Is BLUE dog food made in China
Where Is Blue Buffalo Dog Food Made? Brand Facts & FAQ
Blue Buffalo is a popular dog food that is marketed as being natural. But where is Blue Buffalo dog food made? Is it made in the United States, or does it come from overseas? In this article, we will take a look at the manufacturing process of Blue Buffalo dog food and see where it actually comes from.
Where Is Blue Buffalo Dog Food Made? The Short Answer
The short answer is that Blue Buffalo dog food is made in the United States. The company has a corporate office in Connecticut. It has manufacturing facilities in Joplin, Missouri, and Twin Falls, Idaho. All of Blue Buffalos products are made in these two states.
Where Is Blue Buffalo Dog Food Made? The Longer Answer
The longer answer to this question is a little bit more complicated. While Blue Buffalo does make all of their products in the United States, some of the ingredients that go into their dog food do come from other countries. For example, Blue Buffalo sources their chicken and turkey from Canada, and their lamb is sourced from New Zealand. The company also uses fruits and vegetables from Chile, Peru, and Mexico in some of their recipes.
While there is nothing wrong with sourcing ingredients from other countries, its important to note that Blue Buffalo is not a completely American company. If you are looking for a dog food that is sourced and made entirely in the United States, there are other options out there. However, if you dont mind your dog food containing some ingredients from overseas, then Blue Buffalo is a great option.
Blue Buffalo Buying Guide
Now that you know where Blue Buffalo dog food is made, you might be wondering if its the right food for your dog. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision:
- Blue Buffalo is a good option for dogs with allergies or sensitivities. The company makes a variety of grain-free and limited-ingredient diets that are perfect for dogs with food allergies.
- Blue Buffalo is a bit more expensive than some other brands on the market. If you are on a budget, there are other options out there that might be better suited for you.
- Blue Buffalo offers a wide variety of products, so you should be able to find something that your dog will like. The company has dry food, wet food, and even treats!
History of Blue Buffalo
The company was founded in 2002 by Bill Bishop and his two sons, Dave and Billy. The Bishops started the company after their dog, Blue, was diagnosed with cancer. They were inspired to create a pet food that would be healthier for pets and would not contain any of the harmful ingredients that are often found in commercial pet foods.
Since its inception, Blue Buffalo has been one of the fastest-growing pet food companies in the United States. The company now has over $700 million in annual sales and employs over 700 people. Blue Buffalo is a publicly traded company, and it is currently owned by General Mills.
Products Offered by Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo offers a wide variety of products for both dogs and cats. Their dog food products include dry food, wet food, and treats. They also offer a line of pet supplements. Some of Blue Buffalos most popular products include their Wilderness dry dog food, their Freedom dry dog food, and their Life Protection Formula wet dog food.
For cats, Blue Buffalo offers dry food, wet food, and treats. Their most popular products include their Bluestreak dry cat food and their indoor health formula wet cat food.
Where to Buy Blue Buffalo Dog Food
Blue Buffalo dog food is available at most major pet stores, including Petcoand PetSmart. It is also available at many grocery stores and online retailers. You can purchase Blue Buffalo products directly from the companys website or through one of their authorized online retailers.
What Are the Main Ingredients in Blue Buffalo Dog Food?
The main ingredients in Blue Buffalo adult dog food are chicken, turkey, fish, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Other ingredients include peas, flaxseed meal, and brown rice. The exact ingredients vary based on the recipe or formula.
Is Blue Buffalo Complete and Balanced Nutrition for My Pet?
Yes, all Blue Buffalo products are complete and balanced nutrition for your pet. The companys products are formulated to meet the nutritional requirements set forth by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
What Are the Benefits of Feeding My Dog Blue Buffalo?
There are many benefits to feeding your dog Blue Buffalo.
Some of these benefits include:
- High-quality ingredients that are free from harmful chemicals and by-products
- Complete and balanced nutrition for your pet
- A wide variety of products to choose from
- Made in the United States
Does Blue Buffalo Make Treats?
