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Nulo &
Instinct
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Nulo &
Instinct
First Auto-Ship w/ Code: PAWDIET20
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Nulo &
Instinct
For New Customers w/ Code: AFPAWDIET
Compare Nulo To
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Brands Similar To
Ingredient Reviews
35% OFF
Nulo &
Instinct
First Auto-Ship
20% OFF
Nulo &
Instinct
First Auto-Ship w/ Code: PAWDIET20
15% OFF
Nulo &
Instinct
For New Customers w/ Code: AFPAWDIET
Nulo vs. Instinct
In this comparison article for Nulo vs Instinct, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Nulo and Instinct, 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 Instinct vs Nulo comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Nulo Review Page or Instinct Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Instinct vs. Nulo
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.
Nulo Dog Food vs. Instinct Dog Food
| Dry Dog Food | Nulo | Instinct |
| Crude Protein | 35.7% | 36.2% |
| Crude Fat | 19.6% | 24.1% |
| Crude Fiber | 5.1% | 4.4% |
| Wet/Canned Dog Food | Nulo | Instinct |
| Crude Protein | 45.6% | 42.1% |
| Crude Fat | 31.4% | 27.7% |
| Crude Fiber | 5.5% | 10.0% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food
Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.
As you can see, Nulo and Instinct guarantee a similar amount of crude protein. For wet dog foods, Nulo typically provides a little more protein (about 3.51% more).
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Like protein, fats are an essential part of a dog's body. Fats are needed for the proper development and function of the canine body.
The table shows that Nulo provides far less fat than Instinct. The difference in fat content is roughly 4.52%. For wet dog foods, Nulo typically provides a little more fat (about 3.73% more).
Instinct and Nulo both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet dog foods, Instinct provides more fiber (about 4.44% more).
Nulo Cat Food vs. Instinct Cat Food
| Dry Cat Food | Nulo | Instinct |
| Crude Protein | 44.3% | 43.7% |
| Crude Fat | 20.0% | 25.4% |
| Crude Fiber | 5.0% | 3.7% |
| Wet/Canned Cat Food | Nulo | Instinct |
| Crude Protein | 53.3% | 47.1% |
| Crude Fat | 24.2% | 25.0% |
| Crude Fiber | 4.6% | 8.6% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food
Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude protein content of the two brands. For wet cat foods, Nulo provides more protein (about 6.22% more).
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):
- Help transport nutrients across cell membranes
- Fats produce metabolites, which help control inflammation
- Maintain healthy blood pressure
- Slow the growth of yeast infections
- Fats improve the taste/texture of food.
Our analysis shows that Instinct guarantees 5.41% more fat than Nulo dry cat food recipes. For wet cat foods, Instinct and Nulo provide roughly the same amount of fat.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet cat foods, Instinct provides more fiber (about 4.01% more).
Nulo Pet Food Ingredients vs. Instinct Pet Food Ingredients
Nulo and Instinct both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Nulo.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Instinct.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Nulo and Instinct both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:
Product Safety: Recall History of Nulo & Instinct?
According to our records, Nulo has never been recalled.
Instinct has been recalled 2 times.
- July 24, 2015: Salmonella
- Feb. 15, 2013: Pieces of clear plastic in bag
Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?
| Dry Dog Food | Nulo | Instinct |
| Per Pound | $12.70 | $8.93 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0067 | $0.0044 |
| Dry Cat Food | Nulo | Instinct |
| Per Pound | $16.85 | $11.49 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0082 | $0.0057 |
| Wet Dog Food | Nulo | Instinct |
| Per Pound | $4.44 | $6.31 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0081 | $0.0107 |
| Wet Cat Food | Nulo | Instinct |
| Per Pound | $8.53 | $8.87 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0202 | $0.0179 |
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 Nulo or Instinct, 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 Nulo or Instinct will depend on your shopping habits.
Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Nulo and Instinct. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.
- 20% Off First Auto-Ship @ PetFlow (Use Code PAWDIET20)
- 35% Off First Auto-Ship @ Chewy (No Code Required)
- 15% Off The Entire Site @ OnlyNaturalPet (Use Code AFPAWDIET)
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 Nulo Pet Foods
You can purchase Nulo pet foods from the following stores:
Where To Buy Instinct Pet Foods
You can purchase Instinct pet food products from these retailers:
Type Of Pet Foods Available
| Product | Nulo | Instinct |
| Dry Dog Food | 29 Recipes | 37 Recipes |
| Wet Dog Food | 21 Recipes | 10 Recipes |
| Dog Treats | 8 Treats | None |
| Dry Cat Food | 15 Recipes | 20 Recipes |
| Wet Cat Food | 27 Recipes | 16 Recipes |
| Cat Treats | 7 Treats | None |
Top Rated Nulo Recipes
Top Rated Instinct Recipes
