Blue Freedom is a dog food brand from the company Blue Buffalo. This company positions itself as an industry leader in the realm of healthy alternatives to dog food, and its mission is to provide food that meets the unique needs of every pet and their owners.
Blue Freedom is a specialty food that is entirely grain-free for dogs who are sensitive to gluten. Blue believes that a dog’s diet should closely mimic what its ancestors ate, and back then, dogs did not eat grains.
Over time, the doggy diet evolved to include grains, but as a result, the food ended up with a lot of filler, which Blue wants to limit.
Blue Freedom has an excellent reputation for being a healthy grain-free option for your meat-eating canine.
In this article, Blue Freedom Dog Food Reviews, we’re taking a close look into the Blue Freedom brand to find out if this food offers longevity for your pet's diet, or if it’s all hype.
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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.
The story of Blue Freedom starts with the Bishop’s family dog, Blue. The family dog suffered from cancer, and many years ago this was unheard of, so they decided to take a better look into what their dog is eating and how they can help.
Upon researching pet food manufacturers and ideal diets for dogs, they discovered something shocking; they realized that most of the popular pet foods on the market contained nothing but fillers, artificial ingredients, and chemically modified preservatives.
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 its reputation truly speaks for itself.
Here we will take a deeper look into three different foods from the Blue Freedom line. We’ll look at things line ingredients, sourcing, and positive or negative impacts these foods could have on your pet's health.
This delicious, 100% grain-free and gluten-free kibble features real deboned lamb first and is completely free from any poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy and artificial flavors and preservatives.
Featuring real deboned lamb as the first ingredient, this recipe also makes use of the brand’s exclusive LifeSource Bits — a blend of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins picked by animal nutritionists specifically for optimal health.
The Blue Freedom range is crafted for sensitive pups who may react to ingredients like grains, corns, and anything artificial so none of those potentially problematic ingredients are present.
As for customer feedback, a majority of the online community recommends Blues Grain-Free Lamb. Chewy customers say that their dogs love the flavor and the food has positively impacted their pups’ eating habits.
Some people have even said that switching to lamb as the primary source of protein has helped their dogs’ skin and coat clear up, and it has helped them have more regular bowel movements.
Some of the critical reviews have a lot to say about misleading packaging, and this is something that is relatively common across Blue Freedoms line of foods.
All of the foods contain chicken and chicken meal even if the flavor is listed as lamb or beef. If your dog has an allergy to the chicken, make sure to read the ingredient label carefully.
For nutritional value, the food contains 22% protein, 14% fat, and 6% fiber. It has potatoes, peas, pea starch, pea protein, and tomato pomace as your carbohydrates which raises no red flags for us.
Overall, Blue’s Lamb recipe checks out as an excellent option for sensitive stomachs and picky eaters.
2. Blue Freedom Grain-Free Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe
Features real deboned chicken as the #1 ingredient for the high-quality protein your dog deserves. Completely free of grains and gluten for sensitive sidekicks.
Featuring real deboned chicken and chicken meal for extra protein support, this formulation provides much of the energy requirements of pups.
The guaranteed protein content is 20% minimum, while fat is at a low 9%. Meanwhile, the calories only come up to 330kcal. Because it’s a low-fat, low-calorie diet, this recipe is geared for dogs that need weight management.
This formulation has over 80% five-star reviews on both Chewy and Amazon, and only less than 5% one stars. Many reviewers of this product are owners whose dogs are struggling with weight.
Overweight dogs need a diet that is low in protein and fat, but according to reviewers, it’s incredibly hard to find. They were relieved when they found Blue Freedom Healthy Weight, and they haven’t looked back since.
Meanwhile, the negative reviews are about the food making some pups ill. Some customers have also mentioned (these reviews were years ago, though) that they bought the food but were given bags close to the expiration date.
3. Blue Buffalo Freedom Small Breed Chicken Recipe
Small-bite kibble specially formulated to help your small dog meet his unique energy requirements. Crafted with LifeSource Bits—a blend of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins chosen by vets and animal nutritionists.
A gluten and grain-free recipe geared for small-sized pups, it features real chicken first and does not have any wheat, soy, byproduct meals, or preservatives.
The kibbles are made smaller to fit small mouths better, and there is a little bit more protein here than is usual for the brand’s recipes. The reasoning behind it is that small pups burn energy much faster than larger breeds.
It’s supposed to be for sensitive pups too, but be aware that Blue recipes rarely focus on providing single animal-protein foods. While the formulation states that this is a chicken recipe, it also contains turkey meal.
