Raw Boost is built around protein-forward kibble plus a range of toppers made to go on top of a main meal. Most kibbles list chicken, beef, duck, lamb or salmon first with a meat meal second. All figures here are as fed. Chicken and fish each appear in 20 of the 23 kibbles, turkey in 16 and beef in 9.
Kibble protein runs from 25% to 37% and estimated starch from 23.5% to 39.5%. The line averages 31.6% protein, 31.5% estimated starch and 453 kcal per cup, compared with catalog kibble averages of 26.9%, 37.4% and 395 kcal. The 17 grain-free kibbles include peas, lentils or chickpeas. The Whole Grain recipes use barley, oatmeal, sorghum or brown rice and have no peas. The 13 toppers average 32.8% protein against a catalog topper average of 18.4%, with estimated starch close to the catalog figure.
The trade-off is that higher protein comes with more calories per cup than the catalog average, which matters for portion sizes. Owners who prefer grain-inclusive food get lower protein in this line, from 25% to 28%.
| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Starch | Kcal / cup | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken | 37% | 20.5% | 23.5% | 491 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck for Small Breed Dogs | 36.5% | 16% | 28% | 447 | Duck, Duck Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Chicken Meal |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Senior Dogs | 36% | 16% | 29.5% | -- | Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Salmon Meal, Chicken |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Toy Breed Dogs | 35% | 20% | 26% | 469 | Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Chickpeas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck | 34.5% | 21% | 25.5% | 497 | Duck, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| PeakBoost+ Kibble Real Beef Recipe Grain-Free | 34% | 17.5% | 27.5% | -- | Beef, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| PeakBoost+ Kibble Real Salmon Recipe Grain-Free | 34% | 13.5% | 31.5% | 411 | Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas |
| PeakBoost+ Kibble Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free | 34% | 18% | 27% | 446 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Puppies | 34% | 21.5% | 26% | 504 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Large Breed Puppies | 33.5% | 18.5% | 28% | 485 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef for Small Breed Dogs | 32% | 18% | 30% | 415 | Beef, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken For Healthy Weight | 32% | 11% | 34.5% | 368 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Small Breed Dogs | 32% | 18% | 31% | 469 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Skin & Coat | 32% | 16.5% | 32% | 529 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef | 32% | 18% | 30.5% | 499 | Beef, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon | 31.5% | 15% | 34% | 444 | Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas |
| Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Gut Health | 31% | 17% | 33% | 471 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas |
| Whole Grain Recipe with Real Chicken & Brown Rice for Puppies | 28% | 15% | 37% | 461 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Barley |
| RawBoost+ Whole Grain | 26.5% | 16% | 36.5% | -- | Lamb, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal |
| Whole Grain Recipe with Real Lamb & Oatmeal | 26.5% | 16% | 36.5% | 414 | Lamb, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal |
| Whole Grain Recipe with Real Salmon & Brown Rice | 25.5% | 15.5% | 38% | 419 | Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal, Oatmeal |
| RawBoost+ Whole Grain Kibble Real Beef & Barley Recipe | 25% | 15.5% | 38.5% | 401 | Beef, Chicken Meal, Barley |
| Whole Grain Recipe with Real Chicken & Brown Rice | 25% | 14.5% | 39.5% | 424 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Barley |
| Line average | 31.6% | 16.9% | 31.5% | 453 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
37% protein · 20.5% fat · 23.5% starch · 491 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
The core grain-free chicken recipe has the most protein in the line at 37% and the least estimated starch at 23.5%. At 491 kcal per cup, it suits owners looking for the most meat-heavy kibble the line offers.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken36.5% protein · 16% fat · 28% starch · 447 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This discontinued small breed recipe leads with duck and duck meal, which the label lists as a source of glucosamine and chondroitin, at 36.5% protein. It suits owners of small dogs who want duck first on the label.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck for Small Breed Dogs36% protein · 16% fat · 29.5% starch · Senior
Sold for senior dogs, this discontinued kibble starts with chicken meal and salmon meal and uses chickpeas instead of peas. With 36% protein and 3.5% fiber, it suits owners of older dogs who want a high-protein label.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Senior Dogs35% protein · 20% fat · 26% starch · 469 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
Made for toy breeds, this discontinued recipe uses chickpeas and lists no potato, at 35% protein, 20% fat and 26% estimated starch. It suits owners of very small dogs who want a high-fat chicken kibble.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Toy Breed Dogs34.5% protein · 21% fat · 25.5% starch · 497 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
The discontinued full-size duck recipe lists duck, chicken meal, peas, egg product and turkey meal, at 34.5% protein and 21% fat. At 497 kcal per cup, it suits owners of all-breed dogs who want duck as the lead protein.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck34% protein · 17.5% fat · 27.5% starch
PeakBoost+ beef lists beef, chicken meal, peas and turkey meal first, at 34% protein and 27.5% estimated starch. It suits owners wanting a higher-protein, grain-free beef kibble who are fine with peas and potato on the label.
