Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
The Natural Balance Health Protection canned product range consists of three recipes, each of which has received the Dog Food Advisor’s rating of 4 stars.
This Natural Balance wet range is formulated to support the overall health of your adult pup. Easy-to-digest recipes that support hydration, with each recipe containing brown rice and pumpkin to provide healthy fibre.
Pros
- No corn, soy, wheat, or animal by-product meal ingredients
- Added vitamins & minerals
- Supports hydration
Cons
- Only adult recipes
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (puppy), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Balance Health Protection Salmon, Pumpkin and Brown Rice Stew | 4 | M |
| Natural Balance Health Protection Beef, Pumpkin and Brown Rice Stew | 4 | M |
| Natural Balance Health Protection Chicken, Pumpkin & Brown Rice Stew | 4 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Natural Balance Health Protection Salmon, Pumpkin and Brown Rice Stew was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Natural Balance Health Protection Salmon, Pumpkin and Brown Rice Stew
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Salmon broth, chicken, salmon, chicken liver, pumpkin, brown rice, carrots, peas, natural flavor, dried egg product, potato starch, dried plain beet pulp, guar gum, salt, ground flaxseed, sunflower oil, sodium phosphate, inulin, potassium chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, copper proteinate, manganese proteinate, sodium selenite, potassium iodide), calcium carbonate, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, thiamine supplement, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement), taurine, choline chloride, rosemary, sage, thyme, magnesium sulfate, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 1.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 6% | 4% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 33% | 19% | 39% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 28% | 39% | 33% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is salmon broth. Broths are of only modest nutritional value. Yet because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, they are a common component in many wet products.
The second ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The third ingredient is salmon. Salmon is an oily marine and freshwater fish not only high in protein but also omega-3 fatty acids, essential oils needed by every dog to sustain life.
The fourth ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The fifth ingredient is pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.
The sixth ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The seventh ingredient is carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The eighth ingredient is peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
After natural flavor we find 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 the product.
This recipe has five notable exceptions.
First, flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flaxseeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
Next, 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.
This food also contains chelated minerals, which have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Next, taurine, an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
Since taurine deficiency appears to be more common in pets consuming grain-free diets, we view its presence in this recipe as a positive addition.
Lastly, this recipe contains sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Natural Balance Health Protection Salmon, Pumpkin and Brown Rice Stew looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 34.1%, a fat level of 20.5% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 31.8%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 34.1% and a mean fat level of 19.7%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 32.6% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 58%.
This means that the Natural Balance Health Protection range contains near-average protein, above-average carbohydrates, and below-average fat, when compared to typical wet dog food.
Natural Balance Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Natural Balance through December 2025.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Natural Balance Health Protection Dog Food
Natural Balance Health Protection is a grain-inclusive wet dog food using a moderate amount of named meat as its dominant source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 4 stars.
About
Natural Balance Pet Foods was co-founded by actor Dick Van Patten and his friend Joey Herrick in 1989. Natural Balance has changed ownership several times. It is currently owned by Nexus Capital Management.
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A Final Word
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