This is a bit of a different post from me and for this blog. It’s more of an educational post of sorts, but I am a huge pet lover and wanted to share with you why we believe in Natural Balance® in our family. And for my vegetarian/vegan readers who want to feed your pets the same, stick with me: Natural Balance offers a vegetarian option for your furry canine friends! Little known fact about me: I spent 12 years working in the veterinary industry. During those 12 years, I learned a lot about various prescription and over-the-counter diets for both cats and dogs. Armed with all of that information, I choose to feed my dogs Natural Balance. So when the opportunity came up to be able to share my dogs’ story with you, I was literally chomping at the bit to do so! What pet parent doesn’t love talking about their pets? 🙂 Before we get into the food though, let me formally introduce you to my little fur babies. I can’t believe this blog is over 3 years old & this is the first you are seeing their furry faces! All three are rescues and I would do absolutely anything for them. From left to right, we have Piti (pronounced “Petey”) a 9-year-old female Rat Terrier, Ryleigh a 5-year-old female Heeler/Chihuahua mix and Sparky a 3-year-old male Rat Terrier.
Why I switched to Natural Balance®
I did a lot of research before choosing to feed my dogs a vegetarian diet and made that decision in conjunction with their veterinarian. Finding a high quality food that met with Piti’s many nutrition-specific needs was of the utmost importance to me. You see, Piti has had quite bumpy road in life and this is a story of her health journey. She came to the animal clinic I was working at with a freshly repaired broken leg and a surgically implanted plate … that she had just broken. Uggh! Her previous owners were just too financially strapped to go through the surgery all over again and care for her continuing health needs. Long story short, she came home with me. If you look closely, you can see the scar on her leg. She used to love to sit like this while she was recovering 🙂
But it didn’t end there. She also fractured her spine playing a bit too rough with Ryleigh a few years later …which also required major surgery. So needless to say, she was on heaps of steroids & months of crate restrictions, which caused her to gain a significant amount of weight. And perhaps due to that extensive amount of steroid usage, she developed a secondary condition called hyperlipidemia. We needed to keep her protein at a specific level and reduce her weight to make moving around easier according to her veterinarian.
Fast forward to the present…
But don’t worry, Miss Piti sailed through all of her health issues like a champ and runs around this house like nothing ever happened! Need proof? See for yourself. She loves her stuffed animals. I couldn’t resist showing you her “smile” 🙂 But I think the most representative photo of her recovery & weight loss progress is this one. After everything she has been through, we couldn’t ask for more than a happy, healthy dog running around in the grass (usually chasing birds). She hasn’t lost her spunk, that’s for sure!
Natural Balance VEGETARIAN option
I knew I wanted to feed my dogs Natural Balance, but I also wanted to feed them a vegetarian diet. After consulting with our veterinarian, we agreed that Natural Balance Vegetarian was a good fit for all three of them. We’ve also used the reduced calorie and sweet potato formulas in the past. Just remember, when switching your pets diet from one food to another, do so gradually over a week or more to avoid tummy upset.
Buy With Confidence® promise
Natural Balance products are made with premium quality ingredients such as garbanzo beans, green peas, sweet potatoes, flax seeds, whole grains, brown rice and more! What I love is that you can actually see the whole vegetables in their canned food. That was a huge selling point for me. Natural Balance understands that the best pet food is not only healthy, but it’s also safe. While I of course want my pups to enjoy their meals, I care even more that they are eating safe and healthy ones. With all of the pet food recalls these days, that’s an important factor when choosing food for your pets. Natural Balance stands out in an industry full of food recalls and issues. Normally, paying more for a product means that it is higher quality but that isn’t a guarantee in today’s world. That is why Natural Balance goes the extra mile to test all of their products for safety. They care about your pet’s health and happiness above anything else! Did you know that Natural Balance tests for nine separate things? You can even go online and get the lab results for every single batch you buy. No other pet food brand goes to this length to make sure your pets are safe and sound! Use the “Help Me Choose” feature to determine the right food for your pet. Additionally, all of their customer care representatives have a degree in animal health science and are there to answer your questions. Still unsure? You can always check with your own personal veterinarian.
