Blue Buffalo Dog Food Summary

What is Blue Buffalo Dog Food?

Blue Buffalo Dog Food is a pet food brand dedicated to making healthy and natural recipes for cats and dogs of every age and phase of life. It makes delicious, healthy, wet dog food, and dry dog food for both small and large breeds.

The company makes formulas for personalized dietary needs from skin sensitivities, immune system support, hip and joint health, weight management, digestive care, and many more.

Jackie and Bill Bishop, the founders of Blue Buffalo, began to develop interest in pet health when their Airedale, Blue, developed medical problems. This triggered the brothers to create Blue Buffalo Dog Food made from the finest natural ingredients to boost immunity.

Blue Buffalo Dog Food contains no corn, wheat, colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, or by-product meals. None of the food variants contains dairy or egg, either. The company produces two grain-free dog food lines, an antioxidant-rich ”Life Protection formula” and a Limited Ingredient line, all made with natural ingredients.

All Blue Buffalo foods contain LifeSource Bits. The “bits“ are derived from whole source ingredients like fruit and veggies. They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Where is Blue Buffalo Dog Food Made?

Blue Buffalo Dog Food is made in the United States.

Blue Buffalo Dog Food outsources the production of its recipes to its US partners, which include: Tuffy‘s, Triple T Foods, CJ Foods, ANI/Vita-Line, and Ainsworth.

How is Blue Buffalo Dog Food Made?

Blue Buffalo Dog Food is made using all-natural ingredients formulated into wholesome recipes. The brand tries its best to ensure that your dog‘s food is as primal as possible.

The formulas are minimally processed and are catered to different dog breeds and dietary needs. Every portion of the food ensures that your dog gets the required nutritional needs. The food is tailored to suit every life stage.

Is Blue Buffalo a Good Dog Food?

Yes, Blue Buffalo Dog Food is good.

The quality of ingredients used to produce the Blue Buffalo dry dog food and wet dog foods is excellent. All recipes feature real meat as the main ingredient, with no filler or poultry by-products used.

Offering high-protein and homestyle recipes, the brand makes its formulas on recommendations by animal nutritionists and veterinarians. They are loaded with high-quality protein, glucosamine, L-carnitine, and omega-3 fatty acids, making them suitable for both large and small dogs.

Plus, the brand provides detailed accessibility to the ingredients that they use. And finally, most of the brand’s products are available and highly rated on online platforms like Amazon and Chewy.

What is the Problem With Blue Buffalo Dog Food?

In the past, Blue Buffalo Dog Food had to endure a series of accusations involving false advertising of their products. They were sued because they were accused of misleading their customers through their marketing campaigns.

The brand has a certain marketing tactic where they associate dog food with a wolf and claim that their products are extremely close to nature. The fact that wolves do not have carbohydrates in their food was used to back these allegations.

Blue Buffalo Dog Food Formulas Reviewed

Blue Buffalo Dog Food offers different formulas, including wet and dry dog foods, dog treats, and toppers. To help pet owners find the best recipe for their dogs, we have reviewed several formulas.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Dry Dog Food

Summary: This product contains a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that have been put together by renowned vets and animal nutritionists. The dog food is high in protein as it contains real chicken, which encourages muscle growth. It also contains DHA and ARA, important fatty acids found in mother’s milk, which support cognitive development and retinal health. It contains other ingredients that help promote the healthy development of your dog’s body and mind.

Type: Dry dog food

Best for: Puppies and adult dogs

Flavor Options: Red meat; Chicken; Turkey

Price: $2.7/pound

Pros
  • Features high-protein real chicken
  • Perfect for large and small breeds
  • Made with a great crunchy texture
  • Builds immunity and improves digestion
  • Free from harmful preservatives
Cons
  • Some dogs might not like the crunchy texture

Ingredient Analysis

  • Deboned Chicken: Most Blue Buffalo homestyle meals contain deboned chicken that provides the required protein to your dog‘s diet
  • Peas: This is a great source of plant protein, and it also gives a nice texture to the food. Additionally, it also contains other beneficial nutrients.
  • Fish Meal: Helps reduce inflammation in your dog‘s body. Also, it is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support skin & coat health.
  • Sweet Potatoes: These complete the requirement of carbs in your dog’s meal. They are a common ingredient in most adult dry dog foods.

