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Natural Balance vs Wellness

Natural Balance vs. Wellness

In this comparison article for Natural Balance vs Wellness, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Natural Balance and Wellness, 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 Wellness 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 Wellness Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Wellness 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. Wellness Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodNatural BalanceWellness
Crude Protein27.6%34.6%
Crude Fat14.4%15.8%
Crude Fiber5.2%5.6%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodNatural BalanceWellness
Crude Protein39.7%41.8%
Crude Fat20.5%24.1%
Crude Fiber8.5%4.9%

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.

The table shows that Natural Balance provides far less protein than Wellness. The difference in protein content is roughly 7.04%. For wet dog foods, Wellness typically provides a little more protein (about 2.16% 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.

As you can see, Natural Balance and Wellness guarantee a similar amount of crude fat. For wet dog foods, Wellness typically provides a little more fat (about 3.62% more).


Natural Balance and Wellness both provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet dog foods, Natural Balance typically provides a little more fiber (about 3.59% more).

Natural Balance Cat Food vs. Wellness Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodNatural BalanceWellness
Crude Protein36.8%42.0%
Crude Fat14.3%16.0%
Crude Fiber5.5%4.7%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodNatural BalanceWellness
Crude Protein46.7%45.0%
Crude Fat20.2%24.7%
Crude Fiber7.1%5.6%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

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

Our analysis shows that Wellness guarantees 5.16% more protein than Natural Balance dry cat food recipes. For wet cat foods, Natural Balance and Wellness provide roughly the same amount of 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):

  • Help transport nutrients across cell membranes
  • Fats produce metabolites, which help control inflammation
  • Maintain healthy blood pressure
  • Slow the growth of yeast infections
  • Fats improve the taste/texture of food.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet cat foods, Wellness provides more fat (about 4.47% more).


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Natural Balance and Wellness also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Natural Balance Pet Food Ingredients vs. Wellness Pet Food Ingredients

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

Canola Oil
Pea Protein
Brewers Rice
Caramel Color
Tomato Pomace
Dried Tomato Pomace
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

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

Giblets
Beet Pulp
Feeding Oatmeal
Poultry Giblets

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

Garlic
Garlic Powder

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

Natural Balance and Wellness 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 Wellness.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite

Product Safety: Recall History of Natural Balance & Wellness?

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

Wellness has been recalled 5 times.

  • March 18, 2017: elevated beef throid hormone
  • Feb. 10, 2017: foreign material
  • Oct. 30, 2012: High Moisture
  • May 4, 2012: Salmonella
  • Feb. 28, 2011: Low Levels of Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog FoodNatural BalanceWellness
Per Pound$5.23$3.61
Per Calorie$0.0029$0.0022
Dry Cat FoodNatural BalanceWellness
Per Pound$3.69$3.90
Per Calorie$0.0023$0.0023
Wet Dog FoodNatural BalanceWellness
Per Pound$6.27$6.74
Per Calorie$0.0137$0.0140
Wet Cat FoodNatural BalanceWellness
Per Pound$7.63$9.09
Per Calorie$0.0183$0.0223

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 Wellness, 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 Wellness 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 Wellness. 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 Wellness Pet Foods

You can purchase Wellness pet food products from these retailers:


213 Recipes In-Stock Today

166 Recipes In-Stock Today

172 Recipes In-Stock Today

21 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductNatural BalanceWellness
Dry Dog Food39 Recipes59 Recipes
Wet Dog Food27 Recipes53 Recipes
Dog Treats33 Treats25 Treats
Dry Cat Food16 Recipes19 Recipes
Wet Cat Food43 Recipes74 Recipes
Cat TreatsNone5 Treats

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