In this comparison article for Nutro vs Instinct, we'll
highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly
compare Nutro 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 Nutro comparison, we've utilized
average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews,
visit our Nutro Review Page or
Instinct Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Instinct vs. Nutro
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.
Nutro Dog Food vs. Instinct Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Nutro
Instinct
Crude Protein
27.0%
35.5%
Crude Fat
15.1%
20.3%
Crude Fiber
4.6%
4.6%
Wet/Canned Dog Food
Nutro
Instinct
Crude Protein
42.7%
45.0%
Crude Fat
24.4%
25.1%
Crude Fiber
6.0%
8.1%
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.
The comparison table above shows that Instinct dry dog foods provide significantly more protein than Nutro. More specifically, Instinct guarantees at least 8.49% more protein. For wet dog foods, Instinct typically provides a little more protein (about 2.35% more).
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 Nutro. On average, Nutro dry dog food recipes contain 5.20% less fat than Instinct recipes. For wet dog foods, Instinct and Nutro provide roughly the same amount of fat.
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Instinct typically provides a little more fiber (about 2.03% more).
Nutro Cat Food vs. Instinct Cat Food
Dry Cat Food
Nutro
Instinct
Crude Protein
36.1%
44.4%
Crude Fat
16.9%
20.4%
Crude Fiber
5.4%
4.1%
Wet/Canned Cat Food
Nutro
Instinct
Crude Protein
50.5%
48.2%
Crude Fat
22.9%
24.4%
Crude Fiber
5.2%
8.8%
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.
Instinct dry cat foods clearly provides more protein than Nutro. In fact, the difference between the protein content is roughly 8.29%, which is a significant amount. For wet cat foods, Nutro typically provides a little more protein (about 2.31% 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):
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.
There is a small difference between the fat content of Instinct and Nutro. We can see that Instinct guarantees about 3.56% more fat than Nutro. For wet cat foods, Instinct and Nutro provide roughly the same amount of fat.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet cat foods, Instinct typically provides a little more fiber (about 3.56% more).
Nutro Pet Food Ingredients vs. Instinct Pet Food Ingredients
Nutro and Instinct both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Pea Protein
Pea Protein
Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Tomato Pomace
Tomato Pomace
Tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Nutro.
Iron Oxide
Iron Oxide
Iron oxide is an FDA approved natural food coloring agent. It's commonly found in rusting metal and provides a reddish-brown color.
We believe food colorants are unnecessary ingredients in pet food. Other than potential harm, food colorants do not provide any nutritional value. These type of ingredients are used only to make the food look appealing to humans.
Pork Plasma
Pork Plasma
Pork plasma is the colorless fluid part of a pig's blood. It may sound disgusting, but it's actually very nutritious for pets. Regardless of the nutritional aspects, consumers are shocked by this ingredient, which is why pork plasma is considered a controversial ingredient.
Whole Wheat
Whole Wheat
Whole wheat is one type of whole grain and contains the entire grain of wheat (the germ, bran, and endosperm). Wheat is regarded as an inexpensive and low-quality filler in pet food. However, wheat does provide plant-based protein and makes pet food more affordable for consumers. It's important to note that plant based protein does not provide the same amino acid profile as meat based protein.
Brewers Rice
Brewers Rice
Brewer's rice is the small fragments of rice kernel that are separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. The fragments do not contain the same nutrition profile of the whole kernel and therefore brewer's rice is a lower quality grain. Brewer's rice is typically regarded as an inexpensive and low quality filler.
Wheat Gluten
Wheat Gluten
Wheat gluten is the main protein of wheat. Although wheat gluten is mostly protein, wheat gluten is considered controversial because it significantly boosts the protein content of the product. This is undesirable because plant based protein does not provide the same amino acid profile as meat based protein.
Caramel Color
Caramel Color
Caramel color is a concentrated form of caramel, a natural food colorant. Caramel color has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel color is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable Oil
Specific vegetable oils are typically positive ingredients; however, this ingredient does not specify which vegetable(s) were used to produce the oil.
Without this information, it is impossible for us to make any specific statements. With any fat source, it is important to know the omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio, a property which cannot be determined with this ingredient. Thus, we have marked vegetable oil as a controversial ingredient.
