Which dog food is comparable to Blue Buffalo

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Cheaper Alternatives To Blue Buffalo Dog Food

This is our guide to the best cheaper alternatives to Blue Buffalo dog food.

Im a former veterinary technician, and Blue Buffalo is one of my favorite pet food brands. This company prioritizes using exceptionally high-quality ingredients to produce a wide range of specialized formulas.

But, Blue Buffalo recipes often have a high cost that some owners cant afford. So I researched the best budget alternatives to all of Blue Buffalos famous product lines.

There are several affordable options for high-quality dog food comparable to Blue Buffalo. And Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Dog Food is one of the best alternatives overall.

But every pup is different.

Well review several brands that offer similar quality ingredients and specialization at a lower price to help you find the best one for your furry friend.

Lets get started!

5 Best Blue Buffalo Cheaper Alternatives

Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Dog Food (Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Alternative)
Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Dog Food (Blue Buffalo Wilderness Alternative)
Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Limited Ingredient Dog Food (Blue Buffalo Basics Alternative)
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Dog Food (Blue Buffalo Freedom Alternative)
Merrick Backcountry Raw Infused Dog Food (Blue Buffalo Carnivora Alternative)

Blue Buffalo Cheaper Alternatives Reviewed

Blue Buffalo offers several different product lines that meet the unique needs of individual dogs throughout their lifetime. Some product lines are grain-inclusive, while others focus on a prey-feeding model of high meat content.

Here are reviews of our top picks for the best affordable dog food similar to Blue Buffalo in every popular category. All formulas meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for dogs. But you should always consult your veterinarian before changing your dogs diet.

Diamond Naturals is a renowned brand that specializes in producing high-quality dog food formulas at an affordable price. These pet food products focus on supporting your dogs overall health with nutritional support from healthy ingredients.

Comparable dog foods in this range cost nearly 45% less than Life Protection Formulas from Blue Buffalo.

I recommend Diamond Naturals Chicken & Rice All Stages Dry Dog Food as an affordable alternative to Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formulas. This recipe provides comprehensive nutritional support suitable for a wide variety of dogs.

The All Life Stages dog food line uses real meat as the first ingredient to offer a 26% moderate crude protein diet suitable for most dogs. Blue Buffalo Chicken & Rice Life Protection Formula has a very similar 24% protein content from chicken.

Both grain-inclusive formulas use whole-grain ingredients like brown rice to provide sources of digestible carbohydrates. [1] Fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense ingredients increase the concentration of antioxidants in Diamond Naturals dog food.

Antioxidants work together with healthy omega-3 fatty acids to protect tissue and reduce inflammation. [2] Blue Buffalo uses flaxseed as a source of these healthy fats, while Diamond Naturals includes salmon oil.

Neither product contains corn, wheat, or soy. These ingredients are common allergens in dogs, and probiotics in both formulas help support digestive health.

Taste of the Wild and Blue Buffalo Wilderness dog foods use multiple high-quality animal protein sources to provide balanced nutrition. Taste of the Wild formulas feature novel proteins inspired by wild environments and grain-free alternatives as sources of carbohydrates.

Compared to other high-protein diets with multiple meat ingredients, Taste of the Wild is incredibly affordable. This dry dog food is about 33% less expensive than Blue Buffalo Wilderness Dog Food.

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-Free Dog Food is the best alternative to Blue Buffalo Wilderness formulas. This recipe uses several different animal proteins to offer a high crude protein content of 32%.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness formulas feature a high-protein content of around 34%. High-quality protein from buffalo, lamb meal, and chicken meal ensures that Taste of the Wild can also provide adequate amino acids for muscular dogs. [3]

Both recipes include fish meal to offer a high-fat content for pups with high energy needs. Taste of the Wilds 18% crude fat content is slightly more than Blue Buffalo Wilderness.

Increased levels of omega fatty acids support skin and coat health. [4] Taste of the wild also features a canine-specific probiotic blend to provide more digestive support than Blue Buffalo.

