Instinct Cat Food Review: A Naturally High Protein Diet

Nature’s Variety is a pet food company known for making natural and raw pet food products for cats and dogs. If you are considering introducing your cat to natural or raw food, Nature’s Variety Instinct may be the brand for you.

To help guide you in picking the best food for your cat, we created this 2025 Nature’s Variety Instinct cat food review of their top-rated foods available on Chewy or Amazon websites.

Nature’s Variety is owned by Agrolimen – a company based in Barcelona, Spain. The brand’s manufacturing facilities are all owned by the company. All of Nature’s Variety Instinct’s frozen and freeze dried raw foods are made in their Lincoln, Nebraska facilities. Their wet and dry foods are made in Kansas. Their headquarters is based in St. Louis, Missouri.

Nature’s Variety Instinct recipes are developed by an in-house team of vets, veterinarian nutritionists, and food scientists. All of their products are preserved naturally. The dry products are preserved with mixed tocopherols (vitamin E), rosemary, and citric acid. Instinct Raw and Raw Signature products are frozen, while their wet food products are canned.

Nature’s Variety Instinct has a total of 8 cat food product lines. Instinct Raw and Instinct Raw Signature are their lines of frozen raw cat food. Instinct Raw Freeze-dried offers freeze-dried complete foods.

Instinct Raw Boost mixes freeze-dried raw foods with dry kibbles in one bag. Instinct Ultimate Protein, Original, and Limited Ingredient Diet are all dry cat foods, while Instinct Wet is their line of canned or pouch wet foods.

Instinct Cat Food Review

1. Original Real Chicken Recipe

This is a high-protein, nutrient-rich meal designed to nourish your cat from the inside out.

Cage-free chicken is the first ingredient, delivering a high level of animal protein to support strong, lean muscles.

This carefully crafted formula is made up of 81% real animal ingredients and nutritious oils, complemented by 19% wholesome fruits, vegetables, and other natural ingredients.

Free from grains, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meal, artificial colors, and preservatives, it provides clean nutrition you can trust.

Every bite is packed with guaranteed levels of live, natural probiotics for digestive health, natural omegas for a soft, shiny coat and antioxidants to promote a strong immune system.

Proudly made in the USA with premium ingredients sourced from around the world, this grain-free recipe offers the pure, real nutrition your cat instinctively craves.

2. Ultimate Protein Cage-Free Duck Recipe

This food is specially crafted to deliver the benefits of a raw diet in a convenient kibble form, offering one of the highest levels of animal protein available in dry cat food.

Made with real, cage-free duck, chicken, and eggs, 90% of the protein in this recipe comes directly from these high-quality animal sources—never from any kind of animal meal.

This premium, grain-free formula is thoughtfully designed for easy digestion and optimal nutrient absorption, helping your cat thrive with every bite.

It’s enhanced with live probiotics for digestive support, natural omegas for healthy skin and a glossy coat, and antioxidants to strengthen the immune system.

You’ll never find any grains, potatoes, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meals, artificial colors or preservatives in this food—just clean, pure nutrition.

3. Raw Boost Real Salmon Recipe

This is a premium blend of high-protein kibble and freeze-dried raw pieces, crafted to deliver the pure nutrition cats crave.

Made in Instinct’s own facilities in Lincoln, Nebraska, this unique recipe combines the irresistible taste of wild-caught salmon and real meat with the wholesome goodness of raw.

Each bite is all-natural, minimally processed, and freeze-dried to lock in nutrients and flavor.

Rich in omega fatty acids and antioxidants from carefully selected fruits and vegetables, it supports healthy skin, a shiny coat and a strong immune system.

Plus, it’s enhanced with a boost of live, natural probiotics to aid in digestive health.

Grain-free and packed with high-quality ingredients, this recipe offers the benefits of raw nutrition in every delicious bowl.

4. LID Real Rabbit Paté

Here we have a thoughtfully crafted for cats with food sensitivities or allergies, offering simple, clean nutrition without compromising on taste.

Made with just one animal protein and one vegetable, this limited ingredient recipe features farm-raised rabbit as the first ingredient—a flavorful, easily digestible protein ideal for sensitive stomachs.

The smooth, delicious pâté is enriched with essential vitamins and minerals to provide complete and balanced nutrition.

Free from common allergens like chicken, beef, fish, dairy, eggs, grain, potato, corn, wheat and soy, this grain-free formula is a gentle yet nourishing option for cats with special dietary needs.

5. Original Real Chicken Kitten Paté

This food is specially crafted to support the healthy growth and development of your kitten during their most critical life stage.

Made with a nourishing blend of real chicken, beef liver and salmon, this recipe offers a balanced mix of poultry, fish and meat to provide wholesome protein variety and healthy exposure to different animal sources.

Free from gums, grains, potatoes, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meals, artificial colors and preservatives, it delivers clean, natural nutrition you can feel good about.

Enriched with natural DHA, this smooth and delicious pâté helps promote healthy brain and eye development, giving your kitten the strong foundation they need to thrive.

6. Ultimate Protein Real Chicken Recipe

Packed in a convenient 3-oz can, it is crafted to deliver high-quality, protein-rich nutrition your cat will crave.

