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Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Kitten Formula Chicken

Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Kitten Formula Chicken
Company info
Company HQ
San Francisco, California us-flag
Parent company
J.M. Smucker Company
Product info
Age Range: Kitten
Food Form Dry Kitten Food
Cost per day: $0.13
Primary proteins
  • Chicken
  • Chicken Meal
  • Salmon Meal
  • Dried Eggs

Ingredients

Chicken, Chicken Meal, Lentils, Salmon Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Chicken Fat (mixed tocopherols used as a preservative), Dried Peas, Pea Starch, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Dried Potatoes, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Menhaden Fish Oil (mixed tocopherols used as a preservative), Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Eggs, Potassium Chloride, Salt, 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), Choline Chloride, 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, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Dried Apple, L-Tryptophan, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, 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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65%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 64%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 70%
? 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 34%
? 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 71%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 86%
? 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 83%

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: 38%

Fat: 20%

Fiber: 3%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 29%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 42.22%

Fat: 22.22%

Fiber: 3.33%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 32.22%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 32.88%

Fat: 42.03%

Carb: 25.09%

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
  • A good source of omega-3 fatty acids
  • Has all the nutrients your kitten or mother cat needs
Cons
  • 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 Whole Body Health Kitten Formula Chicken 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 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.

The fifth 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.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Kitten Formula Chicken, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per lb

Product Price

$3.69

Market Price avg.

$4.97

% From the Avg

-26%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.22

Market Price avg.

$0.29

% From the Avg

-24%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.13

Market Price avg.

$0.17

% From the Avg

-24%

Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Kitten Formula Chicken is priced below the average market price for dry kitten food.

Nutritional Analysis

Because kittens are rapidly growing and developing, they have higher requirements for calories, protein, and other nutrients. Kitten foods have a higher caloric density to provide for the energy needs for growth. It’s recommended that kittens consume a kitten diet until they reach 1 year of age.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole Body Health Kitten Formula Chicken to the other 51 dry kitten food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

42.22%

All Products avg.

40.93%

% From the Avg

+3%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

22.22%

All Products avg.

20.41%

% From the Avg

+9%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

3.33%

All Products avg.

4.05%

% From the Avg

-18%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

32.22%

All Products avg.

32.98%

% From the Avg

-2%

Analysis Overview

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

Disclaimer and Disclosure

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