Rating: 
Natural Balance Synergy Formula dog food receives the Advisor’s second-highest rating of four stars.
The Natural Balance Synergy product line includes just one dry dog food which meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for all life stages.
Natural Balance Synergy Formula
Dry Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Chicken, brown rice, chicken meal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), beet pulp, pearled barley, lamb meal, salmon meal, oatmeal, dried egg product, oat fiber, natural flavor, ground flaxseed, brewers dried yeast, dried carrot, salmon oil, salt, potassium chloride, inulin, minerals (zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, copper sulfate, manganous oxide, sodium selenite, calcium iodate), psyllium seed husks, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, vitamin A acetate, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid), taurine, choline chloride, l-carnitine, dried kelp, dried cranberries, dried parsley, l-lysine, Yucca shidigera extract, dried spinach
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5.6%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 28% | 16% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 31% | 18% | 43% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 27% | 37% | 37% |
The first ingredient in this dog food lists chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains about 80% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost… reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably occupy a lower position on the list.
Which brings us to brown rice… the second and (more likely) the dominant ingredient in this dog food.
Brown rice is a quality grain ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.
The third ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The fourth ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The fifth ingredient includes beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient… a high fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
We only call your attention here to the controversy and believe the inclusion of beet pulp in reasonable amounts in most dog foods is entirely acceptable.
The sixth ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index (like rice), barley can help support stable blood sugar levels in dogs.
The seventh ingredient includes lamb meal… another protein-rich meat concentrate.
The eighth ingredient is salmon meal. Like the chicken and lamb meals, salmon meal is yet one more protein concentrate.
We are pleased to note that, unlike many fish meals, this particular item appears1 to be ethoxyquin-free.
The ninth ingredient is oatmeal… a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, fiber and is also (unlike many other grains) gluten-free.
The tenth ingredient is dried egg product… a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries… from eggs that have failed to hatch.
In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With four notable exceptions…
First, brewers dried yeast. Brewers yeast can be a controversial item. Although it’s a by-product of the beer making process, this ingredient contains about 45% protein… and is rich in other healthy nutrients.
Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.
Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself.
What’s more, a vocal minority insist yeast can increase the risk of developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. However, this is something we’ve not been able to scientifically verify.
In any case, unless your dog is specifically allergic to it, yeast can be considered a nutritious additive.
Next, we note the inclusion of inulin… a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and found in certain roots and tubers.
Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it also a prebiotic used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
Thirdly, we find no mention of probiotics… friendly bacteria applied to the surface of the kibble after processing.
And lastly, the listed minerals do not appear to be chelated. And that can make them more difficult to absorb. Non-chelated minerals are usually associated with lower quality dog foods.
Natural Balance Synergy Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Natural Balance Synergy Dog Food appears to be an above-average kibble.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 31%, a fat level of 18% and estimated carbohydrates of about 43%.
Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbohydrates when compared to a typical dry dog food.
Free of any plant-based protein boosters, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a generous amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Natural Balance Synergy Dog Food is a grain-based kibble using an above-average amount of chicken and chicken meal as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand four stars.
Highly recommended.
Those looking for a nice wet food from the same company may wish to visit our review of Natural Balance Ultra canned dog food.
A Final Word
This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.
For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.
Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.
Notes and Updates
12/07/2010 Original review
12/07/2010 Last Update
- Per Diamond Pet Customer Service, 7/7/2010 ↩
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.
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