Skip to main content
Sniff
Instinct RawBoost Adult High Protein Grain-Free Gut Health Recipe Dry Dog Food, 18-lb bag
Instinct

RawBoost Adult High Protein Grain-Free Gut Health Recipe Dry Dog Food, 18-lb bag

Evidence Fair
AAFCO compliance inferred from product name
dry $5.00/lb

Instinct RawBoost Adult High Protein Grain-Free Gut Health Recipe Dry Dog Food, 18-lb bag earns a Sniff Score of 72/100 (B) with Fair evidence. 1 controversial ingredient flagged. Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value..

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Strong protein profile with chicken as the primary ingredient, delivering high biological value.

PQI

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

FQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with fermentable fiber.

CQI

Contains msg. Safety signal is internet-fueled; real issue is transparency. Yeast extract as MSG loophole obscures formulation..

CIP

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: 34% ⓘ
Protein
31%
min (as fed)
Fat
17%
min (as fed)
Fiber
4%
max (as fed)
Moisture
9%
max
Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

54 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 meal

    Chicken with the water cooked out. Per pound, packs more protein than fresh chicken.

  3. 3
    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 →

  4. 4
    tapioca

    Starch from cassava root. Highly digestible energy source, but pure starch with minimal nutrition beyond that.

  5. 5
    canola oil

    Plant oil. Some omega-3 from the parent plant, though dogs absorb it less efficiently than fish-derived omega-3. Fine in moderation.

  6. 6
    freeze-dried chicken
  7. 7
    pumpkin

    Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.

  8. 8
    sweet potato

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

  9. 9
    egg product

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

  10. 10
    ground flaxseeds

    Plural form, same as flaxseed. Plant source of omega-3, helpful for skin and coat.

  11. 11
    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

  12. 12
    freeze-dried chicken liver
  13. 13
    pumpkin seeds
  14. 14
    yeast extract

    Yeast broken down to a paste. Strong palatant plus a real source of B vitamins.

  15. 15
    salt

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

  16. 16
    freeze-dried chicken heart
  17. 17
    vitamin e supplement

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

  18. 18
    niacin supplement

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

  19. 19
    thiamine mononitrate

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

  20. 20
    d-calcium pantothenate

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

  21. 21
    vitamin a supplement

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

  22. 22
    riboflavin supplement

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

  23. 23
    pyridoxine hydrochloride

    B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.

  24. 24
    vitamin b12 supplement

    Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.

  25. 25
    folic acid

    B vitamin (B9), essential for cell function. Standard in complete dog foods.

Showing first 25 of 54. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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