Skip to content

6,000+ pet foods rated. Your best match, free in 30 seconds.

Instinct vs Meow Mix

Instinct is made by Nature's Variety (owned by Agrolimen S.A.), and Meow Mix by Big Heart Pet Brands (owned by The J.M. Smucker Company). On KibbleLab, Instinct averages 8.4 out of 10 across its scored foods, compared with 6.6 for Meow Mix. Instinct is accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition; Meow Mix is not.

Instinct and Meow Mix compared

Instinct Meow Mix
Manufacturer Nature's Variety Big Heart Pet Brands
Parent company Agrolimen S.A. The J.M. Smucker Company
Founded 2002 2014
Headquarters St. Louis, Missouri, USA San Francisco, California, USA
Products listed 108 25
Serves Cats & dogs Cats
Price tier A relative price guide, from $ (most affordable) to $$$$$ (most premium), based on the brand's typical retail cost.
$$$$$ $$
WSAVA guidelines The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer: qualified nutritionists on staff, feeding trials, and published research. It does not certify or endorse brands.
No No
PSC accredited The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. It reflects sustainability practices, not food quality.
Yes No
Score The average KibbleLab score across this brand's scored foods, on a 0 to 10 scale. Foods are scored on published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score. How scoring works .
8.4 (avg of 108) 6.6 (avg of 25)
Recalls on record KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.
None None
Where to buy Amazon Amazon

Affiliate links · may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Instinct vs Meow Mix: how they compare

Scores

Instinct scores higher on KibbleLab, averaging 8.4 out of 10 across 108 scored foods, compared with 6.6 across 25 for Meow Mix. Scores apply the same criteria-based rubric to every food, drawn from published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score.

Who makes them

Instinct is made by Nature's Variety, owned by Agrolimen S.A., based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, founded in 2002. Meow Mix is made by Big Heart Pet Brands, owned by The J.M. Smucker Company, based in San Francisco, California, USA, founded in 2014.

Standards and range

Neither meets WSAVA's published manufacturer criteria. Instinct is accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition; Meow Mix is not. KibbleLab lists 108 Instinct foods and 25 Meow Mix foods.

Not sure which is right for your pet?

Sign in free to see Instinct and Meow Mix scored for your pet's breed, age, and health focus, save favorites, and compare foods side by side.

Example foods

Common Questions

Which scores higher on KibbleLab, Instinct or Meow Mix?

Instinct scores higher: it averages 8.4 out of 10 across 108 scored foods, compared with 6.6 for Meow Mix. Scores reflect published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score.

Who makes Instinct and Meow Mix?

Instinct is made by Nature's Variety, which is owned by Agrolimen S.A. Meow Mix is made by Big Heart Pet Brands, which is owned by The J.M. Smucker Company.

Which brand has more products on KibbleLab?

Instinct has 108 products in the KibbleLab database, compared with 25 for Meow Mix.

Where is each brand based?

Instinct is based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Meow Mix is based in San Francisco, California, USA.

Are Instinct or Meow Mix PSC Accredited?

Instinct is a PSC Accredited business. The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that Accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification.

Have Instinct or Meow Mix been recalled?

Neither Instinct nor Meow Mix has a recall on record in the KibbleLab database. KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.

See the full profiles: Instinct and Meow Mix .

More comparisons

KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

This is a neutral, factual comparison, not a ranking or an endorsement of either brand. KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through links. No one can pay for placement or a higher score.

Brand and manufacturer details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing. Recall data is compiled from public FDA and manufacturer notices, and a notice may name the parent company rather than the brand. KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.

KibbleLab scores and commentary are editorial opinions based on published data. Represent one of these brands? Request a correction. Anyone else can email us. See our Terms.