INSTINCT DOG FOOD
Instinct brand dog food is produced and manufactured by Nature’s Variety, Inc. Nature’s variety is currently located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The company is currently independently owned. In addition to producing the Instinct line of dog food, Nature’s Variety is also responsible for producing Prairie dog food.
Nature’s Variety has recalled a few of their products recently, including Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet (with Best By date of 11/9/10), Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet (with Best By date of 11/9/10). These products were suspected by Nature’s Variety as being contaminated by Salmonella. This recall has incited Nature’s Variety to adopt an even more strict screening process to prevent any contamination with pathogenic bacteria.
INSTINCT DOG FOOD REVIEW
All of the Instinct dog food formulas are marketed as being grain-free. There are currently three formulas offered under the Instinct brand name, which are formulated for all life stages. Instinct brand dog food formulas contain tapioca, which is a gluten-free starch. Instinct brand dog food formulas are available in three bag sizes: a small 4.4 lb bag, a 13.2 lb bag and a large 25.3 lb bag.
INSTINCT DOG FOOD FORMULAS
- Instinct Chicken Meal Formula derives over 90% of its protein from menhaden fish meal and chicken meal. The first five ingredients of this formula are chicken meal, tapioca, chicken fat, pumpkin seeds and Menhaden fish meal. Other ingredients include natural chicken flavor, alfalfa meal, montmorillonite clay, vitamin E supplement, Biotin, Choline Chloride, cottage cheese, broccoli, lettuce, salmon oil, dried turkey hearts and apples. The Guaranteed Analysis of this formula contains 42% protein and 22% fat.
- Instinct Rabbit Meal Formula derives over 90% of its protein from salmon meal and rabbit meal. The first five ingredients of this formula are rabbit meal, salmon meal, tapioca, chicken fat and tomato pomace. Other ingredients include rosemary extract, dried rabbit lung, dried rabbit heart, brewers yeast, folic acid and sun-cured alfalfa meal. The Guaranteed Analysis of this formula contains 35% protein and 22% fat.
- Instinct Duck Meal & Turkey Formula derives over 90% of its protein from salmon, herring, turkey and duck meals. The first five ingredients of this formula are duck meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, canola oil and tapioca. Other ingredients include pumpkin seeds, tomato pomace, herring meal, alfalfa meal, brewers yeast, cranberries, freeze dried turkey and dried kelp. The Guaranteed Analysis of this formula contains 35% protein and 22% fat.
INSTINCT CONSUMER RATINGS
Most dog owners report having favorable experiences with Instinct brand dog food. Instinct is well-received by dogs that have food-based allergies, with some dog owners even reporting that their dogs began to “re-coat” (replace lost fur). Most dogs seem to eat much less Instinct brand dog food, reportedly due to the richness of the food and the quality of the ingredients. A small minority of dogs seemed to have digestive problems when switched to Instinct brand dog food, but most dogs seem to recover after a few weeks. One dog owner reported purchasing a bag that had been previously opened, but that seemed to be an issue with the retailer she bought it from.
2 Responses to “INSTINCT DOG FOOD”
I do not like instinct because of too many protein sources in one food even though the bag front looks single source. I almost fed my salmon allergic dog the rabbit food until I got a closer look at the ingredients. Instinct should call it Rabbit and Salmon….not Rabbit
I have used Instinct many times over the last few years and my favorites are the new Salmon Instinct, and the Duck and Turkey. The dogs love it and allergies are not an issue on this food. It is very highly nutritionally dense and is not for every dog but it is high quality and very palatable. Just be careful not to overfeed it. They don’t need much. I use half of the recommended feeding suggestion on the bag. Dogs can gain weight easily if not monitored as this is higher in fat and protein than other brands so monitor the intake. The only issue is the price but I’ll gladly pay for a higher quality brand to keep me out of the veterinarian’s office! I have five cocker spaniels who do very well on it. Two have food allergies so I cannot just feed them anything. Actually my veterinarian carries it!!! For dogs that tolerate grains well and need a bit more dietary fiber, use the Nature’s Variety Prairie. Natures Variety’s website is chocked full of good information!