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Instinct Original Adult Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Wet Dog Food, 13.2-oz can, case of 6
Instinct

Original Adult Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Wet Dog Food, 13.2-oz can, case of 6

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
wet $4.96/lb

Instinct Original Adult Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Wet Dog Food, 13.2-oz can, case of 6 earns a Sniff Score of 69/100 (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

Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.

STACK

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • sodium selenite
    Synthetic selenium source. Selenium is essential, but sodium selenite has a narrower safety margin than organic alternatives like selenium yeast. Better-formulated foods use the organic form.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 43% ⓘ
Protein
9.5%
min (as fed)
Fat
8.5%
min (as fed)
Fiber
3%
max (as fed)
Moisture
78%
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 43%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

42 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
    turkey

    Real meat. Lean protein, good amino acid profile, often well-tolerated by dogs sensitive to chicken.

  3. 3
    chicken broth

    Real broth, adds flavor and moisture. Negligible nutrition on its own but tells you the recipe leans on real meat.

  4. 4
    chicken liver

    Organ meat. Dense in protein, iron, vitamin A, and the B vitamins. Among the most nutrient-rich ingredients a dog can eat.

  5. 5
    ground flaxseed

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

  6. 6
    montmorillonite clay

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

  7. 7
    dicalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.

  8. 8
    egg product

    Processed whole eggs. Same nutritional profile as fresh eggs, just shelf-stable.

  9. 9
    peas

    Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →

  10. 10
    potassium chloride

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

  11. 11
    carrots

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

  12. 12
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  13. 13
    zinc proteinate

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

  14. 14
    iron proteinate

    Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  15. 15
    copper proteinate

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

  16. 16
    manganese proteinate

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

  17. 17
    sodium selenite Flagged

    Inorganic selenium. Effective at AAFCO levels, no documented safety concern in dogs despite what some pet food blogs claim. Selenium yeast is a marginal upgrade, not a necessity. See why →

  18. 18
    cobalt proteinate

    Cobalt bound to protein. Trace mineral needed for vitamin B12 synthesis, chelated form for better absorption.

  19. 19
    potassium iodide

    Source of iodine, an essential trace mineral for thyroid function. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.

  20. 20
    vitamin e supplement

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

  21. 21
    thiamine mononitrate

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

  22. 22
    niacin supplement

    B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.

  23. 23
    d-calcium pantothenate

    B vitamin (B5). Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  24. 24
    vitamin a supplement

    Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.

  25. 25
    riboflavin supplement

    B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.

Showing first 25 of 42. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

25 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.