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Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog Food Review (Dry)
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Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog Food Review (Dry)
By Mike Sagman
Updated: April 22, 2024
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Review of Natural Balance Vegetarian Dry Dog Food
Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog Food receives the Advisors second-lowest tier rating of 2.5 stars.
The Natural Balance Vegetarian product line includes one dry dog food, a recipe claimed to meet AAFCO nutrient guidelines for adult maintenance.
Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Brown rice, oat groats, barley, peas, potato protein, canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), potatoes, dicalcium phosphate, dried tomato pomace, natural flavor, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, choline chloride, taurine, minerals (zinc proteinate, zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, iron proteinate, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, manganese sulfate, manganese proteinate, calcium iodate, sodium selenite), salt, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin A supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, niacin, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D2 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid, biotin), flaxseed, dried spinach, parsley, cranberries, l-lysine monohydrochloride, l-carnitine, citric acid (used as a preservative), mixed tocopherols (used as a preservative), Yucca schidigera extract, dried kelp, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), rosemary extract
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Guaranteed Analysis | 18% | 8% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 20% | 9% | 63% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 19% | 21% | 60% |
Ingredient Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The second ingredient includes oat groats, a whole grain, minimally processed form of oats. With the exception of their caloric content and the fact theyre also gluten free, oat groats can be considered average in nutritional value.
The third ingredient is barley, a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The next ingredient includes peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, theyre rich in natural fiber.
The fifth item is potato protein, the dry residue remaining after removing the starchy part of a potato.
Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
The sixth 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 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 seventh inclusion is potato. 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 eighth ingredient is dicalcium phosphate, likely used here as a dietary calcium supplement.
The ninth ingredient is tomato pomace. Tomato pomace is a controversial ingredient, a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.
Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.
Just the same, theres probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.
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 4 notable exceptions
First, we find no mention of probiotics, friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing to help with digestion.
Next, we note the use of 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 and we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
Additionally, we note the presence of 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.
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
Natural Balance Vegetarian dog food is by design a meatless product.
So, although we do recognize the need for some dog owners to provide (for whatever reason) a completely meat-free diet, we also respect a dogs natural carnivorous bias.
For this reason, the highest rating awarded any vegetarian dog food found on this website can never exceed 2.5 stars.
That said, and before we determine our final rating, its still important to estimate how much plant-based protein might be present.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 20%, a fat level of 9% and estimated carbohydrates of about 63%.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%.
Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Our Rating of Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog Food
Natural Balance Vegetarian is a grain-inclusive dry dog food using a modest amount of potato protein as its dominant source of protein, thus earning the brand 2.5 stars.
Not recommended.
Has Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog Food Been Recalled?
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls since 2009 related to Natural Balance.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
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More Natural Balance Brand Reviews
The following Natural Balance dog food reviews are also posted on this website:
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Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula vs V-Dog Vegan Kibble
Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula vs V Dog Food Vegan Kibble
Today we are going to compare Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula and V-Dog Kinder Kibble. Both are vegan formulas. We will talk about key ingredients, benefits, comparison between the two. To conclude, we will share our final thoughts on the two vegan dog foods.
Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula Dog Food
Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula vs V-Dog Vegan KibbleKey ingredients: brown rice, oatmeal, pearled barley, peas, and fresh potatoes.
Fun fact: Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula is hypoallergenic.
Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula
If youve landed on this page and are looking to buy Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula,go straight to Amazon.com here for the best price
Benefits:
- No animal or dairy products
- Makes the perfect vegetarian and vegan formula for dogs with meat protein sensitivities
- DHA and EPA aid in an active and healthy brain function
- Added zinc and manganese support good hip and joint health
- Oat fiber helps aid proper digestion
- Contains antioxidant nutrients from dried cranberries, blueberries and spinach
- Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for adult maintenance
Read our full review: Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula Dry Dog Food
V-Dog Kinder Kibble Vegan Dog Food
Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula vs V-Dog Vegan KibbleKey Ingredients:Dried Peas, Brown Rice,Pea ProteinConcentrate, Oats,Sorghum, Lentils, Canola Oil, Peanuts,Sunflower Hearts,Potato Protein, Vegetable Pomace (Carrot,Celery, Beets).
Fun fact: V-Dog uses a compostable packaging. 100% compostable bag.
V Dog Food is made in the USA and family owned. The 20 pound bag of V-Dog Vegan Kibble retails for$56.06 on Amazon.com
If youve landed on this page and are looking to buy V-Dog Kinder Kibble Vegan Dog Food,go straight to Amazon.com here for the best price.
Benefits:
- Vegan company
- Human grade ingredients
- 100% plant based
- 24% protein
- USA made and packaged
- NO wheat, corn, soy, animal products, animal by-products, factory farming, fillers, fake stuff
- Testimonials reports to: improve coat condition, allergy control, weight management, increase in overall health and vitality, better oral hygiene, arthritis regression, diabetes regression, weight management, increase in overall health and vitality, better oral hygiene, arthritis regression, diabetes regression, cataract resolution, decreased incidences of cancer, reduce infections and inflammation
Note: To read more about current science and studies on vegan diets for dogs, click here.
Read our full review: V-Dog Kinder Kibble Vegan Dog Food
Comparison
Ethics.V-Dog is owned by vegans, so it is a vegan company. Therefore, it is completely in line with the ethics behind being vegan in operations. When you compare that to Natural Balance on the other hand, Natural Balance is not a vegan company. They simply produce a vegan dog food kibble in their product line.
Availability. The great thing about Natural Balance is that it is widely available and has been around a little longer than V-Dog. You can find it at Petco, Petsmart, and Whole Foods super market. V-Dog has been around for over a decade and founded in 2005. Natural Balance founded in 1989.
Canned or Kibble. Natural Balance has a dry (kibble) and wet (canned) formula. V-Dog only comes in dry kibble.
No allergens. Whats neat about Natural Balance is that it was formulated to be allergy free. In other words, not only are you not feeding them animal products, but its also a great hypoallergenic dog food option.
V-Dog is very similar as far as the formula. V-Dog does not use any animal products, no wheat, no corn, no soy, no gluten, no GMOs, no factory farming, no byproducts, no fake stuff, no fillers.
We cannot say the same in all of these for Natural Balance. However, Natural Balance is also free of wheat, corn, and soy.
Vegan or Vegetarian. Both dog foods are actually vegan. Despite being labeled vegetarian formula, the ingredients list in Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula is free of animal byproducts.
Final Thoughts: Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula vs V Dog Food Vegan Kibble
In a nutshell, that is Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula vs V-Dog Vegan Kibble. Natural Balance is easier to find in stores, and has all the pros previously mentioned in this review. User experience for V-Dog is more positive in terms of stool. Customers who have tried both share that stools are firmer with V-Dog. Some share that Natural Balance results in firmer stools.
V Dog Food is low in allergens also, it might not have any for dogs. Natural Balance is all natural with no fillers as well. From the ingredients list, both are comparable.
It can be hard to tell what ingredients will affect your companion, so it is best to try both and find out. You can check out the products and read more reviews from real customers at Amazon.com
We recommend going with whichever is easiest for you, most affordable, and convenient that works best for your dog. See more Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog Food Customer Reviews here
Where to buy V-Dog Food (free shipping w/ Amazon Prime)
Where To Buy Natural Balance Vegetarian Formula (free shipping w/ Amazon Prime)
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