
100% Complete Freeze-Dried Raw Chicken Meal for Adult Cats
Product Description
Instinct Raw Meals Grain-Free Chicken Freeze-Dried Cat Food is a 100% complete and balanced freeze-dried raw meal made with cage-free chicken as the primary ingredient. Unlike toppers or mixers, this is a full meal replacement formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance. Packed with 93% real meat and organs and 7% non-GMO fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals, it delivers 3x more real meat and nutrient-rich organs than kibble, while remaining shelf-stable and convenient enough to scoop and serve just like dry food with the option to rehydrate with warm water for added moisture.
Benefits
- 100% Complete & Balanced Meal: Formulated to meet AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance — a full meal replacement, not just a topper.
- 3x More Real Meat Than Kibble: Contains 3x more real meat and nutrient-rich organs than Instinct Original Kibble, delivering significantly more animal-based protein in every bite.
- Never Cooked: Raw foods are never cooked, preserving the natural integrity of ingredients, along with valuable antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
- Supports Whole-Body Health: Feeding raw supports healthy digestion, lean muscles, strong bones, vibrant skin and coat, and overall energy and vitality.
- Shelf-Stable Convenience: Freeze-dried for easy pantry storage — simply scoop and serve dry like kibble or add warm water to rehydrate for extra moisture.
Ingredients
Chicken (including Ground Chicken Bone), Chicken Liver, Chicken Heart, Pumpkinseeds, Ground Flaxseed, Montmorillonite Clay, Salmon Oil, Carrots, Apples, Butternut Squash, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Potassium Chloride, Tricalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Yeast Culture, Salt, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), DL-Methionine, Mixed Tocopherols (for freshness), Blueberries, Spinach, Rosemary Extract.
Guaranteed Analysis
Nutrient |
Value |
Crude Protein (min) |
38.0% |
Crude Fat (min) |
34.0% |
Crude Fiber (max) |
3.0% |
Moisture (max) |
6.0% |
Taurine (min) |
0.30% |
Caloric Content: 4,782 kcal/kg | 197 kcal/cup
How to Use
Dosage & Administration Instructions
Cat Weight |
Adult Maintenance (cups/day) |
Weight Loss (cups/day) |
5–15 lb |
1–2 cups |
½ – 1¼ cups |
16–25 lb |
2–3 cups |
1¼ – 2 cups |
Directions For Use
- Serve Dry or Rehydrate: Serve as is, like kibble, or rehydrate by adding 2 tablespoons of warm water per 1 cup of food for extra moisture.
- Divide Feedings: Divide the daily amount by the number of feedings per day for best results.
- Transitioning: Always introduce a new food over a period of 5 to 7 days, mixing increasing amounts with the current food each day.
- Fresh Water: Always provide access to clean, fresh water at all times.
- Storage: Store in a cool, dark place at room temperature. Keep sealed between feedings.
Additional Information
Precautions
- Complete Meal: This is a 100% complete and balanced meal; however, always follow age-appropriate feeding guidelines as amounts vary by age, weight, and activity level.
- Transitioning: Always introduce gradually over 5 to 7 days to avoid digestive upset, particularly for cats transitioning from kibble or cooked food to raw for the first time.
- Handling: As with all raw food products, wash hands and bowls before and after serving to maintain proper hygiene.
- Storage: Keep the bag sealed between feedings and stored in a cool, dark place at room temperature to preserve freshness and nutritional integrity.
- Vet Consultation: Cats with existing health conditions, such as kidney disease or other dietary restrictions, should be transitioned to any new food only under veterinary guidance.
Possible Side Effects
- Digestive Adjustment: Cats transitioning from cooked or kibble-based diets to raw food may experience mild digestive changes during the transition period; introducing gradually over 5 to 7 days helps minimize discomfort.
- Loose Stools: Some cats may experience temporary loose stools during the initial transition to raw; this typically resolves as the digestive system adjusts to the new food.
- Individual Tolerance: As with any new food, some cats may not immediately accept the new texture or formula; if persistent adverse reactions occur, discontinue use and consult a veterinarian.
Shipping & Returns
We offer ground, express, priority, and international delivery; see our shipping policy for details.
For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is this a complete meal or just a topper?
Ans: This is a 100% complete and balanced freeze-dried raw meal, not a topper. It is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult cats and can serve as your cat's sole daily diet.
