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Summary
Nutrition
Recipe
Protein
Verdict
1/3
Natural Balance
Reserve Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats
Cat
Dry
Rating
★★☆☆☆
2.5 / 5
Protein Clarity
High
Animal Protein
Low
Allergy Highlights
Contains:
Legumes
Red meat
Fish
Free From:
Gluten grains
Grains (gluten-free)
Dairy
Egg
Nuts
Poultry
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 Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats dry cat food good?
Natural Balance Reserve Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats is a dry cat food rated 2.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and limited 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, Poultry, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Legumes, Red meat, Fish.
Nutrition Breakdown
Dry Matter
As Fed
Protein
33%
Fat
11%
Est. Carbs
42%
Fiber
5.6%
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 (11% 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
40 of 40 matched
Prefer
4
Concerned
7
Notice
1
1
Peas
2
Venison
3
Pea Protein
4
Venison Meal
5
Brewers Dried Yeast
6
Canola Oil
7
Natural Flavor
8
Flaxseed
9
Menhaden Fish Oil
10
Calcium Carbonate
11
Salt
12
Dl-methionine
13
Potassium Chloride
14
Choline Chloride
15
Vitamin E Supplement
16
Ascorbic Acid
17
Niacin Supplement
18
Vitamin A Supplement
19
Thiamine Mononitrate
20
D-calcium Pantothenate
21
Riboflavin Supplement
22
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
23
Vitamin B12 Supplement
24
Folic Acid
25
Vitamin D3 Supplement
26
Biotin
27
Taurine
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
Citric Acid
39
Mixed Tocopherols
40
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, Pea Protein may raise the listed protein percentage without meaning there is more meat.
Higher-priority ingredients to review: Pea Protein.
Possible digestion triggers: Peas, Pea Protein, Canola Oil, and 1 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 Green Pea & Venison 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
Venison
Venison Meal
Animal Protein
Low
Low
Animal
52%
Plant
7%
Plant concentrate
37%
Auxiliary
3%
Protein in Natural Balance Reserve Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats leans on plant signals: only 52% comes from animal sources, while plant-protein concentrates make up 37% and whole plant proteins 7%. Plant concentrates like pea or soy isolate are cheap protein boosters but lack the amino-acid profile pets need from meat.
Contributing ingredients
Animal
Venison
Venison Meal
Plant
Peas
Plant concentrate
Pea Protein
Auxiliary
Brewers Dried Yeast
Natural Balance Reserve Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats dry cat food Review
Natural Balance Reserve Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats is a solid mid-tier dry cat food at 2.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and limited 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, Red meat, Fish.
On a dry-matter basis: 33% protein, 11% fat, 42% estimated carbohydrates.
Free from Gluten grains, Grains (gluten-free), Dairy, Egg, Nuts, Poultry, Shellfish, Unknown Meal.
Frequently asked questions
Is Natural Balance Reserve Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats good for cats?
Mostly — a solid mid-tier pick at 2.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and limited animal protein content. Best paired with knowledge of your pet's needs.
Does Natural Balance Reserve Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats contain Dairy?
Does Natural Balance Reserve Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats contain Egg?
Does Natural Balance Reserve Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats contain Legumes?
Does Natural Balance Reserve Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats contain Nuts?
Is Natural Balance Reserve Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats grain-free?
What are the main protein sources in Natural Balance Reserve Green Pea & Venison Recipe for Cats?
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