Natural Balance Original Ultra Duck & Duck Liver Formula Review
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Review of Natural Balance Original Ultra Duck & Duck Liver Formula
According to our data, this Natural Balance recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for all life stages. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Duck & Duck Liver Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for all life stages.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Natural Balance Original Ultra Duck & Duck Liver Formula, we'll examine all 39 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.
Duck is an excellent source of lean, easily-digestible protein and contains essential amino acids that your cat requires.
Water Sufficient for Processing ensures that your cat's food has the right consistency and texture, making it easier for them to chew and digest. Adequate water content in cat food is essential for maintaining proper hydration and overall health.
Duck liver is a highly nutritious organ meat that provides a rich source of vitamins A, B, and iron, which are essential for your cat's overall health, immune system, and energy levels.
Canola Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a source of healthy fats and essential fatty acids that support your cat's skin, coat, and overall well-being. This ingredient also provides energy and helps maintain a balanced weight for your feline friend.
Dried Egg Product is a highly digestible source of protein, providing essential amino acids for muscle growth and maintenance. It also offers important vitamins and minerals.
Brown Rice is a whole grain ingredient that provides a source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients to support your cat's energy levels and digestive health.
Pea Flour is a plant-based protein source and provides dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It can be a useful ingredient for cats with specific dietary needs or sensitivities to certain proteins, but it should not replace animal-based proteins as the primary source of nutrition.
Carrot is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which support your cat's digestive health and overall well-being.
Rice Flour is a digestible grain that provides a source of energy-rich carbohydrates. It's also beneficial for cats with sensitive stomachs.
Natural flavor enhances the palatability of the cat food, making it more appealing to finicky eaters.
Salt is added in small amounts to cat food to help maintain electrolyte balance and support healthy nerve and muscle function.
Salmon Oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining healthy skin and coat, supporting brain function, and promoting a healthy immune system. Salmon oil also has anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit cats with joint issues or allergies.
Guar Gum is a natural thickening agent and stabilizer, which helps to maintain the texture and consistency of wet cat food while also providing a source of soluble fiber for digestive health.
Potassium Chloride is a vital mineral that supports your cat's overall health by maintaining proper muscle function, nerve communication, and fluid balance in the body.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that plays a crucial role in your cat's heart function, vision, and reproduction. Cats cannot synthesize taurine in sufficient amounts, making it a vital addition to their diet.
Fructooligosaccharides are a type of prebiotic that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in your cat's digestive system, supporting overall gut health and immunity.
Vitamin E Supplement is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in supporting your cat's immune system, skin health, and overall well-being. It also acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting your cat's cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Thiamine mononitrate is a source of Vitamin B1, essential for energy metabolism and nervous system function in cats.
Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is an essential nutrient that aids in energy metabolism and supports your cat's nervous system, skin, and coat health.
Vitamin A Supplement is an essential nutrient that supports your cat's vision, immune system, and overall health. It is crucial for maintaining a well-balanced diet and proper body function.
Calcium pantothenate is a form of vitamin B5, which is essential for energy production, metabolism, and supporting your cat's overall health.
Riboflavin Supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which supports your cat's energy production, metabolism, and overall well-being.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride, also known as Vitamin B6, plays a vital role in your cat's metabolism, immune system function, and nerve health, ensuring their overall well-being.
A vitamin B12 supplement is an essential nutrient for your cat, supporting their nervous system, brain function, and red blood cell production.
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a source of vitamin K, essential for blood clotting and bone health.
Folic Acid is a B vitamin that is essential for your cat's health. It plays a crucial role in DNA synthesis, cell division, and the production of red blood cells. A deficiency in folic acid can lead to anemia and other health problems, making it an important ingredient in cat food.
Biotin is a B vitamin that helps support your cat's skin and coat health, as well as their metabolism and nervous system.
DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that helps maintain healthy skin and coat, supports immune function, and promotes overall well-being in cats.
Magnesium Sulfate is an essential mineral for maintaining proper nerve and muscle function in cats.
Cranberry is a natural source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which can help support your cat's immune system and urinary tract health.
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and provide natural sweetness to cat food, contributing to a balanced diet.
Carrageenan is a natural thickening and gelling agent derived from seaweed, used to improve the texture and consistency of wet cat food. However, some studies have raised concerns about its safety, linking it to gastrointestinal issues in pets. Some pet owners may choose to avoid products containing carrageenan.
Ferrous Sulfate is an essential source of iron for your cat, which helps support the production of red blood cells and maintains healthy energy levels. It also plays a vital role in your cat's overall health and well-being.
Zinc Oxide is a source of essential trace mineral zinc, which plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy immune system, skin and coat health, and supporting various metabolic processes in your cat's body.
Manganese sulfate is a source of manganese, an essential mineral for bone health and enzyme function.
Copper amino acid complex is a highly bioavailable form of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports various body functions, such as the production of red blood cells, nerve function, and immune health.
Potassium iodide is a source of iodine which is necessary for proper thyroid function in cats.
Sodium Selenite is an important source of selenium, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in your cat's antioxidant defense system. Selenium helps protect your cat's cells from damage and supports a healthy immune system, thyroid function, and overall health.
Rosemary Extract is a natural antioxidant and preservative that helps maintain the freshness and quality of your cat's food while also providing potential anti-inflammatory benefits.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein (min) of 9.50%: The primary contributors to the crude protein content are the duck and duck liver, which are animal-based proteins and are typically high in protein content. The dried egg product also adds to the protein level as eggs are an excellent source of high-quality protein. Pea flour may contribute some plant-based protein as well.
Crude Fat (min) of 8.50%: Duck and duck liver are also rich in animal fats, which would contribute to the crude fat content. Canola oil, preserved with mixed tocopherols, is another significant source of fat in this pet food. Additionally, salmon oil is included, which not only contributes to the fat content but also provides essential fatty acids like omega-3s.
Crude Fiber (max) of 2.00%: Fiber in this formula likely comes from the brown rice, pea flour, and carrot. Brown rice and pea flour can provide a moderate amount of fiber, which aids in digestion. Carrots are a good source of dietary fiber as well. However, the fiber content is kept to a maximum of 2.00%, suggesting that these ingredients are not present in very high quantities or that the overall recipe is designed to be relatively low in fiber.
Calories of 1374.00 per kg: The caloric content is a measure of the energy provided by the food. Duck, duck liver, and the fats (canola oil and salmon oil) are calorie-dense ingredients that contribute significantly to the overall energy content of the pet food. Carbohydrates like brown rice and pea flour also contribute to the caloric value, although to a lesser extent compared to fats.
