PetScored

Natural Balance · Limited ingredient dry dog food

Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe

Manufacturer and retailer sources support salmon as the first ingredient, adult maintenance AAFCO language, calcium/phosphorus, and calorie data. Limited-ingredient marketing is not scored separately from the actual label, and the 2021 Natural Balance dry cat-food Salmonella recall is disclosed as brand-level regulatory history, not a defect in this scored dog food SKU.

Last reviewed April 2026AdultKibblePartially verified

By the PetScored Editorial Team. Every sub-score below links to the sources and rules behind it - see the full trail under the score.

Kibble (dry): well-established. The most-studied format. Deepest evidence base, lowest cost per calorie. The evidence on this format ›

Strengths

  1. Nutrition Fit 8.0 / 10AAFCO adequacy clears the rubric and dry-matter protein and fat land in the bands we expect.
  2. Low sensitivity risk 10.0 / 10Few of the most-named adverse-reaction trigger ingredients high on the label.
  3. Sensitivity Risk 10.0 / 10Sensitivity Risk is reconstructed from common allergen exposure patterns in the ingredient list.

Watch-outs

  1. Common triggers on the labelSkip if your dog avoids fish, yeast, canola oil. We surface this regardless of sub-score.
  2. Partially verified source confidenceSome label or pricing fields rely on retailer-mediated capture rather than the manufacturer source. See evidence notes below.
  3. Brand Trust 6.4 / 10Brand Trust is still using the seed subscore while source signals are captured, reviewed, or blocked by conflict.

Buyer read

Dog food rubric

What should you take away?

Looks promising, with a few checks still worth making.

For Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe, the main watch-outs are: brand-level evidence needs more source support. This is an evidence read, not a medical recommendation.

8.0
Nutrition FitAAFCO fit, calories, and dry matter protein/fat ranges.

30%of rating

6.4
Brand TrustWSAVA-style signals, recall mapping, and source confidence.

25%of rating

7.0
Ingredient ClarityNamed sources and label specificity.

15%of rating

10.0
Sensitivity RiskPopulation-level common allergen exposure.

15%of rating

7.0
ValueEstimated price per 1,000 kcal within category.

15%of rating

The composite rating is the weighted average of these five sub-scores - each row’s share of the total is the percentage at right.

vs. All dog food

How this scorecard reads against its category.

Solid bar is this product. Hollow tick mark is the average across 129 peers in the same catalog. Same rubric for both, no weighting tricks.

Nutrition Fit8.0+0.5 vs avg
Brand Trust6.4-0.6 vs avg
Ingredient Clarity7.0+1.3 vs avg
Sensitivity Risk10.0+1.2 vs avg
Value7.0+1.6 vs avg

Score math

How PetScored got there.

Expand to see the rule-by-rule trail. Useful for checking the rubric; not required to make a buying decision.

Show the trail
Nutrition Fit8.0
30% of total score
7 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)

Nutrition Fit is reconstructed from deterministic dog-food v1 rules using the currently available fixture fields.

AAFCO statement matches declared life stageA verified AAFCO adequacy statement earns points only when it matches the declared life stage.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.+3.0A
Feeding trials substantiate adequacyFeeding-trial language receives additional credit because it is stronger evidence than formulated-to-meet language.
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.0.0A
Protein dry matter basis in rangeProtein is compared on dry matter basis against the adult maintenance range of 18-35%.
26.7%+2.0A
Fat dry matter basis in rangeFat is compared on dry matter basis against the adult maintenance range of 5.5-20%.
13.3%+2.0A
Calcium and phosphorus listedThis can earn credit once the nutrition panel stores calcium and phosphorus fields from a verified source.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0B
Calorie statement presentA calorie statement is needed for value, feeding-cost, and cross-format comparison work.
360 kcal/cup+1.0A
Large-breed puppy statementThis rule is not applicable unless the product is marketed for large-breed puppies.
not applicable0.0A
Brand Trust6.4
25% of total score
1 scoring rule(s)14 context item(s)seed in use

Brand Trust is still using the seed subscore while source signals are captured, reviewed, or blocked by conflict.

Brand Trust signal record pending verificationBrand Trust requires source-backed evidence for nutrition staff, manufacturing, recalls, research, and transparency. The seed score remains visible until those signals are verified.
partially_verified; 4 source(s) capturedcontextSeed
Named qualified nutritionistA publicly named qualified nutritionist earns Brand Trust credit when the source record verifies it. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Owns primary manufacturing facilitiesOwnership or direct operation of primary manufacturing earns credit when verified from brand or facility sources. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Current feeding-trial evidenceCurrent AAFCO feeding-trial evidence earns Brand Trust credit when it is tied to the product or line. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Publishes peer-reviewed researchPeer-reviewed product or nutrition research earns credit when verified. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Complete nutrient analysis availableComplete nutrient analysis availability earns credit when source-backed. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
No FDA recall in past five yearsRecall credit requires verified matching against FDA recall/enforcement records.
verified_falsecontextA
No FDA Class I recall everClass I recall history must be source-matched before credit is awarded. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Country-of-origin sourcing publishedPublished sourcing information earns partial Brand Trust credit when verified. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextB
Same ownership for 10+ yearsOwnership stability earns limited heuristic credit when verified. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextC
Active FDA warning letterActive FDA warning letters reduce Brand Trust when verified and relevant. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Cannot identify qualified nutritionistIf research cannot identify a qualified nutritionist anywhere, Brand Trust is reduced. This signal is unknown and is shown as research debt, not treated as false.
unknowncontextA
Unknown Brand Trust signalsUnknown Brand Trust signals are shown as research debt. They do not change the score until source verification is complete.
10 unresolved signal(s)contextSeed
Brand Trust seed subscorePrototype score imported from the seed fixture. This keeps the public page auditable while verified rule events replace seed values.
6.4 / 10+6.4Seed
Source confidence visibleConfidence is shown beside the score so prototype, single-source, verified, stale, and conflict records are not treated the same.
Partially verifiedcontextSeed
Ingredient Clarity7.0
15% of total score
8 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)

Ingredient Clarity is reconstructed from named-source and label-specificity rules.

Animal protein sources named in top 10Named species such as chicken meal or salmon count as clearer than generic terms such as meat meal or poultry by-product meal.
salmon | salmon meal (source of glucosamine)+3.0B
Fat sources named in top 10Named fats, such as chicken fat or salmon oil, are clearer than generic animal fat.
canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols)+2.0B
Grain sources are specificSpecific grains such as rice, barley, oatmeal, or sorghum earn clarity credit. Generic grain terms do not.
brown rice | oatmeal | brewers rice | rice bran+1.0B
Preservatives explicitly namedExplicit preservative language earns clarity credit because the label tells readers what is preserving the fat or formula.
canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) | mixed tocopherols (preservative) | rosemary extract.+1.0A
Country of manufacture statedThis can earn credit once the product source record stores a verified made-in or country-of-manufacture statement.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0C
Manufacturer identifiableThis can earn credit once the source record identifies the manufacturer from a verified product page or label.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0C
Co-packer or facility disclosedThis can earn credit once the product or brand source record publicly discloses the facility or co-packer.
not captured in v0 fixture0.0C
Ingredient splitting high on labelRelated starch or pulse ingredients high on the label are flagged for transparency. This is not treated as proof of harm.
rice: brown rice | brewers rice | rice bran0.0C
Sensitivity Risk10.0
15% of total score
9 scoring rule(s)0 context item(s)

Sensitivity Risk is reconstructed from common allergen exposure patterns in the ingredient list.

Sensitivity baselineSensitivity Risk starts at 10 and adjusts for common exposure patterns. It is not a prediction for an individual dog.
10 / 10 before ingredient exposure adjustments+10.0A
Beef or beef-derived ingredient in top 5Beef exposure in the top five ingredients lowers the score because beef is commonly reported in canine food-reaction studies.
salmon | salmon meal (source of glucosamine) | brown rice | oatmeal | brewers rice0.0A
Dairy ingredient anywhereDairy exposure is counted anywhere on the label because even lower-position ingredients may matter for sensitive dogs.
salmon | salmon meal (source of glucosamine) | brown rice | oatmeal | brewers rice | dried yeast | canola oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols) | rice bran | flaxseed | natural flavor | potassium chloride | salt | vitamins (vitamin e supplement | ascorbic acid | niacin supplement | vitamin a supplement | menadione sodium bisulfite complex | thiamine mononitrate | d-calcium pantothenate | riboflavin supplement | pyridoxine hydrochloride | vitamin b12 supplement | folic acid | biotin) | choline chloride | calcium carbonate | minerals (zinc proteinate | zinc sulfate | ferrous sulfate | iron proteinate | copper sulfate | copper proteinate | sodium selenite | manganese sulfate | manganese proteinate | calcium iodate) | taurine | mixed tocopherols (preservative) | dl-methionine | rosemary extract.0.0A
Chicken or chicken-derived ingredient in top 5Chicken exposure in the top five ingredients lowers the score as a population-level sensitivity flag.
salmon | salmon meal (source of glucosamine) | brown rice | oatmeal | brewers rice0.0A
Wheat or wheat gluten in top 5Wheat exposure in the top five ingredients is flagged without implying the food is unsafe.
salmon | salmon meal (source of glucosamine) | brown rice | oatmeal | brewers rice0.0A
Lamb in top 5Lamb receives a smaller exposure adjustment under the current dog-food rubric.
salmon | salmon meal (source of glucosamine) | brown rice | oatmeal | brewers rice0.0A
Multiple common sensitivity ingredients in top 5Multiple common exposure families high in the ingredient list receive an additional small adjustment.
0 of beef, dairy, chicken, wheat detected0.0B
Hydrolyzed protein primary dietHydrolyzed-protein diets can receive credit when hydrolyzed protein is a primary ingredient.
not detected0.0A
Single novel protein sourceA single novel animal protein can receive credit, but marketing claims alone do not count.
not detected0.0B
Value7.0
15% of total score
3 scoring rule(s)2 context item(s)

Value is reconstructed from package size, price, kcal density, category median, and quality caps.

Package weight parsedPackage weight is parsed from the product fixture so price can be normalized before scoring.
10.89 kgcontextC
Cost per 1,000 kcal calculatedValue uses calories rather than package price alone, because calorie density changes how long a bag lasts.
USD 1.89contextC
Category relative price bandThe base Value score comes from cost per 1,000 kcal relative to the product category median.
86% of Limited ingredient dry median+7.0C
Nutrition Fit value capA low Nutrition Fit score caps Value so a cheap food is not over-rewarded when core nutrition evidence is weak.
Nutrition Fit 8.00.0C
Brand Trust value capA low Brand Trust score caps Value so price does not overpower weak manufacturer/source signals.
Brand Trust 6.40.0C

Ingredients

Parsed label

Salmon, Salmon Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Brewers Rice, Dried Yeast, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Rice Bran, Flaxseed, Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Folic Acid, Biotin), Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), DL-Methionine, Rosemary Extract.

Sensitivity flags

May matter for individual dogs

fishyeastcanola oilnatural flavorvitamin K

These flags reflect population-level prevalence of commonly reported canine food allergens in the published literature (Mueller and Olivry 2016), not a prediction that this dog will react. Read how we score this in the dog food rubric and the medical disclaimer.

Why partial?

Source caveats on this scorecard.

These notes explain what the current sources can and cannot support. Missing or unresolved evidence is not scored as a product defect.

Retailer-sourced fields

Some displayed label, nutrition, calorie, price, package, or availability fields come from retailer pages. They are usable for beta, but can change and are not treated as manufacturer/package verification.

Regulatory history disclosed

Brand-level recall or enforcement history is shown as context after source matching and manual disposition. It is not treated as a defect in this product unless the source match is product- or SKU-relevant.

Warning-letter export gap

The current warning-letter table may have been checked, but full export or archive coverage is still incomplete. Unknown status stays unknown, not false.

Data status

Checks passed; published on partial-source data.

This scorecard passed our publication checks. The data is still partial-source, so unresolved Brand Trust and warning-letter gaps stay visible.

Each open gap below closes by capturing a source, not by assumption.

Data
Partially verified
Last reviewed
April 2026
Stage
Public beta
Checklist
ready for public beta
Source record
partially verified
ManufacturercapturedRetailercapturedIngredientscapturedGAcapturedAAFCOcapturedBrand TrustpartialRecallcapturedWarningpartialScorecaptured

Brand Trust evidence

Brand Trust source capture is in progress.

The brand signals captured so far are shown for auditability, but they do not change the product score until the record is verified.

Signal record
partially verified
Score basis
Seed value, pending verification
Unresolved signals
10
Conflicts
0
Brand sources
4

What we know

Captured from source records.

