Blue Buffalo pet food has made its way into the homes of pet lovers around the world. Since Blue Buffalo has gained so much recognition, it can be difficult to weigh through all of the reviews and possible scrutiny. In this article we’ll dive into the specifics of Blue Buffalo Cat food, and discuss each product in detail based on an overall nutrition standpoint.
Quick Review: Top-3 Cat Foods From Blue Buffalo
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Bestseller #1
Blue Wilderness Cat Food With Duck
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Bestseller #2
Blue Indoor Health
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Bestseller #3
Blue Healthy Gourmet Chicken Canned Food
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History of Blue Buffalo Cat Food
Blue Buffalo was created in 2002 by an advertising and marketing expert named Bill Bishop. Bishop was involved in marketing for major brands such as American Express, Tropicana, Perrier, and Nabisco. He was even the COO of Sobe until its sale to Pepsi in 2011.
During his journey in advertisement, he developed the plan behind Blue Buffalo, a pet food named after his beloved dog Blue. Blue Buffalo took the natural dog food world by storm, and began its long standing journey in the pet food industry.
After 16 successful years Blue Buffalo was sold to the leading natural pet food company, General Mills for $8 million.
Ingredients That Blue Buffalo Focuses On
With being such a well known brand in the natural pet food industry, Blue Buffalo has to have done something right to gain the success that they have.
Part of what makes Blue Buffalo so popular is the fact that they focus on nutrients that come from high quality meat proteins and plants. Unlike some other food brands, Blue Buffalo works hard to source their ingredients from quality meat tissues and plants. They do not use any poultry by-products, preservatives, artificial flavors, or artificial colors.
Blue Buffalo also includes chelated minerals for easy absorption and a blend of vitamins and minerals for overall health and wellness.
In any bag of Blue Buffalo cat food you will often see either Chicken, lamb or fish, along with the addition of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
What cat food options does Blue Buffalo offer?
Blue Buffalo currently has 6 cat food lines. These lines include:
- BLUE: BLUE for Cats dry foods, wet foods and treats all feature real meat. They use whole grains, garden veggies and fruit, plus add LifeSource Bits®, a precise blend of nutrients that have now been enhanced with a Super 7 package of antioxidant-rich ingredients. Importantly, all BLUE cat products do not contain any chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat or soy and nothing artificial and are formulated for cats of all life stages.
- BLUE Freedom: BLUE Freedom contains no grains, so it has none of the glutens that can trigger allergic reactions in some cats.
- BLUE Wilderness: Inspired by the diet of the lynx,BLUE Wilderness is a protein-rich, grain-free food that contains more of the delicious meat cats love.
- BLUE Basics: For cats that show signs of being sensitive to some of the ingredients used in traditional pet foods, less may be more. BLUE Basics is a healthy and holistic, limited-ingredient diet formulated to minimize food sensitivities while maximizing the nutritional value that your cat will receive. BLUE Basics is made without corn, wheat, dairy, soy or eggs and is available in several grain-free formulas.
- BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet: BLUE Natural Veterinary Diet offers your cat an effective solution with the natural, wholesome ingredients you’ll feel good about feeding your furry family member. They offer a diet for sensitive stomachs, kidney health, weight management, and food intolerances.
- BLUE Carnivora: Inspired by America’s diverse terrain and the wildlife that roams there, grain-free BLUE Carnivora was created to fulfill your cat’s natural instinct to feed on a variety of prey. Carnivora features multiple meats, including high-protein animal sources, nutrient-dense organs and joint-nourishing cartilage. Enhanced with added vitamins, minerals and amino acids, Carnivora helps ensure every meal your cat eats is complete and balanced.
Each food line is designed to meet the specific needs of cats whether it’s grain free, high in protein, or a need for limited ingredients.
What do veterinary professionals think about Blue Buffalo?
Over the years there have been a number of opinions and criticism about the Blue Buffalo Brand. With 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine as a licensed technician, and with the addition of other veterinary opinions, I can provide a review from a professional standpoint.
In comparison to other cat food that are offered on the shelf, Blue Buffalo is one of the better options. While this brand does not compare to veterinary formulated diets, it is one of the better options for cat owners in the store. It offers more protein from quality meat sources than other store bought cat foods.
