Blue Basics is a healthy dog food brand from the company Blue Buffalo. The company believes that dogs deserve a diet that closely mimics what they ate as wolves in the wild. Their food includes meat as the primary source of protein, no fillers, and little to no grain.
Blue Basics is one of their limited ingredient lines, and the goal with this food is to help dogs with food sensitivities. If your dog is frequently vomiting, has low energy, or flaky skin there may be ingredients in their food that does not sit well with them.
This food is intended to limit the number of ingredients you expose your pup to and as a result decrease the chance that they’ll have an allergic reaction to anything.
Blue uses real meat as the primary source of protein in their Blue Basics line, and the food contains no by-products, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or eggs.
In this article, Blue Basics Dog Food Review, we’re taking an in-depth look at Blue Basics and whether or not their limited ingredient diet is the right choice for pups across the country.
Brand Quick Look
Parent Company: Blue Pet Products, Inc. – a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc.
Founded in: 2002
Made in: Wilton, Connecticut
Made by: A variety of manufacturers, CJ Foods, Ainsworth, ProPet, Triple T, and more.
Available at: Chewy, Amazon, Petsmart, Target
Types of Food: Dry, wet, treats
Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients? : Yes
Recalled in Past? : No
Behind the Brand
The story of Blue Basics starts with the Bishop family dog named Blue. He suffered from cancer, and they wanted to find out more about how they can help their dog feel better and get back to good health.
Upon researching pet food manufacturers and ideal diets for dogs, they discovered something shocking; they noticed that so many pet foods contain corn, wheat, and soy as the primary ingredients and sources of nutrients.
At that point, they knew what they had to do. They had to create an all-natural pet food company that thrives on using real meats and vegetables to keep your pet lean, strong, and healthy.
The Bishop family set out on a mission with the help of animal nutritionists and veterinarians to create a healthy pet food company called Blue Buffalo.
Fast forward, today Blue is one of the leading pet food companies nationwide, and their reputation truly speaks for itself.
Now let’s take a deep look into three food options from Blue Basics. We’re going to see what the reputation is in regard to the ingredients, flavor, packaging, and more.
Made to cater the unique needs of sensitive dogs, this limited ingredient formula is also devoid of grains or dairy products. Deboned salmon is the primary ingredient here mixed with highly digestible carbs.
This food has an excellent reputation online with a near five-star review on chewy and a four-star review on Amazon across 400+ reviews. The food contains Glucosamine which helps support joint function, calcium for strong bones, and omega fatty acids for your pups’ skin and coat.
Some of the first ingredients in the food are salmon, peas, potatoes, pea starch, and salmon meal. It’s great that they stick by the protein in the food because a lot of other food companies claim that the bag contains salmon as the protein, but the food has chicken meal as its third ingredient.
Online reviewers say that this food has helped their dog with their allergies and their pups enjoy the flavor. Some also say they switched to Blue Basics after using other foods for years and they immediately noticed a difference in their dog's behavior.
Critical reviews express concern about frequent formula changes, and that vet’s do not recommend Blue Basics. We have seen many reports stating that professionals do not like the Blue Buffalo brand in general.
For seniors, and especially ones with food sensitivities, less is more. It keeps older dogs in good health, despite the limited number of ingredients, with each carefully selected meat or produce.
This recipe has hundreds of reviews on chewy.com and has, as of today, garnered 4.5 stars out of 5 and a rating of 96% recommended. The formulation features taurine, which maintains heart health; glucosamine and chondroitin to support mature dogs with possible joint pains and overall mobility; and enough proteins and carbs to keep seniors active and playful.
The first five ingredients are promising. It starts with deboned turkey followed by oatmeal, brown rice, potatoes, and peas. Turkey is often given as an alternative to pups who are sensitive to chicken.
It’s quite similar in nutritional content and there are no significant differences in the levels. The second to the fourth ingredients are easily digestible carbs that give dogs plenty of energy throughout the day.
To raise up the animal protein even more, a sixth ingredient is another meat product — turkey meal. It’s good that Blue Basics has stuck to a single animal protein source. Although there seem to be more plant-based protein and carbs overall than meat.
However, according to many reviewers, this recipe has helped their pets have a healthier digestive system. Stools have become more regular and firmer, while gas passing has decreased. Some have also remarked that the formulation has helped their pups show mobility improvement.
Crafted with less calories in order to help your pooch achieve and maintain his ideal body weight. Boasts real turkey and a precise blend of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins to support your pet's body.