Q2: How does freeze-drying preserve the quality of the raw ingredients?
Ans: Freeze-drying gently removes moisture from raw ingredients without cooking them, preserving the natural integrity of the food along with its antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. This results in a more nutritious food that is shelf-stable and convenient to serve.
Q3: Do I need to add water before serving?
Ans: No, it can be served dry directly from the bag just like kibble. However, adding 2 tablespoons of warm water per 1 cup of food to rehydrate is an option for cats that prefer a wetter texture or need additional moisture in their diet.
Q4: How does this compare nutritionally to kibble?
Ans: It contains 3x more real meat and nutrient-rich organs compared to Instinct Original Kibble, delivering significantly more animal-based protein per bite. It is also less processed than cooked kibble, cans, or refrigerated pet food, helping retain more natural nutrients in every meal.
Q5: What percentage of the recipe is real meat and organs?
Ans: The recipe is made with 93% real cage-free chicken meat and organs, and 7% non-GMO fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. Cage-free chicken is the first ingredient, followed by chicken liver and chicken heart for nutrient-dense animal protein.
Q6: How should I transition my cat from kibble to this food?
Ans: Always introduce a new food gradually over 5 to 7 days, mixing increasing amounts of the new food with decreasing amounts of the current food each day. A gradual transition is especially important when moving a cat from a cooked or kibble-based diet to raw for the first time.
Q7: Does it contain any grains, legumes, or artificial ingredients?
Ans: No, it is made without grain, corn, wheat, soy, legumes, artificial colors, or preservatives. The formula uses only responsibly sourced meat, non-GMO fruits and vegetables, and added vitamins and minerals to create a clean, complete, and balanced raw meal.
Q8: Is this suitable for all adult cats, including seniors?
Ans: Yes, it is formulated for adult cat maintenance. However, ideal feeding amounts vary by age, weight, and activity level, so adjust portions accordingly. Senior cats or cats with specific health conditions should be transitioned under a veterinarian's guidance.
Q9: How should this food be stored?
Ans: Store the bag sealed in a cool, dark place at room temperature between feedings. Because it is freeze-dried, it is shelf-stable and does not require refrigeration when unopened. Always reseal the bag tightly after each feeding to preserve freshness and quality.
Q10: Can this food be used as a meal topper instead of a complete meal?
Ans: While it is designed and nutritionally formulated as a complete meal replacement, it can also be added as a high-protein topper to supplement your cat's existing diet. Just account for the additional calories to avoid overfeeding and adjust the base food accordingly.
This Shipping Policy explains how orders are processed, shipped, tracked, and delivered.
1. Shipping Origin and Fulfillment
Orders are dispatched from our U.S.-based fulfillment center. We deliver to eligible addresses within the United States and to eligible international destinations shown at checkout.
If a destination, shipping service, or product is not eligible for delivery, checkout will not offer that shipping option.
2. Order Processing Time
Orders are generally processed within 1–5 business days before shipment. Processing time is separate from carrier transit time.
Our order cut-off time is 6:00 PM Pacific Time (PT). Orders placed after the cut-off time, on weekends, or on applicable holidays begin processing on the next business day.
Processing may include order verification and preparation for shipment.
3. U.S. Shipping Methods, Costs, and Transit Times
For eligible U.S. addresses, our current shipping options are:
- Priority Shipping: $5.99 — estimated carrier transit time of 1–2 business days after shipment.
- Standard Shipping: $2.99 — estimated carrier transit time of 3–6 business days after shipment.
- Free Shipping: $0 — estimated carrier transit time of 5–8 business days after shipment.
Total estimated delivery time includes both the 1–5 business day processing period and the applicable carrier transit time. The shipping service, cost, and delivery estimate available for your order are shown at checkout before payment.
4. International Shipping
We ship to eligible international destinations. Available international shipping services, shipping charges, and estimated delivery times vary by destination and are displayed at checkout.
For eligible international orders, applicable import duties and taxes are calculated and collected at checkout where required. When these charges apply, the order is shipped on a duties-and-taxes-paid basis so that the same import charges should not be collected again at delivery.
International delivery estimates may be affected by carrier operations, customs processing, local holidays, weather, or other events outside normal transit conditions.
5. Tracking
When tracking is available, you will receive shipment confirmation with tracking information after the order has shipped. Please allow up to 48 hours for tracking information to become active after the carrier receives the shipment.
