Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food Review
October 5, 2008 by admin
Filed under BLUE Buffalo
Blue Wilderness Dog Food
Formulated to meet the needs of active dogs, BLUE Wilderness is a high-protein, low-carb natural dog food that will help him maintain a high energy level. Blue Wilderness is made by Blue Buffalo CO, which is also the maker of, Life Protection Formula and BLUE Organics. BLUE Wilderness comes in both a dry and canned version. BLUE Wilderness Dry is available in 5lb, 12lb and 26lb.
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Blue Wilderness Dog Food Review
Blue Wilderness as often been a choice of lovers who want to offer their dogs the benefits of a raw diet without actually feeding a raw diet.
Blue Wilderness First Five Ingredients Analysis
- Deboned Chicken – A high–quality, highly digestible protein source that provides essential amino acids, fatty acids, and certain minerals for muscle development, organ function, and energy. The chicken used in BLUE natural dog and cat foods comes from USDA–inspected facilities.
- Chicken Meal – Chicken meal is a highly digestible protein source produced by cooking chicken at high temperatures, extracting the fat and drying the meat residue. It is a meat protein, providing essential amino acids and fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals for muscle development and energy. It is naturally stabilized with mixed tocopherols and rosemary to preserve freshness
- Potato Starch -
- Turkey Meal- Turkey is an excellent source of protein and is rich in calcium, potassium, B vitamins, niacin, iron and zinc which promote energy and overall health. Low in cholesterol and easy to digest.
- Whitefish Meal -Fish Meal is an excellent source of protein and omega fatty acids that help the skin and coat, growth and development.
The first five ingredients of Blue Wilderness is what makes this a premium dog food. In the first five we have 4 different kinds of meat and sources of protein. The quality ingredients is what sets this food apart from other dog foods. Also in the ingredients are Sweet Potatoes and Oatmeal which are great sources of carbohydrates, which fuel your dogs healthy life.
Blue Wilderness Dog Food Full Ingredients list:
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Potato Starch, Turkey Meal, Whitefish Meal, Salmon Meal, Tomato Pomace (natural source of Lycopene), Chicken Fat (preserved with Natural Mixed Tocopherols), Oatmeal, Natural Chicken Flavor, Whole Carrots, Whole Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries, Cranberries, Flaxseed (natural source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Alfalfa Meal, Kelp Meal, Taurine, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Yucca Shidigera Extract, Green Tea Extract, Turmeric, Herring Oil (natural source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Fructooligosaccharides, Monooligosaccharides, Dried Chicory Root, Black Malted Barley, Oil of Rosemary, Beta Carotene, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin C, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Calcium Ascorbate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Zinc Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Zinc), Iron Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Iron), Copper Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Copper), Manganese Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Manganese), Potassium Amino Acid Complex (source of Chelated Potassium), Cobalt Proteinate (source of Chelated Cobalt), Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Salt, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium longum, Enterococcus faecium.
Blue Wilderness Guaranteed Analysis:
| Crude Protein | 42.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 16.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 3.0% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Calcium | 1.0% min |
| Phosphorus | 0.9% min |
| L-Carnitine* | 100 mg/kg min |
| Omega 3 Fatty Acids* | 0.25% min |
| Omega 6 Fatty Acids* | 3.50% min |
| Beta-Carotene* | 5.0 mg/kg min |
| Glucosamine* | 400 mg/kg max |
I have switched to the Blue Buffalo Brand and have been very happy with the results. My Siberian Husky had skin allergies and since switching to this brand, my dog has a beautiful coat and has put on the appropriate weight for a husky. Highly recommend making the switch to a holistic brand of dog food. Read the labels and compare what you are feeding your dog. This brand has been a lifesaver for my dog. Thank you Blue Buffalo and all who recommended that I switch.
As I re-read your review of this product I must take exception with one of your conclusions. You suggest that 4 of the first five ingredients are quality meat ingredients. While they may be quality ingredients, how much whitefish and salmon can this product possible contain? Dried whitefish has an Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio of 1:5. Atlantic Farm Raised Salmon has a ratio of nearly 1:3.5 in favor of Omega 3. Yet the overall ratio is 14:1 in favor of Omega 6. I submit that this product is primarily a chicken meal and turkey meal product with very little fish.
