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Original Ultra Chicken & Liver Pate Recipe Wet Cat Food
Natural Balance

Original Ultra Chicken & Liver Pate Recipe Wet Cat Food

Verified Aug 30, 2026

Cat · Wet All Life Stages All Breed Sizes

This is a canned chicken and liver pate for cats of all life stages, including kittens, that uses chicken, chicken liver, and chicken hearts as its main animal protein sources. Brown rice and carrots provide additional carbohydrate and fiber, while salmon oil and ground flaxseed contribute beneficial fatty acids. It’s a complete and balanced stand‑alone diet that can also be used alongside dry food for extra moisture and variety.

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Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls

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KibbleLab Score
8.5 out of 10

Strong Choice

A well-formulated wet cat food that offers multiple high-quality animal protein sources and is complete and balanced for all life stages, including growth. The inclusion of organ meats, salmon oil, and added taurine supports a good overall nutrient profile for most healthy cats. It’s a solid everyday option for cats who do well with chicken-based diets and benefit from the higher moisture of canned food.

Nutritional profile 9.0
Ingredient composition 8.0
Adequacy substantiation 7.0
Health considerations 10.0

Computed from 4 of 4 applicable checks. Missing data is skipped, never counted against a food.

The KibbleLab Score (1–10) is assessed from publicly available product data. Our evaluation is science-based, not marketing-based.

Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber on a dry-matter basis, for the stated life stage and format
Adequacy substantiation Complete and balanced substantiation; feeding trials valued higher
Ingredient composition Screened for unnamed sources, artificial additives, and label protein inflation. Not a quality ranking.
Health considerations Pulse-heavy grain-free (DCM) pattern and recall history
Verified manufacturer evidence A small bonus when we can verify evidence addressing WSAVA selection criteria
9.0 - 10 Top Pick
8.0 - 8.9 Strong Choice
7.0 - 7.9 Solid Option
6.0 - 6.9 Worth a Conversation
Below 6.0 Review Carefully

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At a Glance

Marketed Benefits
Where these benefits come from Benefits the manufacturer highlights in its own product marketing. KibbleLab lists them for reference and does not verify these claims.
Digestive Health Heart Care Immune Support Brain Health Skin Coat Health
Suitable For
All Life Stages All Breed Sizes
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We'll check every ingredient against your pet's sensitivities and avoidance list.

Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Multiple named animal proteins (chicken, chicken liver, chicken hearts) high on the ingredient list provide good-quality, species-appropriate protein for cats.
  • Includes organ meats and added taurine, which help support a complete amino acid profile for all life stages, including kittens.
  • Contains salmon oil and ground flaxseed, which supply omega fatty acids that can support skin, coat, and overall health.
  • Wet pate format with high moisture can help support hydration, which is especially useful for cats that don’t drink much water.

Considerations

  • Chicken is the primary protein source, so this would not be appropriate for cats with known chicken allergies or sensitivities.
  • The formula is AAFCO complete and balanced by formulation rather than feeding trials, so its performance in real-world feeding hasn’t been formally tested in that way.
  • Brown rice and beet pulp add some carbohydrate and fiber; while not harmful, very carb-sensitive cats may do better on a lower-carbohydrate formula.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

CHICKEN, CHICKEN BROTH, CHICKEN LIVER, BROWN RICE, CHICKEN HEARTS, CARROTS, GROUND FLAXSEED, NATURAL FLAVOR, DRIED PLAIN BEET PULP, CRANBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, SALMON OIL (PRESERVED WITH MIXED TOCOPHEROLS), SALT, AGAR-AGAR, FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, TAURINE, MINERALS (IRON PROTEINATE, ZINC PROTEINATE, COPPER PROTEINATE, MANGANESE PROTEINATE, POTASSIUM IODIDE, SODIUM SELENITE), CHOLINE CHLORIDE, VITAMINS (VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENT, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, NIACIN SUPPLEMENT, d-CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, RIBOFLAVIN SUPPLEMENT, VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENT, BIOTIN, VITAMIN D3 SUPPLEMENT, VITAMIN B12 SUPPLEMENT, FOLIC ACID), MAGNESIUM SULFATE, DL-METHIONINE, SODIUM CARBONATE.

Ingredients and analysis reflect manufacturer data at the time of our last update and can change without notice. Always check the actual product packaging before feeding.

Ingredient filtering helps identify compatible options but is not a substitute for a veterinary elimination diet.

