Skip to main content
Sniff
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Duck & Potato Recipe Grain-Free Canned Dog Food, 13.2-oz, case of 12
Natural Balance

Limited Ingredient Duck & Potato Recipe Grain-Free Canned Dog Food, 13.2-oz, case of 12

Evidence Fair
wet $5.43/lb

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Duck & Potato Recipe Grain-Free Canned Dog Food, 13.2-oz, case of 12 earns a Sniff Score of 47/100 (C) with Fair evidence. Zero controversial ingredients flagged. Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

Graded by The Sniff System

Why this score

Quality carbohydrate sources with declared fiber.

CQI

Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

CAP why?

Low protein quality. duck delivers limited bioavailable amino acids.

PQI

No AAFCO statement. Nutritional completeness unverified.

ACF

Controversial ingredients · 1

  • sodium selenite
    Synthetic selenium source. Selenium is essential, but sodium selenite has a narrower safety margin than organic alternatives like selenium yeast. Better-formulated foods use the organic form.

Every flagged ingredient has a published basis (confirmed harm / regulatory action / precautionary). See methodology →

Guaranteed analysis
Dry-matter protein: 23% ⓘ
Protein
5%
min (as fed)
Fat
4%
min (as fed)
Fiber
2%
max (as fed)
Moisture
78%
max

Wet and fresh foods contain more water than kibble (typically 65-78%). On a dry-matter basis, this food's protein content is roughly 23%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

31 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    duck

    Real meat. Often used as a novel protein for dogs with sensitivities to chicken or beef.

  2. 2
    potato

    Standard white potato. Steady carb source, common starch in grain-free recipes.

  3. 3
    duck broth
  4. 4
    potato protein

    Concentrated potato protein. Like pea protein, it inflates the protein number without matching meat-quality amino acids.

  5. 5
    canola oil

    Plant oil. Some omega-3 from the parent plant, though dogs absorb it less efficiently than fish-derived omega-3. Fine in moderation.

  6. 6
    natural flavor

    Legal term for animal-derived flavoring, usually hydrolyzed liver or broth. Adds taste, says nothing about quality.

  7. 7
    agar-agar

    Seaweed-derived gel used as a thickener. Functional alternative to carrageenan, generally well-tolerated.

  8. 8
    dicalcium phosphate

    Calcium and phosphorus combined. Required source of both minerals, especially in formulas without much bone content.

  9. 9
    zinc proteinate

    Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.

  10. 10
    iron proteinate

    Iron bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form versus inorganic iron sulfate.

  11. 11
    copper proteinate

    Copper bound to protein for better absorption. Common in better-formulated diets.

  12. 12
    manganese proteinate

    Manganese bound to protein for better absorption. The chelated form most premium brands use.

  13. 13
    sodium selenite Flagged

    Inorganic selenium. Effective at AAFCO levels, no documented safety concern in dogs despite what some pet food blogs claim. Selenium yeast is a marginal upgrade, not a necessity. See why →

  14. 14
    ethylenediamine dihydroiodide
  15. 15
    vitamin e supplement

    Required nutrient and a natural antioxidant. Often pulls double duty as a preservative.

  16. 16
    niacin supplement

    B vitamin (B3). Required in complete dog foods, added as a supplement to standardize the dose.

  17. 17
    thiamine mononitrate

    B vitamin (B1). Essential for nervous system function. Cooked-in vitamin loss is why thiamine is always added back.

  18. 18
    d-calcium pantothenate

    B vitamin (B5). Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.

  19. 19
    vitamin a supplement

    Vitamin A in stable, standardized form. Required for vision, immune function, and growth.

  20. 20
    riboflavin supplement

    B vitamin (B2). Required in complete dog foods. The standardized form ensures consistent dosing.

  21. 21
    vitamin b12 supplement

    Essential for red blood cell formation and neurological function. Plant ingredients lack B12, so it has to be added.

  22. 22
    pyridoxine hydrochloride

    B vitamin (B6). Essential for protein metabolism. Standard inclusion in complete formulas.

  23. 23
    biotin

    B vitamin that supports skin and coat health. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.

  24. 24
    folic acid

    B vitamin (B9), essential for cell function. Standard in complete dog foods.

  25. 25
    vitamin d3 supplement

    The active form of vitamin D dogs need. Required for calcium absorption and bone health.

Showing first 25 of 31. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

23 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.