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30% OFF
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For New Customers
$10 OFF
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For New Customers w/ Code: SAVENOW
15% OFF
Natural Balance
For New Customers w/ Code: AFPAWDIET
Pure Balance vs. Natural Balance
In this comparison article for Pure Balance vs Natural Balance, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Pure Balance and Natural Balance, 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 Natural Balance vs Pure Balance comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Pure Balance Review Page or Natural Balance Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Natural Balance vs. Pure 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.
Pure Balance Dog Food vs. Natural Balance Dog Food
| Dry Dog Food | Pure Balance | Natural Balance |
| Crude Protein | 29.2% | 27.3% |
| Crude Fat | 16.7% | 13.3% |
| Crude Fiber | 5.6% | 5.4% |
| Wet/Canned Dog Food | Pure Balance | Natural Balance |
| Crude Protein | 34.6% | 41.7% |
| Crude Fat | 24.6% | 19.9% |
| Crude Fiber | 7.2% | 7.1% |
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 relatively insignificant difference between the crude protein content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Natural Balance provides more protein (about 7.17% more).
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.
There is a small difference between the fat content of Pure Balance and Natural Balance. We can see that Pure Balance guarantees about 3.35% more fat than Natural Balance. In addition, Pure Balance wet dog foods also provide more fat than Natural Balance wet foods.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Pure Balance and Natural Balance also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Pure Balance Cat Food vs. Natural Balance Cat Food
| Dry Cat Food | Pure Balance | Natural Balance |
| Crude Protein | 39.9% | 36.7% |
| Crude Fat | 17.7% | 14.1% |
| Crude Fiber | 5.9% | 5.7% |
| Wet/Canned Cat Food | Pure Balance | Natural Balance |
| Crude Protein | 42.0% | 47.2% |
| Crude Fat | 25.4% | 19.1% |
| Crude Fiber | 7.2% | 6.9% |
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.
According to our average data, Natural Balance typically provides less protein than Pure Balance. However, this difference is relatively small and doesn't represent a significant difference between the two brands. In addition, Natural Balance wet cat foods also provide more protein than Pure Balance wet foods.
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.
If you look at the average percentages of crude fat, you'll notice that Pure Balance typically guarantees 3.58% more fat. This is a fairly small difference between Pure Balance and Natural Balance, but still worth mentioning. In addition, Pure Balance wet cat foods also provide more fat than Natural Balance wet foods.
As you can see, Natural Balance and Pure Balance guarantee a similar amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Pure Balance and Natural Balance also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.
Pure Balance Pet Food Ingredients vs. Natural Balance Pet Food Ingredients
Pure Balance and Natural Balance both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Pure Balance.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Natural Balance.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Pure Balance and Natural Balance both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Pure Balance.
Product Safety: Recall History of Pure Balance & Natural Balance?
According to our records, Pure Balance has never been recalled.
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
Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?
| Dry Dog Food | Pure Balance | Natural Balance |
| Per Pound | $1.54 | $2.62 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0009 | $0.0017 |
| Dry Cat Food | Pure Balance | Natural Balance |
| Per Pound | $2.19 | $3.22 |
| Per Calorie | $0.0013 | $0.0020 |
| Wet Dog Food | Pure Balance | Natural Balance |
| Per Pound | $1.78 | $5.03 |
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 Pure Balance or Natural Balance, 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 Pure Balance or Natural Balance will depend on your shopping habits.
Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Pure Balance and Natural Balance. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.
- $10 Off + Free Shipping Orders $60+ @ PetFlow (Use Code SAVENOW)
- 10% Off Treats @ PetFlow (Use Code HOT10)
- 15% Off The Entire Site @ OnlyNaturalPet (Use Code AFPAWDIET)
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 Pure Balance Pet Foods
You can purchase Pure Balance pet foods from the following stores:
Where To Buy Natural Balance Pet Foods
You can purchase Natural Balance pet food products from these retailers:
Type Of Pet Foods Available
| Product | Pure Balance | Natural Balance |
| Dry Dog Food | 7 Recipes | 28 Recipes |
| Wet Dog Food | 15 Recipes | 26 Recipes |
| Dog Treats | 33 Treats | |
| Dry Cat Food | 5 Recipes | 14 Recipes |
| Wet Cat Food | 4 Recipes | 39 Recipes |
| Cat Treats | 3 Treats |