6. Address Accuracy and Changes
Please review your shipping address carefully before submitting an order. If you notice an address error, contact us as soon as possible. We will try to help before shipment, but an address change cannot be guaranteed once fulfillment or carrier processing has begun.
Additional carrier or re-delivery charges resulting from an incorrect or incomplete address may be the customer's responsibility where permitted by law.
7. Delayed or Lost Shipments
If your shipment has not arrived within the estimated delivery timeframe, please contact us. We will review the tracking information, work with the carrier when necessary, and assist with an appropriate resolution based on the circumstances.
Delivery estimates are not guarantees and may be affected by carrier delays, weather, public holidays, customs processing, or other transportation disruptions.
8. Damaged, Defective, or Incorrect Deliveries
If an item arrives damaged, defective, or incorrect, contact us within 7 calendar days after confirmed delivery. Please include your order number and clear photos of the item, packaging, and shipping label when relevant.
Approved cases are handled under our Return & Refund Policy, including return-shipping assistance when the issue is our responsibility.
9. Policy Updates
We may update this Shipping Policy when our shipping services or operating requirements change. The current version will be posted on this page.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions about shipping or an order in transit, please use our Contact page or the current contact information displayed in the website footer.
This Return & Refund Policy explains when a return is eligible, how to send an item back, who pays return shipping, and how approved refunds are processed.
1. Return Window
You may request an eligible return within 30 days after confirmed delivery. Return requests submitted after the 30-day period are not accepted unless applicable law requires otherwise.
2. Return Eligibility
To qualify for a standard return, the item must generally be:
- Unused, unwashed, and in its original condition.
- Returned with the original packaging, tags, accessories, manuals, and other included components, when applicable.
- Not specifically identified as final sale or non-returnable before purchase.
Products that show use, alteration, avoidable damage, missing components, or other conditions outside the eligibility requirements may be ineligible for a refund.
3. Product-Specific Non-Returnable Items
Some products may be non-returnable for hygiene, safety, customization, final-sale, or other product-specific reasons. Any such restriction will be disclosed on the product page or before purchase when applicable.
4. No Direct Exchanges
We do not provide direct exchange service. If you want a different item, size, color, model, or version, return the eligible original item under this Policy and place a new order separately.
5. How to Start a Return
Returns are handled by mail. Before sending an item back, contact our customer support team through the Contact page or the current contact information displayed in the website footer. Please provide:
- Your order number.
- The item or items you want to return.
- The reason for the return.
Returns sent without required return authorization may be delayed or refused.
6. Prepaid Return Label and Return Shipping Cost
For eligible mail returns, a prepaid return label is included in the package.
For a standard return made for customer-choice reasons, the actual carrier postage charged for use of the prepaid return label will be deducted from the approved refund. We do not charge a separate restocking fee.
If the return is required because the item arrived damaged, defective, or incorrect and the claim is approved, we cover the return-label cost.
If you choose not to use the provided label when an alternative return method is authorized, use a trackable shipping service and keep your shipping receipt until the return is completed.
7. Original Shipping Charges
Original outbound shipping charges are non-refundable for standard customer-choice returns, except where required by law. If the return results from an approved damaged, defective, or incorrect item, applicable shipping charges will be handled as part of the resolution.
8. Refund Review and Processing
After the returned item is received, we inspect it and notify you whether the refund is approved.
If approved, the refund is issued to the original payment method. We generally process an approved refund within 1–3 business days. After the refund is issued, your bank or card provider may require an additional 5–10 business days to post the funds to your account.
9. Damaged, Defective, or Incorrect Items
If an item arrives damaged, defective, or incorrect, contact us within 7 calendar days after confirmed delivery. Include your order number and clear photos of the item, packaging, and shipping label when relevant.
After review, we will provide an appropriate resolution. When a return is required for an approved claim, we cover the return shipping cost.
10. Refused or Undeliverable Shipments
If a shipment is refused or returned because of incorrect or incomplete customer-provided shipping information, actual carrier return, re-delivery, or related shipping charges may be deducted from an otherwise eligible refund where permitted by law.
11. Policy Updates
We may update this Return & Refund Policy when our return procedures or legal requirements change. The current version will be posted on this page.
12. Contact Us
If you need help with a return or refund, please use our Contact page or the current contact information displayed in the website footer.
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