Instinct Be Natural Beef & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
Dry food for dogs · Adult · by Instinct
We have not seen this label’s AAFCO statement yet.
See the full breakdown in Beagly
What to watch for
- Peas Moderate risk
Peas add plant protein, starch and fiber. The FDA has been investigating reports of heart disease (DCM) in dogs eating diets high in peas, lentils and other legumes, often grain-free. No cause has been proven, but it is worth knowing when legumes sit near the top of the list. - Natural flavor Low risk
Flavoring from natural sources. Normally safe, but the term can hide which animal or plant it came from, which matters for allergies. - Salt Low risk
Salt supplies sodium and chloride, which dogs need. Pet foods use small amounts; high salt is mainly a concern for dogs with heart or kidney disease. - Sweet potato Low risk
A starchy root vegetable that supplies carbohydrate, fiber and beta-carotene. Potatoes and sweet potatoes were common in the grain-free diets reported in the FDA DCM investigation. - Copper sulfate Low risk
A source of copper, an essential trace mineral. Some breeds accumulate copper in the liver, and vets have raised concern that some dog foods supply more than dogs need.
What it does well
- Named meat first
First ingredient is beef.
Ingredients
Beef, Turkey Meal, Barley, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Menhaden Fish Meal, Suncured Alfalfa Meal, Ground Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Montmorillonite Clay, Carrots, Salt, Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Cranberries, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Yeast Culture, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Extract, Freeze Dried Beef, Freeze Dried Beef Liver, Pumpkinseeds, Freeze Dried Beef Heart, Freeze Dried Beef Kidney, Freeze Dried Beef Spleen, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed analysis
| Crude protein (min) | 23.5% |
|---|---|
| Crude fat (min) | 14% |
| Crude fiber (max) | 6% |
| Moisture (max) | 10% |
What the label cannot tell you
- Ingredient order is by weight before cooking; fresh meat counts water.
- Mineral levels are not printed on this label.
- We could not find the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for this product. Scan the bag to confirm it is complete and balanced.
Sizes and barcodes
- Instinct Be Natural Beef & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food - 25-lb UPC 769949652854
- Instinct Be Natural Beef & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food - 4.5-lb UPC 769949652830
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- Acana Wholesome Grains Dry Food for Dogs - Sea to Stream 94/100 · Excellent
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- Wellness CORE+ High Protein With-Grain Adult Dry Dog Food - Turkey & Chicken 93/100 · Excellent
- Wellness CORE+ High Protein With-Grain Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food - Turkey 93/100 · Excellent
- Farmina N&D Prime Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Medium & Maxi 92/100 · Excellent
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Informational, not veterinary advice. The score is our opinion of a food, built from the facts on its label with our published method. No brand pays to rank higher. Recipes change: check the bag you have, or scan it in the app.
Score version 2026.11.6 · Page updated 2026-11-03