4.7(1,500)Amazon rating$51.911,000+ bought last month
Our verdict
Instinct Ultimate Protein Grain Free Cage Free Chicken Recipe is a raw-coated, high protein kibble built for cats that do well on a grain-free diet, and its 4.7 star average across 1,500 reviews shows steady buyer satisfaction.
Owners who want a grain-free, high protein food with raw-coated kibble for cats of any age or breed size, indoors or out.
Skip if
Your cat needs a limited-ingredient or single-protein diet, since this recipe is built around a broader high protein formula rather than a simplified ingredient list.
Form Dry, Raw
Flavor Chicken
Benefits High Protein, Easy Digestion, Supports Skin, Coat, And Immune Health
Best for Indoor
Breed size Medium
Weight 10 Pounds
Priced 92% above the category median ($27.08 across 139 tracked models)
Our scorecard
4.7/5overall
Owner rating4.7/5
4.7 average across 1,500 owner ratings
Popularity1.5/5
1,500 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other dog and cat food, health, gear and grooming we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
["This 10 lb bag centers on a grain-free, cage-free chicken recipe with raw-coated kibble, a format Instinct uses to combine the convenience of dry food with a raw-inspired boost. It's built for young adult, adult, and senior cats, so one bag can carry a cat through most of its life stages.", "The formula leans on high protein content along with grain-free and gluten-free ingredients, and Instinct calls out benefits like easier digestion and support for skin, coat, and immune health. It's also free of soy and wheat, and there are no artificial colors in the mix.", 'At $51.91 for 10 lb, it sits in the mid to upper price range for grain-free dry food, but a 4.7 star average from 1,500 reviews and about 1,000 bags bought in the past month suggest cats are taking to the recipe and owners keep coming back for it.']
Pros
Grain-free, cage-free chicken recipe with raw-coated kibble
Formulated for young adult, adult, and senior cats
No artificial colors, and free of soy and wheat
Strong 4.7 star average from 1,500 reviews
Suitable for indoor and outdoor cats of any breed size
Cons
Priced higher than many standard dry foods at this size
Not a limited-ingredient recipe for cats with specific sensitivities
Raw-coated kibble may have a stronger smell than plain dry food
Specifications
Form
Dry, Raw
Flavor
Chicken
Benefits
High Protein, Easy Digestion, Supports Skin, Coat, And Immune Health
Best for
Indoor
Breed size
Medium
Weight
10 Pounds
Performance notes
The raw-coated kibble and high protein, grain-free formula are aimed at easier digestion and support for skin, coat, and immune health, with no artificial colors and no soy or wheat in the mix.
What buyers say
A 4.7 star average across 1,500 reviews, plus roughly 1,000 bags bought in the past month, points to a loyal following for this recipe rather than a niche or occasional purchase.
It's labeled for young adult, adult, and senior cats, so it can work as a single food through most of a cat's adult life rather than needing a switch at each stage.
Is this a grain-free recipe?
Yes, it's grain-free and gluten-free, and it's also free of soy and wheat, which can help if your cat does better without those ingredients.
What does raw-coated kibble mean?
It means the dry kibble pieces are coated with a raw ingredient layer, a format Instinct uses to add raw-inspired nutrition on top of a standard dry food base.
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