Instinct Original Grain Free Recipe with Real Salmon Natural Dry Dog Food
Raw, fresh or freeze-dried food for dogs · All life stages · 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. - 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
- High protein 41.7%
30% or more on a dry-matter basis. - Named meat first
First ingredient is salmon.
Ingredients
Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Herring Meal, Peas, Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Salmon Meal, Tapioca, Dried Tomato Pomace, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Montmorillonite Clay, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Carrots, Apples, Cranberries, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, 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), Freeze Dried Cod, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract
Guaranteed analysis
| Crude protein (min) | 37.5% |
|---|---|
| Crude fat (min) | 20% |
| Crude fiber (max) | 3.5% |
| 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.
Sizes and barcodes
- Instinct Original Grain Free Recipe with Real Salmon Natural Dry Dog Food - 20-lb UPC 769949658160
Higher-scoring raw and freeze-dried food for dogs
- Instinct FreshRaw Meals Adult Frozen Dog Food - Grass-Fed Beef 86/100 · Excellent
- Instinct FreshRaw Meals Adult Frozen Dog Food - Grass-Fed Lamb 86/100 · Excellent
- K9 Natural Freeze Dried Dog Food - Lamb 86/100 · Excellent
- Instinct FreshRaw Meals Adult Frozen Dog Food - Cage-Free Chicken 84/100 · Excellent
- Instinct FreshRaw Meals Adult Frozen Dog Food - Cage-Free Turkey 84/100 · Excellent
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- Instinct RawBoost Whole Grain Kibble + Freeze-Dried Raw Puppy Dry Dog Food - Chicken & Brown Rice 87/100 · 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