Blue Buffalo is known to be higher in protein and fat content, but as long as you monitor your cat closely and keep up with routine veterinary diagnostics, you can keep track of any health changes that could be a result of their diet.
Another tip to keep in mind is that if your cat has any history of urinary infections, crystals, or obstructions, this is not an ideal diet for them. This diet has been known to exacerbate urinary conditions. Your vet will most likely recommend a veterinary diet for a feline prone to urinary complications.
Like other food brands, Blue Buffalo has experienced a number of recalls. In order to make sure that your cat is consuming a safe diet option, try your best to stay up to date on food recalls. There are several websites that list recent food recalls in the pet industry.
What do customers think about Blue Buffalo Cat Food?
Since Blue Buffalo has been around for quite some time, there are thousands of reviews that can help you make your decision about this diet. Below are a few reviews of the Blue Buffalo brand:
Positive Reviews
Having owned multiple cats over the past 10+ years, I can honestly say Blue Buffalo is the only brand of food I’ll buy. But I’ve noticed that it’s helped keep my animals healthier and their feces don’t smell as bad. They don’t shed as much either. I love how I can read the ingredients and not have to Google every other one. My current cat isn’t picky but she does prefer fish flavors and that’s why I buy this particular flavor for her. I told my in laws about how it affects my cat and they decided to try the food on their dog. They noticed an immediate difference. Their dog seems less bloated, gassy, and her coat appears healthier. If you want the best for your pets without breaking the bank, go with Blue Buffalo. – BLUE Indoor Health
Simply amazing. My cat is 3 yrs old Norwegian Forrest cat and loves it.So glad I switched. First of all the food smells great because he runs when I open the bag. His stool does not smell and is solid and best part of it all is that this cat food is filling. He eats less of it because it is truly full of nutrients. His coat even looks better now. – BLUE Wilderness
So this all started with one cat who seems to throw up no matter what we give her, including vet prescribed foods. She had semi-decent luck on Blue Wilderness duck, but not quite good enough. So then we tried Blue LID duck, and she did much better, but her and the others seemed to not really like it much. It was a win on the stop-puking front, but not on the flavor front. This presents a problem because we have another cat who doesn’t eat enough to support his high-energy lifestyle. Then we tried THIS food, the fish LID one, and bam! Winner! Everyone likes it, and nobody is puking. Thank the heavens! – BLUE Basics
Negative Reviews
It has made my cats sick. Since I started this food 2 have been throwing up and 1 has diarrhea.. My cats are used to eating high protein food \ grain free. They are never sick with stomach problems as I am very careful of their diet. As soon as they ate this the stomach issues began. – BLUE Wilderness
My cat all of a sudden stopped eating this food. She’s gulped it down for years. I thought maybe it was the bag so I ordered another. The same thing she smells it and walks away. She’s resorted to stealing the Yorkies food. I called Blue Buffalo sure enough they changed the formula. Now I am scrambling to find a new food for her. – BLUE Indoor Health
Blue Buffalo Food Recalls as of
Below is a list and description of all recent Blue Buffalo food recalls.
March 18th, 2017: Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs was reported for containing high levels of beef thyroid hormones. This can cause excessive thirst and urination, increased heart rate and agitation.
March 3rd, 2017: Blue Buffalo issued a voluntary recall for an issue with the foil seal on the top of some of their canned products.
February 14th, 2017: The Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Healthy Weight Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables was recalled due to a suspicion of some of their products containing aluminum metal.
May 31st, 2016: The Life Protection Formula Fish and Sweet Potato Recipe was recalled by Blue Buffalo due to some packages containing mold.
November 25th, 2015: Cub Size Wilderness Wild Chew Bones were recalled due to a potential for Salmonella present in this product.
October 8th, 2010: Three kinds of Blue Buffalo dog food were recalled due to potentially toxic levels of vitamin D.
April 19th, 2007: During this time many dog and cat food brands struggled with the presence of melamine present in their products.
Blue Buffalo Cat Food Product Breakdowns
- Blue Wilderness Cat Food With Duck
Pros
- Delicious duck flavor that cats love.
