Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food Nutro Nutro Max Large Breed Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food
Both score 8.4 out of 10 on KibbleLab. Compare ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and AAFCO nutritional adequacy, side by side.
Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food and Nutro Nutro Max Large Breed Puppy Chicken Dry Dog Food compared
| Attribute |
Verified Jul 19, 2026 |
Verified Jul 25, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
KibbleLab scoreThe KibbleLab expert rating, 0 to 10, based on published veterinary science. No one can pay for a higher score. |
8.4 / 10 | 8.4 / 10 |
| Guaranteed analysis (as fed) | ||
ProteinGuaranteed analysis gives label minimums and maximums, not measured values, shown as fed. |
24.00% | 24.00% |
| Fat | 14.00% | 14.00% |
| Fiber | 5.00% | 4.00% |
| Calcium | 1.20% | 1.20% |
| Phosphorus | 1.00% | 1.00% |
| Omega-3 | 0.65% | 0.50% |
| Omega-6 | 3.50% | 2.50% |
| Taurine | 0.25% | Not listed |
MoistureHigher moisture means a wetter food; it dilutes the other percentages above. |
10.00% | 10.00% |
| Calories | 3590 kcal/kg | 3553 kcal/kg |
| Calorie density | Moderate | Moderate |
| Ingredients | ||
Full ingredient listEvery ingredient on each label, in order of weight. |
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 Show less |
Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Grain Barley, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Sorghum, Chicken, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Egg Product, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Pea Protein, Natural Flavors, Dicalcium Phosphate, Split Peas, Fish Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Potassium Chloride, Whole Flaxseed, Salt, Choline Chloride, Citric Acid (preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Selenite, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Manganous Oxide, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract Show full list Show less |
| Limited ingredient | No | No |
| Health focus | Digestive health, Skin coat health, Heart care, Immune support | Skin coat health, Digestive health, Immune support, Joint care, Brain health |
| Format & suitability | ||
| Food type | Dry | Dry |
| Texture | Kibble | Kibble |
| Processing | Not listed | Not listed |
| Life stage | All Life Stages | Puppy |
| Breed size | All Breed Sizes | Large |
| AAFCO nutritional adequacy | ||
Complete & balancedWhether the manufacturer's label claims the food meets AAFCO nutrient profiles for a life stage. Not an independent test. |
Yes | Yes |
| Life stages | All Life Stages, Large Breed Growth (70+ lbs) | Growth (puppy/kitten) |
SubstantiationHow adequacy was established. Feeding trials are the higher bar; formulation means the recipe is calculated to meet the profile. |
Formulation | Not listed |
| Maker standards | ||
WSAVA guidelinesThe 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 accreditedThe 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 recordKibbleLab began logging recalls in July 2026, so earlier recalls may not appear. |
None | None |
| Where to buy | ||
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Shared ingredients
Both foods list these among their top ingredients, by label weight.
- Chicken
- Barley
- Chicken Fat
- Mixed Tocopherol
- Beet Pulp
Not sure which is right for your pet?
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Common Questions
Which food scores higher on KibbleLab?
Both foods score 8.4 out of 10 on KibbleLab.
Do these two foods share ingredients?
Yes. They share these top ingredients: Chicken, Barley, Chicken Fat, Mixed Tocopherol, Beet Pulp.
Are both foods AAFCO complete and balanced?
Yes, both foods are labeled AAFCO complete and balanced.
See the full profiles: Natural Balance Original Ultra Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food and Nutro Nutro Max Large Breed Puppy Chicken 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.

