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
27.3%
29.8%
Crude Fat
13.3%
15.7%
Crude Fiber
5.4%
5.0%
Wet/Canned Dog Food
Natural Balance
Rachael Ray Nutrish
Crude Protein
41.7%
40.0%
Crude Fat
19.9%
24.3%
Crude Fiber
7.1%
8.3%
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 2.54% more protein than Natural Balance. For wet dog foods, Natural Balance and Rachael Ray Nutrish provide roughly the same amount of protein.
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
36.7%
38.7%
Crude Fat
14.1%
14.8%
Crude Fiber
5.7%
5.3%
Wet/Canned Cat Food
Natural Balance
Rachael Ray Nutrish
Crude Protein
47.2%
46.4%
Crude Fat
19.1%
25.0%
Crude Fiber
6.9%
16.1%
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 5.84% 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 9.13% 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:
Canola Oil
Canola Oil
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Pea Protein
Pea Protein
Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Brewers Rice
Brewers Rice
Brewer's rice is the small fragments of rice kernel that are separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. The fragments do not contain the same nutrition profile of the whole kernel and therefore brewer's rice is a lower quality grain. Brewer's rice is typically regarded as an inexpensive and low quality filler.
Caramel Color
Caramel Color
Caramel color is a concentrated form of caramel, a natural food colorant. Caramel color has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel color is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Natural Balance.
Giblets
Giblets
Giblets may include the heart, liver, gizzards, and other visceral organs of an animal. These organs are very nutritious and species-appropriate for pets. However, the specific source of the giblets are not disclosed (chicken, turkey, etc) and therefore we must classify this ingredient as an anonymous meat.
Beet Pulp
Beet Pulp
Beet pulp is the by-product which remains once sugar has been extracted from sugar beets. The primary contribution of beet pulp is dietary fiber.
We'd also like to note that beet pulp is fairly controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that beet pulp can promote intestinal health and regulate blood sugar. However, opponents claim that beet pulp is an inexpensive filler.
Tomato Pomace
Tomato Pomace
Tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.
Poultry Giblets
Poultry Giblets
Poultry giblets includes the heart, liver, gizzards, and other internal organs of poultry. Organs are nutritiously dense ingredients which provide high quality protein and fat. However, this particular ingredient is considered an anonymous meat ingredient because the type of poultry is not specified. In order words, "named" giblets such as chicken giblets or turkey giblets are preferred over poultry giblets.
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Lactic Acid)
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Lactic Acid)
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Rachael Ray Nutrish.
Caramel
Caramel
Caramel is a widely used natural food colorant. The concentrated form of caramel is typically listed as caramel color and has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
Iron Oxide
Iron Oxide
Iron oxide is an FDA approved natural food coloring agent. It's commonly found in rusting metal and provides a reddish-brown color.
We believe food colorants are unnecessary ingredients in pet food. Other than potential harm, food colorants do not provide any nutritional value. These type of ingredients are used only to make the food look appealing to humans.
Wheat Gluten
Wheat Gluten
Wheat gluten is the main protein of wheat. Although wheat gluten is mostly protein, wheat gluten is considered controversial because it significantly boosts the protein content of the product. This is undesirable because plant based protein does not provide the same amino acid profile as meat based protein.
Vegetable Oil
Vegetable Oil
Specific vegetable oils are typically positive ingredients; however, this ingredient does not specify which vegetable(s) were used to produce the oil.
Without this information, it is impossible for us to make any specific statements. With any fat source, it is important to know the omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio, a property which cannot be determined with this ingredient. Thus, we have marked vegetable oil as a controversial ingredient.
Soybean Protein
Soybean Protein
Soybean protein can significantly boost the protein content of the product. The inclusion of non-meat protein typically degrades the overall quality of protein in the recipe. This degradation is due to the inferior amino acid profile of plant based proteins.
Corn Gluten Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Corn gluten meal is a by-product from the production of various corn products (corn starch, corn syrup, etc). It's very high in protein (nearly 60% protein) and therefore can significant boost the protein content of the product. Because plant based proteins such as corn gluten meal are inferior to meat based proteins (lack many essential amino acids), they are not suitable substitutes.
Whole Grain Corn
Whole Grain Corn
Whole grain corn is the entire corn kernel (the germ, bran, and endosperm). Corn is a cereal grain which provides a modest amount of vitamins, minerals, and plant based protein. It also happens to be one of the most controversial ingredients in pet food.