Cage-free chicken is the first ingredient, and an impressive 95% of the protein in this recipe comes from real chicken, turkey and nutrient-dense chicken liver, providing the fuel your cat needs for strong, lean muscles.

This delicious pâté is made without gums, grains, potatoes, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors or preservatives—just clean, natural ingredients.

It’s enriched with highly nutritious fruits and vegetables like peas, carrots, ground flaxseed, kale and cranberries for added vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

A savory blend of chicken liver and broth adds rich flavor and moisture to every bite, making mealtime irresistible while supporting overall health.

7. Raw Boost Mixers Skin & Coat Health Recipe

This is a nutritious, flavorful way to support your cat’s skin and coat health naturally.

Made with real, cage-free chicken as the first ingredient, this raw food topper is blended with other wholesome ingredients like wild-caught cod, salmon oil, cranberries and chia seeds—all rich in healthy omegas that promote soft skin and a shiny coat.

These soft, easy-to-chew pieces are minimally processed and never cooked, then gently freeze-dried to remove moisture while preserving raw nutrients and delicious flavor.

Free from grains, wheat, soy, potato, artificial flavors and preservatives, this clean, protein-rich topper is the perfect boost to your cat’s bowl.

Give your feline the benefits of raw nutrition in every bite with this simple, natural and effective addition to their daily meals.

8. Raw Meals Wild-Caught Alaskan Pollock Recipe

This unique meal delivers unmatched raw nutrition in a convenient, scoop-and-serve format.

Part of Instinct’s Raw Meals line, this recipe provides your cat with three times more real meat and nutrient-rich organs than their Original Kibble, fueling their body with the natural power of raw.

Made with 95% fish, meat and organs—including freeze-dried Wild-Caught Alaskan Pollock—every bite is packed with high-quality protein and fat levels of 36% and 34% respectively, to help build leaner muscles, stronger bones and a healthier coat, while boosting your cat’s energy and vitality.

The gentle freeze-drying process removes moisture while locking in powerful nutrients and flavor, making it easier to digest and more biologically appropriate for your feline.

Free from artificial colors, preservatives, grain, corn, wheat, soy or legumes, this minimally processed food gives your cat everything they need and nothing they don’t.

9. Raw Longevity Grass-Fed Beef & Wild-Caught Cod

This is a premium raw meal crafted to deliver complete and balanced nutrition with every bite.

Made with 95% real grass-fed beef, nutrient-rich organs and wild-caught cod, along with 5% wholesome fruits, vegetables and other carefully chosen ingredients, this recipe provides the high-quality protein your cat needs for strong, healthy muscles.

As part of Instinct’s newest line—currently unavailable on e-commerce platforms—Raw Longevity goes beyond basic nutrition by incorporating a vibrant variety of fruits and vegetables to supply essential nutrients.

Each bite is packed with taurine for heart health, probiotics and fiber for digestive wellness, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for a soft, shiny coat and a blend of vitamins A & E, zinc and selenium to support a strong immune system.

With a naturally high moisture content, it also promotes healthy hydration. Minimally processed and frozen to preserve the integrity of raw ingredients, this recipe is a true step forward in raw feeding, designed to help your cat thrive at every stage of life.

10. Flaked Lamb Entree

Packaged in a 5.5-oz easy-open can delivers a savory, protein-rich meal specially crafted for even the most sensitive cats.

Featuring tender flaked cuts of real lamb in a flavorful gravy, this recipe is packed with high-quality animal protein and a texture your cat will love.

Whole food ingredients like carrots and spinach are visible in every bite, offering natural nutrition you can see and trust.

Designed with tender tummies in mind, this grain-free formula is made without common triggers such as potato, corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, gluten, artificial colors or preservatives.

The juicy gravy not only enhances flavor but also adds important moisture for healthy hydration, making mealtime both nourishing and irresistible.

Takeaway

This review has proven that Nature’s Variety Instinct deserves their reputation of being one of the highest quality cat food brands in the market. With all of their cat foods having real animal protein as the first ingredient, you are sure to find a variant that is best suited for your feline friend.

The ingredients are all high quality meat such as cage-free chicken and farm-raised rabbits. All of their cat foods are free from grains, wheat, soy, corn, and potatoes. The brand does not use artificial enhancers such as flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Their wet foods are free from carrageenan. The plant-based ingredients are all healthy and rich in nutrients. You can rest assured that your cat is getting only nutritious meals.

Their cat foods have received great reviews regarding the health benefits they have given to numerous cats. From healthier skin and coats, to regulating weights, to higher energy levels. Many pets seemed to have thrived on their cat foods, especially those with food sensitivities.

Cats who have food allergies or sensitive stomachs have been given relief from symptoms such as skin problems, diarrhea, and vomiting. Their conditions have significantly improved or were completely resolved. Nature’s Variety Instinct foods has been called a life saver more than once by cat parents.

All these benefits do come with a higher price. Their cat foods cost more than the average food. However, many feel that the extra cost is worth all the health benefits and possibly the vet bills they are able to save on.

Based on ingredient quality, results delivered, reviews from cat parents, and cost, Nature’s Variety Instinct is overall a highly recommended brand of cat food. They offer a variety of choices to those who wish to introduce raw food into their cat’s diet.

They are likely to have some of the best foods available for kitties with food sensitivities or those who just seek a high protein, high quality food to keep their cats healthy and happy.