Is Natural Balance a Good Dog Food for Your Pup?
Looking for the right food for a dog with a sensitive stomach is very tough. I know the struggle of trying brand after brand. You might be asking, is Natural Balance a good dog food? I wondered the same thing when my dog started having skin and tummy issues.
It sits right between cheap grocery store kibble and super expensive vet diets. In this guide, I will share what I learned from using it. You will see what works, what falls short, and if it fits your dog’s daily needs.
Is Natural Balance a Good Dog Food
Yes, Natural Balance is a solid choice. It is truly great for dogs with food allergies. I switched my pup to their Limited Ingredient Diet (L.I.D.) when the scratching just would not stop. It made a huge difference for her.
When I fed my dog standard kibble, her stomach was always a mess. She had chronic gas and loose stools. Switching to a single-protein Natural Balance formula fixed her digestion fast. Her tummy calmed down within a week.
Another big win was her itchy skin. Constant paw licking was keeping us awake at night. The L.I.D. salmon recipe cleared up her skin in about a month. It was such a huge relief for both of us.
On the technical side, they do a lot of safety testing. You can even look up batch test results online. It lacks strict WSAVA approval, which matters to some vets. However, it remains a fantastic allergy-friendly option.
Pros and Cons of Natural Balance
Here is a quick look at the good and the bad. I noticed these things after a few months of feeding it.
| Type | Feature | My Experience |
| Pro | Limited ingredients | Cleared up my dog’s itchy skin fast. |
| Pro | Batch testing | I love looking up the safety reports online. |
| Pro | Fair price | Costs much less than pricey vet allergy diets. |
| Pro | Easy digestion | No more loose stools or bad gas for my dog. |
| Con | Needs more flavor | My picky eater gets bored with it very easily. |
| Con | Not WSAVA-approved | My vet prefers brands with strict feeding trials. |
| Con | Heavy on peas | Many L.I.D. recipes rely a lot on peas or potatoes. |
| Con | Stock issues | Finding the canned beef food in stores is hard. |
Ingredient Quality: Is Natural Balance a Good Dog Food
When you check the label, the ingredients are clean. Natural Balance avoids cheap fillers. They do not use fake colors or flavors. This keeps things very simple.
If your dog reacts to corn or soy, this food is safe. I like that they use real meat first. The Ultra Premium Beef canned food uses real beef and beef liver.
| Feature | Benefit |
| Single animal protein | Makes it easy to avoid known food triggers. |
| No artificial colors | Stops weird reactions and skin flare-ups. |
| Clear label | You know exactly what your dog is eating today. |
Nutritional Value: Is Natural Balance a Good Dog Food
This food meets basic health needs quite well. The Limited Ingredient Diet is their most famous line. But they also make an Ultra line for general health.
The Ultra Beef formula has brown rice and oat bran. This is good because some grain-free diets might link to heart issues. I always choose their grain-inclusive recipes now just to be safe.
| Scenario | Recommendation |
| The dog has many severe allergies | Pick a grain-free L.I.D. recipe. |
| Dogs handle grains perfectly fine | Choose the Wholesome Grains or Ultra lines. |
| The dog needs extra heart support | Ask your vet about avoiding legume-heavy foods. |
Protein Content: Is Natural Balance a Good Dog Food
You will find very unique meats here. They use duck, salmon, venison, and bison. The overall protein amount is average. It is not a super high-protein diet.
For my lazy house dog, it is plenty of fuel. Working dogs might need a bit more protein. But for normal pets, it hits the right spot without overloading the kidneys.
| Myth | Reality |
| More protein is always better. | Too much protein can easily upset a sensitive stomach. |
| All meats cause allergies. | Dogs usually react to just one specific meat, like chicken. |
| Bison is too rich for dogs. | Novel meats like bison often cure stubborn food allergies. |
Digestibility: Is Natural Balance a Good Dog Food
This is exactly where the brand shines. My dog used to have terrible gas every night. Switching to this food fixed her gut completely.
Simple carbs like sweet potato are easy to digest. It gives the stomach much less work to do. Just remember to transition slowly over ten days. If you switch foods too fast, they will get sick.
| Problem | Solution |
| Chronic bad gas | Switch to a single-protein Natural Balance food. |
| Loose wet stools | Try a recipe with sweet potatoes or brown rice. |
| Constant itching | Remove chicken and beef from their diet for 8 weeks. |
Flavor Appeal: Is Natural Balance a Good Dog Food
Here is a minor warning for pet parents. Because the food is so simple, it can be plain. My dog loved it at first. Then she got a little bored with the dry kibble.
I had to start mixing in some wet food. The Natural Balance Ultra Beef canned food works great as a topper. It adds moisture and strong flavor. Now, she cleans her bowl every single time.
| Issue | Troubleshooting Step |
| The dog ignores plain dry kibble. | Mix in a spoonful of wet canned beef. |
| Dog picks out certain pieces. | Add a splash of warm water to blend it all together. |
| Dog stops eating after weeks. | Slowly rotate to a new L.I.D. meat flavor. |
Final Thoughts
Finding a food that works takes time and patience. After testing it, my main lesson is very clear. Natural Balance is a total lifesaver for dogs with allergies or bad guts. It gives you vet-level allergy control at a fair price.
Do not expect it to be a miracle for every dog. Picky eaters might need extra coaxing. But if your pup suffers from itchy skin or loose stools, it is absolutely worth trying. Just talk to your vet first to pick the right recipe.
FAQs for Is Natural Balance a Good Dog Food
Does Natural Balance cause heart problems in dogs?
Grain-free diets high in peas and potatoes have a potential link to heart issues (DCM). Natural Balance offers grain-inclusive options to help avoid this exact risk.
Is Natural Balance dog food WSAVA approved?
No, Natural Balance does not strictly meet all WSAVA guidelines. They do not employ full-time vet nutritionists or do the same clinical trials as bigger vet brands.
Where is Natural Balance dog food made?
Natural Balance is made in the United States. They test every single batch of food for safety. You can even look up your exact bag’s test results on their website.
Can I feed my puppy Natural Balance?
Yes, they make specific recipes for all life stages, including young puppies. Just check the bag to make sure the formula perfectly matches your growing dog’s daily needs.
Why is Natural Balance so good for allergies?
It uses single animal proteins and cuts out extra fillers. If your dog is allergic to chicken, you can feed them only salmon. This stops the allergic reaction fast.
