Blue Buffalo Dog Food: Review

Despite producing a mind-boggling 200 different types of dog food, Blue Buffalo continues to market itself as just another ‘natural’ pet food company.

The reality doesn’t really hold up to the brand image, however. Blue Buffalo is a bit of an outlier, sharing some elements with more premium small-batch pet food producers, and others with the corporate giants.

Named after a much-loved family Airedale, the company was founded in 2003 by Bill Bishop, who developed the BLUE Life formula alongside veterinary nutritionists, which went on to become the top-selling natural pet food in America.

But even though they still claim to be “all about families,” Blue Buffalo is now owned by General Mills, a huge multinational corporation behind some of the country’s most recognizable brands, like Totino’s, Pillsbury, Häagen-Dazs, and Cheerios.

Like many large pet food manufacturers, Blue Buffalo uses cost-saving, concentrated ingredients such as meat meals to produce tens of millions of products per year. They may also use pet by-products, something that only became public knowledge after a 2014 false advertising lawsuit.

Despite the controversies, however, Blue Buffalo does go further than the majority of large pet food brands in their commitment to dogs’ health over profit margins. Their recipes almost always use real meat as a primary ingredient, and they steer clear of notorious fillers like corn, soy, and glutens.

This dry dog food from Blue Buffalo is made using real meat as the first two ingredients. It has 24% protein, slightly lower than the industry average. What it slightly lacks in protein it makes up for in antioxidants to ward off health issues, as well as vitamins and minerals to support immune health.

This recipe is free of corn, soy, and meat by-products. So it won’t be harsh on stomachs. Whilst not the greatest product in the world, it is a solid one, that is relatively affordable. We would recommend looking at our list of best dry dog foods to find a more suitable alternative, as this product isn’t the “best” at anything.

Customer reviews:

“Sam Wheat (my golden doodle) has been eating this food since he was born. He just turned 1 year old and Blue Buffalo has always kept him healthy and he loves it. When we changed his food from puppy to adult the choice was clear. And the best part is still the same food only difference is now adult. He loves it and a happy dog makes a happy owner.”

“My pittie absolutely LOVES this food. He likes all the types of Blue Buffalo, but this one seems to be his favorite. And you can’t beat the price on Chewy – such a deals compared to the pet store! I’ll never buy another brand 10/10 would recommend”

Guaranteed analysis:

• Protein (min): 24.0%
• Fat (min): 14.0%
• Fiber (max): 5.0%
• Moisture (max): 10.0%

Nutritional Info
Ingredients: 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, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.

Caloric Content
3,627 kcal/kg, 378 kcal/cup

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Adult Wet Food is a tasty wet food. It is composed of natural ingredients. With meat sources as the first three ingredients, it has plenty of valuable proteins and fats. Carrots and peas round out the top 5 ingredients, making it an easily digestible source of carbs (carbs = energy). 

With 8% protein, and 5.5% fat this product is almost right at the industry average. While not the best wet dog food out there, it is perfectly adequate.

Customer reviews:

“My dogs love this can food and no they don’t love all can food this one is special i could see there coat got shiny and there skin wasn’t dry i keep them clean but I noticed there not iching themselves like they did from time to time and my older dog has more bounce in his walk this is great,thank you.”

“My dogs absolutely love this dog food. It’s healthy and it doesn’t have a strong odor so the pups breath doesn’t smell as bad after they eat. They have more energy and they eat all of their food. I have two small dogs so I split a can between them at meals. It even has veggies in it.”

Guaranteed analysis: 

• Protein (min): 8.5%
• Fat (min): 5.5%
• Fiber (max): 1.5%
• Moisture (max): 78.0%

Nutritional Info
Ingredients: 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).

