Updated: June 18, 2021
In this comparison, we’ll look at Blue Buffalo vs Taste of the Wild dog food. We’ve compared quality of ingredients, nutritional information, and value for money to give our verdict on which one we think is best.
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24%
14%
5%
32%
18%
4%
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Adult is an excellent quality food that offers all of the nutrition mature dogs need to thrive. Produced by an American company founded in the 2000’s, the Blue Buffalo product line is the result of one passionate family’s desire to help its beloved Airedale Terrier “Blue” combat the effects of cancer on his body. To this end, the entire array of Blue Buffalo foods places a high emphasis on holistic ingredients to promote optimal health and wellness.
Between the years 2010-2017, Blue Buffalo’s foods have been subject to a total of six recalls. There have been no concerns about this product line since 2017.
By comparison, Taste of the Wild High Prairie, also manufactured by a company based in the United States, offers adult dogs a top-quality food that has been optimized to support their unique nutritional needs. The Taste of the Wild food line is produced by Diamond Pet Foods. The focus of the brand is creating protein-rich foods from diverse types of animals and locally sourced ingredients to provide the best quality nutrition to support canine health. Taste of the Wild has only had one product recall, in 2012.
When it comes to ingredients, both of these powerhouse foods have lots of to offer adult dogs. Blue Buffalo bases its formula on easily digestible grains such as brown rice, barley, and oatmeal. Flaxseed has also been included in its ground form to provide additional soluble fiber to encourage good digestion and healthy stool.
The primary proteins in Blue Buffalo are whole chicken and chicken meal. Though both are excellent sources of protein with chicken meal being particularly dense in nutrients, chicken can be a common allergen for some dogs. This means that this particular Blue Buffalo offering, with its emphasis on whole grains and a meat that can be a problem for some dogs exhibiting signs of allergies, may not be the best option for dogs with skin or stomach sensitivities.
The meat-based proteins found in Blue Buffalo are supported through several ingredients of plant derivation including flaxseed, tomato pomace, peas, pea protein, and pea fiber. Though this food is listed as containing 24 percent protein, the inclusion of so many plant-based protein sources means that not all of the protein found in this food is taken from meat. Peas are also renowned for potentially lowering fertility in breeding dogs.
Included in this exceptional diet is a proprietary supplement known as LifeSource Bits. LifeSource Bits are chock full of antioxidants to assist with the development of a strong immune system.
To support joint health in adult dogs, glucosamine has also been included in this recipe. Omega 3 acids are found in the addition of chicken fat, a vital and optimal source of healthy fats to encourage excellent skin and coat quality as well as to reinforce energy reserves.
Other important ingredients to take note of are tomato pomace, chicory root, and chelated minerals. Tomato pomace is a somewhat controversial ingredient that some experts believe is simply a filler food of poor quality. However, research does not support this. What is known for certain is that tomato pomace is an excellent source of dietary fiber and contains many nutrients that are beneficial to dogs.
Chicory root contributes two important things to Blue Buffalo. Firstly, it is a good source of dietary fiber to promote fluid digestive processes. It is also a natural prebiotic, supporting the development and maintenance of healthy gut flora.
Lastly, chelated minerals, essentially minerals that adhere to protein sources, have been included in this diet. Chelated minerals are more easily absorbed thus ensuring dogs receive the maximum benefits from their addition to this food.
Blue Buffalo contains no corn, wheat, soy, or by-products.
One of the primary differences between these two products is the fact that Taste of the Wild is a grain-free food, making it a good choice for dogs suffering from allergies. The bedrock of this recipe is found in novel protein sources to provide a vital help to dogs with sensitivities to certain foods.
The main protein sources in Taste of the Wild are buffalo (bison), venison, and beef. Buffalo is a low-fat meat that is highly flavorful and easy to digest. In addition to these proteins, this particular food also contains lamb meal and chicken meal, two meat meals that can be common allergens for some dogs.
Taste of the Wild does include a generous helping of peas, a food that is high in fiber, but that has also been linked to lowered fertility rates in breeding dogs. To boost disease-fighting properties, blueberries have been included in this recipe, increasing both flavor and health benefits.
