Summary:
Overall, notwithstanding some of their items being a little pricey and a few concerns about the number of carbohydrates in some cat foods, Natural Balance cat food products successfully give your kitties great nutrition and delicious treats. The dry and moist varieties of cat food from this brand are recommendable.
Key Features:
overall
Professionals in animal health research and pet owners work together at Natural Balance, a mid-range pet food brand, to produce high-quality, luxurious pet food that is species-appropriate.
Dick Van Patten and Joey Herrick created it in 1989. Van Patten was motivated to produce high-quality pet food to meet the rising need for by-product-free, organic food.
Pet owners worldwide love this cat food brand for its top-notch products. But is this cat food brand worth buying? Let's find out in this post when we do an in depth natural balance cat food review for you.
About Natural Balance
The pet food sector is significant, with yearly animal feed sales in the U.S. valued at $30 million. Although Dog food dominated the market for a considerable amount of time, the cat food segment of the sector has experienced the most significant increase in the past decade due to new competitors and growing product choices.
After an interview by actor Dick Van Patten on "The John Davidson Show," a famous upscale line of pet food called Natural Balance was developed in 1989.
Particularly, noteworthy is the corporation's claim to offer the best cat food you can get for your pet and its development of various veterinary items designed for huge predators in zoos and domestic pet supplies. But the public at large is not the target market for these goods.
Moreover, Natural Balance also runs a non-profit charity initiative to support pet rescuers. In return for original receipts and Proof of Purchase U.P.C.s, they give cash to qualified rescue organizations.
Natural Balance History
After talking about their shared passion for animals, comedians Dick Van Patten and Joey Herrick founded Natural Balance Pet Foods in 1989. Van Patten had long desired to operate a pet store, whereas Herrick, who was then a drummer for The John Davidson Show, seemed engaged in an animal shelter. They were debating launching a pet food business when the meeting was over.
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Pet Foods, the subsequent business, was among the first to capitalize on the expanding natural and filler-free pet food market.
Natural Balance experienced a brief decline in sales before being acquired by Petco and appearing in over 600 shops. The business amalgamated with Del Monte, an organisation that owns several other animal food trademarks, notably Meow Mix and Milo's Kitchen, in 2013. Two years later, as terms of their takeover of Big Heart Pet Brands, J.M. Smucker bought Natural Balance.
The company was transferred to Nexus Capital Management L.P. in 2021, putting them in a great place to profit from their dedication to R&D and product improvement. In the upcoming years, customers may anticipate the release of new specialty goods within the Natural Balance trademark.
How and Where is Natural Balance Cat Food Made?
Natural Balance purchases its components from manufacturers in the US, France, India, New Zealand, and Canada, among other countries. They are prepared to share the sources of their proteins. However, they won't provide any accurate data about where their plant-based components or additives come from.
Their food is produced in the U.S. by several factories, one of which is controlled by the corporation and located in Topeka, Kansas.
Natural Balance is pretty open about its manufacturing activities, even while they don't go into great depth about where its ingredients come from. Natural Balance's Feed With Confidence approach makes them stand out from the competitors.
The business uses this approach to provide as much insight as it can. They guarantee that each supply of food and treats will undergo quality and safety testing. However, they strive to exceed by providing you with the option to view the pet food test reports by just inputting your product's 10-digit U.P.C. and 7-digit Lot Number.
Natural Balance Cat food Lines
This brand's mid-priced cat and dog food are full of high-quality ingredients. The company sells a wide range of wet and dry cat and dog food, classified into different groups. These goods have a high-quality ratio to give your cats the ideal nutritional combination.
Each of these items has been thoughtfully designed to satisfy the diverse requirements of your cats. Based on the food's intended usage, the recipe is carefully created. Most of the ingredients in their cat diet formulae include high-protein meat, high-fiber veggies, and fruits.
Potato and rice are used as sources of carbs and vitamin complexes in some diets that contain grains. All the cat food Natural Balance sells is additive-and preservative-free. Moreover, it also does not have any artificial flavors.
The Natural Balance Cat Food Selection Calculator is created to determine the food that meets your cat's specific needs, making the process simple and pleasant.
The calculator will offer options that correspond to your furry buddy's age, preferred food, and other particular requirements, making it more straightforward and more accessible to choose the excellent product for your four-legged friend.
Below are some of the cat foods that Natural Balance offers!
If you want to feed your cat easy-to-digest food, look no further than Natural balance's limited ingredients wet cat food. The main ingredient is natural protein; flavorful meat flakes and fish broth enhances the food taste.
