and marked discontinued, this kibble uses chicken, chicken meal, chickpeas and tapioca, with 35% protein and 26% estimated starch. Its 476 kcal per cup is the fewest in the line, suiting small dogs on measured portions.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken34.5% protein · 20.5% fat · 26% starch · 510 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
Marked discontinued, the duck kibble lists duck, chicken meal, peas, egg product and turkey meal. Its 34.5% protein is the lowest in the line, with 26% estimated starch and 510 kcal per cup, for owners who want a duck-led kibble.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Moisture | Kcal / kg | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grain-Free | 11.5% | 10% | 78% | -- | Beef, Beef Broth, Beef Liver |
| Food Real Beef Recipe | 11.5% | 10% | 78% | -- | Beef, Beef Broth, Beef Liver |
| Food Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free | 9.5% | 8.5% | 78% | -- | Chicken, Turkey, Chicken Broth |
| Food for Small Breed Dogs Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free | 8.5% | 4.5% | 78% | 1,033 | Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver |
| Food for Small Breed Dogs Real Beef Recipe | 8.5% | 4.5% | 78% | -- | Beef, Beef Broth, Beef Liver |
| Line average | 9.9% | 7.5% | 78% | 1,033 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Wet food is mostly water, so compare it with other wet food only. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
11.5% protein · 10% fat
Sold simply as Grain-Free, this wet recipe lists beef, beef broth, beef liver, ground flaxseed and montmorillonite clay first. Its 11.5% protein and 10% fat tie for the highest in the wet range, for owners wanting a beef and egg can.
Full review of Grain-Free11.5% protein · 10% fat
The Real Beef Recipe shares its first five ingredients and its 11.5% protein, 10% fat and 3% fiber with the line's plain Grain-Free can. No grain is listed even though the name omits grain-free, which suits owners shopping by the Real Beef name.
Full review of Food Real Beef Recipe9.5% protein · 8.5% fat
The only wet food here with turkey, it lists chicken, turkey, chicken broth, chicken liver and ground flaxseed first. At 9.5% protein and 8.5% fat, it sits in the middle of the wet range and suits poultry-fed dogs.
Full review of Food Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free8.5% protein · 4.5% fat · 161 kcal/can
Made for small breeds, this chicken can adds cod and peas within its first five ingredients and shows 8.5% protein and 4.5% fat. It is the only wet recipe with a listed calorie count, 161 kcal per can, useful for owners who portion by calories.
Full review of Food for Small Breed Dogs Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free8.5% protein · 4.5% fat
Sold for small breeds, this beef can lists ground dried peas and cod after beef, beef broth and beef liver. Its 2% fiber is the lowest among the wet recipes, with 8.5% protein and 4.5% fat, for small dogs that eat beef and fish.
Full review of Food for Small Breed Dogs Real Beef Recipe| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bites for Dogs Pollock Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried | 39% | 33% | 11% | -- | Pollock, Beef, Beef Liver |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
39% protein · 33% fat · 11% starch
The only freeze-dried recipe in the line and the only Original recipe without peas or lentils, it pairs pollock with beef, beef liver, beef kidney and beef spleen. With 39% protein, 33% fat and 11% estimated starch, it suits owners who want a legume-free option.
Full review of Bites for Dogs Pollock Recipe Grain-Free Freeze-Dried| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Moisture | Kcal / kg | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Cravings Toppers Real Beef Recipe Grain-Free | 9% | 2% | 82% | 860 | Beef Broth, Beef, Chicken |
| Healthy Cravings Toppers Real Lamb Recipe | 8.5% | 5% | 82% | -- | Lamb Broth, Lamb, Beef |
| Healthy Cravings Toppers Real Salmon Recipe | 8.5% | 3.5% | 82% | -- | Salmon Broth, Salmon, Chicken |
| Healthy Cravings Toppers Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free | 8% | 2% | 82% | 855 | Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver |
| Line average | 8.5% | 3.1% | 82% | 858 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Wet food is mostly water, so compare it with other wet food only. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
9% protein · 2% fat · 860 kcal/kg · All Life Stages
This topper leads with beef broth, then beef, chicken, beef liver and eggs, and its 9% protein is the highest of the four toppers. At 860 kcal per kg with 2% fat, it suits dogs that already eat beef and chicken.
Full review of Healthy Cravings Toppers Real Beef Recipe Grain-Free8.5% protein · 5% fat · All Life Stages
The only topper here with lamb, it lists lamb broth, lamb, beef, beef liver and eggs. Its 5% fat is the most of the four toppers, alongside 8.5% protein, suiting owners looking for a lamb topper without chicken.
Full review of Healthy Cravings Toppers Real Lamb Recipe8.5% protein · 3.5% fat · All Life Stages
The only topper here with fish, it leads with salmon broth and salmon, followed by chicken, chicken liver and eggs. It shows 8.5% protein and 3.5% fat, for owners who want a fish-based topper and whose dogs eat chicken.
Full review of Healthy Cravings Toppers Real Salmon Recipe8% protein · 2% fat · 855 kcal/kg · All Life Stages
The chicken topper uses chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver and eggs, with ground dried peas fifth and no beef or fish. Its 8% protein is the lowest of the toppers, at 855 kcal per kg, for dogs kept to chicken and egg.
Full review of Healthy Cravings Toppers Real Chicken Recipe Grain-FreeYes. No recipe in the line lists grain, including the Real Lamb and Real Salmon toppers and the Real Beef wet food, which do not say grain-free in their names. Every recipe except the freeze-dried Pollock Bites contains peas or lentils.
The Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon has the most protein at 37.5%, plus the least estimated starch at 21.5% and the most calories at 537 kcal per cup. The Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck has the least at 34.5%.
Yes. Two wet foods are made for small breeds, Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free and Real Beef Recipe, both with 8.5% protein and 4.5% fat. The Small Breed Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken kibble, at 476 kcal per cup, is marked discontinued.
Protein runs higher than the average kibble we review (40.1% vs 30.1% on a dry matter basis).
Starch is lower than average, at 24% of the food as fed.
100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).
100% of recipes are grain-free.
this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,215 foods we review
Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out
Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.
These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.
Instinct® Raw Chicken Formula for dogs
Pet food
We keep reviews of discontinued recipes online, each with suggested replacements, because bags stay on shelves and in pantries for months.
Ten everyday foods. Safe, In Moderation or Never. No googling, no second guesses. Then share your score with your friends, however embarrassing it turns out to be.
115 foods in the deck. Grapes are in there. So is cheese.
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Look it up: estimated starch, calories per cup and every ingredient, for 3,217 foods.
