The 10 Best Blue Buffalo Dog Foods for 2023

by Tom Ken

Finding the right food for your furry friend is vital for its overall wellbeing. One of the easiest ways to ensure you get high-quality and nutritious dog food is by buying from a top brand like Blue Buffalo.

Blue Buffalo has been making dog food since 2003. Because it is a company operated by dog lovers, they focus on giving dogs the best quality food by only using premium quality ingredients with real meat and all-natural components.

Besides making both dry and wet dog food, Blue Buffalo also has a variety of food formulas to cater to different dietary needs for different dog breeds and life stages. Here we look at some of the best Blue Buffalo dog foods and also show you how to choose the right option for your pooch.

Blue Buffalo Dog Food Formula

Formula Value Options
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Dry Dog Food (High-Quality Meat Diet)
  • Meat-first recipes
  • Particular emphasis on health and wellbeing
  • Healthy wholesome ingredients
Dry Options
2. Blue Buffalo Wet Dog Food (Hearty, Home-Inspired Recipes)
  • Finest natural ingredients
  • Three feeding options
  • Real meat is the first ingredient
Wet Options
3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness (Meat-Rich and High Protein)
  • Protein-rich foods
  • Free of grains that contain gluten
  • Lifesource bits included
Wet Options Dry Options
4. Blue Buffalo Freedom (Grain-Free Diet)
  • Wholesome grain-free formula
  • Healthy fruits and vegetables
  • Real meat first
Wet Options Dry Options
5. Blue Buffalo Basics (Limited Ingredients Diet)
  • Great for food-sensitive dogs
  • Single animal protein
  • Easily digestible carbohydrates
Wet Options Dry Options
6. Blue Buffalo Carnivora (Optimal Prey Nutrition)
  • Protein-packed foods
  • Includes cartilage for joint health
  • Enhanced with vitamins and minerals
Wet Options Dry Options
7. Blue Buffalo True Solutions (Clinically-Proven Ingredients)
  • Supports specific ailments & health issues
  • Clinically proven ingredients
  • Delicious, natural ingredients
Wet Options Dry Options

10 Best Blue Buffalo Dog Foods - Review

IMAGE PRODUCT FEATURES
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Adult

1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Best Overall)

  • Ideal for adult dogs of all breed sizes
  • Real chicken protein source
  • Wholesome ingredients such as brown rice
  • Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Puppy

2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Best Budget)

  • More budget-friendly given the quantity
  • Ideal for all breed size puppies
  • Contains DHA and ARA for cognitive development
  • Lifesource bits support immune health
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Senior

3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Best for Senior Dogs)

  • Ideal for senior dogs of all breed sizes
  • Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
  • Lifesource bits included
  • All-natural ingredients
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet For Puppy

4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet (Best for Puppies)

  • DHA and ARA for healthy puppy development
  • High-quality chicken protein
  • Lifesource bits included
Blue Buffalo Freedom

5. Blue Buffalo Freedom (Best for All Breed Sizes)

  • Ideal for adult dogs of all breed sizes
  • Grain-free formula
  • Wholesome ingredients like peas, carrots, and flaxseed
  • Lifesource bits included
Blue Buffalo Delights

6. Blue Buffalo Delights (Best Tasting)

  • Real beef provides a delightful taste
  • Ideal for adult small breed dogs
  • Perfectly portioned single-serving meals
  • Wholesome natural ingredients
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe

7. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe (Best Canned)

  • Canned food provides three feed ways
  • Suitable for adult dogs of all breed sizes
  • Made with wholesome ingredients
  • High-quality turkey protein for muscle maintenance
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Small Breed

8. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Best for Dog's Overall Wellbeing)

  • Healthy garden vegetables and fruits for overall wellbeing
  • Ideal for small breed senior dogs
  • High-quality real chicken protein
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet For Adult

9. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet (Best Dry)

  • Suitable for adult dogs of all breed sizes
  • Packed with high-quality chicken protein
  • Perfect blend of vitamins and minerals
  • Glucosamine included
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Large Breed

10. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Best All-Natural)

