Raw Boost Mixers Gut Health Topper
Verified Jun 10, 2026
This is a high-protein, freeze-dried raw chicken topper designed to support your dog’s digestive health when added to a complete diet. It uses chicken, organ meats, pumpkin, sweet potato, chicory root, and added probiotics to provide extra protein, fiber, and gut-supportive ingredients. The freeze-drying process helps preserve nutrients and makes it an easy way to add a raw-style boost to regular kibble or canned food.
Nutritionally, this is a very nutrient-dense, high-protein, high-fat freeze-dried raw topper that can add extra flavor and digestive support to an existing complete diet. Chicken and organ meats provide high-quality, highly digestible animal protein, while pumpkin, sweet potato, chicory root, and added probiotics are aimed at supporting gut function. It’s best suited as a small add-on for most dogs rather than a large portion of the bowl, given its calorie density and the fact that it’s not complete and balanced on its own.
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At a Glance
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Chicken, chicken liver, and chicken heart provide high-quality animal protein and natural vitamins and minerals from organ meats.
- Includes several gut-supportive ingredients, such as pumpkin, sweet potato, chicory root, and a defined probiotic (Bacillus coagulans) with a stated minimum count.
- Very high protein (36% min) and fat (30% min) on an as-fed basis, appropriate for a concentrated topper and helpful for boosting the nutrient density of a meal.
- Freeze-dried processing helps preserve nutrients and offers a raw-style product with the convenience of a dry topper.
Considerations
- This is not a complete and balanced diet and is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only, so it must always be used alongside a full, balanced dog food.
- Chicken is the primary ingredient, so it’s not a good choice for dogs with chicken allergies or sensitivities.
- The formula is grain-free and uses pumpkin and sweet potato as carbohydrates; while fine as a topper, owners of dogs with complex cardiac histories should still discuss any heavy reliance on grain-free diets with their veterinarian.
- It is quite calorie-dense (about 291 kcal per cup), so portions should be kept modest and the main diet adjusted to help prevent unwanted weight gain.
Full Ingredient List
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.
02
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.
03
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.
04
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.
05
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is used in pet foods primarily as a fiber-rich carbohydrate and moisture source that can help regulate digestion and firm up loose stools or add bulk for softer stools, and it provides beta-carotene (vitamin A precursor) plus small amounts of vitamins and minerals for dogs and cats. It is safe and beneficial when plain cooked or canned (not spiced or sweetened pie filling), should be fed in moderation as a supplement rather than a primary food, and introduced gradually since large amounts can cause gastrointestinal upset or interfere with absorption of some medications.
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.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.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.
Visit InstinctManufacturer
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.
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Gut Health Topper has no recalls since 2014.
Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Instinct ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Instinct. We monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.
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.
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 database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.
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