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Natural Balance vs Purina Puppy Chow

Natural Balance vs. Purina Puppy Chow

In this comparison article for Natural Balance vs Purina Puppy Chow, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Natural Balance and Purina Puppy Chow, 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 Purina Puppy Chow vs Natural Balance comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Natural Balance Review Page or Purina Puppy Chow Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Purina Puppy Chow vs. Natural Balance

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.

Natural Balance Dog Food vs. Purina Puppy Chow Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodNatural BalancePurina Puppy Chow
Crude Protein27.6%31.5%
Crude Fat14.4%13.0%
Crude Fiber5.2%5.3%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodNatural BalancePurina Puppy Chow
Crude Protein39.7%50%
Crude Fat20.5%22.7%
Crude Fiber8.5%6.8%

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.

There is a small difference between the protein content of Purina Puppy Chow and Natural Balance. We can see that Purina Puppy Chow guarantees about 3.89% more protein than Natural Balance. In addition, Purina Puppy Chow 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.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Purina Puppy Chow typically provides a little more fat (about 2.25% more).


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Natural Balance and Purina Puppy Chow also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Natural Balance Pet Food Ingredients vs. Purina Puppy Chow Pet Food Ingredients

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

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

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Purina Puppy Chow.

Liver
Soybean Flour
Soybean Hulls
Corn Gluten Meal
Meat By-Products
Whole Grain Corn
Whole Grain Wheat
Meat And Bone Meal
Chicken By-Product Meal
Poultry By-Product Meal

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

Natural Balance and Purina Puppy Chow 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 Natural Balance.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Purina Puppy Chow.

Bha
Bht
Red 3
Blue 2
Red 40
Yellow 5
Yellow 6
Added Color

Product Safety: Recall History of Natural Balance & Purina Puppy Chow?

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

According to our records, Purina Puppy Chow has never been recalled.

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodNatural BalancePurina Puppy Chow
Per Pound$5.23$1.13
Per Calorie$0.0029$0.0007
Wet Dog FoodNatural BalancePurina Puppy Chow
Per Pound$6.27$2.69
Per Calorie$0.0137$0.0045

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 Natural Balance or Purina Puppy Chow, 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 Natural Balance or Purina Puppy Chow will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Natural Balance and Purina Puppy Chow. 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 Natural Balance Pet Foods

You can purchase Natural Balance pet foods from the following stores:


96 Recipes In-Stock Today

79 Recipes In-Stock Today

82 Recipes In-Stock Today

16 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Purina Puppy Chow Pet Foods

You can purchase Purina Puppy Chow pet food products from these retailers:


6 Recipes In-Stock Today

2 Recipes In-Stock Today

2 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductNatural BalancePurina Puppy Chow
Dry Dog Food39 Recipes3 Recipes
Wet Dog Food27 Recipes3 Recipes
Dog Treats33 Treats1 Treats
Dry Cat Food16 RecipesNone
Wet Cat Food43 RecipesNone
Cat TreatsNoneNone

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