  • All-natural ingredients
  • Ideal for adult large breed dogs
  • Antioxidant and mineral-rich
  • Cold-formed kibbles to preserve the potency

1. Best Overall: Dry Dog Food | Adult | All Breed Sizes: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Chicken and Brown Rice)

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Adult
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Adult
  • Ingredients: Deboned chicken, brown rice, blueberries, flaxseed, cranberries, sweet potatoes…
  • Not Contain: Poultry by-products, wheat, soy, corn artificial flavors or preservatives

With real deboned chicken meat as the first ingredient, dog food will not only meet the energy requirements of the dog but also help build lean muscles. This and the fact that the dog food uses the finest and wholesome ingredients make it our best overall product.

It will include a healthy dose of veggies, fruits, enhanced minerals and vitamins to make it a complete meal. There is also omega 3 & 6 for skin and coat care, glucosamine for joint and mobility support.

The kibbles on this dry dog food are a little smaller for an adult dog, but most should still be comfortable chewing them once they get used to them.

Pros:

  • Real chicken protein helps build and maintain muscles
  • Wholesome grains, veggies, and fruits
  • Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids for skin and coat care
  • Glucosamine supports joint care and mobility
  • Enhanced with minerals and vitamins

Cons:

  • Smaller kibbles for adults dogs

2. Best Budget: Dry Dog Food | Puppy | All Breed Sizes: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Chicken and Brown Rice)

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Puppy
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Puppy
  • Ingredients: Chicken, brown rice, flaxseed, cranberries, blueberries, sweet potatoes, peas, carrots…
  • Not Contain: Chicken by-product meals, corn, soy, wheat, artificial flavors/preservatives

With 27% protein and 16% fat, this puppy dog food will provide all the calories that your pet needs during its early stages of life. This real-meat protein will ensure that it develops and maintains lean muscles. Better yet, for a 30-pound bag, this is also a more affordable option.

Because this puppy dog food includes both DHA and ARA, it helps with both the cognitive and retinal development of the pups. With this food, your pet will get the Lifesource bits, which are a perfect blend of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants to help support the immune system. With the small-size kibbles, it will be easier for a small jaw to chew.

The only notable drawback for this dog food is that it contains some grains, but if your dog is not gluten-sensitive, this should not be a significant concern.

Pros:

  • Supports cognitive function and retinal development
  • Perfect blend of immune system enhancing compounds
  • Helps puppies build and maintain muscles
  • Small kibbles are easy to chew

Cons:

  • Contains some grains

3. Best for Senior Dogs: Dry Dog Food | Senior | All Breed Sizes: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Chicken and Brown Rice)

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Senior
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Senior
  • Ingredients: Deboned chicken, brown rice, flaxseed, cranberries, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, blueberries…
  • Not Contain: Poultry by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors/preservatives

This Blue Buffalo dog food is from the company's recipe line that emphasizes on the dog's overall wellbeing. Because it is meant for senior pooches, it will hence include glucosamine and chondroitin to support joints and mobility.

The meal is well-balanced and complete with wholesome and all-natural ingredients with deboned chicken as the primary protein source. With Lifesource bits to provide a perfect blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, other things like the immune system and skin are also catered for.

Because this dog food contains brown rice, it may not be ideal for gluten-sensitive pets. But there is no wheat or corn, and so unless your dog is sensitive to brown rice, it should still be okay.

Pros:

  • Supports joint health and mobility
  • Uses the finest natural ingredients
  • Perfect blend of minerals and vitamins
  • Kibbles preserve their potency

Cons:

  • Not grain-free

4. Best for Puppies: Dry Dog Food | Puppy | Small Breed: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet (Chicken)

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet For Puppy
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet For Puppy
  • Ingredients: Deboned chicken, fish meal, chicken meal, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, cranberries, blueberries…
  • Not Contain: Chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors/preservatives

For those with small breed puppies, this is our best Blue Buffalo puppy food for you. Besides using the finest natural ingredients, it also has a high protein content for the puppies with up to 36% protein.

