Natural Balance Cat Food Review: My Honest Insight
I made this Natural Balance Cat Food Review after many readers asked if this food is still a good pick. So I tested it on my own cats and also checked real Natural Balance cat food reviews, from both dry and canned lines, to see how it holds up. My cats did well on the limited-ingredient mix, and that helped me trust my own results as I read more Natural Balance reviews cat food owners shared across the US. This short intro sums up my take and helps you see if this brand fits your cat, so you get a clear answer fast.
Natural Balance Cat Food Review
I’ve been using Natural Balance cat food for a long time. My cats have allergies, so I had to choose food with care. This brand has helped me understand what works for sensitive cats.
Is Natural Balance Cat Food Good?
Yes, Natural Balance cat food is good, especially for cats with food issues. I saw this first with my own cats. One had a sensitive stomach. Another could not eat any poultry at all. When I switched to the Natural Balance L.I.D. line, I saw quick changes. Less itching. Fewer stomach problems. More steady energy.
I like that the ingredients are simple. The Limited Ingredient Diets use one main animal protein. This helps when you want to avoid common triggers like chicken. The Green Pea & Duck and Green Pea & Salmon recipes worked well in my home. They also stayed fresh for a long time, which helped me save money over time.
The brand lists each ingredient in a clear way. It helped me track what worked for my cats and what did not. For U.S. buyers, the easy access through major stores and online shops made things simple. The “Feed With Confidence” testing program also gave me peace of mind.
What I Like
- It helps with food sensitivities.
My cat with stomach issues stopped throwing up once I moved to the L.I.D. Green Pea & Duck formula. The short list of ingredients made a big difference.- Strong protein sources.
I like that the main protein is clear and simple. Salmon means salmon. Duck means duck. This helps avoid hidden poultry ingredients that used to cause skin flare-ups in my home.- High palatability.
Even my picky cat liked the Natural Balance Ultra Premium Chicken and Liver Pâté. I noticed steady eating habits and better coat health with time.
What Could Be Better
- The price can be high.
Some Limited Ingredient recipes cost more than regular cat food. This adds up fast, especially in the U.S., where pet food prices vary by store and season.- Recipe changes cause stress.
When formulas shift, my sensitive cat reacts right away. I wish changes were more stable or announced more clearly.- Some formulas use more plant-based ingredients.
I prefer higher animal protein. A few recipes use peas in larger amounts. This may not suit every cat.
Natural Balance at a Glance
| Feature | Quick Notes |
|---|---|
| Protein Style | Uses one main animal protein in L.I.D. recipes |
| Best For | Cats with allergies or tummy issues |
| Key Lines | L.I.D. Green Pea & Duck, L.I.D. Green Pea & Salmon, Ultra Premium Pâté, Fat Cats Dry Food |
| Main Strength | Simple mixes with clear labels |
| Main Concern | Past recalls and some mix changes |
| Ease of Buying | Easy to find in U.S. stores and online |
Recommendation
I suggest Natural Balance cat food for cats with allergies, sensitive stomachs, or skin issues. It also works well for cats that need simple ingredients or a single protein. The Limited Ingredient Diets, like Green Pea & Duck or Green Pea & Salmon, are the best starting points.
If your cat needs weight control, the Natural Balance Fat Cats dry formula is an option. If your cat likes soft food, the Ultra Premium Chicken and Liver Pâté has a smooth texture. I live in the U.S., so I find these products easy to buy online. Shipping is fast, and the bags arrive fresh.
If your cat has no sensitivities and you want more variety or lower prices, you may want to compare other brands too. But for cats with allergies or IBD, this is one of the most reliable foods I have used. It offers clean ingredients, strong protein sources, and steady results.
Natural Balance Cat Food Review — Details Feature
I’ve been testing out Natural Balance cat food for years. I used it with cats who had bad skin, soft stool, or food stress. I learned what works and what does not. My goal here is to share that in a clear, simple, and honest way.
Key Product Lines and Formulas
I used many of these mixes with my own cats. Some blends worked fast. Some took more time. Here is a short look.
Limited Ingredient Diet (L.I.D.) Grain-Free Dry Foods
These blends use one meat source and a short list. They help cats with food stress.
| Formula | Notes |
|---|---|
| Green Pea & Duck | Good for cats with chicken stress |
| Green Pea & Salmon | Good for skin and fur health |
| Green Pea & Venison | Good for hard cases |
| Salmon & Chickpea | Light mix with soft taste |
Rating: 9/10
Original Ultra / Ultra Premium Dry & Wet Foods
These blends use more ingredients. They have more taste and more mix.
| Formula | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ultra Dry | Good all-round mix |
| Chicken & Liver Pâté | Soft mix with rich taste |
| Indoor Dry | Light mix for indoor cats |
Rating: 8/10
Wet / Pâté Canned Formulas
These blends help cats who need soft food. My older cat liked these most.
| Formula | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ultra Premium Pâté | Smooth and rich |
| Limited Ingredient Pâté | One meat source and a short list |
| Indoor Pâté | Soft and mild |
Rating: 8.5/10
Nutrition Analysis: Natural Balance Cat Food
The mixes use simple parts. The dry food has good fat and fair protein. The wet food has more meat. My cats got good fur and less itch with time.
| Type | Protein | Fat | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| L.I.D. Dry | Mid | Mid | Good balance |
| Ultra Dry | Mid | Mid | All-round mix |
| Wet / Pâté | High | Mid | Easy to digest |
Rating: 8.5/10
Ingredient Analysis: Natural Balance Cat Food
The L.I.D. line uses short lists. This helps cats with food stress. The Ultra line has more parts. Wet foods use more meat. A few blends use more peas than I like.
