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Instinct vs Inception

Instinct vs. Inception

In this comparison article for Instinct vs Inception, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Instinct and Inception, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Inception vs Instinct comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Instinct Review Page or Inception Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Inception vs. Instinct

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Instinct Dog Food vs. Inception Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodInstinctInception
Crude Protein36.2%28.4%
Crude Fat24.1%17.0%
Crude Fiber4.4%6.8%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodInstinctInception
Crude Protein42.1%36.4%
Crude Fat27.7%20.5%
Crude Fiber10.0%9.1%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

Our analysis shows that Instinct guarantees 7.78% more protein than Inception dry dog food recipes. In addition, Instinct wet dog foods also provide more protein than Inception wet foods.


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

There is a relatively large difference between the fat content of Instinct and Inception. On average, Inception dry dog food recipes contain 7.10% less fat than Instinct recipes. In addition, Instinct wet dog foods also provide more fat than Inception wet foods.


According to our data, Inception guarantees 2.41% more fiber than Instinct. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference. For wet dog foods, Instinct and Inception provide roughly the same amount of fiber.

Instinct Cat Food vs. Inception Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodInstinctInception
Crude Protein43.7%33.3%
Crude Fat25.4%15.6%
Crude Fiber3.7%7.8%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

When you look at the average percentages of crude protein for dry cat food, it's clear that Instinct provides significantly more protein. On average, Instinct guarantees about 10.32% more protein than Inception.


Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

  • Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
  • Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

The comparison table above shows that Instinct dry cat foods provide significantly more fat than Inception. More specifically, Instinct guarantees at least 9.81% more fat.


Instinct dry recipes contain 4.11% less fiber than Inception dry recipes. This difference in fiber content is a notable difference between Inception and Instinct.

Instinct Pet Food Ingredients vs. Inception Pet Food Ingredients

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Instinct.

Garlic
Canola Oil
Pea Protein
Tomato Pomace
Dried Tomato Pomace
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Instinct.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Instinct & Inception?

Instinct has been recalled 2 times.

  • July 24, 2015: Salmonella
  • Feb. 15, 2013: Pieces of clear plastic in bag

According to our records, Inception has never been recalled.

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodInstinctInception
Per Pound$8.93$2.05
Per Calorie$0.0044$0.0012
Dry Cat FoodInstinctInception
Per Pound$11.49$2.85
Per Calorie$0.0057$0.0017
Wet Dog FoodInstinctInception
Per Pound$6.31$3.49
Per Calorie$0.0107$0.0074

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Instinct or Inception, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Instinct or Inception will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Instinct and Inception. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Instinct Pet Foods

You can purchase Instinct pet foods from the following stores:


84 Recipes In-Stock Today

59 Recipes In-Stock Today

67 Recipes In-Stock Today

17 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Inception Pet Foods

You can purchase Inception pet food products from these retailers:


14 Recipes In-Stock Today

12 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductInstinctInception
Dry Dog Food37 Recipes4 Recipes
Wet Dog Food10 Recipes4 Recipes
Dog TreatsNone4 Treats
Dry Cat Food20 Recipes3 Recipes
Wet Cat Food16 RecipesNone
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated Instinct Recipes

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Top Rated Inception Recipes

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Dry Cat Food Chicken Recipe
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