
Instinct Original Real Chicken Recipe
Raw-feeding advocates who want the closest thing to raw in a canned format

Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials Classic Pate
Owners who trust veterinary-backed formulation and want science-driven nutrition
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 Pro Plan Complete Essentials Classic Pate
Owners who trust veterinary-backed formulation and want science-driven nutrition
Purina Pro Plan Complete Essentials wet food mirrors its dry food sibling — excellent nutritional science, strong palatability, but with by-products and unnamed ingredients in the mix. The veterinary backing and feeding trial data give it credibility. The 2022-2023 recalls on other Purina lines are a trust factor to weigh.
Strengths
- Veterinarian-recommended brand backed by extensive feeding trial research
- Excellent nutritional profile with precise vitamin/mineral balance
- Smooth pate texture with consistently high palatability ratings
Limitations
- Contains poultry by-product meal and unnamed protein sources
- Dec 2022/Feb 2023 recalls of veterinary diet lines affect brand trust
- At ~$7/day, premium pricing for ingredient quality that trails dedicated premium brands

