Skip to main content
Sniff
Instinct FreshRaw Meals Grain-Free Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Dog Food, 16-oz, case of 6
Instinct

FreshRaw Meals Grain-Free Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Dog Food, 16-oz, case of 6

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
wet $10.99/lb

Instinct FreshRaw Meals Grain-Free Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Dog Food, 16-oz, case of 6 earns a Sniff Score of 68/100 (B) with Fair evidence. Zero controversial ingredients flagged. Reasonable protein quality. chicken delivers solid amino acid coverage..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Reasonable protein quality. chicken delivers solid amino acid coverage.

PQI

Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).

FQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with declared fiber.

CQI
Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 40% ⓘ
Protein
10%
min (as fed)
Fat
6%
min (as fed)
Fiber
3%
max (as fed)
Moisture
75%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 40%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

23 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    chicken

    Real meat. Primary protein source, with the amino acid profile dogs actually evolved to eat.

  2. 2
    chicken gizzards
  3. 3
    chicken livers
  4. 4
    chicken hearts
  5. 5
    carrots

    Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.

  6. 6
    spinach

    Leafy green. Some iron, vitamin K, and fiber. The dose in kibble is small but it's real food.

  7. 7
    blueberries

    Antioxidants, real. But the amount in any kibble is too small to do much. Mostly marketing.

  8. 8
    apples

    Real fruit, some fiber and antioxidants. The amount in kibble is too small to matter much.

  9. 9
    sweet potato

    Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.

  10. 10
    vegetable

    Unnamed vegetable. No way to know what species. Named vegetables are far more transparent.

  11. 11
    ground flaxseed

    Cracked flaxseed for better digestibility. Same plant omega-3s as whole flaxseed, just easier for the dog to extract.

  12. 12
    ground miscanthus grass

    Same as miscanthus grass. A plant fiber source, mostly there for stool quality.

  13. 13
    montmorillonite clay

    Natural clay used as a binder and anti-caking agent. Functional, not nutritional.

  14. 14
    salmon oil

    Pure omega-3s. The thing skin-and-coat formulas are usually built around.

  15. 15
    vitamin e supplement

    Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.

  16. 16
    thiamine mononitrate

    B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.

  17. 17
    vitamin d3 supplement

    The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.

  18. 18
    dried kelp

    Natural source of iodine and trace minerals. A common premium-brand inclusion.

  19. 19
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  20. 20
    choline chloride

    Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  21. 21
    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

  22. 22
    manganese proteinate

    Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.

  23. 23
    copper proteinate

    Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.

20 of 23 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.