Proponents of corn claim that corn is highly digestible and an excellent source of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
Opponents however believe that positive claims in regards to corn are either half-truths or completely false, we'll discuss a few of the opposing arguments.
In regards to digestibility, the claims of "highly digestible" are only true if corn is processed into a meal or flour and subsequently cooked. In regards to the protein contribution, we must note that corn is a plant based protein which does not contain all of the necessary amino acids required by pets to sustain life. Therefore substituting corn for meat is an unsuitable substitution and actually degrades the overall protein quality of the product.
Finally, we'll discuss the claims about vitamins and minerals in corn. Although corn does provide many vitamins and minerals, it not necessarily an exceptional ingredient in this regards. There are many other ingredients which are more complete and biologically appropriate. Therefore the usage of corn as the primary ingredient in pet food should certainly warrant further questioning.
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered cellulose is produced from minuscule pieces of wood pulp and plant fibers. Other than its fiber content, powdered cellulose lacks any nutritional contribution.
Ground Whole Grain Corn
Ground Whole Grain Corn
Ground whole grain corn contains the entire corn kernel (the germ, bran, and endosperm). Corn is a cereal grain which provides a modest amount of vitamins, minerals, and plant based protein. It also happens to be one of the most controversial ingredients in pet food.
Proponents of corn claim that corn is highly digestible and an excellent source of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
Opponents however believe that positive claims in regards to corn are either half-truths or completely false, we'll discuss a few of the opposing arguments.
In regards to digestibility, the claims of "highly digestible" are only true if corn is processed into a meal or flour and subsequently cooked. In regards to the protein contribution, we must note that corn is a plant based protein which does not contain all of the necessary amino acids required by pets to sustain life. Therefore substituting corn for meat is an unsuitable substitution and actually degrades the overall protein quality of the product.
Finally, we'll discuss the claims about vitamins and minerals in corn. Although corn does provide many vitamins and minerals, it not necessarily an exceptional ingredient in this regards. There are many other ingredients which are more complete and biologically appropriate. Therefore the usage of corn as the primary ingredient in pet food should certainly warrant further questioning.
Textured Soy Protein Product
Textured Soy Protein Product
Soybean protein product can significantly boost the protein content of the product. The inclusion of non-meat protein typically degrades the overall quality of protein in the recipe. This degradation is due to the inferior amino acid profile of plant based proteins.
Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
Poultry fat is a by-product of poultry tissue rendering. Poultry fat is a controversial ingredient because the specific protein is not specified. Such ingredients are typically low-quality in comparison to named poultry fats (e.g. chicken fat, turkey fat).
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:
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Rachael Ray Nutrish.
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfate complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Product Safety: Recall History of Natural Balance & Rachael Ray Nutrish?
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
$2.65
$1.62
Per Calorie
$0.0017
$0.0010
Dry Cat Food
Natural Balance
Rachael Ray Nutrish
Per Pound
$3.22
$1.87
Per Calorie
$0.0020
$0.0025
Wet Dog Food
Natural Balance
Rachael Ray Nutrish
Per Pound
$5.03
$4.49
Per Calorie
$0.0109
$0.0097
Wet Cat Food
Natural Balance
Rachael Ray Nutrish
Per Pound
$6.29
$6.59
Per Calorie
$0.0146
$0.0133
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.
Cost Analyzer Widget
Cost of Feeding Natural Balance
Cost Per Day:
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Cost of Feeding Rachael Ray Nutrish
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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.
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:
142 Recipes In-Stock Today
135 Recipes In-Stock Today
128 Recipes In-Stock Today
17 Recipes In-Stock Today
Where To Buy Rachael Ray Nutrish Pet Foods
You can purchase Rachael Ray Nutrish pet food products from these retailers:
92 Recipes In-Stock Today
49 Recipes In-Stock Today
22 Recipes In-Stock Today
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product
Natural Balance
Rachael Ray Nutrish
Dry Dog Food
28 Recipes
21 Recipes
Wet Dog Food
26 Recipes
16 Recipes
Dog Treats
33 Treats
20 Treats
Dry Cat Food
14 Recipes
10 Recipes
Wet Cat Food
39 Recipes
18 Recipes
Cat Treats
Compare Pet Food Prices Across Multiple Pet Stores