Ingredient #1Top
Chicken
Chicken is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.
Label analysisGrade BListed ingredientsKibble (Extruded)
Natural Balance
Natural Balance LID Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy
Editor ingredient insight
Natural Balance LID Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy starts with chicken and chicken meal, then leans on brown rice, brewers rice, and rice bran.
It is worth considering for puppies that tolerate chicken and rice-based grains and need a moderate rather than very rich growth diet.
At 24% protein, 12% fat, 3,630 kcal/kg, 1.2%/0.95% calcium/phosphorus, 0.25% taurine, and 0.5% omega-3s, the basic growth disclosure is there, but this is not a high-calorie puppy food.
I would skip it for puppies needing a richer diet, chicken avoidance, or fish-oil avoidance.
Fresh-meat leadFull ingredient check needed
01. NUTRIENT PROFILE
Key nutrients & mineral profile
Disclosed protein and fat
Protein 24%Fat 12%Other 64%Other includes moisture, ash and remaining components.
Position within the same processing type
Compare protein, fat and energy density in low, typical and high bands.
Protein positionLower
This food is on the lower side for crude protein among extruded foods.
Fat positionLower
This food is on the lower side for crude fat among extruded foods.
Calorie densityTypical
This food sits around the typical calorie range among extruded foods. Check the feeding guide and weight trend alongside this comparison.
Key guaranteed nutrientsAs-fed
Calcium1.2%
Phosphorus0.95%
Crude fiber4%
Omega-30.5%
Omega-62%
Undisclosed values are not treated as zero.
02. INGREDIENT QUALITY & DISCLOSURE
Disclosed ingredients & ingredient grade
The analysis uses the registered ingredients. Complete-panel coverage is not verified, so an unlisted ingredient cannot be assumed absent.
Listed ingredients
Read the listed ingredients below. Complete-panel coverage is not verified here; do not infer that an unlisted ingredient is absent.
Ingredient gradeGood
Ingredient #1 · ChickenTop
Fresh MeatIngredient #2 · Chicken MealUpper
Named MealIngredient #3 · Brown RiceUpper
Whole GrainIngredient #2Upper
Chicken Meal
Chicken Meal is a species-named animal meal ingredient. It is rendered rather than fresh, but the species source is still clearly identified. It reads as an upper-tier protein source.
Ingredient #3Upper
Brown Rice
Brown Rice is a whole or coarse grain ingredient. It usually plays more of a carbohydrate and fiber role than a core protein role. It reads as an upper-tier carb and fiber source.
Available ingredient listIn disclosed order
Chicken — Primary positive ingredientsChicken Meal — Support positive ingredientsBrown Rice — Neutral ingredientsBrewers Rice — Neutral ingredientsRice Bran — Neutral ingredientsChicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) — Neutral ingredientsBrewers Dried Yeast — Neutral ingredientsNatural Flavor — Support positive ingredientsFlaxseed — Neutral ingredientsMenhaden Fish Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) — Support positive ingredientsTaurine — Support positive ingredientsSalt — Neutral ingredientsPotassium Chloride — Support positive ingredientsDL-Methionine — Neutral ingredientsDicalcium Phosphate — Neutral ingredientsVitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement) — Support positive ingredientsMinerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate) — Support positive ingredientsL-Threonine — Neutral ingredientsCholine Chloride — Support positive ingredientsCitric Acid (Used as a Preservative) — Neutral ingredientsRosemary Extract — Neutral ingredients
Primary positive ingredientsSupport positive ingredientsAlternative proteinNeutral ingredientsCaution ingredientsHigh-caution ingredients
Protein sourceIngredient guide
Fresh meat is the first ingredient
Animal protein · Chicken (#1), Chicken Meal (#2)
Fresh meat leads the recipe and supplies animal protein, a useful choice point when you prioritize fresh-meat ingredients.
The complete ingredient panel has not been verified, so absence of plant-protein supplements is not confirmed.
Included support ingredientsNutrient guide
Fish oilSkin and joint support ingredientTaurineHeart support ingredientOmega-3Skin and joint support ingredientOmega-6Skin and coat support ingredient
03. CHOOSING FOR YOUR DOG
What to consider before feeding
Chicken, Chicken Meal supply animal protein at the start of the ingredient list. Brown Rice, Brewers Rice supply carbohydrate energy. The recipe combines animal protein sources with carbohydrate sources.
Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) add fat and energy; fat content is a separate choice criterion from the protein sources.
What works well in this food
- The first ingredient is a species-named fresh meat.
- Top ingredients do not show a prominent FDA-investigated non-hereditary DCM ingredient profile.
Check before feeding
- Public data is usable, but not at the highest-trust tier.
When this food fits your dog
Among foods made the same way, protein is lower, fat is lower, and calorie density is typical. Calorie density alone does not separate this into an active-dog or weight-management food. Consider protein exclusions and fat, then set portions for the dog’s weight and activity. Stable basic protein structure.
Consider it first when
- Steady protein-first shopping
- Choosing from named animal proteins
- Balanced shortlist building
Choose another food first when
- Weight control comes first
- Fresh-meat-first premium quality matters most
This is still a food-first read, so your own dog can reshuffle the final order later.
04. COMPARE FOODS
Smart chicken alternatives
Exact protein-type matches come first, then close protein-family matches fill the comparison.
05. MANUFACTURING & DISCLOSURE
Manufacturer background & public information
Natural Balance background
Founded in 1989 in the United States.
Disclosure confidence B
Current data is maintained, so the baseline trust level is still fairly high.
Recall information
This brand has a confirmed public recall history.
May 12, 2026