Moreover, this limited-ingredient cat food has a grain-free source of fiber for digestive health and is provided by either hearty pumpkin or green peas. Created explicitly with several ingredients, this cat food promotes your cat's general health and welfare.
This wet cat food comes in a handy cup or can that makes feeding simple; it can be used as a whole meal or an appealing topping for dry kibble. This grain-free recipe is simple to digest, especially for cats with food sensitivities.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Wet Cat Food is the next cat food from Natural Balance. Like the Limited ingredient wet cat food, this one also has real meat as the main component and the only source of protein. You will find flavorful broth and meat flakes in this food. Moreover, this cat food also has brown rice and carrots to provide rich sources of fiber for optimum digestion. You can serve this smooth paté as a complete meal or a tasty topping for dry kibble. Each variety of this canned wet cat food is bursting with delectable flavor!
Natural Balance's delectable delights wet cat food is a high-quality food packed with a flavorful seafood mixture and chicken and tuna broth. These grain-free alternatives to fiber provide good digestion with carrots, dill, and pea protein.
Moreover, it is designed with care to offer cats with a complete and balanced diet that will support their general health and well-being. In addition, the vital nutrients and vitamins sustain strong muscles, skin, and fur. And best of all, Original Ultra Delectable Delights are easy to feed on the go thanks to the convenient cup; they may be presented as a whole meal or as an irresistible topping for dry kibble.
This wet cat food comes in pouches and is an excellent source of high-quality protein from real meat; savory chicken broth provides additional flavor. Moreover, hearty pumpkins, carrots, and peas provide these grain-free forms of fiber for gastrointestinal health. With nourishing ingredients that enhance indoor cats' general health and wellness, this food was carefully developed for them. This cat food comes in convenient pouches that are slide and serve and suitable for your cat.
The dry food of Natural balance comes rich in protein have minimum carbohydrates, unlike many others. In this nutritious meal, real meat such as chicken, duck, salmon, and turkey serves as the only source of animal protein. Moreover, for added nutrition, they also add other vegetables based food to help your feline friend's general health. This grain-free formula promotes total body health and is simple to digest because it is made with a small number of high-quality proteins and veggies.
The main ingredient and best source of protein content is chicken and salmon. And this grain-free dry food with minimum carbs also has dried sweet potatoes, dry peas, and lentils. You will find a superfood blend with flaxseed, fish oil, cranberries, spinach, pumpkin, and carrots to promote your indoor cat's general health and welfare. Furthermore, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acid balance supports healthy skin and fur, while added taurine maintains heart and eye health. Specifically designed to support some less active lifestyles of indoor adult cats and aid in weight maintenance. This dry cat food offers indoor cats a comprehensive and balanced diet.
A specially made food for overweight cats with a high protein content but fewer calories.
Moreover, elevated concentrations of fiber are included with garbanzo beans, peas, dried beet pulp, and oat groats for ideal digestion.
Specifically designed to provide your adult cat with a complete and balanced diet that supports their health and welfare while they shed pounds.
Vital nutrients and vitamins promote healthier skin and fur.
These tailored, purposeful recipes achieve results while never compromising on taste.
This formula, which is made with quality protein and lots of veggies for fiber, is simple to swallow and keeps cats' stomachs satisfied with fewer calories to aid in safely losing extra weight.
Ingredient
This food includes limited ingredients and has a single source of protein from duck, peas, and duck meals. Although this cat food is grain free, it comes with many carbs that are unsuitable for the feline diet.
Nutrition
This cat food of natural balance L.I.D. comprises low protein content and low fat. In general, this is plant-based cat food and has 410 calories per cup.
Value for Money
The natural balance cat food is expensive considering its ingredients list. You will be paying 0.20 bucks for each ounce of this food.
Why do you need to buy Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Green Pea & Duck Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food?
This high protein composition is made for cats of all ages and is the hottest item in Natural Balance's collection of cat foods. This dry cat food was created with limited ingredients and just one animal-based source of protein for kitties with food sensitivities and intolerance.
The product's primary ingredients are actual duck and green peas, which aid digestion. Moreover, it is enriched with vitamins and minerals to ensure a complete and well-balanced diet, contains 30% protein, primarily from ducks, and is devoid of flavorings, colors, or processed substances.
Why should you not buy Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Green Pea & Duck Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food?
Green peas, a carbohydrate rather than animal protein, are the first component in this cat food. The manufacturer says this dry food "includes lean, premium-quality duck as a primary ingredient." It is debatable whether the duck is the primary protein source, even though fresh duck and duck meal are included among the first three ingredients. Regardless, it is clear that this cat chow contains a lot of plants thanks to the green peas and pea protein.