This kibble is crafted with less calories to help your chunky pup maintain an ideal body weight while keeping the number of ingredients down so that even sensitive pooches can enjoy its benefits.
Turkey is the single animal protein source, and it leads the meal. Further down the list are peas and turkey meal to give the formula an added protein boost (although it’s still on the low end of average at 20%).
Oatmeal, brown rice, and potatoes provide your dogs with complex carbs that leave him feeling fuller longer while providing him with enough energy to last him a whole day of play.
While meat is the first ingredient (which means it makes up the largest part of the recipe), it is kind of overwhelmed by the number of carbohydrate ingredients. Second to the fifth are all produce as well as the seventh ingredient.
Higher-quality dog foods usually contain more meat-based protein sources with a few non-meat products (legumes or grains or potatoes) to balance it out.
The omega fatty acids, which are responsible for keeping dogs’ fur and skin healthy, are found from two oil sources — canola and fish. While canola is a safe and non-toxic oil (humans use it!) with lots of benefits, it is highly processed.
It goes through a lot of processing to turn it into the oil that we know. Fish oil, on the other hand, is far more natural and better for your dogs.
While we might not be fully satisfied with an ingredient or two in this formula, pet parents who’ve tried it on their dogs seem to like it. A common thread among them is that the food has helped their chubby fur buddies lose some weight.
It has also reduced instances of gas and runny stools. It’s also a little more affordable than other limited ingredient diets.
A meal that addresses the needs of small breed dogs, this bite-sized kibble features lamb, pumpkin and peas. With zero grains or any preservatives, this makes a good choice for hypersensitive companions.
Formulated exclusively for my little mouths, this recipe gives pups an appropriate blend of nutrients that’s perfect for bodies with fast metabolism. Since small dogs go through their energy stores faster than bigger canines, the nutrition content in this formulation is higher.
The animal protein content here is much better when compared with other Blue Basics recipes. The first ingredient is deboned lamb and followed right up with lamb meal. It’s always best when the first five ingredients of a recipe features more than one animal protein source. It’s due to this that the minimum crude protein content is at 22%.
The two carbohydrate sources — peas and potatoes — don’t come in until the third and fourth slots, which means that they don’t overwhelm the animal protein but still have ample presence to provide pups with plenty of energy.
Crafted with Blue’s Lifesource Bits — which are a select combination of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals — your small pup’s nutritional needs are fully supported. It is free from corn, soy, wheat, dairy, or eggs, which are all common causes of allergies in dogs. The recipe also does not contain byproduct meals or artificial flavors and preservatives.
As for dog owner reviews, 98% recommend this formulation and it has garnered a 4.8 stars out of 5 rating. Most seem to be pleased that their dogs loved the taste. Another thing that they agree on is that their pooches who have itchy skin seem to have improved on this formulation.
Featuring a single protein source with easy to digest carbohydrates, this grain free meal is perfect for pets with itchy skin or any food-related allergies.
On Chewy and Amazon, this food from Blue has a 4 – 4.5-star review across 1,700+ reviews. The formula is the same as every other food we’ve touched in the article; it limits the ingredients to help dogs with food sensitivities, and the food is supposed to contain its protein throughout with nothing else.
Some of the first ingredients in the can are lamb, lamb broth, lamb liver, potatoes, peas, and pumpkin. We find their packaging and advertising to be congruent with expectations, and that’s part of why they have such an excellent reputation. If the food says lamb and potato, it contains mostly lamb and potato.
Online reviewers state that they love the fact that the food contains no chicken because their dog is allergic. They said another food they purchased said no chicken but included chicken by-product. Others say it’s great for picky eaters with sensitive stomachs.
Most of the critical reviews state that the food doesn’t look appetizing, has a strong odor, and is very dry.
Created for adult pups but also ideal for sensitive canines, this wet food recipe uses duck (a novel protein) as its single source of animal protein.
Real duck is combined with fresh fruits and veggies to provide dogs with a more natural source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It does not contain any dairy, grain, corn, byproduct meals, soy, wheat, or artificial preservatives or flavors
Fresh duck starts off the list of ingredients followed by duck broth to add moisture. Potatoes come next for some carbohydrate boost. A dog’s body turns the carbohydrates into glucose, which they can then use for energy. Peas (as the fourth ingredient) contribute fiber, carbohydrates, and protein along with vitamins A, K, and C.
Fish oil provides most of the fat content. Fat is a major source of energy in the body, and it also protects your pooch’s organs, helps his body absorb nutrients, and supports cell growth. Fish oil is also a significant contributor of omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA and DHA, both of which have many more health benefits than plant-based omega-3s (ALA).
