Ingredient #1Upper
Turkey Meal
Turkey Meal is a species-named animal meal ingredient. It is rendered rather than fresh, but the species source is still clearly identified. It reads as an upper-tier protein source.
Label analysisGrade CListed ingredientsKibble (Extruded)
Instinct
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Turkey
Editor ingredient insight
Instinct LID Turkey uses turkey meal and turkey as the animal-protein axis, with freeze-dried turkey, turkey liver, and turkey heart later in the formula.
It is worth considering for dogs that do better on turkey than chicken or beef and need a narrower animal-protein plan.
The caution is that peas are second and tapioca follows, so this should not be read as a simple meat-only limited diet.
At 26% protein, 18% fat, 4,126 kcal/kg, 1.5%/1.1% calcium/phosphorus, and 0.7% omega-3s, it has energy for lean or active dogs, but it is not ideal for pea reduction or weight control.
Meal-basedPlant booster present
01. NUTRIENT PROFILE
Key nutrients & mineral profile
Disclosed protein and fat
Protein 26%Fat 18%Other 56%Other includes moisture, ash and remaining components.
Position within the same processing type
Compare protein, fat and energy density in low, typical and high bands.
Protein positionTypical
This food sits around the typical crude protein range among extruded foods.
Fat positionHigher
This food is on the higher side for crude fat among extruded foods.
Calorie densityHigher
This food is on the higher side for calorie density among extruded foods. The same serving can provide more energy, so check portion guidance.
Key guaranteed nutrientsAs-fed
Calcium1.5%
Phosphorus1.1%
Crude fiber3.5%
Omega-30.7%
Omega-62.9%
Undisclosed values are not treated as zero.
02. INGREDIENT QUALITY & DISCLOSURE
Disclosed ingredients & ingredient grade
The analysis uses the registered ingredients. Complete-panel coverage is not verified, so an unlisted ingredient cannot be assumed absent.
Listed ingredients
Read the listed ingredients below. Complete-panel coverage is not verified here; do not infer that an unlisted ingredient is absent.
Ingredient gradeMixed
Ingredient #1 · Turkey MealUpper
Named MealIngredient #2 · PeasLower
Whole Plant ProteinIngredient #3 · TurkeyTop
Fresh MeatIngredient #2Lower
Peas
Peas is a whole plant-protein ingredient. It is not a processed protein concentrate, but when it appears near the top it can still weaken the animal-protein-led structure. It reads as an lower-tier plant protein booster.
Ingredient #3Top
Turkey
Turkey is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.
Available ingredient listIn disclosed order
Turkey Meal — Support positive ingredientsPeas — Caution ingredientsTurkey — Primary positive ingredientsTapioca — Neutral ingredientsCanola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid) — Neutral ingredientsMontmorillonite Clay — Neutral ingredientsNatural Flavor — Support positive ingredientsCoconut Oil — Neutral ingredientsSalt — Neutral ingredientsPotassium Chloride — Support positive ingredientsVitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin) — Support positive ingredientsCholine Chloride — Support positive ingredientsMinerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide) — Support positive ingredientsFreeze Dried Turkey — Support positive ingredientsFreeze Dried Turkey Liver — Support positive ingredientsPumpkinseeds — Neutral ingredientsFreeze Dried Turkey Heart — Support positive ingredientsRosemary Extract — Neutral ingredients
Primary positive ingredientsSupport positive ingredientsAlternative proteinNeutral ingredientsCaution ingredientsHigh-caution ingredients
Protein sourceIngredient guide
Whole plant protein source in the top 3
Animal protein · Turkey Meal (#1), Turkey (#3), Freeze Dried Turkey (#14), Freeze Dried Turkey Liver (#15), Freeze Dried Turkey Heart (#17)
Plant protein · Peas (#2)
The crude protein number may include influence from whole plant ingredients.
This is not the same as processed protein boosting, but it is not purely meat-led.
Included support ingredientsNutrient guide
Omega-3Skin and joint support ingredientOmega-6Skin and coat support ingredientVitamin EAntioxidant and skin support ingredient
03. CHOOSING FOR YOUR DOG
What to consider before feeding
Turkey Meal, Turkey supply animal protein at the start of the ingredient list. Tapioca supply carbohydrate energy. The recipe combines animal protein sources with carbohydrate sources.
Peas contribute plant protein alongside carbohydrates and fiber among the leading ingredients. Total crude protein is not a measure of meat-derived protein alone. Canola Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid) add fat and energy; fat content is a separate choice criterion from the protein sources.
What works well in this food
- Crude protein does not drop into a clearly low band.
- Price per kilogram stays low enough that this can still make sense on a value basis.
- Nutrient disclosure is broad enough to compare real numbers directly.
Check before feeding
- Phosphorus is 1.1% on the label, at or above 1%. Senior dogs or dogs with kidney concerns should have phosphorus restriction reviewed with a veterinarian before using it as a staple food.
- Fresh meat carries a moisture variable. When whole plant protein sources are also high in the list, part of the crude-protein number may come from those plant ingredients.
- Whole plant protein sources can contribute to crude protein, so the animal-protein share still needs a closer read.
When this food fits your dog
Among foods made the same way, protein is typical, fat is higher, and calorie density is higher. This combination provides more energy per gram. Compare it when smaller portions need to supply calories, and adjust grams first for a dog prone to weight gain. Higher calories do not establish a higher animal-protein share.
Consider it first when
- Budget matters
- Baseline nutrition still comes first
- Ingredient quality comes after value
Choose another food first when
- Fresh-meat-first quality matters more
- Ingredient quality matters more than budget
High calorie density remains the clearest trade-off here.
04. COMPARE FOODS
Smart turkey alternatives
Exact protein-type matches come first, then close protein-family matches fill the comparison.
05. MANUFACTURING & DISCLOSURE
Manufacturer background & public information
Instinct background
Founded in 2002 in the United States.
Disclosure confidence C1
Current data and recipe-level variation are visible, but validation breadth still needs a closer look.
Recall information
This brand has a confirmed public recall history.
May 12, 2026