Is Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food Best for My Dog?

Blue Buffalo’s Dry Dog Food lines are touted as some of the best dog foods you can buy. With whole-food ingredients and antioxidant blends formulated at low temps to sustain their vitamin content, it’s no wonder this brand is one of the more expensive dry foods around. So which dogs is Blue Buffalo best for, how much does it cost, and what exactly is in it? Keep reading to find out!

Best Blue Buffalo Dry Dog Food  for My Dog

Overview


Blue Buffalo’s slogan is “Love them like family. Feed them like family." Many of the ingredients in Blue Buffalo's foods are indeed things we humans would eat, like salmon, berries, sweet potatoes, and flax. While the ingredients sound undoubtedly delicious, are they really worth the price tag? What’s the difference in all the lines Blue Buffalo carries for dogs? We’ll discuss this, and other frequently asked questions to help you make the most informed purchase “pawssible". 



Cost


Blue Buffalo has several different blends for dogs that come in different bag sizes:


    3 pounds

    6 pounds

    15 pounds

    24 pounds (adult blends only)

    30 pounds


Blue Buffalo’s small breed blends are only available in sizes up to 15 pounds. The cost of Blue Buffalo dry dog food ranges between $11 and $53, depending on the size, formula,  and retailer.



Age


Blue Buffalo's Wilderness, Life Protection, Freedom, and BLUE Basics lines have formulas for all stages of life. Within these popular lines, you’ll find several flavors in the adult, puppy, and senior blends. Unfortunately, the Carnivora and True Solutions lines don’t come in senior formulas, though the Carnivora line does have a puppy formulation.



Breeds


Blue Buffalo has dog food for nearly every breed, with both small- and large-dog varieties, as well as recipes for dogs with specific medical issues.


Blue Basics, for instance, has a limited ingredient list and is great for dogs with food allergies. Blissful Belly, in the True Solutions line, is meant for breeds prone to tummy troubles like Scottish Terriers and Yorkies. The Jolly Joints recipe from the same line boasts glucosamine and chondroitin for dogs like Labradors who are prone to joint problems.



Ingredients


The ingredients in Blue Buffalo dry dog food differ by flavor and line, but each formula has a healthy mix of real meat, fruit, veggies, healthy carbs, and whole grains (with the exception of the grain-free lines).


The first ingredient in Blue Buffalo is always meat; depending on the flavor, the meat source may include:


    salmon

    chicken

    cod

    rabbit

    quail

    beef

    bison

    bacon

    venison

    alligator


Pups need carbs for energy, so Blue Buffalo also throws in healthier carbs like:


    brown rice

    sweet potatoes

    chickpeas

    fava beans

    lentils

    oats

    barley


All of Blue Buffalo’s foods have a healthy blend of veggies like carrots, peas, green beans, pumpkin, broccoli, beets, and spinach. Antioxidant-rich fruits are also a top ingredient in Blue Buffalo for dogs, with flavorful additions of blueberries, blackberries, apples, cranberries, and pomegranate. No matter which recipe you select, Blue Buffalo formulates all their food for dogs without artificial flavors, preservatives, corn, wheat, and soy.



Reviews


Blue Buffalo’s ratings on ConsumerAffairs vary considerably, with some people praising the brand and other consumers denouncing it. The more positive reviews praise the brand for being veterinarian-recommended and good for sensitive tummies. Negative reviews stated that dogs don’t care for the flavor or that they found it difficult to digest.



FAQs


What are the differences and similarities between the Blue Wilderness and Blue Life Protection formulas?


The Wilderness brand is high-protein and available in a grain-free formula, whereas the Life Protection is not. Both recipes contain “life source” bits with antioxidants and are available in specific blends for puppies, adults, and senior dogs.


What is the Carnivora dry food line?


The Carnivora formulas contain more protein sources than the other lines, with up to 11 types of meat.


What types of food are in the Blue True Solutions line? Who are they best for?


Currently, there are 4 types in this line:


    Jolly Joints

    Blissful Belly

    Perfect Coat

    Fit and Healthy


Jolly Joints promotes joint health in dogs prone to arthritis. Blissful Belly is marketed as a gentle formula for dogs with sensitive tummies. Perfect Coat is meant to increase shine, decrease shedding, and optimize coat health. Fit and Healthy, as you probably guessed, is a weight maintenance formula.


A high-quality diet is essential for keeping your dog happy and healthy. Digestive problems and food allergies can be expensive to treat. Compare pet health insurance plans to save more than $270 a year on vet care.


Comments