Instinct Ultimate Protein Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Cat Food, 10-lb bag

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About This Item

Details

  • 95% protein from real chicken and completely free of animal meal!
  • Unmatched digestibility* for optimal nutrient absorption.
  • Guaranteed levels of live, natural probiotics, natural omegas and antioxidants support digestive health, healthy skin and coat, and immune health.
  • Made in the USA using premium ingredients from around the world, with the pure nutrition of raw in every piece.
  • It’s the only kibble with the pure, real nutrition of raw in every piece. Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world.

Ingredient Information

Feeding Instructions

Learn More About Instinct From Our Team of Experts

About Instinct Ultimate Protein Kibble for Cats

Real, Wholesome Ingredients

Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world, Instinct Ultimate Protein pate is available in varieties featuring your cat’s favorite meats—farm-raised rabbit and cage-free chicken. Each grain-free recipe offers natural nutrition thoughtfully balanced with whole-food ingredients like flaxseed for healthy digestion and menhaden fish oil for skin and coat health.

Ultimate Protein Kibble

Instinct’s Ultimate Protein recipes are high in protein and completely free from animal meal for optimal nutrient absorption. And with freeze-dried raw coating on every piece of kibble, adding the nutrition and taste of raw into your pet’s diet is easy!

Real Animal Protein

These recipes are crafted with real animal protein versus vegetables or meals. They also deliver unmatched digestibility to support a happy tummy, so your feline friend can feel her absolute best.

Pure, Real Nutrition of Raw on Every Piece

PACKED WITH PROTEIN

At least 90% of protein comes from real chicken or duck.

MORE MEAT

Up to 3x more chicken or duck is included compared to some other premium natural cat food brands.

PROBIOTICS

Live, natural probiotics are included to support your cat’s digestive health.

OMEGAS

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support skin and coat health.

ANTIOXIDANTS

Antioxidants help support immune health.

MADE WITHOUT FILLERS

These recipes are made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, animal meal, by-product meal or artificial colors or preservatives.

RAW COATING

Instinct crushes and tumbles their freeze-dried raw with their kibble, ensuring raw is on every piece!

The Benefits of Raw

Instinct believes that eating a diet rich in raw, unprocessed foods is just as good for our pets as it is for us. They make every meal with the understanding that real, less-processed, whole raw foods can have the power to transform lives.

Better Digestion

More Energy & Vitality

Weight Improvement

Improved Skin And Coat

Excitement At Mealtime

About Instinct

Instinct is on a mission to transform the lives of pets, and they believe that starts with the power of raw nutrition. For over 20 years, Instinct has been making delicious, wholesome pet food in their own kitchens in Lincoln, Nebraska. Their science-backed recipes incorporate raw into everything they do, whether it’s 100% raw frozen and freeze-dried meals, raw toppers or raw-boosted kibble. Using the highest quality and food safety standards, Instinct makes raw recipes you can trust.

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Questions & Answers

38 Customer Questions


What is the carbohydrate percentage?

Answer by ChewyMay 25, 2020
This food has a carbohydrate content of 12% as fed.

Can I handle this dry food with bare hands or do I need to take extra precautions the same way I would when handling raw chicken?

Answer by ChewyAug 22, 2019
This item can be handled with bare hands.

Hi! How many cups of food per bag?

Answer by ChewyJan 17, 2019
The 1.8 pound bag contains approximately 7.2 cups, the 4 pound bag contains approximately 16 cups and the 10 pound bag contains approximately 40 cups.

How much protein does come from chicken and how much protein comes from tapioca? Thank you

Answer by ChewyAug 21, 2018
In this formula, 95% of the protein comes from chicken and the other 5% comes from all of the other ingredients.

4.4
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars
570 Ratings

Customers Mention

Chewy identifies key considerations with the help of artificial intelligence and our veterinarians.

Digestibility

82% Positive

Ingredients

83% Positive

Nutritional Value

83% Positive

Palatability

77% Positive

367 Customer Reviews



Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Stephanie on Jan 16, 2026
Top 500 Contributor

My oldest cat loves this!

