Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Sweet Potato & Venison Recipe Review
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Review of Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Sweet Potato & Venison Recipe
According to our data, this Natural Balance recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Sweet Potato & Venison Recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Sweet Potato & Venison Recipe, we'll examine all 40 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.
While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.
Sweet potato is a highly nutritious and easily digestible source of complex carbohydrates for your dog. It provides essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, promoting a healthy digestive system and immune function.
Venison Broth is a flavorful and hydrating ingredient that can also provide some protein and minerals.
Venison is a lean, high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development and maintenance. It is also a novel protein, making it a good option for dogs with food sensitivities or allergies.
Potatoes are a good source of vitamins and minerals for dogs, and are also high in fiber which can help keep your dog's digestive system running smoothly.
Potato protein is a high-quality, easily digestible protein source that provides essential amino acids necessary for your dog's muscle development and maintenance.
Dehydrated potatoes are a gluten-free carbohydrate source in dog foods. They're easily digestible and provide essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, supporting your dog's digestive health.
Canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a source of healthy fats that can help maintain a shiny coat and healthy skin. It's preserved with mixed tocopherols (forms of vitamin E) to maintain freshness.
Salmon oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote healthy skin, coat, joints, and brain function. Mixed tocopherols, a natural form of vitamin E, help preserve the oil, ensuring its freshness and nutritional value for your dog.
Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.
L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate is a stable form of vitamin C, an essential antioxidant that supports your dog's immune system, joint health, and overall wellness.
Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.
D-Calcium Pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid, a B-vitamin that helps in energy metabolism and the synthesis of important compounds in the body.
Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.
Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.
Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.
Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.
Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.
Venison meal is a high-quality protein source, providing essential amino acids for muscle development and energy.
Zinc proteinate is a highly absorbable form of zinc. It helps support a healthy immune system, skin, and coat in dogs.
Zinc sulfate is a source of the essential mineral zinc, which supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and overall growth and development.
Ferrous sulfate is an important source of iron for dogs, a mineral essential for red blood cell production, oxygen transportation, and overall vitality. Adequate iron intake supports your dog's immune system and energy levels.
Iron proteinate is a chelated form of iron that is more easily absorbed by your dog's body, supporting their red blood cell production and overall health.
Copper sulfate is an essential trace mineral that supports various bodily functions in dogs, including immune system health, skin and coat maintenance, and red blood cell production.
Copper Proteinate is a chelated form of copper that's easier for dogs to absorb, aiding in red blood cell formation and iron absorption.
Manganese sulfate is a source of manganese, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones, joints, and metabolism in dogs. It also supports the production of collagen, which is vital for healthy skin, coat, and connective tissues.
Manganese Proteinate is a chelated form of manganese, a mineral that supports bone health, metabolism and enzymatic reactions.
Calcium iodate is a source of iodine, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolism. It helps maintain proper hormone production and is crucial for overall health and well-being.
Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.
Guar gum is a natural thickening agent derived from the guar bean, used to improve the texture of your dog's food. It also serves as a source of soluble fiber, which can help promote healthy digestion and support overall gastrointestinal health.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.
Sodium tripolyphosphate is a food additive used in dog food to help maintain freshness and extend shelf life. It also acts as a binding agent, helping the dog food maintain its shape and texture.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
Carrageenan is a natural thickening agent derived from seaweed that helps improve the texture and consistency of your dog's food.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.
Yucca schidigera extract is a natural ingredient known for its ability to reduce unpleasant odors in your dog's waste. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help support joint health and overall well-being.
Rosemary extract is a natural antioxidant that can help protect your dog's body from the harmful effects of free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can support your dog's overall health and well-being, particularly in regard to joint health.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
The guaranteed analysis provides the minimum or maximum levels of nutrients in the pet food.
1. Crude Protein (min) of 6.00%: Proteins are essential for growth, maintenance, and energy. The main sources of protein in this pet food are venison, venison broth, and potato protein. The venison meal also contributes to the protein content.
2. Crude Fat (min) of 4.00%: Fats are the most concentrated source of energy for animals. The primary sources of fat in this pet food are canola oil and salmon oil, both preserved with mixed tocopherols. Fat also helps in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
3. Crude Fiber (max) of 2.00%: Fiber aids in digestion and helps to keep the pet feeling full. The primary sources of fiber in this pet food are sweet potatoes, potatoes, and dehydrated potatoes.
4. Calories of 1020.00 per kg: The calorie content provides the energy that pets need for their daily activities. All the ingredients contribute to the calorie content, but the main contributors are likely the proteins (venison and potato protein), fats (canola oil and salmon oil), and carbohydrates (sweet potatoes and potatoes).
The vitamins and minerals listed in the ingredients, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc, are essential nutrients for the overall health of the pet, but they do not contribute significantly to the protein, fat, fiber, or calorie content. The same applies to other ingredients like guar gum, sodium tripolyphosphate, and carrageenan, which are used as thickeners and preservatives.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Sweet Potato & Venison Recipe costs approximately $4.79 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.
| Adult Weight | Adult |
|---|---|
| 5 lbs | $100.66 |
| 10 lbs | $169.30 |
| 15 lbs | $229.47 |
| 20 lbs | $284.72 |
| 30 lbs | $385.91 |
| 40 lbs | $478.84 |
| 50 lbs | $566.08 |
| 60 lbs | $649.03 |
| 70 lbs | $728.57 |
| 80 lbs | $805.32 |
| 90 lbs | $879.69 |
| 100 lbs | $952.03 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Several customers reported that their dogs enjoyed the Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Sweet Potato & Venison Recipe. They appreciated its limited ingredients and grain-free nature, especially for dogs with food intolerances or allergies. Customers also praised the brand's consistent quality and responsible sourcing. Some customers noted that the wet food helped with their dogs' digestion and bowel issues, and they also liked the option of mixing it with dry food.
However, other customers have reported a change in the recipe and consistency of the product, with the canned food now appearing more watery or mushy. Some dogs refused to eat the new formula, and a few customers reported their dogs experiencing digestive issues or diarrhea after consumption. Some customers felt that the product contained too much sweet potato and not enough venison.
There were also customers who reported that their dogs, despite being picky eaters, loved this specific flavor and had no allergic reactions to it. However, some other customers mentioned that their dogs didn't like the sweet potato flavor and preferred other flavors from the same brand.
Many customers appreciated the product for its quality ingredients and reasonable price. Some mentioned that their dogs with skin issues or allergies benefited from this food. On the other hand, a few customers found the texture to be too runny or like baby food, which their dogs didn't prefer.
Overall, while some dogs loved the taste and the owners appreciated the health benefits, others found that their dogs did not enjoy the taste or texture, and some reported negative health effects.
