Raw Boost Mixers Skin & Coat Health Topper
Verified Aug 17, 2026
A high-protein, freeze-dried raw topper designed to be added to your dog’s regular food to support skin and coat health. It uses cage-free chicken and cod as main animal protein sources, with added salmon oil, ground flaxseed, and chia seeds to supply omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. This is a supplemental product meant to boost flavor and nutrition for dogs eating a complete and balanced diet.
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Strong Choice
This is a nutrient-dense, meat-forward freeze-dried topper that can nicely enhance a complete diet, especially for dogs needing extra support for skin and coat. The combination of chicken, organs, cod, flaxseed, chia, and salmon oil provides concentrated protein and a robust blend of omega fatty acids. Because it’s intended only for intermittent or supplemental feeding, it should be used alongside a balanced dog food rather than as the sole diet.
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.
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At a Glance
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.KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- High protein (36% as-fed) from named animal sources including chicken, chicken liver, chicken heart, and cod, which support good amino acid intake when added to the main diet.
- Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (with guaranteed minimums listed), coming from salmon oil, ground flaxseed, and chia seeds, which can help support skin and coat quality.
- Freeze-dried processing preserves many nutrients and offers a very palatable way to add variety and extra nutrition to regular kibble or wet food.
- Grain-free and legume-free formula that avoids common carbohydrate fillers, which may suit dogs whose owners are looking to limit those ingredients in toppers.
Considerations
- Labeled for intermittent or supplemental feeding only, so it must be fed alongside a complete and balanced dog food and not used as the only diet.
- Chicken is the primary ingredient, which is a common allergen for some dogs; it is not a good fit for dogs with known chicken sensitivities.
- Very calorie-dense (about 312 kcal per cup), so portions need to be modest and the main food should be reduced accordingly to help prevent unwanted weight gain.
- Fat content is relatively high (minimum 30% as-fed), which may be too rich for dogs that require lower-fat additions due to sensitive digestion or a history of pancreatitis.
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.
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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
Cod
Cod is a lean white fish used in pet foods as a high-quality, easily digestible animal protein that provides essential amino acids, B vitamins (notably B12), selenium and modest amounts of omega‑3 fatty acids for skin, coat and overall health. It is palatable and low in fat, but should be properly deboned and sourced; avoid feeding raw fish without appropriate processing (some raw fish can contain enzymes that affect thiamine) and monitor for fish allergies or contaminants such as mercury.
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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.Not sure how much of this to feed?
The right daily portion depends on your dog's weight, age, and activity level. Create a free account, add your dog, and get their daily calories and portion sizes.
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.Why this is not complete and balanced
This product is not labeled complete and balanced. It is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding.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.
Manufacturer
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.
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 recall is listed for Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Skin & Coat Health Topper.
Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026
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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.
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.
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