Definately the most bang for the buck. I’ve tried a lot of different brands with my Boxer, who are very allergy prone. They are perfect weight, look gorgeous and have tremendous energy. The biggest plus is that they love it! Another factor to consider, Blue uses human grade ingredients and we have never had a sick dog due to possible contamination or “formula changes” as with Nutro or many other foods.
This is probably the best dog food on the market, filled with quality ingredients I highly recommend it! My show dogs have a beautiful and wonderfully glossy coat and their skin is very healthy! They have a sparkle in their eyes that they did not have when they were on Eagle or Nutro. I would highly recommend this food to anyone who has a dog! I recommended it to a friend who had an Akita, Schnoodle, and a teacup Yorkie. Her Schnoodle which is an old dog, and always slept the whole day is once again like a puppy, and she is very happy about it! It makes a great difference in the life of all dogs!
I started feeding Wilderness alongside a homemade diet after my dog was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Her appearance and vitality improved greatly despite having cancer. She always scarfed it down, even when she became finicky. I also like that they are so involved with pet cancer education and research. Although, I wish there was an option to purchase it direct from the manufacturer.
i need to know if any of your dog food or puppy food has any eggs or peanuts in them or if there is any cross-contamination. My son is allergic to these two ingredients, and we are wanting to get him a puppy. Im afraid that he will get into the food or the dog might hide its food in one of his toys and my son will come in contact and get very ill.
everybody knows that farm raised salmon have a higher level of contamination than fresh salmon. If it’s farm raised salmon, then don’t give it to your dogs. The purpose of buying this food is specifically for the anti-oxident purpose. Your defeiting the purpose by feeding them fish that has a higher contamination level.
yeah.. why not go out and spend twice what you pay for your own food on getting some ‘free range salmon’ .. LOL please THIS IS EXCELLENT DOG FOOD…
Blue buffalo has a CLASS ACTION suit against them!!Stop feeding this to your pets!!And to think DFA gave this crap a 6* rating, http://hubpages.com/hub/Blue-Life-Protection-Large-Breed-Healthy-Dog-Foods
Blue buffalo dog food has been recalled http://hubpages.com/hub/Blue_Buffalo_Dog_Food_Recall_Information
^^^ American Nutrition also makes Wellness Core Exclusively
I’ve said it time and time again…it is equally important to buy foods from family owned operations. This is one more step beyond ingredients and NA’s.
Orijen, Acana, Merrick, Before Grain, Whole Earth Farms, Evo, Innova, California Natural, Karma, Fromm …. That’s It!!!
Michelle, I think it is great that you have brought this to the front, buuut I still believe Blue Wilderness is an “outstanding” food. The class action was brought up aganist their canned food. I make no excuse for them, but this is really dry food review site from what I have seen. I DO NOT FEED THIS FOOD SO DON’T THINK I AM going to bat for them because I am not.
Eric I disagree and I believe their are many good dog food and lis them below the link to the suit. Thats it!!!
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/newpetfoodrecalls/brand_list.cfm?Trade_Name=BLUE%20BUFFALO&pet=Dog
Instinct
Orijen
Taste of the Wild
Wellness
Acana
Fromm
Merrick
Canidae
Evanders
Earthborn
Natures Variety
Natures logic
Solidgold
Pinnacle
Timberwolf
Blue Buffalo
Halo
California Natural
I forgot check this out
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/newpetfoodrecalls/#Dog
Jess,
Per Diamond Pet Products (makers of TOTW, Canidae, Solid Gold, Chicken Soup, Artemis, Omni Pro) preserve fish meal with Ethoxyquin.
NOT SO. Please go to the forums THEY ANSWERED THERE, link below. I called and E-mailed TOTW/DIAMOND FOODS and they “do not” add Ethoxyquin.
I did a lot of reaserch on Ethoxyquin and did you know the US Coast Guard requires all fish meat to be preserved with Ethoxyquin that “includes human food”.
