Instinct Raw Dog Food Review: Benefits, Concerns, and More

Okay, so let me tell you about my experience with Instinct Raw Dog Food. I figured, "Hey, why not give my furry pal the good stuff?" You know, try to be a responsible dog parent and all that.

First off, I did my research. I mean, you can't just jump into raw feeding without knowing what's what. I read up on the benefits, the potential risks, and all that jazz. Saw stuff about how it's supposed to be better for their digestion, shinier coat, more energy... sounded pretty good.

Then came the fun part: buying the stuff. I went to my local pet store, and wow, was I hit with sticker shock! This stuff ain't cheap, let me tell you. Calorie-for-calorie, it really is much more expensive than kibble. But I was committed, so I grabbed a bag of the Instinct Raw Beef recipe. They also have chicken and other flavors.

The first day, I was a little nervous. I mixed a tiny bit of the raw food with his regular kibble, just to see how he'd react. He gobbled it down like there was no tomorrow! So, that was a good sign. Over the next few days, I gradually increased the amount of raw food and decreased the kibble until he was eating a full raw meal.

Now, here's where things got interesting. At first, his poop was a little softer than usual. Which is normal, I read. It's just his digestive system adjusting. But after a few days, it firmed right up, and honestly, it was less stinky than before! That was a definite plus.

I kept an eye on him for any signs of tummy trouble or anything else weird. Luckily, nothing. He seemed to be thriving. He was definitely more energetic, his coat was looking shinier, and he just seemed happier overall. Maybe I was imagining it, but I swear he was.

Of course, you gotta be careful with raw food. Sanitation is key! I made sure to wash his bowl thoroughly after every meal, and I was extra careful about washing my hands after handling the food. Don't want any nasty bacteria getting in the mix.

Another thing I did was portion out the food into freezer bags. It makes it way easier to thaw out just the right amount for each meal. And remember to thaw it in the fridge, not on the counter! Again, safety first.

So, all in all, my experience with Instinct Raw Dog Food has been pretty positive. It's definitely more work and more expensive than kibble, but I think it's worth it for my dog's health and happiness. But, always do your research and talk to your vet before making any major changes to your dog's diet!

Oh, and I also looked for certifications just to be sure of the quality. I noticed Instinct is SQF certified in both food safety and quality, which is good to know.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Hope it helps!