
Instinct Original Grain-Free Real Salmon Dry Cat Food
Raw-Inspired, High-Protein Nutrition for Cats
Instinct Original Grain-Free Real Salmon Dry Cat Foodis a premium, high-protein dry cat food made withreal wild-caught salmon as the first ingredient. Crafted to mimic the natural diet of cats in the wild, this formula is enriched withfreeze-dried raw coatingfor maximum flavor, nutrient preservation, and bioavailability. The grain-free recipe supports lean muscle, promotes skin and coat health, and fuels daily energy—all without artificial additives, fillers, or grains.
It’s a smart choice for pet parents seekingancestral, raw-inspired nutritionwith the convenience of dry kibble.
What Are the Benefits of Instinct Salmon Cat Food?
Instinct’s salmon formula goes beyond basic nutrition, delivering targeted health benefits:
Wild-Caught Salmon as First Ingredient: Rich in animal protein and omega-3 fatty acids (DHA, EPA) for muscle development, brain function, and coat health.
Freeze-Dried Raw Coated Kibble: Offers raw taste and nutrition in a shelf-stable form, appealing to even the pickiest cats.
Grain-Free & Gluten-Free: No corn, wheat, soy, or by-product meals—suitable for cats with food sensitivities or allergies.
Supports Digestive Health: Formulated with natural fiber and essential nutrients for optimal gut function and firm stools.
Made in the USA with Quality Ingredients: Sourced responsibly and prepared in Instinct’s own kitchens for complete transparency and safety.
Why Choose a Raw-Inspired, High-Protein Salmon Formula?
Cats are obligate carnivores that thrive on protein from animal sources. Instinct’s raw-coated kibble delivers:
Ancestral-style nutritionthat matches feline biology
Enhanced taste and nutrient absorption through minimal processing
Convenient raw benefits without refrigeration or mess
High digestibility and reduced risk of food-related inflammation
What Ingredients Are in Instinct Original Grain-Free Real Salmon Cat Food?
Instinct uses clean, high-quality ingredients with no artificial preservatives or colors.
| Category | Ingredients Included |
|---|---|
| Primary Protein | Real Salmon, Salmon Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal |
| Healthy Fats | Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Fish Oil |
| Carbohydrate Sources | Peas, Tapioca, Chickpeas |
| Fiber & Digestive Aids | Dried Tomato Pomace, Montmorillonite Clay |
| Vitamins & Minerals | Taurine, Vitamin E, Zinc, Folic Acid, Copper |
| Raw Coating | Freeze-Dried Salmon & Natural Flavor |
No artificial colors, preservatives, potato, or grains.
Guaranteed Analysis
| Nutrient | Guaranteed Units |
|---|---|
| Crude Protein | 43% min |
| Crude Fat | 18% min |
| Crude Fiber | 3% max |
| Moisture | 9% max |
| Vitamin E | 100 IU/kg min |
| Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) | 85 mg/kg min |
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 1.8% min |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 2% min |
| Bacillus Coagulans | 60,000,000 CFU/lb min |
Dosage and Administration
Always consult your veterinarian for exact dosage instructions depending on your pet’s health and dietary needs.
Feeding Guidelines (Daily):
| Weight of Cat | Adult Maintenance | Weight Loss |
|---|---|---|
| 5 lbs | ⅜ cup | ¼ cup |
| 10 lbs | ⅝ cup | ½ cup |
| 15 lbs | ¾ cup | ⅝ cup |
Transition gradually over 5–7 days.
Provide fresh water at all times.
Adjust serving size for age, activity level, and health condition.
Are There Any Side Effects or Precautions?
Instinct Original is generally safe for adult cats, but consider the following:
Transition Period: Some cats may experience loose stool or appetite changes during the initial switch.
Fish Sensitivity: Avoid if your cat has known seafood allergies.
Storage Tips: Keep sealed in original packaging, store in a cool, dry area. Use within 45 days of opening for peak freshness.
