FreshRaw Meals Grass-Fed Beef Recipe Wet Dog Food
Verified Jun 20, 2026
A raw, frozen wet dog food for adult dogs that uses beef, beef liver, and beef kidney as its primary animal protein sources. It’s formulated as a complete and balanced maintenance diet, with vegetables, fruits, and added vitamins and minerals to round out the nutrient profile. The moderate fat level and inclusion of salmon oil and ground flaxseed provide additional fatty acids to support overall health in active adult dogs.
This is a high-quality raw, frozen beef-based diet formulated to meet AAFCO standards for adult maintenance, offering a good balance of animal protein, fat, and moisture. The inclusion of organ meats, a variety of vegetables and fruits, and added salmon oil helps provide a broad spectrum of nutrients. It’s best suited for healthy adult dogs whose owners are comfortable handling raw diets and who do not have beef or fish allergies.
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
KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Beef, beef liver, and beef kidney provide rich, biologically valuable animal proteins and natural sources of many vitamins and minerals.
- AAFCO complete and balanced for adult maintenance, so it can be fed as a sole diet for adult dogs.
- Added salmon oil and ground flaxseed supply omega fatty acids, which can support skin, coat, and overall health.
- Includes a variety of whole vegetables and fruits (carrots, spinach, blueberries, apples, sweet potatoes, butternut squash) for fiber and phytonutrients, with a reasonable fiber cap at 3% max for a raw wet food.
Considerations
- Contains beef and salmon oil, so it is not appropriate for dogs with known beef or fish allergies.
- As a raw, uncooked product, it requires careful handling, storage, and hygiene; it may not be ideal for households with very young, elderly, or immunocompromised people or pets.
- Formulated for adult maintenance only, so it is not suitable as the primary diet for puppies or pregnant/nursing dogs.
- Montmorillonite clay and miscanthus grass are safe commonly used ingredients, but they add some bulk and mineral content that may not be necessary for every dog’s diet.
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
Beef
Beef is commonly used in dog and cat foods as a primary animal protein and palatability enhancer, supplying high-quality essential amino acids, B vitamins, iron, and zinc that support muscle maintenance and overall health. Owners should note beef can be calorie- and fat-dense and is a relatively common allergen, and raw or improperly handled beef carries microbial risks, so formulation, fat content, and sourcing/processing are important considerations.
02
Beef Liver
Beef liver is an organ meat commonly used in dog and cat foods and treats as a highly palatable, protein-rich, nutrient-dense ingredient that provides concentrated, bioavailable vitamins (especially vitamin A and B12), heme iron, copper, and essential amino acids. While it supports blood health and overall nutrition, beef liver should be fed in moderation because excess vitamin A can cause toxicity, its richness may upset sensitive stomachs or contribute to pancreatitis in predisposed pets, and proper sourcing/processing is important to minimize contaminant or bacterial risks.
03
Beef Kidney
Beef kidney is an organ meat commonly used in pet foods as a high-quality protein and nutrient-dense inclusion that contributes B vitamins (notably B12 and riboflavin), iron, copper, selenium and attractive flavor for palatability. It can be a beneficial addition for both dogs and cats but should be included in moderation because organ meats are relatively high in minerals and purines and may need restriction for animals with kidney or urate-related conditions, and raw or improperly handled kidney can pose food-safety risks.
04
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.
05
Spinach
Spinach is used in pet foods as a leafy vegetable to provide fiber, moisture, and micronutrients such as vitamins A, C and K, folate, iron and antioxidant compounds, but it is not a primary protein source. While it can add low‑calorie nutrients and antioxidants to a dog or cat’s diet, spinach is high in oxalates (and can contain nitrates) which in large amounts may reduce mineral absorption or contribute to urinary/kidney issues in susceptible animals, so it should be fed in moderation and pets with specific health concerns should consult their veterinarian.
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 FreshRaw Meals Grass-Fed Beef Recipe Wet Dog Food 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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