Natural Balance vs Purina
Natural Balance against Purina, measured across 36 and 99 kibble recipes: 27.7% vs 30.7% protein on a dry matter basis, and 42% vs 36% starch.
How They Differ
- Purina runs higher in protein: 30.7% against 27.7% on a dry matter basis, averaged across the kibble we review from each.
- Purina is lower in starch, about 36% of the food as fed against 42%.
- Purina is more calorie dense, 408 kcal per cup on average against 366, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
- Natural Balance leans grain-free: 53% of its kibble recipes against 5%.
Side by Side
| Measure | Natural Balance | Purina | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 36 | 99 | 1,601 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 27.7%20.0% to 35.6% | 30.7%20.5% to 38.6% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 13.3%8.3% to 17.8% | 16.5%9.1% to 22.7% | 16.0% |
| Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. | 42%34% to 53% | 36%21% to 50% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 366314 to 410 | 408330 to 534 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 92% | 89% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 53% | 5% | |
| Most used proteins | Chicken 39%, Fish 22%, Duck 17% | Chicken 77%, Fish 52%, Egg 52% | |
| Recipes with corn, wheat, soy | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | Corn 79%, Wheat 65%, Soy 70% | |
| By-products | 0% | 70% | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None2 older in the archive | 3Latest 20233 older in the archive | |
| Made by | Ethos Pet Brands | Nestlé Purina |
Brand figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that brand, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Freeze-dried, frozen, wet food and toppers are left out so the numbers compare like with like, and so are prescription diets, which are fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. Protein and fat are on a dry matter basis, starch and calories as fed.
The Closest Matching Recipes
Brand averages hide the recipe you would actually buy. These are the pairs that come closest on protein, fat and starch, preferring recipes built on the same main protein, which is where a like-for-like choice gets made.
Natural Balance Gentle Balance Dry Dog Food
Protein 31%
Fat 18%
Starch 34%
Purina Beyond Simply Farm-Raised Beef, Barley & Cage-Free Egg Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 31%
Fat 18%
Starch 34%
Compare these two in full
Which Fits Your Dog
- For an active or working dog, or one that needs to hold muscle, Purina puts more protein in each bowl.
- For a dog that gains weight easily, Natural Balance is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
- If you are cutting back on starch, Purina starts lower.
- If your vet has suggested a grain-inclusive diet, Purina has more of those recipes to choose from.
- Natural Balance has fewer FDA recalls in our record over the last five years (0 against 3). Read the list below before counting it against Purina: most recalls cover a few lots, not a whole range.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Natural Balance runs from 20% to 36% protein and Purina from 21% to 39%, so the right recipe matters more than the name on the bag.
Recall History
FDA recall notices from the last five years that name the brand or its maker. Older notices sit in each brand's archive below: still on the record, but not counted, since a recall that old says more about how a company used to run than how it runs now.
Natural Balance
No FDA recalls in our record for Natural Balance in the last five years.
Archive: 2 older recalls
Natural Balance. Correction to date codes in May 4 2012 Natural Balance recall
Natural Balance. Certain dry dog and cat foods made at Diamond Gaston, SC plant
Purina
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. EL Elemental dry dog food, two additional lots (expansion)
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. EL Elemental prescription dry dog food (8 lb, 20 lb)
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets. PPVD EN Gastroenteric Low Fat wet dog food 13.4 oz cans (contained Purina ONE True Instinct Turkey & Venison)
Archive: 3 older recalls
Beneful; Purina Pro Plan. Beneful Prepared Meals, Beneful Chopped Blends and Pro Plan Savory Meals 10 oz wet dog food tubs, Best Before Jun-Aug 2017
Purina ONE beyOnd. Purina ONE beyOnd Our White Meat Chicken & Whole Barley Recipe Adult dry dog food, limited bags
Waggin' Train; Canyon Creek Ranch. All Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch dog treats (chicken jerky) sold in US (market withdrawal)
About the Brands
Natural Balance
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.
since 1989. Every Natural Balance food we review
Purina
Purina is made by Nestlé Purina PetCare, the pet food business of Nestlé, which is based in St. Louis, Missouri. Its dog food brands include Pro Plan, Purina ONE, Dog Chow, Beneful and Alpo.
Based in St. Louis, Missouri, since 1894. Every Purina food we review
More Brand Comparisons
How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brands' own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. Figures refreshed October 10, 2026.
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