Natures Variety INSTINCT VS Evo red meat - YorkieTalk.com Forums

lovespandp · 10-01-2009, 01:52 PM

ergh I hate this whole food thing!

Peanut has been on evo red meat for like.... 6 months I wanna say, and he does well on it, I see a lot of people dont really like that food bc of the high protein.... Well the next food in line would be Natures Variety INSTINCT "Rabbit Meal Formula " or the duck ... My question is the NV alot better than the evo.. I am thinking in the long run here and I dont want something to happen 4 years from now bc I was feeding him evo red meat... He is active right now, but I dont think he will ALWAYS be.. you know what I mean. I just want a good food that is good for him now and later..

Britster · 10-01-2009, 02:08 PM

Well, I vote for Instinct!

Jackson has been eating the NV Instinct Turkey & Duck flavor for 3 weeks now and is lovin' it. Moreso than any other food he's ever eaten before. He eats the dry all by itself, which he's never done before in his life, hardly.

I was worried about the high protein as well and that's why I settled w/ Instinct because it's 35% protein. It's still considered high to some, but it's not quite as high as the Orijen's or Evo's, etc. He's an active dog so I feel comfortable feeding it and it's the only food he loves so we're sticking with it. I think there's always going to be controversy w/ dog foods and you just have to go w/ what you feel is right and healthiest for your dog.

AMD · 10-01-2009, 02:16 PM

They are both very nice foods. Neither is alot better than the other. EVO uses good protein sources (meat) so the high percentage isn't a concern.
You could rotate between the two for variety. I feed both EVO and Instinct on our rotation.

topknot · 10-01-2009, 02:18 PM

I love Nature's Variety, but I use the regular chicken formula, not the Instinct. The Rabbit Instict has 35% Protein level in it. With yorkies it is recommended to stay in the 20s. The regular chicken formula I feed is 26 % protein. I had heard the Instinct is for larger more active breeds that need more protein.

lovespandp · 10-01-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMD

They are both very nice foods. Neither is alot better than the other. EVO uses good protein sources (meat) so the high percentage isn't a concern.
You could rotate between the two for variety. I feed both EVO and Instinct on our rotation.

Hmm ok.. Yeah I have been happy with EVO, but I heard so many things about the protein levels.. He doesn't do well with "chicken" so thats what I switched him to Evo red meat in the first place.

Why do you feed both foods?

topknot · 10-01-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Hmm ok.. Yeah I have been happy with EVO, but I heard so many things about the protein levels.. He doesn't do well with "chicken" so thats what I switched him to Evo red meat in the first place.

Why do you feed both foods?

Nature's Variety comes in Beef, Lamb, Venison, and Salmon - besides chicken.
Usually when I have a yorkie with an upset tummy I go to chicken and rice. What chicken were you feeding - the brand - when your yorkie was not doing so well? Was it Nature's Variety regular or some other brand or the Instinct?

fadeddenim · 10-01-2009, 03:32 PM

I'm feeding NV Prairie. How does the Prairie compare to Instinct?

Britster · 10-01-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fadeddenim

I'm feeding NV Prairie. How does the Prairie compare to Instinct?

The Prairie is more grain-heavy, less meat content. It's also only 26% protein.

lovespandp · 10-01-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topknot

Nature's Variety comes in Beef, Lamb, Venison, and Salmon - besides chicken.
Usually when I have a yorkie with an upset tummy I go to chicken and rice. What chicken were you feeding - the brand - when your yorkie was not doing so well? Was it Nature's Variety regular or some other brand or the Instinct?

I believe he was on the Blue Buffalo chicken and rice... and I had him on Wellness chicken too..

I have never had him on any NV .

AMD · 10-01-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Hmm ok.. Yeah I have been happy with EVO, but I heard so many things about the protein levels.. He doesn't do well with "chicken" so thats what I switched him to Evo red meat in the first place.

Why do you feed both foods?

I feed both for variety. My dogs always enjoy something different so I rotate proteins. Instinct has both Duck & Rabbit formulas that don't have chicken. Wellness CORE is another great food that's lower in protein from EVO (36% I think). Dogs, as carnivores, are able and designed to digest high amounts of meat, thus protein. But if you're concerned about the higher protein percentages in EVO, Instinct is a great choice. Whatever makes you most comfortable.

myCUDDLES · 10-01-2009, 10:15 PM

I feed both of mine orijen. It's awesome! Their poop is nice and firm and not stinky

. Only negative thing about it is that the kibbles are big and I always have to cut it. But everything else is great!

