Original Ultra - Grain Free Indoor Chicken & Salmon Meal Recipe

by Natural Balance
Adult
Regular
Indoor
Grain-Free
AAFCO

Natural Balance

Original Ultra - Grain Free Indoor Chicken & Salmon Meal Recipe

Adult
Regular
Indoor
Grain-Free
AAFCO
This product is AAFCO Compliant

First Ingredient

Animal Protein

Flavor

Chicken
394 views
74
/100
Click to view the score breakdown

Summary

Natural Balance: Original Ultra – Grain Free Indoor Chicken & Salmon Meal Recipe is a premium dry food for adult cats, designed to support indoor lifestyles.

It features chicken as the primary ingredient, paired with salmon meal for high-quality protein and omega-rich nutrition.

This grain-free recipe uses peas and tapioca as carbohydrate alternatives, promoting easy digestion for sensitive cats.

It balances energy needs with 33% crude protein and 15% fat while supporting muscle maintenance.

A fiber-rich formula (6.5%) helps reduce hairballs and maintain gut health, and it is enhanced by superfoods like cranberries and spinach.

Enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, it supports a healthy coat and skin.

Free from artificial preservatives, the recipe provides clean, natural nutrition for indoor cats.

 

Pros:

  • High protein content: Ensures muscle maintenance with 33% protein.
  • Grain-free formula: Suitable for sensitive cats with grain allergies.
  • Digestive health: Rich in fiber (6.5%) to support gut function and hairball reduction.
  • Skin and coat support: Balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids improve coat quality.
  • Natural additives: Superfoods like cranberries and spinach boost antioxidant levels.

 

Cons:

  • Caloric density: At 3,480 kcal/kg, portion control is necessary for less active cats.
  • Fiber level: 6.5% may be excessive for cats with low fiber tolerance.
  • Limited DHA and EPA: Omega-3 acids are only 0.16%, which may not suffice for intensive skin care needs.

 

Nutrition

Ingredients

  • Chicken
  • Chicken Meal
  • Tapioca Starch
  • Peas
  • Brewers Dried Yeast
  • Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)
  • Salmon Meal
  • Pea Fiber
  • Natural Flavor
  • Flaxseed
  • and also:
Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Dried Vegetable Broth, Menhaden Fish Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Dl-Methionine, Taurine, Vitamins (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), Cranberries, Spinach, Dried Egg Product, Carrots, Apples, Pumpkin, Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Calcium Iodate), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate, L-Tryptophan, Citric Acid (Preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Blueberries, Dried Kelp, Rosemary Extract

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein
33%
Crude Fat
15%
Crude Fiber
6.5%
Moisture
10%
Calcium
1%
Phosphorus
0.8%
Omega 3
0.7%
Omega 6
2.5%
Metabolizable Energy
3480 kcal/kg
Eicosapentaenoic + Docosahexaenoic Acid 0.16% Min, Zinc 100 Mg/Kg Min, Selenium 0.50 Mg/Kg Min, Vitamin A 3500 Iu/Kg Min, Vitamin E 100 Iu/Kg Min, Taurine 0.35% Min, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)* 50 Mg/Kg Min, Total Dietary Fiber* 11.00% Min

Notes

The score is calculated after relocation of fresh meat or fish ingredient(s) as explained in the calculation rule #7 in Chapter 1.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein
33%
Crude Fat
15%
Crude Fiber
6.5%
Moisture
10%
Calcium
1%
Phosphorus
0.8%
Omega 3
0.7%
Omega 6
2.5%
Metabolizable Energy
3480 kcal/kg
Eicosapentaenoic + Docosahexaenoic Acid 0.16% Min, Zinc 100 Mg/Kg Min, Selenium 0.50 Mg/Kg Min, Vitamin A 3500 Iu/Kg Min, Vitamin E 100 Iu/Kg Min, Taurine 0.35% Min, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)* 50 Mg/Kg Min, Total Dietary Fiber* 11.00% Min
Last reviewed: 05-02-2025 12:49
We use advanced automated tools to verify and update this product’s details with the most current manufacturer information

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Why this score?

  • Low protein content
    -13
  • 31.7% carbohydrates of combination P
    -19
  • Fresh Only Meat/Poultry/Fish ingredient at 1st place
    3
  • Additional source of animal protein at 6-7th place
    1
  • Chelated minerals
    2
Product feedback

Found a mistake?
Missing info?

Provide as many details as possible about Natural Balance: Original Ultra – Grain Free Indoor Chicken & Salmon Meal Recipe so we can make it better!

How the score is calculated?

The actual calculation of the score is based on sophisticated and advanced algorithm that takes into account multiple parameters.

To simplify the explanation, the calculation is based on three main criteria:

(1) Amount of protein (more is better)

(2) Amount of carbohydrates (less is better)

(3) Quality and source of ingredients.

Based on that 3 main criteria, 9 score calculation rules are used to compare the different foods.

One major assumption is that the closer an ingredient is to the top of the ingredient list, the greater its relative weight and contribution to the food.

In general, cat food is composed of protein, fats, carbohydrates, fibers, vitamins, and minerals.

Protein is the most important component in a cat's diet, and cats primarily get their protein from animal meat.

Fat is a primary source of energy and essential fatty acids.

Carbohydrates are controversial in a cat's diet, as cats are obligate carnivores and typically consume very few carbohydrates.

Fibers play an important role in digestion and food absorption, and vitamins and minerals are essential for different organism functions.

Dry matter values are used to compare the amount of nutrients in different cat foods. This means that moisture is excluded from the equation to provide a more accurate comparison.

Putting all of these and more into a formula results in a product score.

The maximum score a cat food can receive is 100. Points are added or removed based on the score calculation rules.

Didn't find a dry food?

Provide as many details as you can so we can analyze the missing product and add it.

Thank you!

Found a mistake?
Missing info?

Provide as many details as possible about Natural Balance: Original Ultra – Grain Free Indoor Chicken & Salmon Meal Recipe so we can make it better!

Thank you!

How the score is calculated?

The actual calculation of the score is based on sophisticated and advanced algorithm that takes into account multiple parameters.

To simplify the explanation, the calculation is based on three main criteria:

(1) Amount of protein (more is better)

(2) Amount of carbohydrates (less is better)

(3) Quality and source of ingredients.

Based on that 3 main criteria, 9 score calculation rules are used to compare the different foods.

One major assumption is that the closer an ingredient is to the top of the ingredient list, the greater its relative weight and contribution to the food.

In general, cat food is composed of protein, fats, carbohydrates, fibers, vitamins, and minerals.

Protein is the most important component in a cat’s diet, and cats primarily get their protein from animal meat.

Fat is a primary source of energy and essential fatty acids.

Carbohydrates are controversial in a cat’s diet, as cats are obligate carnivores and typically consume very few carbohydrates.

Fibers play an important role in digestion and food absorption, and vitamins and minerals are essential for different organism functions.

Dry matter values are used to compare the amount of nutrients in different cat foods.
This means that moisture is excluded from the equation to provide a more accurate comparison.

Putting all of these and more into a formula results in a product score.

The maximum score a cat food can receive is 100.
Points are added or removed based on the score calculation rules.