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Instinct FreshRaw Patties Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Dog Food, 6-lb bag
Instinct

FreshRaw Patties Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Dog Food, 6-lb bag

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
wet $7.50/lb

Instinct FreshRaw Patties Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Dog Food, 6-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 66/100 (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
12%
min (as fed)
Fat
9%
min (as fed)
Fiber
3%
max (as fed)
Moisture
70%
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.

26 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 liver

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

  3. 3
    chicken heart

    Organ meat. Dense in taurine, B vitamins, and CoQ10. One of the best ingredients dogs can eat.

  4. 4
    carrots

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

  5. 5
    apples

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

  6. 6
    sweet potato

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

  7. 7
    vegetable

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

  8. 8
    ground miscanthus grass

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

  9. 9
    montmorillonite clay

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

  10. 10
    ground flaxseed

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

  11. 11
    lactic acid

    Natural acid used as a mild preservative and pH adjuster. Found in fermented foods too. Safe at typical inclusion.

  12. 12
    salmon oil

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

  13. 13
    vitamin e supplement

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

  14. 14
    thiamine mononitrate

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

  15. 15
    vitamin d3 supplement

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

  16. 16
    potassium chloride

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

  17. 17
    tricalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus source. Same role as dicalcium phosphate, slightly different ratio.

  18. 18
    salt

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

  19. 19
    choline chloride

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

  20. 20
    zinc proteinate

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

  21. 21
    copper proteinate

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

  22. 22
    manganese proteinate

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

  23. 23
    calcium iodate

    Source of iodine for thyroid function. Functional, required in complete formulas.

  24. 24
    dl-methionine

    Essential amino acid. Often added when plant proteins dominate, since methionine is naturally lower in pulses than meat.

  25. 25
    blueberries

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

Showing first 25 of 26. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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