Full review of PeakBoost+ Kibble Real Beef Recipe Grain-Free34% protein · 13.5% fat · 31.5% starch · 411 kcal/cup
PeakBoost+ salmon leads with salmon and menhaden fish meal, at 34% protein and 13.5% fat, with 3,500 kcal per kg, the lowest per kg among the kibbles. It suits owners wanting a fish-based grain-free kibble with less fat than the other PeakBoost+ recipes.
Full review of PeakBoost+ Kibble Real Salmon Recipe Grain-Free34% protein · 18% fat · 27% starch · 446 kcal/cup
PeakBoost+ chicken lists chicken, chicken meal, peas, chicken fat and tapioca, at 34% protein, 18% fat and 27% estimated starch. It suits owners wanting a chicken-forward grain-free kibble at 446 kcal per cup.
Full review of PeakBoost+ Kibble Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free34% protein · 21.5% fat · 26% starch · 504 kcal/cup · Puppy
This puppy recipe has the most fat in the line at 21.5% and 504 kcal per cup, with turkey meal and egg product in its first five ingredients. It suits owners of growing puppies who want a grain-free chicken kibble.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Puppies33.5% protein · 18.5% fat · 28% starch · 485 kcal/cup · Puppy
Made for large breed puppies, this discontinued recipe has 33.5% protein, 18.5% fat and 485 kcal per cup, with egg product and lamb among its proteins. It suits owners of big puppies who want a grain-free chicken kibble.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Large Breed Puppies32% protein · 18% fat · 30% starch · 415 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This small breed recipe puts beef ahead of chicken meal, peas and fish meal, at 32% protein and 30% estimated starch. At 415 kcal per cup, it suits owners of small dogs who want beef as the lead protein.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef for Small Breed Dogs32% protein · 11% fat · 34.5% starch · 368 kcal/cup · Adult
Made for healthy weight, this discontinued adult kibble has the least fat in the line at 11% and the fewest calories at 368 kcal per cup. Its 7.5% fiber is also the highest among the kibbles.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken For Healthy Weight32% protein · 18% fat · 31% starch · 469 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This small breed chicken kibble lists chicken, chicken meal, peas, chicken fat and tapioca, at 32% protein, 18% fat and 469 kcal per cup. Unlike the toy breed recipe, it uses peas rather than chickpeas and includes potato.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Small Breed Dogs32% protein · 16.5% fat · 32% starch · 529 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
Sold for skin and coat, this discontinued chicken kibble has the most calories in the line at 529 kcal per cup. Its 32% protein and 32% estimated starch sit in the middle of the grain-free range.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Skin & Coat32% protein · 18% fat · 30.5% starch · 499 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This grain-free beef kibble lists beef, chicken meal, peas and turkey meal, at 32% protein, 18% fat and 499 kcal per cup. It suits owners of all-breed dogs wanting beef first in an all life stages kibble.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef31.5% protein · 15% fat · 34% starch · 444 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
The grain-free salmon recipe has 31.5% protein and 34% estimated starch, with peas, canola oil and tapioca after the fish. It has fewer calories than PeakBoost+ salmon per kg but more per cup, at 444 kcal per cup.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Salmon31% protein · 17% fat · 33% starch · 471 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
Sold for gut health, this kibble uses only chicken and egg as animal proteins, with 31% protein, 33% estimated starch and 471 kcal per cup. It suits owners wanting a short animal protein list that skips turkey and fish.
Full review of Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for Gut Health28% protein · 15% fat · 37% starch · 461 kcal/cup · Puppy
This is the grain-inclusive puppy option, with chicken, barley, turkey meal and oatmeal at 28% protein and 37% estimated starch. It suits owners of puppies who want grain and no peas, at 461 kcal per cup.
Full review of Whole Grain Recipe with Real Chicken & Brown Rice for Puppies26.5% protein · 16% fat · 36.5% starch · Adult
This RawBoost+ recipe leads with lamb, then chicken meal, oatmeal, barley and sorghum, at 26.5% protein and 36.5% estimated starch. It is labeled for adults only and suits owners of grown dogs who want a pea-free, grain-inclusive lamb kibble.
Full review of RawBoost+ Whole Grain26.5% protein · 16% fat · 36.5% starch · 414 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This older Whole Grain lamb recipe has the same lamb, oatmeal and barley lead but is labeled for all life stages and lists 414 kcal per cup. It fits homes feeding dogs of different ages from one grain-inclusive lamb bag.
