Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Beef & Brown Rice Recipe (Freeze-Dried Raw) For Dogs Review
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Review of Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Beef & Brown Rice Recipe (Freeze-Dried Raw) For Dogs
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 Beef & Brown Rice Recipe (Freeze-Dried Raw) For Dogs 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 Beef & Brown Rice Recipe (Freeze-Dried Raw) For Dogs, we'll examine all 17 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.
Beef is a high-quality protein source that provides essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to support your dog's muscle development and overall health.
Beef liver is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins, which support your dog's overall health and well-being. It is also a good source of high-quality protein, which helps maintain strong muscles and a healthy coat.
Beef lung is a protein-rich organ meat that provides a variety of essential vitamins and minerals to support your dog's overall health.
Beef kidney is a nutrient-rich organ meat that provides a concentrated source of essential vitamins and minerals, supporting your dog's immune system, cognitive function, and overall health.
Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients, which can support your dog's skin, coat, and digestive health.
Tapioca starch is a grain-free carbohydrate source derived from the root of the cassava plant. It is used in dog food as a binding agent and energy source. Tapioca starch is easily digestible, making it a suitable ingredient for dogs with sensitive stomachs or grain allergies.
Brown rice is a whole grain that provides an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients for your dog. The fiber content can aid in digestion and help maintain a healthy weight, while the carbohydrates provide energy for an active lifestyle.
Beef tripe is a nutrient-rich ingredient that provides high-quality protein and essential amino acids for your dog. It also contains beneficial probiotics that can aid in digestion and support a healthy gut microbiome.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
Herring oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which promote a healthy skin and coat, support brain function, and contribute to overall heart health in your dog.
Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.
Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.
Zinc amino acid complex is a more digestible form of zinc that can support your dog's immune system, skin health, and coat quality.
Iron amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable source of iron for dogs, which supports red blood cell production and oxygen transport throughout the body. It helps maintain overall health and vitality for your furry friend.
Copper amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable source of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and promotes red blood cell production.
Manganese amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable form of manganese, an essential trace mineral that supports healthy bones, joints, and metabolism. This ingredient ensures that your dog receives the proper amount of manganese for optimal health.
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.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
The crude protein content of 30.00% is likely primarily derived from the beef, beef liver, beef lung, beef kidney, and beef tripe listed in the ingredients. These are all protein-rich animal sources, with organs like liver and kidney being particularly high in protein. These ingredients not only contribute to the overall protein content but also provide a range of amino acids necessary for a dog's diet.
The crude fat minimum of 28.00% can be attributed to the beef itself, as well as the herring oil and possibly the flaxseed. Beef is a natural source of animal fat, while herring oil is rich in essential fatty acids like omega-3s. Flaxseed is also a good source of plant-based fats, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid.
The maximum crude fiber content of 5.00% is likely influenced by the brown rice and flaxseed in the ingredients. Brown rice is a whole grain that contains fiber, which aids in digestion and can contribute to the overall fiber content of the food. Flaxseed, apart from being a fat source, also contains soluble and insoluble fibers.
The calorie content of 4820.00 per kg is a measure of the energy provided by the food and is a cumulative result of all the macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) present in the ingredients. The high calorie count is expected, given the high levels of protein and fat, both of which are calorie-dense nutrients. The tapioca starch may also contribute to the caloric content as a carbohydrate source, although it is typically less calorie-dense than fats or proteins.
The vitamins and minerals listed, such as Vitamin E, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, and Vitamin D3 Supplement, are added to ensure the food meets the nutritional needs of dogs, but they do not directly contribute to the guaranteed analysis values of protein, fat, fiber, and calories. These are supplementary to ensure a balanced diet.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers have found that the Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Beef & Brown Rice Recipe (Freeze-Dried Raw) is a hit with many pets, particularly as a food topper. One review mentions a Yorkie who is usually a picky eater, finishing her meals completely when this product is used as a topper. The same reviewer also finds it useful as a treat.
Several dogs, including a Lab and a senior dog who had become picky, showed a great deal of enthusiasm for the product, with pets eagerly anticipating more after the initial taste. The product is also noted for its effectiveness as a training treat, especially for those dogs with specific dietary needs, such as allergies to chicken.
Despite some pets not taking to it immediately, others, including a cat, displayed excitement at the opening of the bag. The versatility of the product is appreciated, serving both as a treat and an enhancement to regular meals, with one review highlighting that their dogs "went nuts" for it and couldn't get enough.
In the context of negative feedback regarding the product's size and palatability to some pets, it's clear that while not every pet may prefer the texture or size, many others find the freeze-dried beef and brown rice to be a delicious addition to their diet, with strong approval from both dogs and cats in some households.