Feeding Oatmeal
Feeding Oatmeal
According to AAFCO, feeding oatmeal "is obtained in the manufacture of rolled oat groats or rolled oats". It contains "broken oat groats, oat groat chips, and floury portions of the oat groats." In other words, feeding oatmeal is an inexpensive by-products of rolled oat processing.
Corn Gluten Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Corn gluten meal is a by-product from the production of various corn products (corn starch, corn syrup, etc). It's very high in protein (nearly 60% protein) and therefore can significant boost the protein content of the product. Because plant based proteins such as corn gluten meal are inferior to meat based proteins (lack many essential amino acids), they are not suitable substitutes.
Dried Corn Syrup
Dried Corn Syrup
Corn syrup is made from corn starch and it's typically used as a thickener, sweetener, and humectant (keeps the product moist). It's considered controversial because it can raise a pet's blood sugar to unhealthy levels. Of course this concern may be nullified if the syrup is used in very small quantities.
Ground Whole Wheat
Ground Whole Wheat
Ground whole wheat contains the entire grain of wheat (the germ, bran, and endosperm). Wheat is regarded as an inexpensive and low-quality filler in pet food. However, wheat does provide plant-based protein and makes pet food more affordable for consumers. It's important to note that plant based protein does not provide the same amino acid profile as meat based protein.
Meat And Bone Meal
Meat And Bone Meal
Meat and bone meal is produced by cooking meat and bone using a process called rendering. The rendering process dramatically reduces the natural moisture of meat and thereby results in a highly condensed protein source.
This ingredient is marked controversial because the source animal for the meat is not specified. These type of anonymous ingredient are typically very low quality and certainly inexpensive additions. The most unpleasing property of this ingredient is that the meat source can contain any mammal, even dogs & cats.
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered cellulose is produced from minuscule pieces of wood pulp and plant fibers. Other than its fiber content, powdered cellulose lacks any nutritional contribution.
Pea Protein Isolate
Pea Protein Isolate
Pea protein isolate is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein isolate is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Animal fat is a by-product of tissue rendering. The source animal is not specific and therefore we cannot be certain that the source does not include diseased animals or even euthanized dogs and cats.
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Instinct.
Garlic
Garlic
Garlic in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.
Canola Oil
Canola Oil
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health
affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Nutro and Instinct both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Product Safety: Recall History of Nutro & Instinct?
May 21, 2009: incorrect levels of zinc and potassium
March 16, 2007: Melamine
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
Nutro
Instinct
Per Pound
$2.20
$3.37
Per Calorie
$0.0014
$0.0018
Dry Cat Food
Nutro
Instinct
Per Pound
$2.46
$4.60
Per Calorie
$0.0015
$0.0024
Wet Dog Food
Nutro
Instinct
Per Pound
$5.34
$5.94
Per Calorie
$0.0125
$0.0110
Wet Cat Food
Nutro
Instinct
Per Pound
$7.57
$8.92
Per Calorie
$0.0158
$0.0181
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 Nutro 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 Nutro or Instinct will depend on your shopping habits.
Cost Analyzer Widget
Cost of Feeding Nutro
Cost Per Day:
Cost Per Year:
Cost of Feeding Instinct
Cost Per Day:
Cost Per Year:
Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Nutro
and Instinct. 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 Nutro Pet Foods
You can purchase Nutro pet foods from the following stores:
135 Recipes In-Stock Today
102 Recipes In-Stock Today
116 Recipes In-Stock Today
15 Recipes In-Stock Today
Where To Buy Instinct Pet Foods
You can purchase Instinct pet food products from these retailers:
125 Recipes In-Stock Today
98 Recipes In-Stock Today
89 Recipes In-Stock Today
33 Recipes In-Stock Today
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product
Nutro
Instinct
Dry Dog Food
66 Recipes
31 Recipes
Wet Dog Food
45 Recipes
19 Recipes
Dog Treats
12 Treats
Dry Cat Food
17 Recipes
16 Recipes
Wet Cat Food
53 Recipes
18 Recipes
Cat Treats
Compare Pet Food Prices Across Multiple Pet Stores