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Summary
Nutrition
Recipe
Protein
Verdict
1/2
Natural Balance
Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats
Cat
Dry
Rating
★★☆☆☆
2.5 / 5
Protein Clarity
High
Animal Protein
Moderate
Allergy Highlights
Contains:
Legumes
Poultry
Fish
Free From:
Gluten grains
Grains (gluten-free)
Dairy
Egg
Nuts
Red meat
Shellfish
Unknown Meal
Pros
Uses clearly named animal protein sources for better transparency.
Cons
Relies mostly on inorganic mineral supplements, which may be less bioavailable.
Is Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats dry cat food good?
Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats is a dry cat food rated 2.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and moderate animal protein content. The recipe lists most animal ingredients by name and features real muscle meat as a primary protein source. However, most minerals are supplied in inorganic forms that may be less well absorbed. This recipe is free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Egg, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Legumes, Poultry, Fish.
Nutrition Breakdown
Dry Matter
As Fed
Protein
33%
Fat
13%
Est. Carbs
41%
Fiber
5%
Ash
7.8%
Moisture (10%) removed so you can compare foods fairly.
Dry matter basis = label value ÷ (100% − moisture%). Carbs estimated from remaining.
Tips
Protein is Medium (33% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. Cats usually benefit from higher protein than dogs, so confirm the food is complete for cats and fits the cat's life stage.
References
Fat is Medium (13% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. This is a moderate energy-density signal for many cats, but total calories and body condition still matter.
References
Ingredients Analysis
41 of 41 matched
Prefer
4
Concerned
7
Notice
2
1
Duck
2
Duck Meal
3
Peas
4
Chickpeas
5
Lentils
6
Pea Protein
7
Canola Oil
8
Pea Starch
9
Natural Flavor
10
Flaxseed
11
Menhaden Fish Oil
12
Dicalcium Phosphate
13
Salt
14
Choline Chloride
15
Dl-methionine
16
Vitamin E
17
Ascorbic Acid
18
Niacin
19
Vitamin A
20
Thiamine Mononitrate
21
D-calcium Pantothenate
22
Riboflavin
23
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
24
Vitamin B12
25
Folic Acid
26
Vitamin D3
27
Biotin
28
Zinc Proteinate
29
Zinc Sulfate
30
Ferrous Sulfate
31
Iron Proteinate
32
Copper Sulfate
33
Copper Proteinate
34
Sodium Selenite
35
Manganese Sulfate
36
Manganese Proteinate
37
Calcium Iodate
38
Taurine
39
Citric Acid
40
Mixed Tocopherols
41
Rosemary Extract
Tips
Cat formula needs review: cats rely heavily on animal protein, and this label does not show strong named animal protein near the top.
Plant protein is worth closer review for cats: Peas, Chickpeas, Lentils may raise the listed protein percentage without meaning there is more meat.
Higher-priority ingredients to review: Pea Protein, Dicalcium Phosphate.
Higher-caution ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate have caution notes in the ingredient database.
Possible digestion triggers: Peas, Chickpeas, Lentils, and 4 more have digestion notes; watch tolerance if your pet has a sensitive stomach.
Protein Analysis
How this recipe earned its protein scores.
Protein Clarity
High
High
Named
100%
Strong clarity: 100% of Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats's animal-protein ingredients are clearly named (like chicken or salmon). Only 0% use vague terms such as "meat meal" and 0% are by-products. Named protein ingredients let you verify the source and check for allergens.
Contributing ingredients
Named
Duck
Duck Meal
Animal Protein
Moderate
Moderate
Animal
54%
Plant
27%
Plant concentrate
19%
Mixed protein sources in Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats: 54% animal, 27% whole plants, and 19% plant-protein concentrates. The recipe combines meat with notable plant-protein signals.
Contributing ingredients
Animal
Duck
Duck Meal
Plant
Peas
Chickpeas
Lentils
Pea Starch
Plant concentrate
Pea Protein
Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats dry cat food Review
Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats is a solid mid-tier dry cat food at 2.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and moderate animal protein content. It has clear strengths alongside a few trade-offs worth weighing.
Best for
Owners who want clearly named protein sources
Pets avoiding gluten grains
Avoid if
You're avoiding legumes
You're avoiding plant-protein concentrates like pea or soy isolate
Your cat needs a strongly meat-led recipe
Key takeaways
Named animal proteins make up 100% of the recipe's protein panel — a clear sourcing win.
Plant-protein concentrates appear in the top 10 ingredients: Pea Protein.
Contains common allergens: Legumes, Poultry, Fish.
On a dry-matter basis: 33% protein, 13% fat, 41% estimated carbohydrates.
Free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Egg, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
Frequently asked questions
Is Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats good for cats?
Mostly — a solid mid-tier pick at 2.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and moderate animal protein content. Best paired with knowledge of your pet's needs.
Does Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats contain Dairy?
Does Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats contain Egg?
Does Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats contain Legumes?
Does Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats contain Nuts?
Is Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats grain-free?
What are the main protein sources in Natural Balance Reserve Duck & Green Pea Recipe for Cats?
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