Nature’s Variety produces Instinct cat foods in various forms, including wet canned food, dry kibble, and toppers, inspired by the health benefits of raw diets. Based in St. Louis, Missouri, this private company offers a range of grain- and gluten-free options and is now owned by the Spanish company Agrolimen. The brand aims to provide the convenience of traditional cat foods while incorporating raw feeding principles, including freeze-dried toppers and kibble.

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The following are notable Instinct cat food recipes:

1. Nature’s Variety Instinct Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Pâté Recipe: Contains 10% protein and is low in carbohydrates, made without meat by-products.

2. Nature’s Variety Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken: Comprising 41% protein, chicken as the first ingredient, plus probiotics and antioxidants.

3. Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken: Features a balanced mix of poultry, fish, and meat, free from grains and common allergens, made in the USA.

Nature’s Variety ingredients come from global sources, including France, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia, with no poultry or meat from China. The dry recipes are manufactured in the U.S., while wet recipes are produced by co-packers in Kansas and Thailand.

The brand is suitable for cats on grain-free or gluten-free diets, emphasizing whole-food ingredients without artificial additives or fillers. It provides high protein content and essential nutrients, resembling raw diets without the complications of storage. For cats with allergies, limited-ingredient diets are also available.

Recalls and quality control are critical considerations. Nature's Variety has experienced several recalls, including incidents in 2015 due to salmonella contamination and plastic inclusion, as well as previous recalls in 2012 and 2010 for dog food and raw chicken foods. However, the current record for the brand has shown improvement.

Popular recipes reviewed include:

- **Instinct Original Grain-Free Real Chicken Pâté:** Composed of 95% real meat, with a high moisture content and rich in omega fatty acids.

- **Instinct Original Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken:** Contains 81% animal protein, utilizing freeze-dried raw ingredients to enhance nutritional value.

- **Instinct Freeze-Dried Raw Boost Mixers:** A topper designed to enhance digestion, made with cage-free chicken, fiber-rich ingredients, and probiotics.

Overall, Nature’s Variety Instinct combines raw diet benefits with the convenience of kibble and canned foods. Despite its history of recalls, it maintains a reputation for high-quality ingredients and satisfied customers.