The high protein stems from the use of real chicken, fish meal, and chicken meal. What's more, this food has DHA and ARA to ensure healthy brain and eye development. You can also be sure that your puppy will get healthy teeth and bones as there are more than enough vitamins and minerals.

The zip on the resealable bag is not very good quality, and it can be inconvenient if breaks when there is still food in there. However, you can get a better quality bag and transfer the food to it for better storage.

Pros:

  • Helps with puppy brain and eye development
  • Ensures puppies develop lean muscles
  • Vitamins and minerals for strong teeth and bones
  • Helps puppies get healthy skin and coat

Cons:

  • Wanting resealable bag zip

5. Best for All Breed Sizes: Dry Dog Food | Adult | All Breed Sizes: Blue Buffalo Freedom (Chicken)

Blue Buffalo Freedom
Blue Buffalo Freedom
  • Ingredients: Deboned chicken, peas, carrots, flaxseed, blueberries, sweet potatoes, cranberries…
  • Not Contain: Poultry by-product meals, soy, wheat, corn, artificial flavors/preservatives

With the grain-free formulation, this is our best Blue Buffalo freedom dog food for you if you have a pooch that is sensitive to gluten. What's more, it uses wholesome ingredients and with real chicken as the first ingredient for a healthy dose of protein, and it is ideal for all breed sizes.

With Blue Buffalo's Lifesource bits, this food will provide an ideal blend of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that will do your pet a lot of good. There is also glucosamine to cater for joint health and mobility.

This dog food is a little pricey when compared to what other brands out there have to offer, but quality always comes at a higher price.

Pros:

  • Completely grain-free for gluten-sensitive dogs
  • Delicious, wholesome ingredients
  • Includes healthy fruits and veggies
  • Lifesource bits provide minerals and vitamins
  • Supports joint health and overall mobility

Cons:

  • A little expensive

6. Best Tasting: Wet Dog Food | Adult | Small Breed: Blue Buffalo Delights (Filet Mignon and New York Strip)

Blue Buffalo Delights
Blue Buffalo Delights
  • Ingredients: Beef, beef broth, chicken liver, dried egg product, carrots, whole peas, potatoes…
  • Not Contain: Poultry by-product meals, wheat, soy, corn, artificial flavors/preservatives

With real beef as the first ingredient, you can be sure that your dog will love the Blue Buffalo Delights as the taste is just delightful. Also, real beef provides high-quality protein to help the dog build and maintain lean muscles.

This dog food will ensure that dog owners have an easy time when it comes to serving because besides coming in single-serve portions, there are some clear serving directions. And you can be sure that besides being nutritious, this is a safe food for your small breed as it uses the finest and all-natural ingredients.

For dogs taking this food for the first time, the texture is not very pleasant. But, as they eat it more and more, they should get used to it and even love it.

Pros:

  • Delightful real beef taste
  • Comes in easy to serve portions
  • Finest natural and wholesome ingredients
  • Clear feeding guidelines provided

Cons:

  • Texture needs some improvement

7. Best Canned: Wet Dog Food | Adult | All Breed Sizes: Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe (Turkey Meatloaf Dinner)

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe
  • Ingredients: Turkey, turkey broth, peas, sweet potatoes, carrots, barley, oatmeal…
  • Not Contain: Poultry by-product meals, corn, soy, wheat, artificial flavors/preservatives

If you want something that gives your dog food that is as close to what you make for it at home as possible, the best Blue Buffalo wet dog food is the perfect pick. Because it is canned food, it will also contain more moisture to ensure it helps with hydrating the dog.

There are three different feeding options for this food that include as a treat, mixed with dry food, and as a meal on its own. To make sure it has a high nutrition value for your pooch, it includes nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits and uses wholesome natural ingredients.

Although the 8% protein content is a little on the lower side, for canned food, it is still quite okay. Furthermore, the protein is from real turkey meat to ensure the dog builds and maintains healthy muscles.

