Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain-Free Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Cat Food
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Based on the belief that raw is the purest form of nutrition, Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain-Free Cage-Free Chicken Recipe Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Dry Cat Food was created to closely mirror the benefits of a raw diet. In fact, it has the highest levels of protein from real meat — absolutely no animal meal — and unmatched digestibility* for optimal nutrient absorption. Including guaranteed levels of live, natural probiotics, natural omegas and antioxidants, the result is a protein-rich kibble that’s easy on the tummy and great for skin, coat and immune health.
Key Benefits- 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.
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Item Number122322
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Weight1.8 pounds
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BrandNature's Variety
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LifestageAdult
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Food FormDry Food
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Special DietHigh-Protein, Grain-Free, Gluten Free, No Corn No Wheat No Soy, Pea-Free, Natural
Chicken, Tapioca, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Ground Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Whey Protein Concentrate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Montmorillonite Clay, Choline Chloride, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Taurine, Freeze Dried Chicken, Freeze Dried Chicken Liver, Pumpkinseeds, Freeze Dried Chicken Heart, Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product, Rosemary Extract.
Caloric Content4,470 kcal/kg, 491 kcal/cup
Guaranteed Analysis | |
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Crude Protein | 47.0% min |
Crude Fat | 17.0% min |
Crude Fiber | 3.0% max |
Moisture | 10.0% max |
Vitamin E | 100 IU/kg min |
Taurine | 0.15% min |
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) | 85 mg/kg min |
Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 0.35% min |
Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 2.5% min |
Bacillus Coagulants | 60,000,000 CFU/lb min |
Weight | Adult Maintenance Daily Feeding (cup) | Weight Loss Daily Feeding (cup) |
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5 lbs | 3/8 | 1/4 |
10 lbs | 1/2 | 3/8 |
15 lbs | 3/4 | 1/2 |
Ideal feeding amounts will vary by age, weight, and activity level so the guide below should be used as an initial recommendation. Divide the per day by the number of feedings per day. Be sure to always provide clean, fresh water. Along with dry food, we recommend feeding raw or wet food to help increase the amount of water in your pet’s diet.
Always introduce a new food over a period of 5 - 7 days, mixing increasing amounts of Instinct with the current food each day.


95% OF PROTEIN FROM REAL CHICKEN
Instinct Ultimate Protein is unlike any other pet food. These recipes have up to three times more real chicken than other premium natural brands, and 95% of the protein comes from real chicken versus vegetables or animal meals.

NO ANIMAL MEAL
Protein comes from pure animal sources, with absolutely no animal meals, like chicken meal or duck meal. These recipes are made without grain, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meal, or artificial ingredients.

NUTRITION MIRRORING
THE BENEFITS OF RAW
Instinct Ultimate Protein has unmatched digestibility for optimal nutrient absorption, compared to other premium natural brands. All with the pure, real nutrition of raw on every piece.
The Pure, Real Nutrition of Raw Is In Everything Instinct Does
Instinct's Responsibility as The Raw Brand
LEAD WITH RAW
It all started with Instinct's raw pet food. Since the beginning, they've led with raw because they know the good it can do. They're rewriting the rules of pet food and championing raw nutrition to bring its superior benefits to all that they do.
KEEP IT REAL
Delicious and nutritious pet food should only use real ingredients. For Instinct, this means all-natural, real meat, fruits and vegetables, with nothing artificial.
MAKE IT SIMPLE
Feeding raw should be simple, and it should easily fit into your everyday routine. Instinct believes raw should be accessible to pet parents so every pet can experience the benefits of raw nutrition.
DO IT TOGETHER
Instinct believes in the power of raw nutrition. It only makes sense to share it. Together with local shelters and volunteer efforts nationwide we’re on a mission to transform the lives of all pets.
MAKE IT BETTER
Instinct has never been afraid to challenge the status quo of pet nutrition. They continuously redefine what better means—always pushing their standards of nutrition to raise the bar in pet food.

