Home Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Grain Free Duck & Potato Dry Puppy Formula

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Grain Free Duck & Potato Dry Puppy Formula

Overall Score

The overall score is an average of the ingredient quality and ingredient safety concerns. For more information, see our evaluation criteria.

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4 color scale
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Grain Free Duck & Potato Dry Puppy Formula
Home Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Grain Free Duck & Potato Dry Puppy Formula

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Grain Free Duck & Potato Dry Puppy Formula

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Grain Free Duck & Potato Dry Puppy Formula
3
4 color scale

Overall Score

The overall score is an average of the ingredient quality and ingredient safety concerns. For more information, see our evaluation criteria.

Ingredient Quality

3 out of 10

  • Product is calculated to contain 42% carbohydrate Dogs have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrate but they are used for energy, texture and taste. Starch is also required for extrusion in dry foods. Excessive carbohydrate is an indicator of food quality as it can be used to reduce manufacturing cost. Foods that are high in carbohydrate can raise insulin and cause obesity. Some studies also show that dogs fed a high carbohydrate content have changes to their gut bacteria. Learn more
  • Contains plant protein Plant-based protein sources are the least expensive substitute for quality animal protein. Whenever possible, animal sources of protein are preferred because they contain a wider array of amino acids than plant based protein sources and are more digestible. Learn more
  • Contains fats that are highly processed or inflammatory Seed oils, such as safflower, sunflower or flaxseed oil, provide calories and taste. They are rich in omega-6 fatty acids, which can cause systemic and gut inflammation. Other oils like soybean are highly processed and may contain trans fats. Studies shows that ultra processed foods are linked to a higher rate of all-cause mortality in humans. Learn more
  • Product contains two or more added amino acids Multiple amino acids are typically only found in lower quality foods that rely on less complete plant sources of protein. Learn more
  • Is fortified with excessive vitamins When vitamins come from whole food sources, they include the full spectrum of cofactors, which makes them safe and bioavailable. While a couple of added vitamins are acceptable, five or more implies the food is of poor nutritional value. Learn more
  • Is fortified with excessive minerals Five or more added minerals indicate a lower quality food that’s lacking naturally occurring minerals from whole food sources.

Ingredient Safety

3 out of 10

  • Product is ultra processed Extruded foods are heated four separate times during production, which will cause major losses in some active enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and phytonutrients. Studies shows that ultra processed foods are linked to a higher rate of all-cause mortality in humans. Learn more
  • Contains known GMO ingredients in the top 5 ingredients including potatoes There are limited safetey studies on geneticaly modified and Roundup Ready crops although they are lacking in nutrients compared to non-GMO foods. GMO crops also strip nutrients from soils, require increased pesticide risk and may be involved in bee die-off. Learn more
  • Contains ingredients known to contain higher pesticide/herbicide residues including sunflower Pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers pose a significant health risk to plants, animals and soils. Foods with the largest reported amount of residue will be penalized, including crops that are known to be spray-dried with glyphosate. Learn more
  • Contains natural flavor Natural flavors are often animal digest or MSG, which are low quality ingredients with limited safety studies. Learn more

Other Concerns

Notable product facts

  • Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is not provided. Diets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation and disease. Learn more
  • Product doesn't specify whether the fish is farmed or wild caught Farmed fish is less nutritious than wild caught fish and does not contain the same healthy fatty acid balance. Fish farming also threatens wild fish species. Learn more

Ingredients On Package

Duck, Duck Meal, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Cassava Flour, Potato Protein, Sunflower Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Brewers Dried Yeast, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Dl-methionine, Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid (Source of Vitamin C), Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, D-calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Dicalcium Phosphate, Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.

Guaranteed Analysis





Crude Protein (min) 25%
Crude Fat (min) 12%
Crude Fiber (max) 4%
Moisture (max) 10%

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