Natural Balance Dog Food Linked to Dog Sickness

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Posted Oct 31, 2024

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Natural Balance dog food has been linked to dog sickness in various cases. Many pet owners have reported adverse reactions to the food, including digestive issues and skin problems.

Some of the most common complaints about Natural Balance dog food include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. These symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor ingredient quality and manufacturing processes.

According to some owners, their dogs have experienced severe reactions to Natural Balance dog food, including seizures and even hospitalization. These extreme cases highlight the potential risks associated with feeding this food to dogs.

The exact cause of these problems is still unclear, but some experts suspect that the use of fillers and by-products in the food may be contributing to the issues.

Recalls and Risks

Natural Balance dog food has been involved in several recalls over the years, which raises concerns about the safety of their products.

One of the most recent recalls was due to salmonella contamination. Natural Balance issued a recall for select dry dog foods manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods, including Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog Food, Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Food, and Sweet Potato & Bison Dog Food.

Credit: youtube.com, 10 Dog Foods Not Linked to Canine Heart Disease

The recall was a precautionary measure, as none of the recalled products tested positive for salmonella. However, other products manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods did test positive for salmonella. This highlights the importance of monitoring pet food manufacturing processes to ensure safety.

Natural Balance has also been involved in recalls due to contamination with other bacteria, such as botulinum toxin. In 2012, they issued a recall for canned pet foods due to a contamination with melamine, which can cause kidney failure in dogs and cats.

Here are some specific recalls involving Natural Balance dog food:

  • Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog Food
  • Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Food
  • Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog Food
  • Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog Food
  • Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Large Breed Bites
  • Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food
  • Natural Balance Venison and Brown Rice canned and bagged dog foods
  • Natural Balance Venison and Brown Rice dog treats
  • Natural Balance Venison and Green Pea dry cat food

These recalls demonstrate the importance of staying vigilant and monitoring pet food for potential safety risks.

Causes of Sickness

Poor digestion is a major contributor to sickness in dogs eating natural balance dog food. The high carbohydrate content in this food can lead to an imbalance of gut bacteria, causing digestive issues.

This imbalance can also lead to an increased risk of allergies and sensitivities. Some dogs may experience skin issues, ear infections, and digestive problems due to this imbalance.

The use of fillers and by-products in natural balance dog food can also cause sickness in dogs. These ingredients can be difficult for dogs to digest, leading to a range of health problems.

Sickness Origin

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If your pet has become sick, it's essential to identify the potential cause. Sick pets can be caused by a variety of factors, but one possible culprit is pet food.

Save all pet food, don't return it for a refund. This will help you identify any potential issues with the food.

If your pet required veterinary care, ask your veterinarian to report the issue to the FDA. They can provide valuable insight into the cause of the sickness.

Reporting the issue to the FDA and your State Department of Agriculture is crucial. Click Here for FDA and State contacts to get started.

Sick Caused by

If your pet has become sick, it's crucial to identify the potential cause. Save all pet food, don't return it for a refund, as it may be needed as evidence.

The FDA and your State Department of Agriculture need to be notified if you suspect a pet food is to blame. This will help them investigate and take necessary actions.

In some cases, a pet food may be the culprit behind your pet's illness. Don't hesitate to report the issue to the relevant authorities.

Manufacturing and Safety

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Natural Balance dog food has a concerning manufacturing process. The company outsources its pet food production to other companies, which increases the risk of contamination and manufacturing errors.

This approach has led to multiple recalls associated with Natural Balance products. In fact, all recalls involving the brand have involved third-party co-packers with a history of quality problems.

Natural Balance has taken steps to improve safety by investing in a testing laboratory after the 2007 melamine recall. Today, every batch of food or treats manufactured for the brand is tested for 9 substances, including aflatoxin, cyanuric acid, and melamine.

Here are the 9 substances tested for in each batch of Natural Balance pet food:

  • Aflatoxin
  • Cyanuric Acid
  • Don (vomitoxin)
  • Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia Coli (STEC)
  • Fumonisin
  • Melamine
  • Ochratoxin
  • Salmonella SPP
  • Zearalenone

Pet owners can check test results for each batch of Natural Balance pet food directly on the company's website.

Darwin's Products

Darwin's Products have been at the center of a recent FDA advisory due to the presence of salmonella in their pet food products.

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In October, the FDA advised pet owners to avoid feeding their pets specific lots of Darwin's Natural Pet Products, including Natural Selections Chicken Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs and Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats.

