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Instinct vs Wellness

Instinct is made by Nature's Variety (owned by Agrolimen S.A.), and Wellness by Wellness Pet Company (owned by Clearlake Capital Group), and both make food for cats and dogs. On KibbleLab, Instinct averages 8.4 out of 10 across its scored foods, compared with 8.2 for Wellness.

Instinct and Wellness compared

Instinct Wellness
Manufacturer Nature's Variety Wellness Pet Company
Parent company Agrolimen S.A. Clearlake Capital Group
Founded 2002 2021
Headquarters St. Louis, Missouri, USA Tewksbury, Massachusetts, USA
Products listed 108 259
Serves Cats & dogs Cats & dogs
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 Yes
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) 8.2 (avg of 259)
Recalls on record KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.
None None
Where to buy Amazon Amazon

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Instinct vs Wellness: how they compare

Scores

Instinct scores higher on KibbleLab, averaging 8.4 out of 10 across 108 scored foods, compared with 8.2 across 259 for Wellness. 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. Wellness is made by Wellness Pet Company, owned by Clearlake Capital Group, based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, USA, founded in 2021.

Standards and range

Neither meets WSAVA's published manufacturer criteria. Both are accredited by the Pet Sustainability Coalition. KibbleLab lists 108 Instinct foods and 259 Wellness foods.

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Common Questions

Which scores higher on KibbleLab, Instinct or Wellness?

Instinct scores higher: it averages 8.4 out of 10 across 108 scored foods, compared with 8.2 for Wellness. Scores reflect published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score.

Who makes Instinct and Wellness?

Instinct is made by Nature's Variety, which is owned by Agrolimen S.A. Wellness is made by Wellness Pet Company, which is owned by Clearlake Capital Group.

Which brand has more products on KibbleLab?

Wellness has 259 products in the KibbleLab database, compared with 108 for Instinct.

Where is each brand based?

Instinct is based in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Wellness is based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, USA.

Are Instinct or Wellness PSC Accredited?

Both Instinct and Wellness are PSC Accredited businesses. The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that Accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact.

Have Instinct or Wellness been recalled?

Neither Instinct nor Wellness 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 Wellness .

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.