Dog Food High Volume, High Ratings
Instinct Original Small Breed Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

Instinct Original Small Breed Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food

By Instinct 9 reviews analyzed Updated Oct 2025 85% confidence
8.3 /10
Quality
8.5
Value
7.8
Design
8.1
Function
8.4
Durability
8.0

In a Nutshell

  • High-quality ingredients and nutritional value
  • Positive impact on dogs' health and coat
  • Issues with discontinued original formulation and new 'raw boost' kibble
  • Disappointment with discontinuation and introduction of new formulation
  • Recommended for most dogs but be cautious with new versions

Quick Verdict

Instinct Original Small Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is highly praised for its quality and nutritional value. However, some users have reported issues with discontinued formulations and the new 'raw boost' kibble causing diarrhea in some dogs.

Quick Stats

Reviews Analyzed 9
Would Recommend 89%
Would Buy Again 89%
Avg Lifespan Long-term use reported

Pet Compatibility

πŸ• Dogs
Suitable
🐈 Cats
Caution

Critical Warnings

high

New formulation may cause gastrointestinal issues.

Prevention: Monitor your dog closely when switching to the new formulation.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • High-quality ingredients (2)

    The food contains great ingredients and good protein levels.

  • Health benefits (2)

    Improves coat quality and overall health of dogs.

  • Long-term use (2)

    Dogs have been healthy and happy over long periods.

  • Suitable for small breeds (2)

    Specifically designed and recommended for small dogs.

  • Convenient ordering and delivery (2)

    Easy to order and delivered promptly.

  • Durability (1)

    The food is durable and has long-term performance.

Cons

  • Discontinued original formula (1) minor

    The original formulation has been discontinued, causing disappointment among users.

  • New formulation issues (2) major

    The new 'raw boost' kibble causes diarrhea in some dogs.

Quality Trend: Declining

Older reviews are more positive; newer reviews mention issues with the new formulation.

Older Reviews Said:

positive

Newer Reviews Say:

mixed

Who Is This For?

βœ“ Best For

  • β€’ Owners of small breed dogs β€” Specifically designed for small breeds and suitable for long-term use.

βœ— Skip If

  • β€’ Owners of dogs with sensitive stomachs β€” New formulation may cause gastrointestinal issues.

Durability & Care

Expected Lifespan Not specified

Cleaning Methods

βœ— Machine wash
βœ— Hand wash
βœ— Spot clean

Floor Compatibility

βœ“ Hardwood
βœ“ Tile
βœ“ Carpet
βœ“ Vinyl
βœ“ Laminate

Rating Distribution

4.9
9 reviews
5β˜…
89%
4β˜…
0%
3β˜…
0%
2β˜…
0%
1β˜…
11%
high-quality (3) small breed (2) discontinued (2) diarrhea (1)

Highlighted Reviews

β€” Julie 1 found helpful

"We have fed this to our pups since they were first introduced to adult kibble. Never had any issues with itching, gut problems, or refusal to eat. All was well! And then, they discontinued it. Unfortunately the newer β€œraw boost” kibble I believe they intend as a replacement gives one of my dogs ..."

β€” Ava

"I feed my champion Lhasa Apso the Instinct Original Small-Breed Chicken Recipe Dry Dog food. I have not received these order in my past two shipments. There have been no updates or communication from Chewy about these shipments not being delivered. Can you please update me on the status of the pr..."

Bottom Line

This dog food is excellent for most dogs, but be cautious of the new formulation if your dog has a sensitive stomach. Be discerning about the purchase, this is a food that has a lot of positive reviews but complaints about new versions.

8.3 /10
β€” Excellent