BonBon · 10-02-2009, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMD

I feed both for variety. My dogs always enjoy something different so I rotate proteins. Instinct has both Duck & Rabbit formulas that don't have chicken. Wellness CORE is another great food that's lower in protein from EVO (36% I think). Dogs, as carnivores, are able and designed to digest high amounts of meat, thus protein. But if you're concerned about the higher protein percentages in EVO, Instinct is a great choice. Whatever makes you most comfortable.

I may be way off base, but I seem to remember that rotating proteins may help prevent certain food allergies from developing. Some allergies are caused by prolonged exposure to an irritant, so switching their food up occasionally prevents them from being exposed too long to any one food. Please correct me if I am wrong. I would like to know how others feel about this.

AMD · 10-02-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonbon

I may be way off base, but I seem to remember that rotating proteins may help prevent certain food allergies from developing. Some allergies are caused by prolonged exposure to an irritant, so switching their food up occasionally prevents them from being exposed too long to any one food. Please correct me if I am wrong. I would like to know how others feel about this.

You are correct.
That is another reason I feed a rotation diet.

lovespandp · 10-02-2009, 08:25 AM

Thanks for the info...

Would it be ok just to finish his Evo, then after he is done with that bag switch to NV Instinct?? And switch on and off that way??

AMD · 10-02-2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Thanks for the info...

Would it be ok just to finish his Evo, then after he is done with that bag switch to NV Instinct?? And switch on and off that way??

Absolutely.

That's a very popular way to rotate...switch when the bag is finished. Just remember to leave a little bit to mix with the new food for a smooth transition.

10-01-2009, 01:52 PM	#1
lovespandp ♥Momma's Bambino♥ Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ca Posts: 10,026	Natures Variety INSTINCT VS Evo red meat ergh I hate this whole food thing! Peanut has been on evo red meat for like.... 6 months I wanna say, and he does well on it, I see a lot of people dont really like that food bc of the high protein.... Well the next food in line would be Natures Variety INSTINCT "Rabbit Meal Formula " or the duck ... My question is the NV alot better than the evo.. I am thinking in the long run here and I dont want something to happen 4 years from now bc I was feeding him evo red meat... He is active right now, but I dont think he will ALWAYS be.. you know what I mean. I just want a good food that is good for him now and later.. __________________ "People with nothing to hide don't usually feel the need to say so."

10-01-2009, 02:08 PM	#2
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,815	Well, I vote for Instinct! Jackson has been eating the NV Instinct Turkey & Duck flavor for 3 weeks now and is lovin' it. Moreso than any other food he's ever eaten before. He eats the dry all by itself, which he's never done before in his life, hardly. I was worried about the high protein as well and that's why I settled w/ Instinct because it's 35% protein. It's still considered high to some, but it's not quite as high as the Orijen's or Evo's, etc. He's an active dog so I feel comfortable feeding it and it's the only food he loves so we're sticking with it. I think there's always going to be controversy w/ dog foods and you just have to go w/ what you feel is right and healthiest for your dog. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

10-01-2009, 02:16 PM	#3
AMD Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA Posts: 8,986	They are both very nice foods. Neither is alot better than the other. EVO uses good protein sources (meat) so the high percentage isn't a concern. You could rotate between the two for variety. I feed both EVO and Instinct on our rotation. Last edited by AMD; 10-01-2009 at 02:19 PM.

10-01-2009, 03:32 PM	#7
fadeddenim YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 409	I'm feeding NV Prairie. How does the Prairie compare to Instinct? __________________ Fur The Ruff Of Dog KENJI and KINGSTON

10-02-2009, 08:25 AM	#14
lovespandp ♥Momma's Bambino♥ Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ca Posts: 10,026	Thanks for the info... Would it be ok just to finish his Evo, then after he is done with that bag switch to NV Instinct?? And switch on and off that way?? __________________ "People with nothing to hide don't usually feel the need to say so."

10-01-2009, 02:18 PM	#4
topknot Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: GA Posts: 3,787	I love Nature's Variety, but I use the regular chicken formula, not the Instinct. The Rabbit Instict has 35% Protein level in it. With yorkies it is recommended to stay in the 20s. The regular chicken formula I feed is 26 % protein. I had heard the Instinct is for larger more active breeds that need more protein.

10-01-2009, 10:15 PM	#11
myCUDDLES Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: kansas Posts: 25	I feed both of mine orijen. It's awesome! Their poop is nice and firm and not stinky . Only negative thing about it is that the kibbles are big and I always have to cut it. But everything else is great!