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Pure Balance vs. Natural Balance

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

Guaranteed Analysis: Natural Balance vs. Pure 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.

Pure Balance Dog Food vs. Natural Balance Dog Food

Dry Dog Food	Pure Balance	Natural Balance
Crude Protein	29.2%	27.6%
Crude Fat	16.7%	14.4%
Crude Fiber	5.6%	5.2%

Wet/Canned Dog Food	Pure Balance	Natural Balance
Crude Protein	34.6%	39.7%
Crude Fat	24.6%	20.5%
Crude Fiber	7.2%	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.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude protein content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Natural Balance provides more protein (about 5.11% 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 small difference between the fat content of Pure Balance and Natural Balance. We can see that Pure Balance guarantees about 2.31% more fat than Natural Balance. In addition, Pure Balance wet dog foods also provide more fat than Natural Balance wet foods.

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

Pure Balance Cat Food vs. Natural Balance Cat Food

Dry Cat Food	Pure Balance	Natural Balance
Crude Protein	39.9%	36.8%
Crude Fat	17.7%	14.3%
Crude Fiber	5.9%	5.5%

Wet/Canned Cat Food	Pure Balance	Natural Balance
Crude Protein	42.0%	46.7%
Crude Fat	25.4%	20.2%
Crude Fiber	7.2%	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.

According to our average data, Natural Balance typically provides less protein than Pure Balance. However, this difference is relatively small and doesn't represent a significant difference between the two brands. In addition, Natural Balance wet cat foods also provide more protein than Pure 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.

If you look at the average percentages of crude fat, you'll notice that Pure Balance typically guarantees 3.36% more fat. This is a fairly small difference between Pure Balance and Natural Balance, but still worth mentioning. In addition, Pure Balance wet cat foods also provide more fat than Natural Balance wet foods.

As you can see, Natural Balance and Pure Balance guarantee a similar amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet cat food, Pure Balance and Natural Balance also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Pure Balance Pet Food Ingredients vs. Natural Balance Pet Food Ingredients

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

Canola Oil

Pea Protein

Brewers Rice

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

Garlic Powder

Pea Protein Concentrate

Animal Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

Poultry Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

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

Giblets

Beet Pulp

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.

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

Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

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

Added Color

Product Safety: Recall History of Pure Balance & Natural Balance?

According to our records, Pure Balance 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

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 Pure Balance Pet Foods

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

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

Product	Pure Balance	Natural Balance
Dry Dog Food	7 Recipes	39 Recipes
Wet Dog Food	15 Recipes	27 Recipes
Dog Treats	None	33 Treats
Dry Cat Food	5 Recipes	16 Recipes
Wet Cat Food	4 Recipes	43 Recipes
Cat Treats	3 Treats	None