What's actually in Instinct Raw Boost?
We analyzed Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken for cats. The first five ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, and peas.
This is an exceptional protein lineup. Chicken is a whole, named animal protein — the best kind of first ingredient. Chicken meal at number two is concentrated protein with roughly three times the protein density of whole chicken by weight. Turkey meal at three adds a second poultry protein source. Menhaden fish meal at four brings marine-sourced protein and naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids. That's four named animal proteins before any plant ingredient appears.
Peas at the fifth position are the first non-animal ingredient. They provide plant-based protein and fiber but also raise the grain-free/legume concern that we'll address in the negatives section. No corn, wheat, soy, or by-products anywhere on the label. Shop on Amazon →
The good stuff
The freeze-dried raw pieces are the headline feature, and they're more than marketing. Freeze-dried chicken, freeze-dried chicken liver, and freeze-dried chicken heart appear as distinct ingredients. Liver is one of the most nutrient-dense foods available — packed with vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, and copper. Heart is a rich source of taurine, the amino acid that cats absolutely require and cannot synthesize in adequate amounts. These raw inclusions provide whole-food nutrition that standard kibble processing destroys.
The omega-3 approach is strong. Chicken fat provides the base fatty acid profile, while salmon oil delivers the marine-sourced EPA and DHA that cats actually need. Cats are poor converters of plant-based ALA to EPA/DHA, so a dedicated fish oil source is functionally important — not just a label decoration.
Dried kelp is a standout supplement. It provides naturally occurring iodine, which supports thyroid function — a genuine health concern for aging cats. It also contributes trace minerals that synthetic supplements don't always replicate. Blueberries add natural antioxidants, and cranberries support urinary tract health. The inclusion of Bacillus coagulans probiotic supports digestive health with a shelf-stable strain that survives kibble processing.
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Rosemary extract is used as the natural preservative. The formula is clean from top to bottom.
The not-so-good stuff
Peas in the fifth position trigger the ongoing grain-free/DCM conversation. The FDA has investigated a potential link between grain-free diets high in legumes (peas, lentils, chickpeas) and dilated cardiomyopathy in pets. The research remains inconclusive, but it's a concern worth noting for any grain-free formula that leans on legumes as a primary carbohydrate source.
Tapioca appears further down the ingredient list as a starch binder. It's functionally a filler — it provides carbohydrate energy and helps kibble hold its shape, but it contributes essentially no nutritional value beyond calories. Premium cat foods at this price point could use a more nutritious carbohydrate source.
Montmorillonite clay is an unusual inclusion. It's a natural clay used as an anti-caking agent and sometimes marketed for digestive detoxification, but its presence in a cat food formula is debatable. It's not harmful in small amounts, but it's not a nutritional positive either.
The premium price is the practical concern. Instinct Raw Boost typically costs significantly more per pound than the standard Instinct Original formula, and the ingredient difference — while real — is incremental. The freeze-dried raw pieces, salmon oil, and kelp justify some of the premium, but cost-conscious cat owners should weigh whether those extras are worth the markup for their specific cat.
How it compares
Instinct Raw Boost scores 79/100, one point higher than the standard Instinct Original (B/78). The gap is small but meaningful — salmon oil and dried kelp provide the edge that the Original formula lacks. Both share the same strong animal protein foundation, but Raw Boost layers on the freeze-dried raw pieces and targeted supplements that push it slightly ahead.
Read the full head-to-head breakdown: Instinct Raw Boost vs Instinct Original.
Against the broader B-tier field, Raw Boost sits comfortably in the middle. Wellness CORE Cat (A/90) leads the pack with a cleaner formula and stronger supplement profile. Blue Buffalo (B/76) scores 3 points lower — it offers solid grain-inclusive nutrition but can't match the protein density or raw nutrition that Raw Boost delivers. For owners who want the raw feeding concept without the mess and food safety concerns of actual raw diets, this formula threads that needle well.
The bottom line
Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken Dry Cat Food earns a B grade (79/100) from KibbleIQ. Four named animal proteins in the top five, freeze-dried raw chicken, liver, and heart for whole-food nutrition, salmon oil for functional omega-3s, dried kelp for thyroid-supporting iodine, probiotics for digestive health, and no artificial anything. The grain-free legume content and premium price are the trade-offs, but this is one of the more nutritionally thoughtful cat foods on the market. If your cat thrives on grain-free and you're willing to pay for the raw boost, it delivers. Shop on Amazon →