A Few Final Pet Safety Tips…
In addition to choosing a high quality, nutritious diet for your pet, here are a few other tips. Always be sure to purchase food that is in good condition, without obvious signs of damage to the packaging such as dents or tears. Store food in airtight containers. Check the date! Food older than two years is likely expired and should not be consumed by your pet. Practice good hygiene when it comes to your pet’s food and water bowls and keep them clean, always taking care to provide plenty of fresh water especially if you live in a hot climate as I do. Do not leave your pets unattended outside or in a car for any reason, regardless of the temperature.
Thanks Natural Balance®
So that’s our story (so far) & why I believe in Natural Balance. After all the years I spent in the veterinary industry and as a HUGE animal lover, a vegetarian and avid animal advocate, I would not recommend a product that I didn’t feed my own dogs. As you’ll see below, they love their food! You can find Natural Balance in most pet food stores such as Petsmart, Petco, at independent retailers or online. To locate Natural Balance products online or near you, click here. Use the “Help Me Choose” feature to determine the right food for your pet. Additionally, all of their customer care representatives have a degree in animal science and are there to answer your questions. Still unsure? You can always check with your own personal veterinarian.
Comment to win!
What kind of pets do you have? Dogs, cats? Tell me all about them in the comments below for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card! Each comment will be automatically entered to win 🙂
Entry Instructions:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the [email protected] email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 11/9/2016 – 2/9/2017* (Natural Balance has extended the end date from 12/31/16 to 2/9/17)
Be sure to visit the Natural Balance Pet Foods® brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
livivua chandler says
We have dogs.
livivua chandler says
https://twitter.com/vivaciousgold/status/796448983627558912 tweeted
Will G says
We have a dog and a cat who are both 6!
Will G says
https://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/796475347680247809
Elena says
I have two cats and two dogs
Elena says
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/796480923617243136
mami2jcn says
I don’t have a pet right now but I’d like to adopt a dog soon.
mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/796490895831003136
Natalie says
I have a large goldendoodle named Miles who loves to go on runs with me.
Natalie says
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/796515179358015488
Kelly D says
I have an orange tabby cat named Buddy.
Kelly D says
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/796533673885569024
Cheryl B says
I have two dogs. One is a Sheltie and the other is a mixed breed.
Cheryl B says
https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/796544041932517377
Jessie C. says
We have a dog and a cat.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Jessie C. says
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/796556822534619136
Anna says
I have 3 rescues including a Rat Terrier named Sparky! And they are all on Vegetarian Natural Balance 🙂
aimee says
Oh my gosh, too funny! What color is your Sparky? I was shocked when a DNA test told me that little blonde dog we thought was a Chihuahua was a PUREBRED Rat Terrier 🙂
Julie Wood says
I have a female basset hound dog named Molly. She is so cute with those big floppy ears and sad eyes. She is really a funny dog.
Julie Wood says
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/796690320536825856
Rachel says
I have a dog (Brinlee) and a cat (Huey).
Rachel says
https://twitter.com/RachelGriesmer/status/796790896054403072
Jessica To says
We have an outside cat named Lucky who is very friendly.
Diane Lewandowski says
My rescue Jazz, probably a Cock-a-poo, has been thriving on Natural Balance for 5.5 years. The vet guessed that he about a year & a half when I was lucky enough to get him from Saving Saints Rescue in the Flint, MI area. He’s smart, loving, and very obedient. He’s all black & curly. Loves playing with his ball full of treats.
