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Rawboost+ Shakers Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Cat Food Topper
Instinct

Rawboost+ Shakers Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Cat Food Topper

Verified Aug 21, 2026

Cat · Topper Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a high-protein, freeze-dried raw chicken topper designed to be sprinkled on your cat’s regular food or mixed with warm water as a gravy. It features chicken (with bone), organ meats, and salmon oil, plus fruits and vegetables for added nutrients. It’s meant to boost the flavor and nutritional density of an existing complete and balanced cat diet, especially for picky eaters.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited No recalls

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KibbleLab Score
8.0 out of 10

Strong Choice

Nutritionally, this is a rich, meat-forward topper that can meaningfully increase protein and fat intake when added to your cat’s regular food. The use of chicken meat, organs, bone, and salmon oil provides high-quality animal nutrients, while freeze-drying helps preserve them. It’s best used in small amounts alongside a complete and balanced cat food, not as the sole diet.

Calorie and portion clarity 6.0
Ingredient composition 8.0
Health considerations 10.0

Computed from 3 of 3 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
Where these benefits come from Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.
Appetite Support Digestive Health
Suitable For
Adult All Breed Sizes
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We'll check every ingredient against your pet's sensitivities and avoidance list.

Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Chicken, chicken liver, and heart provide highly digestible animal protein and essential amino acids.
  • Freeze-dried processing helps retain heat-sensitive nutrients and keeps the product very nutrient-dense.
  • Salmon oil and ground flaxseed contribute omega fatty acids that can support skin, coat, and overall health.
  • Moderate moisture and high calorie density mean a small amount can significantly boost the nutrition of a base diet.

Considerations

  • This is labeled for intermittent or supplemental feeding only, so it should not replace a complete cat food.
  • Chicken and turkey are common protein allergens, so this topper is not ideal for cats with poultry allergies.
  • At 4,599 kcal/kg, it is very calorie-dense, so portions should be small, especially for indoor or overweight cats.
  • The 15% maximum fiber is high for a cat product, so very large amounts could cause stool changes in some cats.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Chicken (including Ground Chicken Bone), Chicken Liver, Pumpkin Seeds, Chicken Heart, Carrots, Apples, Butternut Squash, Turkey Liver, Turkey Heart, Ground Flaxseed, Montmorillonite Clay, Dried Kelp, Broccoli, Mixed Tocopherols (for freshness), Apple Cider Vinegar, Salmon Oil, Rosemary Extract, Blueberries, Dried Chicory Root

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
View ingredient
02
Ground Chicken Bone
Ground chicken bone is used primarily as a mineral source in pet foods, supplying highly bioavailable calcium and phosphorus along with trace minerals and some collagenous protein from bone. When properly processed and formulated it supports skeletal health, but it requires careful quality control and balancing to avoid calcium‑to‑phosphorus imbalances, high ash content or contaminants, and may be unsuitable for pets with kidney disease or chicken sensitivities.
03
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
04
Pumpkin Seed
Pumpkin seed is used in pet foods and supplements as a source of fiber, plant protein, healthy fats and micronutrients (such as magnesium, zinc and iron), plus antioxidants that can support digestion, skin/coat condition and overall nutrient balance in dogs and cats. They contain cucurbitin, a compound traditionally associated with parasite control and can help firm stools and support urinary/prostate health, but are calorie‑dense and may cause gastrointestinal upset or contribute to pancreatitis in susceptible pets, so seeds should be unsalted, properly processed, and never substituted for veterinary diagnosis or treatment.
05
Chicken Heart
Chicken heart is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in dog and cat foods and treats as a highly palatable animal protein source, providing taurine, B vitamins (notably B12), iron, zinc and coenzyme Q10. It supports lean muscle and, for cats, provides essential taurine, but should be included as part of a balanced formulation and properly sourced/processed to reduce bacterial risk, since excessive organ intake can unbalance nutrients or be a concern for pets with specific metabolic or urate-stone issues.

Nutritional Breakdown

How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
36.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
26.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
15.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
6.00%
Low High
4599
kcal / Kg
23
kcal / Tablespoon
High
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Powder
Processing method Freeze Dried
Food type Topper

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced
Why this is not complete and balanced This product is not labeled complete and balanced. It is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding.
No

Brand

Instinct is Nature’s Variety’s flagship brand dedicated to raw and minimally processed pet nutrition. It positions itself in the premium and super-premium segment, focusing on high-protein, grain-free, and raw-inspired diets. Instinct offers frozen raw, freeze-dried raw, kibble with raw coatings, and canned foods aimed at health-conscious pet owners who value a biologically appropriate diet.

Price tier $$$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Nature's Variety
Parent company Agrolimen S.A.
Founded 2002
Headquarters St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Nebraska
Manufacturing oversight

Nature's Variety manages manufacturing quality and safety in accordance with FDA and AAFCO guidelines. Their manufacturing facilities adhere to stringent quality control protocols and HACCP food safety programs to ensure the integrity of their frozen and freeze-dried raw products.

Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited business seal
Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited

PSC is a nonprofit that Accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. Nature's Variety is a PSC Accredited business. View profile

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

No recall is listed for Instinct Rawboost+ Shakers Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Cat Food Topper.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.0 /10 Grade A
Rawboost+ Shakers Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Cat Food Topper
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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Instinct ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Instinct. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.