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Natural Balance Original Ultra Beef Recipe Wet Dog Food, 13-oz can, case of 12
Natural Balance

Original Ultra Beef Recipe Wet Dog Food, 13-oz can, case of 12

Evidence Fair
wet $4.59/lb

Natural Balance Original Ultra Beef Recipe Wet Dog Food, 13-oz can, case of 12 earns a Sniff Score of 59/100 (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

Reasonable protein quality. beef delivers solid amino acid coverage.

PQI

Quality carbohydrate sources with declared fiber.

CQI

Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).

FQI

Score capped at 59 due to no AAFCO statement.

CAP why?

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: 36% ⓘ
Protein
8%
min (as fed)
Fat
5%
min (as fed)
Fiber
1.5%
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 36%, comparable to premium kibble (typically 30-45% DMB protein).

Ingredients

Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.

39 total
Good Neutral Watch Flagged
  1. 1
    beef broth

    Real broth. Adds flavor and moisture, signals the recipe leans on real meat.

  2. 2
    beef

    Real meat. Dense in protein and iron. Some dogs are sensitive to it, but for most it's an excellent base.

  3. 3
    potato

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

  4. 4
    beef liver

    Organ meat. Among the most nutrient-dense ingredients available, rich in B vitamins, iron, and vitamin A.

  5. 5
    brown rice

    Whole grain that's easy to digest. Steady carb energy plus a little fiber.

  6. 6
    carrots

    Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.

  7. 7
    oat bran
  8. 8
    ground flaxseed

    Cracked flaxseed for better digestibility. Same plant omega-3s as whole flaxseed, just easier for the dog to extract.

  9. 9
    natural flavor

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

  10. 10
    dicalcium phosphate

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

  11. 11
    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.

  12. 12
    salt

    Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.

  13. 13
    agar-agar

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

  14. 14
    potassium chloride

    Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.

  15. 15
    zinc proteinate

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

  16. 16
    iron proteinate

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

  17. 17
    copper proteinate

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

  18. 18
    manganese proteinate

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

  19. 19
    potassium iodide

    Source of iodine, an essential trace mineral for thyroid function. Required for AAFCO-complete formulas.

  20. 20
    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 →

  21. 21
    dried kelp

    Natural source of iodine and trace minerals. A common premium-brand inclusion.

  22. 22
    natural smoke flavor
  23. 23
    menhaden fish oil

    Omega-3 from menhaden, a small oily fish. Same skin and coat support as salmon oil.

  24. 24
    vitamin e supplement

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

  25. 25
    thiamine mononitrate

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

Showing first 25 of 39. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.

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