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Every year, a lot of cat food products and overall brands are being examined and tested. Some of the pet food brands are tested over and over again, and one such brand is Blue Buffalo cat food.
Is Blue Buffalo good for cats? Generally speaking, yes it is. It is safe and most cats like it.
Blue Buffalo is a quite familiar and popular cat food brand. However, the nutritional value of the food is still under question, which is why I have done this research by gathering customer’s reviews, cat food ingredients, comparison of its top five products, and overall info about the brand.
However, Blue Buffalo, like everything else, has its advantages and disadvantages.
People mostly question this brand because of its high carbohydrate content, and fillers. Primary ingredients are meat–based, but plant–based protein boosters’ percentage is higher.
I bought many Blue Buffalo products for my cats and I will share my experience below, so let’s see what I’ve found out about these products and how I can answer the question of ‘Is Blue Buffalo good for cats?’
Is Blue Buffalo Good For Cats?
Does Blue Buffalo make cats sick? Well, usually no, the food is not a direct link to cats being sick.
This hasn’t been an issue reported by cat owners, however, if your cat is allergic to any of the ingredients in this cat food then it is possible that they will get sick due to their allergies.
There is a possibility that some cats will be sick, or show symptoms of food allergies after they’ve tried Blue Buffalo cat food. However, this can be the case with any cat food brand – it depends on the nutritional value of the food or whether it contains something your cat is allergic to.
Cats might be allergic to Blue Buffalo foods, and can therefore show symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, hair loss, lethargy, inflamed skin, and similar.
Additionally the FDA listed Blue Buffalo among 16 pet food brands that might increase the risk of DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy).
Blue Buffalo is known primarily because of many speculations concerning its welfare which is discussed in the next section and secondly due to its affordability and many varieties.
Also, when it comes to nutritional values and quality, it is far from perfect. Blue Buffalo cat food products are usually plant–based, and the brand has been recalled quite a few times over the past few years.
All this indicates that the brand lacks quality, however, I can recommend that you try their canned food products – wet food with animal–based ingredients.
Blue Buffalo: Info & Recall History
Blue Buffalo pet food brand is one of the leading pet food companies in the US today, and it was created in 2002.
Now let’s see what I found out about Blue Buffalo’s recalls since that is always a good indicator of the product’s quality and safety.
These recalls occurred from 2007 to 2019; in 2010 there was a recall of several Blue Buffalo products due to an ‘error’, namely, excess levels of vitamin D present in the food.
In 2015, there were two recalls, one due to cat treats that contained propylene glycol which is banned by the FDA. Cats are highly sensitive to it, and its intake can be poisonous for them, therefore it is not allowed as a food ingredient.
The second recall in 2015 concerned chewing bones due to concerns of possible salmonella presence.
In 2017, Blue Buffalo had three recalls, two of them concerning the packaging of foods.
Besides recalls, Blue Buffalo was accused of false advertising by Purina.
Some of their products were shown to contain animal by-products, and Blue Buffalo claimed that those ingredients weren’t present in their foods.
Later, in 2019, the FDA put them on the list with 16 other pet food brands of those that might be associated with an increased risk of DCM, in both dogs and cats.
Analysis Of TOP 5 Blue Buffalo Cat Food Products
Many other articles say that this brand and its products are great and they deserve and receive good grades for affordability and the wide variety, and based on the reviews, they do receive high marks for these reasons.
However, their recipes and ingredients are not usually species appropriate so the customers’ reviews vary. Let’s see what I’ve found about Blue Buffalo’s top five cat foods.
I myself have six cats, so it is not surprising that I have bought and tried out different food brands and products. These five products are Blue Buffalo’s most popular and best known cat food. I found these ratings on Chewy and Amazon.
Of course, I bought all of these over a period of time, and my cats tried them out. They liked all of them, some more than others.
When they finished the packs, I continued buying the first one from this list – the chicken recipe dry food – because all my cats like it and one bag of 12 lbs lasts for approximately 20 days (however if you have only one cat, it can last much longer).
With it, of course, there is always some wet food on a daily basis, I buy different variety packs, including the fifth one from the list above. It is affordable, usually on discount so I buy more, since it is canned cat food and can be kept in stock.
1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Food
- It doesn’t contain any by-products
- Cats like the flavor
- Low carbohydrate presence
In the Wilderness line of Blue Buffalo cat food, all products are grain-free. The first thing that is worth mentioning about this product is the fact that it is made “with chicken”, which implies that this ingredient is combined with another one to form the base.
