natural balance diet dog food

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Dog Food Review (Dry)

The Natural Balance Limited Ingredient product line includes the 21 dry dog foods listed below.

Each recipe includes its AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.

Recipe and Label Analysis

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Grain Free Sweet Potato and Venisonwas selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.

Ingredients Analysis

The first ingredient in this dog food is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.

The second ingredient is venison. Although it is a quality item, raw venison contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.

After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.

The third ingredient is potatoes. Potatoes can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. Yet with the exception of perhaps their caloric content, potatoes are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.

The fourth ingredient is pea protein, what remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable.

The next ingredient is potato protein, the dry residue remaining after removing the starchy part of a potato.

Even though pea and potato proteins contain over 80% protein, these ingredients would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.

And less costly plant-based products like these can notably boost the total protein reported on the label a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

The fifth ingredient is canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. Thats because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed.

Yet others cite the fact that canola oil can be a significant source of essential omega-3 fatty acids.

In any case, plant-based oils like canola are less biologically available to a dog than fish oil as a source of quality omega-3 fats.

The next item is brewers yeast, which can be a controversial ingredient. Although its a by-product of the beer making process, this ingredient is rich in minerals and other healthy nutrients.

Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.

Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself.

In addition, a vocal minority insists yeast can increase the risk of developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. However, this is a claim weve not been able to scientifically verify.

In any case, unless your dog is specifically allergic to it, yeast can still be considered a nutritious additive.

Whats more noteworthy here is that brewers yeast contains about 48% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

After the natural flavor, we find dicalcium phosphate, likely used here as a dietary calcium supplement.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Natural Balance product.

With 6 notable exceptions

First, we find flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.

However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.

Next, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.

Additionally, we note the use of dried potato products, the dried residue of the potato processing industry primarily consisting of potato pieces, peelings and culls.

With the exception of perhaps its caloric content and a small amount of protein, potato products are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.¹

This recipe also includes taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.

Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.

Next, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.

And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.

Nutrient Analysis

Based on its ingredients alone, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient looks like an average dry dog food.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 22%, a fat level of 11% and estimated carbohydrates of about 59%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 25% and a mean fat level of 13%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 54% for the overall product line.

And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.

Which means this Natural Balance product line contains

Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to other dry kibbles.

When you consider the protein-boosting effect of the pea and potato proteins, brewers yeast and flaxseed, this looks like the profile of a recipe containing a moderate amount of meat.

COMPLETE & BALANCED NUTRITION FOR ALL DOGS, BOTH THOSE WITH AND WITHOUT FOOD SENSITIVITIES

Each Limited Ingredient recipe has been created with ingredient-sensitive pets in mind and feature single-source animal proteins like bison or duck, omega-rich salmon, plant-based proteins, and carefully selected carbohydrates.

These recipes provide complete & balanced nutrition for all dogs, both those with sensitivities and those without. Whether your dog has dietary sensitivities, or you just want to keep it simple, we have a trusted formula that will feed your dogs greatness.

• Helps support for your pets skin, coat & digestive health
• An unmatched variety of single-source animal and plant-based proteins
• Balanced nutrition with no added fillers for easy, everyday feeding

View Recipes

Natural Balance Recall History and Pet Food Brand Info

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Important Natural Balance recall information appears below.

Brand Name: Natural BalanceRelated Brands: Meow Mix, Milk-Bone, Milos Kitchen, Kibbles n Bits, and 9LivesProduct Lines: Natural Balance Original Ultra, Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets, Natural Balance Vegetarian, Natural Balance Delectable Delights, Natural Balance Synergy, Natural Balance Fat Dogs, Natural Balance Fat Cats, Natural Balance Platefulls, Natural Balance Crunchy Biscuits, Natural Balance Chewy Bites, Natural Balance L.I.T. Limited Ingredient Treats, Natural Balance Jumpin Stix, Natural Balance Mini Rewards, Natural Balance Belly Bites, Natural Balance Dental Chews Company: Big Heart Pet Inc.Headquarters: One Maritime Plaza, San Francisco CA, 94111Website: https://www.naturalbalanceinc.com Phone: 1-800-829-4493 Contact Form: https://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/contact-us

Natural Balance Company Overview

Developed and owned by Dick Van Patten and a friend, Natural Balance strives to provide nutritional, good food for pets.Van Patten, the actor and animal welfare advocate whose name graces every package of Natural Balance, took an active role in advertising and distributing the pet food. He died in 2015.Below, we share more information about the history of this pet food brand including up-to-date Natural Balance recall information.

