Highly Recommended
DogFoodAdvisor is reader supported See how
All reviews are 100% impartial but if you buy using links on this page, we may earn a referral fee.
Our Verdict
Natural Balance Platefulls product range consists of three recipes, each receiving the Dog Food Advisor’s rating of 5 stars.
Ready‑to‑serve wet recipes cooked in nourishing bone broth, featuring premium proteins and natural fiber sources to help promote good digestive health.
Pros
- Supports hydration
- Limited ingredients
- Formulated by veterinarians and nutritionists
Cons
- Adult only 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 Platefulls Tender Carrot, Potato & Beef Recipe | 5 | M |
| Natural Balance Platefulls Savory Duck & Pumpkin Recipe | 5 | M |
| Natural Balance Platefulls Harvest Chicken & Rice Recipe | 5 | M |
Recipe and Label Analysis
Natural Balance Platefulls Tender Carrot, Potato and Beef was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Natural Balance Platefulls Tender Carrot, Potato & Beef Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Chicken, carrots, potatoes, beef, beef bone broth, salt, spinach, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, niacin supplement, d-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, biotin, riboflavin supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, beta-carotene, folic acid), minerals (zinc oxide, reduced iron, manganese sulfate, copper amino acid complex, sodium selenite, potassium iodide), tuna oil, potassium chloride, magnesium sulfate, sage, thyme, rosemary, choline chloride
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 11% | 6% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 42% | 22% | 28% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 34% | 43% | 23% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first 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 second ingredient is carrots. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.
The third ingredient is potatoes. Potatoes can be considered a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates. Yet with the exception of perhaps their caloric content, potatoes are of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The fourth ingredient is beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.2
Beef is naturally rich in all 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The fifth ingredient is beef bone broth. Although they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food, bone broths are a common component in many wet products. However, since broths consist almost entirely of water, the trace nutrients they contain account for only a fraction of the overall finished dog food.
The sixth ingredient is salt (also known as sodium chloride). Salt is a common additive in many dog foods. That’s because sodium is a necessary mineral for all animals – including humans.
However, since the actual amount of salt added to this recipe isn’t disclosed on the list of ingredients, it’s impossible to judge the nutritional value of this item.
The seventh ingredient is spinach is rich in vitamins A, K, and C, as well as folate, iron, and magnesium. Spinach is a source of fiber. For dogs predisposed to oxalate stones spinach should be avoided, due to its high oxalate content.
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 one notable exception.
First, tuna oil. Tuna oil is naturally rich in the prized EPA and DHA type of omega-3 fatty acids. These two high quality fats boast the highest bio-availability to dogs and humans.
Depending on its level of freshness and purity, tuna oil should be considered a commendable addition.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Natural Balance Platefulls Tender Carrot, Potato and Beef looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 41.4%, a fat level of 22.4% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 20.7%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 40.5% and a mean fat level of 21.9%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 22.4% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 54%.
This means this Natural Balance Platefulls product line contains near-average protein, above-average carbohydrate 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 June 2026.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Natural Balance Platefulls Dog Food
This product range definitely deserves the 5 stars it has received in our review. Natural Balance uses high‑quality ingredients and rigorously tests all its recipes for safety.
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.
Compare Natural Balance Platefulls Dog Food
How does Natural Balance Platefulls compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
- Best Dog Foods
- Best Puppy Foods
- Best Dry Dog Food
- Best Wet Dog Foods
- Best Senior Dog Food
- Best Dog Foods for Dogs With Allergies 2026
- Best Grain-Free Dog Foods
- Best Dog Food With Grain
- Best Dog Food for Small Dogs 2026
- Best Budget-Friendly Dog Foods 2026
- Best Dog Food for Shih Tzus
- Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters 2026
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
However, we do receive a referral fee from online retailers (like Chewy or Amazon) and from sellers of perishable pet food when readers click over to their websites from ours. This helps cover the cost of operation of our free blog. Thanks for your support.
For more information, please visit our Disclaimer and Disclosure page.
