Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Beef & Brown Rice Recipe Review
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Review of Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Beef & Brown Rice Recipe
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 Beef & Brown Rice Recipe 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 Beef & Brown Rice Recipe, we'll examine all 40 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.
Beef is a high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog's muscle development and overall health.
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.
Beef meal is a concentrated source of high-quality protein derived from cooked beef. It provides essential amino acids that support muscle development, tissue repair, and overall health. Beef meal is a highly digestible ingredient that can contribute to your dog's balanced and nutritious diet.
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.
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.
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.
Whole grain sorghum is a gluten-free grain that provides your dog with a source of digestible carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients for overall health.
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.
Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients, which can support your dog's skin, coat, and digestive health.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
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.
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.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.
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.
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.
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
Crude Protein (min) of 23.00%: The primary contributors to the crude protein content in this pet food are the beef and beef meal. Beef is a high-quality source of protein that provides essential amino acids. Beef meal is a concentrated form of protein because it is a rendered product from which the moisture has been removed. The brewers dried yeast and flaxseed may also contribute some protein, but to a lesser extent compared to the beef sources.
Crude Fat (min) of 12.00%: The crude fat content is likely derived from the beef, as animal flesh and associated tissues contain natural fats. Canola oil, preserved with mixed tocopherols, is another significant source of dietary fat in this formula. Fats are essential for energy, cell function, and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Crude Fiber (max) of 4.50%: The maximum crude fiber content is influenced by the inclusion of brown rice, brewers rice, rice bran, and whole grain sorghum. These ingredients are carbohydrate sources that contain varying amounts of fiber. Fiber is crucial for digestive health and helps to regulate bowel movements.
Calories of 3580.00 per kg: The caloric content is a cumulative result of all macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) in the food. In this case, the beef and beef meal provide calories from proteins, the canola oil and natural fats from the beef contribute calorie-rich fats, and the grains like brown rice, brewers rice, and whole grain sorghum add calories from carbohydrates. The specific caloric contribution of each ingredient depends on its digestibility and energy density.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Beef & Brown Rice Recipe costs approximately $3.84 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 | $22.98 |
| 10 lbs | $38.65 |
| 15 lbs | $52.39 |
| 20 lbs | $65.01 |
| 30 lbs | $88.11 |
| 40 lbs | $109.33 |
| 50 lbs | $129.24 |
| 60 lbs | $148.18 |
| 70 lbs | $166.34 |
| 80 lbs | $183.87 |
| 90 lbs | $200.85 |
| 100 lbs | $217.36 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers have generally found Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Beef & Brown Rice Recipe to be beneficial for dogs with various dietary needs and allergies. One dog with digestive issues improved significantly after switching to this food upon a vet's recommendation. Another pet owner was pleased to find a food that catered to their dog's chicken allergy, noting their dog's enjoyment of the food.
While one review mentioned a picky eater rejecting the food, others have highlighted their dogs' fondness for the taste, even among those with selective appetites. A Jack Russell owner was relieved to find a food that their dog not only loved but also seemed to prefer the beef flavor, indicating palatability.
In cases where dogs have food allergies, several reviews praised the product for not causing adverse reactions, such as hives, and even improving coat softness and reducing shedding. A dog with a serious list of allergies found relief with this food, experiencing a cessation of itching and vomiting, and achieving a lustrous coat. Another owner reported a return to this food after other brands caused ear infections and itchy skin, with positive results upon switching back.
For smaller dogs or those with specific medical conditions like Mega-E, the size of the kibble was a concern, but the flavor was well-received, and the food was still manageable when softened. The food also appears to be a hit with dogs who are not particularly food-driven, suggesting it has a wide appeal.
In summary, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Beef & Brown Rice Recipe is often lauded for its quality ingredients and its positive impact on dogs with allergies and sensitivities. It has been a successful option for many dogs, leading to improved health outcomes and satisfaction among their owners.
