Are you looking for a good dog food brand for your pet? You must have come across Blue Buffalo and Taste of The Wild but are confused between the two! Well, you’re not the only one.
When it comes to premium dog food, both these brands are as good as they come, and it often makes it challenging to pick one. I was facing the same dilemma a few months ago when I was looking for a protein-rich diet for my dogs.
It led me to do a detailed research on Blue Buffalo and Taste of The Wild. I compared them based on essential parameters like recipes, ingredients, recalls, and nutrient profiles, which can help you make the right decision for your pup.
Let’s dive deeper into the pet food world to help you find the best dog food!
| Factors | Blue Buffalo | Taste Of The Wild |
|---|---|---|
| Owned By | General Mills | Diamond Pet Food |
| Launched In | 2003 | 2007 |
| Special Feature | High fiber content | Exotic meat ingredients and unique flavors |
| Number Of Formulas | More than 160 formulas and products | 16 varieties of wet and dry food |
| Intended For | Adult dogs that have more energy | Dogs who have specific dietary requirements |
All About The Brand Blue Buffalo
- High-Quality Protein
- A Natural Dog Food
- Dry Dog Food, Chicken, and Brown Rice
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In 2003, Blue Buffalo started with a pet parent’s heartfelt quest to find the perfect diet for the owner’s Airedale Terrier, Blue. You see, Blue had cancer, and that’s when the search for a nourishing, all-natural blend of ingredients began, aiming to ease his symptoms and ensure his well-being.
Fast forward to this day, and Blue Buffalo has become one of the most trusted dog foods. The manufacturers didn’t do it alone, though. Veterinarians and animal nutritionists lent their expertise to craft these products. Together, they’ve whipped up a range of formulas to cater to various dietary needs, so your furry friend can enjoy the best nutrition possible.
They aim to keep their products free of fillers, by-products, corn, soy, or even wheat. You can find real meat as their main ingredient. And not just that, vets and nutritionists carefully pick each ingredient, ensuring your dog benefits from the recipes.
Decoding Taste of the Wild
- Omega fatty acids for healthy SKIN and COAT
- Nutrient-rich and provides the energy to thrive
- High-protein to help support bones, joints
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A family-owned and run company, Taste of The Wild, began its operation in 2007. It came into existence since the owners felt motivated to create a pet food brand that is both high quality and affordable.
While Taste of The Wild manufactures all the products in the United States, their ingredients come from suppliers in the United States and beyond. They also vet their suppliers and build relationships with all the farmers who supply ingredients.
Owing to these long-term relationships with reputable suppliers, you can rest assured that the food includes safe and high-quality ingredients.
Blue Buffalo Vs. Taste of the Wild: Detailed 4-Factor Comparison
Every pet parent knows that nutrition is among the foremost and essential things one can get right to ensure a dog’s health. You must also do your homework and research well about a brand before you decide to get it for your furry companion.
But I have got you covered when it comes to Blue Buffalo vs. Taste of The Wild. Here’s a comparison of the two brands to help you find the one that suits your dog.
1. Ingredients
Blue Buffalo and Taste of The Wild both use a wide range of high-quality ingredients that make comparing them a challenging task. Let’s discuss the primary ingredients that each brand incorporates in its dog foods.
Blue Buffalo
- High-Quality Protein
As a rule, the pet food brand Blue Buffalo lists its most abundant ingredients first. Most of their recipes have real meat as the first ingredient, a source of protein and essential amino acids your dog needs for muscle development.
The manufacturers add chicken, beef, bacon, and dried egg products to make the protein-rich food. Besides that, they also add chicken meals and whole deboned chicken, both excellent sources of protein and glucosamine, which promote joint health.
- Fruits and Vegetables
Your dog needs a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, and Blue Buffalo recipes can offer just that. This ingredient offers pups essential antioxidants, phytonutrients, enzymes, natural vitamins, minerals, and fibers.
Giving dogs abundant fruits and vegetables can promote health and wellness by providing them with a good amount of easily digestible carbohydrates.
You can find apples, bananas, blueberries, cranberries, coconut, broccoli, carrots, and even tomato pomace. Although many dog parents consider tomato pomace a low-quality filler, it offers a lot of dietary fiber and helps with digestion.
- Flax Seeds
Flaxseed in Blue Buffalo dog foods has healthy fats and an abundance of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. This ingredient encourages a healthy coat and skin and even reduces inflammation.
Besides that, flaxseed can also add protein to their diet to ensure your pup doesn’t get protein just from meat.
- Grains
Next up, Blue Buffalo diets contain three different types of grains, brown rice, oatmeal, and ground barley. All of them are good sources of carbohydrates that can improve overall health and dietary fiber to boost digestion.
Taste of the Wild
- Exotic Animal Meats
Taste of The Wild differs from other dog food brands because it adds exotic protein sources to the products. You can find bison, wild boar, and venison in their formulas.
These meat protein sources seem very rare for dog foods, right? I felt the same, but it’s amazing that these ingredients provide essential amino acids and also make dog food easily digestible for canines.
- Other Protein Sources
The dog food formulas offered by Taste of The Wild also come with other high-quality protein sources. These include traditional protein sources often present in other brands, like lamb, fish, and fowl.
- Ancient Grains
Another unusual ingredient you may not find in many recipes from other brands is ancient grains such as millet and quinoa. The grains are brimming with health benefits for your dog.
They are excellent sources of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Who Won?
