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Our Verdict
Natural Balance Original Ultra canned product range is made up of three recipes with ratings varying from 3.5 to 4 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 4 stars.
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Balance Original Ultra Beef | 3.5 | A |
| Natural Balance Original Ultra Lamb | 4 | A |
| Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken | 4 | A |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Natural Balance Original Ultra Beef was selected to represent the other products in the line for detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Beef
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Beef broth, beef, potatoes, beef liver, brown rice, carrots, oat bran, ground flaxseed, natural flavor, dicalcium phosphate, canola oil, salt, agar-agar, potassium chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, cobalt proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, potassium iodide), dried kelp, natural smoke flavor, menhaden fish oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), vitamins (vitamin E supplement, thiamine mononitrate, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, riboflavin supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid), taurine, choline chloride, parsley, yucca schidigera extract, sodium carbonate
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 7% | 4% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 32% | 18% | 42% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 27% | 38% | 36% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is beef broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common component in many canned products.
The second ingredient in this dog food is beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1
Beef is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The next ingredient 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 fourth ingredient is beef liver, an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
Next, we find 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 sixth item includes carrots, which are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The seventh ingredient is oat bran, a nutritious by-product obtained from milling whole grain oats. The bran is the fiber-rich outer layer of the grain containing starch, protein, vitamins and minerals.
The eighth ingredient is flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The ninth ingredient is natural flavors, this doesn’t give us much information about the particular ingredients included in this dog food for flavoring purposes.
We’re pleased that the flavorings used are natural, but more details are required to give any further information about these natural flavoring ingredients. Flavorings are used to make the foods more appealing and tasty for our dogs.
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 have much of an effect on the overall rating of this Natural Balance product.
With five notable exceptions…
First, we find canola oil. Unfortunately, canola can be a controversial item. That’s because it can sometimes (but not always) be derived from genetically modified rapeseed.
Yet others cite the fact that 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.
Next, this food includes 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.
In addition, we note the use of menhaden oil. This item is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, salmon oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Next, this recipe includes 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
Based on its ingredients alone, Natural Balance Original Ultra looks like an above-average moisture-rich dog food.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 31.8%, a fat level of 18.2% and estimated carbohydrates of about 42%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 34.8% and a mean fat level of 21.2%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 35.9% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 61%.
Which means this Natural Balance product line contains…
Below-average protein. Below-average fat. And above-average carbs as compared to a typical canned dog food.
Even when you consider the mild protein-boosting effect of the dried potato, this looks like the profile of a wet product containing a moderate amount of meat.
Natural Balance Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Natural Balance through November 2024.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Natural Balance Dog Food
Natural Balance Original Ultra is a grain-inclusive canned dog food using a moderate amount of named meats as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
Those looking for a kibble from the same product line may wish to visit our review of Natural Balance Ultra dry dog food.
Compare Natural Balance Dog Food
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