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Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain Free Cage Free Chicken Recipe Natural...
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Customer reviews
- Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain Free Cage Free Chicken Recipe Natural...
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- Customer reviews
Top positive review
My boys love it - seems high quality
September 24, 2018
It's always a headache to figure out the healthiest food to feed your pets, unless you're into making their food by hand. I thought about it for a hot minute, but then I remembered, I have a job and a house to remodel! This stuff has no weird fillers like potash or gluten, and though it does have some vegetable ingredients, it's mostly pure animal protein. Sure, it's pricey, but if I can extend my furkids lifespan - and reduce their health issues/vet bills - by spending more for better food, it's worth it. Maybe it's all a crapshoot, but it makes me feel better buying this stuff.
Good luck on your own odyssey. I hope you find your kibble nirvana without going broke!
Good luck on your own odyssey. I hope you find your kibble nirvana without going broke!
36 people found this helpful
Top critical review
Some Pros, But Too Many Cons
April 8, 2019
It is difficult to find a dry cat food that doesn't have something in it that is bad for cats. We really like that this food is grain-, corn-, potato-, soy-, & wheat-free (we have a cat who was diagnosed with diabetes, so that is a concern). Unfortunately, the #2 ingredient (tapioca) in this food is not good for cats, & the #4 ingredient (flax seed) seems to be even worse.
Another one of our cats has breathing issues; flax seed is high in lignins, which is an insoluble fiber. This has caused his tummy to bloat significantly, and it has stayed bloated all the time while on this food, which has made his breathing issue more pronounced and much more difficult for him. This is not an overeating issue - cats need protein every couple of hours, so he will eat a little bit every couple of hours or so and then go back to his cat activities. We're in the process of weening them off this food to another that does not have flax seed. He hasn't eaten any of this food since we started changing out their food (4-5 days ago). His belly has already started to go down in size a little bit; hopefully he is back to his normal size soon, so his breathing will return to normal.
This food also has tomato & rosemary extract, neither of which are good for cats.
Please consider:
- removing the tomato pomace - it causes the urine to be more alkaline, which leads to urinary tract infections.
- removing rosemary extract - it is toxic to cats.
- using rice bran instead of the tapioca; rice bran promotes good gut health.
- using salmon instead of the flax seed - salmon is a much better source of Omegas; and
- using actual pumpkin instead of pumpkin seeds; pumpkin provides fiber & beta-carotine and is so good for gut health, especially when combined with rice bran.
Thank you for considering!
Another one of our cats has breathing issues; flax seed is high in lignins, which is an insoluble fiber. This has caused his tummy to bloat significantly, and it has stayed bloated all the time while on this food, which has made his breathing issue more pronounced and much more difficult for him. This is not an overeating issue - cats need protein every couple of hours, so he will eat a little bit every couple of hours or so and then go back to his cat activities. We're in the process of weening them off this food to another that does not have flax seed. He hasn't eaten any of this food since we started changing out their food (4-5 days ago). His belly has already started to go down in size a little bit; hopefully he is back to his normal size soon, so his breathing will return to normal.
This food also has tomato & rosemary extract, neither of which are good for cats.
Please consider:
- removing the tomato pomace - it causes the urine to be more alkaline, which leads to urinary tract infections.
- removing rosemary extract - it is toxic to cats.
- using rice bran instead of the tapioca; rice bran promotes good gut health.
- using salmon instead of the flax seed - salmon is a much better source of Omegas; and
- using actual pumpkin instead of pumpkin seeds; pumpkin provides fiber & beta-carotine and is so good for gut health, especially when combined with rice bran.
Thank you for considering!
60 people found this helpful
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September 24, 2018
It's always a headache to figure out the healthiest food to feed your pets, unless you're into making their food by hand. I thought about it for a hot minute, but then I remembered, I have a job and a house to remodel! This stuff has no weird fillers like potash or gluten, and though it does have some vegetable ingredients, it's mostly pure animal protein. Sure, it's pricey, but if I can extend my furkids lifespan - and reduce their health issues/vet bills - by spending more for better food, it's worth it. Maybe it's all a crapshoot, but it makes me feel better buying this stuff.
Good luck on your own odyssey. I hope you find your kibble nirvana without going broke!
Good luck on your own odyssey. I hope you find your kibble nirvana without going broke!
July 14, 2018
Compared to most of the senior/mature cat foods on the market, this one rocks it! It has premium ingredients and, even though it is somewhat costly, my cats eat less of it because they are getting protein instead of empty calories or cheap filler ingredients. Their waste does not smell as bad as that from eating cheap foods either. My cats are 3 and 18 years old, and they both love it.
