March 31, 2023⚠ Important recall information appears below.
Nature’s Variety, a privately owned company based in St. Louis, offers a holistic diet for pets. The company is founded upon the belief that the best nutrition for a pet comes from healthy and natural ingredients.
Offering both holistic and raw frozen diets for dogs and cats, Nature’s Variety says it strives to empower people to make their pets’ lives longer and healthier.
Nature’s Variety Quick Facts
Brand line includes: Instinct Raw Boost Kibble, Instinct Raw Foods for Dogs, Instinct Kibble for Dogs, Instinct Limited Ingredient Kibble for Dogs, Instinct Healthy Weight Kibble for Dogs, Instinct Raw Bites for Cats, Instinct Raw Boost Kibble for Cats, Instinct Kibble for Cats, Homestyle by Prairie Canned Foods for Cats, and Prairie Kibble and Cans for dogs
Cost: $$$
Company: Nature’s Variety
Headquarters: 55 West Port Plaza Drive, Suite 200, Saint Louis, MO 63146
Contact info: 888-519-7387, email
Has Nature’s Variety Ever Been Recalled?
Yes. In 2015, Nature’s Variety initiated a recall of certain chicken-based dog foods after FDA testing showed a positive sample for salmonella. In 2013 there was another recall after the company became aware of clear plastic being found in the food. One other recall in 2010 addressed a limited amount of chicken medallions, patties and chubs that had the potential for salmonella contamination.
More recently, in late June 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified Nature’s Variety as one of 16 pet food brands that may be linked to heart disease in dogs and cats. None of those 16 brands have been recalled as part of the agency’s ongoing investigation, though. Most, but not all, of the pet foods are “grain-free” and/or dry (kibble) dog food formulations. The FDA says this is a “complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors,” and that it cannot even be certain that diet is a cause of the heart problems. For full details, see our article on the subject.
List of Nature’s Variety Recalls
July 2015
Cause: Potential for salmonella. Announcement: FDA report dated July 24, 2015. What was recalled: The following raw dog foods:
- Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Bites, 4 lb. and 7 lb., Best by April 27, 2016
- Instinct Raw Chicken Formula Patties, 6 lb., Best by April 27, 2016
February 2013
Cause: Foreign body/choking hazard. Announcement: FDA report dated Feb. 15, 2013. What was recalled: Instinct Raw Organic Chicken Formula medallions (3 lb. bag, 27 lb. case) and patties (6 lb. bag, 36 lb. case), “Best By” Oct. 4, 2013.
February 2010
Cause: Salmonella potential. Announcement: FDA report dated Feb. 11, 2010. What was recalled: 3 lb. chicken medallions, 6 lb. chicken patties, 2 lb. chicken chubs with a “Best By” date of Nov. 10, 2010.
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Have You Had a Problem With Nature’s Variety?
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