The food’s primary sources of protein are chicken and peas, and it contains taurine as well, even though grains like corn, wheat or rice would be a better choice.
Peas are used in this product despite their low nutritional values for cats. The protein that cats gain from peas is less digestive than what they’d get from animal sources.
This dry food is further enhanced with “LifeSource Bits” which are chunks of kibble that contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Generally speaking, this food product contains carbohydrate content that is a bit below average, and moderate fat and protein content, in comparison to other dry foods.
As far as the price goes, this product is one of the better ones. It doesn’t contain animal by-products, artificial colors, or harmful preservatives. It contains a couple of probiotic bacteria, which enhance the digestive values.
Pros:
Cats like the flavor of chicken
No by-products
Low on carbohydrates
Cons:
❌ No required moisture
❌ Has concentrated sources of plant proteins (peas, starch, potatoes…)
2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey Grain-Free Wet Cat Food
- It doesn’t contain meat by-products
- Primary ingredients are animal-based
- Low presence of carbohydrates
This wet food, i.e. turkey pate, sounds like the perfect choice for our feline friends. It is high in protein, turkey meat being the primary ingredient.
So, it is turkey–based, but there are also some plant–based ingredients mixed in, like potatoes or thickening agents.
Another ingredient that is present in this food is carrageenan, which is usually used in canned foods, as it serves as a stabilizer and thickener. However, it is a controversial ingredient since it is commonly associated with toxicity and inflammation in pets.
Generally speaking, this is a product that is species–appropriate, high in protein and fats, and limited in carbohydrates.
This wet food is meat–based, has the required nutritional values and the required moisture cats need.
Pros:
Animal-based primary ingredients
Low on carbohydrates
No meat or poultry by-product meals
Cons:
❌ Cat owners offer mixed reviews
❌ Has carrageenan
3. Blue Buffalo Indoor Health Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Cat Food
Blue Buffalo Indoor Health Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food
- It doesn’t contain poultry or meat by-products
- Cats like the flavor
- More affordable than other average dry food products
Blue Buffalo claims that this food is the perfect choice for indoor cats. Indoor cats have a tendency to suffer UTIs, hairballs, and/or obesity, so this food contains blueberries, cranberries, is high in fiber, and has a moderate calorie content.
Main sources of protein in this food are: chicken meal, menhaden fish meal, and deboned chicken.
However, after these come starchy plant ingredients, barley, oatmeal, and brown rice. There are also pea proteins and peas, which contribute to the intake of protein and carbohydrates.
This food product is enhanced with Blue Buffalo’s “LifeSource Bits”, i.e. pieces of kibble which contain vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. All in all this food is plant–based, high in carbohydrates, and has moderate fat, and moderate/high protein content.
This cat food is both good and bad: good because it has all the nutritional value your cat requires, but bad because it is not species–appropriate since it can’t satisfy your cat’s carnivore needs.
Pros:
No poultry or meat by-products
More affordable than other average dry food products
Cats like the flavor
Cons:
❌ High in carbohydrates
❌ No required moisture
❌ Multiple proteins from plants
4. Blue Buffalo Sensitive Stomach Chicken Recipe
- Chicken meat is the primary ingredient
- It is a good option for cats that have a sensitive stomach
- Oatmeal and rice are also easy on the digestive system
Despite all the fuss about cats feeling sick after Blue Buffalo cat food, this Sensitive Stomach Chicken Recipe might be one of the best cat foods for cats that have sensitive stomachs and trouble with digestion.
Of course, this can be tried alongside anything your veterinarian prescribes and/or advises.
This cat food has chicken meat as the first ingredient, which provides enough amino acids cats need.
After chicken, there is oatmeal and rice. The thing about this food is that it is rather low in proteins and fat, not too low, but could be higher.
This might be a good food option to have with additions like fish meat, flaxseed, or fish oil, from which your cat can gain omega 3 fatty acids which are great for digestion.
This cat food is basically really good for cats that have a sensitive stomach, but if your cat can keep their food down, they might try some other cat food.
Pros:
Good option for cats that have a sensitive stomach
Chicken is the primary ingredient
Oatmeal and rice are also easy on the stomach
Cons:
❌ Low percentage of proteins and fats
5. Blue Buffalo Healthy Gourmet Variety Pack
- Cats like it because of gravy
- A lot of moisture and a variety of flavors
- Good option for cats with sensitive stomachs
If your cat prefers wet or canned food over dry food, this Healthy Gourmet Variety Pack is a great option. You can buy an affordable case of 12 packs containing canned cat food with different ingredients, you can choose between turkey, chicken, tuna or ocean fish.
