Our Verdict
Instinct Minced Cups wet cat food is made up of four recipes with ratings that vary from 4.5 to 5 stars. The average rating of the range overall is 5 stars.
Pros
- High in protein
- Contains multiple sources of animal meat, organs and fish
- Low in carbohydrate
- Rich in fat and moisture
Cons
- Contains plant based protein
- Relatively expensive versus other cat foods
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 Minced Real Chicken Recipe | 5 | M |
| Instinct Minced Real Rabbit Recipe | 4.5 | M |
| Instinct Minced Real Salmon Recipe | 5 | M |
| Instinct Minced Real Tuna Recipe | 5 | M |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Instinct Minced Real Chicken 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 Minced Real Chicken Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken broth, chicken, chicken liver, egg whites, ground dried peas, spinach, carrots, ground flaxseed, guar gum, natural flavor, sodium phosphate, salt, montmorillonite clay, dried kelp, potassium chloride, choline chloride, minerals (iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, potassium iodide), 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, xanthan gum, artichokes, cranberries, pumpkin, tomato, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, kale, parsley.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is chicken 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 second ingredient is chicken, which is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. 1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The third ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fourth ingredient is egg whites. Eggs are highly digestible and an excellent source of usable protein.
The fifth ingredient is ground dried peas which 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 sixth ingredient is spinach. Due to its exceptional vitamin and mineral content, spinach exhibits a remarkably high nutrient Completeness Score[1. Completeness Score is a measure of a food’s relative nutrient content and is computed by NutritionData.com from the USDA’s National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference] of 91. For cats who are predisposed to oxalate stones, spinach should be avoided, due to its high oxalate content.
The seventh ingredient is carrots which are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The eighth ingredient is ground flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.
This food also contains chelated minerals, minerals that 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 Minced Real Chicken Recipe looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 50%, a fat level of 25% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 17%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 52.1% and a near-average fat level of 16%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 23.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 31%.
This means this Instinct Minced Cups range contains higher than average protein, lower than average carbohydrate and near-average fat, when compared to typical wet cat food.
Final Word
This range of food provides high levels of protein derived from multiple sources of animal meat and organs, along with fish. It is made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meal, artificial colors or preservatives.
Has Instinct Minced Cups 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.
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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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