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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dog Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food

Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food scores higher on KibbleLab, 8.4 to 8.1. Compare ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and AAFCO nutritional adequacy, side by side.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dog Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food and Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food compared

Nutrients:
As Fed
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dog Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dog Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Verified Jul 19, 2026

Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food

Verified Jul 19, 2026

KibbleLab score The KibbleLab expert rating, 0 to 10, based on published veterinary science. No one can pay for a higher score.
8.1 / 10 8.4 / 10
Guaranteed analysis (as fed)
Protein Guaranteed analysis gives label minimums and maximums, not measured values, shown as fed.
24.00% 24.00%
Fat 14.00% 14.00%
Fiber 5.00% 5.00%
Calcium 1.00% 1.20%
Phosphorus 0.70% 1.00%
Omega-3 0.50% 0.65%
Omega-6 3.00% 3.50%
Taurine Not listed 0.25%
Moisture Higher moisture means a wetter food; it dilutes the other percentages above.
10.00% 10.00%
Calories 3633 kcal/kg 3590 kcal/kg
Calorie density Moderate Moderate
Ingredients
Full ingredient list Every ingredient on each label, in order of weight.
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Peas, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Tomato Pomace, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids), Dried Yeast, Salt, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Potassium Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, L-Threonine, DL-Methionine, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Taurine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable Juice for color, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary. Show full list
CHICKEN, CHICKEN MEAL, PEARLED BARLEY, PEAS, OAT GROATS, CHICKEN FAT (PRESERVED WITH MIXED TOCOPHEROLS), DRIED PLAIN BEET PULP, NATURAL FLAVOR, BROWN RICE, DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, FLAXSEED, DRIED VEGETABLE BROTH, MENHADEN FISH OIL (PRESERVED WITH MIXED TOCOPHEROLS), CARROTS, DL-METHIONINE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, SALT, 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), DRIED TOMATO POMACE, 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, L-THREONINE, CHOLINE CHLORIDE, CITRIC ACID (PRESERVATIVE), MIXED TOCOPHEROLS (PRESERVATIVE), BLUEBERRIES, DRIED KELP, SPINACH, CRANBERRIES, YUCCA SCHIDIGERA EXTRACT, L-LYSINE MONOHYDROCHLORIDE, L-CARNITINE, ROSEMARY EXTRACT. Show full list
Limited ingredient No No
Health focus Immune support, Antioxidant support, Skin coat health Digestive health, Skin coat health, Heart care, Immune support
Format & suitability
Food type Dry Dry
Texture Kibble Kibble
Processing Not listed Not listed
Life stage Adult All Life Stages
Breed size All Breed Sizes All Breed Sizes
AAFCO nutritional adequacy
Complete & balanced Whether the manufacturer's label claims the food meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for a life stage. Not an independent test.
Not indicated Yes
Life stages Not listed All Life Stages, Large Breed Growth (70+ lbs)
Substantiation How adequacy was established. Feeding trials are the higher bar; formulation means the recipe is calculated to meet the profile.
Not listed Formulation
Maker standards
WSAVA guidelines The World Small Animal Veterinary Association publishes criteria for evaluating a manufacturer: qualified nutritionists on staff, feeding trials, and published research. It does not certify or endorse brands.
No No
PSC accredited The Pet Sustainability Coalition is a nonprofit that accredits pet companies on their environmental and social impact through third-party verification. It reflects sustainability practices, not food quality.
No No
Recalls & where to buy
Recalls on record KibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear.
None None
Where to buy
Amazon Chewy
Amazon

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Shared ingredients

Both foods list these among their top ingredients, by label weight.

  • Chicken
  • Brown Rice
  • Barley
  • Pea
  • Chicken Fat
  • Mixed Tocopherol
  • Natural Flavor

Not sure which is right for your pet?

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Common Questions

Which food scores higher on KibbleLab?

Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food scores higher, 8.4 to 8.1 out of 10. Scores reflect published veterinary science, and no one can pay for a higher score.

Do these two foods share ingredients?

Yes. They share these top ingredients: Chicken, Brown Rice, Barley, Pea, Chicken Fat, Mixed Tocopherol, Natural Flavor.

Are both foods AAFCO complete and balanced?

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dog Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food does not list an AAFCO status; Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food is labeled complete and balanced.

See the full profiles: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Dog Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food and Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food .

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

This is a neutral, factual comparison, not a ranking or an endorsement of either product. A food's guaranteed analysis gives legal minimums and maximums for a few nutrients, not measured values. No one can pay for placement or a higher score.

Product details are compiled from public sources and may not reflect the latest formulation. Represent one of these brands? Request a correction. Anyone else can email us.