Instinct Raw Boost Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (Whole Grain) Review
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Review of Instinct Raw Boost Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (Whole Grain)
According to our data, this Instinct recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Instinct Raw Boost Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (Whole Grain) is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Instinct Raw Boost Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (Whole Grain), we'll examine all 51 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.
While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.
Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.
Chicken meal is a highly concentrated source of protein made from dehydrated and ground chicken. It provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development, tissue repair, and overall growth, making it a valuable ingredient for maintaining your dog's health and well-being.
Brown rice is a whole grain that provides an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients for your dog. The fiber content can aid in digestion and help maintain a healthy weight, while the carbohydrates provide energy for an active lifestyle.
Oatmeal is a highly digestible and nutritious source of carbohydrates that provides your dog with energy, fiber, and essential nutrients for a healthy digestive system and overall well-being.
Barley is a nutritious, fiber-rich grain that helps promote healthy digestion and provides essential nutrients for your dog's overall health. It is also a great source of energy, vitamins, and minerals.
Turkey meal is a high-quality, protein-rich ingredient that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals for your dog. It supports lean muscle development, healthy organ function, and a strong immune system.
Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid) is a source of essential fatty acids which can improve skin and coat health, as well as provide a concentrated source of energy.
Dehydrated alfalfa meal is a nutrient-rich ingredient that provides a natural source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It supports your dog's overall health by promoting digestion, boosting the immune system, and maintaining healthy skin and coat.
Freeze dried chicken is a highly digestible source of protein that retains the natural flavor and nutrients of fresh chicken. It supports muscle development, a healthy coat, and overall well-being.
Ground flaxseed is an excellent source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants. It can support your dog's skin and coat health, digestive system, and overall well-being.
Freeze dried chicken liver is a highly nutritious ingredient that provides a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and protein for your dog. It is an excellent addition to dog food, as it supports overall health and well-being, and contributes to a shiny coat and strong immune system.
Menhaden meal is a high-quality, concentrated source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids for dogs. It supports healthy skin, a shiny coat, and overall well-being, as well as providing essential nutrients for growth and development.
Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.
While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.
Pumpkin seed is a natural source of antioxidants, beneficial oils, and fiber. It also has deworming properties.
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for your dog. They're rich in vitamin A, which supports healthy vision and immune function, and also provide fiber to aid in digestion and maintain a healthy weight.
Freeze Dried Chicken Heart is a great source of lean protein and taurine, an essential amino acid for heart health in dogs.
Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.
Niacin supplement is an important source of vitamin B3, which plays a crucial role in supporting your dog's energy metabolism, nervous system function, and overall health. It also aids in maintaining healthy skin and coat, as well as promoting proper digestion.
L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate is a stable form of vitamin C, an essential antioxidant that supports your dog's immune system, joint health, and overall wellness.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
D-Calcium Pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid, a B-vitamin that helps in energy metabolism and the synthesis of important compounds in the body.
Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.
Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.
Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.
Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.
Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.
Montmorillonite clay is a natural source of minerals and can help support your dog's digestive health by binding and eliminating toxins in the gastrointestinal tract.
Blueberry is a nutrient-rich fruit that provides antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, which can help support your dog's immune system and overall health.
Apple is a natural source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants that support your dog's digestive health, immune system, and overall well-being.
Cranberry is a fruit that can provide your dog with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C, promoting urinary tract health and boosting their immune system.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
Zinc proteinate is a highly absorbable form of zinc. It helps support a healthy immune system, skin, and coat in dogs.
Iron proteinate is a chelated form of iron that is more easily absorbed by your dog's body, supporting their red blood cell production and overall health.
Copper Proteinate is a chelated form of copper that's easier for dogs to absorb, aiding in red blood cell formation and iron absorption.
Manganese Proteinate is a chelated form of manganese, a mineral that supports bone health, metabolism and enzymatic reactions.
Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.
Ethylenediamine dihydriodide is a form of iodine used in dog foods. Iodine is crucial for your dog's thyroid health, which regulates metabolism and energy.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
Yeast culture is a beneficial ingredient included in dog food to support overall digestive health. It is a natural source of prebiotics, which help promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, improve nutrient absorption, and aid in maintaining a healthy digestive system.
Dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product is a probiotic that can aid in maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in your dog's gut, supporting overall digestive health.
Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product is a beneficial probiotic ingredient used in dog food. It helps support a healthy digestive system by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This probiotic also aids in nutrient absorption and can improve your dog's overall immune system function.
Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract is a source of enzymes, which can aid in digestion and nutrient absorption. It can help maintain a healthy digestive system in your dog.
Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract is a source of beneficial enzymes that can aid in digestion and the breakdown of nutrients in your dog's food. This helps ensure that your dog can properly absorb and utilize the nutrients they need for optimal health.
The dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract is a probiotic that helps promote a healthy gut microbiome, improving your dog's digestion and overall health.
Dried kelp is a natural source of essential minerals and trace elements, which help support your dog's thyroid function and overall health.
Salmon oil is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which support your dog's skin and coat health, immune system, and cognitive function.
Rosemary extract is a natural antioxidant that can help protect your dog's body from the harmful effects of free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can support your dog's overall health and well-being, particularly in regard to joint health.
Dried Bacillus coagulans fermentation product is a probiotic ingredient that supports your dog's digestive and immune health. This beneficial bacteria can help maintain a healthy balance of microflora in your pet's gastrointestinal tract, promoting regular digestion and overall wellbeing.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein (min) of 25.50%: The primary contributors to the crude protein content in this pet food are the animal-based ingredients: chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, freeze-dried chicken, freeze-dried chicken liver, and menhaden fish meal. Chicken meal and turkey meal are concentrated forms of protein because they are rendered and contain less water than whole chicken. The freeze-dried chicken parts also contribute to the overall protein content, as they are essentially dehydrated, which preserves the protein.
Crude Fat (min) of 15.00%: The crude fat content is largely derived from the chicken fat, which is a high-quality source of animal fat and is preserved with mixed tocopherols (a form of Vitamin E) and citric acid to maintain freshness. The menhaden fish meal and salmon oil also contribute to the fat content, providing essential fatty acids like omega-3s. Ground flaxseed is an additional source of fat, particularly alpha-linolenic acid, a type of plant-based omega-3 fatty acid.
Crude Fiber (max) of 5.50%: The fiber content is influenced by the inclusion of brown rice, oatmeal, barley, and dehydrated alfalfa meal. These grains and plant materials provide dietary fiber, which aids in digestion. Pumpkinseeds and the various fruits and vegetables included in the recipe, such as carrots, blueberries, apples, and cranberries, also contribute to the overall fiber content.
Calories of 3816.00 per kg: The caloric content is a cumulative result of all the macronutrients in the food – proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. The high caloric value can be attributed to the dense energy sources like chicken fat, the various meals, and grains such as brown rice and oatmeal. Fats are particularly calorie-dense, so the inclusion of chicken fat and fish oil plays a significant role in the overall calorie count.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Instinct Raw Boost Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe (Whole Grain) costs approximately $4.00 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.
| Adult Weight | Puppy | Adult |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lbs | $14.37 | $22.45 |
| 10 lbs | $24.17 | $37.76 |
| 15 lbs | $32.76 | $51.18 |
| 20 lbs | $40.65 | $63.51 |
| 30 lbs | $55.09 | $86.08 |
| 40 lbs | $68.36 | $106.81 |
| 50 lbs | $80.81 | $126.27 |
| 60 lbs | $92.65 | $144.77 |
| 70 lbs | $104.01 | $162.52 |
| 80 lbs | $114.97 | $179.63 |
| 90 lbs | $125.58 | $196.23 |
| 100 lbs | $135.91 | $212.36 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers are generally pleased with the Instinct Raw Boost Real Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe, noting its appeal to their dogs and the positive health benefits observed. One dog owner shared that their pet, who was initially indifferent to meal times, now eagerly anticipates the food, especially enjoying the raw bites. They also reported improvements in the dog's skin and coat, and overall, the dog is in excellent health.
Another positive review highlighted the food's dual-texture, combining kibble with freeze-dried pieces, which seems to be very palatable to dogs. This owner's dog enjoyed the food, despite an eventual discovery of a chicken allergy. Additionally, a pet parent with a dog that has a sensitive stomach found that this food was the only one that didn't upset their dog's stomach, and their pet loved the chicken pieces included.
Some dogs have shown a strong preference for the "marshmallows," or freeze-dried bits, in the food, sometimes leading them to graze on the kibble afterward. The packaging received praise for its resealable feature, which helps maintain freshness. An owner with an allergic Labrador retriever found this to be the first food their dog has tolerated well, noting a good nutritional balance and their dog's enjoyment of it.
Despite a few negative experiences, such as one dog developing an allergic reaction, the overall sentiment is that the food is well-received by dogs and contributes to their health and wellbeing. It's recommended for its quality ingredients and the benefits it offers, especially for dogs with specific dietary needs or preferences.
