Natural Balance dog food has been a popular choice for pet parents since its inception in 1989. However, despite the brand’s long history and varied product offerings, there have been some concerns and criticisms that have caused many to question whether it’s truly a good option for their pets. Why Is Natural Balance Dog Food Bad?

Table of Contents

Overview of Natural Balance Dog Food

Founded in 1989 by actor Dick Van Patten, Natural Balance has been positioned as a premium dog food brand, aiming to provide high-quality, nutritious options for dogs of all sizes and life stages. The brand is well-known for offering a wide range of recipes, including limited ingredient diets, grain-free formulas, and specialized lines such as weight management foods. Despite these benefits, some issues have been reported by consumers, ranging from changes in food consistency to potential health risks associated with specific formulations.

Sourcing and Manufacturing

Natural Balance dog food is made from ingredients sourced from various suppliers, but there have been concerns about transparency in its sourcing and manufacturing processes. The brand claims that its products are made from high-quality ingredients and undergo extensive safety testing. However, it is important to note that the dog food is categorized as “feed-grade” rather than “human-grade.” The use of ingredients like meat meal, which could potentially include lower-quality animal parts, raises questions about ingredient quality.

Potential Issues with Sourcing and Manufacturing

Use of Meat Meals: Unlike human-grade dog food that uses whole cuts of meat, some Natural Balance recipes contain meat meals, which may include parts of animals that are considered lower quality.
Feed-Grade Quality: Since the products are not classified as human-grade, they are subject to less stringent quality control.
Ingredient Variability: Some customers have reported inconsistencies in food quality from batch to batch, which may point to variable sourcing practices.

Recall History

Natural Balance has had a few recalls in its history, which are worth noting for potential buyers:

Date	Recall Reason	Product Affected	Health Impact
June 18, 2010	Potential Salmonella Contamination	Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food	No illnesses reported
May 4, 2012	Salmonella Contamination	Several dry food formulas from the Gaston, SC facility	No illnesses reported

These recalls highlight possible issues in quality control, which may cause concern for dog owners who prioritize safety.

Types of Natural Balance Dog Food

Natural Balance offers a wide range of dog food products:

Limited Ingredient Diet (L.I.D.)

Designed for dogs with food sensitivities, the L.I.D. line contains fewer ingredients, using a single source of protein and limited grains. Both grain-inclusive and grain-free versions are available.

Freeze-Dried

Freeze-dried options provide a convenient and shelf-stable way to incorporate raw feeding into your dog’s diet, preserving nutrient levels through the freeze-drying process.

Original Ultra

This range includes dry and wet food recipes marketed as containing superfoods, like blueberries and spinach, aimed at promoting overall health.

Fat Dogs

The Fat Dogs line is a weight management formula intended for dogs who need to maintain a healthy weight.

Delectable Delights and Platefulls

These are wet food products that can be used as complete meals or food toppers.

Customer Reviews

Customer feedback on Natural Balance has been mixed, with some pet owners expressing satisfaction with the food, while others have reported significant concerns:

Positive Feedback
- Many owners of dogs with allergies found the Limited Ingredient Diet (L.I.D.) helpful for managing their pets’ food sensitivities.
- Some users appreciated the variety of flavors and the availability of vegetarian options.
Negative Feedback
- Reports of gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and vomiting after consuming certain recipes.
- Several customers have noted changes in food consistency, particularly in the vegetarian wet food and kibble.
- Concerns about declining quality, possibly due to supply chain changes or manufacturing cost-cutting.

Our Test Dogs’ Experience

To provide a balanced review, we tested Natural Balance products with our dogs over several weeks. Here are the results:

Reaction to L.I.D. Formula
- Dogs with known sensitivities seemed to digest the L.I.D. recipes better.
- We observed improvements in coat quality and energy levels in dogs with grain allergies.
Issues with Fat Dogs Formula
- Dogs showed little interest in the Fat Dogs weight management formula, likely due to the lack of a fresh meat source.
- Some of the dogs experienced loose stools, suggesting that the fiber content may not be well-suited for all dogs.

Top 4 Natural Balance Recipes Reviewed

Recipe	Type	Key Ingredients	Customer Rating (out of 5)
L.I.D. Sweet Potato & Bison	Dry	Bison, Sweet Potatoes, Canola Oil	4.0
Freeze-Dried Chicken & Sweet Potato	Freeze-Dried	Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Peas	3.8
Original Ultra Chicken & Barley	Dry	Chicken, Brown Rice, Oats	4.2
Delectable Delights Pawpaya Pilaf	Wet (Grain-Free)	Chicken, Peas, Sweet Potatoes	3.9

Ingredients and Nutrient Content

The quality of ingredients and their nutritional value play a crucial role in determining whether a dog food is healthy or not. Natural Balance has been criticized for including some ingredients that are considered lower-quality or controversial.

Ingredients of Concern

Carrageenan: Found in some of the wet food recipes, this thickener can cause digestive upset in sensitive dogs.
Potato Protein and Brewer’s Yeast: Used as inexpensive fillers and may not be well tolerated by all dogs.
Peas and Legumes: Common in grain-free recipes but linked to heart disease concerns.

Comparison Table of Top Ingredients

Ingredient	High-Quality Dog Foods	Natural Balance Dog Food	Considerations
Whole Chicken	Often the first ingredient	Sometimes a secondary ingredient	May affect protein quality
Grain-Free Fillers	None	Uses peas, potatoes	Potential heart disease risk
Preservatives	Natural preservatives	Synthetic preservatives in some products	May cause allergies in some dogs

Guaranteed Analysis and Nutrient Basis

Nutrient	Percentage (Min-Max)	Average in Natural Balance Dog Food
Protein	18-26%	22%
Fat	8-15%	12%
Fiber	3-8%	5%
Moisture	10-12%	11%

Caloric Weight Analysis

Natural Balance dog food has varying caloric content depending on the recipe. On average:

Dry Food: Around 350 kcal/cup
Wet Food: Approximately 120 kcal/can
Freeze-Dried: About 500 kcal/cup

What We Liked About Natural Balance

Variety of Recipes: The range of recipes caters to different dietary needs, including allergy management.
Limited Ingredient Diets: Helpful for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.
Vegetarian Options: Unique offerings for pets with meat protein allergies.
Availability: Widely available at pet stores and online.

What We Didn’t Like

Inconsistent Quality: Reports of changes in food consistency.
Potentially Controversial Ingredients: The use of carrageenan, potato protein, and peas.
Limited Senior and Puppy Formulas: Most recipes are for adult maintenance only.