Natural Balance Cat Food: Not As Balanced As You Think!

I first came across Natural Balance cat food and the brand as a whole back when I first started to learn about holistic pet food. My first thought of the brand was that it was way too expensive. (Anything more than $10 for food back in that day was too expensive in my opinion). However, when I looked at the ingredients, I understood the reasoning about its price. Even then this brand was synonymous with quality, always striving to offer both cats and dogs the best they could offer.

What is it exactly that Natural balance offers? We’ll find out in this review!

For this Natural Balance cat food review, I will be focusing on the Indoor Ultra Chicken Meal and Salmon formula.

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My Honest Natural Balance Cat Food Review

 

Name: Natural Balance

Website URL: www.naturalbalanceinc.com

Flavors Available: Chicken Meal & Salmon Meal and Chicken, Duck Meal & Salmon Meal

Formulas Available: Low-Calorie Fat Cat, Reduced Calorie, Kitten, and Indoor Ultra

Sizes Available: 2 pounds, 6 pounds, and 15 pounds

Price: Varies

Overall Rating:

 

Pros. vs. Cons.

Pros:

• Chicken is the first ingredient
• High-quality ingredients used
• Affordable price
• Mostly positive customer reviews

Cons:

• Too many pea ingredients
• Too many potato ingredients

 

Guaranteed Analysis

 

Crude Protein (Min.)	30.0%
Crude Fat (Min.)	14.0%
Crude Fat (Max)	16.5%
Crude Fiber (Max.)	8.0%
Moisture (Max.)	10.0%
Taurine (Min.)	0.15%
Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Min.)	0.40%
Omega-6 Fatty Acids (Min.)	2.0%

 

Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oat Groats, Salmon Meal, Oat Hulls, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Lactic Acid), Natural Flavor, Pea Fiber, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Dried Egg, Dried Potato Products, Potato Protein, Brewers Dried Yeast, Flaxseed, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Salt, Potassium Chloride, Spinach, Parsley, Carrots, Inulin, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Dl-Methionine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), L-Carnitine, Dried Kelp, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Cranberries, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Citric Acid (Preservative), Rosemary Extract

 

Ingredient Breakdown

Chicken

This is a high-quality protein source. Keep in mind during the cooking process, the amount of protein left is reduced by half.

Chicken Meal

This is a high-quality protein source that can contain as much as 300% more protein than chicken contains alone.

Brown Rice

This ingredient is used as a high-quality source of carbohydrates and fiber.

Oat Groats

This ingredient is typically used as a substitute for cereals in pet food. It is a grain ingredient that is high in protein, dietary fiber yet low in carbohydrates.

Salmon Meal

This is a high-quality protein source that can contain as much as 300% more protein than salmon contains itself. It is also rich with Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which can support healthy skin and a shiny coat.

Oat Hulls

This ingredient is a commonly used filler ingredient found in some commercial pet foods. It does not add any nutritional value to the food.

Chicken Fat

This is a high-quality fat source that can contain Omega 3 fatty acids and additional protein. It can also double as a flavor enhancer.

Natural Flavor

This ingredient is used as a flavoring agent. It is made up of a variety of meat, fruit, and vegetable sources.

Pea Fiber

This plant-based ingredient is a source of insoluble fiber that has little to no nutrition value.

Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal

This is an ingredient that is a source of additional protein, Vitamin K, Copper, Manganese, Vitamin C, Potassium, Beta Carotene, and fiber.

Dried Egg

This ingredient is used as an additional source of protein.

Dried Potato Products

This ingredient consists of the dried portions of potatoes including the peeling and culls. It is obtained from processed potatoes used for human consumption.

Potato Protein

This ingredient is used as an inexpensive source of protein and is typically only used to inflate the protein content on the label.

Brewers Dried Yeast

This ingredient is the non-fermented and dried yeast that is a by-product of brewed beer or ale.

Flaxseed

This ingredient is a good source of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as a source of fiber. It is low in carbohydrates.

Menhaden Fish Oil

This oil ingredient is a source of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as a source of additional protein.

Salt

This ingredient is needed to help normal cells function properly. However, an excess of salt can lead to obesity and heart disease in cats.

Potassium Chloride

This ingredient is used as a potassium supplement.

Spinach

This ingredient is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron, Magnesium, and Manganese.

Parsley

This ingredient is a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Folate, and Potassium.

Carrots

This ingredient is rich in Beta Carotene, dietary fiber, Vitamin K, Potassium, and natural antioxidants.

Inulin

This ingredient is known as fermentable fiber. It is used as a prebiotic fiber, which can help nutrient absorption, boost metabolism, and help support firmer stools.

 

Formulas, Sizes, and Price

Original Ultra Whole Body Health Chicken Meal & Salmon Meal Formula

Just as the name of the formula says, this food is specially formulated for the whole body health of cats. It contains optimal levels of DHA and EPA to support a healthy and happy feline.

Sizes Available: 2 pounds, 6 pounds, and 15 pounds

 

Indoor Ultra 

This formula by Natural Balance is specifically formulated to support the health of indoor cats. It is made with lower levels of fat to support a healthy less active lifestyle while still supplying them with a diet that will give them the energy they need.

Sizes Available: 6 pounds and 15 pounds

 

Fat Cats

This is a low-calorie formula specifically formulated to help reduce excess fat in overweight cats. It is packed full of rich fiber to help cats feel fuller longer and unique protein to satisfy their carnivorous cravings.

Sizes Available: 6 pounds and 15 pounds

 

Original Ultra Reduced Calorie

This formula by Natural Balance is specially formulated for overweight cats, senior cats, or those who aren’t as active as they used to be. It is packed full of the protein and key nutrients cats need daily.

Sizes Available: 6 pounds and 15 pounds

 

Natural Balance Cat Food Reviews by Cat Owners

When you look into the Natural Balance cat food reviews many cat owners have left online, many of them seem very happy with this food. Let’s take a closer look at some of these reviews for ourselves.

“My cat loves this food. I for one, love the fact that her hairball activity has been lessened. I have a long-haired cat who is prone to hairballs, so seeing any kind of reduction is a good thing in my book.” -D. Fowler, September 10th

“This food passed my cat’s taste test. I tried other brands for my cat, but he liked none of the other brands quite like how he likes Natural Balance.” -D. Carlson, February 29th

“Best quality for the price. This is a great food and is definitely one of the best out there. With such quality ingredients for a cheap price, I’m able to save a ton of money in the long run.” -Michael R. Petersen, January 5th

“My cats love it! This is the only food my cats will touch anymore. I have tried switching to other brands once in a while, but he isn’t having it.” -Eric S., May 22nd

“Great balance of ingredients. My fussy cat loves this food. I am very pleased with it just because it is the best. No hairballs and no stomach problems.” -Evelyn, April 26th

 

Natural Balance Cat Food: The Bottomline

Look, the bottom line is that Natural Balance cat food is a great product at an affordable price. There are plenty of diets, formulas, and flavors to choose from and there are plenty of cat owners who will testify to the quality.

However, my main gripe with this food is that it uses too many potato and pea ingredients. One pea or potato ingredient here and there is ok, but when you have too many, they become nothing but fillers. If the quality of the food is as great as the company claims it is, there is no reason for fillers.

Regardless, if you are looking for a holistic brand of cat food at a price you can afford, I highly recommend checking this brand out for yourself.

Final Verdict:

Recommended

 

Have you fed your cat Natural Balance cat food? If so, tell us about your experience in the comment section below!