Our Views
If you’re asking “Is Instinct Raw Dog Food good for puppies?”, our answer is yes—this AAFCO-approved, grain-free formula packs freeze-dried cage-free chicken, organs, and veggies into a convenient, nutrient-dense meal for growing pups. No refrigeration required.”
✅ Advantages | ❌ Disadvantages
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Natural enzymes and high protein in a blend of raw, cage-free chicken and organs | A premium cost in comparison to regular kibble |
| Free of grain and devoid of artificial additives or fillers | Freeze-dried chunks may shatter during transit |
| Fortified with calcium, folic acid, and DHA for growing puppies | Medium-to-large breeds may not be able to survive for long on the bag size |
| AAFCO-approved for puppy growth | Needs water or kibble mix for a full meal |
🥩 Nutrient Analysis and Recipe
Crucial Components:
- Peas, carrots, and blueberries
- Salmon oil (omega-3 DHA)
- Added vitamins and minerals (calcium, folate, vitamin E)
- Liver, heart, bone, and chicken meat without cages
Guaranteed Analysis
- Approximately 40% crude protein
- 30% crude fat
- 25% crude carbohydrates
- 6% crude fiber
- Almost no moisture
With a fat-to-protein ratio of around 75%, this provides a robust raw-like nutritional profile that promotes healthy growth, coat, and cognitive development.
🍽 Guidelines for Feeding
Overall Guidelines:
Use as a full puppy meal or blend with water-enhanced wet food or kibble. Offer fresh water at all times.
Examples of Portions:
- Pups weighing 5 to 15 pounds: ½ to 1 cup every day
- Pups weighing 16 to 30 pounds: 1 to 2 cups per day
Adapt to your puppy’s growth and the advice of your veterinarian.
🥊 Comparative Brands
| Brand | Protein Source | Grain-Free | Specialty Feature |
| Instinct Raw | Freeze-dried chicken/organs | ✅ Yes | Cage-free, growth-focused formula |
| Primal RAWBites | Freeze-dried chicken | ✅ Yes | Single-protein, raw convenience |
| Stella & Chewy’s | Freeze-dried chicken/organs | ✅ Yes | Mini nuggets, high meat ratio |
| Vital Essentials | Freeze-dried turkey | ✅ Yes | DHA-enhanced for cognitive growth |
🌟 What Is Special About It?
- Cage-free raw protein — devoid of hormones or antibiotics
- Growth-specific formulation — contains DHA and calcium for healthy bones and brains
- Easy raw benefits — portable, shelf-stable, and requires no refrigeration
- Clean and pure — free of gluten, grains, and artificial preservatives
🏢 Concerning the Brand
The Berkshire-owned company Instinct is well-known for its minimally processed and natural pet feeds. Their collection of freeze-dried products combines fruits, veggies, organ meat, and whole meats to provide nutrient-dense meals that pet owners who are concerned about their health will enjoy.
🛡 Compliance with FDA and AAFCO
- AAFCO-Approved Dog Food: Designed to satisfy the nutritional requirements of the puppy’s growth and breeding phases
- FDA-Compliant Production: Produced in US facilities in accordance with FDA and USDA food safety regulations
⭐ Final Score: 4.7 out of 5
| Criteria | Rating | Notes |
| General Contentment | ★★★★☆ 4.7 | Active, healthy growth; minimal recalls |
| Nutrient Profile | ★★★★★ 5.0 | Protein and DHA-rich for pups |
| Ingredient Quality | ★★★★★ 5.0 | Cage-free poultry, clean formulation |
| Ethical Sourcing | ★★★★☆ 4.7 | No hormones or antibiotics, cage-free |
| Value for Money | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | Expensive but superior quality |
| Safety & Variety | ★★★★☆ 4.5 | Safe, limited recalls; specialized for pups |
🐕 Perfect For:
- Pet owners or breeders seeking to feed their puppies pure, grain-free dog food
- Puppies requiring calcium and DHA for proper growth
- Owners preferring raw food without refrigeration
- Finicky eaters requiring tasty, high-protein meals
💬 Summaries of Customer Reviews
Positive (≈85%):
“Puppy loves it,” better digestion, lustrous coat, and strong energy
Negative (≈15%):
Expensive, occasionally crumbles, tiny bag size
🛒 Where Can I Buy?
- Amazon: Instinct Raw Freeze-Dried Chicken Puppy
- Chewy: Look up “Instinct Raw Puppy Chicken”
- Instinct Pets website: Various bag sizes and bundle packs
🎯 Last Choice
For puppies, Instinct Raw Freeze-Dried Cage-Free Chicken Recipe is a great way to provide a healthy diet. It provides growth-oriented nutrients and raw-style ingredients for AAFCO-approved dog food performance. Although it costs more and needs to be portioned, its advantages make it one of the best Best Raw Dog Foods and high-quality grain-free puppy diets.
📚 Product Information Sources
- Product reviews and nutrient breakdowns on the official Instinct Raw website
- Reviews from customers on Chewy and Amazon
❓ Common Questions (FAQ)
In accordance with AAFCO’s grow/reproduce profiles, yes—but modify portions according to breed size.
No, it’s totally grain-free and devoid of chemical preservatives, corn, wheat, soy, and fillers.
Indeed, it can be used as a mixer or topper in addition to being a complete puppy diet.
Add to wet food for textural variation, moisten with warm water, or feed as is for crunch.
It provides convenience and nutrients similar to that of raw food without the need for preparation or refrigeration, making it perfect for busy owners or travelers.
Illustrative Image – Not Actual Product Packaging
This disclaimer informs readers that any images used in the blog are for illustration purposes only and may not reflect the actual packaging of the product. Always refer to the product page for the most up-to-date packaging information.
