Protein runs lower than the average kibble we review (27.7% vs 30.1% on a dry matter basis).
Starch is higher than average, at 42% of the food as fed.
90% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (90% across the site).
56% of recipes are grain-free.
this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 2,553 foods we review
Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out
Share of recipes that list each animal protein as an ingredient, not counting oils, fats or flavorings. Useful if your dog has a food sensitivity.
These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.
MOST PROTEIN
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Beef Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Food
35.6% dry matter
LEAST STARCH
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Grain-Free Pollock Dry Dog Food
34% as fed
FEWEST CALORIES
Natural Balance Original Ultra Grain-Free Chicken Senior Formula Dry Dog Food
314 kcal per cup
Natural Balance Pet Foods makes dry and wet dog and cat food and treats, including its Limited Ingredient, Original Ultra, Health Protection and Specialized Nutrition lines. The brand is part of Ethos Pet Brands, which also owns Canidae. 1, 2
The company says most of its diets are made in the United States, either at its company-owned facility in Brownwood, Texas or by selected manufacturing partners. It says all of its manufacturing sites must hold Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification. 3
Actor Dick Van Patten and Joey Herrick founded Natural Balance in 1989. Del Monte Foods acquired it in 2013, it passed to The J.M. Smucker Company in 2015, and Smucker sold it to Nexus Capital Management in January 2021 for about $50 million. In 2023 Natural Balance merged with Canidae to form Ethos Pet Brands, backed by L Catterton and Nexus Capital Management. 4, 5, 1
Natural Balance recalled dry dog food over possible Salmonella contamination in 2010, and in 2012 another Salmonella recall affected most of its dry dog food recipes. In 2021 it recalled a dry cat food, also over possible Salmonella. 6, 7, 8
Researched from the sources above. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
Correction to date codes in May 4 2012 Natural Balance recall
Certain dry dog and cat foods made at Diamond Gaston, SC plant
Natural Balance announced four new dog products: Freshly Cooked wet pouches, Limited Ingredient Small Breed Cups, Health Protection Large Breed dry food and Yo-Gut Bites functional treats. PR Newswire
Natural Balance announced that its Specialized Nutrition and Health Protection dry dog food lines each received a 5-star rating from Dog Food Advisor. PR Newswire
Ethos Pet Brands showed more than 100 new and refreshed products at Global Pet Expo 2025. For Natural Balance these included the Health Protection and Specialized Nutrition dry and wet dog food lines. BlogPaws (press release)
Natural Balance launched Health Protection, a dry dog food line with prebiotic fiber and probiotic-coated kibble. It came in five varieties, including puppy and small breed formulas. Pets+ Magazine
Ten everyday foods. Safe, In Moderation or Never. No googling, no second guesses. Then share your score with your friends, however embarrassing it turns out to be.
115 foods in the deck. Grapes are in there. So is cheese.
Ten foods, one at a time. Call each one Safe, In Moderation or Never, then flip the card to see if you had it right. The ones you miss are listed at the end.
Keys: 1 Safe 2 Moderation 3 Never Enter Next
Copied. Paste it anywhere your friends will see it.
Want the reason behind every answer? The 80-page e-book, $7.99
Now, is your dog's food any good?
Look it up: estimated starch, calories per cup and every ingredient, for 2,555 foods.
