Do Vets Recommend Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo is a widely available dog food brand you can find in your local pet store. While not all Blue Buffalo products are recommended by vets, the company does make several formulas that contain quality ingredients and meet the nutritional requirements your dog needs.
Blue Buffalo is one of the most popular brands on the market and its easy to see why. The food contains natural ingredients and is made with real meat and vegetables. It is also fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to help keep your pet healthy.
The brand offers a variety of foods for cats and dogs of all ages, including puppy, adult, and senior formulas. There are also special formulas for pets with specific dietary needs, such as sensitive stomachs or weight control issues.
Some vets dont recommend Blue Buffalo because theyre not familiar with it or dont think its up to par with other brands.
There are no easy answers here its complicated and personal. But if youre looking for an expert opinion on Blue Buffalo, we recommend speaking with your vet first.
Is Blue Buffalo Dog Food Good For Dogs
Blue Buffalo is a very popular dog food brand with the highest quality ingredients. But many dog owners are still concerned about their pets food quality.
To find out if Blue Buffalo is as good for your dog as it claims to be, read this article. Blue Buffalo Dog Food Guarantee and Returns Blue Buffalo says its products are 100% complete and balanced and will meet the nutritional needs of dogs.
And many pet parents agree. Blue Buffalo Dog Food Ingredients Blue Buffalo dog food has a lot of different flavors. The foods also vary in the number of calories and different nutritional levels.
Formulated To Help Puppies Grow
BRAIN AND EYE DEVELOPMENT: Choline plus DHA and ARA fatty acids support healthy cognitive learning and retinal function.
HEALTHY MUSCLE GROWTH: High-quality protein from deboned turkey and turkey meal helps develop strong muscles.
PROPER BONE DEVELOPMENT: A healthy balance of calcium, phosphorus and essential vitamins helps bones grow at the ideal pace.
DENTAL HEALTH: Special small-bite kibble is the perfect size for puppies jaws and is shaped to help remove tartar.
HEALTHY SKIN AND COAT: Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids help develop a shiny coat and healthy skin.
HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM: Essential vitamins, chelated minerals and important antioxidants help support immunity.
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Is Blue Buffalo Making Dogs Sick
Blue Buffalo is a famous US-based pet food brand that claims to use only all-natural finest ingredients. Instead of cheap corn fillers and meat meals, Blue Buffalo products derive their protein from quality meat sources and whole grains such as brown rice. Each product also contains trademarked cold-formed LifeSource Bits a blend of nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants critical for a dogs proper development and functioning.
Sounds too good to be true? Unfortunately, it might be.
Despite its advertised rigorous testing and premium quality, Blue Buffalo has been hit by several lawsuits and scandals over the recent years. The plaintiffs alleged the brand of bad ingredients quality and misleading marketing.
Puppyhood Is The Best Time To Consider Pet Insurance

As a puppy, your dog has probably not shown any significant health concerns at his young age. Since pet insurance companies dont cover pre-existing conditions, the younger your dog is when you sign up, the better coverage you will likely receive throughout his lifetime. Furthermore, pet insurance can help support you financially during the unpredictable puppy years when dogs are more likely to chew on things they shouldnt and run into dangerous situations. Check out our pet insurance guide to learn more and to determine whether pet insurance is worth it for your puppy.
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Full Ingredients And Analysis
To get a better analysis of whats inside this Blue Buffalo Dog Food Reviews, we sampled the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free pet food. Analyzing the first 10 ingredients in dog food is a great way to understand the overall nutrient content of dog food because AAFCO requires all dog food ingredients to be listed in order of predominance by their weight. Heres a closer look at whats inside Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free.
Full Ingredients:
The Estimated Nutrient Content in this dog food was found to have a healthy nutrient breakdown:
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management Adult Dry Dog Food is a high-protein diet that has chicken as its first ingredient. It has a protein-to-fat ratio that helps your dog maintain lean muscle mass while it undergoes weight loss.
The recipe contains prebiotic fiber naturally sourced from wheat bran. Prebiotic fiber helps dogs feel full for longer periods of time, and it nourishes beneficial bacteria found in the digestive tract.
Even though this recipe is primarily meant for weight loss, its still a tasty meal for dogs. It contains shredded chicken bits mixed with the kibble, so the taste and texture is more palatable for dogs. However, some dogs may become picky and only choose to eat the chicken bits and ignore the kibble.
- Dogs may only eat chicken bits
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Large Breed Dog Food Natural Dry Dog Food For Adult Dogs Chicken And Brown Rice 30 Lb Bag
- REAL MEAT FIRST: Blue Buffalo foods always feature real meat as the first ingredient. High-quality protein from real chicken helps your dog build and maintain healthy muscles. Plus they contain wholesome whole grains, garden veggies and fruit.
- WEIGHT MANAGEMENT DOG FOOD: Formulated with reduced calories from fat to help large breed dogs achieve and maintain healthy weight, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula large breed dog food also contains glucosamine and chondroitin to help support joint health and mobility.
- WITH LIFESOURCE BITS: This formula contains BLUEs exclusive 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 requirements, and a healthy oxidative balance.
- A NATURAL DOG FOOD: BLUE dry dog foods are made with the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals. BLUE contains NO chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.
- Contains one 30 lb. Bag of BLUE Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Large Breed Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken and Brown Rice
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Transitioning To Homemade Dog Food
Most dogs dont have a problem making the switch to homemade food. If yours is prone to digestive issues, start slowly by mixing a little bit of the homemade food with the commercial food.
Over the course of a week or two, gradually increase the amount of homemade food while decreasing the commercial food.
If your dog vomits or has diarrhea, try introducing only a couple of new ingredients at a time until their systems are well adjusted to the fresh diet.
For dogs with health issues, please consult with a veterinarian if you arent sure what kind of supplements are needed. Use your best judgment, the way you would when feeding yourself or your family.
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Blue Buffalo Dog Food Reviewed: Pros Cons And Ingredient Analysis
- Best Overall Blue Buffalo Dog Food: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Dry Dog FoodThis is our top pick when it comes to the best Blue Buffalo dog food because of its well-rounded and balanced formula.
- Best Blue Buffalo Dog Food for Immunity: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Dog FoodIf your dog falls ill often, this food will help build their immunity to fight off common infections and discomfort.
- Best Blue Buffalo Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs: Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Recipe for DogsThis protein-rich dog food is great for dogs that have a sensitive stomach and face allergic reactions to other food brands.
- Most Affordable Blue Buffalo Dog Food: Blue Buffalo Basics Dog FoodIf you are looking for something that is a bit more economical, this product is perfect for pet parents who are on a budget.
- Most Innovative Blue Buffalo Dog Food: Blue Buffalo True Solutions Dog FoodMade with an innovative blend of ingredients, this dog food contains real meat along with whole grains , deboned chicken, and brown rice.
- Best Vet-Formulated Blue Buffalo Dog Food: Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Dog FoodIf your dog is a picky eater, this dog food is as close to nature as one can get, making every meal something to look forward to.
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, 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 interests 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.
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Is Blue Buffalo A Healthy Option For Senior Dogs
Blue Buffalo markets 5 wet and 7 dry dog foods, each designed to be suitable for older animals. Each product contains above-average protein and below-average fat and calories levels. Recipes meet AAFCO nutrient guidelines for adult maintenance which makes each a healthy option for senior dogs. View The Dog Food Advisors best senior dog foods here.
Is Blue Buffalo Considered A Balanced Dog Food

