natural balance dog food pros and cons
Natural Balance Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons
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Natural Balance Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons
Written by: Sarah PsaradelisReview Summary
Our Final Verdict
We give Natural Balance dog food a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Natural Balance is a brand of dog food that was first created in Burbank in California back in 1989 by Dick Van Patten. This company aims to produce high-quality pet foods that meet your dogs nutritional requirements and consists of high-quality meats and proteins.
The health of your pet is Natural Balances top priority, and they seem to keep up to these standards when it comes to the quality of their dog food. This brand sells a range of different dog foods under several different categories and offers dry, wet, and freeze-dried dog foods. They are also one of the few dog food brands that offer vegetarian-based dog foods.
If you are interested in learning more about what Natural Balance pet foods have to offer your dog, then this article will tell you everything you need to know!
At a Glance: The Best Natural Balance Dog Food Recipes:
Natural Balance Dog Food Reviewed
Who makes Natural Balance Dog Food and where is it produced?
The Natural Balance brand is currently owned by The J.M. Smucker Company. This company is also well-known for owning some other popular brands of pet products. Natural Balance was previously merged in 2013 with Del Monte Pet Foods, but they were owned by J.M. Smucker Company only 1 year later. They started as a small company based in California but have now expanded with the main headquarters being located in Burbank with facilities in both California and South Carolina. Natural Balance dog foods ingredient sourcing is not specified; however, they do say that their dog foods ingredients are manufactured in the United States.
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Which Types of Dogs is Natural Balance Best Suited For?
Natural Balance dog food has six categories for its formulas which include limited ingredient (L.I.D), delectable delights, vegetarian, targeted nutrition, original ultra, and platefulls recipes. They also produce wet (canned), dry, and freeze-dried dog foods which gives you the option of choosing between the different textures and ingredients you want to feed your dog.
This brand of dog food will be suitable for all dog breeds and life stages because they have a recipe for every dogincluding recipes for puppies under 1 year of age. The freeze-dried recipes seem to be the best for dogs with allergies because they contain a single source of protein. Most of the foods contain limited ingredients which makes it easy for you to determine if the food has the right ingredients according to any allergies or food sensitivities your dog might have.
Since Natural balance also has a vegetarian dog food recipe available, which is rare, and you can purchase dog foods from this brand that contains the same essential nutrients as their meat-based recipes if it is advised by a veterinarian to feeding your dog a meat-free diet.
Discussion of the Primary Ingredients (Good and Bad)
Natural Balance dog foods seem to have decent ingredients for the money you pay. Most of the recipes from this brand have limited ingredients and are grain-free, however, the ingredients will vary depending on the recipe you choose.
The foods contain a good number of essential vitamins and minerals that are ideal for dogs, such as vitamin E, zinc, and iron in the form of amino acids. High-quality proteins are the main ingredients in the recipes and some recipes include flaxseed for coat and skin nourishment.
Proteins are the main ingredient in most of Natural Balances recipes and the limited ingredient recipes do not contain any soy, grains, or gluten. All of Natural Balances recipes are made without artificial colors and preservatives.
The only controversial ingredient found in some of the Natural Balance dog food recipes is canola oil and tomato pomace, which are under debate as to whether they should be included in dog food.
A Quick Look at Natural Balance Dog Food
Pros
- High-quality meats are the first ingredients
- The recipes are formulated with good scientific principles
- Each food has over 20 different flavors to choose from
- Their dog foods are divided into six different categories
- Vegetarian dog food recipes available
Cons
- More expensive than your average dog food
- Has had a few recalls for salmonella contamination
Recall History
The Natural Balance brand seems to take the safety and quality of their pet foods seriously, and the recipes undergo various testing procedures to make sure they meet the standards. This brand also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee because they run tests on each batch of dog food before it can be bought. Although Natural Balance is careful with the food they produce for consumers, there are a few recalls associated with the Natural Balance brand.
- In March 2007 there was a report from AVMA for several Natural Balances canned foods because there was a concern over possible melamine contamination. Both wet and dry dog foods were recalled.
- 4 months after this recall, in July 2007, the FDA recalled four cans of food for possible botulinum contamination.
- The FDA recalled certain patches of the sweet potato and chicken dry food because there was a concern over salmonella contamination in June of 2010.
- In May 2012, another recall for this brand from the FDA was issued for another salmonella contamination that affected most of the dry dog food recipes.
Reviews of the 3 Best Natural Balance Dog Food Recipes
Lets look at some of Natural Balances most popular dog food recipes and see what they have to offer your dog.
1. Natural Balance Salmon and Sweet Potato Dry Dog Food
This dog food is a limited ingredient and grain-free dog food that has salmon as the main ingredient and protein source. It also includes potatoes as a grain-free fiber source for digestive health. It is formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs, allergies, and irritable skin with a balance of nutrients to support your dogs immunity.
This is a great recipe for dogs who should not be eating grains, soy, or gluten as advised by a veterinarian due to health issues, and like all Natural Balance dog food recipes, this food does not contain any artificial colors or flavors.
