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Summary

Nutrition

Recipe

Protein

Verdict

1/3

Natural Balance

Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy

Dog

Dry

Rating

★★★☆☆

3.5 / 5

Protein Clarity

High

Animal Protein

Moderate

Allergy Highlights

Contains:

Poultry

Fish

Free From:

Gluten grains

Grains (gluten-free)

Dairy

Egg

Legumes

Nuts

Red meat

Shellfish

Unknown Meal

Pros

Uses clearly named animal protein sources for better transparency.

Includes plant ingredients that can provide fiber and natural antioxidants.

Cons

Relies mostly on inorganic mineral supplements, which may be less bioavailable.

Is Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy dry dog food good?

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy is a dry dog food rated 3.5 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, Legumes, Nuts, Red meat, Shellfish, Unknown Meal but contains Poultry, Fish.

Nutrition Breakdown

Dry Matter

As Fed

Protein

27%

Fat

11%

Est. Carbs

50%

Fiber

4.4%

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 (27% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. This may be reasonable for many adult dogs, though active, growing, pregnant, or nursing dogs may need a more specific fit.

References

Fat is Medium (11% dry matter) on our label-based comparison range. This is a moderate energy-density signal for many adult dogs, assuming the full diet matches activity and body condition.

References

Ingredients Analysis

41 of 41 matched

Prefer

Concerned

Notice

Duck

Duck Meal

Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes

Tapioca Starch

Brewers Dried Yeast

Canola Oil

Potato Protein

Flaxseed

Natural Flavor

Salt

Potassium Chloride

Menhaden Fish Oil

Taurine

Dl-methionine

Choline Chloride

Vitamin E Supplement

Ascorbic Acid

Niacin Supplement

Vitamin A Supplement

Thiamine Mononitrate

D-calcium Pantothenate

Riboflavin Supplement

Pyridoxine Hydrochloride

Vitamin B12 Supplement

Folic Acid

Vitamin D3 Supplement

Biotin

Zinc Proteinate

Zinc Sulfate

Ferrous Sulfate

Iron Proteinate

Copper Sulfate

Copper Proteinate

Sodium Selenite

Manganese Sulfate

Manganese Proteinate

Calcium Iodate

Citric Acid

Mixed Tocopherols

Rosemary Extract

Tips

Named animal proteins near the top: Duck, Duck Meal are listed early in the ingredient panel.

Plant protein signal: Potato Protein may raise the listed protein percentage without meaning there is more meat.

Higher-priority ingredients to review: Potato Protein.

Possible digestion triggers: Canola Oil, Potato Protein, Citric Acid have digestion notes; watch tolerance if your pet has a sensitive stomach.

Protein Analysis

How this recipe earned its protein scores.

Protein Clarity

High

Named

100%

Strong clarity: 100% of Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy'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

Animal

72%

Plant concentrate

26%

Auxiliary

Mixed protein sources in Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy: 72% animal, 0% whole plants, and 26% plant-protein concentrates. The recipe combines meat with notable plant-protein signals.

Contributing ingredients

Animal

Duck

Duck Meal

Plant concentrate

Potato Protein

Auxiliary

Brewers Dried Yeast

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy dry dog food Review

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy is a solid mid-tier dry dog food at 3.5 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 plant-protein concentrates like pea or soy isolate

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: Potato Protein.

Contains common allergens: Poultry, Fish.

On a dry-matter basis: 27% protein, 11% fat, 50% estimated carbohydrates.

72% of the weighted protein comes from animal sources.

Frequently asked questions

Is Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy good for dogs?

Mostly — a solid mid-tier pick at 3.5 stars, with high ingredient transparency and moderate animal protein content. Best paired with knowledge of your pet's needs.

Does Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy contain Dairy?

Does Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy contain Egg?

Does Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy contain Legumes?

Does Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy contain Nuts?

Is Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy grain-free?

What are the main protein sources in Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Duck & Potato Recipe Puppy?