Blue Buffalo Carnivora Review 2023: The Pea & Potato Free Dog Food Line

Although they say dogs are a man's best friend, they are so much more than that. They are a trusty sidekick, a furry babysitter, a giver of hugs and licker of faces (just to name a few) and we treat them like one of the family. Evidence of this is in the growth of the pet food industry, with global pet food sales increasing every single year.

But unfortunately, this comes to a downside – sometimes everything that is in dog food isn't that good for them. With the suggestion that grain-free pet food may be linked to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a form of heart disease, dog owners must be careful as to what types of options they are purchasing for their pet.

We have therefore put together some information for our Blue Buffalo Carnivora review, to help you determine the best options for your furry friend.

Blue Buffalo Responds to Warnings from the FDA

In response to the warnings given by the FDA regarding dog food that contains peas and potatoes, Blue Buffalo has created a new range of both wet and dry dog food that is pea and potato free. These are the Woodland, Coastal, and Prairie mixes, which are full of rich and beneficial options such as:

• Woodland: Forest-based ingredients such as chicken, turkey, saltwater fish, mackerel and duck
• Coastal: Ocean-based ingredients such as wild-caught pollock, catfish, cod, sardines, salmon, mackerel, halibut, sole, and cod
• Prairie: Meadow-based ingredients such as farm-raised beef, beef liver, chicken, lamb, mackerel and pork liver

Why are Pea & Potato Free Recipes Important?

The FDA is investigating claims that dog food which is labeled ‘grain-free' may cause dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a form of heart disease. These kinds of food normally contain lentils, legume seeds, peas and/or potatoes as their main ingredients.

Our 2023 Blue Buffalo Carnivora Review

Below are reviews of the ingredients contained within the 8 new dry food mixes and 3 new wet food mixes created by Blue Buffalo.

1. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Small Breed Adult
2. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Prairie Blend
3. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Adult
4. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Coastal Blend Adult
5. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Healthy Weight
6. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Large Breed Adult
7. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Puppy Blend
8. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Large Breed Puppy
9. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Coastal Blend Canned
10. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Adult Canned
11. Blue Buffalo Carnivora Woodland Blend Puppy Canned

 

Dry

1. Woodland Blend Small Breed Grain-Free Adult

The first option is the Woodland Blend Small Breed dog food. This pet food contains a combination of fresh, raw and dried chicken, turkey, duck, and saltwater fish, which makes up around 90% of the protein in this blend and it does not rely on vegetables to obtain any further protein.

Another beneficial addition is that of both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which will improve both the skin and coat of your small furry friend. Let's not also forget the nutrient-rich cartilage and organs, which help with your pup’s joints and ensure a complete and balanced diet.

The Woodland Blend provides a mixture of ingredients that your dog would find if they were living out in nature, so they satisfy all their instincts.

The first 5 ingredients are:

• Deboned Chicken
• Dried Chicken
• Deboned Turkey
• Chicken Meal
• Tapioca Starch

A little more information

• Minimum 44.0% of crude protein and 20.0% fat
• Suitable for small, extra small and toy breeds
• Contains taurine, glucosamine, and L-carnitine
• Grain-free without any corn, wheat, soy or peas
• Caloric content is 3,934 Kcals/kg, 455 Kcals/cup
• Feeding instructions range from ¼ to ½ cup for dogs up to 5lbs, to 1 ½ to 1 ¾ cups for dogs up to 30lbs

2. Prairie Blend Grain-Free Adult

The next choice is the Prairie Blend. A mixture of farm-raised beef, chicken, lamb, pork, beef liver, and pork liver make up 90% of the protein in this dog food, offering a ‘straight from the meadow' approach to protein in your dog's diet.

Additional vitamins and minerals are added to assist with a balanced diet, as well as both organs and cartilage contributing to the high nutrient factor and joint benefits offered by this food.

There are also omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids ensuring healthy skin and coat for adult dogs, with no reliance on vegetables for protein.

