Instinct FreshRaw Bites Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Frozen Dog Food

Instinct FreshRaw Bites Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Frozen Dog Food

FreshRaw Bites are small frozen nuggets of raw chicken that pour straight from the bag. They thaw in minutes, which makes them handy for small dogs, for mixing a little raw into a regular bowl, or for anyone who never remembers to thaw dinner the night before.

What's actually in it

The recipe is the same cage-free chicken formula Instinct uses in its patties: chicken first, then chicken liver and chicken heart, with Instinct stating the chicken is raised without antibiotics or added hormones. Choline chloride and DL-methionine are added nutrients.

The rest is produce and supplements: carrots, apples, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, blueberries and spinach, plus ground flaxseed and salmon oil, which Instinct includes for omega fatty acids. Ground miscanthus grass is a fiber source, montmorillonite clay is a natural mineral clay, and lactic acid is used in Instinct's raw process. Vitamins and minerals are added to round out the recipe. Instinct describes the mix as 85% meat and organs and 15% non-GMO vegetables, fruits and other ingredients. Instinct says its frozen and freeze-dried raw recipes are made in its company-owned facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Who it suits, and who it doesn't

It suits small and medium dogs, dogs eating part raw and part kibble, and families who want flexible portions without a knife and a cutting board. Chicken is a familiar protein for most dogs.

It isn't the right choice for a dog avoiding chicken or fish, or for a home where keeping raw food cold and handled safely would be a struggle. If you're unsure, our Personal Pet Consultant is happy to help ... call 732-938-4470.

Full ingredient list

Chicken, Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, Carrots, Apples, Sweet Potatoes, Butternut Squash, Ground Miscanthus Grass, Montmorillonite Clay, Ground Flaxseed, Lactic Acid, Salmon Oil, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Potassium Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salt, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), DL-Methionine, Blueberries, Spinach.

Ingredient list as published by Instinct (Nature's Variety). Recipes can change, so the bag in hand always governs.

Guaranteed analysis

• Crude Protein (min) ... 12.0%
• Crude Fat (min) ... 9.0%
• Crude Fiber (max) ... 3.0%
• Moisture (max) ... 70.0%

AAFCO statement

Instinct FreshRaw Bites Cage-Free Chicken Recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.

In plain terms, it is a complete and balanced food for adult dogs. It is not labeled for growth, so a puppy needs a food that is.

Calorie content

1,596 kcal/kg ... 191 kcal per cup (Instinct's label: calorie content, calculated). A cup means a standard 8-fluid-ounce dry measuring cup, filled level. It measures volume, not 8 ounces by weight, so scoop it rather than weigh it.

Feeding guidelines

Instinct's daily feeding guidelines, from the label, in standard 8 oz dry measuring cups. "Ideal feeding amounts depend on age, weight, and activity level."

These are starting points, not prescriptions. Instinct notes that ideal feeding amounts depend on age, weight and activity level. Check your dog's body condition after two or three weeks... ribs easy to feel under a thin layer, a waist visible from above... and adjust. Always keep fresh water out.

Safe handling

Treat frozen raw the way you'd treat raw meat in your own kitchen. Instinct's directions are to wash hands, working surfaces, utensils, bowls and anything else that touches the food with hot, soapy water. Instinct says: "Raw Bites take 5-15 minutes to thaw at room temperature." Pour out just the day's portion and keep the rest of the bag in the freezer. Instinct suggests keeping thawed food in the fridge no longer than 24 hours, and discarding anything your dog hasn't eaten within 30 minutes. Instinct's handling tips on the bag: "Keep frozen until your pet's mealtime. Bites thaw in minutes and should be cold to the touch when served. Discard uneaten food 30 minutes after serving. Wash hands and utensils after handling raw pet food."

Switching over

Instinct suggests moving to raw over about a week, or up to two weeks for a sensitive dog. Start with roughly a quarter FreshRaw Bites Cage-Free Chicken Recipe and three quarters of the old food for a couple of days, then step up to half, then three quarters, then all. Going slowly gives your dog's stomach time to adjust.

Sizes

6 lb bag of frozen bites. That's roughly 23 cups. A 20 lb adult dog at up to 2¾ cups a day gets about 8 days from a bag. Counts are worked out from Instinct's printed calorie figures and are close estimates.

Storage

Keep the bag in the freezer until close to mealtime. Instinct gives an unopened bag a freezer shelf life of up to one year, without going past the printed expiration date. Seal the bag tightly after each scoop so the food doesn't pick up freezer burn.

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