Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe For Small Breed Dogs Review
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Review of Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe For Small Breed Dogs
According to our data, this Natural Balance recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe For Small Breed Dogs is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe For Small Breed Dogs, we'll examine all 38 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.
While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.
Lamb is a high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids necessary for your dog's muscle growth, tissue repair, and overall health. It's also a good option for dogs with sensitivities to other protein sources, such as chicken or beef.
Lamb meal is a concentrated protein source, providing essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support muscle development and overall health in dogs.
Brown rice is a whole grain that provides an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients for your dog. The fiber content can aid in digestion and help maintain a healthy weight, while the carbohydrates provide energy for an active lifestyle.
Brewers rice is a highly digestible carbohydrate source that provides energy for your dog.
Rice bran is the outer layer of the rice grain and it's a good source of dietary fiber, helping to support your dog's digestive health. It also contains essential fatty acids and antioxidants.
Dried brewers yeast is a natural source of B vitamins and amino acids, which can help support your dog's skin, coat, and overall health.
Canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a source of healthy fats that can help maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin. It's preserved with mixed tocopherols (forms of vitamin E) to maintain freshness.
Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.
While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.
DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that supports your dog's overall health by promoting proper protein synthesis, maintaining healthy skin and coat, and aiding in the detoxification process.
Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.
Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, is an essential antioxidant that supports your dog's immune system and helps reduce inflammation.
Niacin supplement is an important source of vitamin B3, which plays a crucial role in supporting your dog's energy metabolism, nervous system function, and overall health. It also aids in maintaining healthy skin and coat, as well as promoting proper digestion.
Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
D-Calcium Pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid, a B-vitamin that helps in energy metabolism and the synthesis of important compounds in the body.
Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.
Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.
Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.
Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
Zinc proteinate is a highly absorbable form of zinc. It helps support a healthy immune system, skin, and coat in dogs.
Zinc sulfate is a source of the essential mineral zinc, which supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and overall growth and development.
Ferrous sulfate is an important source of iron for dogs, a mineral essential for red blood cell production, oxygen transportation, and overall vitality. Adequate iron intake supports your dog's immune system and energy levels.
Iron proteinate is a chelated form of iron that is more easily absorbed by your dog's body, supporting their red blood cell production and overall health.
Copper sulfate is an essential trace mineral that supports various bodily functions in dogs, including immune system health, skin and coat maintenance, and red blood cell production.
Copper Proteinate is a chelated form of copper that's easier for dogs to absorb, aiding in red blood cell formation and iron absorption.
Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.
Manganese sulfate is a source of manganese, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones, joints, and metabolism in dogs. It also supports the production of collagen, which is vital for healthy skin, coat, and connective tissues.
Manganese Proteinate is a chelated form of manganese, a mineral that supports bone health, metabolism and enzymatic reactions.
Calcium iodate is a source of iodine, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolism. It helps maintain proper hormone production and is crucial for overall health and well-being.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
Citric acid is a natural preservative that helps maintain the freshness and quality of dog food. It also acts as an antioxidant, which can help protect your dog's cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.
Rosemary extract is a natural antioxidant that can help protect your dog's body from the harmful effects of free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can support your dog's overall health and well-being, particularly in regard to joint health.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
The guaranteed analysis provides the minimum or maximum amount of specific nutrients in the pet food product. Let's discuss each value in relation to the ingredients.
1. Crude Protein (min) of 22.00%: This value represents the total amount of protein in the product. The main contributors to this value are the lamb and lamb meal, which are the primary sources of protein in this dog food. Brewers yeast also contributes to this value as it's a rich source of protein.
2. Crude Fat (min) of 12.00%: This indicates the minimum amount of fat in the product. The lamb and lamb meal, along with the canola oil, are the primary sources of fat in this recipe. Fats are essential for dogs for energy and to absorb vitamins.
3. Crude Fiber (max) of 4.00%: This represents the maximum amount of fiber in the product. The primary sources of fiber in this product are brown rice, brewers rice, and rice bran. Fiber is important for a dog's digestive health.
4. Calories of 3600.00 per kg: This value indicates the energy content of the food. All the ingredients contribute to this value, but the main contributors are likely the lamb, lamb meal, brown rice, and canola oil as they are high in either protein or fat, which are the main sources of calories in pet food.
The other ingredients listed, such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids like taurine and DL-Methionine, are not included in the guaranteed analysis values but are still important for a dog's overall health. For example, taurine is essential for heart health, and DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that dogs cannot produce on their own. The vitamins and minerals listed contribute to a variety of bodily functions, including immune function, bone health, and metabolism.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe For Small Breed Dogs costs approximately $5.13 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.
| Adult Weight | Adult |
|---|---|
| 5 lbs | $30.56 |
| 10 lbs | $51.39 |
| 15 lbs | $69.65 |
| 20 lbs | $86.42 |
| 30 lbs | $117.14 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers who have dogs with food sensitivities have found relief with Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe. Many have noted improvements in their dogs' eye health, digestion, and reduction of gastrointestinal issues, such as gas and loose stools, after switching to this food. The limited ingredients and inclusion of healthy grains are particularly appreciated for their positive effect on dogs with allergies and sensitivities.
Several pet owners have praised the food for its palatability, even for picky eaters. Dogs seem to enjoy the taste of this kibble, and it's been a hit with small breeds due to the appropriate kibble size. The formula has also been recommended by veterinarians for dogs with specific dietary needs, and owners have reported their dogs thriving on this diet for years, maintaining good health and weight.
While there have been some concerns about formula changes and inconsistencies in the product, these reviews are balanced by the numerous positive experiences of dogs enjoying the food and showing improved health outcomes. The inclusion of taurine and grain in the formula has been noted as beneficial, and the product's ability to cater to dogs with unique dietary restrictions is often highlighted.
The food's suitability for dogs with chicken allergies has been particularly well-received, as it offers a chicken-free alternative that is still nutritionally complete. Owners of small and toy breeds have found the small kibble size to be perfect for their pets, and the food's ability to provide energy and alleviate allergy symptoms has been a significant benefit for many.
In response to some negative experiences, it's important to note that dogs may react differently to dietary changes, and what works for one may not work for another. The brand's customer service and willingness to provide a variety of formulas to meet different needs have been positively mentioned, suggesting that they are responsive to customer concerns and dedicated to animal health.