How Does Instinct Original Compare to Other Salmon-Based Cat Foods?
| Feature | Instinct Original Salmon | Standard Salmon Cat Food |
|---|---|---|
| Real Salmon as First Ingredient | ✅ | ✅ |
| Raw-Coated Kibble for Taste & Nutrition | ✅ | ❌ |
| No Potato, Corn, Wheat, or Soy | ✅ | ❌ |
| Freeze-Dried Ingredients | ✅ | ❌ |
| High Protein from Animal Sources | ✅ | Partial or plant-based |
Shipping & Returns
Shipping Policy: HardyPaw offer all types of shipping options (Ground, Express, Priority, International) depending on the urgency of the product requirements. To know about our shipping policy in detail, click here.
Refund policy: If you face any issue with our product and want to return it, read our refund policy carefully.
Instinct Original Grain-Free Real Salmon Cat Food FAQs
1.What is Instinct Original Salmon Cat Food used for?
It supports complete adult cat health by promoting muscle development, digestive wellness, and shiny coat with grain-free, protein-rich, raw-inspired nutrition.
2.Is Instinct Salmon good for cats with food sensitivities?
Yes, it’s free from common allergens like corn, wheat, soy, and by-product meals, making it ideal for cats with digestive issues or skin reactions.
3.Does this food support skin and coat health?
Absolutely. With high omega-3 fatty acid content from salmon and fish oil, it helps reduce inflammation, dandruff, and promotes a glossy coat.
4.Can this be fed to indoor cats?
Yes, its high-quality protein and controlled fat content make it suitable for both indoor and moderately active cats.
5.Is Instinct’s raw coating safe for cats?
Yes. The freeze-dried raw coating is safely processed to retain nutrients without harmful pathogens—offering all the benefits of raw in a convenient form.
Trusted Resources on Key Nutritional Concepts
This Shipping Policy explains how orders are processed, shipped, tracked, and delivered.
1. Shipping Origin and Fulfillment
Orders are dispatched from our U.S.-based fulfillment center. We deliver to eligible addresses within the United States and to eligible international destinations shown at checkout.
If a destination, shipping service, or product is not eligible for delivery, checkout will not offer that shipping option.
2. Order Processing Time
Orders are generally processed within 1–5 business days before shipment. Processing time is separate from carrier transit time.
Our order cut-off time is 6:00 PM Pacific Time (PT). Orders placed after the cut-off time, on weekends, or on applicable holidays begin processing on the next business day.
Processing may include order verification and preparation for shipment.
3. U.S. Shipping Methods, Costs, and Transit Times
For eligible U.S. addresses, our current shipping options are:
- Priority Shipping: $5.99 — estimated carrier transit time of 1–2 business days after shipment.
- Standard Shipping: $2.99 — estimated carrier transit time of 3–6 business days after shipment.
- Free Shipping: $0 — estimated carrier transit time of 5–8 business days after shipment.
Total estimated delivery time includes both the 1–5 business day processing period and the applicable carrier transit time. The shipping service, cost, and delivery estimate available for your order are shown at checkout before payment.
4. International Shipping
We ship to eligible international destinations. Available international shipping services, shipping charges, and estimated delivery times vary by destination and are displayed at checkout.
For eligible international orders, applicable import duties and taxes are calculated and collected at checkout where required. When these charges apply, the order is shipped on a duties-and-taxes-paid basis so that the same import charges should not be collected again at delivery.
International delivery estimates may be affected by carrier operations, customs processing, local holidays, weather, or other events outside normal transit conditions.
5. Tracking
When tracking is available, you will receive shipment confirmation with tracking information after the order has shipped. Please allow up to 48 hours for tracking information to become active after the carrier receives the shipment.
6. Address Accuracy and Changes
Please review your shipping address carefully before submitting an order. If you notice an address error, contact us as soon as possible. We will try to help before shipment, but an address change cannot be guaranteed once fulfillment or carrier processing has begun.
Additional carrier or re-delivery charges resulting from an incorrect or incomplete address may be the customer's responsibility where permitted by law.
