What's actually in Instinct?
We analyzed Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken, their flagship cat formula from Nature's Variety. The first ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, sweet potato, fish oil, and mixed tocopherols.
Chicken at #1 and chicken meal at #2 deliver a strong protein foundation for obligate carnivores. Sweet potato at #3 replaces grains as the primary carbohydrate source — lower glycemic than corn or wheat and more digestible for cats. Fish oil provides marine-sourced omega-3s. Natural preservation with mixed tocopherols keeps the formula clean. Shop on Amazon →
The good stuff
The grain-free approach is well-suited for cats. As obligate carnivores, cats have no biological need for grains, and Instinct avoids corn, wheat, soy, and all grain-based fillers. Sweet potato as the carbohydrate source is a significant step up from the corn and wheat that dominate budget cat foods.
Instinct's signature feature is freeze-dried raw coating on the kibble pieces. This coating adds flavor and nutrition from minimally processed ingredients — raw meat that's been freeze-dried to preserve enzymes and nutrients destroyed by standard kibble extrusion. It's a unique delivery system that bridges the gap between convenience kibble and raw feeding.
Fish oil provides EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids for skin, coat, and cognitive health. Natural preservation throughout — no artificial colors, flavors, or chemical preservatives. The formula avoids the most common cat food allergens, making it a reasonable option for cats with food sensitivities.
The not-so-good stuff
The rich, high-protein formula may be too intense for cats with sensitive stomachs, especially during transition from grain-based foods. The freeze-dried raw coating, while nutritionally beneficial, may pose a minor contamination risk if not handled properly — standard food safety practices apply.
Protein diversity is limited to chicken in two forms. Cats benefit from varied animal protein sources for broader amino acid coverage. Brands like Orijen (A/91) deliver protein from multiple species — chicken, turkey, and fish — in a single formula.
Price is a concern. Instinct typically costs more per pound than comparable B-tier brands like Taste of the Wild (B/76), which delivers similar nutritional quality from a different protein source (trout and salmon) at a lower cost. The freeze-dried raw coating adds value but also adds cost. Limited retail availability compared to mainstream brands can make comparison shopping difficult.
How it compares
Instinct's B/78 ties it with Nutro and Merrick near the top of the B tier, just below Wellness (B/80). The grain-free approach and raw coating differentiate it from the grain-inclusive competition at the same score.
Against the top-tier brands, Instinct trails Nulo (B/88) by 10 points and Orijen (A/91) by 13. The gap comes primarily from protein diversity — the A-tier brands pack more animal species into their formulas with organ meats that Instinct doesn't include.
Against budget brands, the gap is dramatic. Instinct scores 20 points above Purina Pro Plan (C/56) and 40 above Meow Mix (F/18). If you're upgrading from a grocery store cat food, Instinct is a meaningful step up.
Read the full breakdowns in our head-to-head comparisons: Instinct Kitten vs Instinct and Instinct Raw Boost vs Instinct.
For Instinct's freeze-dried raw topper (NOT a complete diet), see our Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Cage-Free Chicken Topper (B/79) review scored under the Fresh Food Rubric v1.0 §16 mixer rules — use only as a supplement to a complete-and-balanced base diet.
The bottom line
Instinct Original Grain-Free earns a B grade (78/100) from KibbleIQ. The chicken-first, grain-free formula with fish oil omega-3s and freeze-dried raw coating delivers premium nutrition with a unique twist. Limited protein diversity and premium pricing keep it from the A tier. If the raw-coating concept appeals to you and grain-free is a priority, Instinct is a strong choice — just know that the score matches competitors that cost less per serving. Shop on Amazon →