Instinct's puppy freeze-dried bites pair a cage-free chicken base with fruit and vegetable extras aimed at supporting a growing dog, and the 14 oz bag suits owners who want a grain-free option sized for smaller breeds.
Puppy owners of small to medium breeds who want a grain-free, freeze-dried meal or topper built around a single named protein.
Skip if
You have a large or giant breed puppy needing bigger bags, or an adult dog, since this formula is specifically labeled for puppies.
Form Freeze Dried
Flavor Chicken
Benefits Preserves Nutrients, Supports Puppy Health
Best for Freeze Dried Dog Food
Breed size Medium, Small
Weight 14 Ounces
Our scorecard
4.3/5overall
Owner rating4.6/5
4.6 average across 45 owner ratings
Popularity0.3/5
45 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other dog food and health supplements we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
["This 14 oz bag of Instinct Puppy Freeze-Dried Meals is built around cage-free chicken as the named protein, with apple, carrot, flaxseed, salmon oil, and sweet potato rounding out the ingredient list. It's labeled grain-free, gluten free, pea-free, soy free, and wheat free, and Instinct positions the freeze-dried format as a way to preserve nutrients that cooking can break down.", 'The formula is recommended for medium and small breeds and is built specifically for puppies, with the label calling out support for puppy health as the core benefit. At $34.99, it sits at a premium price point typical of freeze-dried raw style diets.', "With 45 reviews and a 4.6 star average, plus roughly 200 bought in the past month, it's a newer listing that's still building a track record, though early feedback is solidly positive."]
Pros
Named protein (cage-free chicken) as the primary ingredient
Grain-free, gluten free, pea-free, soy free, and wheat free
Freeze-dried format aimed at preserving more nutrients
Includes fruit and vegetable extras like apple, carrot, and sweet potato
Strong 4.6 star rating from early reviewers
Cons
Only 45 reviews so far, a smaller sample than more established puppy foods
14 oz bag is small and may require frequent reorders for a growing puppy
Formulated for medium and small breeds, not labeled for large breed puppies
Specifications
Form
Freeze Dried
Flavor
Chicken
Benefits
Preserves Nutrients, Supports Puppy Health
Best for
Freeze Dried Dog Food
Breed size
Medium, Small
Weight
14 Ounces
Performance notes
As a raw, freeze-dried diet, this food is meant to be rehydrated or fed as-is depending on owner preference, and the inclusion of salmon oil and flaxseed points to added support for skin and coat during the puppy growth stage. The bag format keeps portions easy to measure for smaller dogs.
What buyers say
A 4.6 star average across 45 reviews and about 200 units bought last month suggests a newer product that's earning trust quickly, though the review count is still modest compared to longer-running lines.
Yes, Instinct lists this puppy formula as grain-free and also free of gluten, peas, soy, and wheat, based on the product's allergen information.
What breed sizes is this formula recommended for?
The label recommends this for medium and small breeds specifically, so it may not be the right fit if you have a large or giant breed puppy.
Can this be used as a meal topper instead of a full meal?
Freeze-dried bites like this are often used either as a complete meal or mixed in as a topper over other food, though for a puppy's full nutritional needs it's worth checking with your vet on the right feeding approach.
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