Nature’s Variety Instinct
Original Real Chicken Recipe for Kittens
Summary
Nature’s Variety Instinct Original Chicken Recipe for Kittens is a high-protein, grain-free dry cat food tailored for kittens’ growth, development, and early immune health.
The first ingredient is cage-free chicken, supported by turkey meal, menhaden fish meal, and other meat sources. This provides 42.5% crude protein to promote lean muscle development.
With 22.5% crude fat and 557 kcal per cup, the formula is energy-dense, supporting the rapid metabolism and high activity levels of growing kittens.
Egg product contributes DHA (0.2%) for brain and eye development, while taurine (0.2%) supports cardiac and visual functions.
Each kibble piece is coated with freeze-dried raw chicken, liver, and heart to boost palatability and deliver unprocessed, natural nutrients.
Digestive health is supported with 60 million CFU/lb Bacillus coagulans, montmorillonite clay, and fiber from peas and tomato pomace.
Antioxidants from fruits and vegetables, plus added vitamin E (200 IU/kg) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg), help strengthen immune function.
Made without grain, soy, corn, wheat, or by-product meals, the food provides a biologically appropriate diet with clean, whole food ingredients.
Pros:
Very high protein content: Provides 42.5% crude protein from diverse animal sources to support growth and muscle development.
High energy density: With 22.5% crude fat and 557 kcal/cup, the food meets the elevated energy demands of kittens during development.
DHA and taurine support: Contains DHA (0.2%) from eggs and 0.2% taurine for proper brain, eye, and heart development.
Raw-enhanced kibble: Each kibble is coated with freeze-dried raw meats, improving nutrient bioavailability and appeal.
Immunity and digestion support: Bacillus coagulans, vitamin C, and natural antioxidants help reinforce gut and immune health.
Grain-free and clean: Free from artificial colors, preservatives, and low-quality fillers like corn or wheat.
Cons:
Extremely high calorie density: At 557 kcal/cup, precise feeding control is required to prevent overfeeding, especially in smaller or indoor kittens.
Complex multi-meat formulation: Includes chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish meals, which may not be suitable for kittens with sensitivities.
Moderate fiber content: At 3.0% crude fiber, the formula may not provide enough bulk for kittens with digestive irregularities.
Lacks ash or phosphorus data: Missing essential mineral data for assessing suitability for kittens prone to urinary or kidney issues.
Freeze-dried organs: While nutrient-rich, raw organ meats may be too rich for sensitive kittens if not introduced gradually.
No probiotics diversity: Only one probiotic strain (Bacillus coagulans) is included, limiting microbiome variety.
Nutrition
Ingredients
- Chicken
- Turkey Meal
- Menhaden Fish Meal
- Peas
- Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)
- Egg Product
- Chicken Meal
- White Fish Meal
- Tapioca
- Natural Flavor
- and also:
Guaranteed Analysis
Notes
Guaranteed Analysis
More products from Nature’s Variety Instinct
Alternative Products
We compare key factors such as overall score, life stage, and category, along with core nutritional values like protein, fat, fiber, and metabolizable energy.
While not identical, these products fall within a defined range to offer nutritionally comparable options.

Original Real Chicken Recipe for Kittens
Product changes
- 5th Ingredient changed from Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid) -> Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)
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How the score is calculated?
The actual calculation of the score is based on sophisticated and advanced algorithm that takes into account multiple parameters.
To simplify the explanation, the calculation is based on three main criteria:
(1) Amount of protein (more is better)
(2) Amount of carbohydrates (less is better)
(3) Quality and source of ingredients.
Based on that 3 main criteria, 9 score calculation rules are used to compare the different foods.
One major assumption is that the closer an ingredient is to the top of the ingredient list, the greater its relative weight and contribution to the food.
In general, cat food is composed of protein, fats, carbohydrates, fibers, vitamins, and minerals.
Protein is the most important component in a cat's diet, and cats primarily get their protein from animal meat.
Fat is a primary source of energy and essential fatty acids.
Carbohydrates are controversial in a cat's diet, as cats are obligate carnivores and typically consume very few carbohydrates.
Fibers play an important role in digestion and food absorption, and vitamins and minerals are essential for different organism functions.
Dry matter values are used to compare the amount of nutrients in different cat foods. This means that moisture is excluded from the equation to provide a more accurate comparison.
Putting all of these and more into a formula results in a product score.
The maximum score a cat food can receive is 100. Points are added or removed based on the score calculation rules.
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