Natural Balance HistoryActing, as we all know, can be an unstable career.Actor Dick Van Patten, who starred in Eight Is Enough from 1977 to 1981, wisely diversified his holdings by starting up his own line of dog food. After all, acting jobs can disappear, but people will always need to feed their dogs.The brand began, casually enough, over a friendly lunch in 1982. Van Patten was eating out with his friend Joey Herrick. They got to talking about pets. Van Patten told Herrick about the assorted alligators, snakes, rabbits, chameleons, toads, turtles and other unusual pets that he cared for as a child. Herrick shared that he was involved in pet rescue.Herrick was, by profession, a drummer. Van Patten was a formerly successful actor whose career had taken a dive after Eight Is Enough finished its run in May 1981. What they had in common was a passion for pets.The only honest reaction and true loyalty that we get is from our animals, Van Patten once said.In 1989, the 2 men went into business together. The product would be named Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance. Van Patten brought in his tennis buddy, who happened to be a veterinarian.The veterinarian pal told Van Patten that truly good dog food should contain no fillers, specifically no corn products, no wheat and no soy. The original recipe made good on that ideal. Wheat later crept into the product line but was subsequently replaced with rice in 2014.Together with his business partners, Van Patten developed a line of food that purported to be healthy for dogs. The dog food was described as being oven baked and contains a natural pet odor eliminator.Clever names like Irish Stew and Chinese Take-Out tapped into dog lovers psychological need to feed their dogs something they dream of eating themselves. Early on in Natural Balances history, the owners claimed their food was perfectly fit for human consumption as well.

Van Patten Becomes the Face of His Own Pet FoodDick Van Patten was an obvious choice as the face of the company, and Herrick became its president. They located their new enterprise in Pacoima, California.Van Patten took an active role in advertising and distributing Natural Balance. He starred in TV ads that promoted the product, and he traveled around the country shaking hands and peddling products at pet shows.Despite those efforts, Natural Balance was unprofitable until the partners struck a deal with Petco for distribution in the megastores 625 locations.

Corporate ChangesIn 2006, the Natural Balance brand got an infusion of funds from investment firm VGM Partners. By that time, Natural Balance was making at least $15 million annually.In 2013, the Del Monte Company bought Natural Balance for over $337 million, making it part of the Del Monte Foods portfolio of pet food brands. Del Monte had already bought Kibbles n Bits as well as Meow Mix in earlier sales.Del Monte renamed itself Big Heart Pet Brands in 2014, following a sale of all of Del Montes people-food assets. Natural Balance changed hands once again in 2015, when the J.M. Smucker Company bought Big Heart Pet Brands for $5.8 billion.Dick Van Patten died in 2015 at age 86, but packages of Natural Balance products retain his name to this day. I never met anyone who enjoyed life as much as he did, said Herrick, the Natural Balance co-founder.As of 2020, J.M. Smucker was the No. 3 pet food company in the world, with over $2.8 billion in annual revenue, according to data provided by Pet Food Industry.In the next section below, we provide an overview of the history of Natural Balance recalls.

Has There Ever Been a Natural BalanceRecall?

There have been a few Natural Balance recalls over the years, according to our research

In May 2021, a single best by date of Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Chicken Formula dry cat food was recalled because of the potential for salmonella contamination.In July 2020, one lot of Natural Balance Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Pat Formula canned cat food was found to contain possible elevated levels of choline chloride, which could be dangerous or even fatal if fed to cats. In announcing the recall, the company said it had already received reports of adverse reactions in pets.In May 2012 and June 2010, the brand experienced recalls because of potential salmonella contamination. In 2012, the recall was part of a wider recall of various brands that had been manufactured at a Diamond Pet Foods facility. Both the 2012 and 2010 Natural Balance recalls involved only dry dog foods.Back in July 2007, a few Natural Balance Eatables canned dog foods were recalled because botulinum, the toxin that causes botulism, had been found in a human food (hot dog chili sauce) manufactured in the same Castleberrys Food Company plant. We believe we have isolated the issue to a situation of under-processing on one line of our production facility, said a Castleberrys official, who noted, We have shut down this line altogether and are recalling all products produced on it.No reports of illnesses were linked to the Natural Balance pet food. But out of an abundance of caution, Castleberrys recommended that the affected products be discarded. While botulism can affect some pets, dogs and cats are inherently resistant. The disease has only been seen occasionally in dogs and has not been reported in cats, said the July 2007 recall announcement.Finally, in March 2007,as part of the massiveMenu Foods/melamine recall that shocked the country, specific varieties of Natural Balance dog and cat foods were recalled because of potential melamine contamination.

