Is Instinct good?

We graded 3 Instinct products (wet dog foods, dry cat foods, wet cat foods). The best is Original Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free at 66/100, grade C, ranked 14 of 15 dry cat foods. Its other products score between 53 and 63.

  1. InstinctOriginal Real Chicken Recipe Grain-FreeDry cat foodSafety30/30Nutrition14.5/25Owners16.4/30Value5.6/15$2.10 per 1,000 kcal
  2. InstinctOriginal Grain-Free Real Chicken RecipeWet dog foodSafety30/30Nutrition14.5/25Owners15/30Value3.7/15$0.30 per oz
  3. InstinctOriginal Grain-Free Pâté Variety PackWet cat foodSafety30/30Nutrition14.5/25Owners3.9/30Value4.3/15$0.55 per oz

Recall history

We found no recalls for Instinct brand lines since 2016. Older and less related recalls count for less in our grades.

Who makes it and WSAVA nutrition standards

Instinct is made by Instinct (Nature’s Variety). Here is how it answered the WSAVA questions, as reported by the Pet Nutrition Alliance:

  • Employs a full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist (DACVIM Nutrition or ECVCN).
  • Owns 25% of the plants that make its food and uses a contract manufacturer for the rest.
  • Answered the survey and shared nutrient data on request.
  • No in-house research program publishing in peer-reviewed journals that we could find.

Questions

Is Instinct a good brand?

We graded 3 Instinct products (wet dog foods, dry cat foods, wet cat foods). The best is Original Real Chicken Recipe Grain-Free at 66/100, grade C, ranked 14 of 15 dry cat foods. Its other products score between 53 and 63. Grades compare each product with other best-sellers in the same category.

Has Instinct had a recall?

We found no recalls for Instinct brand lines since 2016.

Who makes Instinct?

Instinct (Nature’s Variety).

Does Instinct meet WSAVA guidelines?

WSAVA doesn't approve brands, but it lists questions owners should ask a pet food maker. Instinct (Nature’s Variety) answered them and scores 14.5 of 25 on our nutrition standards check.

Prices, ratings and recalls checked October 2026. How we grade.