In this comparison article for Instinct vs Hill's Bioactive Recipe, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Instinct and Hill's Bioactive Recipe, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.
Throughout this Hill's Bioactive Recipe vs Instinct comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Instinct Review Page or Hill's Bioactive Recipe Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Hill's Bioactive Recipe vs. Instinct
According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.
All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.
Instinct Dog Food vs. Hill's Bioactive Recipe Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Instinct
Hill's Bioactive Recipe
Crude Protein
36.2%
25.2%
Crude Fat
24.1%
12.7%
Crude Fiber
4.4%
5.6%
Wet/Canned Dog Food
Instinct
Hill's Bioactive Recipe
Crude Protein
42.1%
27.5%
Crude Fat
27.7%
21.7%
Crude Fiber
10.0%
3.2%
Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food
Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.
On average, Instinct dry dog food recipes contain 11.03% more protein than Hill's Bioactive Recipe recipes. Clearly, there is a significant difference between the protein content of Hill's Bioactive Recipe and Instinct. Similarly, Instinct wet dog foods provide significantly more protein than Hill's Bioactive Recipe wet foods.
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Like protein, fats are an essential part of a dog's body. Fats are needed for the proper development and function of the canine body.
When you look at the average percentages of crude fat for dry dog food, it's clear that Instinct provides significantly more fat. On average, Instinct guarantees about 11.49% more protein than Hill's Bioactive Recipe. For wet dog foods, Instinct provides more fat (about 6.01% more).
As you can see, Instinct and Hill's Bioactive Recipe guarantee a similar amount of crude fiber. For wet dog foods, Instinct provides more fiber (about 6.80% more).
Instinct Pet Food Ingredients vs. Hill's Bioactive Recipe Pet Food Ingredients
Instinct and Hill's Bioactive Recipe both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Pea Protein
Pea Protein
Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Instinct.
Garlic
Garlic
Garlic in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.
Canola Oil
Canola Oil
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Tomato Pomace
Tomato Pomace
Tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Hill's Bioactive Recipe.
Pork Plasma
Pork Plasma
Pork plasma is the colorless fluid part of a pig's blood. It may sound disgusting, but it's actually very nutritious for pets. Regardless of the nutritional aspects, consumers are shocked by this ingredient, which is why pork plasma is considered a controversial ingredient.
Brewers Rice
Brewers Rice
Brewer's rice is the small fragments of rice kernel that are separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. The fragments do not contain the same nutrition profile of the whole kernel and therefore brewer's rice is a lower quality grain. Brewer's rice is typically regarded as an inexpensive and low quality filler.
Caramel Color
Caramel Color
Caramel color is a concentrated form of caramel, a natural food colorant. Caramel color has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel color is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered cellulose is produced from minuscule pieces of wood pulp and plant fibers. Other than its fiber content, powdered cellulose lacks any nutritional contribution.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Instinct.
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Product Safety: Recall History of Instinct & Hill's Bioactive Recipe?
Instinct has been recalled 2 times.
July 24, 2015: Salmonella
Feb. 15, 2013: Pieces of clear plastic in bag
According to our records, Hill's Bioactive Recipe has never been recalled.
Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!
Where To Buy Instinct Pet Foods
You can purchase Instinct pet foods from the following stores:
84 Recipes In-Stock Today
59 Recipes In-Stock Today
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17 Recipes In-Stock Today
Where To Buy Hill's Bioactive Recipe Pet Foods
You can purchase Hill's Bioactive Recipe pet food products from these retailers:
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product
Instinct
Hill's Bioactive Recipe
Dry Dog Food
37 Recipes
7 Recipes
Wet Dog Food
10 Recipes
2 Recipes
Dog Treats
None
None
Dry Cat Food
20 Recipes
None
Wet Cat Food
16 Recipes
None
Cat Treats
None
None
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