Label analysisGrade BListed ingredientsKibble (Extruded)

Natural Balance

Natural Balance LID Salmon & Sweet Potato

Calculate portions with this foodChoosing for your dog
Editor ingredient insight

Natural Balance LID Salmon & Sweet Potato is useful when fish protein is a better fit than chicken: salmon and salmon meal lead the formula, and the 24% protein, 10% fat, and 3,360 kcal/kg profile stays fairly moderate.

But sweet potatoes are followed by potatoes and tapioca starch, so I would call it a clear salmon diet, not a low-starch or meat-dense fish food.

Fresh-meat leadFull ingredient check needed
Illustration of salmon beside a dog-food bowl
Primary protein ingredient · Salmon

01. NUTRIENT PROFILE

Key nutrients & mineral profile

As-fed basis
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 densityLower

This food is on the lower side for calorie density among extruded foods. That alone does not make it a weight-management diet; check portion guidance, fat, and fiber together.

Key guaranteed nutrientsAs-fed
Calcium0.8%
Phosphorus0.6%
Crude fiber4.5%
Omega-31%
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.

Salmon ingredient illustration
Primary protein ingredient · Salmon
B4.5/6Ingredient gradeGood
Ingredient #1 · SalmonTop
Fresh Meat
Ingredient #2 · Salmon MealUpper
Named Meal
Ingredient #3 · Sweet PotatoesUpper
Starchy Tuber
Ingredient #1Top

Salmon

Salmon is a named fresh meat ingredient. The animal source is clearly identified. It reads as an top-tier protein source.

Ingredient #2Upper

Salmon Meal

Salmon 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

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet 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 upper-tier carb and fiber source.

Available ingredient listIn disclosed order
Salmon — Primary positive ingredientsSalmon Meal (Source of Glucosamine) — Support positive ingredientsSweet Potatoes — Neutral ingredientsPotatoes — Neutral ingredientsDried Yeast — Neutral ingredientsTapioca Starch — Neutral ingredientsDried Plain Beet Pulp — Support positive ingredientsCanola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols) — Neutral ingredientsFlaxseed — Neutral ingredientsNatural Flavor — Support positive ingredientsDicalcium Phosphate — Neutral ingredientsCholine Chloride — Support positive ingredientsVitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin) — Support positive ingredientsPotassium Chloride — Support positive ingredientsSalt — Neutral ingredientsMinerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate) — Support positive ingredientsTaurine — Support positive ingredientsSalmon Oil — Support positive ingredientsMixed Tocopherols (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 · Salmon (#1), Salmon Meal (Source of Glucosamine) (#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
TaurineHeart support ingredientSalmon oilSkin and joint 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

Salmon, Salmon Meal (Source of Glucosamine) supply animal protein at the start of the ingredient list. Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes supply carbohydrate energy. The recipe combines animal protein sources with carbohydrate sources.

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

  • A fish-protein lead can be worth reviewing when you are trying to avoid a specific land-meat protein.
  • 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.

Check before feeding

  • The first ingredient is a species-named fresh meat, but the top profile turns to Sweet 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 lower. This is a candidate for reducing calories per gram. Fat is also lower, but a weight-management choice still needs fiber, portions and total daily calories including treats to be considered together. 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 salmon 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

Final word

Interpret this for my dog

The food-first public score is only the starting point. Once your dog’s activity, weight goals, life stage, and health status are applied, the recommendation order and interpretation can change.

This is a credible shortlist food, but the personalized step is where the final order should be decided.