This would have been a close to perfect recipe for us but for the inclusion of carrageenan. The carrageenan you find in pet foods are considered food-grade but several studies have found that food-grade can degrade in the stomach when mixed with stomach acid.
Once degraded, carrageenan can cause ulcers and tumors. Although the studies haven’t been conclusive so far, it would be better to be safe since there are many better alternatives to this ingredient.
As for customer reviews, this recipe seems to help pups with allergies from flares. Picky pets also seem to love the taste and thrive on the formulation.
If your beloved pet is allergic to red meat or poultry, then this variant is for him. Made from whitefish with a unique blend of garden fruits and vegetables. Lastly, it is grain free too!
Designed to appeal to fish-loving canines, this recipe uses a fatty fish as its single animal protein source. It then combines the fish with veggies and garden fruits to create a balanced meal that is nutritionally appropriate for adult pups of all breed sizes.
Whitefish leads the list of ingredients. While whitefish is not as oily as salmon, it has a healthy amount of omega-3s as well as selenium, niacin, phosphorous, and several vitamins. It’s also low in sodium but high in quality. What’s more, whitefish is considered by some as a novel protein since it is not as common as chicken or beef.
To give the food its moisture content and abundant flavor, fish broth has been added in. It gives the meal 78% max moisture to keep dogs a little more hydrated.
Potatoes, pea flour, and peas contribute starch to the recipe. Starch is used as a carbohydrate and fuel source for dogs. And the above-mentioned ingredients offer good nutrition and are easily digested.
Pumpkin, blueberries, and cranberries offer wonderful sources of natural nutrition. However, these are negated by the inclusion of carrageenan, which comes with some health risks to your pets.
The latter ingredient has been known to irritate the digestive system of dogs and humans alike. Its sole purpose is as an additive and thickener in wet food, but there are other safer alternatives to this food product.
Customer reviews for this recipe aren’t that impressive either. Only 75% recommend this formula, and it has only gotten 3.8 stars out of 5. The reviews mostly center around the fact that the buyers’ pets like the taste.
Oven-baked biscuits with salmon and potato to help promote healthy skin, gentle digestion and immune system health. No corn, wheat or soy, so it's great for pups with food allergies.
Oven-baked to perfection, these biscuits are excellent as crunchy rewards for good behavior. They’re crafted with savory ingredients to make it appealing for even picky pooches. Plus, they don’t contain common dog allergens (soy, wheat, or corn), making them ideal for canines with sensitivities.
The first ingredient is fresh salmon, a fish that’s quite oily and full of omega fatty acid goodness. The high quantity of salmon in these treats is highlighted by its minimum crude protein level of 18%.
Brown rice, potatoes, and oatmeal provide carb and fiber support. Carbohydrates help pups get enough energy for their activities, and fiber keeps their waste regular and firm.
Flaxseed, the sixth ingredient, packs a lot of fiber and protein with just a small serving. It also contains lignans, which are important to cardiovascular health. Cane molasses (7th) are rich in important minerals like potassium and iron and in B vitamins. And carrots have beta-carotene helps improve eyesight.
Canola oil provides more fat in the form of linoleic and linolenic acids. But if you’ve read our other reviews above, it’s not an ingredient that we prefer.
Not harmful or dangerous at all (we use it in our cooking), canola oil can make you think twice when you learn that it is highly processed. If you’re not too bothered about this, then that’s okay because canola oil is perfectly safe for your pet.
A lot of customers seem to like this recipe when you check its score of 4.6 stars out of 5 and 93% recommended rating. Most are happy that this recipe works well with their sensitive pups and that it is a truly chicken-free formulation. The only common complaint about these treats are that they can be too crumbly and thereby messy.
Boasts real turkey as its main ingredient, this oven-baked goodness contains zero poultry or poultry by product meals, beef, wheat, soy, corn, dairy or eggs. It is a guilt-free, tasty and healthy treat for any dog.
These treats are incredibly popular online with a 4.5-star review on Amazon and Chewy across 2000+ reviews. Many dog treats contain the worst ingredients in the dog food work, but these have no by-products and only all-natural ingredients.
The treats have a limited amount of ingredients with less than 20 things listed on the bag. Turkey, brown rice, oatmeal, potato, and potato protein are at the top of the list. They contain 18% crude protein which is high for a dog treat.
Positive reviews say that their dogs love the flavor, the treats are small enough for their small breeds, and the packages arrive without any broken biscuits.