When I feed any brand of food to my dog, you can bet big money I have done my homework.
http://dogfoodchat.com/forum/dog-food-ingredients/2292-i-got-answer-totw.html
While I believe Jess is right that human fish is preserved with Ethoxyquin and we have safely been consuming it. I have asked this question before to the Quality control dept at Diamond Pet Foods and their answer is they do not add ethoxyquin to the fishmeal, but they do not deny if it’s been adding prior to it being shipped to their manufacturing facility, as AAFCO doesn’t require pet food companies to list ingredients they don’t personally add to a product.
Hey all you Taste Of The Wild food lovers check this out!! http://hubpages.com/hub/Taste-Of-The-Wild-Pacific-Stream-Dry-Healthy-Dog-Foods-Pet-Food-Danger-Gauge
If the manufacturer Doesn’t add the Ethoxyquin then they don’t have to list it!!If it is added before they receive it then they don’t have to list it on the ingredients!! I would rather feed fish-free or very little fish at all -just to be safe!!
I agree Michelle, my dog gets diarrhea from fish and it doesn’t matter which brand. I haven’t feed him tuna out of the can or anything like that, yet. Living north of Seattle during the time the salmon are running you can get salmon pretty cheap here. The local native indians set up all over the place and you can dicker with them. Will see when he gets older.I feed him 1-1/2 cups of totw wetlands daily. Ocean fish meal is no 14 on the list so it doesn’t bother me. I feed him 1 1/2 if he gets a really big workout that day. You have to keep in mind Tony eats 5-5 1/2 cups a day and the majority is Orijen.
Jess,I found some info on Taste Of The Wild It is a few messages up !!
Here is one of the emails I recieved from them
We know that the heat from our pet food process destroys whatever antioxidants are used in the ingredients that we purchase. After the heat process (extrusion and drying), we apply natural tocopherols (Vitamin E) in order to carry the shelf life of the food. The cooking process at our facilities is at or above 240 degrees. Ethoxyquin that may be in the ingredients is destroyed due to its lack of heat stability. Diamond does not preserve any of its products with ethoxyquin, only with mixed tocopherols.
And this is their post
Thank you for your inquiry. We want to correct the information you received about Taste of the Wild Pet Food and the use of ethoxyquin.
There is not any ethoxyquin added to the Taste of the Wild pet foods.
Fish meal is preserved with ethoxyquin on the ships prior to entering port. Ethoxyquin is most effective at preventing rancidity in the highly volatile fish meal. Rancidity in ingredients can lead to severe illness. Fish meal is used in pet food formulas as an excellent quality source of amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3’s are vital for a strong immune system, healthy skin and coat, controlling inflammation and even preventing certain types of cancer.
Most of the ethoxyquin is destroyed in the cooking process, requiring other preservatives to be used. Tests for ethoxyquin are run routinely on Taste of the Wild. The results are typically less than 5ppm. This is equivalent to 0.0005% or 5 ten-thousandth’s of a percent. This is a true trace level that many laboratories are unable to detect. The amount allowed, and considered to be safe, by the FDA is 75ppm.
There is a small supply of ethoxyquin free fish meal available in the United States. However, this is not adequate to meet the supply demands for all pet food manufacturers that use fish meal. Also, the peroxide levels are much higher than we feel comfortable with. Peroxide is an indicator of oxidation. Peroxide can cause vomiting and may even cause damage to vital organs.
Ethoxyquin is being used in scientific research as a cancer fighting antioxidant. When present in controlled amounts, it has never been shown to cause harmful effects.
We hope this better answers your concerns about ethoxyquin.
Taste of the Wild Pet Foods
Jess I’m not talking about Ethoxyquin!! check my earlier post out!!
Jess,It’s about fermentation products!!Check out mt earlier post for a link!!
Jess,If this is true I’m wondering about alot of these premium dog food brands,Because most of them list fermentation products!!Anyway check out my earlier post for a link to TOTW !!
