Dick Van Patten, founder of Natural Balance, dies at 86

Actor Dick Van Patten, founder of Natural Balance Pet Foods, died June 23, 2015, at age 86.
Van Patten had been ill for a long time, according to his agent. He died in a Santa Monica, California, USA, hospital.
The actor was likely best known for his role as the father on the 1970s television series “Eight Is Enough.” According to Internet Movie Database, he was credited in 153 movies and TV shows, the most recent being an episode of “Hot In Cleveland” in 2011.
As an animal enthusiast, he co-founded Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance Pet Foods, a subsidiary of Big Heart Pet Brands, in 1989. He also founded National Guide Dog Month, which began in 2008 to raise awareness and money for nonprofit guide dog schools in the US accredited by the International Guide Dog Federation.
Reports say Natural Balance was started when Van Patten was a guest on John Davidson’s show. After having lunch with the show’s band’s drummer, who also was an animal lover, the two came up with an idea to make a health food for dogs. Another friend of Van Patten’s told him the best quality pet food should have no fillers, wheat, corn, soy or byproducts.
"My partner and I started Natural Balance Pet Foods in 1989 with the intention of developing the finest, healthiest pet food on the market,” Van Patten is quoted as saying. “We wanted a pet food based on sound scientific principles and truth, not marketing hype. We did it! Not only for dogs and cats, but for large carnivores, such as lions, tigers, polar bears, and wolves in zoos and animal reserves worldwide!"
 The Natural Balance brand includes a line of zoological products formulated specifically for carnivores in zoos and wild animal parks and not sold to the general public.

Natural Balance Pet Foods, Del Monte sign merger agreement

Del Monte Foods and Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. have signed a merger agreement. As part of the agreement, Natural Balance Pet Foods, makers of super-premium dog and cat food, will join Del Monte’s pet products portfolio.
The merger includes the equity interest held by private-equity firm VMG Partners. 
“Natural Balance will continue to offer pet parents super-premium, high quality formulas that they have come to know and expect, and we look forward to continuing to nurture our valued relationships with our customers and other partners,” said Joey Herrick, president and founder, Natural Balance.

Natural Balance Pet Foods honors working canines for September 11

Natual Balance Pet Foods sponsored a contest with Dog Fancy magazine to honor the United States' top working dogs, in honor of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 tragedy.
Natural Balance's Working Canine Hero of the Year contest named three winning dogs: Air Force dog Lucky; a search-and-rescue dog named Hunter; and Renzo, a K9 with the Shreveport, Louisiana, USA, police department.
Each of the winners will receive US$3,500 from Natural Balance on September 11, at a National Disaster Search Dog Foundation ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of the first national search dog training center in Santa Paula, California, USA.

Petco, Natural Balance team up to support National Guide Dog Month

Petco and Natural Balance Pet Foods will team up during September to support National Guide Dog Month.
One dollar for each bag of specially marked Natural Balance dog food purchased in September will be donated to participating guide dog schools, up to $50,000. In addition, monetary donations can be made at any Petco in-store register (through Sept. 18) or online at the checkout page (through Sept. 24).

RECALL: Natural Balance sweet potato & chicken dry dog food

Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. is recalling its 5 lb and 28 lb bags of Natural Balance sweet potato & chicken dry dog food.
According to Joey Herrick, president of Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc., the recalled product was "manufactured on December 17, 2009 with a “Best By” date of June 17, 2011". At this time, no other varieties of foods are involved.
The affected food was voluntarily recalled after a random sampling of the product tested positive for Salmonella by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Anyone who purchased the recalled product should return it the store where it was purchased for a full refund.

Natural Balance expands L.I.D. line, re-brands treat line

Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. is expanding its petfood offerings with new canned and treat formulas in its L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets line. The line is designed for dogs with sensitivities to common petfood ingredients.
“We’re constantly striving to offer more options for pets, particularly those with special dietary needs,” said Heather Govea, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Natural Balance.
The two new canned formulas and three new treat formulas will create complete diets of three existing L.I.D. lines for dogs: Sweet Potato & Bison, Lamb Meal & Brown Rice and Sweet Potato & Chicken.
Along with the expansion of the L.I.D. collection, Natural Balance is re-branding the complimentary treat line with new packaging and a new name: L.I.T. Limited Ingredient Treats.
The new additions are scheduled to be available in stores by the end of May.