Blue Buffalo Dog Food Review
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Blue Buffalo has only been around since the early 2000’s, but in that time, the company has become one of the biggest and most successful pet food companies in the world. The company makes both dog and cat foods.
Their dog foods include grain-free and grain-inclusive offerings in many different formulas. And they produce both kibble and wet/canned foods, as well as treats.
Blue Buffalo also advertises aggressively, which has not always made them popular with some of their competitors.
If you would like to know if Blue Buffalo dog food is right for your dog, read our review.
Blue Buffalo Dog Food: Top 5 Recipes Reviewed
| Product Name | Food Type |
Protein |
kcal/Cup/Can/Tray |
| Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food | Dry food | 24% | 377 kcal/cup |
| Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food | Dry food | 34% | 409 kcal/cup |
| Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables & Brown Rice Canned Dog Food | Wet/canned food | 8.5% | 451 kcal/12.5 ounce can |
| Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Formula Turkey & Potato Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food | Dry food | 20% | 352 kcal/cup |
| Blue Buffalo Freedom Adult Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food | Wet food | 24% | 373 kcal/cup |
About Blue Buffalo Dog Food
Blue Buffalo, founded in 2002–03 by Bill Bishop and his family, was a successful dog food company that faced competition from pet food giant Nestle Purina.
The company’s sales soared due to aggressive advertising and in-store promotions. However, Nestle Purina objected to Blue Buffalo’s market share and falsely claimed their foods did not contain grains and poultry by-products.
Blue Buffalo eventually settled with Nestle Purina, and in 2018, it sold to General Mills for $8 billion. Today, General Mills, along with Blue Buffalo, is one of the top 10 pet food companies globally, with over $1.4 billion in annual revenue.
In 2019, Blue Buffalo was one of the 16 brands most frequently reported in cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).
Sourcing And Manufacturing
Blue Buffalo, a pet food company, sources its ingredients from the United States, including grains, meats, lamb, venison, rabbit, and trout.
They instruct suppliers to source ingredients from the US where possible and work with reliable foreign companies for vitamins and minerals that are not readily available in the US.
Blue Buffalo manufactures most of its own kibble and treats at their Heartland Pet Food Manufacturing facility in Joplin, Missouri, and other products are manufactured by American companies like Ainsworth, ANI/Vita-Line, CJ Foods, Triple T Foods, and Tuffy’s.
Recall History
Blue Buffalo dog food has faced numerous recalls over the years, including issues with the Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs, packaging problems, metal contamination, mold, Salmonella, and vitamin D levels.
In February 2017, 17 different dog food cups were recalled due to packaging issues, while in May 2016, 30 lb. bags of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Fish and Sweet Potato Recipe dog food were recalled for mold.
In October 2010, packages of Blue Wilderness Chicken, Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Salmon and Potato, and Blue Life Protection Formula Natural Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe A large-breed adult was recalled for potentially having too much vitamin D.
In April 2007, all pet foods manufactured by American Nutrition Inc. were recalled due to melamine problems.
What Kinds of Dog Food Does Blue Buffalo Offer?
At this time, Blue Buffalo offers the following dog foods: both kibbles and wet or canned foods. They come in many different recipes and formulas. We found nearly 200 Blue Buffalo dog food diets (dry and wet) on the Chewy.com site.
- Blue Life Protection Formula
- Blue Wilderness (high protein)
- Blue Basics (limited ingredient diet)
- Blue Freedom (grain-free)
- Blue Carnivora (prey diet)
- Blue Natural Veterinary Diet (prescription formulas)
- Blue True Solutions (specific health needs)
Blue Buffalo also makes various kinds of dog treats.
Blue Buffalo Dog Food: Top Five Recipes Reviewed
Here’s a look at some of the bestselling Blue Buffalo dog food recipes on Chewy.com to give you an idea of what’s popular and what other dog lovers are choosing for their dogs.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 5% Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
- Caloric Content: 3,627 kcal/kg, 378 kcal/cup
Here’s a look at the main ingredients in this food:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal, Pea Starch, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Tomato Pomace, Natural Flavor, Peas, Pea Protein, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Potatoes, Dried Chicory Root, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Dicalcium Phosphate, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Garlic, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable Juice for color, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, L-Carnitine, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Taurine, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, [probiotics], Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.
The dry matter basis (DMB) figures for this food are: 26.7 percent protein, 15.6 percent fat, 5.6 percent fiber, and 43.8 percent carbohydrates. It has 377 kcal/cup.
