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  3. Nature's Variety Dog Food Review (Brand) - Complete Buyer’s Guide
Product Review

Nature's Variety Dog Food Review (Brand) - Complete Buyer’s Guide

Petful
PetfulPublished May 30, 2024
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Pros

  • High-quality, natural ingredients
  • Variety of product lines (e.g., Raw Boost, Original)
  • Includes raw and minimally processed options
  • Formulas cater to specific dietary needs (e.g., limited ingredient diets)

Cons

  • Con 1High cost compared to some other brands
  • Limited availability in certain regions

Product Comparison

Product LineProduct Name AAFCO
Instinct Raw Boost Instinct Raw Boost with Real Beef A
Instinct Raw Boost Instinct Raw Boost with Real Chicken A
Instinct Raw Boost Instinct Raw Boost Small Breed with Real Chicken A
Instinct Original Instinct Original Grain Free with Real Chicken A
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Nature's Variety Dog Food Key Information

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This comprehensive Nature's Variety dog food review is brought to you by Petful, the leading source for pet food recalls for over a decade. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure you make an informed purchase. 

Rating: Is Nature's Variety Dog Food Good?

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Highest rating as of May 2, 2024, follow the links to see updated ratings.

Pros and Cons

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Nature's Variety Dog Food Recalls

  • There have been Nature's Variety Dog Food recalls, according to our research.
  • Check the full Nature's Variety recall history here. Check our updated Pet Food Recall Center here.

Recall disclaimer: Recalls don’t necessarily reflect a brand’s overall quality. They are often precautionary, aimed at ensuring pet safety. Consider the specifics of each recall when choosing products.

Complaints, Issues, and Controversies

  • Customer Affairs: https://www.naturesvariety.com/en/contact-faq
  • Amazon: Instinct Raw Boost Puppy Grain Free Chicken Meal 1-star reviews

Products and Ingredients

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Controversial Ingredients and Additives

  • Peas: May be linked to heart disease in dogs when used in significant amounts due to their association with canine dilated cardiomyopathy.Check out American Kennel Club's: "Peas in Dog Food: What You Need to Know"
  • Menhaden fish meal:Often criticized due to sustainability concerns and potential contamination with heavy metals and other pollutants.Check out Dog Naturally's: "Menhaden Fish: What You Need To Know"
  • Dried tomato pomace: Considered a filler with limited nutritional value, and sometimes criticized for being a by-product of tomato manufacturing.

The presence of certain ingredients doesn't alone determine a dog food's quality. It depends on the overall recipe, ingredient quality, and the dog's unique needs. Opinions on these ingredients vary among experts, and research is ongoing.

Nature's Variety Dog Food Overview

Nature's Variety, founded in 2002 in St. Louis, USA, positions itself as a provider of natural, holistic, and balanced nutrition aimed at enhancing the physical and mental well-being of dogs and cats. The brand claims to prioritize high-quality, natural ingredients as fundamental to a healthy diet. Under the Instinct brand, Nature’s Variety offers a range of products including high-protein, grain-free options and raw diets, which emphasize the importance of raw nutrition. Expanding its reach,

Nature’s Variety launched under the name True Instinct in Europe in 2016, where it claims to leverage advanced research to continually innovate and improve its product offerings. By 2021, the company aimed to take natural nutrition further with the rebranding to Nature's Variety, continuing its commitment to top-quality, healthy ingredients for pet nutrition on a global scale, under both the Nature's Variety and Instinct brand names.

Petful's Nature's Variety Dog Food Review

The Instinct brand by Nature’s Variety Dog Food receives high praise for its emphasis on natural, high-protein ingredients, appealing particularly to pet owners seeking grain-free options. Among its offerings, Instinct Raw Boost and Instinct Original stand out for combining high-quality, dry kibble with freeze-dried raw meat, making it highly palatable and nutritious. Users appreciate the variety of recipes catering to different dietary needs, including limited-ingredient diets for sensitive dogs.

However, some concerns are raised about ingredients like peas and dried tomato pomace, which are seen by some as fillers or potentially linked to health issues like dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. Despite these controversies, the brand is often recommended for its commitment to quality and comprehensive nutritional profiles that cater to all stages of a dog's life. Overall, Instinct is celebrated for its innovative approach to canine nutrition, though it is not without its detractors who question some of the ingredient choices.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Nature's Variety is the parent company of the Instinct brand of pet food.

Nature's Variety was founded in St. Louis, USA, in 2002.

Nature's Variety is located in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Explore More Options for Dog Food

  • Eukanuba Dog Food Authority Dog Food Nom Nom Dog Food

A Final Word (Disclaimer)

At Petful, our review integrity is paramount; we never exchange special treatment in our reviews for monetary or material rewards.

Nonetheless, when our readers click through to online merchants (including Chewy or Amazon), we receive a referral commission. This supports the running of our free blog, and we appreciate your backing.

For additional information, kindly refer to our Disclaimer and Discourse Section.

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Verdicts

Instinct: (5/5)
Instinct: (4.5/5)
Instinct: (4.5/5)

Petful Verdict

Recommended

Petful Review

Conclusion

Nature's Variety Instinct is recommended for its commitment to high-quality, natural ingredients and manufacturing practices that prioritize the health and wellbeing of pets.

Sources

  1. Dog Food Advisor
  2. Wag!
  3. Dogster

Reviewed By

Vet-Approved Content - Reviewed By The <a href="/team/" title="Petful team">Petful Team</a>

Petful is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through links on this page.

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Jump to Section

  • Nature's Variety Dog Food Key Information
  • Rating: Is Nature's Variety Dog Food Good?
  • Pros and Cons
  • Nature's Variety Dog Food Recalls
  • Complaints, Issues, and Controversies
  • Products and Ingredients
  • Controversial Ingredients and Additives
  • Nature's Variety Dog Food Overview
  • Petful's Nature's Variety Dog Food Review
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • Explore More Options for Dog Food
  • A Final Word (Disclaimer)

Key Information

Brand
Nature's Variety
Company
Nature's Variety
Country
USA
Age Range
Since 2005
Price
<a href="https://www.naturesvariety.com/en/dog/dog-food" rel="sponsored">Check for updated pricing here</a>
Recalls
There have been recalls for Nature's Variety

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