Is Blue Buffalo highly processed
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.
Blue Buffalo Dog Food Review
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient in this dog food is chicken. Although it is a quality item, raw chicken contains up to 73% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost, reducing the meat content to just a fraction of its original weight.
After processing, this item would probably account for a smaller part of the total content of the finished product.
The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The third ingredient is brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The next ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The fifth item is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.
The next ingredient is pea starch, a paste-like, gluten-free carbohydrate extract probably used here as a binder for making kibble. Aside from its energy content (calories), pea starch is of only modest nutritional value to a dog.
The seventh ingredient is flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided theyve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this dog food.
The eighth ingredient is chicken fat. This item is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesnt sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The ninth ingredient is tomato pomace which can be a controversial ingredient, a by-product remaining after processing tomatoes into juice, soup and ketchup.
Many praise tomato pomace for its high fiber and nutrient content, while others scorn it as an inexpensive pet food filler.
Just the same, theres probably not enough tomato pomace here to make much of a difference.
After the natural flavor, we find peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, theyre rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this Blue Buffalo Life Protection product.
With nine notable exceptions
First, this food includes pea protein, what remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable.
Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this dog food.
Next, we find alfalfa meal. Although alfalfa meal is high in plant protein (about 18%) and fiber (25%), this hay-family item is more commonly associated with horse feeds.
We also note the use of alfalfa nutrient concentrate, a vitamin and mineral-rich extract made from alfalfa.
Even though it contains over 50% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
In addition, pea fiber is a mixture of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber derived from pea hulls. Aside from the usual benefits of fiber, this agricultural by-product provides no other nutritional value to a dog.
Next, garlic can be a controversial item. Although many favor the ingredient for its claimed health benefits, garlic has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs.1
So, one must weigh the potential benefits of feeding garlic against its proven tendency to cause subclinical damage to the red blood cells of the animal.
Additionally, dried yeast can be a controversial item. Dried yeast contains about 45% protein and is rich in other healthy nutrients.
Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.
Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular dog is allergic to the yeast itself.
Whats more, a vocal minority insists yeast can increase the risk of developing the life-threatening condition known as bloat. However, this is something weve not been able to scientifically verify.
In any case, unless your dog is specifically allergic to it, we feel yeast should be considered a nutritious addition.
This recipe also includes sodium selenite, a controversial form of the mineral selenium. Sodium selenite appears to be nutritionally inferior to the more natural source of selenium found in selenium yeast.
Taurine is also found in this product. Taurine is an important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle. Although taurine is not typically considered essential in canines, some dogs have been shown to be deficient in this critical nutrient.
And lastly, this food contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dog Food looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 27%, a fat level of 16% and estimated carbohydrates of about 50%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 26% and a mean fat level of 15%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 51% for the overall product line.
And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 57%.
Which means this Blue Buffalo product line contains
Near-average protein. Near-average fat. And above-average carbs when compared to other dry dog foods.
Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the flaxseed, pea products, alfalfa products and dried yeast, this looks like the profile of a kibble containing a moderate amount of meat.
Who makes Blue Buffalo and where is it made?
Blue Buffalo is owned by U.S. food company, General Mills. All of the brands dog food products are produced in the United States.
Blue Buffalo owns and operates 2 manufacturing facilities. One is located in Joplin, Missouri and the other in Richmond, Indiana. The company also outsources a number of its other products to co-packers that are also located in America.
