Natural Balance Dog Food
Natural Balance was founded in 1989 by Dick Van Patten, an actor and animal welfare advocator who wanted to give dog owners a chance to feed their pets holistic food instead of the low-quality dog food that was available on the shelves at the time. Today, Natural Balance is marketed as a healthy and natural brand with the slogan, “Truly The Food For A Lifetime.” Natural Balance is a privately-owned company, but the pet food giant Diamond Pet Foods manufactures its recipes. Let’s take a look at our Natural Balance dog food review to see if it’s something you should be feeding your dog from puppyhood to seniorhood.
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Natural Balance Recalls 2018
At Dog Food Guru, we actively watch for new Natural Balance recalls, which are outlined below. If you would like to know as soon as we find out about a recalls visit: this page and fill out our Recall Alert form. We will only email this list in the event of an actual recall. We also encourage everyone to bookmark the site for future reference.
Latest Recalls List:
- In December 2011, Diamond Pet Foods discovered Salmonella in their production facility in Gaston, S.C. As a precautionary measure, they announced a massive recall for their brands, including Natural Balance. The following Natural Balance dry dog foods were recalled: Sweet Potato & Venison, Lamb Meal & Rice, Sweet Potato & Bison, Vegetarian, Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Large Breed, and Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Small Breed.
- On June 19, 2010, Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. (this was before Diamond Pet Foods bought them out) issued a voluntary recall of the Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food because it was possibly contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.
Learn how we monitor for recalls here.
Consumer Ratings
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Natural Balance Coupons 2018
Natural Balance Dog Food Review
Natural Balance has full confidence in the quality of its ingredients, and the company wants dog owners to feel the same way. That’s why they started the “Buy With Confidence” program. Dog owners can buy a bag of Natural Balance dog food, visit the website, select the formula in the bag, and then put down the best buy date. They will be supplied with the laboratory test results of the very bag they purchased. If that doesn’t boost a dog owner’s confidence in the product, then we don’t know what will!
However, just because Natural Balance is concerned with ensuring their customers’ confidence in their product doesn’t answer all of our questions. It’s always wise to do some research. That’s why we’re here!
Let’s take a look at what Natural Balance really puts in their dog food, and then let’s talk about whether or not we should be confident in this brand.
Natural Balance takes pride in the fact that they put human-grade meat in their formulas. The grains and vegetables are marketed as high-quality, as well. Given the fact that Diamond Foods manufactures Natural Balance dog food, we’re a little skeptical of this claim.
However, the ingredient list doesn’t lie.
Let’s take a look at the top five ingredients:
- Chicken
- Chicken broth
- Sweet potatoes
- Potatoes
- Dehydrated potatoes
We like that chicken is the first ingredient, but one concern we have is that it’s whole chicken meat (instead of chicken meal) because it consists of 80% water, which, along with some important nutrients, is lost after being cooked. The carbohydrate sources (sweet potatoes, potatoes, and dehydrated potatoes) provide enough energy.
Overall, these ingredients look good. However, there’s one ingredient we’re a little worried about – sodium nitrite. It’s a carcinogenic ingredient. Also, some Natural Balance formulas contain grains that can cause allergic reactions in dogs. If your dog has food-based allergies, you’d be better off putting him on a grain-free diet.
In conclusion, we consider Natural Balance dog food to be an above-average dog food brand, but we recommend checking out the ingredient list first before buying a bag.
Natural Balance Dog Food Product Lines
Natural Balance offers several product lines to serve the needs of all dogs, whether they have allergies, food sensitivities, or a need for weight loss. For more information on each of the Natural Balance dog food reviews, click on the link below.
In-Depth Look At Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Venison
Let’s take a look at the Sweet Potato & Venison recipe to see if it contains the balanced nutrition your pup needs. The purpose of this line of products is to offer dogs alternative protein sources, as well as a recipe with fewer ingredients to decrease the chance of allergies or food sensitivities. This recipe is grain-free and contains a lower amount of carbs, which is ideal for any dog food.
