Blue Life Protection Dog Food Review: Best Holistic Dog Food?

Blue Buffalo got started in the search for the best food for a family’s beloved Airedale Terrier, Blue. Since then, the company has produced consistently high-quality foods, often in formulas meant to address specific situations such as allergies, gluten intolerance, or specific life stage issues.

Blue Life Protection features only high-quality meats for solid protein sources plus health fruits and vegetables for power packed nutrition. None of their recipes contain by-product meals, fillers such as corn or soy, or any artificial flavors or preservatives.

The company has one of the widest ranges of life stages and size specific foods of any holistic brand, giving you plenty of options for your furry companion.

What the family found in the search for Blue’s best food is passed to you so that you always know you’re giving your dog the best food option available. You can find it in a wide variety of stores as well as online, and there should be enough variety of recipes to suit your individual dog with very few exceptions.

Let’s take a look at how Blue Life Protection can benefit your dog and how you can use the individual recipes to improve your dog’s overall health and provide the building blocks to a lifetime of well-being.

Brand Quick Look

• Parent Company: General Mills
• Founded in: 2002
• Made in: The United States
• Made by: Heartland Pet Food (Richmond VA and Joplin MO)
• Available at:  Chewy, Amazon, Petsmart
• Types of Food: Dry
• Real Meat in First 5 Ingredients? : Yes
• Recalled in Past? : Yes

Behind the Brand

Blue Buffalo got its start in the early 2000s with the search for the right food for a specific dog, Blue. This wonderful companion became the namesake of the company, and now Blue Buffalo has an extensive line of holistic products from dog to cat foods and all the treats in between.

Blue struggled with cancer, and the family set out to find a food that wouldn’t harm their beloved pet’s health, but help alleviate some of the aches and pains happening with cancer treatments and the upset tummies as well. The food line evolved from a few natural, holistic ingredients with quality proteins to the lines you see today.

The Life Protection formula is one of Blue Buffalo’s most significant offerings. The Bishop family worked with leading veterinarians and nutritionists to develop the Life Protection line you see today. It features whole, quality proteins with a healthy balance of carbohydrates and with vitamins and minerals to promote health.

Supplements like essential fatty acids keep the skin and coat healthy while things like chondroitin and glucosamine keep joints healthy.

Blue maintains that it’s “food created by pet parents for pet parents” with quality ingredients meant to nurture your dog through all life stages. Life Protection is divided into these life stages with many different ingredients and size distinctions as well as some formulas to deal with specific issues like weight control.

Their dry foods also contain LifeSource bits a unique blend of vitamins and minerals intended to supplement good health.

Blue Buffalo is manufactured in the United States at facilities in several states owned by the company itself. It doesn’t source ingredients from China and uses only trusted sources for most ingredients.

Many are locally sourced, and all can be traced to the original source for transparency. The company was acquired by General Mills several years ago, which helped to increase distribution without sacrificing quality.

 

Best Blue Life Protection Dog Food Review

1. Lamb and Rice

This is an excellent formula that uses whole deboned lamb as a quality protein source.

It has a good balance of complex carbohydrates for all-day energy and uses whole fruits and veggies for sources of essential vitamins and minerals. It uses only premium ingredients to create a densely nutritious meal for your pet that will encourage a lifetime of good health.

Its main source of carbs is brown rice. Brown rice is a natural whole grain that provides pets essential B vitamins and minerals, high-quality complex carbohydrates for energy and fiber.

It uses lamb instead of chicken, which may help alleviate sensitivities for dogs who are actually allergic or intolerant of poultry. It boasts 22% crude protein with 14% fat content and at least 5% fiber.

The moisture count is high enough to make the kibble easier to digest while fiber eases digestion and helps your dog feel full longer. Menhaden fish meal serves as an additional source of protein, as well as omega fatty acids that support skin and coat health.

