Overview

Instinct Raw Boost does something no other kibble in this comparison attempts: it combines high-protein grain-free kibble with freeze-dried raw chicken pieces in the same bag. The concept bridges the gap between conventional dry food convenience and the nutritional philosophy of raw feeding — without requiring you to handle raw meat, manage a freezer, or worry about bacterial contamination.

Made by Nature's Variety, Instinct has built its brand around minimally processed, raw-inspired nutrition. The Raw Boost formula uses cage-free chicken as the first ingredient, delivers 37% crude protein, and includes freeze-dried raw pieces that provide whole-food nutrition in a shelf-stable format. Dogs tend to go genuinely crazy for the texture combination — the freeze-dried morsels act as built-in treats mixed throughout the kibble.

At $2.02 per day for a 50-pound dog, Raw Boost is firmly in premium territory. The grain-free formulation carries the standard DCM caveat, and the 21-pound bag size pushes the per-serving cost higher. But for owners interested in raw feeding who find the logistics of a fully raw diet impractical, Raw Boost offers a pragmatic middle ground that dogs visibly enjoy.

Features Deep-Dive

Freeze-Dried Raw Pieces

The defining feature of Raw Boost is the inclusion of freeze-dried raw chicken pieces throughout the kibble. Freeze-drying preserves the nutritional profile of raw meat — including naturally occurring enzymes, amino acids, and nutrients that can degrade during conventional high-heat extrusion cooking. Each piece is minimally processed: raw chicken is frozen rapidly, then vacuum-dried to remove moisture while retaining structure and nutrition.

These pieces aren't just nutritional boosters — they fundamentally change the eating experience. Dogs with kibble fatigue often show renewed meal excitement when freeze-dried morsels are present. The texture contrast between crunchy kibble and rehydrating raw pieces creates a more engaging feeding experience.

High-Protein, Animal-Forward Formula

At 37% crude protein from cage-free chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal, Raw Boost delivers protein levels approaching performance formulas. The formula uses no corn, wheat, soy, by-product meals, or artificial colors/flavors/preservatives. Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) provides the primary fat source, while menhaden fish meal adds omega-3 fatty acids.

The ingredient quality is genuine: cage-free chicken sourcing, named protein sources throughout, and a clean supplementation profile. This isn't a formula that cuts corners to manage costs — the ingredient list reflects the premium pricing.

Raw Coating on Every Kibble

Beyond the distinct freeze-dried pieces, every individual kibble piece is also coated with a freeze-dried raw coating. This means even the "standard" kibble pieces deliver some raw nutritional benefits. The coating adds palatability, natural flavors, and additional raw nutrition to every bite — it's an engineering approach that maximizes the raw component without requiring separate meal preparation.

Pricing Analysis

At approximately $85 for a 21-pound bag, Instinct Raw Boost costs about $2.02 per day for a 50-pound dog — making it one of the most expensive options in this comparison. Only Stella & Chewy's ($2.55/day) and Orijen ($2.13/day) cost more daily.

The price premium is driven by two factors: the freeze-dried raw component (which is inherently more expensive to produce than standard kibble) and the small 21-pound bag size. You're paying for a genuinely different product format, not just premium ingredients. The question is whether the raw component delivers enough additional value over a standard premium kibble like ACANA ($1.60/day) or Wellness CORE ($1.67/day) to justify the $0.35-0.40/day premium.

Who Is This For?

Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken works best for:

• Raw-curious owners who believe in the nutritional philosophy of raw feeding but find the logistics of a fully raw diet (sourcing, handling, storage, bacterial safety) impractical for their lifestyle
• Owners of picky or bored eaters — the freeze-dried raw pieces create a texture experience that kibble-fatigued dogs find genuinely exciting, often reigniting meal enthusiasm
• Owners who want the highest protein density in a convenient format — at 37% protein with raw components, Raw Boost delivers a nutritional density that standard kibble can't match

Who Should NOT Use This

Instinct Raw Boost might not be the right choice if:

• DCM is a concern: Like other grain-free formulas in this comparison, Raw Boost uses peas, tapioca, and chickpeas as carbohydrate sources — the same legume-heavy profile flagged by the FDA's DCM investigation
• The raw component doesn't interest you: If you're simply looking for a high-quality kibble, options like ACANA Wholesome Grains or Merrick Healthy Grains deliver excellent nutrition at $0.40-0.50/day less — the freeze-dried raw pieces are Raw Boost's primary differentiator, and paying for them only makes sense if you value them

Bottom Line

Instinct Raw Boost is the most innovative product format in this comparison. The freeze-dried raw pieces deliver genuine nutritional and palatability benefits that no standard kibble can match. The price is steep and the grain-free caveat applies, but for owners who want to incorporate raw feeding into their dog's diet without the hassle, Raw Boost offers a uniquely practical solution.

FAQ

Is freeze-dried raw food as nutritious as fresh raw?

Freeze-drying preserves approximately 97% of the nutritional value of raw meat, including heat-sensitive enzymes and amino acids that are degraded during kibble extrusion cooking. The primary nutritional difference is the removal of moisture. It's not identical to feeding fresh raw meat, but it's significantly closer to raw nutrition than any cooked kibble — and it's shelf-stable, which eliminates the bacterial safety concerns of raw handling.

Can I use Raw Boost as a complete diet?

Yes, Instinct Raw Boost is formulated as a complete and balanced diet meeting AAFCO nutritional standards for adult dogs. You don't need to add additional food, supplements, or raw components — the freeze-dried pieces are part of the complete formulation. Some owners do use Raw Boost as a base and add additional raw toppers, but it's nutritionally complete on its own.

Why is Instinct Raw Boost so expensive?

The freeze-dried raw component is the primary cost driver. Freeze-drying is an expensive manufacturing process: raw chicken must be frozen, then placed in a vacuum chamber where ice sublimates directly to vapor without passing through a liquid phase. This preserves nutrition but requires specialized equipment, energy, and time that standard extrusion doesn't. The small bag size (21 lb) further increases the cost-per-serving.