Natural Balance Recall History

May 2021Cause: Potential for salmonella. Announcement: FDA alert dated May 20, 2021 (archived here). What was recalled: The following specific lot/sizes of dry cat food:

• Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Chicken Formula Dry Cat Food, 5 lb. bags, UPC #2363300233, Lot #1008080 06:42N811202:20, best by March 10, 2022
• Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Chicken Formula Dry Cat Food, 10 lb. bags, UPC #2363300235, Lot #1008080 06:42N811202:20, best by March 10, 2022

July 2020Cause: Elevated levels of choline chloride. Announcement: FDA report dated July 3, 2020 (archived here). What was recalled: Natural Balance Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Pat Formula canned cat food, 5.5 oz. cans, UPC #2363353227, Lot Code #9217803, best by Aug. 4, 2021.

May 2012Cause:Potential for salmonella.Announcement: FDA reports dated May 4, 2012 (archived here) and May 5, 2012 (archived here). What was recalled:The following batches of 5 different dry dog food recipes:

• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison, 5 lb., Lot Code #NBH1202, best by Dec. 1213, 2012
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison, 5 lb., Lot Code #NBH0103, best by March 13, 2013 (date corrected by FDA)
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison, 15 lb., Lot Code #NBH0101, best by March 56, 2013
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison, 15 lb., Lot Code #NBH1202, best by Dec. 1213, 2012
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison, 15 lb., Lot Code #NBH1203, best by Dec. 1314, 2012
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison, 28 lb., Lot Code #NBH0101, best by March 56, 2013
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison, 28 lb., Lot Code #NBH0102, best by March 78, 2013
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison, 28 lb., Lot Code #NBH0103, best by March 12, 2013
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison, 28 lb., Lot Code #NBH1202, best by Dec. 1213, 2012
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison, 28 lb., Lot Code #NBH1203, best by Dec. 1314, 2012
• Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice, 5 lb., 15 lb. and 28 lb., Lot Code #NBR1202, best by Dec. 10, 2012
• Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice, 5 lb., 15 lb. and 28 lb., Lot Code #NBR1203, best by Dec. 2122, 2012
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison, 5 lb., Lot Code #NBT1202, best by Dec. 1718, 2012
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison, 5 lb., Lot Code #NBT1203, best by Dec. 2829, 2012
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison, 15 lb. and 28 lb., Lot Code #NBT1201, best by Dec. 9, 2012
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison, 15 lb. and 28 lb., Lot Code #NBT1202, best by Dec. 1718, 2012
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison, 15 lb. and 28 lb., Lot Code #NBT1203, best by Dec. 2829, 2012
• Natural Balance Vegetarian, 5 lb., Lot Code #NBV1201, best by Dec. 9, 2012
• Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Large Breed Bites, 28 lb., Lot Code #NLB1202, best by Dec. 12, 2012
• Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Large Breed Bites, 28 lb., Lot Code #NLB1203, best by Dec. 2021, 2012
• Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites, 5 lb. and 12.5 lb., Lot Code #NSL1201, best by Dec. 21, 2012

June 2010Cause:Potential for salmonella.Announcement:FDA report dated June 18, 2010 (archived here).What was recalled: The following batches of Natural Balance dry dog foods:

• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Formula, 5 lb., UPC #7-23633-9000-4, best by June 17, 2011
• Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Formula, 28 lb., UPC #7-23633-99002-8, best by June 17, 2011

July 2007Cause:Potential for ofbotulinum (bacteria thatcauses botulism).Announcement:FDA report dated July 21, 2007 (archived here).What was recalled: The following 4 varieties of Natural Balance canned dog food, all best by dates:

• Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Irish Stew With Beef, Potatoes & Carrots, 15 oz., UPC #2363359860
• Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Chinese Take-Out With Sauce With Vegetables and Chicken, 15 oz., UPC #2363359861
• Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs HOBO Chili With Chicken & Pasta, 15 oz., UPC #2363359863
• Natural Balance Eatables for Dogs Southern Style Dumplings With Chicken & Vegetables, 15 oz., UPC #2363359862

March 2007Cause:Melamine.Announcement: American Veterinary Medical Association report dated Aug. 22, 2007 (archived here) and FDA report dated May 31, 2007 (archived here). What was recalled:The following Natural Balance foods:

• Natural Balance Ultra Premium Beef dog food, 13 oz. cans, UPC #723633001533
• Natural Balance Ultra Premium Chicken dog food, 13 oz. cans, UPC #723633001526
• Natural Balance Ultra Premium Lamb dog food, 13 oz. cans, UPC #723633001519
• Natural Balance Beef Formula dog food, 13 oz. cans
• Natural Balance Chicken Formula dog food, 13 oz. cans
• Natural Balance Lamb Formula dog food, 13 oz. cans
• Natural Balance Venison and Brown Rice dog foods, all cans and bags
• Natural Balance Venison and Brown Rice Formula Baked Dog Treats, 14 oz.
• Natural Balance Premium Ocean Fish cat food, 3 oz. and 6 oz. cans
• Natural Balance Ocean Fish Formula cat food, 3 oz. and 6 oz. cans
• Natural Balance Venison and Green Pea dry cat food, all sizes