Pros:

  • Provides more feeding option
  • Helps build and maintain muscles
  • Made from wholesome and natural ingredients
  • High moisture content keeps dogs hydrated
  • Nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits included

Cons:

  • Should have a little more protein

8. Best for Dog's Overall Wellbeing: Dry Dog Food | Senior | Small Breed: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Chicken and Brown Rice)

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Small Breed
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Small Breed
  • Ingredients: Deboned chicken, brown rice, flaxseed, blueberries, cranberries, sweet potatoes, peas & carrots
  • Not Contain: chicken by-product meals, soy, corn, wheat, artificial flavors/preservatives

For your small breed senior dog, it is vital to provide enough nutrients to keep it going. With the high-quality real chicken protein on this food, that is just what you get. The addition of garden vegetables and healthy fruits ensures that this food gives the dog the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it needs for its overall wellbeing.

To make this an even more ideal food for small breeds, it will come in small-bite kibbles, which are perfect for small jaws. There is also glucosamine and chondroitin to support joints, hip function, and the dog's mobility.

This senior dog food might not be grain-free, but it only uses wholesome whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal to minimize the sensitivity issues and keep it super healthy.

Pros:

  • High-quality chicken protein
  • Full of antioxidants
  • Garden vegetables provide healthy vitamins/minerals
  • Perfect size kibbles for small jaws

Cons:

  • Not grain-free

9. Best Dry: Dry Dog Food | Adult | All Breed Sizes: Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet (Salmon)

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet For Adult
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet For Adult
  • Ingredients: Deboned salmon, chicken meal, fish meal, pea, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, cranberries…
  • Not Contain: Chicken or poultry by-products, soy, wheat, corn, artificial flavors

If you are on the lookout for the best Blue Buffalo wilderness dog food, here is the perfect choice for you from Blue Buffalo. Like other foods in the recipe line, this dry food will include high-quality proteins from salmon and the fish and chicken meals.

This food is grain-free for the gluten-sensitive dogs and will have a perfect blend of vitamins and minerals to keep bones in great shape. There is also glucosamine to support joint health and both omega 3 & 6 fatty acids for skin and coat health.

While this dog food is by far not the best smelling, the scent only takes some getting used to, and many dogs will even love it eventually.

Pros:

  • Minerals and vitamins ensure healthy teeth and bones
  • Glucosamine supports joint health
  • Supports immune health
  • Gives dog healthy skin and coat

Cons:

  • Not the best smelling food

10. Best All-Natural: Dry Dog Food | Adult | Large Breed: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Chicken and Brown Rice)

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Large Breed
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula For Large Breed
  • Ingredients: Chicken, brown rice, flaxseed, blueberries, cranberries, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes…
  • Not Contain: Chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors/preservatives

With this Life Protection recipe food for adult large breed dogs, you get an all-natural source of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins for the overall wellbeing of your pet. Also, the food is enhanced with the Lifesource bits to help support the immune system.

Because it includes a precise blend of calcium and phosphorous, this food is useful for strengthening a dog's bones and teeth. With a good dose of glucosamine and chondroitin, this food will help support joint and mobility function.

At first, the smell of the food is a little unusual, but the good news is that it just takes some getting used to, and it does not affect the quality of the food.

Pros:

  • Rich of healthy minerals and antioxidants
  • Supports immune health
  • Kibbles will not lose their potency
  • Strengthens bones and teeth
  • Supports mobility and joint function

Cons:

  • Smell takes some getting used to

How to Buy the Best Blue Buffalo Dog Foods

How to Buy the Best Blue Buffalo Dog Foods
How to Buy the Best Blue Buffalo Dog Foods

1. Purpose

Blue Buffalo makes dog food in different lines for different breed sizes and ages. They have food for toy, small and large breed sizes and puppy, adult and senior dogs. Hence, when choosing their products, you will first need to decide the purpose.

For example, the Life Protection Line will emphasize on health and wellbeing of the dog. It will include real meat as the first recipe and brewers rice to provide carbs. While the recipe line has food for all life stages and breed sizes, the food is not grain-free and is hence not ideal for gluten-sensitive dogs.

However, Blue Buffalo still has you covered if you have a dog with allergies and sensitivities issues with its Blue Buffalo Basics line. Dog foods in this line will have single protein sources like turkey and salmon and potato recipes. And it does not have common allergens like beef, chicken, and eggs.

