Blue Buffalo dog food is known for its quality recipes that always contain meat as the first ingredient and forgo artificial additives and fillers, such as soy and corn. The brand was inspired by the founders' dog, Blue, for whom they created a healthy dog food to combat his health issues.
It now has so many food types, recipes and formulas that choosing one can seem baffling. By keeping the needs of your dog in mind, you can more easily find the right food.
Blue Buffalo makes both wet food and dry food. Each type has its pros and cons, so it's a good idea to weigh them up before buying. That said, you don't have to choose just one: You can feed your dog a mixture of wet food and dry food.
Some Blue Buffalo foods are designed with more specific needs in mind than those of the healthy adult dogs that most food is formulated for. Common options include food for puppies, seniors, overweight dogs and dogs with allergies.
Until recently, grain-free dog food was considered the gold standard of dog food by some. However, recent findings suggest a correlation between grain-free foods and a higher incidence of a type of heart disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy.
As such, it's best to feed your dog food that contains heart-healthy whole grains, such as brown rice, oatmeal or barley. The only exception is if your dog has a grain allergy that's been diagnosed by a veterinary professional, but grain allergies in dogs are rare.
Ingredients on dog food packages are listed in order. The first ingredient is contained in the food in the greatest quantity, while the last is contained in the smallest quantity. This gives you a rough idea of how much of each ingredient is contained in a food. Meat should be the first ingredient on the list, while grains, fruits and vegetables should be at least a couple of places down the list.
Blue Buffalo dry dog food contains both the regular pieces of cooked kibble and its own specially formulated "LifeSource Bits." These pieces contain a blend of vitamins, minerals, probiotics and antioxidants for all-around canine health and well-being. They're cold-formed, rather than cooked at high temperatures, to preserve their nutrients.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Dog Food
This great all-around food for adult dogs is available in a variety of recipes, including chicken and brown rice and fish and brown rice. There are also formulas for small breed dogs and overweight dogs.
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food
Thanks to its higher than average protein content, this is a great choice for active dogs. You'll find a version that's grain-free and a version with wholesome grains, the latter of which is best for most dogs.
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Dog Food
With smaller pieces of kibble and a tailored blend of nutrients, this is the perfect food for small breed dogs.
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Dog Food
Formulated for lean muscle and healthy joints, this food can help keep large dogs fit and mobile for longer. It comes in chicken, fish and lamb recipes.
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food
Designed with the needs of senior dogs in mind, this recipe helps keep beloved old-timers going strong. It helps maintain muscle mass, gives older dogs plenty of energy and keeps joints healthy.
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Puppy Food
The higher ratio of protein, calories and fat supports puppies as they grow at an alarming rate. It's designed for dogs up to 12 months old.
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Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Wet Dog Food
This canned food is a great choice for healthy adult dogs. It's highly palatable and comes in a range of flavors, including chicken, beef and fish.
Blue Buffalo Basics Skin and Stomach Care Wet Dog Food
Containing a limited number of ingredients, this wet food is ideal for dogs with allergies or with sensitive skin or a sensitive stomach.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Trays
This high-protein wet food is nutritionally balanced so it can be fed on its own, but it also makes a great treat or you can mix it with dry food to make dinnertime more affordable.
Blue Buffalo Delights Natural Adult Small Breed Dog Food
Not only does this food feature small chunks for little mouths, but it's also perfectly formulated to meet the needs of the tiniest canine companions.
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Blue Buffalo Blue's Stew Dog Food
With chunks of meat and vegetables in a rich gravy, this food is an appealing choice for many dogs. You can choose from beef, chicken, duck, lamb and turkey recipes.
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Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Dog Food
The smooth pate texture is perfect for older dogs who have issues with their teeth. The added glucosamine and chondroitin support joint health in senior dogs.
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Lauren Corona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
