vs
Purina Dog Chow vs Natural Balance

Purina Dog Chow vs. Natural Balance

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

Guaranteed Analysis: Natural Balance vs. Purina Dog Chow

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.

Purina Dog Chow Dog Food vs. Natural Balance Dog Food

Dry Dog FoodPurina Dog ChowNatural Balance
Crude Protein26.2%27.6%
Crude Fat12.3%14.4%
Crude Fiber4.9%5.2%
Wet/Canned Dog FoodPurina Dog ChowNatural Balance
Crude Protein49.5%39.7%
Crude Fat14.5%20.5%
Crude Fiber6.8%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.

Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. For wet dog foods, Purina Dog Chow provides significantly more protein (about 9.84% more).


Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Dietary fats serves a multitude of roles in the proper development and function of our canine companions. Here are some of the benefits (not exhaustive):

  • Help produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among other critical functions.
  • Aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
  • Improve skin and coat health
  • Improve the palatially of your dog's food

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


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

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

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

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

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.

Purina Dog Chow 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 Purina Dog Chow.

Blue 2
Red 40
Yellow 5
Yellow 6
Added Color

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

Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex

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

According to our records, Purina Dog Chow 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 FoodPurina Dog ChowNatural Balance
Per Pound$1.22$5.23
Per Calorie$0.0008$0.0029
Wet Dog FoodPurina Dog ChowNatural Balance
Per Pound$2.14$6.27
Per Calorie$0.0042$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 Purina Dog Chow 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 Purina Dog Chow 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 Purina Dog Chow 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 Purina Dog Chow Pet Foods

You can purchase Purina Dog Chow pet foods from the following stores:


4 Recipes In-Stock Today

1 Recipes In-Stock Today

4 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

82 Recipes In-Stock Today

16 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

ProductPurina Dog ChowNatural Balance
Dry Dog Food5 Recipes39 Recipes
Wet Dog Food9 Recipes27 Recipes
Dog TreatsNone33 Treats
Dry Cat FoodNone16 Recipes
Wet Cat FoodNone43 Recipes
Cat TreatsNoneNone

Top Rated Purina Dog Chow Recipes

Dog Food
Purina Dog Chow
High Protein With Real Lamb
Check Price
Dog Food
Purina Dog Chow
Little Bites For Small Dogs
Check Price
Dog Food
Purina Dog Chow
High Protein With Real Beef (Classic Ground)
Check Price
Dog Food
Purina Dog Chow
High Protein With Real Chicken (Classic Ground)
Check Price

Top Rated Natural Balance Recipes

Dog Food
Natural Balance
Targeted Nutrition Fat Dogs Dry Dog Food
Check Price
Dog Food
Natural Balance
Limited Ingredient Diets Sweet Potato & Venison Formula
Check Price
Cat Food
Natural Balance
Ultra Premium Cat Food Fat Cats
Check Price
Cat Food
Natural Balance
Limited Ingredient Diets Duck & Green Pea Formula
Check Price