Ingredient #1Top
Duck
Duck 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 Reserve Duck & Potato
Editor ingredient insight
Natural Balance LID Duck & Potato leads with duck, duck meal, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and tapioca starch.
It is worth considering for dogs that do better on duck than chicken and need moderate fat, but not for potato, sweet potato, or tapioca avoidance.
Fresh-meat leadPlant booster present
01. NUTRIENT PROFILE
Key nutrients & mineral profile
Disclosed protein and fat
Protein 24%Fat 10%Other 66%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
Calcium0.8%
Phosphorus0.6%
Crude fiber4%
Omega-30.75%
Omega-62.5%
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 · DuckTop
Fresh MeatIngredient #2 · Duck MealUpper
Named MealIngredient #3 · PotatoesMid
Starchy TuberIngredient #2Upper
Duck Meal
Duck 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 #3Mid
Potatoes
Potatoes is a starchy tuber ingredient. It is not a grain, but it still reads mainly as a starch and energy source. It reads as an mid-tier carb source.
Available ingredient listIn disclosed order
Duck — Primary positive ingredientsDuck Meal (Source of Glucosamine) — Support positive ingredientsPotatoes — Neutral ingredientsSweet Potatoes — Neutral ingredientsTapioca Starch — Neutral ingredientsDried Yeast — Neutral ingredientsCanola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) — Neutral ingredientsPotato Protein — High-caution ingredientsFlaxseed — Neutral ingredientsNatural Flavor — Support positive ingredientsSalmon Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) — Support positive ingredientsCholine Chloride — Support positive ingredientsVitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin) — Support positive ingredientsDL-Methionine — Neutral ingredientsTaurine — Support positive ingredientsMinerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate) — Support positive ingredientsPotassium Chloride — Support positive ingredientsMixed Tocopherols (Preservative) — Neutral ingredientsRosemary Extract — Neutral ingredients
Primary positive ingredientsSupport positive ingredientsAlternative proteinNeutral ingredientsCaution ingredientsHigh-caution ingredients
Protein sourceIngredient guide
Processed plant protein after the top 3
Animal protein · Duck (#1), Duck Meal (Source of Glucosamine) (#2)
Plant protein · Potato Protein (#8)
The protein number includes processed plant protein support.
Even when it appears later, the protein number is read more conservatively.
Included support ingredientsNutrient guide
Salmon oilSkin and joint support ingredientTaurineHeart support ingredientOmega-3Skin and joint support ingredientOmega-6Skin and coat support ingredientGlucosamineJoint support ingredientVitamin EAntioxidant and skin support ingredient
03. CHOOSING FOR YOUR DOG
What to consider before feeding
Duck, Duck Meal (Source of Glucosamine) supply animal protein at the start of the ingredient list. Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes supply carbohydrate energy. The recipe combines animal protein sources with carbohydrate sources.
Potato Protein supplement plant protein further down the list, after the first three ingredients. The crude-protein figure includes both animal and plant contributions. Canola Oil (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
- Processed plant protein appears after the top 3, so some protein support is still built into the label number.
- The first ingredient is a species-named fresh meat, but the top profile turns to Potatoes by the third slot instead of staying fully animal-led.
- 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.
Consider it first when
- Public-data-first comparison
- Baseline shortlist building
- Conservative first-pass screening
Choose another food first when
- You want a stronger ingredient-quality story first
- You need dog-specific fit instead of public-review screening
Plant-protein concentration remains the clearest trade-off here.
04. COMPARE FOODS
Smart duck 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