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Rawboost Shakers Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Topper
Instinct

Rawboost Shakers Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Topper

Verified Jun 14, 2026

Dog · Topper All Breed Sizes

This is a high-protein, freeze-dried raw chicken topper designed to add extra flavor and nutrition to your dog’s regular food. It uses chicken meat and organs as primary ingredients, with fruits, vegetables, seeds, and salmon oil contributing fiber, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids. It’s meant to be sprinkled on or mixed with water as a gravy to enhance mealtime for dogs eating a complete diet.

Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls
Official product page
KibbleLab Score
8.2 out of 10

This is a nutrient-dense, meat-forward freeze-dried topper that can boost protein, fat, and palatability for dogs on a complete and balanced base diet. The combination of chicken, organs, and salmon oil offers high-quality animal protein and beneficial fatty acids, while added fruits, veggies, and flaxseed provide fiber and phytonutrients. It’s best used in small amounts as a flavor and nutrient boost rather than as a sole diet, since it’s labeled for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.

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

Ingredient composition Quality, beneficial additions, absence of artificial colors/flavors
Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber evaluated for stated life stage and food type
AAFCO compliance Complete and balanced certification; feeding trials valued higher
Health considerations Sensitivity profile, DCM risk, processing method
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 Not Recommended

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

Health Benefits
Appetite Support
Suitable For
All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Chicken, chicken liver, and chicken heart at the top of the ingredient list provide rich, highly digestible animal protein and natural vitamins and minerals.
  • Includes salmon oil and ground flaxseed, which supply omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that support skin, coat, and overall health.
  • Contains a variety of fruits and vegetables (carrots, apples, butternut squash, broccoli, blueberries) plus dried chicory root for added fiber and prebiotics.
  • Freeze-dried processing helps preserve nutrients and flavor while keeping the product shelf-stable, making it an easy way to add some raw-style ingredients to the bowl.

Considerations

  • This topper is not complete and balanced and should not replace your dog’s main food; it needs to be used alongside a nutritionally complete diet.
  • Chicken and turkey are common food allergens for some dogs, so this wouldn’t be appropriate for dogs with known poultry allergies.
  • The fat level is quite high for a powder (31% minimum), so large amounts may not suit dogs requiring lower-fat diets or those prone to pancreatitis; portion control is important.
  • Because it’s calorie-dense for its size, owners should reduce the amount of the main diet slightly to avoid unwanted weight gain when adding this topper.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Chicken, Chicken Liver, Pumpkin Seeds, Chicken Heart, Carrots, Apples, Butternut Squash, Turkey Liver, Lactic Acid, 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.
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
Carrot
Carrot is used in pet foods as a vegetable ingredient providing fiber, moisture, texture and antioxidant nutrients such as beta‑carotene (a provitamin A), vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium, contributing to palatability and digestive bulk. Cooked carrots are more digestible and release more beta‑carotene, but cats cannot efficiently convert beta‑carotene to active vitamin A so carrots are more nutritionally useful for dogs than as a primary vitamin A source for cats; they should be fed in moderation due to natural sugars and should be offered in appropriately sized pieces to avoid choking.

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)
31.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
15.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
6.00%
Low High
4599
kcal / Kg
23
kcal / Tbsp
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.

Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

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 No
This product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.

Brand

Instinct

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 Instinct
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.

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

Instinct Rawboost Shakers Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Topper has no recalls since 2014.

Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.2 /10 Grade A
Rawboost Shakers Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Topper
Instinct · kibblelab.com

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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.

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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 database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.