About Instinct
Instinct believes deeply that it's up to them to find a way to make it possible for more people to feed their pets the pure, real nutrition that only comes from raw. They know that if they can get the nutrition of raw into more bowls, they'll transform the lives of more pets. And that's really why they do what they do.
Customer Reviews
92% Recommend
92% of reviewersrecommend this product
You've Already Reviewed This Item
215 Reviews
Showing 1-10 of 215 Reviews
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The British Love It!
By Maximus4FX on Feb 20, 2021
Maximus, ( 2-yr old, Indoor, Male British Shorthair.) just Loves this "Highest Protein" version of the grain-free dry food from Instinct. Max's transition time from the, Kitten...... to Adult.......to this current, Raw-High-Protein dry kibble has been very, very easy & fast. We now feed him soft food only once-a-day, and leaving a bit of this higher protein kibble out daily, ( thus far ) has kept Max active, aware without Ballooning-Up!! Brian.
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Finally, a happy cat
By Cris on Jan 14, 2021
I have an extremely finicky cat. I want to feed her a food with healthy, good quality ingredients, but was having a hard time with the first several ones I tried. Then I researched this food and found that I would be comfortable feeding it to Angel. Didn't really have much hope that she'd like it any more then she liked the other, but boy, she loved it. Thank God!
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10lb version's quality is lacking compared to 4lb version
By James on Dec 12, 2020
Although there were no holes, the 10lb bag has spikes protruding from the bag, which might explain why I don't really smell anything from the food (not fresh?). My cats did not eat the 10lb bag (even though they gobbled the 4lb bag). I wouldn't recommend this food based on these inconsistency issues. However, Chewy has great customer service and provided a prompt refund on it.
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Best food for Kibble Loving Cat
By TardisDance on Dec 12, 2020
I adopted an adult rescue cat from a hoarding situation. For months I tried to get her to eat wet food, but she was stubborn and refused despite the many tricks I tried. I finally compromised and decided to get a higher protein, lower carb food and this fits the bill. She took to this food right away. I have found she tends to eat a bit less of this food than the suggested serving size as I think it keeps her fuller longer
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FORMULA CHANGE?
By Jesseluv on Oct 31, 2020
Something has definitely changed. I have 6 rather picky fur babies & feed them several different high quality foods on rotation because they get bored. They have always loved the ultimate protein instinct & it’s been one of their favorites for years now. They always clean their plates and prefer this food to any other I would put down at the same time. The last 2 bags I received they won’t touch! The food sits there for days & they will eat anything else instead of it or nothing if it’s their only choice...& that’s all 6 of them! Even the ingredient list is different, tapioca didn’t used to be the 2nd ingredient listed-now it is....I guess it’s time to find a new favorite, I won’t keep wasting Something has definitely changed. I have 6 rather picky fur babies & feed them several different high quality foods on rotation because they get bored. They have always loved the ultimate protein instinct & it’s been one of their favorites for years now. They always clean their plates and prefer this food to any other I would put down at the same time. The last 2 bags I received they won’t touch! The food sits there for days & they will eat anything else instead of it or nothing if it’s their only choice...& that’s all 6 of them! Even the ingredient list is different, tapioca didn’t used to be the 2nd ingredient listed-now it is....I guess it’s time to find a new favorite, I won’t keep wasting money on food they won’t eat anymore! & I wouldn’t recommend it based on the ingredient list anymore either. Why did they have to change it? … more
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Quality ingredients, terrible packaging.
By Feng on Oct 16, 2020
I have been purchasing the 10 lbs version of this product many times in the past. This time, when the package arrived, I noticed the bag is not vacuum sealed, there are tons of air in the bag. When I squeeze the bag with my hand, I can easily push the air out, and even smell the flavor of chicken in the air. This is a very bad sign, it means that the bag is not air tight. Instead of the 18 months marketed shelf life, the cat food inside would go bad within 2-3 months. Upon further examination, I noticed there are literally hundreds of tiny punched holes, on each side of the bag. These holes exists both outside AND inside (see attached images). This is the reason why the bag is not air tight I have been purchasing the 10 lbs version of this product many times in the past. This time, when the package arrived, I noticed the bag is not vacuum sealed, there are tons of air in the bag. When I squeeze the bag with my hand, I can easily push the air out, and even smell the flavor of chicken in the air. This is a very bad sign, it means that the bag is not air tight. Instead of the 18 months marketed shelf life, the cat food inside would go bad within 2-3 months. Upon further examination, I noticed there are literally hundreds of tiny punched holes, on each side of the bag. These holes exists both outside AND inside (see attached images). This is the reason why the bag is not air tight. I then looked at another 10 lbs bag of the same cat food I purchased in the past. The same tiny holes, hundreds of them, on both side of the bag. Why make those tiny punch holes on the bag and make it not air tight? I also purchased dry cat food from other popular brands, none of their packaging have this problem. Unless Nature's Variety gives a reasonable explanation, I refuse to spend money on any more of their product. … more
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Maxweltons
By Ophelia on Feb 7, 2021
Another truly excellent product. My cats all but inhale it. I'm happy to see that it's produced in the USA
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Tapioca???
By oandgcat on Nov 30, 2020
Why is tapioca the second ingredient? When did the formula change? I feel so bamboozled. I try to feed my cats only THE BEST food possible to keep them healthy and strong. After feeding them this product for 2 years I will no longer recommend or buy this product and will be calling those whom i did recommend this to alert them of the ingredient change so they too no longer buy this. SO disappointed!
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Made both cats vomit
By CatPurrents on Nov 11, 2020
My cats never vomited with Wellness Core or Blue Buffalo. About 1 week after transitioning them to this food, they would vomit every time they ate it. They eat other food fine. Couldn’t recommend in good conscience.
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High Protein
By KJJW on Jan 8, 2021
All of our cats really love this food. We we put it in our feeder , they come immediately to eat it.