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Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken Dry Dog Food vs Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

Buy the Instinct Raw Boost if you want a complete kibble diet with a raw boost and the convenience of a bag that keeps and scoops easily. Buy Vital Essentials if you want pure freeze-dried raw and are willing to rehydrate or feed it as a topper or full raw diet. Instinct is the safer everyday staple for most owners; Vital Essentials suits raw feeders and small dogs or toppers.

  • Choose the Instinct Raw Boost if you want a grain-free kibble with freeze-dried raw pieces that works as a complete daily diet for adult dogs.
  • Choose the Vital Essentials if you want a pure freeze-dried raw food to feed as a full raw diet or a high-value topper.

Prices

  • Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken Dry Dog Food: $21.99 at eBay (last seen Nov 9)
  • Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food: $35.99 at Chuck & Don's (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken Dry Dog Food is $14.00 cheaper than the Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food at the latest prices (Nov 9)
Instinct
Instinct Raw Boost Kibble Freeze-Dried All Life Stage Dry Dog Food 3.5 lb

Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken Dry Dog Food

Instinct Raw Boost Kibble Freeze-Dried All Life Stage Dry Dog Food 3.5 lb

$21.99at eBayChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

Pros
  • Complete and balanced for all life stages
  • Grain free with added taurine and omegas
  • Easy to scoop and store
  • Freeze-dried raw pieces add palatability
Cons
  • Contains peas and plant ingredients raw feeders avoid
  • Kibble texture may not suit dogs needing soft food
  • Small bag size
Vital Essentials
Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

$35.99at Chuck & Don'sChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit Chuck & Don's
Pros
  • Pure freeze-dried raw with minimal ingredients
  • Light and shelf-stable
  • Works as a topper or full diet
  • Grain free
Cons
  • Needs rehydration or careful portioning
  • Less added nutrient fortification listed
  • Raw feeding requires more care with handling

What separates them

Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken Dry Dog FoodVital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Food formKibble mixed with freeze-dried raw piecesFreeze-dried raw only
FeedingScoop and serve dry; easy to portionFeed dry or rehydrate with water
Ingredient focusChicken, peas, apple plus added vitamins and mineralsRaw chicken with minimal processing
Life stageAll life stagesAll ages
Grain freeYesYes
Added nutrientsTaurine, omega-3 and omega-6, zinc, vitamins A, B, D, ERelies on raw ingredients; fewer added nutrients listed
Shelf life and storageDry bag, resealable, stable at room temperatureFreeze-dried, light and shelf-stable but must stay dry
Best useComplete daily kibble dietRaw diet, topper, or travel food

Price history

$35.99$23.96
Nov 9Nov 11
  • Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken Dry Dog Food: lowest $23.96 on Nov 9 at Amazon; $23.96 on Nov 11.
  • Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food: lowest $29.60 on Nov 9 at Amazon; $35.99 on Nov 11.

Prices at every store

Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken Dry Dog Food

  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by a.s.thrifty (99.8% positive, 1,800 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $21.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay

Also available at

  • AmazonCheck price at Amazon
  • ChewyCheck price at Chewy
  • Chewy.comCheck price at Chewy.com

Store links may earn us a commission.

Prices and history →

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

  • Mud BayNew

    In stock

    $35.99Checked Nov 9
    Visit Mud Bay
  • Chuck & Don'sNew

    In stock

    $35.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Chuck & Don's
  • Chewy.comNew

    In stock

    $35.99+ $4.95 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Chewy.com
  • Incredible PetsNew

