Made with the most wholesome ingredients that are sourced from reputable suppliers, Instinct by Nature’s Variety is a premium quality dog food. But which option should you put in your dog bowl?
Below, we showcase our picks for the top Instinct dog food formulas. To learn more about each recipe, read through the following reviews, which highlight the ingredients used in each formula and the benefits they provide.
Best Instinct Dog Foods
1. Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food
First on our list of the best Instinct dog food is their Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken. As a grain free dog food, this recipe is completely free of corn, soy, wheat, and other gluten-based ingredients that are known allergens for canines. It’s also free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, all harsh ingredients that have been found to have adverse effects on the health of our furry best friends’.
While this recipe lacks things that aren’t good for your pooch, there’s no shortage of wholesome goodness! The first ingredient is cage-free chicken, which is followed by chicken meal, and turkey meal, so it offers up plenty of protein and will support the development of lean muscle mass. Protein is vital for all dogs, but particularly for canines that are prone to joint issues.
Chickpeas and peas offer plenty of fiber to fuel your pup’s energy level and aid in his digestion. It’s also packed with a bevy of healthful fruits and vegetables, including carrots, and apples, which will nourish your fur-bay with probiotics, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants. It’s suitable for all adult dogs too, so whether you’re looking for a food for small dogs, a food for large dogs, or a senior dog food, this recipe will satisfy his needs.
What We Like About It
- Cage-free chicken is the first ingredient
- Packed with essential nutrients
- Derived of 70 percent real animal protein
- Contains 30 percent wholesome ingredients, including fruits, and vegetables
- Grain free
- No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
- Features antiodidants and omega fatty acids
- Made in the USA
Reasons to Complain
- Some users said that they had issues with the packaging
Final Verdict: Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food is made of healthful, natural ingredients to satisfy your pup’s nutritional needs and his taste buds.
2. Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food
If your furry friend is genetically predisposed to joint issues, such as hip and elbow dysplasia or arthritis, your veterinarian may have recommended a high protein dog food. Protein helps to support the development of lean muscle mass, which is the foundation of strong, healthy joints, so offering your dog optimal amounts of protein could help to prevent joint problems.
Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food features cage-free chicken as the first ingredient and contains freeze dried bits of raw meat throughout the kibble, making it a protein packed food that will nourish your dog’s joints; plus, he’ll love the meaty flavor.
Protein isn’t the only vital nutrient that this recipe contains; it’s also specially formulated heightened levels of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids (compared to the average dry dog food). Omegas nourish the skin and coat and play an important part in brain and eye development. It’s also rich in antioxidants, which strengthen the immune system so that your pet is prepared to fight off infections.
Other ingredients featured in this raw, freeze-dried dog food include pumpkin seeds, carrots, apples, cranberries, blueberries, and dried kelp, all of which contain vitamins and minerals that are crucial for the overall health and well being of your pooch. Like all Instinct dog food formulas, this recipe is grain free and contains absolutely no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, so it’s easy to digest and won’t cause any adverse reactions. It’s also suitable for small, medium, and large breed dogs, so whether you have a Boston terrier, a Maltese, a Dalmatian, or a Mastiff, this recipe will nourish your pup.
What We Like About It
- Packed with protein, including cage-free chicken as the first ingredient
- Features bits of freeze-dried raw animal protein
- Contains heightened levels of probiotics and omega fatty acids
- Grain free
- Free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Made in the USA
- Palatable flavor
Reasons to Complain
- A few pet parents said that it had a strong odor
Final Verdict: Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food serves up a healthy amount of protein and other essential nutrients to ensure your pup is well-nourished so he can live his best life.
3. Instinct by Nature’s Variety Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Lamb Dry Dog Food
If you’re on the market for a premium quality dog food for allergies, the Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Lamb Dry Dog Food from Instinct is an option that you should definitely consider. It’s made with minimal ingredients so you’ll know exactly what your pet is eating, which makes it easier to control food allergies.
The ingredient profile includes a single animal protein and a single vegetable: grass-fed lamb and peas. Lamb is an excellent source of protein that is easy to digest, and peas are a great source of fiber; combined these two ingredients support the development of lean muscle mass and fuel energy levels. This recipe also contains guaranteed levels of naturally occurring antioxidants and omega fatty acids, so it strengths the immune system and nourishes the skin and coat.
Like all other Instinct formulas, it’s gluten-free; however, it’s also free of other known canine allergens, such as chicken, beef, fish, eggs, dairy, and potatoes, as well as artificial preservatives and colors. Most reviewers said that they are very impressed with this limited ingredient recipe from Instinct, and so are we.