Lisa Brown says
I have a dark brown chihuahua named sammy
Lisa Brown says
tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/797792594407211009
Mary Wade says
I have a hound/ lab mix. She was a rescue and I got her when she was 9 months old. She had “issues” so during the first 6 months that I had her, I consulted with a trainer, a behaviorist, an animal communicator and a nutritionist. The nutritionist recommended a food that matched the ingredients in Natural Balance Sweet Potato and duck. That’s what her main food source is still today. She is now 7 1/2 years old.
julie says
we have a lovely pomeranian
julie says
https://twitter.com/showstopper474/status/798214754586259456
natasha lamoreux says
https://twitter.com/Natashalamoreu1/status/798652391369211904
natasha lamoreux says
We have a new puppy , a little pug and we may be getting another one as well.
Madeline says
We have 2 cats at the moment. One is a calico female and one is a long-haired male. They’re both absolutely adorable but the male is also incredibly social and lovable.
Madeline says
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/798703314615541768
Kathie says
Shared via twitter and Facebook. I do rescue and have 10 of my own dogs. One came in (an old former hunting beagle) with horrible skin and allergies a few years ago. Another of my dogs had colitis with numerous visits to the vet for steroids, etc. I occasionally have to listen to people saying how horrible I am for feeding my dogs vegetarian but my old beagle has no more itching (after spending 1,000.00 at dermatologists and having her on steroids, etc) and my chihuahua mix who had terrible bouts of colitis where he would throw up and not eat and then get either diarrhea or constipation has not had ONE problem in a year and a half since switching them all to this vegetarian food. My dogs are healthy and happy and the old beagle, she is at least 17 years old from what the vet can tell and is like the energizer bunny. She used to have cracked bleeding skin, constant ear infections, etc.
Kathie says
Twitter page: https://twitter.com/Kats5dogs1
Amy Tong says
I used to have a cat…since he was a baby but now he’s gone. My kids wanted a dog now, so we’ll consider it when they are ready for the responsibilities.
amy [at] uTry [dot] it
Amy Tong says
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/799074481993957376
amy [at] uTry [dot] it
Erika says
I’ve had two adorable beagles.
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
Terri Harris says
we recently had to put our beloved 14 y/o Griffon to rest. waiting for a bit but them will rescue a mutt that needs love!
Jess Caneal says
I have three pit bull mixes and we feed them Natural Balance vegetarian, and all three are happy and fit!
Lisa Howell says
I rescued my Nelly from the streets of Cancun when she was about 4 months old. I lived there at the time, but moved back to Canada about 3 and a half years ago. Since moving back home, Nelly has been eating Natural Balance’s vegan kibble and canned food. She loves it, and is fit as a fiddle. She is now 9 and a half years old. She has never been sick a day in her life, and her weight has been stable her entire life too. I would never go back to feeding her the commercial brands that use non human grade meats. I love her too much to feed her foods that could be made from roadkill and other nasty stuff. I am so glad that there is a good quality, and affordable vegan option for dogs. Nelly’s fur has never been softer either. Thank you, Natural Balance. <3
katherine says
We have an 8 year old mixed breed Mya
katherine says
https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/800299347653128193
heather says
We have two dogs and two cats and we love them so much they are like family.
heather says
https://twitter.com/myway070/status/800833093095411712
donna says
we have a wonderful pomeranian named teddy
donna says
https://twitter.com/linjumimom/status/803336817273700352
rachel says
Right now, due to my baby who does sleep well, we do not have any. I just can’t handle any other reason for getting up early (like having to let the dog out). Someday though!
CR Williams says
We are currently looking for a cat
CR Williams says
https://twitter.com/mommysweetiepie/status/805195752876089345
Susan Smith says
I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Daisy. She is so lovable.
Susan Smith says
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/806585228445810688
Debbie B says
i don’t have a pet right now but my daughter has 2 corgis
Debbie B says
I posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/807067558448943108
Mita says
We don’t have a pet right now but adopt one soon.
Mita says
https://twitter.com/mitadav/status/808860950849843200
Allison Swain says
We have three yorkie mix dogs, and a parrot. Thanks for the chance to win.
allisonrsdswain(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Allison Swain says
Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/allisonrswain/status/808932741488242689
Anastasia says
I don’t currently have any pets 🙂 My last pets were actually my roommates shih-tzu’s 🙂 They were cute and funny boys, for sure 🙂 I hope to get another dog sometime in the future 🙂
Anastasia says
Tweeted 🙂 – https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/809306719473913856
Elizabeth p says
Yes, our fur baby is full of love and we buy good food and treats to keep him healthy!