Anyway here is the link for taste of the wild again!! http://hubpages.com/hub/Taste-Of-The-Wild-Pacific-Stream-Dry-Healthy-Dog-Foods-Pet-Food-Danger-Gauge
Jess,Does this Susan Peters lady know what she is talking about?? She is saying that TOTW is full of fermentation products that are dangerous and toxic to pets!!But most of the premium brands contain fermentation products.If she is wrong and they pose no threat,then what purpose do they serve?? The link to her site is in the post above this one!!
I don’t know. But she bad mouths potatoes and as long as they are kept to a min I have no problem. I googled some of what she was talking about and I just didn’t have a problem with it but she acts like it’s the end of the world. Now you could say if it’s not 100% meat it isn’t good for a dog. This is why I like Orijen so much and my dog loves the red (just so spendy) but the red is the best kibble made today. My dog loves duck and the way I see it TOTW wetlands and Fromm duck are the 2 best. No one is gonna change my mind unless they have a darn good arguement and Peters didn’t nor does Eric. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. I really believe the more meat the better. Take a look at whats in California Natural Puppy LAMB which I really like, it is 50% brown rice. Brown rice I have no problem with, I am just not a big fan of most of the other grains.
Jess, I am currently shopping for a new food for my Shelties–for one in particular. She is almost 8 years old now and she’s a retired show dog. I got her in September last year, had her spayed a few weeks later. She has gained five pounds since her spay. We play in the yard alot and she runs, runs, runs like wild about three times a day. I feed her (and the other two younger Shelties) Nature’s Recipe Farmstand Selects. She is now 26 pounds and seems to always be hungry. She only gets three treats per day and no people food. Feeding guidelines on the bag indicate a minimum amount of food to be 2 cups per day; she only gets one (half in the morning, half in the evening). Thyroid test shows in the normal range, but at the very low end. Vet was asking whether her food comes in higher fiber formula. The senior formula has a max 10% fiber, but appears that most of that comes from beet pulp (I’m not whether that is a good quality or good source of fiber).
All this to ask you what you would recommend. This sweet dog deserves to be healthy and happy. She whelped, I’m sure, at least a half dozen litters in her life and was also competing in conformation. When she came to me, she seemed to be starved for affection, attention and FOOD. I want her to be healthy and I know that the proper food for her situation is key to that.
Thank you.
Now I am not a big fan of beet pulp and beet pulp is used to keep dogs stools firm. I am also not a fan of Del Monte and that is who makes Natures recipe. Blue Buffalo did change their recipe and it was for the worst and it is going to come off my good list soon. It is still a long way from being bad. Let me tell ya I am no dog food expert nor have I ever had Shelties. I do know when dogs get spayed they do seem to want to gain weight. You might want to watch that. As you know I am a huge fan of Orijen and Acana and I am sure they have the right product for you look around their website,,,http://www.championpetfoods.com/
I am also a huge fan of Innova and California Natural and here is there website,,,, I will post that below because when I give two links sometimes it doeesn’t get posted.
http://www.naturapet.com/
I really wish people would research their post links about recalls before they bother to post them so they don’t pass on b.s. and other crap that is pointless.
The recall for Blue Buffallo was for cat food; 3 FREAKING YEARS AGO!!!
People just blindly read stuff and don’t think before they regurgitate it out for other to view…………….grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!
PLEASE STOP BELIEVING EVERYTHING YOU READ AND IF YOU ARE CONCERNED SPEND 10 MINUTES TO CHECK IT OUT BEFORE YOU BELIEVE IT. AND AS FAR AS THAT WEBSITE WHERE THAT WOMAN REVIEWS PET FOODS…..HUB WHATEVER, SHE’S A QUACK…………..
Hub and Susan Peters is a quack, no doubt. I leave links (NOT TO THAT NUTCASE) because I believe people should read it for themselves and then make their own opinions. The FDA has their own site and that is where you should go to read about things like recalls go. Natures Variety just had a recall, but just a minute now, it really wasn’t a recall because they made the recall themslves without the government getting involved. Now a company like “Nutro” (do not get them mixed up with natura pet) seems to have a recall every year and people need to know that a company has had numerous recalls. If I think I might have missed a recall this is where I go.