If you’re considering the variety of ingredients, Blue Buffalo offers a richer mix. The recipes ensure your little furry friend gets a well-balanced diet, so it takes the lead here.
On the other hand, Taste of The Wild adds unconventional protein sources to the recipes. Although their products are still high in protein, some of these meats might not suit your dog.
2. Recipes
Do you want to give your pup a good variety of options without switching the brand very often? You should pick a brand that offers a wider range of formulas.
Fret not; both brands offer a range of recipes catering to dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes.
Blue Buffalo
- Dry Dog Food – 87
- Wet Dog Food – 99
- Dog Treats – 46
Taste of the Wild
- Dry Dog Food – 16
- Wet Dog Food – 5
- Dog Treats – None
Who Won?
When it comes to recipes, Blue Buffalo emerges as a clear winner if you consider the numbers. The company offers a wider range of recipes catering to different needs of dogs and dietary requirements, which indicates its dedication to taking care of your pup.
Taste of The Wild tends to stand out with the unique meats and flavors present in their formulas, although they lack in numbers.
3. Nutrients
Now that you know the ingredients and recipes of the two brands, it’s time to look at the most important aspect. Wondering what it is? It’s the nutrients present in them!
Both brands aim to offer well-balanced, nutritional recipes to your pup. But let’s compare the exact nutrient profile so you can pick one based on your puppy’s requirements.
Blue Buffalo
The recipes from Blue Buffalo offer a healthy mix of essential nutrients that promote health and well-being. It contains an average protein of 26.6%, a fat level of 15.56%, and fiber amounting to 5.56%.
Taste of the Wild
When it comes to Taste of The Wild, their recipes are also enriched with all the essential nutrients. Their recipes come with 32% protein, 17.8% fat, and 4.6% fiber.
Who Won?
It’s a no-brainer that Taste of The Wild has an evident edge if you compare the numbers with Blue Buffalo. The former contains more protein and fat, whereas the latter contains more fiber.
It’s safe for me to pronounce Taste of The Wild as a winner here!
4. Recalls
Moving on to the last parameter of this comparison, it’s time for product recalls. The recall history of a brand indicates how safe a brand is and helps you know how it deals with the situation.
Here’s the product history of the two brands:
Blue Buffalo
- 2007 – Due to traces of melamine
- 2010 – Sequencing error
- 2016 – Because of the possibility of mold
- 2017 – Aluminum contamination
- 2017 – Increased beef thyroid hormone level
Taste of the Wild
- 2012 – Due to salmonella contamination
Who Won?
Solely in terms of quality, Taste of The Wild is better than Blue Buffalo? It’s certainly a safe and hygienic food choice for your pup.
Highlights of the Two Brands
Before I finally announce the winner, why not do a quick recap of both brands? Here are some of the key aspects:
Blue Buffalo
- Based and manufactured in the US
- A well-established as well as recognized brand
- Ingredients selected carefully by vets and nutritionists
- Offers 7 different product lines
Taste of the Wild
- A family-owned and run brand
- Adds exotic meats to enrich recipes with protein
- Completely free of fillers like corn, wheat, soy, and other additives
The Winner: Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo Vs. Taste of The Wild has been a rigorous battle, with each brand securing an edge in two categories. Blue Buffalo is still a clear winner.
The brand is committed to offering high-grade foods made from various quality ingredients. Their recipes are free of chicken by-products, meals, artificial flavors, preservatives, and even filler ingredients like wheat, soy, and corn, which may lead to allergies.
Pros
- Uses a range of organic, high-quality ingredients
- Caters to the needs of all dog breeds, sizes, and ages
- An abundance of dry and wet recipes and treats to choose from
- Offers fiber-rich recipes to improve digestion
Cons
- More frequent product recalls
- High prices
Why Did Taste of the Wild Lose?
Are you someone on a tight budget looking for affordable dog food? In that case, Taste of The Wild might not be the ideal fit for you. It’s quite expensive. Feeding it to a big dog regularly can burn a hole in your pocket.
Taste of The Wild not only uses limited ingredients, but some of them can be harmful to canines. It uses canola oil as a primary source of Omega-3 fatty acids and peas as a vegetable protein, which can lead to fertility issues in most breeding dogs.
Moreover, it offers a limited product range, especially in comparison to Blue Buffalo. If your pup is a fussy and picky eater, you can find it challenging to find something your pup enjoys!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Buffalo Good For Dogs?
Yes, Blue Buffalo is a good choice for dogs as it contains all the essential nutrients that boost the overall health of your furry friend.
Are Blue Buffalo And Taste of The Wild The Same?
No. While Taste of The Wild aims to simplify pet nutrition by offering simplified options, Blue Buffalo goes beyond just taste and addresses all dog’s needs.
Is Taste of The Wild Grain-Free?
Yes, the recipes from Taste of The Wild are completely grain-free.
Final Thoughts
These two amazing brands, Blue Buffalo and Taste of The Wild, come with their share of pros and cons. You must analyze your dog’s unique preferences and needs to pick one.
While Blue Buffalo has a wider range of recipes made with numerous nutrients, Taste of The Wild contains more nutrients, like protein, and has fewer recalls. While the former is affordable, the latter will cost you more.
Ultimately, you are the best judge! But get expert advice from your vet before you opt for one of the foods!
Ankita is a passionate pet lover and head of content at Pet Food Brands. With her extensive knowledge and research, she provides pet owners with top-quality information on dog food and nutrition. Her dedication to improving the lives of dogs makes her a leading voice in the industry.
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