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Nulo vs Natural Balance

Nulo vs. Natural Balance

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

Guaranteed Analysis: Natural Balance vs. Nulo

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.

Nulo Dog Food vs. Natural Balance Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodNuloNatural Balance
Crude Protein35.7%27.6%
Crude Fat19.6%14.4%
Crude Fiber5.1%5.2%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodNuloNatural Balance
Crude Protein45.6%39.7%
Crude Fat31.4%20.5%
Crude Fiber5.5%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.

The comparison table above shows that Nulo dry dog foods provide significantly more protein than Natural Balance. More specifically, Nulo guarantees at least 8.14% more protein. For wet dog foods, Nulo provides more protein (about 5.90% more).


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 large difference between the fat content of Nulo and Natural Balance. On average, Natural Balance dry dog food recipes contain 5.27% less fat than Nulo recipes. In addition, Nulo wet dog foods also provide more fat than Natural Balance wet foods.


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 2.95% more).

Nulo Cat Food vs. Natural Balance Cat Food

Dry Cat FoodNuloNatural Balance
Crude Protein44.3%36.8%
Crude Fat20.0%14.3%
Crude Fiber5.0%5.5%
Wet/Canned Cat FoodNuloNatural Balance
Crude Protein53.3%46.7%
Crude Fat24.2%20.2%
Crude Fiber4.6%7.1%

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.

Natural Balance dry recipes contain 7.54% less protein than Nulo dry recipes. This difference in protein content is a notable difference between Nulo and Natural Balance. In addition, Nulo wet cat foods also provide more protein than Natural Balance wet foods.


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.

The table shows that Natural Balance provides far less fat than Nulo. The difference in fat content is roughly 5.64%. In addition, Nulo wet cat foods also provide more fat than Natural Balance wet foods.


Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. For wet cat foods, Natural Balance typically provides a little more fiber (about 2.54% more).

Nulo Pet Food Ingredients vs. Natural Balance Pet Food Ingredients

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

Powdered Cellulose
Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols And Citric Acid)

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)

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

Nulo 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 Natural Balance.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of Nulo & Natural Balance?

According to our records, Nulo 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 FoodNuloNatural Balance
Per Pound$12.70$5.23
Per Calorie$0.0067$0.0029
Dry Cat FoodNuloNatural Balance
Per Pound$16.85$3.69
Per Calorie$0.0082$0.0023
Wet Dog FoodNuloNatural Balance
Per Pound$4.44$6.27
Per Calorie$0.0081$0.0137
Wet Cat FoodNuloNatural Balance
Per Pound$8.53$7.63
Per Calorie$0.0202$0.0183

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 Nulo 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 Nulo 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 Nulo 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 Nulo Pet Foods

You can purchase Nulo pet foods from the following stores:


78 Recipes In-Stock Today

34 Recipes In-Stock Today

42 Recipes In-Stock Today

23 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

83 Recipes In-Stock Today

16 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductNuloNatural Balance
Dry Dog Food29 Recipes39 Recipes
Wet Dog Food21 Recipes27 Recipes
Dog Treats8 Treats33 Treats
Dry Cat Food15 Recipes16 Recipes
Wet Cat Food27 Recipes43 Recipes
Cat Treats7 TreatsNone

Top Rated Nulo Recipes

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FreeStyle Turkey & Chicken Recipe (Canned Cat Food)
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Top Rated Natural Balance Recipes

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Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Venison Formula
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Limited Ingredient Diets Duck & Green Pea Formula
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