With 310 reviews and most of them five stars, it’s only safe to conclude that this recipe works for a lot of dogs. Pet owners have reported that their canines love the flavor.
A few have said that the kibbles are also great for seniors since the food is easy to digest. Further, it has helped a few pups who are battling food sensitivities.
At the other end of the spectrum, those who left negative reviews complained either about the price of the kibbles or that their pets did not take to the taste at all.
Since the recipe has received a 98% recommended rating and because we can’t find fault with the ingredients, we’re giving this formulation an excellent score.
Specially designed for senior sidekicks. It contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and mobility, along with taurine to support heart health.
Aging dogs need specialized food to provide them the nutrients they need in their senior years.
This Blue Buffalo Freedom recipe is crafted with glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and mobility, keeping your older pups active and moving about. It also has taurine to keep dogs’ hearts strong and healthy.
This formulation has 191 reviews on Chewy, and 98% of them recommend the diet to other dog owners. Many are satisfied that their pets love the food, and they seem to thrive on it.
A few whose pets are said to have delicate tummies don’t have any issues with this food and have transitioned well.
As of the moment, there are only two one-star reviews on Chewy. Both negative feedbacks have to do with dogs not taking to the food.
A couple of customers gave three-star ratings for issues such as gas, constipation, and throwing up, which they all attributed to the Blue Freedom formulation.
We’re giving this food a thumbs up for its good customer feedback, quality ingredients, plus the guaranteed levels of nutrients it contains, such as DHA, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamin C, and more.
Specially formulated to help your large-breed dog meet his unique energy requirements and contains chondroitin and glucosamine to support joint function and mobility.
Large adult dogs don’t just need to eat more, they also need to eat healthier. Since big dogs put more pressure on their bones and joints, they need food that targets those areas specifically.
This beef recipe for large canines contains glucosamine and chondroitin to aid their mobility as well as enough protein to keep them active.
While checking out the guaranteed analysis of the food, we’ve found that it has 22% minimum crude protein, 13% fat, and 6% fiber. The calories are at 369/kcal per cup, a decent level and not too high to cause worry about dogs putting on excess weight.
As for customer reviews, 95% of them approve of this diet. Several claimed that this recipe has helped clear their pups’ skin and coat problems. And a few have said that their big pups have become more active and playful when put on this diet.
As for negative feedback, there are about six ranging from one to three-star ratings. They all have to do with pet dogs not liking the recipe enough.
Based on customer reviews and what we’ve seen of the ingredients so far, we can say that this formulation is a good one. Do bear in mind that despite having beef as the first ingredient, this product also contains turkey meal and chicken meal.
6. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grillers Hearty Beef Dinner
This is a grilled wet beef food in gravy, and it is formulated with complex carbohydrates to aid your dog in having an active lifestyle.
The product contains no grains, wheat, byproduct meals, corn, soy, or artificial flavors and preservatives. It is packed with veggies, though, and tender chunks of beef and chicken.
Across 50+ reviews online, 98% of people would recommend it to another dog owner. Many of the reviews state that customers are satisfied with the smell, appearance, and quality of the food.
Some of the critical reviews state that not every can is the same and sometimes you don’t get as much meat as you should. However, most customers think it looks like a delicious beef stew and their dogs love it.
In terms of ingredients, it contains 7.5% protein, 3.5% fat, and 1.0% fiber. The protein is lacking, and it may help if you add a supplemental protein treat to your pup’s diet.
Another thing about the food is that while it says beef, it also contains chicken, chicken liver, and dried egg product. If you have a food-sensitive pet, this is something to be aware of.
7. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grillers Hearty Turkey Dinner
The Blue Buffalo Freedom Griller in Turkey flavor is a wheat- and grain-free food that is packed with real meat, complex carbohydrates, and real veggies. The tender chunks of meat are placed in a savory gravy sauce. It can be fed as a main meal, a treat, or as a topper.
90% of 20 reviewers recommend this recipe highly. Only one gave it a two-star rating because their pet does not favor the taste.
Many have expressed satisfaction over the recipe because their picky dogs just gobble this food down. Canines with sensitive tummies who can’t tolerate any kind of grains at all, are thriving and healthy on this diet.
The bite-sized chunks are good for small dogs, although large breeds may have a little difficulty with them. The texture is also a bit flat and soft, so if you’re expecting firmer food for your pup, this won’t be it. Other than that, there are no other issues customers have with the meal.
The minimum crude protein here is 7.5%. It’s a little bit low for canned food, which usually ranges from 9-10%.
Additional protein treats might be in order if you want to raise your pup’s protein intake. The fat and fiber at 3.5% and 1% respectively, are just right.
8. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grillers Hearty Lamb Dinner
Formulated with complex carbohydrates to promote an active lifestyle, this mouthwatering dog food is made with wholesome ingredients that do not contain any wheat, grain, gluten, by-product meals, corn, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.
This wet food recipe features chunks of lamb in a savory gravy sauce. It is packed with vegetables, complex carbs, and plenty of nutrition for your pup. Like all Blue Freedom formulations, this one does not contain preservatives, by product meals, grains, or gluten.
The lamb formula feedback is kind of split between customers, although a great majority still favor the food. Only 80% of the 37 reviewers recommended the meal, and only 65% gave it a five-star rating.
For the positive ratings, most of them are because of pets that found this food tasty. And according to one reviewer, this food does not make her pup itch as much as his previous dog foods.
There are quite a few one-star ratings, however. 11% is a big chunk of the total reviews. The negative complaints stem from the number of dogs that turn their nose up at this wet food diet.
One other very valid complaint has to do with the ingredient. Even if the product says it is a lamb dinner, the label says it also contains chicken and chicken organs.
This might be a good recipe for dogs that are not allergic to chicken, but for those pups who are food-sensitive, it’s not a good buy.
Paw-fect for your senior sidekick that is made with tender chunks of high-quality chicken, packed with fruits and veggies, then enhanced with vitamins and minerals.
Formulated with specific nutrients that target aging canine bodies, this recipe for senior dogs is designed to help them reach optimal health and promote an active lifestyle.
The food starts with real chicken, followed by chicken liver for added protein. Carrots, peas, blueberries, and cranberries round off the food quite nicely to make it a more balanced diet.
The protein is kind of low at only 7%, lower than is average for dog food. It does have enough carbs through the peas, pea flour, and pea fiber. The fiber at 2% is just right, as is the fat at 5.5%.
94% of 117 customers recommend this diet to other pet owners. One of the reviews which stood out the most is about a dog with skin cancer who has shown improvement in her skin when placed on this diet.
Of course the food won’t cure the disease, but any improvement while battling cancer should be noted and praised.
There are a few negative reviews. One common complaint is regarding the shipment of the products where the cans arrived dented. The second common complaint has to do with finicky pups turning their nose up at the meal.
Based on feedback and the ingredients of this food, we’d have to say this passes our standards for dog food.
Puppies need all the support they can get from the food they eat. The developmental stage is quite important and will set the tone for their adult life.
This puppy recipe from Blue Buffalo Freedom provides all the required nutrients little canines need, such as DHA and omega fatty acids for cognitive, brain, and eye development.
The food is led by fresh chicken and is supported with more protein and nutrients with the inclusion of chicken liver. The protein content is at a good level for wet dog food at 9% minimum. Fat is 7%, and fiber is 1.5% max.
Out of 94 customer reviews, 93% gave the puppy chicken recipe a recommended rating. A common thread among the positive reviews is that little canines took to it immediately. It’s a good transition food to solids for puppies with its nice and not-too-rich consistency.
From the negative feedback, it seems that not all pups are enamored of the food. So far, there is no bigger reason for the low ratings other than finicky puppies not liking it.
Since there are more puppies who enjoy the Blue Freedom chicken recipe, and since the guaranteed analysis and ingredients list all look good, we’d have to give this food our two thumbs up.
What Types of Dog Food Does Blue Freedom Offer?
Blue Freedom offers a variety of kibble and moist food for all types of dog breeds at every stage of their life. Blues line of food contains specific formulas that are geared towards a grain-free lifestyle and weight management no matter the unique needs of your dog.
Blue says the advantage of a grain-free diet is that your dog gets their essential carbohydrates from healthier sources of carbs. Grains, corn, and soy get used as fillers, and they provide next to no nutritional value for your pup.
Instead of using grains, in Blue Freedom, you’ll find peas, potatoes, and carrots as the primary source of carbohydrates. These are excellent sources of nutritional value for brain, eye, bone, and tooth development.
Grain-Free Chicken
Puppies – Adults – Seniors – Small Breeds – Large Breeds
This chicken recipe is a great option for pet parents who want their pups to stay away from grains. It features protein-rich, deboned chicken as the first ingredients with peas, potatoes, and carrots as your carbs.
This formula helps brain and eye development as well as healthy muscle growth and strong bones. The kibble is small enough, so it works great for dogs of all sizes and helps keep their teeth clean.
Grain-Free Beef
Adults – Small Breeds – Large Breeds
The Beef recipe provides pets with a grain-free blend of kibble that helps them develop strong muscles and energy through protein and carbs they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The formula also contains glucosamine which promotes joint function and overall mobility as your pup ages.
