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• Why did you remove Duck Meal from your Formulas?
As Natural Balance continues to grow, we have found it increasingly difficult to obtain the quality and quantity of duck meal from the United States that our rigorous standards require. In order to address this issue before supply becomes problematic, Natural Balance has elected to remove duck meal from our Ultra Premium Dog and Cat Formulas, as well as our Reduced Calorie Dog and Cat Formulas. We have been feeding these formulas to our own Natural Balance pets and it has produced exceptional results.
• Why is Taurine in your dog food? Isn't it just for cats?
CLICK HERE.
• Why does my kibble vary in color?
Natural Balance pet foods contain a large variety of meats and vegetables, all of which are given to natural color variations. For example, there are many varieties of potatoes including the Russet Burbank (long russet), the White rose, Katahdin and Red Pontiac. The color of their skin ranges from bright orange, creamy yellow to white, off white, buff color and red. (we use the whole potato since the skins are rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements and they provide a natural source of fiber)

Furthermore, the color of many vegetables depends on the geographic area in which they are grown and the method of harvesting. The same varieties of vegetables grown in Idaho, Maine, California or Washington will vary in color.

The color of meat also can and does vary greatly. All of us are quite familiar with the difference in “white” and “dark” portions of turkey. This color difference also holds true for meat from mammals.

One of the easiest ways to overcome the problem of color variations is to include color stabilizing chemicals and/or, more commonly used, is the addition of a dye to mask the natural variations. Using dyes does insure that the product has the same cosmetic appearance from batch to batch regardless of the color of the actual ingredients, but is there a benefit?

While coloring agents are thought not to pose a health hazard, we at Natural Balance feel that there is absolutely no reason to include these dyes or chemicals in any of our products. Edith van Marthens DVM
• What do you mean when you say your foods are 'naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols, source of Vitamin E'?
Vitamin E (tocopherols) is actually a family of compounds, and based on their chemical structure they are known as alpha, beta, delpha, and gama Vitamin E. Vitamin E can not be produced by humans, cats, dogs, etc. thus it must come from dietary sources. The term "mixed tocopherols" indicates that all of the essential components of the Vitamin E group are present. Without all of them, the health of the animal would be in great danger, and many nutritionally caused deficiencies would be apparent in a relative short time. Edith van Marthens DVM
• How is your food for All Life Stages? How do you know puppies are getting what they need?
In Nature, your pets would not have the choice of puppy or kitten formulas; they would simply live on a diet of mostly meat and and some grain. In a natural free environment, animals instinctively eat more or less, depending on their age and activity level. Puppies will require a higher caloric intake as an adult, therefore we suggest feeding puppies, up to 6 months of age, two or three times a day. Natural Balance Products are scientifically formulated to provide all-natural, complete, and balanced nutrition for all stages of your pet's life. We recommend that you do not add vitamins, minerals or any other supplements, except upon the advice of a veterinarian.
• Why do you use Canola Oil in your Pet Foods?

Canola Oil is a Monounsaturated fat that has been marketed in the United States since 1986, and has been proven to have great health benefits. As a matter of fact, Canola Oil has received two awards: the "Product of Acceptance Award" from the American College of Nutrition, and the "Health Product of the Year Award" from the American Health Foundation.

There are a number of essential fatty acids (i.e., they cannot be manufactured in the body and must be part of the dietary intake), which include Linoleic acid (Omega-6) and Linolenic acid (Omega 3). Dietary sources for Omega-6 include soybean, safflower, and corn oils; dietary sources for Omega-3 can be found in flaxseed, soybean, canola oil, and certain types of fish. Scientific reports correlate that increased amounts of Omega-3 in the diet can result in the following benefits: reduced cardiovascular disease, reduced cancer risk, and lower levels of cholesterol.

Misinformation about Canola Oil: The "issue" about possible toxic effects of canola oil originally appeared on the Internet, and is now known as an official Urban Legend. The confusion stems from the fact that the "wild" rapeseed (new term now accepted as Canola) contains the fatty acid called erucic acid. Erucic acid has been reported to increase the risk of heart disease in mice (no human studies were published). However, the cultured rapeseed does not contain erucic acid, and all canola oil commercially available has been manufactured from this domestic variety.
 
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