Full review of Whole Grain Recipe with Real Lamb & Oatmeal25.5% protein · 15.5% fat · 38% starch · 419 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This whole grain salmon recipe leads with salmon and menhaden fish meal, then oatmeal, barley and brown rice, at 25.5% protein. It suits owners wanting a fish-first, pea-free kibble at 419 kcal per cup.
Full review of Whole Grain Recipe with Real Salmon & Brown Rice25% protein · 15.5% fat · 38.5% starch · 401 kcal/cup · Adult
This adult recipe pairs beef with barley, oatmeal and brown rice, at 25% protein, 38.5% estimated starch and 401 kcal per cup. It suits owners of beef-loving adult dogs who prefer grain to peas.
Full review of RawBoost+ Whole Grain Kibble Real Beef & Barley Recipe25% protein · 14.5% fat · 39.5% starch · 424 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This discontinued chicken and brown rice kibble has the most estimated starch in the line at 39.5%, with barley, sorghum and oatmeal behind the chicken. At 25% protein, it suits owners who prefer a grain-based, pea-free chicken recipe.
We believe this recipe has been discontinued.
Full review of Whole Grain Recipe with Real Chicken & Brown Rice| Recipe | Protein | Fat | Moisture | Kcal / kg | First ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RawBoost+ Shakers Grass-Fed Beef Recipe Grain-Free | 38% | 24% | 6% | -- | Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney |
| Mixers All Natural Beef Recipe Freeze-Dried | 38% | 30% | 6% | 4,260 | Beef, Beef Liver, Beef Kidney |
| RawBoost+ Mixers Multivitamin Recipe | 36% | 25% | 6% | 4,244 | Beef, beef spleen, beef kidney |
| RawBoost+ Mixers Tranquility Recipe | 36% | 20% | 6% | -- | Turkey, Turkey Liver, Pumpkin Seeds |
| Mixers Gut Health Freeze-Dried | 36% | 30% | 6% | 4,555 | Chicken (including Ground Chicken Bone), Chicken Liver, Pumpkin Seeds |
| Mixers Mobility Support Freeze-Dried | 36% | 30% | 6% | 4,690 | Chicken (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Chicken Liver, Pumpkin Seeds |
| Mixers Immune Health Freeze-Dried | 36% | 30% | 6% | 4,590 | Chicken (including Ground Chicken Bone), Chicken Liver, Pumpkinseeds |
| Mixers Grass-Fed Lamb Recipe Freeze-Dried | 36% | 30% | 6% | 4,715 | Lamb, Lamb Kidney, Pumpkinseeds |
| Mixers Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried | 36% | 26% | 6% | 4,352 | Chicken (including Ground Chicken Bone), Chicken Liver, Pumpkin Seeds |
| Mixers Blends Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried | 34% | 28% | 8% | 4,579 | Chicken (including Ground Chicken Bone), Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart |
| Mixers Blends Real Beef Recipe Freeze-Dried | 34% | 28% | 8% | 4,523 | Beef, Beef Kidney, Beef Spleen |
| RawBoost+ Frozen Mixers Gut Health Recipe | 15% | 12% | 62% | -- | Chicken, Chicken Liver, Pumpkin Seeds |
| Frozen Mixers Skin & Coat Health | 15% | 12.5% | 62% | -- | Chicken, Chicken Liver, Pumpkin Seeds |
| Line average | 32.8% | 25% | 14.9% | 4,501 |
All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Wet food is mostly water, so compare it with other wet food only. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.
38% protein · 24% fat · 11% starch
The Shakers beef topper ties for the most protein among toppers at 38%, with beef liver, kidney and spleen behind the beef. With 24% fat and no potato, it suits owners wanting a sprinkle-style beef topper.
Full review of RawBoost+ Shakers Grass-Fed Beef Recipe Grain-Free38% protein · 30% fat · 5% starch · 247 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
The All Natural beef mixer has the least estimated starch in the line at 5% and ties for top topper protein at 38%. It suits owners wanting a beef and organ topper with the least starch on the label.
Full review of Mixers All Natural Beef Recipe Freeze-Dried36% protein · 25% fat · 12% starch · 258 kcal/cup
The Multivitamin mixer is built on beef, beef spleen and beef kidney, with sweet potatoes in its first five ingredients. At 4,244 kcal per kg, it has the fewest calories in the line, which suits owners watching topper calories.
Full review of RawBoost+ Mixers Multivitamin Recipe36% protein · 20% fat · 17% starch
The Tranquility mixer is the only topper built entirely on turkey, with turkey liver, turkey heart and cherries in its first five ingredients. At 36% protein and 17% estimated starch, it suits dogs that do well on turkey.
