Dog News

Natural Balance LID

by Lilly

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Founded in 1989 by actor Dick Van Patten, Natural Balance Pet Foods aims to give pets “the food for a lifetime.” Van Patten’s goal was to create a premium quality pet food that is based on nutritional facts and scientific principles- meaning that everything is properly balanced and has the best nutritional value. The brand takes pride in the pet owners, trainers, and rescues that use their products.

Based in Burbank, California, Natural Balance has been in production for several decades and within the last decade has introduced Natural Balance LID- Limited Ingredient Diets. These simple formulas are designed to minimize the number of ingredients in the food. This is great for dogs with a specialized diet and for owners who want the best food for their pets.

Ingredients and Products

The LID line of Natural Balance currently has 19 dog products and 18 cat products. All of Natural Balance products do not contain artificial flavors, preservatives, soy, wheat, corn, by-product, and refined grains. The most common ingredients they use in their products include:

  • Garbanzo beans
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Brown rice
  • Flax seeds
  • Chicken
  • Venison
  • Beef
  • Duck
  • Bison/Buffalo
  • Salmon
  • Lamb
  • Taurine
  • Menhaden and salmon oils
  • Whole grains
  • Peas

There is a large selection of Natural Balance products on the market. Searching Natural Balance on Chewy.com will bring up several pages of products. The LID line has many options to choose from:

LID dog food and treat products:

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  • Chicken and Sweet Potato Dry Dog Formula
  • Chicken and Sweet Potato Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Formula
  • Lamb Meal and Brown Rice Dry Dog Formula
  • Lamb and Brown Rice Dry Puppy Formula
  • Lamb Meal and Brown Rice Large Breed Bites Dry Dog Formula
  • Lamb Meal and Brown Rice Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Formula
  • Legume and Duck Meal Dry Dog Formula
  • Potato and Duck Dry Dog Formula
  • Potato and Duck Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Formula
  • Potato and Duck Dry Puppy Formula
  • Sweet Potato and Bison Dry Dog
  • Sweet Potato and Fish Dry Dog Formula
  • Sweet Potato and Fish Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Formula
  • Sweet Potato and Venison Dry Dog Formula
  • High Protein Beef Formula Dry Dog Food
  • High Protein Turkey Formula Dry Dog Food
  • High Protein Lamb Formula Dry Dog Food
  • High Protein Pollock Formula Dry Dog Food
  • High Protein Beef Formula Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Food

LID cat food and treat products:

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  • Green Pea and Chicken Dry Cat Formula
  • Green Pea and Duck Dry Cat Formula
  • Green Pea and Salmon Dry Cat Formula
  • Green Pea and Venison Dry Cat Formula
  • Chicken and Green Pea Canned Cat Formula
  • Duck and Green Pea Canned Cat Formula
  • Salmon and Green Pea Canned Cat Formula
  • Venison and Green Pea Canned Cat Formula
  • High Protein Chicken Formula in Broth Wet Cat Food
  • High Protein Tuna Formula Dry Cat Food
  • High Protein Salmon Formula Dry Cat Food
  • High Protein Chicken Formula Dry Cat Food
  • Indoor Salmon and Chickpea Dry Cat Formula
  • Indoor Turkey and Chickpea Dry Cat Formula
  • Indoor Salmon and Chickpea Canned Cat Formula
  • Indoor Turkey and Turkey Liver Canned Cat Formula
  • High Protein Whitefish Formula in Broth Wet Cat Food
  • High Protein Tuna Formula in Broth Wet Cat Food

Along with the regular limited ingredient diet products, the LID line also has a special sub-category for products that are high in protein; this means the protein is meat oriented and will provide the high-protein diet without compromising a need for limited ingredients. Dog and cat high-protein LID products include:

  • High Protein Beef Formula Dry Dog Food
  • High Protein Turkey Formula Dry Dog Food
  • High Protein Lamb Formula Dry Dog Food
  • High Protein Pollock Formula Dry Dog Food
  • High Protein Beef Formula Small Breed Bites Dry Dog Food
  • High Protein Whitefish Formula in Broth Wet Cat Food
  • High Protein Tuna Formula in Broth Wet Cat Food
  • High Protein Chicken Formula in Broth Wet Cat Food
  • High Protein Tuna Formula Dry Cat Food
  • High Protein Salmon Formula Dry Cat Food
  • High Protein Chicken Formula Dry Cat Food

Safety Testing

The number one factor in manufacturing pet food is ingredient quality and testing. Natural Balance tests every batch of food as it comes into their facility. The company uses an ISO 17025 Accredited Laboratory to conduct all ingredient testing. Each batch of ingredients is subjected to nine different safety tests.

All tests are conducted by chemists and microbiologists. The scientists are testing for melamine, aflatoxin, cyanuric acid, don (vomitoxin), fumonisin, ochratoxin, Salmonella spp, zearalenone, and Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC).

Is it Worth it?

Natural Balance LID is a brand dedicated to providing dogs and cats with the best food. The brand caters to animals needing to control their weight, promotes healthy digestion, and has food types from wet to canned to dry. Their product list is extensive, and the brand goes beyond just making food. Natural Balance is a partner with Guide Dogs for the Blind, created a non-profit animal rescue organization, and takes sponsorship requests. Customers of Natural Balance can also save their Proof of Purchase UCP’s and exchange them for the brand’s Charity Rebate Program.

Pros

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  • Uses no preservatives, artificial colors/flavors, refined grains, soy, wheat, corn, and by-product
  • Natural Balance provides customers with access to a team of skilled Veterinary Technicians during normal work week hours. They are available to answer any pet-related questions someone may have and to help recommend food for their pet. All Veterinary Technicians have a degree in Animal Health Science
  • Provides 100% satisfaction guaranteed. With proof of purchase and the uneaten product, customers can receive a refund or exchange
  • Provide customers with a sample of their lab testing sheets to ensure they thoroughly test the ingredients for safety
  • All formulas meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) guidelines for nutritional value

Cons

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  • Contains a few controversial ingredients such as canola oil and potato protein
  • The cooking and handling process and origins of ingredients is not transparent

Natural Balance LID is a brand that has been a leader in pet food for decades. Their dedication to animal welfare is shown through the ingredients they use and their involvement in the community. Their standard food bags of five pounds are affordable, averaging around $17. Natural Balance LID products can be found here.