There are limited amounts of negative reviews for this product online but the ones we did find claim that some dogs don’t like the flavor or shape of the treats; Overall, their reputation is positive and well respected.
What Types of Foods Do They Offer?
Blue Basics offers a wide variety of food options including grain-free and limited ingredient blends. These foods come in a multitude of flavors with a meat-based protein and potato serving as the base of each food.
In addition to traditional dry food, they offer limited ingredient moist food in the same flavors with the same components. All their foods come in puppy, adult, and senior formulas and they also have Blue Basic Biscuit treats.
All of the foods in the Blue Basics line contain easily digestible carbohydrates like peas and potatoes as well as pea fiber and pumpkin to help support digestion. None of the food contains any by-products, corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or eggs.
Blue Basics Kibble Choices
All of Blue Basics hard food contains a limited amount of ingredients to help dogs with food sensitivities. All the food provides the best natural ingredients with no corn, wheat, soy, dairy, or eggs.
The formula helps with lean muscle development, energy requirements, bones, teeth, and joint health.
Turkey and Potato Recipe – Puppy – Adult – Senior
Salmon and Potato – Adult
Healthy Weight Turkey and Potato – Adult
Grain-Free Duck and Potato – Adult
Grain-Free Lamb and Potato – Adult
Grain-Free Turkey and Potato – Adult
Grain-Free Salmon and Potato – Adult
Blue Basics Moist Food Options
Blues wet food options do a lot of the same things the kibble does, but they provide a different twist and a treat for your pups. Compared to a lot of moist foods that have hundreds of ingredients listed on the can, Blue Basics limits what they put in their food, so your dog is less likely to experience an allergy.
Grain-Free Duck and Potato – Adult – Small Breed
Grain-Free Lamb and Potato – Adult – Small Breed
Grain-Free Turkey and Potato – Adult – Senior – Small Breed
Blue Basics Treats
Turkey and Potato Biscuits
Salmon and Potato Biscuits
Recall History
While there have been many recalls from the Blue Buffalo Brand, there are none specific to their Blue Basics Line.
Customer Reviews
Here’s a look at some real reviews from customers who purchased Blue Basics food.
Positive
No Chicken Allowed!
I took my dog to a holistic vet who recommended I switch him to a diet with no chicken or “hot foods.” I searched and searched for foods and even the ones that weren't chicken flavored still had the chicken meal in them. I finally found this food, and it has no chicken in it. I haven't had my dog on it long enough to know if it will make a difference in his health, but all of my dogs love the food and gobble it right up! – Chewy Customer
Great for sensitive stomachs!
My little dog was vomiting undigested food. I tried many different brands before this one. After researching how dogs with sensitive stomachs are unable to process fat and some grains well, I tried Blue Buffalo Grain Free Turkey and Potato. He is no longer vomiting, and his coat looks amazing! I was almost ready to pay for expensive prescription food. What a relief! – Chewy Customer
Old Dog Approved
We have several senior dogs, and they love this food.
One of our girls is a bit of a picky eater, but when we switched to this food, she dives into her food bowl like it was a big piece of prime rib.
We also got some of the canned version of this, and the ones who get it are the same. Have not had any “leftovers” from either the kibble nor canned connoisseurs. – Amazon Customer
Negative
Brings smelly dog farts and bad breath
Slowly switched my dog to this food and once she was fully on it she started having terrible farts, and her breath is bad too. But she eats it and a lot..not sure it's that great.. looking for new food. – Chewy Customer
Not even close!
My dogs will not touch this food! I was very shocked. They LOVE the wet trays, so I figured the dry would be a hit. Nope. Not one bite. They both refuse even to taste it. Total waste of money. – Chewy Customer
Sensitive Stomachs, Bad Allergies: Get Blue Basics
Blue Basics touches an area for dogs where a lot of other companies lack. They provide food to dogs that have a hard time eating standard dog food, and they help a lot of distressed families in the process.
The main thing that we love about this dog food brand is that they stay true to their promises which is important for dogs who have severe allergies to certain ingredients. If you buy Blue Basics salmon and potato, you know that you’re getting salmon and potato.
We trust Blue Basics with our pups, and we think you should too.
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Noreen possesses a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree from Informatics International College. While this credential might not elucidate her passion for pets, it does demonstrate her technical expertise and diverse character.
Parent Company: Blue Pet Products, Inc. – a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc.
Parent Company: Blue Pet Products, Inc. – a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc.
