# TLDR Review: Instinct Original Dog Food, Beef

*Published: 2025-02-20 | Updated: 2025-02-20 | Source: https://shopsavvy.com/reviews-tldr/instinct-original-dog-food-beef*

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## Product: Instinct Original Dog Food, Beef

## Pros
- Many dogs showed immediate excitement and interest before the food was even opened, indicating appealing scent or packaging.
- Successfully used as a snack between meals, showing versatility in feeding routines.
- Both dogs, including a picky eater, really enjoyed the kibble when mixed appropriately.
- Owners report a notable decrease in rashes, itching, and excessive licking after switching to this food.
- Ingredients are perceived to be of good quality, contributing to the dogs' well-being.
- Praised for its good taste by various dogs, increasing consumption without issue.
- Recognized for competitive pricing compared to other premium dry dog foods.

## Cons
- Several reviews mention a distinct, strong fishy odor even in the beef variant, which was unappealing to both owners and dogs.
- Some dogs outright refused to eat the food, even with incentives like cooked turkey.
- There were reports of severe health issues, including paralysis in one dog, which was potentially linked to the food.
- Despite high ratings from sources like 'Dog Food Advisor,' some users were disappointed with the disconnect between their expectations and reality.
- Owners experienced a contradiction with perceived quality due to potential contamination concerns.

## Bottom Line

While the Instinct Original Grain Free Recipe with Real Beef Natural Dry Dog Food is praised for its high-quality ingredients, appealing to picky eaters under certain conditions, and competitive pricing, it is crucial for potential buyers to be aware of the notable scent issues and some alarming health-related reports. Consider pairing it with canned or fresh options to increase palatability or explore other alternatives if health concerns persist.

## Pros vs Cons at a Glance

| Pros | Cons |
|------|------|
| Many dogs showed immediate excitement and interest before the food was even opened, indicating appealing scent or packaging. | Several reviews mention a distinct, strong fishy odor even in the beef variant, which was unappealing to both owners and dogs. |
| Successfully used as a snack between meals, showing versatility in feeding routines. | Some dogs outright refused to eat the food, even with incentives like cooked turkey. |
| Both dogs, including a picky eater, really enjoyed the kibble when mixed appropriately. | There were reports of severe health issues, including paralysis in one dog, which was potentially linked to the food. |
| Owners report a notable decrease in rashes, itching, and excessive licking after switching to this food. | Despite high ratings from sources like 'Dog Food Advisor,' some users were disappointed with the disconnect between their expectations and reality. |
| Ingredients are perceived to be of good quality, contributing to the dogs' well-being. | Owners experienced a contradiction with perceived quality due to potential contamination concerns. |
| Praised for its good taste by various dogs, increasing consumption without issue. |  |
| Recognized for competitive pricing compared to other premium dry dog foods. |  |

## Current Prices

| Retailer | Price | Availability |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| pet-stash.com | $56.99  | Check |
| eCrater | $62.79  | Check |
| Nurturepet.com | $66.51  | Check |
| Bestdogfood144 | $74.99  | Check |
| BlackPaw | $74.99  | Check |
| Entirely Pets | $74.99  | Check |
| The Hound's Meow | $74.99  | Check |
| All Dogz Supply | $76.89  | Check |
| Amazon | $79.99  | Check |
| AZ Pet Foods | $79.99  | Check |
| Care About My Pet | $79.99  | Check |
| Chewy | $79.99  | Check |
| CountryMax | $79.99  | Check |
| Only Natural Pet | $79.99  | Check |
| Petco | $79.99  | Check |
| Petflow | $79.99  | Check |
| Petsense | $79.99  | Check |
| Poudre Pet and Feed Supply | $79.99  | Check |
| Poudre Pet and Feed Supply | $79.99  | Check |
| Wisconsin Humane Society | $79.99  | Check |

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*About this review: We pulled together findings from professional and user reviews, and cross-referenced them with ShopSavvy's pricing data from thousands of retailers to give you the short version.*