Ethical Alternatives to Natural Instincts
Natural Instincts is a UK pet food brand specializing in raw, biologically appropriate diets for dogs and cats, with a strong emphasis on ethical sourcing and minimal processing. However, its lack of third-party certifications and limited transparency on supply chain labor practices mean some shoppers seek alternatives with more verifiable ethical claims.
Categories compared: Pet Care
Why shoppers look for alternatives to Natural Instincts
- Natural Instincts holds no third-party certifications (e.g., B Corp, Soil Association, Fair Trade) to verify its ethical claims.
- The brand provides little public detail on labor practices in its supply chain, making it hard to confirm fair wages and working conditions.
- Shoppers seeking ultimate traceability may prefer brands that publish full ingredient sourcing reports or use certified organic suppliers.
Top-scoring alternatives to Natural Instincts
A multi-use, fair-trade organic soap that is gentle enough for pets yet effective at removing grime and odors.
The gold standard for ethical personal and pet care. Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Pure-Castile Soap is biodegradable, fair trade, and highly concentrated for multi-purpose use.
A legendary multi-use soap that is widely recommended by groomers for pets due to its organic, fair-trade ingredients and complete lack of synthetic detergents.
A high-protein, plant-based dog food that drastically reduces the environmental impact of pet ownership without sacrificing nutrition.
A truly organic grooming solution that uses zero synthetic chemicals, focusing on skin health through saponified organic oils.
A premium, hand-woven enrichment mat crafted from single-origin Moroccan wool, designed for urban dogs to forage for treats in small apartment spaces.
Industry-leading transparency with 100% traceable ingredients and high-welfare seafood standards.
An industry-leading organic shampoo that sets the gold standard for non-toxic pet grooming, using 100% biodegradable, plant-based ingredients.
A woman-owned brand producing truly organic, non-toxic pet grooming products that set the gold standard for safety.
A rugged, handcrafted hemp collar produced by a German veteran-owned boutique, offering a biodegradable and plastic-free alternative to nylon gear.
An indigenous-owned, handcrafted wool pet bed using sustainable Himalayan wool and soap-based processing.
A premium, sustainably sourced bamboo brush designed for cats and short-haired dogs. This woman-owned brand focuses on plastic-free grooming alternatives.
What Natural Instincts is rated on
Natural Instincts scores well on several ethical fronts: it does not test on animals, its raw diets are minimally processed, and it uses ethically sourced meats (e.g., free-range poultry, wild venison). However, the brand lacks any independent certifications such as B Corp, Soil Association organic, or Fair Trade. Its animal testing policy is verified as cruelty-free, but information on labor conditions across its global supply chain is not publicly detailed. This gap makes it difficult for conscientious shoppers to fully assess the brand’s social responsibility.
How the alternatives were picked
We selected alternatives that address these transparency gaps. Each alternative either holds one or more relevant third-party certifications (e.g., B Corp, Soil Association, Leaping Bunny) or publishes detailed supply chain audits. Brands were also chosen for offering raw, minimally processed pet food similar to Natural Instincts’ core range. We prioritized UK-based or widely available brands to ensure comparability in price and accessibility.
What to check on the label
When evaluating an alternative to Natural Instincts, look for these indicators of ethical performance: Third-party certifications – B Corp indicates overall social and environmental accountability; Soil Association organic covers animal welfare and ingredient sourcing; Leaping Bunny confirms no animal testing. Ingredient sourcing details – Does the brand name specific farms or fisheries? Are meats labeled as free-range, grass-fed, or wild-caught? Packaging – Look for recyclable or compostable materials. Labor transparency – Brands that publish annual sustainability reports or supplier codes of conduct offer greater assurance. Finally, check if the food meets the FEDIAF or AAFCO nutritional standards to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.
How to judge a suggested brand alternative
An alternatives page is a starting shortlist, not proof that one brand is universally better than another. The suggestions come from our catalogue: published products in a similar category with a recorded ethics score. They answer a narrow question — which products we list might fit the same need — and they cannot tell you which option performs best, suits your skin or diet, or matches your budget.
Match the job before the score
Start with what the original product does for you: format, size, scent, skin or dietary requirements and where you buy it. A higher-scoring alternative is not useful if it comes in a format you cannot use or is not sold where you shop. Check the alternative's full record — purpose, ingredients, price and seller — before treating it as a replacement.
Compare evidence, not impressions
Read certifications at their stated scope: a scheme may cover one range, one material or a named entity rather than a whole brand. An animal-free ingredient list and an animal-testing policy are separate questions, and a parent company's record is a third. Where a claim matters to you, confirm it in the scheme's own directory or the manufacturer's current statement rather than relying on a badge alone.
Keep the limits of the comparison visible
Catalogue scores are AI-assisted assessments with documented limitations, not laboratory measurements. A missing score is a data gap, not a failing grade. The original brand's presence here reflects what our records contain, which may omit reformulations, regional differences or newer certifications. For health, safety or recall concerns, use official sources rather than any score.
| Check | Where to confirm it | Avoid assuming |
|---|---|---|
| Does the alternative do the same job? | Its full product record and the maker's current description | A similar category means a like-for-like replacement |
| Is a claimed certification current? | The certification scheme's official directory | A badge covers the whole brand or group |
| Is it actually available to you? | The retailer's current listing, price and delivery | A catalogue price tier is a live quote |
Frequently asked about Natural Instincts alternatives
Does Natural Instincts have any animal testing concerns?+
No. Natural Instincts does not test its products on animals and requires its suppliers to adhere to the same policy. This is consistent with cruelty-free standards.
Why don’t they have any third-party certifications?+
Natural Instincts has not pursued certifications like B Corp, Soil Association, or Leaping Bunny. While this doesn’t mean the brand is unethical, it means their claims cannot be independently verified, which matters to shoppers who value third-party validation.
Are there UK raw pet food brands with B Corp certification?+
Yes, for example, Bella & Duke (raw frozen dog food) achieved B Corp certification in 2020. Lily’s Kitchen (wet and dry food) also holds B Corp status and offers some raw-inspired options, though not strictly raw.
What should I look for in a transparent raw pet food brand?+
Look for brands that publish sourcing reports, have a clear animal welfare policy, and hold certifications like B Corp, Soil Association organic, or Leaping Bunny. Also check if they disclose their supply chain labor practices via a code of conduct or annual impact report.