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Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Cat Food

Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Cat Food
Company info
Company HQ
Lincoln, Nebraska
Parent company
M.I. Industries
Product info
Age Range: Kitten
Food Form Dry Kitten Food
Cost per day: $0.17
Primary proteins
  • Chicken
  • Turkey Meal
  • Menhaden Fish Meal
  • Egg Product

Ingredients

Chicken, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Egg Product, Chicken Meal, White Fish Meal (Pacific Whiting, Pacific Sole, Pacific Rockfish), Tapioca, Natural Flavor, Lamb Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Carrots, Apples, Cranberries, Montmorillonite Clay, Vitamins (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), Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Potassium Chloride, Salt, Taurine, Freeze Dried Chicken, Freeze Dried Chicken Liver, Pumpkinseeds, Freeze Dried Chicken Heart, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.

Overall Score

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77%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 73%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 76%
? We scan the FDA’s database and rate each brand by the number of recalls in its history. Brands with fewer recalls receive higher ratings. Recall History 100%
? By comparing the prices of foods in our database, we determine if a food is above or below market average price. Lower-priced foods receive higher ratings. Price 48%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 84%
? Our rating system evaluates each food’s manufacturing method, assigning higher ratings to manufacturing processes that promote higher nutritional value. Manufacturing Method 40%
? Based on the variety of sizes available. Size Variety 100%

Estimated Nutrient Content

To understand the nutrient content of pet food, we visualize its macronutrient composition in three ways. In the charts below, you’ll see a guaranteed analysis on an as-fed basis, a dry matter analysis, and a breakdown of the food’s macronutrients on a calorie-weighted basis.

Remember that all of these values are estimates based on the guaranteed analysis published by the company, and the food’s actual nutrient values may be slightly different.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Protein: 42.5%

Fat: 22.5%

Fiber: 3%

Moisture: 9%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 23%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 46.7%

Fat: 24.73%

Fiber: 3.3%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 25.27%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 35.37%

Fat: 45.48%

Carb: 19.14%

Our Review

Pros
  • To our knowledge, Instinct has never had a product recall
  • Freeze-dried food retains the nutritional value of raw meat
  • Supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption
  • Doesn’t contain fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
  • Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
  • Has all the nutrients your kitten or mother cat needs
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains a small amount of plant-based proteins
  • Freeze dried cat food requires rehydration, which is time-consuming
  • Some cats may be allergic to fish

Recall History

The following list (if present) shows all cat food recalls related to Instinct since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.

Since 2011 Instinct has never been recalled.

Ingredient Review

Our review of Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Cat Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Chicken. Chicken is meat from the domesticated bird of the same name. In pet food, chicken is used as a primary protein source.

The second ingredient is Turkey Meal. The turkey meal in pet food is typically a byproduct of turkey meat production. Turkey meal is high in protein, and is easy for pets to digest. It is a good source of B vitamins and amino acids to support your pet’s overall well-being.

The third ingredient is Menhaden Fish Meal. Menhaden fish meal is dried, ground tissue from menhaden fish. In pet food, menhaden fish meal serves as a source of protein, amino acids, and essential fatty acids to help keep your companion’s skin and coat healthy.

The fourth ingredient is Peas. Pea is a general term to describe whole, split, or milled peas, which are a grain-free, gluten-free source of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. In pet food, pea products serve as an energy source as well as a supplementary source of vitamins and minerals.

The fifth ingredient is Chicken Fat. Chicken fat is a good source of omega-6 fatty acids including linoleic acid. In pet food, chicken fat also adds flavor, improves consistency, and serves as a source of the animal fat pets need for overall wellbeing.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Cat Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per lb

Product Price

$5.88

Market Price avg.

$4.86

% From the Avg

+21%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.29

Market Price avg.

$0.28

% From the Avg

+4%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.17

Market Price avg.

$0.17

% From the Avg

+3%

Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Cat Food is priced within the average market price for dry kitten food.

Nutritional Analysis

Because kittens are rapidly growing and developing, they have higher requirements for calories, protein, and other nutrients. Kitten foods have a higher caloric density to provide for the energy needs for growth. It’s recommended that kittens consume a kitten diet until they reach 1 year of age.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Cat Food to the other 51 dry kitten food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

46.7%

All Products avg.

40.93%

% From the Avg

+14%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

24.73%

All Products avg.

20.41%

% From the Avg

+21%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

3.3%

All Products avg.

4.05%

% From the Avg

-19%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

25.27%

All Products avg.

32.98%

% From the Avg

-23%

Analysis Overview

Overall, this is a meat based food that’s high in protein with high fat and low carbohydrate content relative to other dry kitten foods.

Disclaimer and Disclosure

At Pet Food Sherpa, our primary goal is to provide pet owners like you with accurate, relevant, and unbiased information about pet nutrition. As such, we do not accept gifts or incentives as motivation to include certain products in our reviews.

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