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Natural Balance Targeted Nutrition Zen Life Dry 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.

3.5
4 color scale
Natural Balance Targeted Nutrition Zen Life Dry Dog Formula
Home Natural Balance Targeted Balance Dry Natural Balance Targeted Nutrition Zen Life Dry Dog Formula

Natural Balance Targeted Nutrition Zen Life Dry Dog Formula

Natural Balance Targeted Nutrition Zen Life Dry Dog Formula
3.5
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

4 out of 10

  • Product is calculated to contain 48% 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 ingredients that are high in sugar including beet pulp Sugar is often found in pet food to increase the palatability or as a preservative or humectant. It is a low quality ingredient that can cause unwanted gut changes, obesity and insulin spikes. 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 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 ingredients known to contain higher pesticide/herbicide residues in the top 5 ingredients including barley 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

Turkey, Brown Rice, Pearled Barley, Cassava Flour, Turkey Meal, Grain Sorghum, Oats, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Fish Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Marine Microalgae, Potassium Chloride, 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), L-Tryptophan, Choline Chloride,Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Dried Chamomile, Green Tea Extract, Citric Acid (Preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Rosemary Extract

Guaranteed Analysis





Crude Protein (min) 19%
Crude Fat (min) 4%
Crude Fiber (max) 12%
Moisture (max) 10%

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