All of them are pâtés with gravy, but also broth. Broth adds moisture, but there is not enough protein.
There is also a lot of cassia gum and guar gum in it. These ingredients are put in the food in order to make it stick to the cat’s teeth so it is easier to eat and so the cat won’t eat too fast, however, cats might have a harder time processing the protein because of this.
In addition, each can in the pack contains either brown rice, sweet potatoes, or some other ingredient that is easy on the stomach, which is why this food is also suitable for cats with a sensitive stomach.
It is usually recommended that you give this food to your cat with a different dry food option. Simply because your cat will get all the protein they need from the kibble.
Pros:
A lot of moisture
Good option for cats with sensitive stomachs
Cats mostly like it because of gravy
Cons:
❌ Not enough protein
❌ Guar gum/cassia gum can impact cat’s digestion of protein
Blue Buffalo: Prices & Where To Buy?
You can find it in your local store, or on Chewy and Amazon. It all depends on what your cat needs and how much food it takes to satisfy them.
You can find different Blue Basics, Blue Buffalo Wilderness, Blue Freedom…etc., products, all of which have a different price. For example, you can find 5 lbs of dry cat food for $18.
FAQ
Is Blue Buffalo OK for cats?
It is. Even though the FDA put it on the list of 16 pet food brands that might be associated with the increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy, some cat food products are simultaneously listed as one of the healthiest choices of food for cats.
Does Blue Buffalo make cats sick?
There is no direct association. Some of the ingredients that are found in Blue Buffalo products can be allergens, causing or triggering allergies in cats. Those are due to food allergies that cats may or may not have shown symptoms of before.
What is the healthiest cat food for cats?
Blue Buffalo Indoor Health Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Adult Dry Cat Food is a product usually listed online among one of the top ten healthy cat food products.
Others usually include products from Blue Wilderness line or Blue Freedom line, Purina Cat Chow Naturals, etc.
What food brand is best for cats?
Blue Buffalo stands out next to Purina, Sheba, or Rachael Ray.
What are the ingredients in Blue Buffalo?
There are different food lines and types of food products produced by Blue Buffalo. Here are the ingredients that Blue Buffalo’s most popular cat food – dry food in this case (Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Recipe Grain-Free) – contains:
chicken, peas, pea protein, tapioca, omega 3 from menhaden fish meal, fat, pea fiber, flaxseed (fatty acids), dried egg, potassium sulfate, calcium chloride, direct dehydrated alfalfa, taurine, sweet potatoes, carrots, salt, vitamin B3, berries, vitamin E, B2, C, D3, B12…etc.
Entire list of ingredients can be found on Chewy or Amazon, below every product.
What are some good cat foods?
Some good cat food brands that offer a wide range of great options: Purina, Sheba, Weruva, Rachael Ray, Blue Buffalo, etc.
Blue Buffalo cat food products are usually plant–based, and this brand has been recalled several times over the past two decades. This indicates that the brand lacks quality, which is why it is not the first one that comes to mind when people want to recommend a cat food brand.
Should you want to give Blue Buffalo cat food to your cat, I recommend that you try canned food products, that is, wet food with animal–based ingredients.
You always need to check the ingredients in any food, and for this brand I recommend you search for those options that are rich in animal protein and with limited carbohydrates.
Final Thoughts
Is Blue Buffalo good for cats? Well, all–in–all, it is safe and good and, from what I’ve researched, it is loved and widely used.
Blue Buffalo is quite a familiar and popular cat food brand. However, the nutritional value of its food is still under question, which is why I have done this research by gathering customer’s reviews, cat food ingredients, comparing its top five products, and overall info about the brand.
You should give it a try, but also include other options of adult cat food or kitten food to make a perfect diet plan for a healthy growth and to strengthen their immune systems.
Your cat needs high-quality foods, protein-rich with real meat and quality ingredients. And always remember to follow the guidelines for the age appropriate food as well; whether it is senior cat food, adult cat food, or kitten food.
You want to find a protein source that maintains weight control for your cat. You want meat–based foods with more proteins than carbs, just as nutritionists tell us. You want to give your cat veggies and fruit but, of course, meat should be the largest part of their diet.
Always remember that healthy weight equals a happy cat. I recommend that you try out these Blue Buffalo products and, if your cat likes them, you can try combining them with some other cat food brand for a perfect diet.
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