The first 5 ingredients are:

• Deboned Beef
• Beef Liver
• Beef Meal
• Dried Chicken
• Tapioca Starch

A little more information

• Minimum 42.0% of crude protein and 20.0% fat
• Suitable for small, medium and large breeds
• Grain-free without any corn, wheat, soy or peas
• Caloric content is 3,963 Kcals/kg, 466 Kcals/cup
• Feeding instructions range from ¼ to 1 cup for dogs up to 15lbs, to 4 ¾ cups over 100lbs

3. Woodland Blend Grain-Free Adult

The Woodland Blend is a protein-rich food that mimics eating in nature. 90% of the protein in this food is made up of fresh, raw and dried chicken, duck, saltwater fish, and turkey, offering your furry companion all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.

There is also additional vitamins and minerals to provide a balanced diet, nutrient-rich cartilage, and organs for joint health, and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for coat and skin health. And, to finish off, it does not rely on vegetables for protein!

The first 5 ingredients are:

• Deboned Chicken
• Dried Chicken
• Deboned Turkey
• Chicken Meal
• Chicken Fat

A little more information

• Minimum 42.0% of crude protein and 20.0% fat
• Suitable for small, medium and large breeds
• Contains taurine, glucosamine, and L-carnitine
• Grain-free without any corn, wheat, soy or peas
• Caloric content is 3,933 Kcals/kg, 462 Kcals/cup
• Feeding instructions range from ¼ – 1 cup for dogs up to 15lbs to  4 ¼ cups + ½ cup for each additional 20lbs for dogs 100+lbs

4. Coastal Blend Grain-Free Adult

If you would like your dog to obtain their protein from the ocean, the Coastal Blend is a mix offering an array of ocean-rich ingredients. With a blend of raw and dried wild-caught pollock, sole, halibut and cod contributing to 90% of the protein in this mix, it is like your furry best friend is eating straight from the sea.

There are omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to assist with skin and coat health, as well as organs and cartilage to ensure a complete and balanced diet with all the vitamins and minerals they need.

The first 5 ingredients are:

• Deboned Pollock
• Deboned Sole
• Deboned Halibut
• Dried Chicken
• Herring Meal

A little more information

• Minimum 42.0% of crude protein and 19.0% fat
• Suitable for small, medium and large breeds
• Contains taurine, glucosamine, and L-carnitine
• Grain-free without any corn, wheat, soy or peas
• Caloric content is 3,916 Kcals/kg, 460 Kcals/cup
• Feeding instructions suggest ¼ – 1 cup daily for dogs up to 15lbs to 4 cups + ½ cup for each additional 20lbs for dogs 100+lbs

5. Woodland Blend Healthy Weight Grain-Free Adult

Another Woodland Blend mix is the healthy weight formula. This option has a combination of fresh, raw and dried chicken, duck, turkey, and saltwater fish, which makes up 90% of the animal protein in the food and helps maintain a healthy weight.

There are also omegas 3 and 6 fatty acids to assist with skin and coat health, as well as cartilage and organs offering high-level nutrients to both the joints and overall health. There are no artificial flavors or preservatives, ensuring your furry best friend received a protein-packed meal as if they were eating in nature.

The first 5 ingredients are:

• Deboned Chicken
• Dried Chicken
• Deboned Turkey
• Chicken Meal
• Tapioca Starch

A little more information

• Minimum 44.0% of crude protein and 14.0% fat
• Suitable for small, medium and large breeds
• Contains taurine, glucosamine, and L-carnitine
• Grain-free without any corn, wheat, soy or peas
• Caloric content is 3,542 Kcals/kg, 376 Kcals/cup
• Feeding instructions per day are ¼ – ¾ cup for dogs up to 15lbs, to 4 cups + ½ cup for each additional 20lbs for dogs 100+lbs

6. Woodland Blend Large Breed Grain-Free Adult

Next we have the Woodland Blend Large Breed formula, this is designed for your large (or giant) furry best friend.

The protein in this mixture is made up of 85% animal protein, including fresh, raw and dried chicken, duck, saltwater fish and turkey calling to all your dog's instincts as if they were living in nature.