| Line | Notes |
|---|---|
| L.I.D. | Short list, one meat source |
| Ultra | More mix, more flavor |
| Wet | More meat, soft feel |
Rating: 8/10
Guaranteed Analysis: Natural Balance Cat Food
These numbers show the basic mix. I watched these numbers when I picked food for my cats.
| Item | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 28–35% | Good range |
| Fat | 12–18% | Good for cats with soft stool |
| Fiber | 3–5% | Light on tummy |
Rating: 8.5/10
Pros & Cons of Natural Balance Cat Food
Here is what stood out to me. Good points. Weak points. All in a fair way.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great for cats with food stress | Some mixes changed over time |
| One meat source in L.I.D. | Some blends use more plant parts |
| Good taste for most cats | Past recall events |
| Easy to find in U.S. stores | Price can be high |
| Feed With Confidence tests | Texture can vary |
Rating: 8/10
Real Customer Feedback & Common Complaints
I saw many other cat owners share the same points I saw. Most talk about skin relief. Many note fewer tummy issues. A few talk about mix changes.
| Topic | Notes |
|---|---|
| Positive | Cats with stress eat well |
| Positive | Less itch and less gas |
| Complaint | Price shifts |
| Complaint | Mix changes at times |
Rating: 8/10
Suitability: Which Cats Benefit Most
I used this food with cats who had food stress. It worked well. It also worked well for cats with mild skin stress.
| Cat Type | Fit |
|---|---|
| Allergy Cats | Very good |
| Sensitive Tummy | Very good |
| Indoor Cats | Good |
| Older Cats | Good with wet mix |
Rating: 9/10
Alternative Options of Natural Balance Cat Food
| Brand / Product | Why It’s a Good Alternative | My Rating (out of 10) |
|---|---|---|
| Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Dry Cat Food | Uses a single protein source and minimal ingredients. Great for cats with allergies or sensitive stomachs. | 9/10 |
| Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain-Free Cat Food | Grain-free and free of artificial additives; suitable for sensitive or allergy-prone cats. | 8.5/10 |
| Blue Buffalo Wilderness Adult Dry Cat Food | High protein, grain-free, good for skin & coat — a solid choice for active or adult cats without grain sensitivity. | 8/10 |
| American Journey Duck Grain-Free Dry Cat Food | Uses duck as the main protein plus digestible grain-free carbs — a good balance of nutrition and digestibility for allergy-prone cats. | 8/10 |
Quick Thoughts
- For cats with allergies or sensitivities, Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet and Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet stand out because they keep the recipe simple and avoid many common triggers.
- If your cat has no special sensitivities, Blue Buffalo Wilderness and American Journey offer good grain-free nutrition with strong protein support.
- All alternatives are grain-free or limited-ingredient, and thus quite comparable to Natural Balance in intent — but each has its own strengths (protein source, digestibility, ingredient list, etc.).
Performance: Natural Balance Cat Food
My cats did well on these blends. Their fur looked bright, while their stool stayed firm, and their energy remained calm and steady.
| Area | Notes |
|---|---|
| Taste | High |
| Digestive Ease | High |
| Fur Health | High |
| Long-Term Use | Good |
Rating: 8.5/10
Ease of Use: Natural Balance Cat Food
The bags store well. The cans open fast. The food stays fresh. It is simple to scoop and serve.
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Bag Use | Easy |
| Can Use | Easy |
| Storage | Simple |
| Mix Consistency | Good |
Rating: 9/10
Value for Money: Natural Balance Cat Food
The price is fair for what you get. Not cheap. Not too high. The results made the cost worth it for me.
| Line | Notes |
|---|---|
| L.I.D. | Worth the price |
| Ultra | Fair price |
| Wet | Good value for soft food |
Rating: 8/10
Overall: Natural Balance Cat Food
This brand gave my cats calm skin, soft stool, and a good mood. It is one of the brands I trust for long-term use. It is not perfect. But it is steady and safe for most cats.
| Area | Notes |
|---|---|
| Strength | Simple mixes and one meat source |
| Weakness | Price and mix changes |
| Best Use | Cats with food stress |
| Access | Easy in the U.S. |
Rating: 8.5/10
Safety & Recall History: Natural Balance Cat Food
Natural Balance had recalls in the past. Most brands have at some point. The new tests and the “Feed With Confidence” plan help reduce fear. I still check each bag when it comes in.
Where to Buy Natural Balance Cat Food
You can buy it in U.S. pet stores, big box stores, and online. I get mine online. It shows up fast and fresh.
FAQs for Natural Balance Cat Food Review
What makes Natural Balance cat food good for sensitive cats?
Natural Balance cat food uses simple parts and one meat source. This helps cats with itch or tummy stress. It is a calm pick if your cat reacts to many foods.
Is Natural Balance a safe brand to use every day?
Yes, Natural Balance is safe for daily use. The brand tests each batch. I used it for years with my own cats and saw steady health and calm skin.
Which Natural Balance L.I.D. recipe works best for cats with allergies?
The Green Pea & Duck and Green Pea & Salmon mixes work well for allergy cats. They use one meat source and stay gentle on the tummy and skin.
Does Natural Balance help with stomach issues in cats?
Yes, many cats see less gas and less throw-up on these mixes. The short list helps you avoid parts that can upset your cat’s tummy.
Is Natural Balance cat food worth the price?
Yes, the price is fair for the results. The simple mix helps many cats feel calm and well. It can save money later if your cat has food stress.
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Taslima Akter Sumaiya is a passionate pet mom and founder of PetFoodHubing.com. With real-life experience and insights inspired by USDA-ARS experts like Dr. Jitender P. Dubey, she writes honest, research-backed reviews to help dog and cat parents choose the best food. Trust her to simplify pet nutrition—with love and science. Read More…
