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Wag vs Natural Balance

Wag vs. Natural Balance

In this comparison article for Wag vs Natural Balance, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Wag 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 Wag comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Wag Review Page or Natural Balance Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Natural Balance vs. Wag

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.

Wag Dog Food vs. Natural Balance Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodWagNatural Balance
Crude Protein39.1%27.6%
Crude Fat16.9%14.4%
Crude Fiber5.7%5.2%

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.

The comparison table above shows that Wag dry dog foods provide significantly more protein than Natural Balance. More specifically, Wag guarantees at least 11.50% more 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.

There is a small difference between the fat content of Wag and Natural Balance. We can see that Wag guarantees about 2.53% more fat than Natural Balance.


There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands.

Wag Pet Food Ingredients vs. Natural Balance Pet Food Ingredients

Wag and Natural Balance both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Pea Protein

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Natural Balance.

Giblets
Beet Pulp
Canola Oil
Brewers Rice
Caramel Color
Tomato Pomace
Feeding Oatmeal
Poultry Giblets
Dried Tomato Pomace
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Natural Balance.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Wag & Natural Balance?

According to our records, Wag has never been recalled.

Natural Balance has been recalled 6 times.

  • July 21, 2007: ofbotulinum toxin
  • May 4, 2012: Salmonella
  • June 18, 2010: Salmonella
  • April 27, 2007: Melamine
  • April 17, 2007: Melamine
  • July 3, 2020: elevated levels of choline chloride

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodWagNatural Balance
Per Pound$2.62$5.23
Per Calorie$0.0016$0.0029

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 Wag 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 Wag 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 Wag and Natural Balance. 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 Wag Pet Foods

You can purchase Wag pet foods from the following stores:


5 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Natural Balance Pet Foods

You can purchase Natural Balance pet food products from these retailers:


96 Recipes In-Stock Today

79 Recipes In-Stock Today

82 Recipes In-Stock Today

16 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductWagNatural Balance
Dry Dog Food5 Recipes39 Recipes
Wet Dog FoodNone27 Recipes
Dog TreatsNone33 Treats
Dry Cat FoodNone16 Recipes
Wet Cat FoodNone43 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated Wag Recipes

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Top Rated Natural Balance Recipes

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Targeted Nutrition Fat Dogs Dry Dog Food
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Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Venison Formula
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Limited Ingredient Diets Duck & Green Pea Formula
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