Blue Buffalo Dog Food Reviews: The Healthy, Holistic Approach

Blue Buffalo is a premium dog food brand that prides themselves on using only all-natural ingredients and real meats in everything they serve.

The company positions themselves as a food producer that creates dog food that closely mimics what your dog would eat if they were out in the wild.

The company has five different lines of food that spans across your dog’s entire life from puppy to senior, and they serve dry, wet food, and treats.

Something we found to be unique and interesting is when you first go to their website you complete a form answering questions like:

• What size is your dog?
• How old are they?
• Are grains okay in their food?
• Does your dog need to lose weight?

Depending on how you answer these questions, they recommend a formula unique to your pups needs. We love this and found it to be incredibly thoughtful for pet owners who are unsure of what type of food their dog should eat.

For an in-depth look about the brand, read our Blue Buffalo dog food reviews below.

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? : Yes

Behind the Brand

With Blue Buffalo their story started with their own dog Blue; the Bishop Family pet struggled with cancer and prompted the family to dig deep and understand more about the ingredients they put into their pet’s food.

Upon realizing how bad many of the ingredients were the family was on a mission to create premium pet food with only the best starting with chicken, lamb, or fish as the first ingredient.

Going forward the Bishop Family set out working with holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists from all over the country, and they developed their main food brand, BLUE Life Protection Formula.

Fast forward to today, Blue Buffalo is the leading pet food company in terms of sales in the United States.

Blue Buffalo Dog Food Reviews

1. Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

This is a wholesome dog food crafted with real chicken as the first ingredient, providing high-quality protein to support muscle maintenance in adult dogs.

It features brown rice for healthy carbohydrates and includes a blend of fruits, vegetables, and Blue Buffalo’s exclusive LifeSource Bits, which are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Free from artificial additives and by-products, it delivers balanced nutrition to promote a strong immune system, healthy digestion, and optimal energy for your dog’s active lifestyle.

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2. Wilderness Chicken Recipe

This is a high-protein, grain-free dog food inspired by the diet of wild canines. Made with real deboned chicken as the primary ingredient, it supports strong muscles and provides energy for active dogs.

It includes healthy vegetables, fruits, and LifeSource Bits, a unique blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that promote immune health and overall well-being.

Free from grains, corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives, this kibble offers a nutritious, natural meal that satisfies your dog’s primal instincts while keeping them healthy and strong.

3. Life Protection Formula Large Breed

This is specially formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of large breed dogs. With real deboned chicken as the main protein source, it helps maintain strong muscles while supporting joint health with added glucosamine and chondroitin.

This recipe also features wholesome brown rice and vegetables for balanced carbohydrates, promoting healthy digestion and sustained energy.

Free from artificial additives and by-products, it includes their signature LifeSource Bits, packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support immune health and overall vitality in large breed dogs.

4. Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight

A kibble that is designed to help dogs maintain a healthy weight without compromising on nutrition.

Made with real deboned chicken as the first ingredient, this formula provides high-quality protein while supporting lean muscle mass.

It features reduced calories from fat and increased fiber to help manage weight, along with whole grains, vegetables, and fruits for balanced nutrition.

Free from artificial additives and by-products, this recipe includes a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support immune health and overall well-being, making it ideal for weight-conscious dogs.

5. Wilderness Salmon Recipe

A high-protein, grain-free dog food inspired by the diet of wild canines. Featuring real salmon as the main ingredient, it provides a rich source of omega fatty acids to support healthy skin and a shiny coat.

This nutrient-dense recipe also includes wholesome vegetables, fruits, and their exclusive LifeSource Bits, packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to boost immune health.

Free from grains, corn, wheat, and soy, as well as artificial additives, this recipe offers a natural and flavorful meal that fuels your dog’s active lifestyle.

 

What Types of Dog Food Does Blue Buffalo Offer?

Blue Buffalo offers five different product lines with each having their unique food geared towards your dog’s stage of life and health.

In addition to their dry food lines, they also have an array of pates and healthy dog treats that help with dental health.

Every single product in the Blue Buffalo line contains real meat as the first ingredient, and they also have grain-free options as well. None of their food contains artificial flavors, colors or preservatives and they don’t use byproducts in any of their foods.

Much of their food also contains something they call “LifeSource Bits” which is a special BLUE kibble that helps promote immune system health and fulfill unique life stage requirements depending on where your pup is currently.

We’ve found that through research, BLUE has put more thought into what type of food they give each dog than any other company in the market. They have the exact food that your dog needs at a certain age, size, and point in their life.

Life Protection Formula

Blue’s Life Protection Formula is dry foods that contain the best ingredients with vitamins and minerals. All the food always features real meat as the first ingredient with added vegetables and fruits.

This food contains Blue’s Life Source Bits which help support their immune system and overall health. Every food in this line contains no by-products, corn, wheat, or soy, and absolutely nothing artificial.

Within the line, the Life Protection Formula offers unique food brands for your dog at each stage of their life.

BLUE Life Protection Dog Food and Snack Options:

• Life Protection Formula Dry
• BLUE Homestyle Recipes
• Divine Delights
• Blue’s Stews
• BLUE Beef Dinners
• BLUE Country Chicken Dinners
• Family Favorite Recipes
• Grain-Free Options
• Mini Bars
• Bacon Sizzlers
• Be Mine Yogurt Bars
• Health Bars
• BLUE Bits
• BLUE Stix

BLUE Freedom

Blue Freedom got created with grain sensitive pups in mind. The company understands that not every dog can have grains, so they wanted to make sure they provided food for every single dog in the world.

When they took out the grains, they left room for protein-rich meats, vegetables, and fresh fruits. This food line contains no by-products, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors.

The Blue Freedom line supports joint health, muscle development, bones, and teeth, as well as a healthy heart. All the ingredients in Blue Freedom are reliably sourced and included with your pup’s health in mind.

BLUE Freedom Grain-Free Foods:

• Freedom Puppy
• Freedom Adult
• Freedom Senior
• Large Breed Options