It has probiotics for a healthier immune system and digestion plus glucosamine to help support long term joint health. It may not satisfy picky eaters, and the LifeSource Bits are a common complaint among dog owners with picky dogs. However, if your dog will eat it, it offers well-rounded nutrition that won’t break your wallet.

Feedback from pet parents has been good for this Blue Buffalo Life Protection dog food. Dogs who are sensitive to chicken are enjoying this chicken-free food a lot. Those who were suffering from digestive issues are also doing quite well on this recipe. The high fiber ingredients seem to benefit these dogs.

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2. Toy Breed Chicken and Brown Rice

Toy breeds have different nutritional needs than small breeds, something often overlooked. Blue’s Toy Breed formula uses specially designed kibble to give toy dogs the benefits of dry food while making it as easy as possible to chew.

This chicken and brown rice recipe has a precise blend of carbohydrates and protein to help sustain the higher energy requirements of small breed dogs. It is made with only fiber-rich whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, and barley. It is free from wheat, soy, or corn; and contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Like all other Life Protection formulas, this recipe for toy breeds has the exclusive LifeSource Bits. LifeSource Bits include a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support the immune system, life stage requirements, and healthy oxidative balance. These bits are cold-formed to ensure the retention of nutrients in the food.

Aside from LifeSource Bits, this recipe has L-carnitine to promote lean muscles mass. Calcium, phosphorus, and essential vitamins help support strong bones and teeth. It also has glucosamine to support joint health and mobility. This chicken recipe is enriched with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat.

The kibbles are unique, smaller sized pieces that are designed to reduce tartar among small breed dogs. Like all Blue Buffalo recipes, this Life Protection formula has no chicken or poultry by-product meals.

According to reviews, this chicken and brown rice is quite popular among little pups. They love the rich chicken flavor, and find the small kibbles easy to chew and digest. Based on the product comments, even dogs who have had some of their teeth removed loved this recipe.

It is a grain-inclusive dry dog food formulated for the nutritional needs of toy breed adult dogs. Made with real deboned chicken, the kibbles of this recipe contain only high-quality, easily digestible protein. However, a handful of dogs don’t seem to like the LifeSource Bits as much as the rest of the kibbles.

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3. Healthy Weight Chicken & Brown Rice

This is a grain-inclusive dry dog food recommended for adult dogs in need of weight management. This recipe is formulated without the extra calories from fat. If your pup needs to shed a few pounds or maintain a healthy weight, this formula could be the right one for him.

With deboned chicken as the most plentiful ingredient, you can be assured that your dog is getting only high quality, easy to digest protein with every meal. Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Adult also has chicken meal, which is a highly concentrated protein source.

Fiber plays an important part not just in digestion, but also in keeping dogs feeling full. Wholesome grains such as brown rice and barley, as well as pea fiber provide carbohydrates, fiber, and nutrients. No corn, wheat, or soy are used in this recipe.

Aside from the high quality protein and reduced calories from fat, it has L-carnitine. L-carnitine is an important amino acid that helps support a healthy weight.

This chicken recipe has the exclusive LifeSource Bits. LifeSource Bits has a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support the immune system, life stage requirements, and healthy oxidative balance. These bits are cold-formed to ensure the retention of nutrients.

This recipe also has glucosamine to support joint health and mobility. It is enriched with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. Like all other Blue Buffalo formulas, this chicken recipe contains no artificial enhancers such as flavors, colors, or preservatives.

All of its animal ingredients come from chicken only. If your dog is sensitive to other animal protein sources, this Blue Buffalo chicken recipe is a nutritious meal that he can enjoy.

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4. Fish & Brown Rice Recipe

Another grain-inclusive dry food for adult dogs of all breeds and sizes. This recipe is ideal for canine fish fans who need a good balance of protein, carbs, and fiber in their meals.

Made of real whitefish, this Blue Buffalo Life Protection recipe is packed with flavor and digestible protein. It also has menhaden fish meal and chicken meal, which are high quality, concentrated sources of protein. Both ingredients give this recipe a rich and savory flavor that dogs enjoy.