Yes, Blue Buffalo makes treats for dogs. Their dog treats include biscuits, crunchy bites, and soft chews. Some of their most popular treats include their Wilderness Trail Biscuits and their Life Protection Formula Crunchy Bites.
What Is Blue Buffalos Return Policy?
Blue Buffalo offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of their products. If you are not satisfied with a purchase, you can return it to the store where it was purchased or contact the company directly to receive a full refund.
How Do I Contact Blue Buffalo?
If you have any questions or concerns about Blue Buffalo products, you can contact the company by phone at (800) 919-2833 between Monday Friday, 7:00 am 4:00 pm MST. You can also visit their website for more information.
How Much Does Blue Buffalo Dog Food Cost?
The cost of Blue Buffalo dog food varies depending on the product that you purchase. Their dry food products range in price from $15 to $75, while their wet food products range in price from $0.60 to $0.85 per can. Treats and supplements are also available for purchase on the Blue Buffalo website, and they range in price from $0.99 to $19.99. Overall, Blue Buffalo is a more expensive pet food option, but many pet owners feel that it is worth the extra cost because of the quality of the ingredients used in their products.
What Do Customers Think About Blue Buffalo Dog Food?
Blue Buffalo has a very loyal customer base, and the company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Pet owners love Blue Buffalo products because they are made with natural ingredients and do not contain any fillers or artificial flavors. The companys products are also very affordable, and they offer a wide variety of products to choose from.
The only complaint that seems to be common among Blue Buffalo customers is that the companys dry food products tend to be very crumbly and hard to chew. Other than that, pet owners seem to be very happy with the products that Blue Buffalo offers.
The Bottom Line
If you are looking for high-quality dog food that is made in the United States, Blue Buffalo is a great option. The companys products are made with natural ingredients and do not contain any fillers or artificial flavors. Blue Buffalo also offers a wide variety of products to choose from, and their prices are very reasonable. The only downside to this brand is that their dry food products can be hard to chew. Other than that, Blue Buffalo is a great choice for pet owners who are looking for a healthy and affordable pet food option.
These Commercial Dog Foods Source From China
Now listen to this. China has cornered the market on producing vitamins, supplements and even many of the inert ingredients that our pharmaceuticals are made with. Yes, I have issues with products that come from China, but it is really hard to avoid them. The big issue here is that when pet food products have that long list of vitamins and supplements that are added to their products, they are added because the food is processed so much that its nutrients are processed out. Basically, our pets are living off of those supplements only. Our dogs need their nutrients to come from the food itself, NOT from all the synthetic garbage (and/or lab-created vitamins containing natural flavoring) that is added to over-processed products which are void of any nutritional value by itself. Pets who are eating commercial diets (kibble and canned food) are getting their nourishment from those vitamins which are acting as an alternative to real food. I am not opposed to supplements. I add some supplements to my dogs food because I cannot provide fresh kill for their meals. The best form of nutrition is raw which is most nutritious right after the kill before extended time, exposure to air and the natural elements affect the nutrients.
Being that manufacturers add so many additional nutrients, you would think that they would be careful to provide high quality supplements since they are providing inferior food product to make profits high. After all, they care about our pets so why would any corporation or manufacturer do their best to take those profits and purchase ingredients from Germany, France, or Japan? Yeah right The cost of supplements from those countries are exponentially higher. These manufacturers have a conflict of interest.
To learn more about vitamin premix you can read my articles: Whats REALLY in Dog Food? and Shocking Dog Food Research Study. To learn more about raw feeding, I have many articles, but Dog Food All About it covers quite a bit and I include information about what I have been feeing my girls.
I called several manufacturers and asked them if ANY of their pet food products contain any ingredients whatsoever that are sourced from China. I listed the label names that the manufacturers produce. I did not ask about each individual product. I wanted to give my readers a general list of foods that manufacturers sneak Chinese ingredients into. I feel that if a manufacturer is ok with putting Chinese ingredients into any of their products, it speaks volumes about the priorities of that manufacturer. There are no ingredients that cannot be sourced outside of China. It is purely a matter of making bigger profits at the expense of the health and wellbeing of our dogs.