What We Like About It
- Made with a single source of protein and one vegetable: grass-fed lamb and peas
- Does not contain known allergens, like gluten-based ingredients, potatoes, rice, poultry, fish, and beef
- Fortified with essential nutrients
- Limited ingredients
- Made in the USA
Reasons to Complain
- Some customers said that the packaging was torn when they received the food
- Others said that they think the formula has changed
Final Verdict: Thanks to the minimal ingredients used in Instinct by Nature’s Variety Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Recipe with Real Lamb Dry Dog Food, you’ll have a better handle on your pup’s food sensitivities while ensuring that he is receiving the vital nutrition that he needs to thrive.
4. Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food
Whether your four-legged friend has packed on a few extra pounds or he is a robust eater and you want to keep his weight in check, consider feeding him Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain-Free Recipe Dry Dog Food. It has a reduced fat and calorie content, so it will help your pup maintain a trim physique.
The addition of l-carnitine also aids in weight control, as it boosts metabolism, which helps burn fat. Furthermore, it contains the perfect amount of fiber, so your pooch will be satiated for a longer period of time, which will prevent overeating.
The first ingredient in this recipe is cage-free chicken, a prime source of protein that supports the development of lean muscle mass and strengthens joints. Other wholesome ingredients include blueberries, dried kelp, pumpkin, carrots, and apples. Of course, it’s also grain-free and contains absolutely no byproducts, and is free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
What We Like About It
- Contains 25 percent less fat and 15 percent fewer calories than Instinct Raw Boost
- Features l-carnitine, which enhances metabolism and helps burn fat
- Optimal fiber levels keep your dog satiated longer
- Cage-free chicken is the first ingredient
- Freeze dried protein-rich kibble throughout
- Grain free
- Contains no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or byproduct meals
- Made in the USA
Reasons to Complain
- Some users said that their dogs didn’t like the taste
Final Verdict: Keep your dog’s weight in-check with Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Healthy Weight Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food. The reduced calorie and fat content, the increased fiber content, and the addition of l-carnitine will help your pup maintain a healthy weight while ensuring that he receives the vital nutrients he needs to thrive.
5. Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Dog Food
If your dog tends to turn his nose up to dry kibble or he just has a hard time eating it, you might want to consider feeding him a wet dog food, and Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Dog Food is a fantastic option to choose. It offers a moist, meaty texture and a savory flavor that your pup will love, and it contains the wholesome goodness that he needs to thrive, which you’ll love.
This recipe is chock-full of protein; in fact, 95 percent of this wet food is protein, including cage-free chicken, turkey, and chicken liver. With so much protein, your dog’s joints will be super strong and he could potentially avoid developing issues like hip and elbow dysplasia and arthritis. The remaining 5 percent of this formula is derived of wholesome ingredients, like blueberries, tomato, pumpkin, artichokes, broccoli, cabbage, parsley, and kale.
It’s loaded omega fatty acids, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and other essential vitamins and minerals that canines need to thrive. Of course, it’s completely grain free and contains absolutely no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Most pet parents said that their dogs’ loved the taste and that they saw a dramatic improvement in their furry loved ones’ overall health.
What We Like About It
- Grain free
- Comprised of 95 percent protein and 5 percent fruits, vegetables, and other wholesome ingredients
- Features a wealth of essential nutrients
- Meaty texture and palatable flavor
- Made in the USA
Reasons to Complain
- A few customers said that the cans were dented when they received them
Final Verdict: Even the pickiest dogs will love the taste and texture of Instinct by Nature’s Variety Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Recipe Natural Wet Canned Food. It’s made with the healthiest ingredients that have been sourced from reputable suppliers and offers all of the essential nutrients that canines need to thrive.
Instinct Dog Food Buyer’s Guide
As a pet parent, making sure that your dog is well cared for is your top priority. Of all the care you offer your pooch, the type of food you feed him is the most important. A balanced diet full of wholesome ingredients is the foundation of a long, happy, and healthy life.
Nature’s Instinct is one of the best dog brands on the market. By offering your pet any of the recipes made by this brand, you can have peace of mind knowing that his nutritional needs are being met.
About Instinct Dog Food
Instinct dog food is made by Nature’s Variety, a small independent dog food manufacturer that is based in St Louis and manufactures its products in Lincoln.
Nature’s Variety goal is to ensure that the pets they feed are receiving the vital nutrients they need from the highest quality ingredients while also appealing to the instinctual cravings of canines. They developed Instinct dog food to meet their goal. Made with wholesome ingredients that are sourced from the most reputable suppliers around the world, every Instinct recipe delivers optimal levels of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients that dogs need to thrive. Plus, the freeze dried raw pieces that are added to each recipe offer a flavor that most dogs find extremely palatable.
Summing It Up
Instinct by Nature’s Variety is a premier dog food brand. Made with the highest quality ingredients and packed with essential nutrients, your four-legged friend will flourish when you offer him any of the Instinct dog food recipes. While we think that the recipes featured in this review are the best that this manufacturer offers, there is no doubt that all of their other formulas are just as high quality and offer the same level of wholesome goodness.
Sources:
