California Natural vs. Natural Balance

[Kandi]

Yesterday I went to the pet store I have gone to for 15 years. I asked if they would consider getting in the California Natural, since they just started getting in the higher-end foods. The response I got was what really was the difference between the Cal Nat. and Nat. Balance. I wanted the Herring and Sweet Potato. And, he sells the fish and potato brand of Nat. Balance. His main reasoning is they main protein in both of them comes from the meat, so really what is the difference. I did not know how to respond. Until recently I have been giving my girls a strict diet of Innova. I did not do any real research on the Cal Nat., I just know that it is one of the foods my training facility sells, and she goes for the healthy, as natural as you can get foods. Plus, I know some of you highly recommend it.
So, the question is, what is the difference between California Natural and Natural Balance? Is there much?
And, I will be doing some research into it, but just wanted your opinions on it.

[brunie's mom]

I think there is a difference. The Natural Balance contains a whole lot of potatoes and not much fish...and I could not find the calorie count (not on the website)...but I have a feeling that there is less then 400 calories per cup in this food.

Here are the ingredients:
Sweet Potatoes, Salmon, Salmon Meal, Canola Oil, Potato Fiber, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil (a source of DHA), Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Methionine, Choline Chloride, Natural Mixed Tocopherols, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B)

Here are the ingredients for the California Herring & Sweet Potato:
Herring
Herring is the clean tissue of undecomposed whole herring or herring cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oils.

Herring is an excellent single-source protein. It is also an excellent source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Natura uses whole, table quality herring, which are ground and added to the ingredient mix.

Barley
Barley is a major food and animal feed crop, a member of the grass family Poaceae.

Ground barley is the entire barley kernel, ground or chopped.

Ground Barley is a good quality source of carbohydrates. Because Natura uses the entire barley kernel, it contributes additional protein, barley oil, bran, vitamins and minerals to the diet.

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is the dry ground product of cleaned oats with the hulls removed.

Oatmeal is a good source of carbohydrate energy. Natura uses Oatmeal with its natural nutrients intact and without preprocessing. This is in contrast to the fractionated oat ingredients used by some manufacturers such as oat bran, oat flour or feeding oat meal, which have been leeched of much of their nutritional value.

A natural, healthy grain that's rich in B vitamins, oatmeal is the featured grain in HealthWise products and is used in Innova and California Natural HealthBars because its sticky texture helps hold the biscuit shape together without using artificial binders.

Herring Meal
Herring meal is the clean, rendered (cooked down), dried ground tissue of undecomposed whole herring or herring cuttings, either or both, with or without the extraction of part of the oil.

Herring meal is a good source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Natura uses the whole herring including the oil from this excellent food fish in our cat and dog food products.

Herring Oil
Herring oil is the oil extracted from whole herring.

Herring oil provides a rich source of Omega 3 essential fatty acids. Because the herring that Natura uses is of such high quality, the herring oil helps produce healthy skin and lustrous coats.

Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is obtained by extracting oil from sunflower seeds.

Sunflower oil has a high concentration of linoleic acid (73%), which is important for good skin and coat health. Natura uses sunflower oil that has been cold-pressed and protected from exposure to heat and light. This very high quality, very palatable fat is used in California Natural and Innova formulations.

Sweet Potatoes
Natura uses 100% pure and natural fresh sweet potatoes which are washed, peeled, trimmed and diced and are produced in accordance with good manufacturing practices.

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of antioxidants such as Beta-Carotene, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E, as well as Potassium, Calcium, Iron and other vitamins and minerals. They are a good source of natural dietary fiber, and add a healthy, sweet taste to the food. Sweet potatoes are a source of complex carbohydrates that offers an alternative to traditional fiber choices for pets that may have food allergies or other sensitivities.

Natural Flavors
Natural flavors are minimally processed flavor ingredients that do not contain synthetic or artificial components.

In the Natura products that include "natural flavor" in the formula, the exact composition is proprietary. However, it is always made from the same animal species on which the formula is based. For example, the "natural flavor" used in the original EVO formula contains a reduction of chicken meat - much the same process as is employed to create a chicken stock in your home kitchen.

Dicalcium Phosphate
Dicalcium Phosphate is a calcium salt of phosphoric acid.

Dicalcium phosphate provides both calcium and phosphorus, which are vital for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. Calcium also regulates heartbeat and other muscle contractions and is necessary for proper blood clotting. Phosphorus plays an important part in the body's energy production.

Calcium Carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a mineral that is true to its name by containing a minimum of 38% calcium.

The calcium in bone provides structural integrity to the skeleton and also contributes to the maintenance of proper blood calcium levels through ongoing resorption and deposition. Circulating calcium has essential roles in nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, blood coagulation, the activation of certain enzyme systems, the maintenance of normal cell-membrane permeability and transport, and cardiac function.

Vitamins
Vitamins are organic compounds that function as parts of enzyme systems essential for the transmission of energy and the regulation of metabolisms of the body.

AAFCO regulates minimum standard quantities of vitamins in levels that pets need to survive. All pet food manufacturers supplement their products with vitamins. Beyond meeting these minimum requirements, all Natura products contain a complete vitamin and mineral supplement program that helps pets to thrive, not just survive.

Included in our foods are some of the following vitamins and minerals: Ascorbic Acid, Beta Carotene, Biotin, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Carbonate, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Dicalcium Pantothenate, dl-Methionine, Folic Acid, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Niacin, Potassium Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin C Supplement (Sodium Ascorbate), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement (Alpha Tocopherol), Zinc Proteinate

Natura adds these important vitamins and minerals, in proper balance to its foods to ensure that your pet gets all the necessary nutrients for life and good health every day.

Minerals
Minerals are inorganic substances essential for a host of vital processes within the body.

AAFCO regulates minimum standard quantities of minerals in levels that pets need to survive. All pet food manufacturers supplement their products with minerals. Beyond meeting these minimum requirements, all Natura products contain a complete vitamin and mineral supplement program that helps pets to thrive, not just survive. The minerals Natura uses are chelated, providing three to ten times greater assimilation than common minerals.

Included in our foods are some of the following vitamins and minerals: Ascorbic Acid, Beta Carotene, Biotin, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Iodate, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Carbonate, Cobalt Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Dicalcium Pantothenate, dl-Methionine, Folic Acid, Iron Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Niacin, Potassium Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin C Supplement (Sodium Ascorbate), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement (Alpha Tocopherol), Zinc Proteinate

Natura adds these important vitamins and minerals, in proper balance to its foods to ensure that your pet gets all the necessary nutrients for life and good health every day.

It also has 419 calories per cup.

The two foods are quite different...one using salmon and the other herring.

I like Natura Products....and would stick with them if you've been happy with Innova.

Gina

[snowman031]

another difference I believe, is that Natural Balance is grain free

[Kandi]

Thank you so much for the info. I will try to convince the pet store to get the California Natural for me, simply because he charges less than my training facility. But, if not, I will buy it from the training facility. I definitely like the Innova, and my girls are liking the Cal Natural Herring and Sweet Potato. Now, I have something to help explain to the pet store the difference, and why I would rather pay a little extra for Cal Nat, than for the Natural Balance stuff.

[Paulos]

I have fed Natural Balance with very good results. I consider it on par, or better than the California. You are correct to do serious research on the subject of food. I believe both foods mentioned are on the WDJ list of acceptable foods for dogs. Natural Balance is, for sure...just read the list today.