Both formulas are grain-free and exclude corn, wheat, and soy. Sweet Potatoes and chicory root act as sources of digestible carbohydrates and fiber in this cheaper alternative to Blue Buffalo.

Nutrish Simple Six dog foods are affordable alternatives to more expensive limited ingredient diets. These diets eliminate common allergens by using a simple recipe. [5] And the Nurtish restricted ingredient diets offer balanced nutrition from just six simple ingredients.

The Basics line of limited ingredient pet foods from Blue Buffalo is about twice as expensive as this similar dog food brand.

If you are searching for an affordable dog food for your pup with food allergies, I recommend Rachael Ray Nutrish Just 6 Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Limited Ingredient Recipe.

This dog food uses lamb as the single source of a 20% crude protein content. A novel single protein source helps prevent exposure to new potential allergens. [6]

This formulas protein content is identical to the 20% protein content of Blue Buffalo Basics Lamb Recipe.

Rachael Ray Nutrish simple formulas use even fewer ingredients than Blue Buffalo recipes. But both include added vitamins and minerals to meet your pups daily requirements.

Just-6 formulas are also pea-free, unlike Blue Buffalo Basics. Peas can sometimes cause allergic reactions in sensitive dogs. But both recipes are grain-free to avoid gluten sensitivities in pups that suffer from canine allergies.

Whole Earth Farms uses a blend of animal proteins and plant-based ingredients to provide well-rounded nutrition for all types of dogs. These grain-free formulas boast a moderate protein and caloric content similar to Blue Buffalo Freedom dog foods.

Although both product lines have similar nutritional content, Whole Earth Farms is almost 40% cheaper than Blue Buffalo.

Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Pork Recipe is my top pick for pet parents looking for grain-free dog food with a moderate protein content. Like Blue Buffalo Freedom, this formula is suitable for many different breeds and activity levels.

Pork meal is the first ingredient of this recipe, providing a moderate crude protein content of 24%. This product range has precisely the same protein content as the Blue Buffalo Freedom line.

Unlike other grain-free formulas, these dog foods have significant portions of starchy vegetables. Sweet potato in Whole Earth Farms dog food and peas in Blue Buffalo formulas increase carbohydrate content without whole grains.

These digestive carbohydrates and 14% fat content provide energy to help dogs stay active. [7] Just like Blue Buffalo, Whole Earth Farm prioritizes ingredient quality to ensure that their dog foods are safe for your furry best friend.

Recent trends in canine nutrition have resulted in new formulas inspired by the carnivorous diets of wild wolves. Merrick Backcountry dog foods feature an incredibly high protein content and organ meat to mimic prey feeding.

Owners who want to feed this diet with Blue Buffalo Formulas face exceptionally high costs. Although most prey-model dog food brands are expensive, Merrick Backcountry is around 25% cheaper than the Blue Buffalo Carnivora Brand.

Merrick Backcountry Freeze-Dried Great Plains Recipe dog food is an excellent cheaper alternative to Blue Buffalo Carnivora. This formula incorporates freeze-dried raw meat to replicate the diets of your dogs ancestors.

The 42% protein content of Blue Buffalo Carnivora dog foods is hard to match. But Merrick Backcountry comes close with a 38% crude protein content from beef, lamb meal, and salmon meal.

These formulas are unique because they use ingredients from the whole prey animal to provide comprehensive nutrition. Organ meats like beef liver are high in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin A. [8]

Both brands aim to provide a healthier dry dog food alternative to raw homemade dog food.

Uncooked meat can contain a high level of nutrients, but commercial dry dog food helps pet parents make sure their pups get enough vitamins and minerals. [9]

How To Transition To A New Food

After youve determined what dog food is comparable to Blue Buffalo, you may want to transition your dog to a more affordable diet.

Humans eat a varied diet that changes every day. But your dog relies on consistency and often eats the same food for every meal over a long period.