Natural Balance Company Complaints

2019 Heart Disease InvestigationWe also want to alert readers to the fact that, in lateJune 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified Natural Balance as one of 16 pet food brands that may be linked to heart disease in dogs and cats. None of those 16 brands have been recalled as part of the agencys ongoing investigation, though. Most, but not all, of the pet foods are grain-free and/or dry (kibble) dog food formulations.The FDA says this is a complex scientific issue that may involve multiple factors, and that it cannot even be certain that diet is a cause of the heart problems. For full details, see our article on the subject.

Have You Had a Problem With Natural Balance?

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References

• Colker, David. Dick Van Patten Dies at 86; Eight Is Enough Star, Pet Food Firm Co-Founder.Los Angeles Times. June 23, 2015.https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-dick-van-patten-20150624-story.html.
• Pierce, Tralee. The Dog Days of Dick Van Patten.Globe and Mail. April 22, 2007.
• Gerdner, Chris. Dick Van Pattens Legacy Stamped With Successful Pet Food Empire.Hollywood Reporter. June 24, 2015.https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dick-van-pattens-legacy-stamped-804661.
• Name Droppers.Los Angeles Times. Aug. 16, 1992. E4.
• Calvey, Mark. Del Monte Foods Buys Natural Balance Pet Foods.San Francisco Business Times. May 22, 2013.https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2013/05/del-monte-foods-natural-balance-pet-food.html.
• VMG Partners Invests In Natural Balance Pet Foods. Mergr.https://mergr.com/vmg-partners-invests-in-natural-balance-pet-foods.
• Mackinnon, Jim. J.M. Smucker Adds Major Pet Food Brands in Transformational $5.8 Billion Purchase.Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal. Feb. 4, 2015.https://www.beaconjournal.com/article/20150204/NEWS/302048782.
• Top Pet Food Companies Current Data.Pet Food Industry. 2020.https://www.petfoodindustry.com/directories/211-top-pet-food-companies.
• Melamine Pet Food Recall of 2007. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sept. 4, 2018.https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/recalls-withdrawals/melamine-pet-food-recall-2007.
• The J.M. Smucker Company Issues Voluntary Recall of One Lot of Natural Balance Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Pat Formula Canned Cat Food. FDA. July 3, 2020. Archived athttps://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/The-J.-M.-Smucker-Company-Issues-Voluntary-Recall-of-One-Lot-of-Natural-Balance%C2%AE-Ultra-Premium-Chicken-Liver-Pate%CC%81-Formula-Canned-Cat-Food-_-FDA.pdf.
• Natural Balance Pet Foods Initiates Voluntary Recall of Certain Dry Pet Food Due to the Potential for Salmonella Contamination. FDA. May 4, 2012. Archived athttps://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ucm303042.pdf.
• Diamond Pet Foods Expands Voluntary Recall of Dry Pet Food Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination (Updated and Corrected). FDA. May 5, 2012. Archived athttps://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ucm303034.pdf.
• Velasco, Schuyler. Pet Food Recall 2012 Now Includes 39 States (Updated).Christian Science Monitor. May 14, 2012.https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2012/0508/Pet-food-recall-2012-now-includes-39-states.
• Rothschild, Mary. Q&A on the Diamond Pet Foods Recall and Salmonella Outbreak. Food Safety News. May 10, 2012.https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/05/qa-on-the-diamond-pet-foods-recall-and-salmonella-outbreak/.
• Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. Announces a Voluntary Recall of Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food Due to a Possible Health Risk. FDA. June 18, 2010. Archived athttps://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ucm216298.pdf.
• Castleberrys Expands Voluntary Recall of Hot Dog Chili Sauce and Canned Meat Products. FDA. July 21, 2007. Archived athttps://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ucm112242.pdf.
• Pet Food Recall (Updated). American Veterinary Medical Association. Aug. 22, 2007. Archived athttps://web.archive.org/web/20080610134446/http://www.avma.org/aa/petfoodrecall/products.asp.
• List of Recalls for Dog Food and Cat Food From Brand Natural Balance (Updated). FDA. May 31, 2007. Archived athttps://www.petful.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2007-melamine-recalls-natural-balance.pdf.

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Dave Baker

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