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Duck & Sweet Potato Soft Pate Split Cup Recipe Wet Cat Food
Natural Balance

Duck & Sweet Potato Soft Pate Split Cup Recipe Wet Cat Food

Verified Jun 6, 2026

Cat · Wet Adult All Breed Sizes

This is a limited-ingredient wet food for adult cats, using duck as the single animal protein source in a soft pate format. Sweet potato, beet pulp, and inulin provide gentle fiber to support digestion, while added taurine, vitamins, and minerals make it a complete and balanced diet for maintenance. Salmon oil contributes additional omega fatty acids, which can be helpful for skin and coat health.

Over-the-counter AAFCO No recalls
Official product page
KibbleLab Score
8.3 out of 10

Nutritionally, this is a well-formulated limited-ingredient wet food for adult cats who may do better with a single, novel protein like duck. The protein and fat levels are appropriate for a maintenance wet diet, and the recipe includes taurine, omega-rich salmon oil, and multiple fiber sources to support digestive health. It’s a solid option for cats that need a simpler ingredient list, as long as they tolerate duck and fish proteins.

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

Ingredient composition Quality, beneficial additions, absence of artificial colors/flavors
Nutritional profile Protein, fat, fiber evaluated for stated life stage and food type
AAFCO compliance Complete and balanced certification; feeding trials valued higher
Health considerations Sensitivity profile, DCM risk, processing method
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 Not Recommended

KibbleLab may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through a link. No one can pay for a higher score, or to change what we recommend for your pet.


At a Glance

Health Benefits
Sensitive Stomach Digestive Health
Diet & Compliance
Limited Ingredient
Suitable For
Adult All Breed Sizes
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Nutritional Perspective

KibbleLab Review

Strengths

  • Duck as the first ingredient and single animal protein source provides good-quality, species-appropriate protein for most cats.
  • Limited-ingredient, grain-free recipe with sweet potato, beet pulp, and inulin offering gentle, fermentable fibers that can support digestive health.
  • Complete and balanced to AAFCO standards for adult maintenance, with added taurine and a full vitamin–mineral premix.
  • Includes salmon oil preserved with mixed tocopherols, supplying useful omega-3 fatty acids for skin, coat, and overall wellness.

Considerations

  • Contains duck and salmon oil, so it is not suitable for cats with known poultry or fish allergies.
  • Grain-free formula relies on potato-based ingredients (sweet potatoes and potato protein) as key carbohydrate and plant protein sources, which may not be ideal for cats that need lower-carb diets.
  • Formulated for adult maintenance only, so it is not appropriate as the sole diet for growing kittens or pregnant/nursing queens.
Scored using the rubric of an NAVC Certified Pet Nutrition Coach (PNCC). This is informational, not veterinary advice.

Full Ingredient List

Duck, Duck Broth, Sweet Potatoes, Potato Protein, Natural Flavor, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Guar Gum, Tapioca Starch, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Minerals (Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodide), Inulin, Choline Chloride, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, Salmon Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols).

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
Duck
Duck is used in pet food primarily as a flavorful animal protein and fat source, commonly included in limited-ingredient or novel-protein formulas for dogs and cats. It supplies high-quality amino acids and energy and can help pets with sensitivities to common proteins, but it is relatively rich in fat (so may be unsuitable for low‑fat or pancreatitis-prone animals), can still trigger allergies in some pets, and requires proper cooking/processing and handling to avoid bacterial contamination.
02
Duck Broth
Duck broth is used in pet food primarily as a flavorful liquid to boost palatability and moisture, and it can contribute modest amounts of amino acids and minerals depending on how it’s made. It can help entice picky dogs and cats and encourage hydration, but caregivers should check labels for high sodium, added onions/garlic or excessive fat, and avoid broths with bone fragments or if the animal has a poultry allergy or pancreatitis risk.
03
Sweet Potato
Sweet potato is used in pet foods as a digestible carbohydrate and source of soluble fiber, vitamins (notably beta‑carotene), minerals and antioxidants, often helping with stool quality and serving as a binder or energy ingredient. It is generally well tolerated by dogs and can support gut health, but because cats poorly convert beta‑carotene to vitamin A and require preformed vitamin A from animal sources, sweet potato is not a substitute for meat-based nutrients; its relatively high carbohydrate content also means portion control is advised for overweight or diabetic pets and it should be cooked for best digestibility.
04
Potato Protein
Potato protein is a concentrated plant-based protein used in pet foods as a protein source, binder and texture enhancer, offering a highly digestible amino acid profile with relatively good lysine content compared with other plant proteins. It can be a useful hypoallergenic alternative for dogs and a supplement in balanced formulas, but it should not be the sole protein for obligate carnivores like cats because it lacks certain nutrients (e.g., sufficient taurine and other animal-derived factors) and must be used within complete, nutritionally formulated diets; quality processing also minimizes potato-specific compounds such as glycoalkaloids.
05
Natural Flavor
Natural flavor is used primarily as a palatability enhancer in pet foods to improve taste and aroma and is not intended to provide significant nutrients, typically coming from concentrated extracts of meat, poultry, plant, or fermentation sources. While it can increase acceptance in picky dogs and cats, manufacturers are not required to disclose specific sources so pets with known sensitivities or allergies may react, and presence of natural flavor should not be taken as a guarantee of overall product quality.

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)
8.00%
Low High
Crude Fat (min)
5.00%
Low High
Crude Fiber (max)
1.00%
Low High
Moisture (max)
82.00%
Low High
1072
kcal / Kg
40
kcal / Cup
Moderate
Calorie density category
What is calorie density How many calories the food packs per unit. Denser foods mean smaller portions for the same calories.

Product Details & Brand

Product Specs

Lifestage Adult
Breed size All Breed Sizes
Texture Pate
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 Adult Maintenance
Substantiation Formulation
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Reserve Soft Pate9 in Broth Duck & Sweet Potato Recipe cat food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.

Brand

Natural Balance

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.

Visit Natural Balance
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

Natural Balance Duck & Sweet Potato Soft Pate Split Cup Recipe Wet Cat Food has no recalls since 2014.

Source: FDA Pet Food Recall Database · Monitored daily

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KibbleLab food report
GREAT BOWL.
8.3 /10 Grade A
Duck & Sweet Potato Soft Pate Split Cup 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 monitor the FDA Pet Food Recall Database daily.

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 database. Last verified dates reflect our most recent data check.