Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon

by Instinct

Overall Score: 87/100

Ingredients

1. Salmon (protein)
2. Menhaden Fish Meal (protein)
3. Peas (carbohydrate)
4. Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) (other)
5. Tapioca (carbohydrate)
6. Dried Yeast (other)
7. Sweet Potato (carbohydrate)
8. Whitefish Meal (protein)
9. Dried Whitefish (protein)
10. Dried Salmon (protein)
11. Chickpeas (carbohydrate)
12. Natural Flavor (additive)
13. Ground Flaxseeds (other)
14. Freeze-Dried Beef (protein)
15. Carrots (other)
16. Coconut Glycerin (other)
17. Dried Tomato Pomace (fiber)
18. Freeze-Dried Beef Liver (protein)
19. Freeze-Dried Beef Spleen (protein)
20. Pumpkin Seeds (other)
21. Apples (other)
22. Blueberries (other)
23. Cranberries (other)
24. Freeze-Dried Beef Kidneys (protein)
25. Montmorillonite Clay (other)
26. Choline Chloride (vitamin)
27. Minerals (Zinc Proteinate (other)
28. Iron Proteinate (mineral)
29. Copper Proteinate (mineral)
30. Manganese Proteinate (mineral)
31. Sodium Selenite (mineral)
32. Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide) (other)
33. Ground Miscanthus Grass (other)
34. Salt (mineral)
35. Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement (other)
36. Niacin Supplement (vitamin)
37. Vitamin A Supplement (vitamin)
38. Thiamine Mononitrate (vitamin)
39. d-Calcium Pantothenate (other)
40. Riboflavin Supplement (vitamin)
41. Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (other)
42. Vitamin B12 Supplement (vitamin)
43. Folic Acid (vitamin)
44. Vitamin D3 Supplement (vitamin)
45. Biotin) (other)
46. Salmon Oil (protein)
47. Taurine (additive)
48. Rosemary Extract (preservative)
49. Yeast Culture (other)
50. Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product (additive)
51. Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product (other)
52. Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract (other)
53. Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract (other)
54. Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Extract (other)

Ingredient concerns

• Peas (low concern): Peas and other legumes have been associated with the FDA investigation into a potential link between grain-free diets high in legumes and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. While a definitive causal relationship has not been established, the FDA continues to investigate. Peas are frequently used in grain-free formulations as a primary carbohydrate and protein source.
• Chickpeas (low concern): Another legume included in the FDA's investigation into grain-free diets and potential DCM risk. Frequently used in grain-free pet foods as a carbohydrate source. The same concerns about taurine metabolism interference apply as with peas and lentils.
• Sodium Selenite (low concern): Sodium selenite is an inorganic form of selenium with a narrower safety margin than organic forms (such as selenium yeast). It has lower bioavailability and higher potential for toxicity at elevated levels compared to organic selenium sources. Some premium pet foods use selenium yeast instead as a safer alternative.

Guaranteed analysis (dry-matter basis)

On a dry-matter basis (water removed for a fair wet-vs-dry comparison): protein 41.1%, fat 22.2%, fiber 0%, ash 7.8%, carbohydrate 28.9%. By calories: 33.2% from protein, 43.5% from fat, 23.3% from carbohydrate.

AAFCO compliance

This food meets the AAFCO adult dog nutrient minimums we can verify — protein 41.1% vs 18% minimum, fat 22.2% vs 5.5% minimum.

Dry food, grain-free, for the adult life stage.

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