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Instinct vs WholeHearted

Instinct vs. WholeHearted

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

Guaranteed Analysis: WholeHearted 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. WholeHearted Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodInstinctWholeHearted
Crude Protein36.2%29.1%
Crude Fat24.1%15.6%
Crude Fiber4.4%5.6%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodInstinctWholeHearted
Crude Protein42.1%43.6%
Crude Fat27.7%24.3%
Crude Fiber10.0%7.0%

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.

The table shows that WholeHearted provides far less protein than Instinct. The difference in protein content is roughly 7.10%. For wet dog foods, WholeHearted and Instinct provide roughly the same amount of protein.


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.

On average, Instinct dry dog food recipes contain 8.54% more fat than WholeHearted recipes. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the fat content of WholeHearted and Instinct. For wet dog foods, Instinct typically provides a little more fat (about 3.38% more).


As you can see, Instinct and WholeHearted guarantee a similar amount of crude fiber. For wet dog foods, Instinct typically provides a little more fiber (about 2.92% more).

Instinct Cat Food vs. WholeHearted Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodInstinctWholeHearted
Crude Protein43.7%36.7%
Crude Fat25.4%15.9%
Crude Fiber3.7%5.2%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodInstinctWholeHearted
Crude Protein47.1%57.0%
Crude Fat25.0%17.1%
Crude Fiber8.6%7.5%

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.

Our analysis shows that Instinct guarantees 6.99% more protein than WholeHearted dry cat food recipes. In addition, WholeHearted wet cat foods also provide more protein than Instinct 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):

  • 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.

When you look at the average percentages of crude fat for dry cat food, it's clear that Instinct provides significantly more fat. On average, Instinct guarantees about 9.51% more protein than WholeHearted. For wet cat foods, Instinct provides more fat (about 7.90% more).


Instinct and WholeHearted both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Instinct and WholeHearted also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Instinct Pet Food Ingredients vs. WholeHearted Pet Food Ingredients

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

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

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

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

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

Beet Pulp
Iron Oxide
Caramel Color
Powdered Cellulose

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

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

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Instinct & WholeHearted?

Instinct has been recalled 2 times.

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

According to our records, WholeHearted has never been recalled.


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 WholeHearted Pet Foods

You can purchase WholeHearted pet food products from these retailers:


Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductInstinctWholeHearted
Dry Dog Food37 Recipes22 Recipes
Wet Dog Food10 Recipes21 Recipes
Dog TreatsNone18 Treats
Dry Cat Food20 Recipes11 Recipes
Wet Cat Food16 Recipes17 Recipes
Cat TreatsNone14 Treats

Top Rated Instinct Recipes

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Top Rated WholeHearted Recipes

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Dry Dog Food Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
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Grain Free Wet Dog Food Beef & Chicken Dinner Minced In Gravy
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Grain Free Dry Cat Food Beef & Pea Recipe
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Healthy Benefits Easy Digestion Chicken Recipe For Adult Cats
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