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Instinct vs Stella and Chewy's

Instinct vs. Stella and Chewy's

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

Guaranteed Analysis: Stella and Chewy's 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. Stella and Chewy's Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodInstinctStella and Chewy's
Crude Protein36.2%37.3%
Crude Fat24.1%23.0%
Crude Fiber4.4%5.6%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodInstinctStella and Chewy's
Crude Protein42.1%51.6%
Crude Fat27.7%22.0%
Crude Fiber10.0%9.2%

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.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude protein content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Stella and Chewy's provides significantly more protein (about 9.49% 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.

Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Instinct provides more fat (about 5.70% more).


As you can see, Instinct and Stella and Chewy's guarantee a similar amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Instinct and Stella and Chewy's also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Instinct Cat Food vs. Stella and Chewy's Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodInstinctStella and Chewy's
Crude Protein43.7%43.1%
Crude Fat25.4%25.4%
Crude Fiber3.7%5.4%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodInstinctStella and Chewy's
Crude Protein47.1%52.0%
Crude Fat25.0%18.5%
Crude Fiber8.6%9.2%

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.

Stella and Chewy's and Instinct both provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. For wet cat foods, Stella and Chewy's provides more protein (about 4.95% 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.

Instinct Pet Food Ingredients vs. Stella and Chewy's Pet Food Ingredients

Instinct and Stella and Chewy's both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Pea Protein
Tomato Pomace
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

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

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

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Stella and Chewy's.

Vegetable Oil

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 & Stella and Chewy's?

Instinct has been recalled 2 times.

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

Stella and Chewy's has been recalled 2 times.

  • July 5, 2015: Listeria monocytogenes
  • Dec. 11, 2015: Listeria monocytogenes

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodInstinctStella and Chewy's
Per Pound$8.93$26.10
Per Calorie$0.0044$0.0120
Dry Cat FoodInstinctStella and Chewy's
Per Pound$11.49$41.71
Per Calorie$0.0057$0.0196
Wet Dog FoodInstinctStella and Chewy's
Per Pound$6.31$4.78
Per Calorie$0.0107$0.0138

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 Stella and Chewy's, 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 Stella and Chewy's 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 Stella and Chewy's. 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 Stella and Chewy's Pet Foods

You can purchase Stella and Chewy's pet food products from these retailers:


91 Recipes In-Stock Today

59 Recipes In-Stock Today

34 Recipes In-Stock Today

37 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductInstinctStella and Chewy's
Dry Dog Food37 Recipes48 Recipes
Wet Dog Food10 Recipes23 Recipes
Dog TreatsNone30 Treats
Dry Cat Food20 Recipes5 Recipes
Wet Cat Food16 Recipes24 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated Instinct Recipes

Dog Food
Instinct
Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken
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Dog Food
Instinct
Original Canned Real Chicken Recipe
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Cat Food
Instinct
Raw Boost Grain-Free Recipe With Real Chicken
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Cat Food
Instinct
Original Canned Real Chicken Recipe
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Top Rated Stella and Chewy's Recipes

Dog Food
Stella and Chewy's
Freeze-Dried Patties Stella's Super Beef
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Dog Food
Stella and Chewy's
Stella's Stew Red Meat Medley
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Cat Food
Stella and Chewy's
Freeze-Dried Dinner Morsels Chick, Chick, Chicken
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Cat Food
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Purrfect Pate Chicken & Salmon Recipe
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