- Balanced nutrition including quality meat source and plant sources.
- Rich in antioxidants.
- Contains omega fatty acids for skin and joint health.
Cons
- Since this product is known to have larger amounts of protein, it is recommended for the active cats of the cat world, and maybe not so much for the lazy couch cats.
- Blue Buffalo Freedom With Chicken
Pros
- Delicious main ingredients: Chicken and sweet potato.
- Quality source of protein from deboned chicken and no poultry by-products.
- Balanced nutrition from meat sources and plant sources.
- Rich in antioxidants.
- Contains Vitamin B6, phosphorus, and selenium for overall health.
Cons
- Since it does contain chicken, some cats with poultry allergies may not be able to enjoy this food.
- Blue Basics Duck and Potato
Pros
- Tasty recipe made with duck and vegetable proteins.
- Formulated specifically with sensitive stomachs and food sensitivities in mind.
- Addition of chelated minerals and probiotics for gut health.
- Gluten and grain free carbohydrates included.
Cons
- Though the main focus of this product is food sensitivity with minimal ingredients, it does get a large amount of its protein from pea concentrate. Plant based proteins are less biologically valuable for cats.
- Blue Indoor Health
$44.99
Pros
- Deboned chicken is the first listed ingredient, along with fish and chicken meal.
- Rich in antioxidants.
- Contains Life Source Bits (contain precise mixture of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.)
Cons
- Since this does contain chicken, cats with allergies to poultry may not be able to enjoy this food.
- Blue Carnivora Woodland Blend
Pros
- Protein from up to 11 animal meat sources.
- Packed with amino acids.
- No poultry by-product meals.
- No artificial flavors or preservatives.
- Free of any corn, wheat, or soy.
Cons
- Since this food does contain chicken, cats with allergies to poultry may not be able to enjoy this product.
- Blue Healthy Gourmet Chicken Canned Food
Pros
- Delicious formula including chicken meat, chicken liver, and chicken broth.
- Meaty morsels that cats enjoy.
- Abundance of vitamins included in this food.
- Includes omega fatty acids for skin and joint health.
- Does not contain a high level of salt like many other canned cat food.
Cons
- While many cats love the meat morsels, some reviews state that some cats prefer the pate texture.
- Blue Buffalo Canned Wilderness Delight
Pros
- Delicious combination of chicken and trout that cats love.
- Includes vitamin and minerals, omega fatty acids, and amino acids to promote overall health.
- 100% grain free for cats with aversion to grains and gluten.
Cons
- Since this food does contain chicken, cats with poultry allergies may not be able to enjoy this food.
FAQ
Do cats need to eat protein from meat sources?
Yes, cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they depend on protein from animal tissues. Cats depend on animal sourced protein and taurine to perform their metabolic functions, and will not be able to survive on plant proteins alone.
Does the quality of my cat’s food really matter?
Yes, it definitely does. When you choose a cat food with a high fat content and protein from a low quality source such as meat by-products, it can have great impact on their overall health. Think of it as serving your cat a cheese burger each day, versus serving them a nutritious and well rounded meal. Low quality foods are unhealthy and can severely impact their health.
Can cats have grain allergies?
Just like humans, animals can have allergies to just about anything. Grains are known to affect some cats and dogs, and can cause a number of concerning symptoms. Cats with grain allergies can have irritated skin, itchiness, red skin, hair loss, and sores from self mutilation.
How can I avoid an upset stomach when I switch my cat to a new food?
When you switch your cat to a new food, it’s important to take this process slowly. If you abruptly switch them from one food to another, you risk causing them to have diarrhea, vomiting, and a number of other gastrointestinal symptoms. Start by slowly combining the food over the time span of two weeks. Each day add more and more of the new food to their old food until you have completely transitioned to the new diet.
How long can I store canned food after it’s been opened?
Canned food can be stored for up to 3 days as long as it’s covered and in the fridge. Leaving out a can of food can invite bacteria which could cause your cat to become extremely ill. If you are unsure how long a can of food has been out after it’s been opened, it’s best to just throw it away.
