Instinct Original Real Chicken Recipe
Raw-feeding advocates who want the closest thing to raw in a canned format
Purina ONE True Instinct Grain-Free Classic Ground
Value-oriented owners who want real meat first without paying premium prices
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Instinct Original Real Chicken Recipe
Raw-feeding advocates who want the closest thing to raw in a canned format
Instinct Original is as close to raw feeding as canned food gets — 95% real animal ingredients with cage-free chicken. The minimally processed philosophy extends to their wet food with excellent ingredient quality. At ~$9/day it commands a premium, but the ingredient list justifies it for quality-focused owners.
Strengths
- Cage-free chicken is the #1 ingredient with 95% real animal ingredients
- No grain, corn, wheat, soy, potato, artificial colors, or preservatives
- Minimally processed formula with whole-food ingredients for maximum nutrition
Limitations
- Premium pricing at ~$9/day — significantly more expensive than mid-range
- Grain-free formula subject to FDA DCM investigation concerns
- 2021 recall of freeze-dried product line (not canned) is a minor safety note
When to Choose Purina ONE True Instinct Grain-Free Classic Ground
Value-oriented owners who want real meat first without paying premium prices
Purina ONE True Instinct offers a meaningful step up from budget brands with real turkey as the first ingredient and grain-free formulation. At ~$5/day, it hits a sweet spot between quality and affordability. The broader Purina recall history is a consideration, though this specific product line was not involved.
Strengths
- Real turkey is the #1 ingredient with grain-free formulation
- Good value at ~$5/day — solid mid-range pricing for ingredient quality
- Classic ground texture works well as a standalone meal or kibble mixer
Limitations
- Contains some unnamed protein sources alongside named turkey
- Purina brand had Dec 2022/Feb 2023 recalls on veterinary diet lines
- Ingredient transparency lags behind premium competitors