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What's inside Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Green Pea & Duck Formula Grain-Free Dry Cat Food?
Green Peas, Duck, Duck Meal, Pea Protein, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed, Salt, Choline Chloride, Dl-Methionine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.
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Ingredient
This cat food comes in convenient packing and contains real chicken and chicken liver as the primary ingredient. Moreover, it is rich in moisture to keep your cat hydrated all day.
Nutrition
This cat food contains a moderate level of lean protein and other natural ingredients. In addition, it also has menhaden fish oil to provide essential fatty acids for your cat.
Value for Money
You can get this wet food from Natural Balance for $0.29 per ounce. While you might think it's expensive cat food, pet parents are happy with the results considering the ingredients and cost.
Why do you need to buy Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Pate Formula Canned Cat Food?
This wet cat food is one of the best cat food of Natural balance. This cat food does not have many carbohydrates and has lots of proteins. Two of the primary three ingredients in this wet canned food formula from the Ultra-Premium range of items are fresh chicken and chicken liver.
It differs from the preceding formula because it lacks a concentrated supply of plant protein. However, it does include some additional carbohydrates, mainly in the form of brown rice and carrots.
This recipe also contains carrageenan, but it is packed with water for the benefits of digestion and hydration. Overall, this dish's amount of protein, fat, and carbohydrates are all reasonable.
Why should you not buy Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Pate Formula Canned Cat Food?
The meal's overall carbohydrate level is relatively high at 25% on a dry matter basis, despite the fact that brown rice and carrots aren't the worst carbohydrates you can find in cat food.
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What's inside Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Pate Formula Canned Cat Food?
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Brown Rice, Natural Flavor, Dried Egg Products, Carrots, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Guar Gum, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, Dicalcium Phosphate, Menhaden Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Cranberries, Carrageenan, Rosemary Extract.
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Has Natural Balance Cat Food ever been recalled?
One of several pet food products affected by the 2007 melamine concerns was Natural Balance. The business reported problems concerning Venison & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food and Venison & Green Pea Dry Cat Food to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April 2007. These reports claimed that several canines experienced diarrhea and renal disease after taking these items.
After laboratory investigations, it was discovered that some of the concerned items had trace quantities of melamine, which likely originated from rice extract. The business promptly initiated a recall notice of all the implicated goods. Natural Balance announced a second limited recall for four canned pet meals the following month when it was discovered that they contained amounts of melamine.
The brand recalled a limited quantity of canned pet food in July 2007 because it was believed to have been tainted by a widespread botulism epidemic linked to one of its suppliers, Castleberry's Food Company.
Natural Balance constructed its own ISO-17025 accredited laboratory in reaction to the lingering concerns raised by these recalls. It started routinely testing every production version of its full line of pet foods for nine distinct toxins before distributing them to retailers.
After hearing feedback that many cats became ill after consuming it, Natural Balance's holding company, J.M. Smucker, decided to voluntarily recall one batch of its Ultra Premium Chicken & Chicken Liver Pâté Formula on July 3, 2020. Tests conducted afterward showed that the batch had high quantities of choline chloride.
How Much Does Natural Balance Cat Food Cost?
Regarding quality and cost, Natural Balance is a mid-range food. Feeding your cat one among their Limited Ingredient dry meals will price you approximately $0.90 per day, while providing Natural Balance wet food will cost you roughly $1.68 per day. Although L.I.D. dry food is available in 5-pound and 10-pound packages, canned food is offered in 3-ounce and 5.5-ounce boxes. Dry food from the Original Ultra range is provided in 6-pound and 15-pound sacks.
Overall - Our Verdict
Natural Balance offers a wide variety of diets with few ingredients, making it a viable option for some cats that have trouble digesting nearly everything they're given. For those worried about food safety, the Buy With Confidence® pledge offers reassurance. Still, no lab results can alter the fact that Natural Balance foods are primarily composed of plants and not very species-appropriate.
Because of the company's propensity to incorporate many plant-based components, especially plant-based proteins, its foods are typically quite rich in carbs. They contain a sizable quantity of protein from plant sources. A different brand might be chosen by individuals who want to feed their cat a diet that is more carnivore-focused.
In summary, this food has 55% carbs, 20% fat, and 35% protein on a dry matter basis. The average protein composition in the corporation is 50%, the moderate fat content is 15%, and the carb content is 35%.
Because plant-based proteins are the main ingredient, there aren't many filler ingredients, and the macronutrient composition is superb, we give this brand a total rating of 3.5 stars.
