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Beneful vs Natural Balance

Beneful vs. Natural Balance

In this comparison article for Beneful vs Natural Balance, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Beneful and Natural Balance, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Natural Balance vs Beneful comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Beneful Review Page or Natural Balance Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Natural Balance vs. Beneful

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Beneful Dog Food vs. Natural Balance Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodBenefulNatural Balance
Crude Protein29.2%27.6%
Crude Fat14.7%14.4%
Crude Fiber5.2%5.2%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodBenefulNatural Balance
Crude Protein46.2%39.7%
Crude Fat11.4%20.5%
Crude Fiber6.7%8.5%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.

As you can see, Natural Balance and Beneful guarantee a similar amount of crude protein. For wet dog foods, Beneful provides more protein (about 6.49% more).


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Like protein, fats are an essential part of a dog's body. Fats are needed for the proper development and function of the canine body.

Natural Balance and Beneful both provide roughly the same amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Natural Balance provides significantly more fat (about 9.04% more).


There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. With regards to wet dog food, Natural Balance and Beneful also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Beneful Pet Food Ingredients vs. Natural Balance Pet Food Ingredients

Beneful and Natural Balance both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Brewers Rice

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Beneful.

Liver
Iron Oxide
Canola Meal
Ground Wheat
Wheat Gluten
Soybean Flour
Soybean Hulls
Corn Germ Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Meat By-Products
Whole Grain Corn
Whole Grain Wheat
Ground Yellow Corn
Powdered Cellulose
Chicken By-Product Meal
Hydrogenated Corn Syrup
Soybean Protein Isolate
Soybean Protein Concentrate
Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Natural Balance.

Giblets
Beet Pulp
Canola Oil
Pea Protein
Caramel Color
Tomato Pomace
Feeding Oatmeal
Poultry Giblets
Dried Tomato Pomace
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Beneful and Natural Balance both use the following harmful ingredients in many of their products:

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Beneful.

Bha
Bht
Blue 1
Red 40
Yellow 5
Yellow 6
Added Color

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Natural Balance.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Beneful & Natural Balance?

Beneful has been recalled once.

  • March 9, 2016: Incorrect Vitamins and Minerals

Natural Balance has been recalled 6 times.

  • July 21, 2007: ofbotulinum toxin
  • May 4, 2012: Salmonella
  • June 18, 2010: Salmonella
  • April 27, 2007: Melamine
  • April 17, 2007: Melamine
  • July 3, 2020: elevated levels of choline chloride

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodBenefulNatural Balance
Per Pound$2.12$5.23
Per Calorie$0.0013$0.0029
Wet Dog FoodBenefulNatural Balance
Per Pound$3.39$6.27
Per Calorie$0.0072$0.0137

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Beneful or Natural Balance, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Beneful or Natural Balance will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Beneful and Natural Balance. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.


Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Beneful Pet Foods

You can purchase Beneful pet foods from the following stores:


32 Recipes In-Stock Today

8 Recipes In-Stock Today

18 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Natural Balance Pet Foods

You can purchase Natural Balance pet food products from these retailers:


96 Recipes In-Stock Today

79 Recipes In-Stock Today

82 Recipes In-Stock Today

16 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductBenefulNatural Balance
Dry Dog Food13 Recipes39 Recipes
Wet Dog Food28 Recipes27 Recipes
Dog Treats3 Treats33 Treats
Dry Cat FoodNone16 Recipes
Wet Cat FoodNone43 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

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