Protein source
Moderate cautionProcessed plant protein after the top 3
Top 3: Duck, Duck Meal, Potatoes
The protein number includes processed plant protein support.
Even when it appears later, the protein number is read more conservatively.
Public ReviewGrade BKibble (Extruded)Manufacturing: Kibble (Extruded)
Natural Balance
Natural Balance LID Reserve Duck & Potato
3.5★Public ScoreManufacturer-independentPublic-data basedIngredients · nutrition · safety
Key points
Ingredient guide
Included support ingredients
Nutrient guideGlucosamineJoint support ingredientSalmon oilSkin and joint support ingredientTaurineHeart support ingredientOmega-3Skin and joint support ingredientOmega-6Skin and coat support ingredientVitamin EAntioxidant and skin support ingredient
Solid build
Ingredient grade
B
Grade B
Top ingredient profile
Duck
Duck Meal
Potatoes
Fresh-meat leadPlant booster present
Crude protein24%
Crude protein24%
Crude fat10%
Other 66%
Protein position, fat position, and calorie density position are relative to foods in the same processing type cohort.
biotechProtein position
Lowerquery_statsFat position
Lowerlocal_fire_departmentCalorie density
LowerThis food can stay in comparison, but ingredient quality still needs a more conservative read.
There is enough public data to keep this food in comparison, but the top ingredient structure does not support a stronger positive claim yet.
Nutritional strengths
- The first ingredient is a species-named fresh meat.
- Calorie density is on the lower side.
- Top ingredients do not show a prominent FDA-investigated non-hereditary DCM ingredient profile.
What still needs work
- 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.
Brand context
Brand background availableRecall history confirmed
Founded in 1989 in the United States. This brand has a confirmed public recall history.
Ingredient analysis
The top ingredients give this recipe a strong first protein read, so the ingredient section starts from a favorable position.
restaurantIngredient Quality Analysis
Ingredient Grade
Good
1Duck
Fresh Meat · Top
2Duck Meal
Named Meal · Upper
3Potatoes
Starchy Tuber · Mid
Ingredient Analysis Comments
- •Duck is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.
- •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.
- •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.
restaurantIngredient Grade BGood
Full collected ingredient list
19 ingredientsDuckDuck Meal (Source of Glucosamine)PotatoesSweet PotatoesTapioca StarchDried YeastCanola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)Potato ProteinFlaxseedNatural FlavorSalmon Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)Choline ChlorideVitamins (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)DL-MethionineTaurineMinerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate)Potassium ChlorideMixed Tocopherols (Preservative)Rosemary Extract
Primary positive ingredients
Support positive ingredients
Neutral ingredients
Caution ingredients
High-caution ingredients
Why processed plant proteins are reviewed cautiously
Ingredient lists are ordered by input weight, not protein contribution. Fresh meat 100g and Soybean Meal 50g can both contribute about 20g of protein, and Pea Protein can deliver a similar amount at around 30g. So these ingredients can materially lift crude protein even outside the top three. The review treats processed plant-protein boosters cautiously because they can weaken the animal-protein-centered profile most guardians expect from a high-protein food.
Why did the base review land here?
Ingredient qualityNutrient disclosure levelManufacturing & trust
This review score combines ingredient composition, nutrient disclosure, manufacturing trust, and core nutrient caution signals.
Nutrient disclosure
Partial disclosure
Core guaranteed analysis is usable, but deeper rows still need a more cautious read.
Safety verification
No fails
No major red flag jumps out first, though undisclosed rows still define the limits of this safety read.
Public data trust (ETF)
B tier
Current data is maintained, so the baseline trust level is still fairly high.
Where it sits in the same processing cohort
Kibble (Extruded) cohortTop tier
Within the Kibble (Extruded) cohort, this recipe sits in the top tier band.
Final word
This is a credible shortlist food, but the personalized step is where the final order should be decided.
What to compare next
Criteria to compare with this food
These criteria come from the product name, brand, veterinary purpose, and disclosed nutrients, so you can compare similar foods after reading the review.
Brand analysis
Royal Canin dog food analysis: veterinary diets, breed lines, and label checks
Royal Canin spans veterinary, breed, and daily lines, so product purpose matters first.
Kidney criteriaBest dog food for kidney disease: phosphorus, protein quality, sodium, and appetite checks
Kidney or renal intent means phosphorus, protein, and sodium disclosure should come first.
Heart criteriaBest dog food for heart disease: sodium, taurine, L-carnitine, omega-3, and DCM context
Heart context should connect sodium, taurine, L-carnitine, and omega-3 disclosure.
Allergy criteriaBest dog food for dogs with allergies: protein history, hydrolyzed diets, and label checks
Allergy context depends on protein history, hydrolyzed formulas, and limited ingredients.
Joint criteriaBest dog food for joint support: weight control, EPA/DHA, glucosamine, and mobility checks
Joint context should connect weight control, EPA+DHA, and disclosed support ingredients.