Natural Balance Original Ultra Grain-Free Chicken Formula

Brand: Natural Balance, Original Ultra Dry

Overall Score

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

Natural Balance Original Ultra Grain-Free Chicken Formula

Overall Score

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

Brand: Natural Balance, Original Ultra Dry

Ingredient Quality

5 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is calculated to contain 36% 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
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 minerals ^ⓘFive or more added minerals indicate a lower quality food that’s lacking naturally occurring minerals from whole food sources.
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

Ingredient Safety

3 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

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 ingredients known to contain higher pesticide/herbicide residues in the top 5 ingredients including peas and lentils ^ⓘ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

Ingredient splitting ^ⓘSplitting is a technique of manipulating the ingredient list to move certain ingredients higher or lower on the ingredient list. This is often used to diguise the amount of lower quality ingredients in the food, such as corn or peas. Learn more
Glam ingredients ^ⓘExpensive or desirable ingredients like blueberries, kale or apples are often added to appeal to consumers but may be in miniscule amounts. If these foods are below salt or other low concentration ingredients, they contribute little or no nutritional value for your dog. Learn more
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

How It Compares

Food Type

Food Function

Life Stage

Ingredients On Package

Chicken, Peas, Chicken Meal, Lentils, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Sweet Potatoes, Flaxseed, Pea Starch, Natural Flavor, Dried Egg, Menhaden Fish Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Dried Tomato Pomace, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dicalcium Phosphate, Taurine, DL-Methionine, Dried Apple, Dried Cranberries, Dried Spinach, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Carrots, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Lactic Acid, Citric

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	27%
Crude Fat (min)	15%
Crude Fiber (max)	5%
Moisture (max)	10%

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