Holistic Select vs. Natural Balance
In this comparison article for Holistic Select vs Natural Balance, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Holistic Select 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 Holistic Select comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Holistic Select Review Page or Natural Balance Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Natural Balance vs. Holistic Select
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.
Holistic Select Dog Food vs. Natural Balance Dog Food
Dry Dog Food | Holistic Select | Natural Balance |
Crude Protein | 31.4% | 27.6% |
Crude Fat | 15.9% | 14.4% |
Crude Fiber | 5.8% | 5.2% |
Wet/Canned Dog Food | Holistic Select | Natural Balance |
Crude Protein | 54.5% | 39.7% |
Crude Fat | 27.3% | 20.5% |
Crude Fiber | 4.5% | 8.5% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food
Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.
According to our data, Holistic Select guarantees 3.78% more protein than Natural Balance. Although this difference is relatively small, it's still a notable difference. In addition, Holistic Select wet dog foods also provide more protein than Natural Balance wet foods.
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.
Natural Balance and Holistic Select both provide roughly the same amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Holistic Select provides more fat (about 6.80% more).
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fiber content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Natural Balance typically provides a little more fiber (about 3.91% more).
Holistic Select Cat Food vs. Natural Balance Cat Food
Dry Cat Food | Holistic Select | Natural Balance |
Crude Protein | 37.0% | 36.8% |
Crude Fat | 18.1% | 14.3% |
Crude Fiber | 4.3% | 5.5% |
Wet/Canned Cat Food | Holistic Select | Natural Balance |
Crude Protein | 47.3% | 46.7% |
Crude Fat | 30% | 20.2% |
Crude Fiber | 4.5% | 7.1% |
Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food
Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.
Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. With regards to wet cat food, Holistic Select and Natural Balance also provide roughly the same amount of crude protein.
Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food
There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):
- Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
- Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
- Slow the growth of yeast infections
- Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
- Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.
There is a small difference between the fat content of Holistic Select and Natural Balance. We can see that Holistic Select guarantees about 3.83% more fat than Natural Balance. In addition, Holistic Select wet cat foods also provide more fat than Natural Balance wet foods.
As you can see, Holistic Select and Natural Balance guarantee a similar amount of crude fiber. For wet cat foods, Natural Balance typically provides a little more fiber (about 2.60% more).
Holistic Select Pet Food Ingredients vs. Natural Balance Pet Food Ingredients
Holistic Select and Natural Balance both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Natural Balance.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Holistic Select.
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Natural Balance.
Product Safety: Recall History of Holistic Select & Natural Balance?
According to our records, Holistic Select has never been recalled.
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 Food | Holistic Select | Natural Balance |
Per Pound | $3.33 | $5.23 |
Per Calorie | $0.0020 | $0.0029 |
Wet Dog Food | Holistic Select | Natural Balance |
Per Pound | $4.87 | $6.27 |
Per Calorie | $0.0086 | $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 Holistic Select 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 Holistic Select 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 Holistic Select and Natural Balance. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.
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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 Holistic Select Pet Foods
You can purchase Holistic Select pet foods from the following stores:
Where To Buy Natural Balance Pet Foods
You can purchase Natural Balance pet food products from these retailers:
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product | Holistic Select | Natural Balance |
Dry Dog Food | 16 Recipes | 39 Recipes |
Wet Dog Food | 3 Recipes | 27 Recipes |
Dog Treats | None | 33 Treats |
Dry Cat Food | 3 Recipes | 16 Recipes |
Wet Cat Food | 5 Recipes | 43 Recipes |
Cat Treats | None | None |