Our rating for this food is 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 34% Min
- Fat: 15% Min
- Fiber: 6% Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
- Calories: 3,599 kcal/kg, 409 kcal/cup
Here’s a look at the main ingredients in this food:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal (Source Of Glucosamine), Peas, Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch, Menhaden Fish Meal (Source Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Dried Tomato Pomace, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed (Source Of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Pea Starch, Natural Flavor, Dried Egg Product, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, DL-Methionine, Potatoes, Dried Chicory Root, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable Juice For Color, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), L-Carnitine, Copper Sulfate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Taurine, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, [probiotics], Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil Of Rosemary.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food has 37.8 percent protein and 16.7 percent fat, according to the dry matter basis (DMB). It has 6.7 percent fiber. Our estimate of the carbohydrates is 30.4 percent. It has 409 kcal per cup.
Rated 3 out of 5 stars.
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables & Brown Rice Canned Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 8.5% Min
- Fat: 5.5% Min
- Fiber: 1.5% Max
- Moisture: 78% Max
- Caloric Content: 1,254 kcal/kg, 451 kcal/cup
Here’s a look at the main ingredients in this food:
Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Flaxseed, Blueberries, Cranberries, Carrageenan, Cassia Gum, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Cobalt Amino Acid Chelate, Niacin Supplement (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9).
This formula has 38.6 percent protein and 27.3 percent fat, according to the dry matter basis (DMB). It has 6.8 percent fiber. Our estimate of the carbohydrates in the food came out to 13.6 percent DMB. It has 451 kcals/12.5 ounce can.
Our rating for this food is 4 out of 5 stars.
Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Formula Turkey & Potato Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 20% Min
- Fat: 12% Min
- Fiber: 6% Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
- Caloric Content: 3,503 kcal/kg, 352 kcal/cup
Here’s a look at the main ingredients in this food:
Deboned Turkey, Potatoes, Turkey Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Pea Starch, Peas, Tapioca Starch, Pea Fiber, Potato Starch, Canola Oil (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Pea Protein, Fish Oil (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Potassium Chloride, Salt, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Pumpkin, Dried Chicory Root, Flaxseed, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Vitamin E Supplement, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), DL-Methionine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable Juice for color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Copper Sulfate, L-Lysine, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Dried Yeast, Manganese Sulfate, [probiotics], Taurine, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, [probiotics], Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.
According to the dry matter analysis for this food, it has 22.2 percent protein, 13.3 percent fat, and 6.7 percent fiber. Our estimate of the carbohydrates in the food came out to 49.3 percent. It contains 352 kcal per cup.
Our rating for this food is 3 out of 5 stars.
Blue Buffalo Freedom Adult Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Product Info
- Protein: 24% Min
- Fat: 14% Min
- Fiber: 6% Max
- Moisture: 10% Max
- Caloric Content: 3,583 kcal/kg, 373 kcal/cup
Here’s a look at the main ingredients in this food:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Tapioca Starch, Pea Starch, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Tomato Pomace, Pea Protein, Flaxseed (Source Of Omega 3 And 6 Fatty Acids), Turkey Meal, Natural Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, DL-Methionine, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Calcium Carbonate, Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Garlic, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable Juice For Color, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source Of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), L-Carnitine, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Taurine, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, [probiotics], Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil Of Rosemary.
This formula has 26.7 percent protein and 15.6 percent fat, according to the dry matter basis (DMB). It has 6.7 percent fiber. Our estimate of the carbohydrates in the food came out to 42.7 percent DMB. It contains 373 kcal per cup.
Our rating for this food is 3.5 out of 5 stars.
How Much Does Blue Buffalo Dog Food Cost?
Blue Buffalo diets are very affordable compared to most premium dog foods.
What Do Customers Think of Blue Buffalo Dog Food?
Blue Buffalo gets good ratings from most customers. Most customers (over 90 percent) say they would recommend various Blue Buffalo dog foods to others. Most recipes get 4- or 5-star reviews.
Overall, Is Blue Buffalo Dog Food A Good Choice?
Most Blue Buffalo dog foods are grain-free and contain peas and pea derivatives. Even foods with grains contain peas.
Most of their dog foods have peas in the first five ingredients. Some recipes contain more than one kind of pea ingredient (pea starch or pea protein) in the first five ingredients, along with other pea ingredients lower in the ingredient list.
Based on these facts, we think that most Blue Buffalo recipes are plant-based with large amounts of legumes. Even if you are not concerned about dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs, these are not the best or healthiest ingredients for dogs.
Where Is Blue Buffalo Dog Food Sold?
You can find Blue Buffalo dog food at Chewy.com and other online retailers. You can also buy Blue Buffalo at some pet supply stores.