The carb sources in this recipe are complex carbs that are also high in fiber. It has brown rice, barley, and oatmeal. Aside from helping food move through the digestive tract, fiber also helps dogs feel full in between meals. It also has heart vegetables such as potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Carrots are an excellent source of beta carotene, fiber, Vitamin K1, potassium and antioxidants.

The source of fat in this fish and brown rice recipe is chicken fat. The fish proteins used in this recipe are naturally rich in omega fatty acids that support skin and coat health. Flaxseed also serves as an additional source of omega fatty acids.

This fish formula has calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth. It has glucosamine which is a natural compound found in connective tissue that is particularly beneficial for the joint health of dogs, especially large ones.

Like all Life Protection recipes, this fish formula has the brand’s exclusive LifeSource Bits. LifeSource Bits has a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support the immune system, life stage requirements, and healthy oxidative balance. These bits are cold-formed to ensure the retention of nutrients.

It contains no corn, wheat, or soy. It has no by-product meals, unnamed animal ingredients, or artificial enhancers. Only high quality ingredients are used in this recipe.

According to feedback from dog owners, many of them noticed a significant improvement in their pets’ skin and coat condition. Those who were suffering from allergies or had coarse fur now have healthy skin and softer, glossier coats.

However, a few dogs did not seem to like this fish recipe. While this recipe is called a fish and brown rice recipe, it actually has chicken meal as well. If you have a dog who requires a poultry-free diet, this may not be the one for him.

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5. Senior Chicken & Brown Rice

A grain-inclusive kibble formulated for the nutritional needs of senior dogs of all breeds and sizes. It is made of only wholesome and natural ingredients to help keep older dogs healthy.

This senior dog food is not high in protein at all. It is only 18% protein. This is ideal for senior dogs who have low activity levels. Its most plentiful ingredient is real deboned chicken.

Chicken is one of most preferred proteins among dogs. It is important for senior dogs to have palatable food, as dogs tend to be pickier as they age. Chicken is also quite easy to digest, making it ideal for older dogs.

The main sources of carbohydrates in this senior recipe is brown rice. It also has barley and oatmeal. These wholesome grains are high in fiber, which helps aid digestion. Fiber helps move food along the digestive tract.

A healthy digestive system is vital in keeping senior pups in good overall health. It allows the body to absorb more nutrients. Brown rice also has essential B vitamins and minerals, and high-quality complex carbohydrates for energy and fiber.

The sources of essential fatty acids in this senior dog recipe are chicken fat and fish oil. Both are high in omega fatty acids that help promote healthy skin and coat. They also provide more flavor to this meal. Fish oil is also rich in DHA, which helps improve cognitive functions

To help less active senior pups keep healthy weights, it is enriched with L-carnitine to promote a healthy metabolism and help dogs burn more fat.

Joint health is one of the most important aspects of senior dog health. This Blue Buffalo recipe has glucosamine, which is a natural compound found in connective tissue that is particularly beneficial for the joint health of aging pups. This dog food also has chondroitin sulfate, which is a naturally occurring compound that helps maintain and rebuild joint cartilage.

This recipe for senior dogs has the exclusive Blue Buffalo LifeSource Bits. LifeSource Bits have a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support the immune system, life stage requirements, and healthy oxidative balance. These bits are cold-formed to ensure the retention of nutrients.

According to pet parents of senior pups, this kibble has given great results to their dogs. The recipe does not upset their sensitive stomachs, or give them diarrhea.

Many have noticed an increased level of energy in their dogs. This formula has also helped dogs maintain healthy weights. Owners of pups with skin allergies also noticed significant improvements in their dogs’ skin condition.

Overall, it is a highly recommended grain-inclusive food for senior dogs. It has no corn, wheat, soy, or unnamed animal ingredients.

Aside from high quality ingredients, it is full of nutrients that aging dogs really need. The recipe is enjoyed by dogs and has delivered great health benefits to them as well.

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6. Puppy Lamb & Oatmeal