Instinct Be Natural Dog Food: Not as Natural as You Think!

Instinct Be Natural dog food, formerly known as Nature’s Variety Prairie, has changed a lot since it used to go by its former name. Nature’s Variety always strives to improve its formulas and Be Natural is no exception. But the question is, how does it compare to its former recipe? Is it just as healthy as it was back then?

Let’s jump into this Instinct Be Natural review to find out!

For this review, I will be focusing on the Real Chicken and Brown Rice formula.

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links*

 

 

Instinct Be Natural Dog Food Review

 

Name: Instinct Be Natural

Website URL: www.instinctpetfood.com

Flavors Available: Beef, Chicken, Lamb, and Salmon

Formulas Available: All Life Stages and Puppies

Sizes Available: 4.5 pounds, 12 pounds, 24 pounds, and 25 pounds

Price: Varies

Overall Rating:

 

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min) 25 %

Crude Fat (min) 14 %

Crude Fiber (max) 6 %

Moisture (max) 10 %

Vitamin E (min) 100 IU/kg

*Omega 6 Fatty Acids (min) 2.10 %

*Omega 3 Fatty Acids (min) 0.40 %

 

Instinct Be Natural Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid), Suncured Alfalfa Meal, Peas, Turkey Meal, Ground Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Menhaden Fish Meal, Montmorillonite Clay, Carrots, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin), Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Blueberries, Cranberries, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide), Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Yeast Culture, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis Fermentation Extract, Freeze Dried Chicken, Freeze Dried Chicken Liver, Pumpkinseeds, Freeze Dried Chicken Heart, Rosemary Extract.

 

Ingredient Breakdown

Chicken

This is a high-quality protein ingredient. Keep in mind, after the cooking process, this ingredient typically reduces by half.

Chicken Meal

This is another high-quality protein ingredient used in this food. It can contain as much as 300% more protein than chicken contains by itself.

Oatmeal

This ingredient is a source of soluble fiber, which can help to regulate blood sugar levels naturally and can also help to keep your dog’s stool regular.

Brown Rice

This grain ingredient is highly nutritious. It is an ingredient that contains a minimal amount of protein, less fat than white rice and is a source of digestible carbohydrates.

Barley

Barley is an ingredient that is low in cholesterol, yet high in fiber. While it is considered to be a healthy carbohydrate ingredient, it is also highly digestible. This ingredient can help give your dog the energy he or she needs and can help keep the digestive system healthy.

Chicken Fat

This is a high-quality source of fat. It contains Omega 3 fatty acids, which can help support a shiny coat and healthy skin.

Suncured Alfalfa Meal

This ingredient contains the perfect blend of essential vitamins, minerals and digestive enzymes your dog needs. It can help keep your dog’s digestive system healthy and functioning properly.

Peas

This is a common ingredient often synonymous with grain-free formulas. It is a source of natural antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and digestible fiber.

Turkey Meal

This is a high-quality protein ingredient. It can contain up to 300% more protein than turkey contains by itself.

Ground Flaxseed

This ingredient is an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids, which can help promote a shiny coat and healthy skin. It is also a source of fiber, which can help promote a healthy digestive system.

Natural Flavor

This is an ingredient that I have flagged because it doesn’t specifically explain where exactly the “natural flavor” comes from. However, natural flavors tend to derive from meat, vegetable or fruit sources (or a mixture of all three). It is typically used to enhance the flavor of the kibble, so dogs are more inclined to eat it.

Menhaden Fish Meal

This is yet another high-quality protein ingredient that can contain as much as 300% more protein than Menhaden fish contains. It is also a source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which can promote that shiny coat you love and healthy skin.

Montmorillonite Clay

This ingredient is used as a natural source of minerals, as much as 67 of them including potassium, iron, and calcium. It is also used as a detoxifying agent that can help eliminate waste and toxins naturally.

Carrots

This is a low-calorie ingredient that can be a source of Vitamin A, potassium and fiber.

 

Instinct Be Natural Sizes, Flavors, and Price

Instinct Be Natural Chicken Recipe

This formula is made with all-natural chicken as the first ingredient and loaded with protein your dogs will love. It uses the power of raw ingredients to make a simple dog food no dog will be able to resist.

Sizes Available: 4.5 pounds, 12 pounds and 25 pounds

 

Instinct Be Natural Beef Recipe

This is the perfect formula for those who need extra fat and protein for highly energetic dogs. It is made with real beef listed as the first ingredient and contains absolutely NO fillers.

Sizes Available: 4.5 pounds and 25 pounds

 

Instinct Be Natural Lamb Recipe

This is the perfect recipe for dogs who suffer from severe food sensitivities or dogs who have very sensitive stomachs. Made with all-natural lamb as the first ingredient, this lean protein can help dogs feel full while giving them the nutritionally balanced meal they need.

Sizes Available: 4.5 pounds, 12 pounds and 24 pounds

 

Instinct Be Natural Salmon

This recipe is ideal to give dogs that shiny coat you love to see. Made with natural salmon and healthy brown rice, this formula is loaded with all the essential vitamins and minerals your dog needs.

Sizes Available: 4.5 pounds and 24 pounds

 

Instinct Be Natural Puppy Recipe

Need a formula that will give puppies of all breeds the vitamins and minerals they need to grow up big and strong? Then look no further! This formula is specifically formulated to give growing puppies the essential protein and nutrients they need to grow into strong and healthy adults.

Sizes Available: 4.5 pounds and 24 pounds

 

Instinct Be Natural Reviews by Pet Owners

Surprisingly, even with the good rapport Nature’s Variety Instinct has with pet owners, the reviews I was able to find about this brand were fairly mixed. See what pet parents have been saying below!

We absolutely love this food! I found this food after consulting my veterinarian and he recommended a food that contains decent levels of taurine. I decided to give this brand a try and my dogs love it. My dogs love all of the flavors options! -Sherri1

Sometimes this food is good. Sometimes it’s not. I love this brand and my dogs love the taste. However, some flavors tend to suit my dogs better than others. -Kelly Stark

Thanks to this food, my dog no longer suffers from dermatitis. My dogs are notorious for getting ear infections constantly. But after switching to this food, specifically the lamb flavor. No more ear infections! -Chris

A great quality food at a great price. I switched to this food to get away from brands that used legumes as the second or third ingredient. My dogs love this food and so does my veterinarian. -Inner City Teacher

So far, my dogs seem to be good on this food. My dog is infamous for not liking any food I get her, but this brand seems to please her. She eats it without giving me issues. -Anonymous

 

Instinct Be Natural Dog Food: The Bottomline

After just glancing at the ingredients of Instinct Be Natural dog food, I can say I am honestly impressed. And that is saying something since I have reviewed a lot of dog food brands since this site’s start. Sure, it does have a few grain ingredients, but the ones they do have a low glycemic index so that’s a plus for me. On top of that, with mostly positive reviews and a decent price, this is a food I have no problem recommending.

Final Verdict:

Highly Recommended

 

Have you fed your dog’s Instinct Be Natural dog food? If so, how did your dog like it? How did you like it? Let me know in the comments section below!