Natural Balance Original Ultra Reduced Calorie Chicken, Salmon & Duck Canned Dog Formula

Brand: Natural Balance, Original Ultra Wet

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 Reduced Calorie Chicken, Salmon & Duck Canned Dog 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 Wet

Ingredient Quality

5 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is calculated to contain 25% 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 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
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.
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

Ingredient Safety

3 out of 10

Evalutation Criteria

Product is highly processed ^ⓘCanned foods are heated before and during canning, which will cause significant losses in some active enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and phytonutrients. Learn more
Contains rice ^ⓘArsenic contamination is a significant concern with rice since it naturally absorbs arsenic and the water it's grown in can be contaminated with arsenic. Arsenic is linked to chronic health issues. Learn more
Contains known GMO ingredients including potatoes and soy ^ⓘ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 potatoes, canola, oats, tomato, peas and spinach ^ⓘ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
Contains carrageenan ^ⓘCarrageenan is a highly processed derivative of seaweed used as a thickener or texturizer that may be linked to intestinal inflammation and other negative health effects. 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
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
Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is not provided. ^ⓘDiets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation and disease. Learn more

How It Compares

Food Type

Food Function

Life Stage

Ingredients On Package

Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Salmon, Brown Rice, Brewers Dried Yeast, Carrots, Duck, Potatoes, Chicken Meal, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Oat Hulls, Pea Fiber, Menhaden Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin, D-Calcium Panthothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid), Guar Gum, Dried Tomato Pomace, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Natural Smoke Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Dl-Methionine, Carrageenan, L-Tryptophan, Taurine, Cranberries, Blueberries, Spinach, Dried Kelp, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride , Yucca Schidigera Extract, Rosemary Extract

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min)	8%
Crude Fat (min)	5%
Crude Fiber (max)	2%
Moisture (max)	78%

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