  • Manufacturer source supports product identity, life stage, available sizes, calories, guaranteed analysis, and AAFCO maintenance statement.
  • Retailer source supports ingredient list, 24 lb package price, guaranteed analysis, calories, and package size.
  • Wet/dry comparison uses dry matter basis from the captured moisture value.
  • FDA recall archive matching is complete and manually dispositioned for the brand.
  • FDA company announcement confirms a May 20, 2021 Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Chicken dry cat-food recall for possible Salmonella contamination; no other Natural Balance products were reported impacted on that page.
  • Current FDA warning-letter table export checked 1,000 rows with zero Natural Balance matches; active-warning-letter status remains unknown until full export/archive coverage is available.

Still unresolved

Not product defects.

  • Manufacturer source uses an image/accordion for ingredients; retailer text is used for the ordered ingredient list.
  • Brand Trust signal record is partially verified, not complete.
  • FDA warning-letter full-export coverage remains blocked by FDA export limitations.
  • The 2021 Natural Balance cat-food recall is disclosed as brand-level regulatory history; it is not a defect in this scored dog food SKU.
  • Retail price can change and should be refreshed before public launch.

Source record

Confidence is visible by design.

Manufacturer nutrition fields, retailer ingredient/price record, FDA recall disposition, and current FDA warning-letter table check are captured. Brand Trust remains partial, so the product is public-beta ready but not verified.

Captured
April 30, 2026
Confidence
Partially verified
Sources
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice official product pagemanufacturer · captured 2026-04-29Manufacturer sourceControls displayed fieldsChewy Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice 24 lb product pageretailer · captured 2026-04-29Retailer sourceControls displayed fieldsFDA Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Chicken dry cat-food recallregulatory · captured 2026-04-30Regulatory sourceFDA Warning Letters current tableregulatory · captured 2026-04-30Regulatory source
Evidence notes
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice official product pageOfficial page lists adult life stage, 4/12/24 lb sizes, 3538 kcal/kg, 360 kcal/cup, calcium/phosphorus, and AAFCO maintenance language.Chewy Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice 24 lb product pageRetailer page showed the 24 lb bag, $72.98 price, ordered ingredient list, 3538 kcal/kg, and guaranteed analysis used in the fixture.FDA Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Chicken dry cat-food recallFDA company announcement dated May 20, 2021 identifies a Natural Balance L.I.D. Green Pea & Chicken Dry Cat Formula recall for possible Salmonella contamination and states no other Natural Balance products were impacted.FDA Warning Letters current tableOfficial FDA warning-letter export, content current as of 2026-04-28, checked 1,000 rows with zero Natural Balance matches. Full export/archive coverage remains unavailable.
Adequacy
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.

Appears in

PetScored best-for lists this food is on

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Head to head

Comparisons featuring Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe

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Where to buy

Buying Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe

Affiliate disclosure ›

Independent. PetScored may earn a commission on purchases through tagged links at no extra cost to you. Affiliate revenue does not affect the score on this page. Use whichever retailer you prefer.

FAQ

About Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe

What is the PetScored rating for Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe?

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe scores 7.6 out of 10 on the PetScored deterministic rubric. Strongest sub-score: Sensitivity Risk. Weakest sub-score: Brand Trust. See the full sub-score breakdown and rule-event trail on the scorecard.

Is Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe good for dogs with food sensitivities?

Skip this food if your dog avoids fish, yeast, canola oil, natural flavor. These are common adverse-reaction trigger ingredients in published case series. If your dog tolerates these proteins, the sub-score reflects the population-level risk; individual dogs vary.

Is Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe AAFCO complete and balanced?

Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe carries this AAFCO adequacy statement: "Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe Dog Food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance." This is an adult-maintenance statement - not adequate for puppies, growth, or pregnancy.

What life stage is Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe for?

Per the bag, Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe is intended for Adult (format: Kibble). Always cross-check the AAFCO statement on your actual bag, since recipes and life-stage designations can change between production runs.

How much does Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe cost per calorie?

Captured retailer price: $72.98 for a 24 lb bag bag, at 3538 kcal/kg. PetScored Value sub-score benchmarks cost per 1,000 kcal against the category median rather than the sticker price - see the Value detail on the scorecard.

Related reading

How we read this label, and what we don’t penalize

This score is our opinion, formed by applying a published rubric to label and public source records, not a statement of objective fact and not veterinary advice. Label fields we cannot verify are marked by source confidence rather than assumed. See the methodology and medical disclaimer.