Ingredients include sweet potatoes, venison, pea protein, potato protein, and canola oil, which are all fine for your pup to eat. However, plant protein is harder for dogs to digest than meat protein, so pay close attention to how your dog reacts if you choose to feed him this formula. These first five ingredients provide tons of additional health benefits, though. Fatty acids from canola oil and flaxseed help keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy and beautiful. There are no fillers or preservatives, either, which is a huge plus. This formula contains 20% crude protein and 10% crude fat.
Overall, it looks like this formula is a solid formula to feed your dog.
Where Can You Buy Natural Balance Dog Food?
Natural Balance dog food is available both online and at brick-and-mortar stores. If you visit Natural Balance’s website, you’ll see a store locator at the top of the page. Enter your zip code, and they’ll show you the closest retailers that carry Natural Balance dog food.
Interested in learning about other top dog food brands after reading this Natural Balance dog food review? Here’s a look at our thoughts on Acana and Wellness.
How do I begin how disappointed we are that the lamb and rice rolls have a new formula. My 3 dogs have been raised about 9 years on them and loved them. Now that the formula is changed, my dogs will not eat the new roll. I have tried. They know it is not the same. So now, I am mostly cooking for them, as all dog foods I feed them they don’t eat. They all have diarrhea from the change of foods and their moods have changed. Why couldn’t you keep the same formula? You kept the Natural Balance name. Very sad…I was in Petco the other day voicing a complaint and the cashier advised their are are a lot of returns of the Natural Balance rolls and how disappointed the customers are, as well. I will never buy your product again….
Just started my standard poodle pup and my pugle on Bil.Jac got the one for sensitive stomachs they eat it all dry. I don’t have to add any wet food to it you don:t have to slowly change over from other dog food and they love it. You can always take it back!
Lamb rolls are wet and sticky and I cannot cut them with a knife as I did in the past.
My dogs will not eat them anymore.
All the years I have been feeding these rolls until VanPatten sold us out.
I am returning the case of Lamb rolls and on the hunt for a new food.
So sad………
How truly sad about the state of pet food these days. Too many byproducts and unsafe elements. Even Natural Balance has succumbed. I hope Dick VanPatten is listening…or he may not even care.
Natural Balance is a good mid range dog food but nothing spectacular and overpriced for it’s marginal quality.
Did they change their kibble formula? I could have sworn the meat protein use to be first, but now the starch is listed first.
I think you need to take another look at Natural Balance as a recommended brand. I used that brand for my Australian shepherds for years and I have had to change. Not only did my dogs no longer like it but it was making them sick. With further research, I found that they have been bought by a large company i.e. Purina and changed the ingredience, apparently to my dogs, significantly.
Is anyone having problems with the Limited ingredient Rabbit formula? Or have there been any recalls I’m not seeing? My dog doesn’t seem to like it and his stomach seems upset.
This morning I opened a new bag of Lamb and Brown Rice (limited ingredient) dog food. Due to his food allergies my dog has been on a restrictive diet for a number of years. He has been doing fine with NB food. That is, until today… I noticed a visual change in the food itself; the pallets appear darker in color and more dense. By late afternoon he had promptly vomited all of the new food. First his mid day snack (still practically intact), then his almost fully digested breakfast. I have to agree with the previous reviewers, I too think something has changed in the ingredients/quality of this food.
My Saint has been on NB Chicken and sweet potato(limited ingredient). She is alright in the morning but by night she has loose stools and sometimes has to go out more than once. The food does not seem to have that sweet potato aroma that I am used to smelling. I am concerned and perplexed. Just gave her Flagyl. Hope that helps.
I have a french bulldog and a toy Pomeranian. They both have been eating natural balance potato and duck formula…they both have been extremely thirsty and drink a lot at once…I noticed the kibbles are darker after opening a new bag recently. Did anyone else notice these issues?
