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Minced Real Rabbit Recipe Wet Cat Food
Instinct

Minced Real Rabbit Recipe Wet Cat Food

Verified Aug 30, 2026

Cat · Wet Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a grain-free minced wet cat food for adult cats, featuring rabbit and pork as the main animal protein sources in a high-moisture gravy. It includes added egg, flaxseed, and a variety of vegetables and fruits, plus omega fatty acids and taurine, to provide complete and balanced maintenance nutrition. The texture and high moisture content can be especially appealing for cats who prefer soft, juicy foods or need help with daily hydration.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited No recalls

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KibbleLab Score
8.3 out of 10

Strong Choice

A high-moisture, grain-free wet food that uses rabbit and pork as primary proteins and is formulated to be complete and balanced for adult cats. The recipe offers a good mix of animal protein, added taurine, and omega fatty acids, along with some whole-ingredient fruits and vegetables. It should suit many healthy adult cats, especially those who like minced textures or benefit from extra water in their diet, as long as they tolerate the proteins and peas well.

Nutritional profile 8.4
Ingredient composition 8.0
Adequacy substantiation 7.0
Health considerations 10.0

Computed from 4 of 4 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.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

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At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
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.
Hydration Support
Suitable For
Adult All Breed Sizes
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We'll check every ingredient against your pet's sensitivities and avoidance list.

Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • High moisture content (82%) helps support hydration, which is particularly beneficial for cats that don’t drink much water on their own.
  • Multiple named animal protein sources (rabbit, pork, pork liver, egg product) provide a good range of essential amino acids for adult maintenance.
  • Contains added taurine and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, important for heart, vision, skin, and coat health in cats.
  • Grain-free and free from wheat, corn, and soy, which can be helpful for some cats with specific ingredient sensitivities to those grains.

Considerations

  • Rabbit is present but not the first ingredient; cats that truly need a single, novel protein diet may not be good candidates because pork and egg are also included.
  • Uses dried ground peas as a carbohydrate and fiber source; while fine for most cats, a small number with legume sensitivities may not tolerate peas well.
  • The relatively low minimum fat level (2% as-fed) means this is a fairly lean wet food, which may not provide enough calories for very active or underweight cats unless fed in larger amounts.
  • Formulated for adult maintenance only, so it is not appropriate as the sole diet for kittens or pregnant/nursing cats.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Pork Broth, Rabbit, Pork Liver, Pork, Natural Flavor, Egg Product, Dried Ground Peas, Spinach, Carrots, Ground Flaxseed, Guar Gum, Montmorillonite Clay, Sodium Phosphate, Salt, Flaxseed Oil, Potassium Chloride, Dried Kelp, Calcium Carbonate, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid), Taurine, Xanthan Gum, Artichokes, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Tomato, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Parsley.

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
Pork Broth
Pork broth is typically used in pet foods and treats as a flavoring, palatant and moisture enhancer to improve aroma and encourage eating, and may contribute small amounts of protein, fat and minerals depending on preparation. It can help increase palatability and hydration, but owners should watch for high sodium or fat content and added seasonings (e.g., onion, garlic, or other additives) and avoid it for pets on sodium‑ or fat‑restricted diets or with pork sensitivities.
02
Rabbit
Rabbit is used in pet foods as a novel or alternative animal protein source for dogs and cats, prized for lean, highly digestible muscle protein and often selected for pets with food sensitivities. It supplies essential amino acids and low fat, but owners should choose complete, balanced formulations (cats especially need adequate taurine), be mindful of mineral imbalances if bone-in/whole‑prey ingredients are included, and avoid improperly handled raw rabbit due to food‑safety risks.
View ingredient
03
Pork Liver
Pork liver is an organ meat used in pet foods as a nutrient‑dense source of high‑quality protein and concentrated vitamins and minerals—notably vitamin A, B vitamins (including B12 and folate), iron and copper—that support red blood cell production, skin/coat condition and overall metabolism. Because liver is very rich in vitamin A and certain minerals, it should be included in limited amounts to avoid hypervitaminosis A or mineral imbalances and must be properly processed to reduce pathogen risk; pets with urinary stone issues or a pork sensitivity should use caution.
04
Pork
Pork is used in pet foods primarily as a high-quality animal protein and flavor enhancer, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins (especially B12 and niacin), iron and zinc, plus fat for calorie-dense energy; it can be suitable for both dogs and cats when balanced in a complete diet. Because pork can be relatively high in fat, it may be inappropriate for pets requiring low‑fat diets or those prone to pancreatitis, some animals may have sensitivities to pork, and raw or undercooked pork can carry parasites or pathogens so it should be properly processed or cooked.
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05
Natural Flavor
Natural flavor is used primarily as a palatability enhancer in pet foods to improve taste and aroma and is not intended to provide significant nutrients, typically coming from concentrated extracts of meat, poultry, plant, or fermentation sources. While it can increase acceptance in picky dogs and cats, manufacturers are not required to disclose specific sources so pets with known sensitivities or allergies may react, and presence of natural flavor should not be taken as a guarantee of overall product quality.

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.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
9.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
2.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
1.50%
Low High
Moisture (max)
82.00%
Low High
752
kcal / Kg
75
kcal / 3.5 oz cup
Low
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Minced
Food type Wet

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages Adult Maintenance
Substantiation Formulation
Instinct Minced Rabbit Recipe in Savory Gravy is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.

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.

Price tier $$$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Nature's Variety
Parent company Agrolimen S.A.
Founded 2002
Headquarters St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Manufacturing type In House
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region Nebraska
Manufacturing oversight

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.

Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited business seal
Pet Sustainability Coalition Accredited

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 recalls on record

No recall is listed for Instinct Minced Real Rabbit Recipe Wet Cat Food.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.3 /10 Grade A
Minced Real Rabbit Recipe Wet Cat Food
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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.

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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.