Healthy Cravings Real Salmon Recipe Topper
Verified Aug 26, 2026
This is a salmon-based wet topper for cats, providing extra animal protein and moisture to mix with a complete and balanced diet. It features wild-caught salmon, chicken, chicken liver, and egg as key protein sources, with a chunks-in-gravy texture that can help boost hydration and palatability. Because it’s formulated for supplemental use, it should be added on top of a regular, nutritionally complete cat food rather than fed on its own.
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Strong Choice
Nutritionally, this is a high-quality protein topper designed to enhance flavor, protein, and moisture in your cat’s regular meals. The use of named animal ingredients like salmon, chicken, liver, and egg provides a rich amino acid profile and good palatability. It’s best suited for healthy cats who are already eating a complete and balanced diet, especially those who benefit from extra moisture or encouragement to eat, but it should not be the sole source of nutrition.
Computed from 3 of 3 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.
The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.
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At a Glance
Where these benefits come from
Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.KibbleLab Review
Strengths
- Multiple named animal protein sources (salmon, chicken, chicken liver, eggs) provide high-quality, highly digestible protein and good palatability.
- High moisture content can help support overall water intake, which is especially useful for cats that don’t drink much on their own.
- Grain-free and made without corn, wheat, or soy, which may suit cats with sensitivities to those specific ingredients.
- Calorie density is moderate for a topper, making it easy to add flavor and moisture without adding excessive calories when used appropriately.
Considerations
- This product is for intermittent or supplemental feeding only and must be fed along with a complete and balanced cat food; it is not suitable as a stand-alone diet.
- Contains chicken and egg, which are common allergens for some cats, so it may not be appropriate for cats with known sensitivities to those proteins.
- Includes peas (as ground dried peas); while present lower in the ingredient list, this is worth noting if you are specifically trying to avoid legumes in your cat’s diet.
Full Ingredient List
Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.
Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.
Top 5 Ingredients Explained
01
Salmon Broth
Salmon broth is a savory liquid used in pet foods and as a meal topper to boost palatability and encourage hydration, supplying small amounts of protein, amino acids and omega‑3 fatty acids that can support skin and coat health in dogs and cats. It can help entice picky eaters and increase water intake, but owners should choose low‑sodium, commercially prepared broths free of onion/garlic or other toxic additives and be mindful of fish allergies or potential contaminants in fish‑derived ingredients.
02
Salmon
Salmon is commonly used as a high-quality animal protein and rich source of omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) in dog and cat foods, supporting skin and coat condition, joint and cognitive health, and overall muscle maintenance. While very nutritious, salmon can be an allergen for some pets and raw salmon may pose risks from parasites, thiaminase-related thiamine loss, and region-specific pathogens (e.g., salmon poisoning); owners should avoid feeding uncooked bones and consider sourcing to minimize contaminant and sustainability concerns.
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03
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
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04
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
05
Egg
Eggs are used in pet foods as a highly digestible, complete animal protein and nutrient source—providing essential amino acids, bioavailable vitamins (A, D, E, B-complex including B12), minerals like selenium and iron, choline and healthy fats—while also improving palatability and texture. They support muscle maintenance, skin/coat and cognitive health in dogs and cats, but raw eggs can carry bacterial risk and contain avidin in whites that may reduce biotin with long-term feeding; some pets may also have egg allergies or require portion control for calorie management.
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Nutritional Breakdown
How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter
As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.What is calorie density
How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.Not sure how much of this to feed?
The right daily portion depends on your cat's weight, age, and activity level. Create a free account, add your cat, and get their daily calories and portion sizes.
Product Details & Brand
Product Specs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional
adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.
What is AAFCO
Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.Why this is not complete and balanced
This product is not labeled complete and balanced. It is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding.Brand
Instinct is Nature’s Variety’s flagship brand dedicated to raw and minimally processed pet nutrition. It positions itself in the premium and super-premium segment, focusing on high-protein, grain-free, and raw-inspired diets. Instinct offers frozen raw, freeze-dried raw, kibble with raw coatings, and canned foods aimed at health-conscious pet owners who value a biologically appropriate diet.
Manufacturer
Nature's Variety manages manufacturing quality and safety in accordance with FDA and AAFCO guidelines. Their manufacturing facilities adhere to stringent quality control protocols and HACCP food safety programs to ensure the integrity of their frozen and freeze-dried raw products.
PSC is a nonprofit that Accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact, through third-party verification. Nature's Variety is a PSC Accredited business. View profile
Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.
Recall History
No recall is listed for Instinct Healthy Cravings Real Salmon Recipe Topper.
Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Sep 1, 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
Has Instinct ever been recalled?
We have no recalls on record for Instinct. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
How does KibbleLab rate foods?
Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.
Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?
No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.
KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.
KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.
Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.
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