Review: The kibble size is perfect even for small dog breeds. It also contains real meat, which gives the required nutrition that your dog needs to stay active.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Dog Food

Summary: This product contains the essential fatty acids that are often found in the mother’s milk. Therefore, it improves your dog’s brain and eye development. If you have a smaller dog breed, the perfect kibble size ensures that every dog can take a big bite and enjoy its food. Additionally, the kibble also acts as a medium that helps to remove tartar from your dog’s teeth. This improves their oral health. Finally, this dog food contains real meat as the first ingredient.

Type: Dry dog food

Best for: Puppies and adult dogs

Flavor Options: Chicken; Lamb; Beef

Price: $2/pound

Pros
  • Features real meat as the first ingredient
  • Contains wholesome whole grains, garden veggies, and fruit
  • Supports cognitive function and retinal health
  • Has a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
  • Made with the finest natural ingredients
Cons
  • The scent might be off-putting for some dogs

Ingredient Analysis

  • Chicken Meal: This is a great ingredient that adds a wholesome chicken flavor to the meal. It also adds protein and glucosamine to your dog’s diet.
  • Brown Rice: Loaded with antioxidants, brown rice not only improves digestion but it also contains other beneficial nutrients.
  • Oatmeal: This helps to reduce inflammation in your dog‘s body. It also gives them a much healthier coat and improves their cognitive abilities.
  • Barley: This whole grain is perfect for adding fiber to your dog’s meal. It also contains antioxidants that offer numerous health benefits.

Review: This dog food not only contains meat but also healthy grains, fruits, and vegetables. This ensures that your dog’s meal is balanced.

Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Recipe for Dogs

Summary: This dog food contains chicken as its first ingredient. It supports healthy muscle development in young dogs and is free from controversial ingredients such as gluten. It contains a specially formulated blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. This helps to support your dog’s immune system at every life stage. The product has been crafted by a team of holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists.

Type: Dry dog food

Best for: Puppies and adult dogs

Flavor Options: Chicken; Beef; Lamb

Price: $3.2/pound

Pros
  • Lean and high-quality protein sources
  • Enriched with essential fatty acids
  • Contains antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits
  • Builds immunity and improves digestion
  • Free from harmful preservatives
Cons
  • Some ingredients may cause allergies

Ingredient Analysis

  • Pea Starch: This ingredient helps to provide a readily available source of energy and iron. It is basically the starch component of peas.
  • Turkey Meal: This is a great source of protein and can help build your dog’s muscles. This improves their overall mobility.
  • Pea Protein: This is the protein component of peas that also contains fibers and other vitamins and minerals.
  • Chicken Fat: This is perfect for providing your dog with a sustained source of energy. It makes them more active overall.

Review: This Blue Freedom food can be combined with a wet pate to make the meal a lot better. It is a great addition to your pet supplies.

Blue Buffalo Basics Dog Food

Summary: This dog food features real meat, fruits, and vegetables in its formula. Additionally, it also contains beneficial carbohydrates such as potatoes, oatmeal, and brown rice. This provides your dog with the ability to improve their digestion thanks to the food’s excellent nutrition. It also contains flaxseeds and fish oil that not only reduce inflammation but also provide your dog with better skin and coat. This is perfect for dogs with food allergies.

Type: Dry dog food

Best for: Puppies and adult dogs

Flavor Options: Turkey; Salmon; Duck; Lamb

Price: $2.75/pound

Pros
  • Features real meat as the first ingredient
  • Made with the finest natural ingredients
  • Contains a single animal protein source
  • Potatoes, peas, and pumpkin support gentle digestion
  • Does not contain corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or eggs
Cons
  • Could lead to bad breath in some dogs

Ingredient Analysis

  • Turkey: Delicious and nutrient-dense source of lean proteins.
  • Potatoes: These are a great source of carbohydrates and also add a great texture to the meal. They help to balance your dog’s diet.
  • Brown Rice: Loaded with antioxidants, brown rice not only improves digestion but it also contains other beneficial nutrients.
  • Pumpkin: An excellent source of prebiotics (dietary fiber) for gut health and easy digestion.

Review: This product might not suit those dogs who require a limited ingredient diet. It contains certain ingredients that could cause problems.

Blue Buffalo True Solutions Dog Food

Summary: This adult and puppy dry dog food is made with ingredients that are easily digestible. This is due to the fact that it contains a prebiotic fiber that has been proven to support and improve digestive health. It also contains other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals in addition to the brand’s signature antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits. The product is further formulated with fruits and vegetables (in addition to brown rice recipes) that are gentle on your dog’s digestive system.