These products were manufactured on certain dates, including June 13, 2023, and July 7, 2023.

A total of four lots were recalled, including a fourth lot added after a consumer complaint was received.

The products were frozen, and the FDA warned that people may still have them in their freezers.

Here are the specific lots that were recalled:

  • Darwin's Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe with Organic Vegetables for Dogs, Lot 9774, manufactured on Jun 13, 2023.
  • Darwin's Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats, Lot 9795, manufactured on Jun 28, 2023.
  • Darwin's Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Chicken Recipe for Cats, Lot 9830, manufactured on Jul 19, 2023.
  • Darwin's Natural Pet Products Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats, Lot 9802, manufactured on Jul 7, 2023.

Tfp Nutrition

Tfp Nutrition issued a voluntary recall for their Retriever All Life Stages Mini Chunk Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food due to possible salmonella contamination. The affected product was manufactured on October 4 and 5 at the Nacogdoches, Texas facility.

The recalled dog food was distributed in several states, including Arkansas, Arizona, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.

The recalled product has "3277 TFP" or "3278 TFP" on the second line of the date code.

No illnesses in humans or animals were reported prior to the recall.

Blue Ridge Beef

Credit: youtube.com, Blue Ridge Beef announces recall on raw pet food sold in Virginia, Maryland

Blue Ridge Beef issued a voluntary recall for raw dog food after a random sample tested positive for salmonella on October 27.

The affected product, Breeders Choice 2-pound raw dog food, was distributed between August 9 and 25.

It was packaged in clear plastic with the product code UPC 8 54298 00193 1.

The food was sold primarily in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the contamination.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Balanced Raw Food Diet for Dogs

Mid America

Mid America Pet Food had a voluntary recall on October 30 for three lots of Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula.

The recall affected lots 1000016890, 1000016891, and 1000016892, which were available in 5-pound, 15-pound, and 40-pound bags, respectively.

No human or pet illnesses had been reported in relation to the recall.

The FDA stated that symptoms in pets infected with salmonella include lethargy, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.

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Some pets may only show decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain.

Infected pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.

If your pet has consumed the recalled product and shows these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.

The bacteria can survive in the animal's digestive tract and then reappear in their feces and contaminate fur or parts of the area where the pet lives.

The bacteria can then spread to humans.

Where Is Made?

Natural Balance Pet Foods are made by Diamond Pet Foods, American Nutrition, and Castleberry's Food Company.

The Diamond Pet Food facilities are located in the United States, but the American Nutrition and Castleberry facilities are located in both the United States and other countries.

Natural Balance does not display the "Made In The USA" label on any of its pet food products, which could mean that the entire product is manufactured overseas or ingredients are sourced from outside the United States.

Free stock photo of active life style, active lifestyle, balance
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The company's website does not provide clear information on where their foods are manufactured or where ingredients are sourced.

This lack of transparency makes it difficult for consumers to know exactly where their pet's food is coming from, which can be concerning for pet owners who value transparency and honesty in the brands they support.

It's worth noting that premium pet food brands often proudly display this information on their labels and websites, which can be a sign of a brand's commitment to transparency and quality.

If this caught your attention, see: List of Bad Dog Food Brands

Is Safe?

Natural Balance Pet Food's manufacturing process is a major concern for pet owners. They rely on third-party co-packers to produce their food, which increases the risk of manufacturing errors and contamination.

These co-packers produce food for dozens of other brands, making it more likely for mistakes to occur. In fact, all recalls associated with Natural Balance involved a third-party co-packer.

After the 2007 melamine recall, Natural Balance invested hundreds of thousands of dollars to build a testing laboratory. Today, every batch of food or treats manufactured for Natural Balance is tested for 9 substances.

Here are the 9 substances tested for in each batch of Natural Balance pet food:

  • Aflatoxin
  • Cyanuric Acid
  • Don (vomitoxin)
  • Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia Coli (STEC)
  • Fumonisin
  • Melamine
  • Ochratoxin
  • Salmonella SPP
  • Zearalenone

Pet owners can actually check test results for each batch of Natural Balance pet food directly on the Natural Balance website.

Raul Bednar

Senior Assigning Editor

Raul Bednar is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a passion for guiding writers towards compelling narratives. With a keen eye for detail, Raul has a proven track record of selecting high-quality articles that captivate readers. His expertise spans a range of topics, including dog training and behavior.