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/newpetfoodrecalls/
After looking at look at that site, Blue Buffalo did have a recall last year that extended into this year and was a canned dog food.
Luana,- If you would have bothered to click on the link that I left for the recall-for Blue Buffalo then you would have seen the information on the page.-And YES Blue Buffalo was recalled for 2009-2010 for tampering by their manufacturer-American Nutrition Inc they added Rice bran protein to the food ILLEGALLY-to boost the protein content-WHY would they do that?? So they could leave some of the meat out?? I would say yes-to make a profit by using a cheaper protein and getting PAID to use a more expensive one.Also BLUE B is made in a huge dog food factory-in the same equipment that makes LOW grade dog foods.BTW it was the canned food and Health Bars -that were recalled.Blue Buffalo was also recalled in the BIG dog food recall of 2007-that sickened and killed alot of pets.And now you have informed everyone that their cat food was also recalled at some point-WHY would you put your TRUST and your pets LIFE in the hands of a company that has soooo many RECALLS?? I’m not trying to hate on Blue-I’m just passing on info for people to pass their own judgement-people think if they choose a GOOD brand then their work is DONE-I don’t feel that way – I think everyone should always do research especially on the brands that they are using-OR considering-Go back and check for recalls-also keep checking your manufacturer’s website for voluntary recalls. A pet owners work is never DONE!! Also something I learned in school-Knowledge is Power.
Also some more info for those of you who might not know-Rice bran protein sourced from China,was laced with Melamine-a highly toxic material that killed many pets in 2007- Many brands were affected that year including store brands all the way up to SUPPOSED “Premium Brands” like Drs Foster and Smith-Blue Buffalo- Dick Van Patten’s- Natural Balance- Royal Canin- Eukanuba- Iams-Nutro.Just to name a few.Now some people might say – That happened in 2007- Well it could happen again because these manufacturers haven’t changed a thing- All of the foods in that recall are made in the huge dog-cat food factories by low paid workers who don’t care about quality control or what ingredients are used.Also how well are the machines cleaned in between batches?? Who knows? So you could be getting a little OL’Roy in with your “Premium kibble” These are the ONLY manufacturers that OWN and operate their own factories-make all their own products- with ingredients sourced from the USA-Canada-and New Zealand- Champion Pet Foods the makers of Orijen-Acana. Merrick Pet Care the makers of Before Grain and Whole Earth farms.Fromm Family the maker of Fromm.Natura the makers of Evo-Karma-Innova-California Natural.Thats it 4 companies that bother to make their own foods.These are the ONLY foods that I would EVER consider for my dog.If your anything like me their not just pets-but members of the family.
Luana- Trust me I do research before I post info-as you can see from my previous posts-I don’t just get on here and talk out of my azz!! And if you would have bothered to look at the links that were left you would have seen that recall info.And yes I agree that Susan Peters says alot of stupid stuff but-she is right about the recall info-it’s also backed up by the FDA’s website on recalls- So before you leave posts about other people maybe you should do some of your own research.
Go get em Michelle!! LOL, and susan peters is a quack…How do you like the avodern all vegy diet? LOL, I bet Eric is down picking up a bag right now, LOL.
What am I picking up?
Some of that AvoDerm Natural Vegetarian formula, you know that real good stuff with no meat at all, LOL.
ummmm….I only feed Orijen Adult and Orijen 6 Fish.
And am currently looking into Aunt Jeni’s Homemade.
Eric, that was a joke….
Thank you, Jess, for your response. Shortly after re-reading the ingredients of Nature’s Recipe, I made up my mind not to buy another product in the line. It contains animal digest. I’ve researched Orijen, read the White Paper and I’ve also read about the Fromm family of foods (and others). There is a big difference in percentage of protein between the two I’ve mentioned. I just had some more lab work done on my dog and emailed lab report I received overnight shows protein in the urine as well as granular casts. I haven’t talked with the vet yet because we’re still waiting for one more result. I suppose I’ll make a decision re: food after I talk with him. But no way will I let him talk me into a Science Diet food. He’s a great doctor and I trust him completely, but not when it comes to that food!
Thank you, again.