    In stock

    $35.99+ $7.95 shippingChecked 37 min ago
    Visit Incredible Pets

Also available at

  • Treats on a LeashCheck price at Treats on a Leash
  • Two BostonsCheck price at Two Bostons
All 12 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecInstinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken Dry Dog FoodVital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
Life StageAll Life StagesAll Ages
Health BenefitDigestive health, Healthy skin & coat, Immune h…Digestive Health
FlavorChickenChicken
Food TypeDry Food—
IngredientsChicken, Peas, Apple—
PackagingBag—
Age GroupAdult—
NutrientsTaurine, Omega-3, Omega-6, Copper, Calcium, Iro…—
Special DietsGrain Free—
VitaminsVitamin B, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin A—
Weight (lb)3.5—
SupplementsVitamins—
Show all 31 specsShow fewer specs
SpecInstinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken Dry Dog FoodVital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food
FormDry, Kibble—
Pet Food TypeDog Food—
Dietary HighlightsGrain Free—
Flavor VarietyWild-caught salmon, Cage-free chicken, USA-rais…—
Pet TypeDog—
Suitable Health ConcernImmune health, Digestive health, Healthy skin &…—
Suitable BreedSmall breed dogs—
Suitable ForSensitivities—
Texture ConsistencyKibble—

What reviewers say

Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Chicken Dry Dog Food

Owners of small and picky dogs often report clean bowls and shinier coats after switching. Some dogs eat the raw pieces and leave the kibble, and a few owners report digestive upset during the transition.

What people mention
  • PalatabilityPraisedOwners say picky dogs finish the bowl, largely because of the freeze-dried raw pieces.
  • Coat and skinPraisedSeveral owners report shinier coats and less scratching after a few weeks.
  • DigestionMixedSome dogs do well on it, while others had loose stools or gas during the switch.
  • Raw piecesCriticisedDogs sometimes eat the freeze-dried chunks and leave the plain kibble behind.

Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food

Owners generally praise the simple ingredient list and say picky dogs eat it readily, especially as a topper. Complaints center on crumbly pieces, strong odor and bags that seem light on whole nuggets.

What people mention
  • TextureMixedOwners like the nugget form but often find the bag full of loose crumbs.
  • PalatabilityPraisedReviewers say picky dogs and dogs that refuse kibble eat it eagerly.
  • SmellCriticisedThe raw chicken odor is strong and some owners find it unpleasant indoors.
  • IngredientsPraisedBuyers value the short, grain-free chicken recipe with few additives.

Questions and answers

Which is better for a puppy?
Instinct Raw Boost is labeled all life stages and is the simpler choice for puppies. Vital Essentials is labeled all ages, but raw feeding for puppies needs careful portioning and vet guidance.
Which lasts longer once opened?
Both are shelf-stable dry formats. Instinct's kibble bag is easy to reseal and scoop; freeze-dried Vital Essentials absorbs moisture, so keep it sealed and dry.
Is one better for sensitive stomachs?
Instinct lists digestive health support and added probiotics. Vital Essentials is simpler with fewer ingredients, which some owners prefer for sensitive dogs, but transition slowly either way.
Can I use Vital Essentials as a topper?
Yes. Freeze-dried raw works well crumbled over kibble, and many owners use it that way. Instinct already includes raw pieces, so it needs no topper.
Which is better for small breeds?
Instinct lists small breed suitability and its kibble is easy to portion. Vital Essentials can be broken up or rehydrated, which also suits small mouths.
Is stepping up to raw worth it?
Only if you want a raw diet and will handle and portion it carefully. For most owners, Instinct's complete kibble is the lower-effort daily choice.

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More comparisons

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  • Instinct Raw Boost Kibble Freeze-Dried All Life Stage Dry Dog Food 3.5 lb vs Open Farm Grain Free Front Range Red Meat
  • Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Raw Dog Food vs Open Farm Grain Free Front Range Red Meat

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best dry dog food with freeze-dried raw pieces
Main Ingredient
Chicken
—
Ingredient TypeMeat, Salmon Oil—
Packaging StyleBag—
Food SubtypeKibble—
Food HighlightsProbiotic boost, Higher Omegas, More antioxidan…—
Eco-Friendly FeaturesResponsibly sourced ingredients—
Sustainability CertificationUSDA Organic Certified—
Type—Raw
Grain Free—Yes
Size—14 oz