Instinct Puppy Freeze-Dried Meals
- Freeze Dried Food
- Raw
- Bag
- 1
- Better rated than 65%
A grain-free, cage-free chicken freeze-dried meal built specifically for small and medium-breed puppies, meant as a full raw-style diet rather than a food topper.
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How it ranks among the 82 freeze dried food we track
4.6★ across 325 Amazon ratings, Bayesian-smoothed toward the category average.
325 Amazon ratings, weighted on a log scale so huge counts don't drown everything.
200+ bought on Amazon last month.
Brand identity, imagery, description and spec coverage.
The ProductDome score is separate from the Amazon rating shown above: it combines the Bayesian-smoothed Amazon rating with evidence volume, tracked demand, and data quality across the 82 freeze dried food we track - how the scorecard works · full freeze dried food data report. Confidence: high - strong rating volume and complete data.Last refreshed Aug 4, 2026. Data-computed, not a hands-on test. Compiled by the ProductDome Research Team.
Overview
Instinct's Puppy Freeze-Dried Meals are a grain-free, cage-free chicken diet made as FreshDried bites, packaged in a 25 oz bag and formulated for puppies of small and medium breeds. The product is positioned as a complete raw-style meal rather than a topper.
Unlike a topper, this is framed as a full freeze-dried meal, so the raw, grain-free chicken recipe is meant to be fed as the puppy's primary food rather than sprinkled on top of kibble. The age range is listed specifically for baby dogs, which matters since puppy nutrition needs differ from adult dog formulas.
- FreshDried Bites, cage-free chicken recipe
- Grain-free, gluten-free, wheat-free
- Formulated for baby age range puppies
- 25 oz bag
Who it's for
Fits owners of small or medium-breed puppies looking for a grain-free, freeze-dried raw diet rather than standard kibble. Not intended for adult dogs or large-breed puppies, given the age range and breed size listed for the formula.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- Grain-free, cage-free chicken as the named protein
- Freeze-dried format keeps it closer to a raw diet
- Formulated specifically for puppies, not repurposed adult food
- Gluten-free and wheat-free
- Not intended for adult dogs
- Breed size listed as medium, so may not suit larger-breed puppies
Performance notes
Freeze-drying the raw chicken preserves the meal without cooking, the format Instinct uses across its raw line to keep nutrients closer to fresh meat. Being labeled for the baby age range and medium breed size means the nutrient balance is built around puppy growth rather than adult maintenance.
Specifications
| Brand | Instinct |
|---|---|
| Model | 6171417 |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Item Weight | 1.56 pounds |
| Dog Breed Size | Medium |
| Capacity & performance | |
| Age Range Description | Baby |
| Included components | |
| Unit Count | 1.56 pounds |
| Included Components | One (1) 25 oz. Bag of Freeze-Dried Dog Food |
| Other details | |
| Animal Food Diet Type | Raw |
| Container Type | Bag |
| Number Of Items | 1 |
| Breed Recommendation | Medium Breeds, Small Breeds |
| Item Type Name | Freeze-Dried Dog Food |
| Customer Reviews | {'ratings_count': '325', 'stars': '4.6'} |
| Manufacturer | Nature's Variety |
| Upc | 769949614173 |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Puppy feeding, Puppy birthday gift |
| Special Ingredients | Chicken |
| Flavor | Chicken |
| Occasion | Birthday |
| Item Form | Raw |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 6171417 |
| Product Benefits | Supports overall pet health and vitality |
| Allergen Information | Gluten Free, Wheat Free |
| Specific Uses For Product | Freeze-Dried Dog Food |
| Asin | B08RF249QB |
| Model Number | 6171417 |
| Target Species | Dog |
| Additional Features | Freeze Dried Raw, Grain Free, Puppy |
| Best Sellers Rank | #22,090 in Pet Supplies (See Top 100 in Pet Supplies) #122 in Freeze-Dried Dog Food |
Other Instinct freeze dried food
How it compares
This product against the closest alternatives we track in freeze dried food.
| Product | Amazon rating | Ratings | ProductDome score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instinct Puppy Freeze-Dried MealsThis product | 4.6 / 5 | 325 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner PattiesStella | 4.4 / 5 | 3,300 | 4.4 / 5 |
| BADLANDS RANCH by Katherine HeiglBADLANDS | 4.3 / 5 | 3,900 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Primal Freeze Dried Dog Food NuggetsPrimal | 4.5 / 5 | 2,800 | 4.3 / 5 |
| PureBites Lamb Liver Freeze Dried Dog TreatsPureBites | 4.7 / 5 | 1,300 | 4.3 / 5 |
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Questions about the Instinct 6171417
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
Is this food formulated for puppies or adult dogs?
It is formulated for the baby age range, aimed at puppies.
What breed sizes is it recommended for?
Medium and small breeds.
Is the recipe grain-free?
Yes, it is grain-free, gluten-free and wheat-free.