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Instinct vs. NutriSource

In this comparison article for Instinct vs NutriSource, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Instinct and NutriSource, 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 NutriSource 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 NutriSource Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: NutriSource 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. NutriSource Dog Food

Dry Dog Food	Instinct	NutriSource
Crude Protein	36.2%	28.9%
Crude Fat	24.1%	16.8%
Crude Fiber	4.4%	7.1%

Wet/Canned Dog Food	Instinct	NutriSource
Crude Protein	42.1%	43.4%
Crude Fat	27.7%	33.0%
Crude Fiber	10.0%	7.2%

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 7.33% more protein than NutriSource dry dog food recipes. For wet dog foods, NutriSource and Instinct provide roughly the same amount of protein.

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 NutriSource. On average, NutriSource dry dog food recipes contain 7.34% less fat than Instinct recipes. In addition, NutriSource wet dog foods also provide more fat than Instinct wet foods.

According to our data, NutriSource guarantees 2.72% more fiber than Instinct. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference. In addition, Instinct wet dog foods also provide more fiber than NutriSource wet foods.

Instinct Cat Food vs. NutriSource Cat Food

Dry Cat Food	Instinct	NutriSource
Crude Protein	43.7%	36.4%
Crude Fat	25.4%	17.9%
Crude Fiber	3.7%	7.8%

Wet/Canned Cat Food	Instinct	NutriSource
Crude Protein	47.1%	46.4%
Crude Fat	25.0%	31.4%
Crude Fiber	8.6%	5.2%

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.

NutriSource dry recipes contain 7.27% less protein than Instinct dry recipes. This difference in protein content is a notable difference between Instinct and NutriSource. For wet cat foods, Instinct and NutriSource provide roughly the same amount of protein.

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 table shows that NutriSource provides far less fat than Instinct. The difference in fat content is roughly 7.45%. In addition, NutriSource wet cat foods also provide more fat than Instinct wet foods.

Instinct Pet Food Ingredients vs. NutriSource Pet Food Ingredients

Instinct and NutriSource both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Garlic

Canola Oil

Pea Protein

Dried Tomato Pomace

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

Tomato Pomace

Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)

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

White Rice

Brewers Rice

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

Instinct and NutriSource both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Instinct & NutriSource?

Instinct has been recalled 2 times.

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

According to our records, NutriSource has never been recalled.

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog Food	Instinct	NutriSource
Per Pound	$8.93	$2.64
Per Calorie	$0.0044	$0.0015

Dry Cat Food	Instinct	NutriSource
Per Pound	$11.49	$3.25
Per Calorie	$0.0057	$0.0018

Wet Dog Food	Instinct	NutriSource
Per Pound	$6.31	$3.21
Per Calorie	$0.0107	$0.0061

Wet Cat Food	Instinct	NutriSource
Per Pound	$8.87	$6.39
Per Calorie	$0.0179	$0.0119

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 NutriSource, 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 NutriSource 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 NutriSource. 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 NutriSource Pet Foods

You can purchase NutriSource pet food products from these retailers:

75 Recipes In-Stock Today

30 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

Product	Instinct	NutriSource
Dry Dog Food	37 Recipes	41 Recipes
Wet Dog Food	10 Recipes	13 Recipes
Dog Treats	None	11 Treats
Dry Cat Food	20 Recipes	8 Recipes
Wet Cat Food	16 Recipes	10 Recipes
Cat Treats	None	None