All Blue Buffalo recipes meet or exceed dog food nutrient profiles established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials . These standards are based on the Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats published by the National Research Council of the National Academies of Science in Washington, D.C. Each Blue Buffalo recipe is considered complete and balanced for the canine life stage printed on the package.
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Overall Is Blue Buffalo A Good Choice
Blue Buffalo cat food is popular and well-loved, but its far from perfect nutritionally or in terms of quality. Where they really excel is in price and variety.
Most Blue Buffalo cat foods contain considerable amounts of plant matter. Worse than the brands reliance on plant-heavy recipes, Blue Buffalo has been recalled multiple times during the last decade. These incidents suggest deficits in quality control and transparency from Blues suppliers and manufacturing partners.
Blue Buffalo, therefore, isnt one of our favorite cat food brands to recommend to pet owners. If youre going to feed your cat Blue Buffalo, we recommend choosing a canned food formula that is rich in animal protein and moisture with limited added carbohydrate content.
Who Makes Blue Buffalo And Where Is It Made
Blue Buffalo is owned by U.S. food company, General Mills. All of the brands dog food products are produced in the United States.
Blue Buffalo owns and operates 2 manufacturing facilities. One is located in Joplin, Missouri and the other in Richmond, Indiana. The company also outsources a number of its other products to co-packers that are also located in America.
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Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food
Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Dry Dog Food is one of Purina Pro Plans most popular sensitive skin and stomach formulas. It contains easily digestible ingredients, such as salmon and rice, and it omits corn, wheat, and soy. Salmon is the first ingredient, and the formula also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These nutrients support the digestive system and immune system and nourish the skin and coat.
The formula is also fortified with live probiotics and prebiotic fibers to aid with digestion. Just keep in mind that this is another recipe that contains beef fat, which may not be safe for dogs with beef allergies.
- No corn, wheat, or soy
- Salmon is first ingredient
- Fortified with live probiotics and prebiotic fiber
- Beef fat may not be safe for dogs with allergies
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 companys commitment to overall canine health is second to none.
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Is Blue Buffalo Bad For Dogs
Blue Buffalo is above-average dog food when it comes to ingredients and their quality. Compared to cheaper dog food brands such as Purina Dog Chow, Blue Buffalo uses meat as the primary protein source of their products. Deboned chicken, beef, duck, and salmon are common protein sources used in Blue Buffalo products.
At the same time, the brand also uses complex carbohydrates such as brown rice and barley. While these are excellent sources of energy, they offer minimum nutritional value for your dog.
Blue Buffalo is also known for using controversial ingredients such as garlic, dried yeast, and sodium selenite.
On top of that, Blue Buffalo has received some bad rap over the last years due to their aggressive marketing and potentially deceiving practices. The critics are stating Blue Buffalo is positioning itself as a holistic pet food brand without providing scientific research behind its formulations and actual feeding trials.
However, Blue Buffalo isnt necessarily bad for dogs. If your dog is doing fine on Blue Buffalo, stick to it. But if youre switching to Blue Buffalo, make sure to keep a close eye on your dogs stools, weight, and energy levels.
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 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.
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Which Types Of Dogs Might Do Better With A Different Brand
All dogs in any stage of life can benefit from the delicious and nutritious recipes offered by Blue Buffalo. However, when it comes to your dog, their preference is vital. While this company prides itself on providing only the most beneficial food for your pets, some dogs may simply not enjoy the taste.
If you find that your dog turns their nose up at the Blue Buffalo brand, you might try Pure Balance or similar food. This brand has many of the same benefits with different recipes, so you can find one that works best for your pooch.
In addition to canine preference, you may find that you simply cant commit to the cost each time you purchase food. Blue Buffalo is a premium dog food. While it isnt at the highest end of the scale, it is still somewhat costly.
If you are looking for a cheaper option thats still a healthy selection, you might try Diamond Naturals or a similar brand. They have a wide variety of delicious meals that your pet can benefit from.
Blue Buffalo Dog Food

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