There is a combination of vitamins, minerals, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for all-round health, with a focus on the coat and skin and organs and cartilage to assist with joint health and a balanced diet.

The first 5 ingredients are:

• Deboned Chicken
• Dried Chicken
• Deboned Turkey
• Chicken Meal
• Tapioca Starch

A little more information

• Minimum 38.0% of crude protein and 16.0% fat
• Suitable for large breeds and giant breeds
• Grain-free without any corn, wheat, soy or peas
• Caloric content is 3,778 Kcals/kg, 408 Kcals/cup
• Feeding instructions cover dogs from 50lbs to 100+lbs, with suggested daily feeding from 2 ¼ cups to 5 cups a day, depending on the weight of the dog.

7. Woodland Blend Puppy Grain-Free

The first puppy food choice is the Woodland Blend Puppy. Featuring a combination of fresh, raw and dried chicken, duck, turkey and saltwater fish that makes up 90% of the protein in this mix, your puppy will feel like they are eating in nature itself.

From nutrient-dense organs and cartilage to help with joint health to DHA and ARA to help with brain and eye development, this dry dog food offers a huge range of benefits to puppies of all ages.

The first 5 ingredients are:

• Deboned Chicken
• Dried Chicken
• Deboned Turkey
• Chicken Meal
• Tapioca Starch

A little more information

• Minimum 46.0% of crude protein and 20.0% fat
• Suitable for small, medium and large breeds
• Contains ARA and L-carnitine
• Grain-free without any corn, wheat, soy or peas
• Caloric content is 3,951 Kcals/kg, 479 Kcals/cup
• Feeding instructions range from ½ cup for a dog up to 5lbs to 2 ¾ cups for a dog that is around 60lbs. This is usually fed in 2-6 meals a day, depending on your puppy, their age and their activity levels

8. Woodland Blend Large Breed Puppy Grain-Free

The Woodland Blend Large Breed Puppy is a high-protein meal choice for your furry friend who is going to grow up to be a large or giant dog.

With a mixture of fresh, raw and dried chicken, saltwater fish, turkey, and duck contributing to 85% of the animal protein contained within this food, your puppy is going to be happy and healthy as they grow.

With the addition of organs, cartilage, omega-3 fatty acids, omega 6 fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals, this blend offers the nutrients a puppy needs for good skin, joint and coat health, as well as boundless energy to grow bigger.

And, with no artificial flavors or preservatives, you know you are giving your furry family member food that they would find in nature.

The first 5 ingredients are:

• Deboned Chicken
• Dried Chicken
• Deboned Turkey
• Chicken Meal
• Tapioca Starch

A little more information

• Minimum 40.0% of crude protein and 17.0% fat
• Suitable for large breeds and giant breeds
• Contains taurine, ARA and L-carnitine
• Grain-free without any corn, wheat, soy or peas
• Caloric content is 3,772 Kcals/kg, 422 Kcals/cup
• Feeding instructions range from ¾ cup for puppies up to 5lbs to 4 cups up to 80lbs.

 

Canned

9. Coastal Blend Grain-Free Adult

The first choice for Blue Buffalo wet dog food is the Coastal Blend wet food. With 95% of the mixture made up of catfish, cod, salmon, mackerel, sardines, and halibut, your furry friend will get a nutritious meal each and every day with protein straight from the ocean.

These meats offer high levels of amino acids, which contribute to the building of lean muscle in active dogs. There is also both cartilage and organs included in the food, which offers nutrient-rich and joint benefits for your furry friend to enjoy, as well as no artificial flavors or preservatives.

The first 5 ingredients are:

• Chicken
• Catfish
• Chicken Broth
• Chicken Liver
• Dried Egg Product

A little more information

• Minimum 12.0% of crude protein and 7.0% fat
• Suitable for small, medium and large breeds
• Grain-free without any potatoes, corn, wheat, soy or peas
• Caloric content is 1,450 Kcals/kg (12.5 oz. can): 516 Kcals/can
• Feeding instructions per day are ½ to ¾ can per 10lbs of body weight and any unused portion should be refrigerated

10. Woodland Blend Grain-Free Adult

The next choice when it comes to wet food is the Woodland Blend. This pet food is full of protein and is made from 95% animal ingredients to mimic a diet like what an adult dog would eat if they lived in nature.