Type: Dry dog food

Best for: Puppies and adult dogs

Flavor Options: Chicken; Salmon

Price: $2.85/pound

Pros
  • Features real meat as the first ingredient
  • Builds immunity and improves digestion
  • Contains healthy whole grains
  • Enhanced with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients
  • Free from harmful preservatives
Cons
  • The flavor might not suit some dogs

Ingredient Analysis

  • Brown Rice: Loaded with antioxidants, brown rice not only improves digestion but it also contains other beneficial nutrients.
  • Oatmeal: This helps to reduce inflammation in your dog’s body. It also gives them a much healthier coat and improves their cognitive abilities.
  • Barley: This whole grain is perfect for adding fiber to your dog’s meal. It also contains antioxidants that offer numerous health benefits.
  • Potatoes: These are a great source of carbohydrates and also add a great texture to the meal. They help to balance your dog’s diet.

Review: Loaded with beneficial nutrients, this Blue Buffalo dog food has an appealing scent that your dog might love. Can be used as cat food in rare cases.

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Dog Food

Summary: This particular dog food contains real salmon that has been hydrolyzed. This acts as a ready source of digestible protein that can reduce the chances of an allergic reaction in your dog. It also prevents other reactions that your friend can have to certain foods. It also contains fish oil and flaxseed to support healthy skin and coats. Additionally, it does not contain any by-product meals, corn, wheat, or soy. It is also free from artificial flavors or preservatives. Some websites sell this as a variety pack too.

Type: Dry dog food

Best for: Puppies and adult dogs

Flavor Options: Salmon; Chicken

Price: $4/pound

Pros
  • Has a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
  • Made with the finest natural ingredients
  • Helps improve digestion and immunity overall
  • Does not contain any harmful additives
  • Free from harmful preservatives
Cons
  • Not a budget-friendly dog food

Ingredient Analysis

  • Potatoes: These complete the requirement of carbs in your dog’s meal. They are a common ingredient in most adult dry dog foods.
  • Peas: This is an excellent source of plant protein, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It also adds a great texture to the dog food.
  • Salmon: This helps to reduce inflammation as it contains essential fatty acids. It also gives your dog a much better coat.

Review: If you are looking for a pet food that is high in protein and contains beneficial ingredients, this Blue Buffalo Dog Food is what you need.

What Dog Food Formulas does Blue Buffalo Make?

Blue Buffalo Dog Food makes several product lines and products. Here is a complete list of the brand’s recipes:

Best Seller
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Dry Dog Food
9.5/10Our Score
  • PACKED WITH REAL CHICKEN: A recipe made to satisfy your dog’s natural love for meat, this high protein dog food features real chicken to help build and maintain lean muscle mass
  • HEALTHY INGREDIENTS: BLUE Wilderness grain free dog food for adult small breed dogs is made with the ingredients to help meet the unique energy requirements of smaller dogs with a special kibble ideal for smaller jaws
  • ANTIOXIDANT-RICH LIFESOURCE BITS: A precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support immune system health, life stage needs and a healthy oxidative balance

Has Blue Buffalo Dog Food Been Recalled?

Yes, Blue Buffalo Dog Food has been recalled. To be more precise, the company has three recalls.

In March 2017, there was a voluntary recall of Wilderness Rocky Mountain Red Meat Dinner Wet Food due to a high level of naturally-occurring beef thyroid hormones that cause restlessness, increased heart rate, weight loss, urination, and increased thirst.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported a single pet parent whose dog developed these symptoms and later recovered. Blue Buffalo investigated and decided to recall the batch.

In October 2010, a scientist at the Michigan State University investigated why dogs around the country were falling sick. It found that these dogs had high levels of vitamin D in their blood. 16 of these dogs were eating the BLUE Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe diet.

The company recalled all bags of BLUE Basics Salmon Recipe, BLUE Buffalo Wilderness Chicken, and BLUE Life Protection Adult Large Breed Chicken Recipe, having the best before dates of 7/12/11 through 10/26/11.

And finally, in April 2007, there was a voluntary recall of many pet foods and one batch of Buffalo baked dog treats. They contained rice protein obtained from Wilbur-Ellis, which was contaminated with melamine before arriving Blue Buffalo production facility.

Is Blue Buffalo Dog Food Worth it?

Yes, Blue Buffalo Dog Food is worth it.

Blue Buffalo Dog Food is an excellent choice for many pet parents. The brand offers a superior nutrition profile. The precise blend of carbs, proteins, and fats attests to the quality of this dog food. And the company’s commitment to overall canine health is second to none.