It has a moderate level of protein at 24% with a good fat content of 10%, with 4.5% of fiber which is mainly from the sweet potato. The guaranteed analysis falls within the ideal percentages for an adult dog.
Pros
- Salmon as the main ingredient
- Free from artificial colors and flavors
- Rich in omega fatty acids
2. Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula Dry Dog Food
This is a meat-free dog food recipe that replaces common meat-based protein sources with barley and peas. The food is also free of soy, dairy, and gluten which may be ideal for dogs that have allergies to these ingredients and need a vegetarian diet. It is a dry kibble that is made with limited ingredients, but there is also a canned formula for the same food available.
Brown rice is the main ingredient in this food, followed by grains and canola oil. This food only just meets the AAFCOs minimum daily recommended protein percentage at a low 18%. The low protein content is mainly due to brown rice and grains being the main ingredients. This is popular dog food for owners who want to feed their dog a vegetarian-based diet, but make sure you clear it with your dogs veterinarian.
Pros
- Ideal for dogs who cannot eat meat-based ingredients due to health reasons
- Contains all the essential nutrients a dog would get from meat-based foods
- Available in a wet and dry formula
Cons
- Very low protein content
- Feeding a vegetarian diet needs to be discussed with a veterinarian first
3. Natural Balance Chicken and Sweet Potato Shreds Wet Dog Food
This is a canned dog food with meaty shreds that form a complete and balanced dog food for all dogs, including puppies and adults. This food does not contain grains and has a limited number of ingredients which makes it better suited for dogs who need a grain-free diet for health reasons.
The recipe is highly digestible for maximum nutrient absorption and contains added vitamins and minerals to help support your dogs immune system. This food has a protein content of 11% per tub which comes from chicken as the main ingredient followed by sweet potatoes which are a good source of fiber.
Pros
- Ideal for both puppies and adults
- Highly digestible ingredients
- Contains added vitamins and minerals for immune support
What Other Users Are Saying
- HerePup Natural Balance carries out nine tests on every batch of dog food and shares the results, so you can always be confident your pet is safe.
- Pet Food Guru- Natural Balance has full confidence in the quality of its ingredients, and the company wants dog owners to feel that way.
- Amazon As pet owners, we always double-check with Amazon reviews from buyers before we buy something. You can read them by clicking here.
Conclusion
Natural Balance dog foods aim to provide dogs with complete and balanced nutrition from carefully tested ingredients. They have different categories of dog food available to appeal to the different needs of dogs, whether its a grain-free, limited-ingredient, or vegetarian diet. This dog food brand offers three different types of dog foods, which include wet, dry, and freeze-dried foods.
Overall, Natural Balance seems to be a good brand of dog food for most dogs, with mostly positive reviews from customers.
Featured Image Credit: Chewy
Natural Balance Cat Food Review in 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons
Review Summary
Our Final Verdict
We give Natural Balance cat food a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
The pet food industry is big business in the United States, with an estimated $30 million worth of pet food sold annually. For a long time, the largest portion of the industry was in dog food. While that is still the case, the cat food category of the market has seen the most significant growth in recent years, coming from new entrants to the market and expanding product lines.
Natural Balance is a leading premium brand pet food that was created in 1989 following an appearance by actor Dick Van Patten on The John Davidson Show. Dick Van Patten and Joey Herrick, the drummer from the shows band, lunched together and discussed their shared love of animals, and soon after, the pair formed Dick Van Patterns Natural Balance Pet Foods.
Of particular note, the company prides itself on having the finest food you can buy for your pet and in addition to the domestic pet products, has also developed a range of zoological products that have been formulated for large carnivores in zoos. But these products are not sold to the general public.
At a Glance: The Best Natural Balance Cat Food Recipes
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
Most Popular | Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Duck Formula | CHECK PRICE | |
 | Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health | CHECK PRICE | |
 | Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Salmon Formula | CHECK PRICE | |
 | Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Chicken Formula | CHECK PRICE | |
 | Natural Balance L.I.D. Duck & Green Pea Formula | CHECK PRICE |
Natural Balance Cat Food Reviewed
Who Makes Natural Balance and Where Is It Produced?
Following the formation of Dick Van Patterns Natural Balance Pet Foods in 1989, the company initially lost money, and its saving grace was that it was picked up by Petco and featured in its 625 stores across the United States.
In May 2013, Natural Balance merged with Del Monte Foods, before being sold in 2015 to the J.M. Smucker Company.
Natural Balance is headquartered in Pacoima, Los Angeles, California. Its products are produced at a variety of manufacturers across the United States from ingredients sourced from the United States, France, India, New Zealand, and Canada.
Which Types of Pets Is Natural Balance Best Suited For?
With a wide range of cat food products available, Natural Balance is likely to have a cat food that is suitable for almost all cats, with its products formulated to provide complete and balanced nutrition for a felines various life stages.
To help consumers choose the best cat food for their pet, the company markets its cat food products under five distinct product types.
L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets
These are Natural Balances most popular cat food formulas. They are suitable for most cats, theyre grain-free, and as their name suggests, theyre made from a limited number of ingredients.
Original Ultra
This is Natural Balances premium brand cat food and is designed to promote cat heath. This is also has a range of formulas and a reduced-calorie option.
