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Natural Balance Freeze-Dried Dog Food: Alternatives Worth Considering
by The Get Joy Food Team ・ 8 min readPublished October 2026 · Last reviewed October 2026
If you're looking for an alternative to Natural Balance freeze-dried dog food, the good news is that the freeze-dried raw category has evolved significantly. Today's best options go beyond ingredient quality to focus on functional nutrition — specifically gut health, which is the foundation of whole-body health in dogs. Here's what to look for, and how leading alternatives compare.
Looking for an alternative to your current brand? Here is what to compare so the switch is an upgrade your dog actually enjoys.
Key Takeaways
- Natural Balance has faced ownership changes and formula shifts — many dog parents are actively seeking alternatives
- The best freeze-dried alternatives prioritize real whole food proteins, short ingredient lists, and functional gut health support
- Look for brands that build prebiotics and probiotics into the food itself, not just as optional add-ons
- Gut-health-forward formulas support better digestion, coat quality, immune function, and mood
- Get Joy Freeze-Dried Raw Meals feature Belly Biotics™ — a built-in prebiotic, probiotic, and postbiotic blend unique in the category
About Natural Balance Freeze-Dried
Natural Balance has been a recognizable name in pet food for decades, built on a "limited ingredient" positioning that appealed to dog parents with sensitive dogs. Their freeze-dried products have followed that same philosophy — simple formulas with a primary protein source and minimal additional ingredients.
However, following ownership changes (the brand was acquired by Nexus Capital Management and has changed hands since), many longtime customers have raised concerns about formula consistency and ingredient sourcing. This has driven a wave of pet parents looking for alternatives that deliver on the original promise of clean, simple nutrition — and go further with functional benefits.
What to Look for in an Alternative
When comparing freeze-dried dog food alternatives, evaluate these criteria:
- Protein source quality — Named whole meats (beef, chicken, turkey) rather than generic "meat" or by-products
- Ingredient list length — 10–15 ingredients is a reasonable target for a nutritionally complete formula
- Gut health support — Does the food include prebiotics, probiotics, or postbiotics? Are they built in or just sprinkled on?
- Sourcing transparency — Where do the ingredients come from? Is the brand transparent about suppliers?
- AAFCO compliance — Is the food complete and balanced for your dog's life stage?
How Top Alternatives Compare
| Brand | Protein Source | Gut Health Support | Formula Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Get Joy | Whole beef, chicken, turkey | Belly Biotics™ built in | Complete meal |
| Stella & Chewy's | Whole prey proteins | Added probiotics | Complete meal |
| Primal Pet Foods | Human-grade meats | Minimal | Complete meal |
| Northwest Naturals | Regional proteins | None built-in | Complete meal |
| Natural Balance FD | Named proteins | None | Limited ingredient |
The Gut Health Difference
The most meaningful way Get Joy differs from Natural Balance and most other freeze-dried alternatives is the gut health architecture built into every meal. Belly Biotics™ isn't a sprinkle-on supplement — it's formulated directly into the food, so every bite delivers a consistent dose of prebiotics (to feed good bacteria), probiotics (beneficial live cultures), and postbiotics (fermentation byproducts that support the gut lining).
This matters because gut health is whole-body health. A dog with a thriving gut microbiome absorbs nutrients more efficiently, maintains a stronger immune system, has a calmer temperament, and shows it in their coat, energy, and digestion. No other freeze-dried brand has this approach built structurally into their product.
How to Switch Foods Without Stomach Upset
Switching from Natural Balance to any new freeze-dried food should be done gradually to minimize digestive disruption:
- Days 1–3: 75% old food, 25% new food
- Days 4–6: 50% old food, 50% new food
- Days 7–9: 25% old food, 75% new food
- Day 10+: 100% new food
Some dogs transition faster, some slower. Watch stool consistency as your guide — soft but not watery stools during transition are normal; diarrhea or vomiting means slow down the transition.
Ready to make the switch? Get Joy Freeze-Dried Raw Meals deliver whole food nutrition with Belly Biotics™ built in — a genuinely better alternative. Shop Now →
From Get Joy dog parents
“My picky eater is finally eating her food!”
“Zero tummy drama.”
Customer reviews, shared as written
Ready when you are
Switch gradually over 7 to 10 days.
Freeze Dried Raw Meals have Belly Biotics™ built in, store in the pantry and work as a full meal or a topper. 50% off your first Auto-Ship order. Skip, pause or cancel anytime.
Worried they won’t eat it? Mix a little into their current food and shift over 7 to 10 days. And we guarantee they’ll love it or your first order is free — that’s the Clean-Bowl Promise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Natural Balance change their formula?
Natural Balance has changed ownership multiple times since the brand's founding. With ownership changes often come formula and sourcing changes. Many longtime customers have reported noticing differences in consistency and palatability. If you've noticed changes in your dog's response to Natural Balance, exploring alternatives is a reasonable step.
Is Get Joy a limited ingredient diet like Natural Balance?
Get Joy is not marketed as a limited ingredient diet, but it is formulated with a clean, transparent ingredient list. If your dog has confirmed food sensitivities, working with your vet to identify specific protein or carbohydrate triggers is the best approach before selecting any new food.
What's the main benefit of switching to a gut-health-forward freeze-dried food?
The gut microbiome influences digestion, immune function, mood, and overall health. A food that actively supports a healthy gut — through prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics — delivers benefits beyond basic nutrition. Many dogs show improvements in stool quality, coat condition, and energy within 2–4 weeks of switching.
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