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Natural Balance Original Ultra Reduced Calorie Formula Dry Cat Food

Natural Balance Original Ultra Reduced Calorie Formula Dry Cat Food
Company info
Company HQ
San Francisco, California
Parent company
J.M. Smucker Company
Product info
Age Range: Adult
Food Form Dry Cat Food
Cost per day: $0.10
Primary proteins
  • Chicken
  • Chicken Meal
  • Salmon Meal
  • Dried Eggs

Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Lentils, Brewers Dried Yeast, Salmon Meal, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Dried Peas, Dried Potatoes, Pea Starch, Chicken Fat (mixed tocopherols used as a preservative), Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Alfalfa Meal, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Menhaden Fish Oil (mixed tocopherols used as a preservative), 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), DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Dried Cranberries, Dried Eggs, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Spinach, Dried Carrots, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Dried Apples, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, L-Tryptophan, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Mixed Tocopherols (used as a preservative), Citric Acid (used as a preservative), Dried Kelp, Dried Blueberries, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Rosemary Extract.

Overall Score

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60%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 58%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 68%
? We scan the FDA’s database and rate each brand by the number of recalls in its history. Brands with fewer recalls receive higher ratings. Recall History 29%
? By comparing the prices of foods in our database, we determine if a food is above or below market average price. Lower-priced foods receive higher ratings. Price 79%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 85%
? Our rating system evaluates each food’s manufacturing method, assigning higher ratings to manufacturing processes that promote higher nutritional value. Manufacturing Method 40%
? Based on the variety of sizes available. Size Variety 64%

Estimated Nutrient Content

To understand the nutrient content of pet food, we visualize its macronutrient composition in three ways. In the charts below, you’ll see a guaranteed analysis on an as-fed basis, a dry matter analysis, and a breakdown of the food’s macronutrients on a calorie-weighted basis.

Remember that all of these values are estimates based on the guaranteed analysis published by the company, and the food’s actual nutrient values may be slightly different.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Protein: 35%

Fat: 10.5%

Fiber: 8%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 36.5%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 38.89%

Fat: 11.67%

Fiber: 8.89%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 40.56%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 36.08%

Fat: 26.29%

Carb: 37.63%

Our Review

Pros
  • Supplemented with chelated minerals for optimal nutrient absorption
  • Made with fiber-rich flaxseed
  • Contains dried kelp as a natural source of essential nutrients
  • Doesn’t contain fillers, by-products, or artificial additives
  • Rich in species-appropriate animal protein
  • Affordable
  • A good source of omega-3 fatty acids
Cons
  • Low protein content
  • High in carbohydrates
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains a small amount of plant-based proteins
  • The brand has had multiple recalls over recent years
  • Some cats may be allergic to fish

Recall History

The following list (if present) shows all cat food recalls related to Natural Balance since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.

Natural Balance - Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food (06/18/2010) -+
Date: 06/18/2010
Company Name: Natural Balance Pet Foods
Product Description: Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food
Recall Reason: Salmonella
Natural Balance - Dog Food (05/04/2012) -+
Date: 05/04/2012
Company Name: Natural Balance Pet Foods
Product Description: Dog Food
Recall Reason: Salmonella
Natural Balance - Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Paté Formula (07/03/2020) -+
Date: 07/03/2020
Company Name: Natural Balance Pet Foods
Product Description: Ultra Premium Chicken & Liver Paté Formula
Recall Reason: Due to elevated levels of choline chloride
Natural Balance - L.I.D. Green Pea & Chicken Dry Cat Formula (05/20/2021) -+
Date: 05/20/2021
Company Name: Natural Balance Pet Foods
Product Description: L.I.D. Green Pea & Chicken Dry Cat Formula
Recall Reason: Potential Salmonella Contamination

Ingredient Review

Our review of Natural Balance Original Ultra Reduced Calorie Formula Dry Cat Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Chicken. Chicken is meat from the domesticated bird of the same name. In pet food, chicken is used as a primary protein source.

The second ingredient is Chicken Meal. In pet food, chicken meal is often listed as a source of protein. Chicken meal is produced by baking and grinding chicken meat and skin. As a dry form of animal protein, it is most often found in kibble and treats.

The third ingredient is Lentils. Lentils are legumes. In pet food, lentils are a source of protein, fiber, and nutrients including a number of essential vitamins and minerals.

The fourth ingredient is Brewers Dried Yeast. In pet food, brewer’s dried yeast serves as a source of essential B vitamins, zinc, and biotin. Brewer’s dried yeast can help keep your pet’s skin and coat healthy.

The fifth ingredient is Salmon Meal. Salmon meal is ground flesh from any fish in the salmon family, and in pet food, salmon meal might also include other parts of the fish including skin and organs. Salmon meal can be a good source of protein and Omega-3 fatty acids.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Natural Balance Original Ultra Reduced Calorie Formula Dry Cat Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per lb

Product Price

$2.72

Market Price avg.

$4.48

% From the Avg

-39%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.17

Market Price avg.

$0.28

% From the Avg

-39%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.10

Market Price avg.

$0.16

% From the Avg

-37%

Natural Balance Original Ultra Reduced Calorie Formula Dry Cat Food is priced well below the average market price for dry cat food.

Nutritional Analysis

Adult cat foods can have a lot of variability in calorie density but generally meet requirements for the average active cat. With formulations addressing a wide variety of needs, including weight loss or gain, indoor or outdoor living, or hairball problems, individual recipes may vary greatly in calorie, fiber, and nutritional content.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Natural Balance Original Ultra Reduced Calorie Formula Dry Cat Food to the other 534 dry cat food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

38.89%

All Products avg.

38.91%

% From the Avg

-0%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

11.67%

All Products avg.

16.8%

% From the Avg

-31%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

8.89%

All Products avg.

5.11%

% From the Avg

+74%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

40.56%

All Products avg.

37.83%

% From the Avg

+7%

Analysis Overview

Overall, this is a meat based food that’s moderate in protein with low fat and moderate carbohydrate content relative to other dry cat foods.

Disclaimer and Disclosure

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