Natural Balance

Natural Balance scores in the mid-range on Chowmark. Founded in 1989 by actor Dick Van Patten, Natural Balance went through several ownership changes: Del Monte Foods, then J.M. Smucker (acquired as part of the Big Heart Pet Brands deal in 2015), and most recently sold to Nexus Capital Management LP in January 2021 for approximately $50 million. The brand now operates independently with Brian Connolly as CEO.

The brand has recorded two lifetime recalls. Critically, Natural Balance was among the brands affected by the 2012 Diamond Pet Foods Salmonella recall — some Natural Balance products were manufactured at Diamond's Gaston, South Carolina facility at the time of the outbreak. Pet owners should verify whether either of the two recorded recalls corresponds to the 2012 Diamond event or represents separate incidents.

Natural Balance does not meet WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines. The brand does not publish peer-reviewed research and does not publicly employ a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. Formulas are AAFCO-compliant.

Natural Balance built its reputation on Limited Ingredient Diets (LID) — formulas designed for dogs and cats with food sensitivities. The LID line uses a single animal protein and a limited number of carbohydrate sources. This is a genuinely useful product category for pets with confirmed food allergies, though the clinical evidence for LID diets as a first-line allergy management approach is mixed. Veterinary dermatologists typically recommend hydrolysed protein diets (available through Hill's and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets) for confirmed cases.

The bottom line: Natural Balance is a functional mid-market brand with a clear positioning in the limited-ingredient space. The 2012 Diamond manufacturing connection is historical context worth knowing. For pets with confirmed food sensitivities, the LID line is a reasonable option — though a veterinary consultation before switching to any elimination diet is advisable.