Blue Buffalo: what is in it, and what we would feed instead
Life Protection, Wilderness, True Solutions · PetSmart, Pet Valu (owned by General Mills)
Our take
Blue Buffalo built the "no by-products, no corn" position and then got caught with by-product meal in the food. Under General Mills since 2018 it is a middle-tier kibble sold on emotion.
What the label says
Blue Buffalo built its brand on "no chicken by-products, no corn, no wheat, no soy". General Mills bought the company in 2018 for about US$8 billion. In 2016 Blue Buffalo settled a consumer class action for US$32 million over claims that some of its foods contained poultry by-product meal despite the marketing, after a supplier mislabelled ingredients.
- Owned by General Mills since 2018
- Settled a consumer class action over ingredient claims in 2016
- Pea-heavy protein boosting in the grain-free lines
- LifeSource Bits are a separate vitamin pellet mixed into the kibble
- Several recalls (2007, 2010, 2015, 2017)
- Whole, named protein
- Moisture in the food (raw is about 70% water; kibble about 10%)
- Protein rotation
- No starch binder
- Fresh fats and omega-3s
LifeSource Bits scrutiny: The dark "LifeSource Bits" are a separate cold-formed pellet of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants mixed into the kibble. Dogs often pick around them, and they do not change what the main kibble is made of.
The switch at Barks N Purrs
Big Country Raw is the destination. SMACK or COEVO freeze-dried are convenient bridge steps available at Barks N Purrs.
Website prices on 2026-09-26. Cost per day is a starting estimate at 2.5% of body weight for an adult dog; your plan uses your pet's real weight and age.
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