Our Verdict
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet is made up of two wet recipes with ratings that vary from 4.5 to 5. The average rating of the brand overall is 5 stars.
Pros
- High in protein
- First ingredient listed as animal meat
- Added vitamins
- Good moisture content
Cons
- Contains plant based protein
- Limited range
The table below shows each recipe in the range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Real Rabbit Recipe | 4 | M |
| Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Real Turkey Recipe | 5 | M |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Real Turkey Recipe was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Real Turkey Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Turkey, turkey broth, turkey liver, peas, pea protein, montmorillonite clay, marine microalgae oil, potassium chloride, ground flaxseed, minerals (iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, potassium iodide), choline chloride, salt, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid), taurine, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is turkey. Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”. 1
Turkey is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The second ingredient is turkey broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a cat food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The third ingredient is turkey liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.
The fifth ingredient is pea protein, what remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable.
Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label — a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.
The sixth ingredient is montmorillonite clay, a naturally occurring compound rich in many trace minerals. Montmorillonite has been approved for use in USDA Organic Certified products.
Reported benefits include the binding of certain mold-based toxins and even controlling diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The seventh ingredient is marine microalgae oil. Marine microalgae oil is usually included as a plant based source of omega 3 fatty acid DHA. Studies have found DHA to be beneficial for many areas of the body, through reducing inflammation, as well as supporting brain and eye health.
The eighth ingredient is potassium chloride, a nutritional supplement sometimes used as a replacement for the sodium found in table salt.
This food also contains chelated minerals, minerals which have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Real Turkey Recipe looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 47.9%, a fat level of 29.2% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 14.9%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 44.8% and an above-average fat level of 20.8%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 26.4% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 45%.
This means this Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet range contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.
Final Word
This range of food lists the first ingredient as good quality animal protein. Protein content is high, but each recipe includes plant based protein, so this needs to be considered when evaluating the protein content.
Has Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet cat food been recalled in the past?
No. Instinct has never had a product recall.
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.
About
Instinct Pet Food was founded in 2002 and produces frozen and freeze-dried raw pet food from its facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Sources
Best cat foods
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Article reviewed by
Pet Nutritionist
Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.
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