14 cans compared

Instinct vs Ziwi Peak

The typical Instinct can gets 3.5% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 6.3% for Ziwi Peak. Instinct has 5 of 9 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Ziwi Peak has 3 of 5. Below, every number is worked out the same way from each can’s label.

Instinct

Ziwi Peak

Instinct vs Ziwi Peak at a glance

Typical values are the middle recipe of each brand. Shares are of calories, so textures compare fairly. Marked cells show the better value where the gap is meaningful.

	Instinct	Ziwi Peak
Cans we compare	9	5
Typical carbs, % of calories	3.5%	6.3%
Carb range	0–25.9%	5.9–13.2%
Recipes under 10% carbs	5 of 9	3 of 5
Typical protein, % of calories	40%	38%
Typical fat, % of calories	60%	56%
Calories per ounce	38	32
Calories per can	67–122	87–104
Recipes with published phosphorus	0 of 9	0 of 5
Typical phosphorus, mg per 100 kcal	—	—
Confirmed for kittens	9 of 9	5 of 5
Chicken-free recipes	6 of 9	4 of 5
Fish-free recipes	2 of 9	4 of 5
Textures	Pâté, Flaked	Pâté

Lowest-carb can from each brand

The recipe with the smallest share of calories from carbohydrate on each side, leaving out toppers meant for supplemental feeding.

Put these two side by side

Instinct3 oz

Limited Ingredient Paté Real Turkey Entrée

Pâté · 113 kcal per can

Carbs: 0%
Protein: 40%
Phosphorus: not listed

Protein 40%Fat 60%Carbs 0%

Low carbNo chickenNo fish

Ziwi Peak3 oz

Lamb Recipe

Pâté · 102 kcal per can

Carbs: 5.9%
Protein: 37%
Phosphorus: not listed

Protein 37%Fat 57%Carbs 6%

Low carbNo chickenNo fish

Same texture, head to head

For each texture both brands make, the lowest-carb recipe from each.

Texture	Instinct	Ziwi Peak
Pâté	Limited Ingredient Paté Real Turkey Entrée0% carbs · 40% protein · 113 kcal	Lamb Recipe5.9% carbs · 37% protein · 102 kcal

Which to choose, by what your cat needs

For a diabetic or overweight cat

Instinct is the lower-carb line overall. Its lowest-carb recipe is Limited Ingredient Paté Real Turkey Entrée at 0% of calories; Ziwi Peak’s is Lamb Recipe at 5.9%. Both brands have recipes under the 10% line (5 of 9 against 3 of 5), so the right recipe matters more than the brand.

For kidney concerns

Instinct doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Ziwi Peak doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Without published values neither brand can be checked for phosphorus from the label alone; ask the maker for a typical analysis.

For kittens

Instinct has 9 of 9 recipes whose label we could confirm covers growth or all life stages; Ziwi Peak has 5 of 5. A missing statement doesn’t mean a can is unsuitable, only that we couldn’t verify it.

For allergies and picky eaters

Chicken-free: Instinct 6 of 9, Ziwi Peak 4 of 5. Fish-free: Instinct 2 of 9, Ziwi Peak 4 of 5. Textures: Instinct makes pâté, flaked; Ziwi Peak makes pâté.

Questions about Instinct vs Ziwi Peak

Is Instinct or Ziwi Peak lower in carbs?

The typical Instinct can gets 3.5% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 6.3% for Ziwi Peak. Instinct has 5 of 9 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Ziwi Peak has 3 of 5.

Which has more protein, Instinct or Ziwi Peak?

They are close: 40% of calories from protein for the typical Instinct can and 38% for Ziwi Peak.

Which is more filling per ounce?

Ziwi Peak. Its cans average 32 calories per ounce against 38 for Instinct, so a cat needs fewer ounces of it to get the same calories.

Do Instinct and Ziwi Peak publish phosphorus?

Instinct doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Ziwi Peak doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked.

Which is better for a diabetic cat, Instinct or Ziwi Peak?

Carbs are what matter most, and Instinct has the lower-carb line with 5 of 9 recipes under 10%. The best single choice is a specific recipe, not a brand: Limited Ingredient Paté Real Turkey Entrée (0%) from Instinct or Lamb Recipe (5.9%) from Ziwi Peak. Change a diabetic cat’s food only with your vet.