2. Types of Dog and Age

Like with any other food type, you will need to consider the dog type and age when deciding the line or type of Blue Buffalo food to buy.

The good news is that the brand has you covered regardless of your dog breed and the age, as they have a wide variety of products in the market.

That said, some specific food types like the Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Dog Food will be ideal for all adult dogs regardless of the breed.

3. Wet or Dry

As you choose the best Blue Buffalo dog food, you also need to decide whether to go for wet or dry food as the brand has both. If you feed your dog either type exclusively, then this decision should be easy for you.

But when choosing between dry and wet dog food, you need to keep in mind the merits and demerits of each type.

Dry dog food is often cheaper in the long run and is easier to store than wet food. Also, dry food will be better for a dog's dental hygiene.

Wet dog food, on the other hand, is more comfortable to chew for dogs thanks to the softer texture, contains more moisture to help with digestion, and will contain fewer preservatives since canning is a natural preservation technique.

4. Flavor

Given the wide variety of food lines and products that Blue Buffalo has in the market, you can also be sure that there will be plenty of flavors to choose from when buying the brand.

From the delightful and wild salmon flavor you get with the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet to the amazing turkey meatloaf dinner flavor of the Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe, the company has something to please every dog's taste buds.

5. Bag Size

Depending on the specific food line you are buying, Blue Buffalo will often provide a wide variety of bags or can sizes. Hence, it should be easy to get just the right quantity for your dog.

But, if you are trying their foods for the first time, it will be a good idea to buy a small bag or can size to check whether your dog will like it or not. If you buy too much food and the dog ends up not liking it, you can waste a lot of cash.

Buy on Etsy

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food - Walmart Link

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food - Walmart Link

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food - Walmart Link

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Toppers Wild Cuts High Protein, Natural Wet Dog Food, - Walmart Link

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Adult Wet Dog Food 12.5oz can (Pack of 12) - Walmart Link

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein, Natural Adult Healthy Weight - Walmart Link

this puppy dog food - Walmart Link

This Blue Buffalo dog food - Walmart Link

the Blue Buffalo Delights - Walmart Link

This senior dog food - Walmart Link

the Life Protection Line - Walmart Link

Blue Buffalo Basics line - Walmart Link

the Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Dog Food - Walmart Link

the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet - Walmart Link

the Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe - Walmart Link

the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Chicken and Brown Rice) - Walmart Link

The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food - eBay Link

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food - eBay Link

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Adult Dry Dog Food - eBay Link

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Toppers Wild Cuts High Protein, Natural Wet Dog Food, - eBay Link

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Adult Wet Dog Food 12.5oz can (Pack of 12) - eBay Link

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein, Natural Adult Healthy Weight - eBay Link

this puppy dog food - eBay Link

This Blue Buffalo dog food - eBay Link

the Blue Buffalo Delights - eBay Link

This senior dog food - eBay Link

the Life Protection Line - eBay Link

Blue Buffalo Basics line - eBay Link

the Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Natural Adult Dry Dog Food - eBay Link

the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet - eBay Link

the Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe - eBay Link

the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Chicken and Brown Rice) - eBay Link

The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet - eBay Link

Conclusion

Blue Buffalo is an unbeatable dog food brand when it comes to healthy, premium-quality dog food. And if you are looking for one of their many recipe lines for your canine friend, you can be sure there is something for you on our list.

But, if you want something for adult dogs of all breed sizes, the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula (Chicken and Brown Rice) will be a fantastic choice.

The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature's Evolutionary Diet, on the other hand, will be a perfect choice for the dog owners looking for nutritious food for small breed puppies.

About Tom Ken

Tom has worked with many veterinary surgeons as a nurse at different veterinary clinics throughout his life.

There, he provides care for sick animals; such as: dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, and sometimes reptiles.

He has good work ethics and gentle hands; hence, the doctors as well the pet owners have come to love his presence alot.

With this site, he aims to help the readers ensure their pets' wellbeing, learn how to care, and proivide medical treatment as needed.

Joshua received Veterinary Technician Degree at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.

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