Instinct Dog Food for French Bulldogs
Instinct French Bulldog food, reviewed: who makes it, what is in it, and what it costs to feed a 25 lb Frenchie.
- Fresh Frozen Raw
- Freeze-Dried
- Kibble
- Complete and Balanced
- Made in USA
- Since 2002
- 1 Red Flag on Label
Instinct is owned by Agrolimen. Raw Boost Real Beef Recipe (Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef) is complete and balanced, with beef and chicken meal listed first. For a 25 lb Frenchie it costs about $1.79 a day.
- Instinct was founded in 2002. It is based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA (as of 2016).
- Instinct is owned by Agrolimen.
- Instinct food is made in USA.
- Raw Boost Real Beef Recipe (Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef) carries an AAFCO complete and balanced statement that covers puppies.
- Its first three ingredients are beef, chicken meal and peas. The label lists 1 of our eight red-flag ingredients.
- Feeding a 25 lb adult French Bulldog costs about $1.79 a day, or about $54.35 a month.
Agrolimen
Instinct is made by Nature's Variety, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (as of 2016). L Catterton made its initial investment in Nature's Variety in 2008, and Agrolimen formed a joint venture with L Catterton and other shareholders in July 2014. In May 2016 Agrolimen acquired the remaining shares; Nature's Variety said it would continue to operate as a stand-alone company. petfoodindustry.com
Ownership
Instinct French Bulldog Feeding and Cost Calculator
Calories from the AAHA formula (70 × body weight in kg to the 0.75 power, times your life-stage factor). Amount from this recipe’s published calories (423 kcal/cup (3,840 kcal/kg)). Price: $89.99 for 20 lb (brand site, November 2026). Start with the bag’s feeding chart and adjust every 2 to 3 weeks by body condition.
Instinct French Bulldog Food: What Is in It?
Raw Boost Real Beef Recipe (Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef)
- Beef
- Chicken Meal
- Peas
- Turkey Meal
- Chicken Fat
Full ingredient list (source: brand site)
Highlighted: ingredients on our red-flag list.
- No corn, wheat or soy
- Marine omega-3 source listed
- Gut-support ingredient listed
- Organ meat listed
- A named meat is the first ingredient
- Label covers puppies (growth or all life stages)
- Unnamed Meat Source. The animal species is not named (meat meal, animal fat, animal digest).
Instinct French Bulldog Food Label Facts
- AAFCO statement
- Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages except for growth of large size dogs (70 lbs or more as an adult).
- Life stage
- All life stages, except growth of large-size dogs
- Calories
- 423 kcal/cup (3,840 kcal/kg)
- Price
- $89.99 for 20 lb (brand site, read November 2026)
- Made
- Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world
Is Instinct Good for French Bulldogs?
- Marine omega-3s for skin, coat and joints
- Gut-support ingredients for a sensitive tummy
- A recipe labeled for growing puppies
- Is allergic or sensitive to chicken (this recipe lists chicken or poultry)
- Does poorly with peas or legumes (this recipe lists them)
- Should avoid our red-flag ingredients (unnamed meat source)
Matched from the label against our Food Finder checklist. Every Frenchie is different: itching, gas, loose stool or weight changes are worth a vet visit, and food changes should be gradual over 7 to 10 days.
Where Instinct French Bulldog Food Is Made and Sourced
Where It Is Made
Instinct says it makes its raw food 'with our own facilities and rigorous protocols.' Its RawBoost kibble is 'Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world' and combines high-protein kibble with freeze-dried raw pieces in the same bag. instinctpetfood.com
Ingredient Sourcing
Instinct states its RawBoost kibble is made in the USA with ingredients 'from around the world,' with USA-raised beef as the first ingredient in the beef recipe. The brand does not publish a full ingredient-origin list. instinctpetfood.com
“Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world”Instinct instinctpetfood.com
Instinct Product Lines
The Instinct Story
- 2002Founded; the founder was inspired by a raw, meat-based diet for tigers at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. instinctpetfood.com
- 2008L Catterton first invests in Nature's Variety. petfoodindustry.com
- 2014Agrolimen forms a joint venture with L Catterton and other shareholders. petfoodindustry.com
- 2016Agrolimen acquires the remaining shares of Nature's Variety from L Catterton and other shareholders. petfoodindustry.com
- 2020Joins the Pet Sustainability Coalition. instinctpetfood.com
Worth Knowing
- Proprietary 'SafeRaw' testing program for raw foods. instinctpetfood.com
Where to Buy Instinct French Bulldog Food
Amazon links are affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate, BFB earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Brand and Chewy links are not paid.
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Related French Bulldog Guides
Instinct French Bulldog Food: Common Questions
Who owns Instinct?
Instinct is made by Nature's Variety, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (as of 2016). L Catterton made its initial investment in Nature's Variety in 2008, and Agrolimen formed a joint venture with L Catterton and other shareholders in July 2014. In May 2016 Agrolimen acquired the remaining shares; Nature's Variety said it would continue to operate as a stand-alone company.
Where is Instinct made?
Instinct says it makes its raw food 'with our own facilities and rigorous protocols.' Its RawBoost kibble is 'Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world' and combines high-protein kibble with freeze-dried raw pieces in the same bag.
Is Instinct good for French Bulldogs?
It depends on your dog. Raw Boost Real Beef Recipe (Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef) is complete and balanced for all life stages, except growth of large-size dogs. Its label lists unnamed meat source, which are on our red-flag list. It contains chicken, a common trigger for itchy dogs. Talk to your vet about allergies, weight or health conditions before switching.
How much Instinct should I feed a 25 lb French Bulldog?
About 6.4 oz of Raw Boost Real Beef Recipe (Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef) a day for a 25 lb spayed or neutered adult, based on about 692 calories a day and the label’s 423 kcal/cup (3,840 kcal/kg). Start with the bag’s chart and adjust by body condition every 2 to 3 weeks.
How much does Instinct cost per day for a French Bulldog?
About $1.79 a day, or $54.35 a month, for a 25 lb adult. That uses $89.99 for 20 lb from brand site, read November 2026.
Does Raw Boost Real Beef Recipe (Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Beef) contain chicken?
Yes. The ingredient list includes chicken or poultry.
How long has Instinct been in business?
Instinct was founded in 2002.
Sources
- instinctpetfood.com: about us
- petfoodindustry.com: 5820 agrolimen acquires natures variety
- instinctpetfood.com: raw boost beef dry dog food
- instinctpetfood.com
- instinctpetfood.com: dog frozen raw meals
- instinctpetfood.com: dog freshdried
- instinctpetfood.com: dog boosted kibble
- instinctpetfood.com: peakboost
- instinctpetfood.com: dog original kibble
- instinctpetfood.com: benatural
- instinctpetfood.com: freshly crafted meals
- instinctpetfood.com: the best grain free dog kibble with a boost of raw nutrition
- dogfoodadvisor.com: natures variety instinct raw boost dry
- instinctpetfood.com: rawboost kibble beef
Facts were read on the sources above in November 2026. Brands change recipes, owners and prices; tell us if something is out of date at hello@bestfrenchbulldog.com. This page is for education and is not veterinary advice. Listing a brand is not an endorsement, and no brand pays to be listed.