Natural Balance vs. Rachael Ray Nutrish
In this comparison article for Natural Balance vs Rachael Ray Nutrish, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Natural Balance and Rachael Ray Nutrish, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.
Throughout this Rachael Ray Nutrish vs Natural Balance comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Natural Balance Review Page or Rachael Ray Nutrish Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Rachael Ray Nutrish vs. Natural Balance
According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.
All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.
Natural Balance Dog Food vs. Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog Food
| Dry Dog Food | Natural Balance | Rachael Ray Nutrish |
| Crude Protein | 26.6% | 29.1% |
| Crude Fat | 12.9% | 15.6% |
| Crude Fiber | 5.4% | 4.9% |
| Wet/Canned Dog Food | Natural Balance | Rachael Ray Nutrish |
| Crude Protein | 38.8% | 42.1% |
| Crude Fat | 19.1% | 24.4% |
| Crude Fiber | 7.1% | 7.9% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food
Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.
There is a small difference between the protein content of Rachael Ray Nutrish and Natural Balance. We can see that Rachael Ray Nutrish guarantees about 2.52% more protein than Natural Balance. In addition, Rachael Ray Nutrish wet dog foods also provide more protein than Natural Balance wet foods.
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.
According to our average data, Natural Balance typically provides less fat than Rachael Ray Nutrish. However, this difference is relatively small and doesn't represent a significant difference between the two brands. In addition, Rachael Ray Nutrish wet dog foods also provide more fat than Natural Balance wet foods.
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. With regards to wet dog food, Rachael Ray Nutrish and Natural Balance also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Natural Balance Cat Food vs. Rachael Ray Nutrish Cat Food
| Dry Cat Food | Natural Balance | Rachael Ray Nutrish |
| Crude Protein | 37.1% | 38.4% |
| Crude Fat | 14.3% | 15.4% |
| Crude Fiber | 5.6% | 4.9% |
| Wet/Canned Cat Food | Natural Balance | Rachael Ray Nutrish |
| Crude Protein | 47.4% | 45.7% |
| Crude Fat | 19.1% | 24.4% |
| Crude Fiber | 6.9% | 17.1% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food
Cats require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Eleven of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining eleven are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these eleven essential amino acids.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. With regards to wet cat food, Natural Balance and Rachael Ray Nutrish also provide roughly the same amount of crude protein.
Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food
There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):
- Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
- Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
- Slow the growth of yeast infections
- Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
- Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.
As you can see, Natural Balance and Rachael Ray Nutrish guarantee a similar amount of crude fat. For wet cat foods, Rachael Ray Nutrish provides more fat (about 5.28% more).
Rachael Ray Nutrish and Natural Balance both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet cat foods, Rachael Ray Nutrish provides significantly more fiber (about 10.12% more).
Natural Balance Pet Food Ingredients vs. Rachael Ray Nutrish Pet Food Ingredients
Natural Balance and Rachael Ray Nutrish both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Natural Balance.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Rachael Ray Nutrish.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Natural Balance and Rachael Ray Nutrish both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Rachael Ray Nutrish.
Product Safety: Recall History of Natural Balance & Rachael Ray Nutrish?
Natural Balance has been recalled 5 times.
- July 21, 2007: ofbotulinum toxin
- May 4, 2012: Salmonella
- June 18, 2010: Salmonella
- April 27, 2007: Melamine
- April 17, 2007: Melamine
According to our records, Rachael Ray Nutrish has never been recalled.
Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?
| Dry Dog Food | Natural Balance | Rachael Ray Nutrish |
| Per Pound | $2.60 | $1.61 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0017 | $0.0010 |
| Dry Cat Food | Natural Balance | Rachael Ray Nutrish |
| Per Pound | $3.37 | $2.07 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0021 | $0.0012 |
| Wet Dog Food | Natural Balance | Rachael Ray Nutrish |
| Per Pound | $4.87 | $4.00 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0099 | $0.0089 |
| Wet Cat Food | Natural Balance | Rachael Ray Nutrish |
| Per Pound | $6.23 | $6.24 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0146 | $0.0125 |
The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.
If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Natural Balance or Rachael Ray Nutrish, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.
Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Natural Balance or Rachael Ray Nutrish will depend on your shopping habits.
Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Natural Balance and Rachael Ray Nutrish. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.
- $10 Off + Free Shipping Orders $60+ @ PetFlow (Use Code SAVENOW)
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Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!
Where To Buy Natural Balance Pet Foods
You can purchase Natural Balance pet foods from the following stores:
Where To Buy Rachael Ray Nutrish Pet Foods
You can purchase Rachael Ray Nutrish pet food products from these retailers:
Type Of Pet Foods Available
| Product | Natural Balance | Rachael Ray Nutrish |
| Dry Dog Food | 27 Recipes | 17 Recipes |
| Wet Dog Food | 31 Recipes | 9 Recipes |
| Dog Treats | 33 Treats | 15 Treats |
| Dry Cat Food | 14 Recipes | 8 Recipes |
| Wet Cat Food | 39 Recipes | 15 Recipes |
| Cat Treats |