I asked if there are any products that have ingredients sourced from China. Getting clear definitive answers was like pulling teeth. Here are some of their responses:
No. They continue by naming their meat sources and where it is imported from and that the food is all made in the USA.
I then asked if any of their vitamins were sourced from China. The answers included:
Yes, we get all our supplements within the USA.
I asked if they get their vitamins from a third party supplier. They often replied:Yes, but they are in the USA
I then asked where those suppliers source their products. Answers varied:
Some of the suppliers products come from China.I dont know.That information is proprietary.The suppliers get their products globally. Of course I couldnt resist to mention that global encompasses China. They reiterated, the products are sourced globally and that they dont know where.
The suppliers get their products from Asia. I reminded them that Asia is enormous. Contained in Asia is Australia, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and (believe it or not) China. They reiterated, the products are sourced in Asia and that they dont know where.
We pay extra money to ensure that the products are NOT sourced from China. Information about their suppliers is proprietary. (Whether or not they were truthful, it is not possible for me to verify that information because it is proprietary).
Many manufacturers decided to interpret my question as they wished. Those manufacturers required the third degree from me in order to get a clear answer. Even after the questioning, some of the answers were still not definitive in that they did not provide answers that could be verified. Because they I dont understand why those people had such difficulty understanding that supplements ARE ingredients and by not acknowledging that, they are lying to the public (let alone their lack of knowledge with regard to geography).
Again, my question was: Are there ANY ingredients in any of their pet food products that contain any ingredients whatsoever that are sourced from China? I did NOT ask about each individual label brand of the manufacturer.
There are manufacturers that produce food that has no sourcing from China, but having dogs consume empty food that has supplements to compensate for its lack of nutritional value is just not right. Dogs are not meant to thrive on supplements as their only form of nourishment.
I just want people to be aware of how common it is for manufactures to provide inferior nutritional supplements. We are trained to avoid products from China, but look at what I found. Our pets are consuming nutrients that come from supplements which are sourced from China. These supplements are often the sole source of nourishment. Something can be MADE in the USA, but it doesnt mean that the ingredients are from the USA. The following list was compiled in late May 2015. It is possible that there have been changes made since.
Manufacturer | Label Names | Sourced from China |
Artemis Company | Artemis | Yes |
Petsmart Label Brand | Authority | Yes |
Breeders Choice Pet Foods Inc | APD Select ChoiceAvoDermActive CarePinnacleTrader Joes Brand | Proprietary Information |
Del Monte FoodsAKA Big Heart Pet Brands | Kibbles n BitsNatures RecipeNatural Balance Milos Kitchen | Suppliers source globally not sure |
Diamond Pet Foods Inc | Chicken Soup for the Doglovers SoulCountry Value Diamond Premium Edge ProfessionalTaste of the Wild | Suppliers source globally |
Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc | Natural Balance | Yes |
Hills Pet Nutrition Inc | Hills Science Diet Hills Prescription DietHills Ideal Balance Hills Healthy Advantage | Yes |
Costcos Brand | Kirkland | Yes |
Mars Petcare US Inc | Butcher Selects California Naturals CesarEukanuba EvoGoodlife RecipeHealthWise IamsInnovaNatura PetNutro PedigreeRoyal Canin | Yes |
Midwestern Pet Foods Inc | Pro Pac SPORTMIX Earthborn | They THINK their 3rd party suppliers source from Europe |
Nestl | Purina Pro Plan Purina ONE Purina Veterinary Diets | Yes |
Triumph Pet Industries Inc | Evolve Hi-Tor NeoTriumph | Yes |
Wellpet LLC | Eagle Pack Holistic SelectWellness | Yes |
To read about what I feed my own dogs, check out my articles The BEST Dog Food.
To get a better idea about what raw diets are all about an article of interest (of many on the subject) raw diets check out Why a Raw Diet is Vital.
To read an article about why I stay away from the big commercial manufacturers a great article (of many on the subject) is called commercialarticles about biologically appropriate diets check out Whats REALLY in Dog Food.