Caloric Content

1,254 kcal/kg, 451 kcal/cup

Starting with real meat then moving on to whole grains, vegetables, and fruits this is a good recipe for puppies. It has a Super 7 package of antioxidant-rich ingredients to support your puppy’s immune health. Free of corn, wheat, soy, and chicken by-products it doesn’t have some nasty unnecessary fillers. While not the best puppy food, it will do the job and is a nice value pick to save some money.

Customer reviews:

“My dogs love this can food and no they don’t love all can food this one is special i could see there coat got shiny and there skin wasn’t dry i keep them clean but I noticed there not iching themselves like they did from time to time and my older dog has more bounce in his walk this is great, thank you.”

“My dogs absolutely love this dog food. It’s healthy and it doesn’t have a strong odor so the pups breath doesn’t smell as bad after they eat. They have more energy and they eat all of their food. I have two small dogs so I split a can between them at meals. It even has veggies in it.”

Guaranteed analysis: 

• Protein (min): 27.0%
• Fat (min): 16.0%
• Fiber (max): 5.0%
• Moisture (max): 10.0%

Nutritional Info
Ingredients: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Menhaden Fish Meal (Source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Peas, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Flaxseed (Source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Egg Product, Pea Protein, Fish Oil (Source of Ara-Arachidonic Acid And Dha-Docosahexaenoic Acid), Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potatoes, Dried Chicory Root, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Calcium Carbonate, Dl-Methionine, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin E Supplement, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Garlic, 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), L-Carnitine, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Copper Sulfate, 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, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Aspergillus Niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Trichoderma Longibrachiatum Fermentation Extract, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Extract, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.

Caloric Content

3,686 kcal/kg, 398 kcal/cup

Compared to the majority of popular dry dog foods, Blue Buffalo’s kibbles are a cut above. 

Instead of pumping up nutritional levels through the use of highly concentrated and processed ingredients, the brand comes close to, or exceeds, industry averages for proteins, fats, and fiber by using a relatively healthy mix of real meat, whole grains, vegetables, and named meat meals.

A look at the recipe list for their most popular dry food, their Life Protection formula, shows that the major ingredients include whole chicken, chicken meal, rice, oats, barley, and fish meal.

While this doesn’t meet the gold standard of having all meat products for the first 5 ingredients, it does provide a decent amount of nutrition, without the use of fillers. Further down the recipe, you’ll find other middle-of-the-road ingredients like potatoes, peas, and tomato pomace.

For a big brand, we like how Blue Buffalo’s wet foods use a relatively limited ingredient list. While their formulas definitely don’t read like those from small-batch, whole food producers, they do feature real meat as a primary ingredient, no corn or soy, and a first-five that include nutritious sources of protein and fibrous vegetables such as carrots and sweet potatoes.

All this means that Blue Buffalo wet foods meet or exceed the industry average levels for proteins, fats, and fibers.

In stark contrast to their carefully cultivated brand image, Blue Buffalo dog foods have been plagued with recalls and controversies. Here are the most notable incidents over recent years:

• In 2019, Blue Buffalo was one of 16 brands (mostly grain-free) identified by the FDA as being associated with increased cases of canine heart disease. The investigation did not result in any recalls.
• In 2018, the brand’s BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe was recalled due to elevated beef thyroid hormones. Prolonged consumption of thyroid hormones can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing.
• In 2017, a lawsuit was filed against Blue Buffalo claiming that three of their formulas contained elevated levels of lead. However, the suit was dismissed.
• In 2016, Blue Buffalo sweet potato dog food was voluntarily recalled due to excess moisture content, which increases the risk of contamination.
• In 2014, the Purina pet food brand filed a lawsuit against Blue Buffalo for false advertising, after testing revealed their formulas contained unlisted poultry by-products.
• In 2010, several varieties of Blue Buffalo’s chicken and limited-ingredient dry foods were recalled due to a potential excess of vitamin D. Consuming excess vitamin D can lead to kidney failure.
• In 2007, all Blue Buffalo Blue canned dog food was involved in the FDAs widespread melamine recall, which affected a majority of the largest pet food manufacturers.