I have been going through the exact same thing with my boxer and the LID Sweet Potato & Fish that he has been on for his adulthood (he’s 12). In the past few months, he didn’t seem interested in eating it in the morning. The vet suggested wetting it and he continued to eat it and he ate his evening food dry. In the past two months, he has been drinking and urinating excessively, including having small accidents overnight. His blood tests turned out normal for kidney, liver, and thyroid issues, so the vet suggested trying another food. I recently switched to Wellness brand and he can barely wait until I get it in the bowl dry, before he gobbles it down. It has only been a few days, but he is not drinking near as much. I’m not sure about the labeling requirements on the food, but Natural Balance has salt listed much higher up on the ingredient list than the Wellness brand. I’m wondering if that might be the issue. I feel like such a bad mom for not picking up on the clues much earlier. I was assuming it was an age related issue and never considered it being an issue with his food.
I’ve been feeding my Pittie NB since he was 2, he is now 11 and still as active and healthy as before. The BEST food on the market bar none.
I have three grown cats from different litters and all three have succumbed to a UTI. The only thing that has changed is the dry food. I went from Halo or Fromm to New Balance and within a week, my cats are not urinating. I have one on antibiotics, while I am praying the other two urinate by morning, I will be sending them to the vet as well. I am livid! I will take this to the media asap!
I have had my Beagle who is 5 years old with thyroid problems and weighs over 70 pounds on the Natural Balance weight control formula he loves it I am also mixing in green beans he is a very satisfied happy baby boy
I used to feed my dog NB. Once they were purchased by Del Monte a friend of mine who works for the company told me that some if their ingredients are processed at a plant over seas. That is upsetting because they advertise as being American made but in reality that’s not the case. Not to mention it is now processed at the same plant that other Del Monte owned dog products are made. So sad, I’m going to try a new brand. Thumbs down NB.
I also have noticed my dog does not like the food anymore. This has just happened in the last
month or so. I have been getting NB canned limited ingredients lamb and rice for her and it was one of the few foods that she like and also liked her. Now reading that they have changed the formula, I guess I am relieved that it is not my dog but I do have to find her a new product.
any suggestions, she does not tolerate carrots. I really thought she was just being contrary and wanting my food.
Two months I purchased a bag of Venison and Sweet Potato for my dog. He has been on brand for three years. Recently when I opened a new bag of Venison and Sweet Potato the bag a considerable amount of oil on the bag. I took the bag back for another bag and it was not quite as greasy. I called Natural Balance and the comment was that they are spraying a flavoring on the food. I noticed my dog not wanting to eat the dry food and now my dog is in the hospital with anemia and very lethargic. Can’t find the cause of it. I was mailed a coupon for another bag of food and he still leaves most of the dry food in his bowl. What is the cause of this?
My German Shepherd Dog ( 10 months old ) just stares at the food bowl ~ The canned Venison in particular, which I feed along with the dry kibble. She has had diarrhea off and on, but this NO EATING it now tells me SOMETHING has certainly changed.
It is SO sad because my breeder spoke SO highly of the Natural Balance Diet. It is considerably more and now that she simply walks away from her bowl is very disturbing.
I will have to look for a new food for her. The breeder as well said her pregnant dog WILL NOT touch the canned Venison or Rabbit now. She mentioned now the FISH is suspect as well, and told me not to purchase it ~ THAT won’t be a problem as I am NOT going to buy it ever again ~
My cat has eaten LID chicken & green pea wet cat food for the past 5 years. He is allergic to grains. Until the past month he had been doing fine. I noticed the texture of the food had changed. My cat has been feverishly licking his belly fur off as well as drinking twice as much water than normal. He has stated meowing for no reason while walking around the house. Also urinating a lot more than normal. I am discontinuing immediately the wet food & will be changing his dry LID chicken & green pea also.
Bad move to change ingredients. IF IT AINT BROKE DONT FIX IT.
