Instinct Original Real Chicken Recipe
Raw-feeding advocates who want the closest thing to raw in a canned format
Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Entree
Vet-recommended feeding programs that pair with Hill's dry food
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 Hill's Science Diet Adult Chicken & Barley Entree
Vet-recommended feeding programs that pair with Hill's dry food
Hill's Science Diet wet food follows the same formula as their dry — strong nutritional science, precise formulation, but ingredient quality that doesn't match the price. By-product meal at ~$11/day is a hard sell when competitors offer named-protein formulas for similar money. Best used in combination with Hill's dry food on vet recommendation.
Strengths
- Developed by veterinary nutritionists with feeding trial validation
- Precise nutrient balance optimized for adult dog maintenance
- Good safety record for wet food lines over the past 5+ years
Limitations
- Contains chicken by-product meal — not a premium protein source
- Premium pricing (~$11/day) for ingredient quality that trails competitors
- Minimal sourcing transparency on ingredient origins
