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In The Kibble
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PRODUCT LINE

Natural Balance Original Ultra

A line from Natural Balance

RECIPES REVIEWED
5
AVG PROTEIN, DM
29.6%
AVG STARCH
38%
FDA RECALLS
2
LINE REVIEW

The Natural Balance Original Ultra Line, Reviewed

5 recipes, read label by label

Natural Balance Original Ultra Kibble 5 recipes

Recipe Protein Fat Starch Kcal / cup First ingredients
Whole Body Health Chicken, Chicken Meal & Duck Meal 27% 15% 37% 410 Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas
Grain-Free Chicken Small Breed Bites Formula 27% 15% 37% 410 Chicken, Peas, Chicken Meal
Grain-Free Large Breed Bites Chicken Formula 27% 15% 37% 410 Chicken, Peas, Chicken Meal
Grain-Free Chicken Formula 27% 15% 37% 390 Chicken, Peas, Chicken Meal
Grain-Free Chicken Senior Formula 25% 12% 42% 314 Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas
Line average 26.6% 14.4% 38% 387

All figures as fed, from the guaranteed analysis on each label. Starch is our estimate, since no bag prints it. Highest in the line is marked in bold, lowest in italics.

All recipes

5 foods matched · newest first
DEEP DIVE

Inside The Natural Balance Original Ultra Range

Across 5 recipes we review

Protein is close to the average kibble we review (29.6% on a dry matter basis).

100% of recipes lead with a meat, fish or egg ingredient (89% across the site).

80% of recipes are grain-free.

NUTRITION

How The Range Measures Up

this range, lowest to highest its average average of all 3,126 foods we review

Protein, dry matter 30% 28% to 30%
15%site avg 30%50%
Fat, dry matter 16% 13% to 17%
5%site avg 18%30%
Starch, as fed 38% 37% to 42%
10%site avg 37%60%
Kcal per cup 387 314 to 410
250site avg 395600

Starch is our estimate from the guaranteed analysis, since no manufacturer prints it. How we work it out

INGREDIENTS

What Goes In The Bowl

Chicken 100% 56%
Egg 80% 30%
Duck 20% 7%

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.

Ingredients Some Owners Avoid

By-products 0% 13%
Artificial colors 0% 1%
Chemical preservatives 0% 9%
Corn 0% 15%
Wheat 0% 13%
Soy 0% 10%

These are not unsafe. They are listed because readers ask about them.

LIFE STAGE
  • Adult3
  • All Life Stages1
  • Senior1
BREED SIZE
  • All Breeds5
  • Small Breed1
  • Large Breed1
SPECIAL DIETS
  • Grain-free (no wheat, corn, rice, barley or oats)4
Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Chicken, Chicken Meal & Duck Meal Dry Dog Food MOST PROTEIN Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Chicken, Chicken Meal & Duck Meal Dry Dog Food 30.0% dry matter Natural Balance Original Ultra Grain-Free Chicken Small Breed Bites Formula Dry Dog Food LEAST STARCH Natural Balance Original Ultra Grain-Free Chicken Small Breed Bites Formula Dry Dog Food 37% as fed Natural Balance Original Ultra Grain-Free Chicken Senior Formula Dry Dog Food FEWEST CALORIES Natural Balance Original Ultra Grain-Free Chicken Senior Formula Dry Dog Food 314 kcal per cup
RECALL HISTORY // NATURAL BALANCE

2 FDA Recalls On Record

MAY 11, 2012
POTENTIAL SALMONELLA

Correction to date codes in May 4 2012 Natural Balance recall

MAY 4, 2012
POTENTIAL SALMONELLA

Certain dry dog and cat foods made at Diamond Gaston, SC plant

See the recall log

NO LONGER SOLD

2 Discontinued Recipes

We keep reviews of discontinued recipes online, each with suggested replacements, because bags stay on shelves and in pantries for months.

Keep In The Know,
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The In the Kibble newsletter. Useful emails for dog owners: what we find inside dog food, how to feed well, and a heads-up when a food is recalled.
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