Delectable Delights
This range has been formulated for taste to ensure that even the pickiest of eaters will enjoy them. Natural Balance suggests that these products are great alone or as a food topper, and these cat foods have been formulated to provide a complete and balanced diet for adult cats.
Platefulls
These are a range of single-serve wet foods that contain their individual main ingredients and gravy. They are grain-free, come in an easy-to-use pouch, and have been formulated to entice fussy eaters.
Fat Cats
These are low-calorie products designed to provide a complete and balanced diet and formulated to help cats that need to lose weight.
Which Types of Cats Might Do Better With a Different Brand?
Given the wide range of cat food products that Natural Balance produces, you will likely find a formula that is suited for almost any cat. It even has a range designed for large carnivores, which may be suitable if you have your own Carol Baskin-style tiger sanctuary.
Of course, should you have any concerns about your cats diet, we strongly recommend speaking to your pets vet, as they may recommend a diet that is more appropriate for your cats individual circumstances.
Natural Balance Discussion of the Primary Ingredients
Natural Balance was founded on the principle of providing a range of wholesome and nutritious pet foods. From the outset, its products have been predominately formulated to include a range of protein-rich meats and vitamin-rich vegetables. For the most part, Natural Balance cat foods are grain-free, although it has expanded its range to include foods that do have grains.
We particularly like the fact that its pet foods include formulas that are low in calories and that it has developed a product that has been specifically formulated for overweight cats.
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A Quick Look at Natural Balance Cat Food
Pros
- Premium quality ingredients
- Use of real meats for protein
- Most products contain no grains
- Uses ISO-17025 accredited laboratory
Cons
- Price (it is a premium brand and the price reflects this)
- Does have a history of recalls
Recall History
Natural Balance was one of many pet food brands involved in the 2007 melamine recalls. In April 2007, the company informed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of complaints it had received about its Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food. According to these complaints, some pets had experienced vomiting and kidney failure after consuming these products.
The company immediately issued a voluntary recall of all the affected products, and following laboratory tests, it was determined that some of these products contained trace amounts of melamine, which is thought to have come from rice concentrate. Later that month, Natural Balance issued a second limited recall for four canned pet foods that were found to contain traces of melamine in rice protein concentrates.
In July 2007, the company recalled a small batch of canned pet food that it feared may have been contaminated in a large-scale botulism outbreak associated with one of its producers, Castleberrys Food Company.
In response to ongoing concerns following these recalls, Natural Balance built its own ISO-17025 accredited laboratory and commenced proactively testing every production run of the entire pet food range for nine different toxins before shipping their products to retailers.
On July 3, 2020, Natural Balances parent company, J.M. Smucker, issued a voluntary recall on a single batch of Natural Balance Ultra Premium Chicken & Chicken Liver Pt Formula, after receiving complaints that several cats had become unwell after eating it. Subsequent tests revealed that the batch contained elevated levels of choline chloride.
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Reviews of the 3 Best Natural Balance Cat Food Recipes
Lets take a look at three of the many Natural Balance formulas in more detail.
1. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Duck Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
The most popular product in Natural Balances cat food line-up, this high protein formula is designed for cats of all ages. Containing a single source of animal protein, this product may be of benefit to pets that have sensitivities to some foods.
The product is grain-free to help with digestion and has green peas and real duck as its main ingredients.
It contains 30% protein, primarily from duck, is free of any artificial flavors, colors, or bleached ingredients, and has been fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure that it provides a complete and well-balanced diet.
Calorie Breakdown:
Pros
- Single source of animal protein
- Grain-free
- Free of artificial flavors and colors
Cons
- Not suitable for diabetic cats
2. Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Chicken Meal & Salmon Meal Formula Dry Cat Food
This high-protein formula from Natural Balances premium Original Ultra is one of their top-selling products. It is formulated to provide a complete and balanced diet for adult cats and kittens.
Like most Natural Balance cat foods, this product is grain-free and is free of artificial flavors and colors.
It contains 35% protein, which comes primarily from salmon and chicken, and is high in carbohydrates for energy.
Calorie Breakdown:
Pros
- Premium product
- Grain-free
- High in protein
- Free of artificial flavors and colors
Cons
- Price
- Not suitable for diabetic cats
3. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Salmon Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food
Another product from Natural Balances popular Limited Ingredient Diet range, this Green Pea & Salmon Formula uses salmon as its single source of meat protein.
The product is grain-free, contains no artificial flavors, colors, or bleached ingredients, and could be a good choice for owners of cats with food sensitivities or allergies.
It contains 30% protein, which is sourced mainly from salmon, is high in energy-rich carbohydrates, and is a complete wholesome food for adult cats.
Calorie Breakdown:
Pros
- Single source of animal protein
- Grain-free
- Free of artificial flavors and colors
Cons
- Not suitable for diabetic cats
What Other Users Are Saying
As pet owners ourselves, we understand the importance of reading reviews from other consumers when it comes to choosing the best products for your cat.
- You can read great reviews about this food by Chewy customers by clicking here.
- There are also many reviews from Amazon customers about Natural Balance cat foods that you can read by clicking here.
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