What's actually in Instinct Kitten?
We analyzed Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken, the kitten-specific formula from Nature's Variety. The first five ingredients are chicken, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, peas, and chicken fat.
Chicken at #1 is a named whole meat — the best possible first ingredient for a kitten food. Turkey meal at #2 is concentrated protein from a second animal species, and menhaden fish meal at #3 adds a third. Three animal proteins before any plant ingredient is a strong foundation for growing kittens, who need higher protein levels than adult cats. Peas at #4 are the first non-animal ingredient, serving as a carbohydrate and fiber source. Chicken fat at #5 provides essential fatty acids and energy density. Shop on Amazon →
The good stuff
The protein diversity is outstanding for a kitten formula. Six named animal protein sources appear across the ingredient list: chicken, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, egg product, chicken meal, white fish meal, and lamb meal. That's actually seven distinct protein sources from multiple species — poultry, fish, egg, and lamb — delivering a broad amino acid profile that supports the rapid growth and development kittens need. Egg product in particular is one of the most bioavailable protein sources available, providing every essential amino acid in highly digestible form.
The freeze-dried raw inclusions set this formula apart from the adult version. Freeze-dried chicken, chicken liver, and chicken heart are minimally processed ingredients that preserve nutrients and enzymes destroyed during standard kibble extrusion. Chicken liver delivers vitamin A, B vitamins, and iron. Chicken heart is one of the richest natural sources of taurine — the amino acid cats cannot adequately synthesize on their own that's essential for heart function and vision. Most kitten foods add synthetic taurine; Instinct Kitten provides it from actual organ meat.
Bacillus coagulans is a spore-forming probiotic that survives the high temperatures of kibble manufacturing — a meaningful inclusion rather than a marketing afterthought. Fruits and vegetables (apples, carrots, cranberries) add natural antioxidants. Pumpkinseeds provide zinc and healthy fats. No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives — rosemary extract handles natural preservation.
The not-so-good stuff
Peas at the #4 position are concerning. Combined with tapioca further down the list, this grain-free formula relies on legumes and starches as its carbohydrate base. The FDA's investigation into potential links between legume-heavy diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs has raised broader awareness about legume-forward pet food formulas. The research is primarily focused on dogs, and the legume load here is more moderate than some competitors, but it's still worth noting.
Tapioca is a starch filler with minimal nutritional value — it's essentially empty carbohydrates used for binding and texture. In a formula that otherwise prioritizes premium animal proteins, tapioca feels like a cost-saving choice.
Montmorillonite clay (bentonite) appears in the formula as an anti-caking agent. While generally recognized as safe in pet food, some nutritionists flag concerns about long-term clay ingestion, including potential mineral binding that could reduce nutrient absorption. It's a minor inclusion, but one that more premium-focused brands tend to avoid.
Price is significant. Instinct Kitten typically costs more per pound than most kitten formulas, including other premium options. Kittens eat proportionally more food relative to body weight than adults, so the cost impact is amplified during the first year.
How it compares
The biggest comparison is within the Instinct line itself. Instinct Kitten (A/90) scores 12 points higher than the adult Instinct Original (B/78). The kitten formula earns that gap through dramatically better protein diversity — seven animal sources versus the adult's chicken-only approach — plus freeze-dried raw organ meats that the adult formula doesn't include. Read the full breakdown: Instinct Kitten vs Instinct Cat.
At A/90, Instinct Kitten ties with Acana Cat and sits just one point below Orijen Cat (A/91) — the highest-scoring cat food in our database. All three are grain-free, protein-forward formulas from premium brands. Orijen wins on fresh meat ratio, while Instinct Kitten's freeze-dried raw inclusions and kitten-specific formulation give it a unique edge for growing cats.
Against other kitten-specific formulas in our database, the gap is dramatic. Nulo (B/88) is the closest B-tier competitor. Budget kitten options like Purina Pro Plan Kitten (C/58) and Royal Canin Kitten (C/58) score 32 points lower — a full two grades behind.
The bottom line
Instinct Original Kitten Grain-Free Chicken earns an A grade (90/100) from KibbleIQ — a dramatic improvement over the adult formula and one of the highest scores in our cat food database. Seven named animal protein sources, freeze-dried raw organ meats, egg product, probiotics, and a clean supplement profile make this an exceptional choice for growing kittens. The legume base, tapioca filler, and premium pricing are real concerns, but the nutritional density is hard to beat. If you're willing to invest in premium kitten nutrition during that critical first year, Instinct Kitten delivers. Shop on Amazon →