7. Delayed or Lost Shipments
If your shipment has not arrived within the estimated delivery timeframe, please contact us. We will review the tracking information, work with the carrier when necessary, and assist with an appropriate resolution based on the circumstances.
Delivery estimates are not guarantees and may be affected by carrier delays, weather, public holidays, customs processing, or other transportation disruptions.
8. Damaged, Defective, or Incorrect Deliveries
If an item arrives damaged, defective, or incorrect, contact us within 7 calendar days after confirmed delivery. Please include your order number and clear photos of the item, packaging, and shipping label when relevant.
Approved cases are handled under our Return & Refund Policy, including return-shipping assistance when the issue is our responsibility.
9. Policy Updates
We may update this Shipping Policy when our shipping services or operating requirements change. The current version will be posted on this page.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions about shipping or an order in transit, please use our Contact page or the current contact information displayed in the website footer.
This Return & Refund Policy explains when a return is eligible, how to send an item back, who pays return shipping, and how approved refunds are processed.
1. Return Window
You may request an eligible return within 30 days after confirmed delivery. Return requests submitted after the 30-day period are not accepted unless applicable law requires otherwise.
2. Return Eligibility
To qualify for a standard return, the item must generally be:
- Unused, unwashed, and in its original condition.
- Returned with the original packaging, tags, accessories, manuals, and other included components, when applicable.
- Not specifically identified as final sale or non-returnable before purchase.
Products that show use, alteration, avoidable damage, missing components, or other conditions outside the eligibility requirements may be ineligible for a refund.
3. Product-Specific Non-Returnable Items
Some products may be non-returnable for hygiene, safety, customization, final-sale, or other product-specific reasons. Any such restriction will be disclosed on the product page or before purchase when applicable.
4. No Direct Exchanges
We do not provide direct exchange service. If you want a different item, size, color, model, or version, return the eligible original item under this Policy and place a new order separately.
5. How to Start a Return
Returns are handled by mail. Before sending an item back, contact our customer support team through the Contact page or the current contact information displayed in the website footer. Please provide:
- Your order number.
- The item or items you want to return.
- The reason for the return.
Returns sent without required return authorization may be delayed or refused.
6. Prepaid Return Label and Return Shipping Cost
For eligible mail returns, a prepaid return label is included in the package.
For a standard return made for customer-choice reasons, the actual carrier postage charged for use of the prepaid return label will be deducted from the approved refund. We do not charge a separate restocking fee.
If the return is required because the item arrived damaged, defective, or incorrect and the claim is approved, we cover the return-label cost.
If you choose not to use the provided label when an alternative return method is authorized, use a trackable shipping service and keep your shipping receipt until the return is completed.
7. Original Shipping Charges
Original outbound shipping charges are non-refundable for standard customer-choice returns, except where required by law. If the return results from an approved damaged, defective, or incorrect item, applicable shipping charges will be handled as part of the resolution.
8. Refund Review and Processing
After the returned item is received, we inspect it and notify you whether the refund is approved.
If approved, the refund is issued to the original payment method. We generally process an approved refund within 1–3 business days. After the refund is issued, your bank or card provider may require an additional 5–10 business days to post the funds to your account.
9. Damaged, Defective, or Incorrect Items
If an item arrives damaged, defective, or incorrect, contact us within 7 calendar days after confirmed delivery. Include your order number and clear photos of the item, packaging, and shipping label when relevant.
After review, we will provide an appropriate resolution. When a return is required for an approved claim, we cover the return shipping cost.
10. Refused or Undeliverable Shipments
If a shipment is refused or returned because of incorrect or incomplete customer-provided shipping information, actual carrier return, re-delivery, or related shipping charges may be deducted from an otherwise eligible refund where permitted by law.
11. Policy Updates
We may update this Return & Refund Policy when our return procedures or legal requirements change. The current version will be posted on this page.
12. Contact Us
If you need help with a return or refund, please use our Contact page or the current contact information displayed in the website footer.
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