Top 5 Ingredients Explained

01
Chicken
Chicken is a common animal-based protein in dog and cat foods, supplying essential amino acids, B vitamins, and energy-dense fats that support muscle maintenance, growth, and overall health; for cats it also contributes toward dietary taurine but must be present in sufficient amounts or provided via supplementation. It is prized for its digestibility and palatability, though some pets develop sensitivities or allergies to chicken, and nutritional value and safety depend on ingredient quality and processing—raw chicken carries pathogen risks and whole bones can pose choking or GI hazards.
View ingredient
02
Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is commonly used in pet foods and toppers as a flavorful liquid base or gravy to improve palatability and add moisture, providing modest amounts of soluble protein, electrolytes and minerals. It can help encourage eating and increase hydration, but owners should choose low‑sodium, onion‑ and garlic‑free formulations (or make homemade broth), since commercial broths may contain excessive salt, seasonings or additives that are unsafe or unsuitable for dogs and cats.
03
Chicken Liver
Chicken liver is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in pet foods and treats as a highly palatable protein source and flavor enhancer, providing concentrated vitamins (especially vitamin A and B-complex), iron, and copper that support energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and skin/coat health in both dogs and cats. Because it is so rich, liver should be fed in moderation—excessive intake can cause vitamin A toxicity, and its high fat content and risk of bacterial contamination mean it should be properly sourced or cooked and limited for pets with pancreatitis or specific dietary restrictions.
04
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a whole-grain carbohydrate and fiber ingredient commonly used in dog and cat foods to provide digestible energy, dietary fiber, and modest amounts of B‑vitamins and minerals; it typically offers more nutrients and fiber than white rice. It’s generally well tolerated and can help with sensitive stomachs, but because it is high in carbohydrates (not a primary protein source) and can contain trace inorganic arsenic depending on sourcing, it should be included in balanced formulations and monitored in overweight or diabetic pets.
05
Chicken Heart
Chicken heart is a nutrient-dense organ meat commonly used in dog and cat foods and treats as a highly palatable animal protein source, providing taurine, B vitamins (notably B12), iron, zinc and coenzyme Q10. It supports lean muscle and, for cats, provides essential taurine, but should be included as part of a balanced formulation and properly sourced/processed to reduce bacterial risk, since excessive organ intake can unbalance nutrients or be a concern for pets with specific metabolic or urate-stone issues.

Nutritional Breakdown

How to read As Fed versus Dry Matter As fed shows the numbers straight off the label, water included. Dry matter removes the water so you can compare a wet food and a dry food fairly.
As Fed
Crude Protein (min)
9.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
6.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
1.50%
Low High
Moisture (max)
78.00%
Low High
1218
kcal / Kg
190
kcal / Can
High
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

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Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage All Life Stages
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Pate
Processing method Canned
Food type Wet

AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy
What is AAFCO Association of American Feed Control Officials. It sets the nutritional adequacy standards US pet foods are measured against.

Complete & balanced Yes
AAFCO life stages All Life Stages
Substantiation Formulation
Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Liver Recipe Pate9 cat food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO cat food nutrient profiles for all life stages.

Brand

Natural Balance is a premium pet food brand focused on delivering nutritionally balanced diets made with high-quality ingredients. It is best known for its Limited Ingredient Diets, which feature simple ingredient lists designed for pets with food sensitivities. The brand also offers targeted formulas for different life stages and dietary needs. Natural Balance markets itself as a transparent and science-informed brand catering to pet owners seeking reliable, health-conscious nutrition for their pets.

Price tier $$$$

Manufacturer

Company name Natural Balance Pet Foods
Parent company Ethos Pet Brands (L Catterton / Nexus Capital)
Founded 1989
Headquarters Burbank, California, USA
Manufacturing type Co Packer
Manufacturing country United States
Manufacturing region California
Manufacturing oversight

Natural Balance sources and manufactures its products primarily in the United States. Its manufacturing facilities adhere to FDA and AAFCO regulations for pet food production, with quality control protocols that include routine testing for contaminants and nutritional accuracy. Production oversight includes partnerships with certified and audited co-packers to ensure consistency and safety.

Manufacturing details are compiled from public sources and not independently verified; they may not reflect contract manufacturing or co-packing.

Recall History

No recalls on record

No recall is listed for Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Liver Pate Recipe Wet Cat Food.

Source: FDA animal food recall listings back to January 2019 · Checked daily, last on Aug 31, 2026

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.5 /10 Grade A
Original Ultra Chicken & Liver Pate Recipe Wet Cat Food
Natural Balance · kibblelab.com

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Frequently Asked Questions

Has Natural Balance ever been recalled?

We have no recalls on record for Natural Balance. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.

How does KibbleLab rate foods?

Our scores are based on ingredient composition, nutritional profile, AAFCO compliance, and health considerations. We don't penalize by-products, grains, or synthetic preservatives. Brands cannot pay for higher scores.

Is KibbleLab a substitute for veterinary advice?

No. KibbleLab provides data-driven food analysis, not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before making dietary changes, especially for pets with health conditions.

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KibbleLab provides informational content only. This is not veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before changing your pet's diet.

KibbleLab may earn affiliate commissions through product links. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.

Product data sourced from manufacturer websites, AAFCO statements, and FDA recall listings. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check. We track the FDA's animal food recall listings back to January 2019 and publish every pet food recall automatically. A filing that isn't pet food may not appear here.