Full review of RawBoost+ Mixers Tranquility Recipe36% protein · 30% fat · 7% starch · 291 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This freeze-dried Gut Health mixer adds dried pumpkin to chicken, liver and heart, at 36% protein and 7% estimated starch. It is labeled for all life stages, lists 291 kcal per cup and includes potato.
Full review of Mixers Gut Health Freeze-Dried36% protein · 30% fat · 7% starch · 310 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
The Mobility Support mixer names chicken as a source of glucosamine and chondroitin and adds ground flaxseeds. At 310 kcal per cup, it is the most calorie-dense topper per cup and is sold for mobility.
Full review of Mixers Mobility Support Freeze-Dried36% protein · 30% fat · 7% starch · 288 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
The Immune Health mixer uses chicken, chicken liver, pumpkin seeds, chicken heart and beets, with no potato. At 36% protein, 30% fat and 288 kcal per cup, it is sold for immune support.
Full review of Mixers Immune Health Freeze-Dried36% protein · 30% fat · 7% starch · 236 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
The lamb mixer is the only topper with lamb, using lamb kidney, spleen and liver, and has the most calories in the line at 4,715 kcal per kg. It suits dogs that do well on a single red meat.
Full review of Mixers Grass-Fed Lamb Recipe Freeze-Dried36% protein · 26% fat · 11% starch · 244 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
This freeze-dried chicken mixer includes ground chicken bone and carrots, and lists turkey as a second animal protein. At 26% fat and 244 kcal per cup, it carries less fat than most freeze-dried mixers.
Full review of Mixers Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried34% protein · 28% fat · 18% starch · 270 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
Blends chicken includes ground chicken bone, apples and sweet potatoes, and is one of only two toppers with peas or lentils. With 28% fat and 18% estimated starch, it suits owners wanting a chicken topper with fruit and vegetables.
Full review of Mixers Blends Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried34% protein · 28% fat · 18% starch · 276 kcal/cup · All Life Stages
Blends beef pairs beef with kidney, spleen, liver and apples, at 34% protein and 18% estimated starch, and lists 276 kcal per cup. It suits owners wanting a beef organ topper with fruit and vegetables blended in.
Full review of Mixers Blends Real Beef Recipe Freeze-Dried15% protein · 12% fat
This frozen Gut Health mixer uses chicken, chicken liver, pumpkin seeds and dried pumpkin, and has the least fat in the line at 12%. At 62% moisture, it suits owners wanting a frozen chicken topper rather than a dry one.
Full review of RawBoost+ Frozen Mixers Gut Health Recipe15% protein · 12.5% fat · All Life Stages
The frozen Skin and Coat mixer is the only topper with fish, adding cod to chicken, liver and heart. At 15% protein and 62% moisture, it suits owners who want chicken and fish together in a frozen topper.
Full review of Frozen Mixers Skin & Coat HealthMost of it is. 17 of the 23 kibbles and all 13 toppers are grain free. The Whole Grain recipes, such as Whole Grain Recipe with Real Lamb & Oatmeal and RawBoost+ Whole Grain Kibble Real Beef & Barley Recipe, include barley, oatmeal, sorghum or brown rice.
Among kibbles, Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken has the most protein at 37%, along with the least estimated starch at 23.5%. Among toppers, RawBoost+ Shakers Grass-Fed Beef Recipe and Mixers All Natural Beef Recipe Freeze-Dried both list 38%.
17 of the 23 kibbles contain peas, lentils or chickpeas, including Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken and the PeakBoost+ recipes. The Whole Grain kibbles have none. Among toppers, only the Mixers Blends chicken and beef recipes contain them.
Protein runs higher than the average kibble we review (34.9% vs 30.1% on a dry matter basis).
Starch is lower than average, at 31% of the food as fed.
100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).
83% of recipes are grain-free.
this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,205 foods we review
Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out
Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.
These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.
MOST PROTEIN
Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food
40.7% dry matter
LEAST STARCH
Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Duck Dry Dog Food
26% as fed
FEWEST CALORIES
Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken For Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
368 kcal per cup
Instinct® Raw Chicken Formula for dogs
Pet food
We keep reviews of discontinued recipes online, each with suggested replacements, because bags stay on shelves and in pantries for months.
Ten everyday foods. Safe, In Moderation or Never. No googling, no second guesses. Then share your score with your friends, however embarrassing it turns out to be.
115 foods in the deck. Grapes are in there. So is cheese.
Ten foods, one at a time. Call each one Safe, In Moderation or Never, then flip the card to see if you had it right. The ones you miss are listed at the end.
Keys: 1 Safe 2 Moderation 3 Never Enter Next
Copied. Paste it anywhere your friends will see it.
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Now, is your dog's food any good?
Look it up: estimated starch, calories per cup and every ingredient, for 3,207 foods.