It contains a combination of raw chicken, duck, turkey, and mackerel, as well as liver, fish oil and chicken heart to offer a complete and balanced diet. No artificial flavors or preservatives are found in this blend, nor is there any wheat or corn.

There is also the great addition of cartilage and organs, which are great for the joints and full of beneficial nutrients. The Woodland Blend for adult dogs is a great grain-free option at a reasonable price point with high-quality ingredients.

The first 5 ingredients are:

• Chicken
• Turkey
• Turkey Broth
• Duck
• Dried Egg Product

A little more information

• Minimum 12.0% of crude protein and 7.0% fat
• Suitable for small, medium and large breeds
• Grain-free without any potatoes, soy or peas
• Caloric content is 1,400 Kcals/kg (12.5 oz. can): 498 Kcals/can
• Feeding instructions per day are ½ to ¾ can per 10lbs of body weight and any unused portion should be refrigerated

11. Woodland Blend Grain-Free Puppy

Finally, the Woodland Blend Grain-Free Puppy is a great choice for your smallest furry addition to ensure a complete and balanced diet.

With a blend of raw chicken, turkey, mackerel and duck, this wet food is made from 95% animal ingredients to mimic a diet like what they would eat in nature.

This particular blend is super high protein, ensuring puppies can thrive while they grow and be supplied with sufficient amino acids to build lean muscle in active pups.

Nutrient-rich organs and joint-nourishing cartilage are also included to provide additional dietary benefits, as well as being enhanced with both vitamins and minerals to ensure your puppy is happy, healthy and full of energy.

And let’s not forget, no artificial flavors or preservatives are found in any Blue Buffalo dog food!

The first 5 ingredients are:

• Chicken
• Turkey Broth
• Turkey
• Chicken Liver
• Turkey Liver

A little more information

• Minimum 12.5% of crude protein and 7.5% fat
• Suitable for small, medium and large breeds
• Grain-free without any potatoes, corn, wheat, soy or peas
• Caloric content is 1,407 Kcals/kg, 12.5 oz. can): 500 Kcals/can
• Feeding instructions per day include puppies up to 11 weeks, where you feed them as much as they will eat in 3-4 feedings a day, to puppies up to 1 year old, where you feed them ½ can of food per 5lbs of body weight

Conclusion

In conclusion, ensuring your dog is being fed a healthy and balanced diet full of protein-rich ingredients is crucial for their overall health and wellbeing. Additionally, with the warnings relating to grain-free food from the FDA, ensuring you are aware of what is contained within your dog’s food is super important. Make sure you read the labels and be educated and aware, and your dog will be super grateful for it!

Is there taurine in Blue Buffalo dog food?

Some Blue Buffalo dog foods contain taurine, such as Blue Buffalo Blue Longevity for Adult Dogs and Blue Buffalo Wilderness Senior Grain-Free Chicken. This is for health benefits, specifically heart health, as it is a beneficial amino acid for most dog breeds.

Is Pea Protein bad for dogs?

The FDA is investigating the potential link between dog food labeled ‘grain-free' and DCM. Grain-free food is typically high in foods such as peas, potatoes, and legumes as well as starch, protein and fiber derivatives such as pea protein. It is therefore included in the warning issued by the FDA and should be treated with extreme caution and removed from your dog’s diet.

Is Blue Carnivora good for dogs?

Yes. With no grains, peas or potatoes, Blue Buffalo Carnivora line has the protein and nutrients to keep your companion going strong. Contains nutrient-rich organs and cartilage, and perfected with vitamins and minerals to give your pup a complete and balanced diet.

Is Carnivora safe for dogs?

Carnivora™ prepares bones in a finely ground form that are very safe to feed your dog or cat. Farm dogs and cats, village dogs and cats and even wild dogs and cats eat human waste. Domestic pets survived on human leftovers and table scraps long before commercial pet foods came into existence.