Grain-Free Lamb
Adults – Large Breeds
Lamb is an easily digestible protein rich in nutrients and minerals. This formula contains deboned lamb as the first ingredient with no by-products, corn, wheat or soy.
Lamb and turkey meal help your pup build strong muscles and develop a healthy lifestyle. The food is balanced out with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to give them a shiny coat and healthy skin as well.
Grain-Free Healthy Weight Chicken
Adults – Seniors
If you’re concerned about your dog's weight, you might want to try this formula that reduces your pups’ calories by excluding crude fat in the formula. You still get all the necessary protein and carbs from real chicken and vegetables and none of the gluten, corn, and soy you don’t want.
The Healthy Weight Chicken blend helps your dog develop lean muscles and feel satisfied longer, so they don’t feel the need to keep heading back to their bowl.
The grillers brand dog food is a hearty meal with a bit more calories than the previous options, so it's intended for a dog that lives a highly active lifestyle. If you find your pup is unsatisfied with their regular eating routine, you could switch things up with a can of these daily.
They still contain all the best natural ingredients with meat as the priority and no corn, soy, or wheat.
While there has been recalling through the Blue Buffalo brand; there are no recalls for Blue Freedom brand dog food specifically.
Customer Reviews and Reputation
To get a feel for Blue Freedoms reputation in the online community, it helps to see real-life reviews from customers. Here are some of the most notable positive and negative reviews from approved pet owners.
Positive
Great for sensitive tummy
My golden retriever gets pancreatitis with a lot of the commercial foods, and he is 11, so he gains weight very fast when he has too high of calorie intake. For years I cooked chicken and rice for him, and when I wanted to put him back on commercial food (because he wasn't retaining a good weight), I tried a few brands. He gets bad gas and stomach aches with others, but this one is perfect. The grain free is a huge plus, and he is not having any trouble with his stomach on this food. – Amazon Customer
My dog loved it immediately.
He grabs a mouthful and takes it to the carpet in front of the fireplace, he then puts it on the carpet, lies next to the pile and enjoys the fire like a kid crunching candy in front of a tv. A dog's life with Blue Buffalo must be nice. – Chewy Customer
Negative
Pieces are puppy size.
I have a 25lb dog food bin that fills to the top with a 25lb bag. So when I got this in a 25lb and put it in the container, it barely filled it. Not sure if the weight is off, but I noticed the prices are much smaller than regular adult dog food. So that could also play a factor. My dog didn’t like it because the pieces are like puppy food size rather than an adult. – Chewy Customer
Concern about Blue Buffalo
General Mills has bought B.B. and no mention of how this will affect the product line has not been released. I’ve used BB (9- puppy to senior) for over ten years with wonderful results. Now I’m worried. – Chewy Customer
Great Food, Great Price
In the end, we’re delighted by Blue Freedom and their line of grain-free dog food options. It shows that Blue cares about its customers and wants to make sure they can provide food for every type of diet out there.
As far as we’re concerned Blue Freedom needs to continue doing what they’re doing and dispel some of the rumors and false claims people are making about the company. Maybe they could be more active on popular websites like Chewy and Amazon to address customer concerns head-on.
If you’re considering switching your pup to a grain-free diet, we believe there is no better option than Blue Freedom.
Is Blue Buffalo grain free good for dogs?
Yes. All Blue Buffalo formulas contain natural sources of taurine like protein-rich meat, which is an excellent source of taurine and the first ingredient in all Blue Buffalo formulas, and they supplement all their grain-free dry dog food with methionine, which can be converted to taurine in a dog's body.
Is Blue freedom a good dog food?
Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free is a dry dog food using a moderate amount of named meat meals as its main source of animal protein, thus earning the brand 3.5 stars. Those looking for a canned version in the same product line may wish to visit our review of Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free canned dog food. - Dog Food Advisor
Is Grain Free Dog Food Really Better?
While your dog needs carbohydrates to produce energy, too many of them can contribute to obesity, the wrong bacteria in the gut, and a lack of energy. So, if a dog food is labeled grain-free but the grains are replaced with other ingredients, it's not necessarily a healthier option for your dog.
Is Grain Free bad for dogs?
According to a warning from the Food and Drug Administration released last week, grain-free food might be giving dogs a life-threatening heart problem called dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM. The science is still preliminary, and it's based on a potential association between diet and heart disease in fewer than 600 dogs.
A huge animal lover, born and raised around dogs, cats, chickens...
Self-educated pet care nerd. Currently parent of three adopted cats and one small mutt. Animal adoption advocate. Loves a good book (about animals) and playing the piano.
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