I was interested in your review of Natural Balance (which is what I feed my dog) until I read your part about Alpha Grain Free formula. They have stopped making Alpha, and now make Wild Pursuit. I need to know whether this is considered a safe feed for my pet.
I just started my dog on the potato and duck formula a few days ago. So far, so good. I don’t see sodium nitrate under the ingredients. I was wondering how everyone’s dogs are doing on NB LID now.
While this may be a 5-star dog food by Diamond’s standards, the ingredients don’t compare to the ingredients found in other dog foods listed as 4- and 5-star grade dog foods. Of the first 5 ingredients, only one is a high protein/meat based ingredient (2 if you count “chicken broth”) whereas other 4- and 5-star foods have 3 high protein/meat based ingredients, typically 1 meat (chicken) and 2 meals (chicken meal, turkey meal). Please re-examine your review of Natural Balance. I’d knock it down to a 3- or 4-star rating.
how good is natural balance with salmon and peas for dogs with a sensitive stomach?
i have a 11 year old german shepherd she has a terrible allgery to food what kind of food do you recommend to feed her
One of my rescues has poultry allergies, and chicken seems to be in every dog food product. I just purchased a bag of the Venison and Sweet Potato, which does not have chicken listed anywhere. Can I be 100% sure that there truly is NO Poultry in this food?
Thank you
If you live in Canada, there’s a brand called Go!, it’s amazing. I have a shiba with skin allergies and kidney issues. I contacted GO! And one of their dietitians called me to discuss food options. Check them out if you can find it where you are.
Recently bought the New Balance for my puppy, because the sales lady at petco recommended it, well we switched our puppy over like she told us too by mixing it with his old food to get him used to it, well he has been on it for almost a week and he has been getting sick, vomiting and diarrhea, he won’t even touch his food now, so today i gave him some other food and he ate it right away, so I will be returning the dog food today and buying what we had him on before which was puppy chow.
Natural Balance has saved my dog who has severe stomach issues and I hear nothing but the same from many of my friends. Your recalls here are from 7 years ago??? Check
Blue Buffalo lately??? Lead in food for an example and Beneful dry causing pet deaths? I give it a 10 .
The review of Natural Balance is out of date. The brand has been bought and sold several times since the review was written. It is currently owned by Smuckers. As for the quality, it has gone downhill with every sale. My German Shepherd/Husky mix used to love the canned Wild Boar and Brown Rice. Two months ago she stopped eating it. Just sniffed her bowl and walked away. Sad that Corporate American cares so little about quality.
The Vegetarian dry food has truly been a healing food for all 3 of my dogs. I have 2 very senior AmStaffs & a newly senior rat terrier and since swit hing years ago all allergies, weight issues have healed with no medication. People think they are only a year or so old and the young one is 9… They have glossy hair, perfect weight, bright eyes, and energy. I would never change from this. It is the very best food. Natural Balance Vegetarian is amazing!
Your natural balance product came highly recommended from Chewy.com . So they sent me the chicken product and some treats. So 3 days into this dog food my 2 Chihuahuas started vomiting, lethargic, dehydration, fever, mucous in stools and massive amounts of blood pouring from the rectum, to the point it was nothing blood bright red blood. I had to rush them to the emergency vet that evening. Then the following day, had to take them back to my vet because they still were not any better and the symptoms were worse. My vet at that time drew some blood to see what was going on with their systems. He then called me back to let me know that what they have been eating made them extremely ill. I called your customer service and without any compassion for my fur babies she stated to just to throw the food away. She stated it was not our product and kept saying they got into something at my house. I explained to her that they are 7 lb’s and my house was fur baby proof, with still no compassion. Then sent me an email of stats that you do on your dog food. Well that does not make it easier to know that your company can just brush something so terrible under the carpet. 1100$ later which they are still not their selves. I am truly disappointed in the handling of this from your company and will be contacting the FDA as well. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS FOOD FOR ANYONE IF YOU VALUE YOUR FUR BABIES LIFE.