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Instinct vs Whole Earth Farms

Instinct vs. Whole Earth Farms

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

Guaranteed Analysis: Whole Earth Farms 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. Whole Earth Farms Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodInstinctWhole Earth Farms
Crude Protein36.2%29.0%
Crude Fat24.1%15.1%
Crude Fiber4.4%5.0%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodInstinctWhole Earth Farms
Crude Protein42.1%39.2%
Crude Fat27.7%21.2%
Crude Fiber10.0%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.

There is a relatively large difference between the protein content of Instinct and Whole Earth Farms. On average, Whole Earth Farms dry dog food recipes contain 7.23% less protein than Instinct recipes. For wet dog foods, Instinct typically provides a little more protein (about 2.84% 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.

The comparison table above shows that Instinct dry dog foods provide significantly more fat than Whole Earth Farms. More specifically, Instinct guarantees at least 9.04% more fat. For wet dog foods, Instinct provides more fat (about 6.53% more).


There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. With regards to wet dog food, Instinct and Whole Earth Farms also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Instinct Cat Food vs. Whole Earth Farms Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodInstinctWhole Earth Farms
Crude Protein43.7%39.6%
Crude Fat25.4%14.8%
Crude Fiber3.7%4.7%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodInstinctWhole Earth Farms
Crude Protein47.1%42.2%
Crude Fat25.0%19.7%
Crude Fiber8.6%12.4%

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.

Whole Earth Farms dry recipes contain 4.11% less protein than Instinct dry recipes. This difference in protein content is a notable difference between Instinct and Whole Earth Farms. In addition, Instinct wet cat foods also provide more protein than Whole Earth Farms wet foods.


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 dry cat foods clearly provides more fat than Whole Earth Farms. In fact, the difference between the fat content is roughly 10.53%, which is a significant amount. For wet cat foods, Instinct provides more fat (about 5.25% more).


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet cat foods, Whole Earth Farms typically provides a little more fiber (about 3.81% more).

Instinct Pet Food Ingredients vs. Whole Earth Farms Pet Food Ingredients

Instinct and Whole Earth Farms both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Pea Protein

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

Garlic
Canola Oil
Tomato Pomace
Dried 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 Whole Earth Farms.

Canola Meal
Caramel Color

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

Instinct and Whole Earth Farms both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Instinct & Whole Earth Farms?

Instinct has been recalled 2 times.

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

According to our records, Whole Earth Farms has never been recalled.

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodInstinctWhole Earth Farms
Per Pound$8.93$3.33
Per Calorie$0.0044$0.0021
Dry Cat FoodInstinctWhole Earth Farms
Per Pound$11.49$6.34
Per Calorie$0.0057$0.0040
Wet Dog FoodInstinctWhole Earth Farms
Per Pound$6.31$5.63
Per Calorie$0.0107$0.0108
Wet Cat FoodInstinctWhole Earth Farms
Per Pound$8.87$7.73
Per Calorie$0.0179$0.0150

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 Whole Earth Farms, 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 Whole Earth Farms 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 Whole Earth Farms. 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 Whole Earth Farms Pet Foods

You can purchase Whole Earth Farms pet food products from these retailers:


11 Recipes In-Stock Today

12 Recipes In-Stock Today

16 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductInstinctWhole Earth Farms
Dry Dog Food37 Recipes9 Recipes
Wet Dog Food10 Recipes15 Recipes
Dog TreatsNone3 Treats
Dry Cat Food20 Recipes5 Recipes
Wet Cat Food16 Recipes17 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated Instinct Recipes

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Top Rated Whole Earth Farms Recipes

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