Elizabeth p says
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/809806519193759744
BusyWorkingMama says
I have a sweet 6 year old cat I adopted 2 months ago. He’d been returned twice to the Humane Society but he’s doing well in out home.
Elle says
I have 1 cat and 1 dog, both rescues!
Elle says
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/810896821535051776
Rebecca W says
We got our dog from a shelter, and he is a great dog. He doesn’t bark much or jump up on people, plus he loves any kids that come to visit.
Rebecca W says
https://mobile.twitter.com/Michael64263870/status/811027720268316672
Ellie Wright says
We have 2 shar-peis, Paisley and Spike. Spike is a big baby who walks
around with his eyes half shut running into furniture. We call him Magoo.
Ellie Wright says
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/811411684363485185
LAMusing says
I have a dog and a cat – both were rescues 🙂
LAMusing says
tweeted – https://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/811442644307935232
Latanya says
I do not have any pets
Latanya says
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/812337616205086720
Jeffrey says
We have to sibling cats that we adopted from the humane society as kittens. Each of my boys have their own and its funny how their personalities match! They play so well together, I’m glad we adopted both!
Jeffrey says
I shared on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/812704646259245056.
Kristen says
We have two dogs, a scruffy terrier mutt and a springer spaniel.
Kristen says
tweeted
https://twitter.com/rubylorikeet/status/812758644232056832
Leigh Borders says
https://twitter.com/leighanne000/status/812844142321664001
Leigh Borders says
I have two sweet dogs. One is a yorkie schnauzer mix and the other is a chihuahua. They are my loves!
Debbie B says
i don’t have any pets myself but my daughter has 2 corgis that are super cute
Debbie B says
i posted a tweet here;
https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/813046119752146944
Cynthia C says
I have a cat as a pet and love her to pieces.
Cynthia C says
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/813411450031112192
maria cantu says
II have a black and white cat named baby.
angie says
I have two fur babies, cats, named Oats & Piggy. They are biological sisters from the same litter but have different daddys. They are so very different but very close. 😀
angie says
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/814839506276913152
Stephanie Phelps says
I have three wonderful dogs and my son has a cute little furry cat!
Stephanie Phelps says
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/814926093392183296
Jennai says
I have three cats. Two I got from the pound and one I found in my apartment complex, basically a feral cat, who had been badly injured from fighting. I took him to the vet, patched him up, and he’s a great cat now!
Kathryn C says
my #SweepstakesEntry tweet:
https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/815276682533859328
Kathryn C says
#SweepstakesEntry- comment
I have five cats- Two are sisters from one litter, two are brothers from an entirely different
litter and then there is my Maine Coon “Callie” who I rescued as a stray kitten when I lived in New Jersey – they all get along
Chrissy says
Sadly we don’t have a pet right now because we just found out that my husband is allergic to cats. However, my sister has two adorable cats that I love to spoil rotten and who are just amazing with my toddler so that’s how I get my pet fix for now. 🙂
Chrissy says
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/krisgan07/status/815341496106946560
Faith J. says
2nd entry tweet https://mobile.twitter.com/faithjacklynswe/status/815884585615626240
Faith J. says
I’ve got 4 if you include the outside cats plus I have a dog that’s actually my boyfriend’s dog
Wanda McHenry says
I’ve go a dog and her name is Folly, she’s an obstinate Westie who somehow has taken on my personality. She is playful and knows her toys by name. She has a boyfriend next door who is a Boxer and they are great fence buddies. They run up and down and peak through the spaces in the fence. My neighbor and I allow them to visit sometimes in dog person, but, he’s 30 times bigger than her, so we watch carefully.
Wanda McHenry says
https://twitter.com/myfolly/status/816170405627101188