Healthy Balance Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 24-lb bag
Graded by The Sniff System
Dr. Pol Healthy Balance Salmon Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is a grain-free dry kibble that features salmon as its primary protein source.
This formula includes quality fat sources like salmon oil, which provides beneficial EPA and DHA. It also uses premium micronutrient forms, such as chelated minerals, which are easier for dogs to absorb. Salmon as the first ingredient offers a high-quality protein source.
The main thing to note is the absence of an AAFCO statement, which means the nutritional completeness of this food is unverified. This lack of verification capped its overall score.
Good fit for dogs whose owners prioritize salmon as a primary protein and a grain-free diet.
Summary written by The Sniff System from the data above. Same rubric, same drivers, expressed in English.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals reports a hip dysplasia prevalence of 11.4% in Labrador Retrievers, based on 147,706 evaluations submitted between 1974 and 2023 (OFA) . Strong fit for adult Labrador Retrievers and similar active sporting breeds navigating hip and joint concerns. No glucosamine or chondroitin on the label, with salmon oil at position 6 for anti-inflammatory EPA/DHA.
Looking at this for adult Labrador Retrievers or Labrador Retrievers with hip and joint concerns ? We are building dedicated pages for these combinations.
Auto-matched from this product's measurements (ingredients, life stage, calorie density) to a breed archetype. Not a substitute for vet input on your specific dog.
Research informing this analysis
MethodologyThe Sniff System grades this product against 5 cited studies relevant to its profile. Each link opens the original source.
- OFAorthopedics · breed predisposition· cited in 4 claims
- APOP, 2023weight management
- Bhathal et al., 2017glucosamine
- Brooks et al., 2014weight management
- OFAorthopedics
Every claim on Sniff traces to a source. If you find a citation that's wrong, outdated, or misapplied, tell us.
At 59/100, this formula lands mid-pack. The lift comes from fat quality, worth 12 points to the final number: Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source). The ceiling on this score is 59, set because the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement isn't disclosed on the retailer page (so our methodology can't verify the formula meets adult, growth, or all-life-stages standards). The fix path: the brand publishing the AAFCO statement. That would lift the cap and put this formula above the B-band line at 60.
Quality fat sources: named fat with marine oil (EPA and DHA source).
Includes egg, named fish, or organ meat for diverse high-bioavailability protein.
Premium micronutrient forms such as chelated minerals or natural vitamin E.
No AAFCO statement. Nutritional completeness unverified.
- Lowest DMB fat in Dr. Pol's lineup (13.3%)
- Top 10% for fat quality in Dr. Pol's lineup (12/16)
- Lowest crude fiber in Dr. Pol's lineup (3.9% DMB)
Computed against the rest of our catalog. Percentiles refresh on each catalog update.
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Natural Balance Original Ultra Fat Dogs Chicken & Salmon Formula Low Calorie Dry Dog Food, 24-lb bag
Chicken instead of salmon, matched score, different brand.
Surfaced from a vector similarity search across 3,491 scored dog foods. How this works.
Read why each ingredient is good or bad for dogs.
- 1protein animalsalmon
Real fish meat. Natural source of omega-3s, which kibble usually has to add back from oil.
Position 1: primary protein source. After cooking removes water, this may drop in proportional weight, but it anchors the recipe.
- 2legumepeas
Cheap protein bulk. Fine in small amounts, but when peas stack with lentils and chickpeas in the top ingredients, it's the pattern the FDA flagged in its heart-disease investigation. See why →
Position 2. Pulse-family ingredient this high in the deck is a notable build choice. When stacked with other pulses in the top 10, matches the formulation pattern the FDA flagged in its diet-associated DCM investigation.
- 3vegetablesweet potato
Complex carb with fiber and beta-carotene. Gentle on the stomach.
Position 3: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 4legumelentils
Same concern as peas. Affordable plant protein, but when they pile up in the top 5 ingredients, it's a flag. See why →
Position 4. Within the FDA's top-5 DCM-pattern threshold. Especially notable if multiple pulses stack here.
- 5tapioca
Starch from cassava root. Highly digestible energy source, but pure starch with minimal nutrition beyond that.
- 6fatsalmon oil
Pure omega-3s. The thing skin-and-coat formulas are usually built around.
Position 6. Moderate marine-oil inclusion. Supplements EPA/DHA without being the primary fat.
- 7vegetablepumpkin
Soluble fiber that supports stool quality. Mild and well-tolerated.
Position 7: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 8vegetablecarrots
Real vegetable. Fiber, beta-carotene, and a small amount of antioxidant value.
Position 8: meaningful whole-food inclusion. Source of vitamins, antioxidants, or natural fiber.
- 9vegetablespinach
Leafy green. Some iron, vitamin K, and fiber. The dose in kibble is small but it's real food.
Position 9: garnish-level inclusion. Marketing-prominent but minimal nutritional impact at this position.
- 10supplementdried kelp
Natural source of iodine and trace minerals. A common premium-brand inclusion.
- 11fatsunflower oil
Common plant oil. Useful in moderation for omega-6, though too much skews the omega ratio against the dog's favor.
Position 11: trace fat. Below the level that materially shifts the fat profile.
- 12mineralsalt
Sodium chloride. Required at small doses for normal physiology. Not a quality concern in standard amounts.
- 13mineralpotassium chloride
Required mineral. Sometimes used as a salt substitute. Standard inclusion in complete diets.
- 14supplementcholine chloride
Essential nutrient for liver and brain function. Standard inclusion in complete dog foods.
- 15probioticdried bacillus subtilis fermentation product
Probiotic culture. Functional regardless of position if viable through extrusion.
- 16probioticdried bacillus coagulans fermentation product
Probiotic strain. More heat-stable than lactobacillus, which means more of it likely survives kibble processing.
- 17probioticdried enterococcus faecium fermentation product
- 18probioticdried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product
A probiotic strain. Whether the dose is high enough to actually colonize is debated, but it's a real beneficial bacterium.
- 19probioticdried lactobacillus casei fermentation product
- 20probioticdried lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product
- 21supplementglucosamine hydrochloride
Joint-support compound. Most useful in larger doses for older dogs. The kibble dose is real but modest.
- 22supplementtaurine
Amino acid critical for heart health. Especially important in grain-free or pulse-heavy formulas where natural taurine precursors run thin.
- 23supplementchondroitin sulfate
- 24probioticdried aspergillus oryzae fermentation product
- 25mineralzinc proteinate
Zinc bound to protein for better absorption. The premium form of the mineral, versus zinc oxide which sits cheaper on the label.
Showing first 25 of 41. Position 1-5 has the largest weight in the recipe.
19 of 25 ingredients have a curated note. Coverage grows over time.