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The History Of Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo was inspired by the love of a dog and his human family. Blue was a large-breed Airedale Terrier with a special bond to his pet parents, Bill and Jackie Bishop. When Blue was first diagnosed with cancer, the Bishop family began to learn about how an animal’s diet is connected to their health and longevity. The family began to wonder how they could help their beloved companion animals, and founded the Blue Buffalo Foundation for Cancer Research at the same time they started their company, Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. Their mission is to find a cure for cancer in their companion animals, while also offering high-quality natural dog food to support the growth of healthy pets.
Sadly, after three bouts with cancer, Blue ultimately lost his battle. However, the Bishop family continues to honor his memory through the work they do.
About BLUE Buffalo
Blue Buffalo Company, Ltd. operates a manufacturing plant out of Joplin, Missouri, where they produce their premium pet food made from natural ingredients, including real chicken, lamb, and fish. They have consulted with top veterinarians and animal nutritionists to create holistic, natural pet foods with their trademark LifeSource® bits that contain a wealth of vitamins and nutrients designed specifically for cancer-fighting benefits. With a motto like, “Love them like family. Feed them like family,” you would expect only the best.
Founded in 2003, the Blue Buffalo Foundation for Cancer Research provides funds to universities and organizations offering programs with a concentration of understanding, causes, treatments, and prevention of dog and cat cancers. Specifically, the Foundation is focused on research on cancer prevention through food, as they believe it is the most effective way pet parents can care for their companion animals. Blue Buffalo is also committed to helping animals find their forever homes through adoption campaigns and community service projects.
BLUE Buffalo Products
Blue Buffalo offers natural dog food for dogs at all life stages, all made in America. From puppy (0-12 months), adult (1-8 years), to senior (8+ years), Blue Buffalo has the recipe for your beloved canine. They even have products by breed size, flavor, and special health formula (e.g. weight management, food sensitivities, etc.).
There formulas include:
BLUE Life Protection Formula is a dry food offering superior nutrient without animal by-product, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial ingredients. Good for all breed sizes and life stages, BLUE Life Protection Formula comes in chicken, fish, or lamb with a balanced mix of vitamins and nutrients that pack an antioxidant punch.
BLUE Freedom Formula is a grain-free, all-natural dog food. Made for dogs at all life stages, it is free of allergens that can trigger irritated skin and other allergic reactions in sensitive dogs. This formula comes in beef, chicken, and lamb in both dry and wet dog food recipes.
BLUE Basics takes their Freedom Formula to the next level. Crafted for pooches with sensitivities to ingredients in traditional pet foods, these recipes offer limited-ingredient diets created to decrease food sensitivities while boosting nutritional intake. Blue’s Basics is free of corn, wheat, dairy, soy, and eggs and is also available in a few grain-free recipes. Available for all life stages, BLUE Basics comes in both wet and dry food versions of turkey, lamb, duck, salmon, and potato varieties.
BLUE Wilderness is inspired by the dietary needs of a wolf. A high-protein diet, Blue’s Wilderness is also grain-free and available for dogs at all life stages and for different breeds. Recipes are offered as both wet and dry food in a variety of meats.
Blue Buffalo also offers a variety of dog treats, including:
- Crunchy dog treats
- Soft-moist dog treats
- Jerky dog treats
- Dental dog treats
- Training dog treats
Reviewing BLUE Buffalo
Depending on who you ask, some people swear by Blue Buffalo products, while others swear about it.
Containing approximately 36% protein, 16% fat, and 41% carbohydrates, the average nutrient content of their formulas all fall within the minimum requirements for a dog’s daily suggested dietary intake. They use real meat, as they claim to, but they also use ingredients like chicken meal, a meat concentrate, to pack protein into their formulas. Blue Buffalo also uses tomato pomace, a by-product of tomatoes processed into juice, soup, and ketchup. Blue Buffalo claims to use it for its Lycopene value, however, it is also controversially and commonly used as a pet food filler. Additionally, you can find caramel in Blue Buffalo’s products, which is a natural coloring agent. While it is considered safe by the FDA, some consumers might be disappointed to find coloring agents in their pet’s food. Lastly, if your dog is allergic to yeast, it is best to stay clear of Blue Buffalo products. While yeast can be of nutritional value for some dogs, those with allergies to it will not enjoy these products.
My Dog’s Experience With BLUE Buffalo
I have used Blue Buffalo for my dog. She likes some varieties better than others (prefers the Senior recipes to the Weight Management ones), but doesn’t go crazy for any of them. She briefly switched to a special veterinary brand when she had digestive issues, but when I switched her back to Blue Buffalo, she seemed less interested in the food than her special veterinary formula. My dog loves to eat, so when she leaves part of her meal unfinished, I take that as a sign that her Blue Buffalo dry food leaves something to be desired.
While Blue Buffalo is more expensive than other name brand pet foods, it is one of the more affordable natural dog foods out there. Even with the negative reviews, it seems that most Blue Buffalo customers are satisfied with their purchases, as are their companion friends.
