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Is Blue Buffalo Good Dog Food? Our Verdict
Blue Buffalo earns the Dog Food Advisor’s overall brand rating of 4.5 stars, based on the weighted average of its most popular product lines.
Laura Ward, our in-house pet nutritionist, said: “Blue Buffalo recipes are complete and balanced, providing options across all life stages. There are many ranges to suit various lifestyles, dog sizes and ingredient preferences.
“Blue Buffalo is a good quality everyday food for healthy dogs. By providing high-quality nutrition, it may improve certain aspects of your dog’s health, and there are foods that cater for specific requirements such as weight management.”
Blue Buffalo Dog Food Ingredients
The company makes its dog food in the U.S. with natural ingredients. The pillars it works to include:
- Real meat first. Some of the meat it uses includes alligator, beef, bison, chicken, duck, lamb, pork, quail, rabbit, turkey and venison. Fish includes cod, haddock, sole, sardines, trout, salmon and whitefish.
- No chicken or poultry by-product meal
- No corn, wheat or soy
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
A wide range of healthy fruits and vegetables are also added, from apples, berries and bananas to beans, kelp and sweet potato.
Blue Buffalo also includes its own Exclusive Antioxidant LifeSource Bits, which are cold-formed to help preserve the ingredients before being added to the meals. They contain a precise blend of minerals, antioxidants and vitamins designed to help the immune system, oxidative balance and life-stage requirements.
All of Blue Buffalo’s food is made in the U.S. in one of two plants, at Joplin, MO or Richmond, IN. During manufacturing, the company’s output goes through a rigorous six-point quality check. The food is tested to a range of AAFCO and Global Nutrition Committee of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) standards. Ingredients go through a number of tests on arrival, during manufacturing and post-production to ensure the products meet all specifications and quality standards.
Blue Buffalo Dog Food Reviews
The company sells a wide range of sub-brands of dog food. It’s most popular are:
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
Blue Buffalo Life Protection is ideal for those who prefer a dry kibble that’s made with grain.
- Blue’s most popular product line
- Contains no BHA or other high-risk preservatives
- 20 recipes (ratings vary)
Blue Buffalo Wilderness
Blue Buffalo Wilderness is an exceptional dry option with three ranges, Nature’s Evolutionary Diet (grain-free and grain options), Rocky Mountain and Premier Blend.
- Fully balanced formulas
- Offers top-rated puppy and adult options
- 26 recipes (ratings vary)
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe
Blue Buffalo Homestyle is the company’s best-selling, grain-inclusive wet product series.
- Fully balanced, protein-rich blend
- 10 recipes (ratings vary)
Blue Buffalo Basics
Blue Buffalo Basics is the brand’s limited-ingredient diet. The dry formula is ideal for dog’s with food sensitivities and has grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes.
- Contains no chicken, beef, corn, wheat, soy, dairy or eggs
- Simple recipe design for gentle digestion
- 13 recipes (ratings vary)
Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free
Freedom is Blue Buffalo’s 100% grain-free and gluten-free dry product line.
- Contains healthy fruits and vegetables
- Gluten-free with no cereal grains
- No corn, wheat, soy or artificial preservatives
- 8 recipes (ratings vary)
Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recall History
The following automated list (if present) includes all dog food recalls related to Blue Buffalo through December 2024.
- Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recall Event Number 2 of March 2017 (March 18, 2017)
- Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recall of March 2017 (March 3, 2017)
- Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recall of February 2017 (February 14, 2017)
- Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recall of May 2016 (May 31, 2016)
- Blue Buffalo Dog Chews Recall of November 2015 (November 25, 2015)
- Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recall (October 8, 2010)
You can view a complete list of all dog food recalls since 2009 here.
Who makes Blue Buffalo and where is it made?
Blue Buffalo was launched in 2003 by Bill Bishop and his two sons, after their beloved Airedale, Blue, was diagnosed with cancer and they discovered that what dogs eat has a lot to do with their health over time. They decided to formulate their own food for Blue after they struggled to find natural dog food made with high-quality ingredients.
It is now owned by U.S. food company, General Mills. All of the brand’s dog food products are produced in the United States.
Blue Buffalo owns and operates two 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.
What Do Others Say About Blue Buffalo Dog Food?
At the time of this update…
Chewy customers rate Blue Buffalo 4.6 out of 5 stars… and 95% say they would recommend it to others.
Here’s an actual user review…
Sample buyer review… “Blue Buffalo is definitely worth buying. My babies love it! The previous dog food required some enticement to get them to eat. While it is pricier, I know my doggies are getting the best quality ingredients making this brand a healthy choice for them. I highly recommend for adult dogs. I’m completely sold on this brand and will continue to happily buy. Happy doggies make for a happier human!”
Frequently Asked Questions
How to switch to Blue Buffalo... without making your dog sick
In this video…
Dr. Gary Richter shares an easy feeding tip that can help lower your dog’s risk of getting sick when you switch to any new food… including Blue Buffalo.
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 (AAFCO). 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.
Is Blue Buffalo dog food good for puppies?
Blue Buffalo offers 16 dry and 9 wet puppy formulas. The company also markets a number of recipes that are labeled “adult maintenance”. These should not be fed to puppies. View all The Dog Food Advisor’s best puppy foods here.
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 Advisor’s best senior dog foods here.
Compare Blue Buffalo Dog Food
How does Blue Buffalo compare with The Dog Food Advisor's most recommended brands?
A Final Word
The Dog Food Advisor does not accept money, gifts, samples or other incentives in exchange for special consideration in preparing our reviews.
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