I was looking for a new premium high protein dry food for Lucy, my almost 14 year old cat. She eats some wet, but loves her dry. She has been losing weight over

I was looking for a new premium high protein dry food for Lucy, my almost 14 year old cat. She eats some wet, but loves her dry. She has been losing weight over the past couple of years. So I try to find foods she likes, so she eats more. She wasn't liking the current food she was eating. Instinct is 47% crude protein. Previous one was 50%. Lucy loved it immediately. Three weeks later, she is still loving it. It has a lot of good high quality ingredients. I would highly recommend it.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Sandy on Dec 30, 2025

Both boys love it!

We had to find a kibble that was higher in protein. We have a diabetic cat who is in remission and no longer on insulin. He has primarily a wet food diet now

We had to find a kibble that was higher in protein. We have a diabetic cat who is in remission and no longer on insulin. He has primarily a wet food diet now. However, we needed to have a kibble that was high in protein and at least a little lower in carbs for him to eat when we are not at home to give the wet food. He loves this and it is at least a little lower in carbs and is higher in protein and something he will eat. Both of my boys love it. It is also grain free which also meets another need our boy had. It has been a positive change for our boys!


Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Elizabeth on Dec 24, 2025

It's a hit! My cat loves the stuff.

My three year old tuxedo has been on Instinct cat food since I found her by the side of the freeway at seven weeks old. Figaro grazes over 2/3 cup dry kibble daily

My three year old tuxedo has been on Instinct cat food since I found her by the side of the freeway at seven weeks old. Figaro grazes over 2/3 cup dry kibble daily. Most times she'd leave some for next day. However, when I switched to Ultimate Protein formula she's now devouring the cat food. Literally crying the next morning for more food. So I have to make sure that my indoor, 10 pound cat is not over eating so I had to adjust the quantity I put in her bowl. Figaro is still getting 2/3 a cup per day but I give her half in the morning and the rest in the afternoon. I'll check with my vet on her next visit to see if I need to make any adjustments.


Rated 3 out of 5 stars
By Robert on Dec 28, 2025

Product Excellent...packing Horrible

Although the food is excellent, the packing was NOT. Why Chewy would place a large plastic litter container on top of a bag of food, is beyond me. It came with a

Although the food is excellent, the packing was NOT. Why Chewy would place a large plastic litter container on top of a bag of food, is beyond me. It came with a huge hole in the bag of food and it was loose all over the box. This wasn't the delivery service, this is the fault of Chewy. Do Better.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Jasmine on Dec 28, 2025

Ingredients

I love this food for my kitty. Great ingredients. His coat is beautiful and soft. He always has perfect stool. He loves the taste. His weight is great. Highly r

I love this food for my kitty. Great ingredients. His coat is beautiful and soft. He always has perfect stool. He loves the taste. His weight is great. Highly recommend.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Catherine on Jan 14, 2026

Kibble

Hennessey loves this but is not allowed to eat much dry food. I add about 1/2tablespoon as “sprinkles” on top of his wet food.

Hennessey loves this but is not allowed to eat much dry food. I add about 1/2tablespoon as “sprinkles” on top of his wet food.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Joy on Jan 14, 2026

Amazing Nutrition for Ferrets

It’s hard to find ferret food without peas and other poor fillers. This particular version of Nature’s Instinct is pea free.

It’s hard to find ferret food without peas and other poor fillers. This particular version of Nature’s Instinct is pea free.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By John on Nov 12, 2025

Dry cat food without all the grains

Vinny is allergic to many peas!rice,salmon,oats, which are in almost every dry food.he refuses to eat canned food.instinct has cleared up all the severe redness

Vinny is allergic to many peas!rice,salmon,oats, which are in almost every dry food.he refuses to eat canned food.instinct has cleared up all the severe redness and itching on his belly.


Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Chris on Dec 2, 2025

Instinct ultimate 95%

Our pack loves this stuff. Only the 95% version. They won't touch the other versions of this brand. It's a bit expensive but worth it.

Our pack loves this stuff. Only the 95% version. They won't touch the other versions of this brand. It's a bit expensive but worth it.


Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Janette on Oct 27, 2025

UTI

One cat has acquired a bladder infection since starting this food and has been placed on a prescription wet food diet. Others don't care for it. The search goes

One cat has acquired a bladder infection since starting this food and has been placed on a prescription wet food diet. Others don't care for it. The search goes on.