Highly Recommended
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Our Verdict
Natural Balance Specialized Nutrition product range is made up of three recipes with ratings varying from 4 to 5 stars. The average rating of the whole range is 5 stars.
Each of these recipes is designed to support specific health conditions. Made with high-quality, nutritious protein and free from corn, wheat, soy, or animal by-product meals.
Pros
- Supports hydration
- Formulated by veterinarians and nutritionists
- Quality protein is the main ingredient
Cons
- Limited 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.
Recipe and Label Analysis
Natural Balance Specialized Nutrition Digestive and Immune Health Lamb and Brown Rice Formula Stew was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Natural Balance Specialized Nutrition Digestive and Immune Health Lamb and Brown Rice Formula Stew
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Lamb, lamb broth, vegetable broth, chicken, chicken liver, pumpkin, brown rice, green beans, sweet potato, natural flavor, dried plain beet pulp, dried egg product, potato starch, spinach, sunflower oil, guar gum, salt, sodium phosphate, marine microalgae oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols), inulin, potassium chloride, minerals (zinc proteinate, iron proteinate, selenium yeast, manganese proteinate, potassium iodide), blueberries, cranberries, vitamins (vitamin E supplement, niacin supplement, D-calcium pantothenate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin supplement, vitamin A supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, pyridoxine hydrochloride, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement, folic acid), choline chloride, taurine, rosemary, dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, thyme, sage, yucca schidigera extract, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 2%
Red denotes any controversial items
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 5% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 42% | 28% | 23% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 32% | 51% | 17% |
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is lamb. Lamb is considered “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered” lamb and associated with skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1
Lamb is naturally rich in all 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The following ingredients are lamb & vegetable 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 fourth ingredient is chicken. Chicken is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”.2
Chicken is naturally rich in the 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The fifth ingredient is chicken liver. This is an organ meat sourced from a named animal and thus considered a beneficial component.
The sixth ingredient is pumpkin. Pumpkin is a nutritious addition high in complex carbohydrates, beta-carotene and dietary fiber.
The seventh 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 eighth ingredient is green beans, a healthy vegetable notable for its vitamin, mineral and natural fiber content.
The ninth ingredient is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a gluten-free source of complex carbohydrates in a dog food. They are naturally rich in dietary fiber and beta carotene.
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.
Firstly, 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.
This recipe also contains selenium yeast. Unlike the more common inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite), this natural yeast supplement is considered a safer anti-cancer alternative.
Next, marine microalgae oil is usually included as a plant based source of omega 3 fatty acid DHA. Studies have found DHA to be beneficial for many areas of the body, through reducing inflammation, as well as supporting brain and eye health.
We note the inclusion of inulin, a starch-like compound made up of repeating units of carbohydrates and typically sourced from chicory root.
Not only is inulin a natural source of soluble dietary fiber, it’s also used to promote the growth of healthy bacteria in a dog’s digestive tract.
Lastly, yucca schidigera is a natural extract made from a flowering desert plant and used in pet foods to control fecal and urinary odor.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Natural Balance Specialized Nutrition Digestive and Immune Health Lamb and Brown Rice Formula Stew looks like an above-average wet product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 40.9%, a fat level of 27.3% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 15.9%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 38.2% and a mean fat level of 20.3%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 25.9% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 53%.
This means this Natural Balance product line contains below-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 December 2025.
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Our Rating of Natural Balance Specialized Nutrition Canned Dog Food
Natural Balance Specialized Nutrition 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 5 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.
Compare Natural Balance Specialized Nutrition Dog Food
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