Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food Review 2024: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Introduction

In its inception, Blue Buffalo wanted to create natural foods that are close to what dogs would eat in the wild. The company has come up with multiple recipes that have various nutritional benefits. With the Blue Wilderness line, the formulas include high protein levels that are free of grain to mimic a diet found in a wolf’s normal habitat.

At a Glance: The Best Blue Wilderness Dog Food Recipes

Blue Wilderness Dog Food Reviewed

Who Makes Blue Wilderness, and Where Is It Produced?

Blue Buffalo’s humble beginnings were in Wilton, Connecticut. It got started because the Bishop family had a beloved dog, Blue, an Airedale Terrier, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2002. This set things in motion for his owners to find a better diet. They worked with veterinary and dietary specialists to formulate a healthier, natural means of sustenance.

Blue Wilderness is a type of dog food made by Blue Buffalo, which focuses on a grain-free, high-protein diet. The company aims to provide excellent food sources that simulate a wild dog’s diet.

Which Types of Dogs Would Benefit From Blue Wilderness?

While Blue Wilderness has weight management selections, the recipes are protein-rich. They also have quite a bit of carb, fat, and caloric content. This can contribute to a weight issue if you aren’t getting the appropriate recipe. If you have a highly active dog, this dog food will help them replenish their bodies, keeping their muscles healthy.

Which Types of Dogs Might Do Better With a Different Brand?

If you would like to purchase the Blue Buffalo brand but think another recipe may benefit your dog, there are other options. Regarding overall nutrition, Blue Buffalo makes a type of food called Blue Life Protection Formula. It caters to a complete diet without using common ingredients. It is available for various ages, breed sizes, and diet specifications.

Dogs who suffer from health problems may also benefit from another formula. Too much protein may cause complications in dogs with liver or kidney issues. It will cause the organs to work on overdrive, worsening these conditions. Blue Buffalo makes a line of foods called Natural Veterinary Diet, which you can find here.

Primary Ingredients in Blue Wilderness Foods

In all types of Blue Wilderness food, you will see a meat source listed as the primary ingredient. Depending on the recipe, it can have deboned chicken, types of fish, or red meat, followed by meat meal for glucosamine. It can also include fish meal and flaxseed for fatty acids, fruits and vegetables, and pea proteins. These components contribute much-needed protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Is Too Much Protein Bad for Your Dog?

Over 50% of dogs in the United States are considered overweight. Many high-protein brands are unsuitable for overweight dogs. High-protein diets can also adversely affect dogs with liver or kidney problems. They create too much extra work for their organs, which can worsen pre-existing issues or create them if a dog is at a higher risk for these problems.

It’s essential to be aware of your dog’s specific dietary needs, as each is different. If you have any concerns, finding an appropriate selection with your veterinarian’s help can ensure a stable, beneficial daily diet.

How About the Premium Price Tag?

As with any premium food, you will find the cost of Blue Buffalo products to be higher than many brands. However, regarding quality, the price is a moderately reasonable expectation. With ingredients, packaging, reputation, and nutrition all considered, it has a middle-of-the-road price.

A Quick Look at Blue Wilderness Dog Food

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Ingredients Analysis

Calorie Breakdown:

Blue Buffalo recipes always have whole meat protein as the primary part of the food. There are no artificial flavors, by-products, dyes or coloring, preservatives, or other harsh chemicals. Blue Buffalo also avoids additives like soy, wheat, or corn. Chicken meal or fish meal provides glucosamine. Flaxseed and fish oils contain plentiful omega-3 fatty acids.

Pea proteins are added to animal protein to give a well-rounded dose. Pea starch is a carbohydrate that also helps give the food extra iron. Blue Wilderness includes what they refer to as “LifeSource Bits,” which are a selection of essential ingredients for optimal health.

Recall History

There has only been one case of a dog food recall for Blue Wilderness. This happened on March 20, 2017.

The Top 3 Blue Wilderness Dog Food Recipes

Let’s look at the top three Blue Wilderness dog foods so you can get a better idea of whether this is the right pick for your pooch.

1. Blue Wilderness Nature’s Evolutionary Diet With Chicken

This Blue Wilderness Nature’s Evolutionary Diet dog food has everything you need for your dog to thrive. The main ingredient is deboned chicken, so you know your dog gets an adequate, wholesome dose of protein with every bowl.

Each serving contains 409 calories per cup and has 34.0% crude protein. Nature’s Evolutionary Diet is a grain-free selection, with LifeSource Bits containing powerful vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This recipe is ideal if you have a gluten-sensitive dog who cannot eat grain but loves chicken.

Chicken is a protein that can cause irritation in some dogs. Otherwise, it is a nutrient-packed, flavorful selection that your dog is sure to enjoy.

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2. Blue Wilderness High-Protein Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Grill

This Blue Wilderness Turkey and Chicken Grill recipe is a wet dog food instead of dry kibble. Wet food can be especially beneficial for extra hydration in the diet. It’s also easier on the dog’s teeth, so if you have a dog with a fragile palette, they may do particularly well with softer foods.

The Turkey and Chicken recipe contains no poultry by-products, only whole proteins and chicken broth. It contains 10.0% crude protein, along with 478 calories per can. Each can is 12.5 ounces. It’s comprised of turkey, chicken, and chicken broth, along with added vitamins and minerals.

Some dogs could be sensitive to the proteins, so knowing how well your dog can tolerate chicken is advised before purchase. Also, without regular dental maintenance, wet food can cause plaque and tartar buildup. Brushing should be part of your daily routine.

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3. Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe With Red Meat

 

The Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe is made from protein-rich beef for a robust flavor. It also includes lamb and venison for a hardy, filling eating experience. It has an aromatic smell, which may encourage picky dogs to try it.

The Rocky Mountain Recipe has 393 calories per cup and 30.0% crude protein. The first three ingredients are deboned beef, fish meal, and pea protein. This bag has LifeSource bits to ensure that the highest levels of vitamins and minerals transfer to your dog’s digestive system.

It is a particularly good choice if your dog is sensitive to poultry proteins. However, it also contains fish meal. So, if you have a dog sensitive to fish, try another formula.

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What Other Users Are Saying

• HerePup: “No matter the age of your dog, you can never go wrong with the best Blue Buffalo dog foods.”
• Dog Food Guru: “Overall, Blue Wilderness Chicken Recipe looks like a very good food.”
• Amazon: Reading reviews from people using these products firsthand is a reliable way to gauge how much you and your dog will like the food. You can read those reviews by clicking here.

Conclusion

Overall, Blue Wilderness delivers a high-quality, nutritious diet with premium ingredients. It is well-deserving of 4.5 stars. It’s a bit pricy and may not work for every dog, which prevents it from getting a five-star rating. However, when you consider the wholesome protein-packed recipes, it is worth the cost. If you want dog food that will replenish your dog’s muscles and keep their coat and skin healthy, Blue Buffalo Wilderness may be the right choice for your pup.

• See Also: Purina One vs Blue Buffalo: Dog Food Comparison

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Featured Image Credit: Engin_Akyurt, Pixabay