The 18 year old particularly benefits from the easy to chew texture. While it is still crunchy enough to clean teeth, the kibble is just soft enough that you can crack it between your thumbnail and index finger. She maintains a healthy weight with this food compared to being too thin with conventional dry food. The only other food that I’ve found compares to this is Wellness Core Air Dried.
If the cost of this food is your only reason for not considering it, you’re far better to mix it half-and-half with another food than to skip it altogether.
The 18 year old particularly benefits from the easy to chew texture. While it is still crunchy enough to clean teeth, the kibble is just soft enough that you can crack it between your thumbnail and index finger. She maintains a healthy weight with this food compared to being too thin with conventional dry food. The only other food that I’ve found compares to this is Wellness Core Air Dried.
If the cost of this food is your only reason for not considering it, you’re far better to mix it half-and-half with another food than to skip it altogether.
May 10, 2018
We've been using this for a couple of years now for our Persian cat. She had horrific diarrhea when we got her, saw multiple vets, tried many different medicines and diets, but everything was a failure. How can a cat survive with constant, leaky diarrhea...and how can you live with an animal suffering from such an illness??? Finally, we tried the Nature's Variety Raw Chicken (frozen) for cats. She didn't love it, but it calmed her stomach down. Then we slowly switched her to this dry version. She has been awesome since we started the Nature's Variety products. She has solid stools and we all are so happy she is better. She is the sweetest cat ever and she was worth all of the trouble. But I don't ever want to try changing her food!
June 27, 2018
I feed this to my rescue ferrets. I am still annoyed nature's variety added peas to their original and raw boost formula. I used to be able to get 12lbs of food for $35. now ultimate protein is the only kind they make that is pea free. Peas are linked to bladder stones!! I absolutely will not take the risk with my ferrets OR cats. The ultimate protein chicken is lower in carbohydrates than the duck one is, and higher in meat protein. I definitely wish the bags were 12lbs, or that chain pet stores sold this in the 10lb bags as they are a way better value than the smaller bags!
I haven't had a rescue come in that didn't like this food. While it's not the lowest carb food or the highest protein/fat content, it's a decent food for the price. Please never add peas!
I haven't had a rescue come in that didn't like this food. While it's not the lowest carb food or the highest protein/fat content, it's a decent food for the price. Please never add peas!
March 1, 2018
My cat seems to love this food. He was unwell at the beginning of 2017 and lost several pounds and wouldn't eat anything but the dog's food (Very bad for him!). After doing some research and a couple of hits and misses, I found this food and he wolfed it down. He gained 3 lbs. over the next 6 months and the vet said he is now perfectly healthy. It is working really well for him.
It's a bit on the expensive side but she likes it much better than Orijen which was about the same price
November 15, 2017Finally! I found a dry food my kitty absolutely loves. Every morning she hops up to her perch and calls for her morning kibble. It's a bit on the expensive side but she likes it much better than Orijen which was about the same price. Her coat and eyes are noticeably shinier and she seems to be more active. I highly recommend Instinct Ultimate for finicky cats and for general well-being and health of both you and your fur baby!
December 28, 2018
Cats love it. Their fur has never been softer. Seems to be good for their weight and health since both are 19 years old thus the five star rating. The dislike is the subscription. They offer every other month but when you think you have it set up, it reverts to monthly which is too much for skinny old cats. I may have to start manually ordering but it looks like I may have to get an Amazon rep to help me terminate the subscription since I have not seen that choice.
September 29, 2018
My cats and I are fans of nature's variety. I mix a lot of their kibble together so my cats don't get bored with just one flavor. Usually it's chicken and rabbit, sometimes duck. I was using the original chicken for awhile but had purchased a bag of EVO cat food and my cats seemed to love it. Well EVO being discontinued, I switched from original to ultimate protein. My cats have thrived on this since I had adopted them. Their coats seems to have gotten softer since switching to this variety
April 5, 2018
The ingredients are great and my cats love this food. After they almost died from Royal Canin urinary SO I have seen them recover from this wonderful food.
September 17, 2017
I did a lot of research into what makes a good healthy dry food and the Instinct Ultimate Protein was essentially perfect according to the data. My indoor cat is quite picky with dry food and as soon as she smelled the bag she starting meowing and begging for it. I have never seen her attack food as viciously as she did this food. This food is worth the higher cost if you love your cat.
