Complete Review Instinct Dog Food: Is this popular pet food option actually worth the price tag?

My Dog and the Instinct Food Journey

Okay, so I wanted to share my experience with trying out Instinct dog food. It wasn't some random decision, you know? My old dog, Max, he's getting on a bit, and his regular kibble just didn't seem to be doing it for him anymore. He was looking a bit dull, coat wasn't great, and honestly, his energy was kinda low. Someone at the dog park mentioned trying a food with more 'real' ingredients, and Instinct kept popping up.

So, I went ahead and bought a bag. Decided to start with the Instinct Original kibble, the chicken one I think it was. Didn't want to jump straight into the raw stuff right away, figured I'd ease into it. The first step was mixing it in with his old food. I did this for about a week, maybe a bit longer. Started with just a little bit of the Instinct, like 25%, then slowly increased it while decreasing the old stuff. Didn't want to upset his stomach, you know how dogs can be.

What I Saw During the Switch

• First off, Max seemed pretty interested. He sniffed the bowl a lot more than usual.
• He actually ate it without much fuss, which was good. He can be picky sometimes.
• Didn't notice any immediate tummy troubles, his poops stayed pretty normal, maybe firmed up slightly, which was a relief.

After about two weeks, he was fully on the Instinct Original. I kept a close eye on him for the next month or so. What did I notice? Well, his coat definitely seemed shinier. Like, noticeably better. It felt softer too when I petted him. His energy levels? Maybe a slight improvement? Hard to say definitively with an older dog, some days are just better than others, but he seemed a bit more eager for his walks.

Later on, feeling a bit adventurous, I decided to try the Instinct Raw Boost Mixers. Just sprinkled a few of those freeze-dried raw bits on top of his kibble. Oh man, he went nuts for those. Like it was the best treat ever. Gulped his food down way faster when those mixers were on top.

Downsides? Yeah, a couple.

The price, definitely. Instinct isn't cheap. It's a step up in cost compared to the basic stuff I was buying before. Had to factor that into the budget. Also, finding the specific type I wanted wasn't always easy. My local store sometimes ran out, so I had to plan ahead or occasionally hunt around a bit.

So, where am I now? I'm still feeding Max the Instinct Original kibble, and I still add the Raw Boost Mixers now and then as a treat topper. Overall, I feel it was a good move for him. He seems healthier, coat looks great, and he enjoys eating it. It costs more, sure, but seeing him do better makes it worth it for me. It's just my experience, might be different for other dogs, but for Max, it worked out pretty well.