Omega 3 fatty acids are derived from canola oil, a good source of nutrients, but not as optimal as an animal-derived healthy fat such as chicken fat or salmon, mackerel, sardines, herring, or anchovies.
A probiotic blend has been added to this superfood to help support a healthy digestive system. This food is also free from grains, corn, wheat, fillers, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
Taste of the Wild shares in common with Blue Buffalo the inclusion of chicory root to increase both fiber and ease of digestibility. Tomato pomace has also been added for its fiber and nutrients though its usefulness is questioned by many canine nutritionists.
Taste of the Wild is proudly manufactured in the United States with all ingredients sourced within the country whenever possible.
When it comes to nutritional value, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to these two excellent foods. Blue Buffalo rings in at 24 percent protein, 14 percent fat, and 5 percent fiber to Taste of the Wild’s 32 percent protein, 18 percent fat, and 4 percent dietary fiber. Since Blue Buffalo includes a vast number of plant-based proteins in its formulation, this changes the nutritional profile of the food, making it slightly more difficult to digest and less optimal in terms of nutrients.
Both diets contain balanced amounts of protein to fat and fiber. However, Taste of the Wild’s heavy emphasis on meat-based proteins that are novel in nature makes it preferable for highly active dogs and those with skin or stomach sensitivities. The absence of grains in this diet also makes it easier for dogs that have difficulties processing these items.
Both Blue Buffalo and Taste of the Wild are excellent diets for adult dogs. However, their selection of ingredients make them suited to dogs with slightly different nutritional needs.
Taste is an important factor in any food for an adult dog. After all, if a dog’s appetite is not whet by the smell of its food, it can be quite a chore getting Fido to eat.
Blue Buffalo earns high marks for its taste that dogs seem to love. Chicken is an extremely flavorful meat, and this whole protein is enriched with both chicken meal and delicious fruits and vegetables to increase its taste. However, some owners do note that their dogs dislike the taste of the included LifeSource Bits, leading to eating “around” them thus missing out on their additional disease-fighting benefits.
All Taste of the Wild products are renowned for being foods that dogs find delicious. This particular food’s wide array of meat-based proteins increases its flavor profile, making it a diet that dogs look forward to enjoying every day. This food Is a favorite amongst families whose dogs are known for being picky eaters.
Blue Buffalo is a very good choice as an all around food for dogs that have expressed no allergies or sensitivities to certain foods. It packs a powerhouse punch when it comes to nutrition and is generally easy to digest. It is best for adult dogs ranging in age from 1-8 years.
By comparison, Taste of the Wild’s high protein formula that is rich in meats makes it an excellent choice for dogs that are extremely active and require that little extra boost of amino acids from their diet. It is also very good for dogs with allergies and for pregnant or lactating dogs who require a higher protein amount for adequate milk production.
Taste of the Wild High Prairie also earns high marks as a food that picky eaters just love.
Neither of these foods attempts to address any specific health conditions. However, Taste of the Wild is a good choice for expecting or nursing mothers or athletic dogs that require a higher octane food to support their specific needs.
Both of these diets are moderately priced for their largest sized bags, making them extremely economical for families with dogs regardless of their dog’s size, breed, or age. Blue Buffalo offers 378 calories per cup to Taste of the Wild High Prairie’s 370 calories, meaning they both are equally nutrient-dense. This means that both foods offer excellent value for a family’s dog food dollar.
While both Blue Buffalo and Taste of the Wild contain all of the elements dog owners need from a high-quality diet for their dogs, it is the Taste of the Wild formulation that reigns supreme overall. A diet that contains the least amount of ingredients that can be prone to causing allergic reactions and that is based on a high percentage of meat-based proteins, it is hard to surpass this excellent food formulation.
Taste of the Wild has only two drawbacks: its use of canola oil as the main source for Omega 3 fatty acids and its heavy use of peas, a vegetable-based protein that can cause fertility issues in breeding dogs.