Changing pet foods too quickly can cause digestive upset in sensitive pups. Only make gradual changes when transitioning your four-legged friend to a new dry dog food.

If your dog doesnt suffer from food allergies or primary health conditions, you can safely transition to a new food over 5 to 7 days.

Begin by mixing a small portion of the new formula with his old dog food. Then gradually increase the amount of new kibble until it makes up the entire meal.

And always remember to consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dogs diet.

Our Verdict

Blue Buffalo is a high-quality dog food brand with premium formulas based on real meat. But similar brand choices can offer the same nutritional benefits at a lower cost.

If you are looking for a more affordable alternative to Blue Buffalo dog food, consider Diamond Naturals All Life Stages Dog Food. This grain-inclusive recipe offers similar nutrition to Life Protection formulas at a significantly lower price.

Other cheaper alternatives offer the same unique benefits of specific Blue Buffalo lines. The best choice for your pup will depend on his individual needs.

When it comes to dog food, expensive isnt always better. There are several cheaper Blue Buffalo alternatives that your pup can thrive on. As long as your furry best friend is happy and healthy, it doesnt matter how much you spend on kibble every month.

Authority vs. Blue Buffalo

In this comparison article for Authority vs Blue Buffalo, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Authority and Blue Buffalo, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Blue Buffalo vs Authority comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Authority Review Page or Blue Buffalo Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Blue Buffalo vs. Authority

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Authority Dog Food vs. Blue Buffalo Dog Food

Dry Dog Food	Authority	Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein	28.9%	29.5%
Crude Fat	14.5%	15.3%
Crude Fiber	4.8%	6.8%

Wet/Canned Dog Food	Authority	Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein	41.4%	40.0%
Crude Fat	22.8%	26.2%
Crude Fiber	8.3%	7.4%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

Authority and Blue Buffalo both provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. With regards to wet dog food, Authority and Blue Buffalo also provide roughly the same amount of crude protein.

Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Blue Buffalo typically provides a little more fat (about 3.40% more).

Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Authority and Blue Buffalo also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Authority Cat Food vs. Blue Buffalo Cat Food

Dry Cat Food	Authority	Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein	36.9%	37.5%
Crude Fat	15.4%	16.8%
Crude Fiber	6.0%	6.2%

Wet/Canned Cat Food	Authority	Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein	43.8%	45.8%
Crude Fat	23.6%	24.3%
Crude Fiber	9.2%	8.1%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

As you can see, Authority and Blue Buffalo guarantee a similar amount of crude protein. For wet cat foods, Blue Buffalo typically provides a little more protein (about 2.08% more).

Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
Slow the growth of yeast infections
Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

Authority Pet Food Ingredients vs. Blue Buffalo Pet Food Ingredients

Authority and Blue Buffalo both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Caramel

Caramel is a widely used natural food colorant. The concentrated form of caramel is typically listed as caramel color and has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.

Canola Oil

Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.

Pea Protein

Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.

Caramel Color

Caramel color is a concentrated form of caramel, a natural food colorant. Caramel color has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel color is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.

Powdered Cellulose

Powdered cellulose is produced from minuscule pieces of wood pulp and plant fibers. Other than its fiber content, powdered cellulose lacks any nutritional contribution.

Dried Tomato Pomace

Dried tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Authority.

Corn

Corn is a cereal grain which provides a modest amount of vitamins, minerals, and plant based protein. It also happens to be one of the most controversial ingredients in pet food.

Proponents of corn claim that corn is highly digestible and an excellent source of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.

Opponents however believe that positive claims in regards to corn are either half-truths or completely false, we'll discuss a few of the opposing arguments.

In regards to digestibility, the claims of "highly digestible" are only true if corn is processed into a meal or flour and subsequently cooked. In regards to the protein contribution, we must note that corn is a plant based protein which does not contain all of the necessary amino acids required by pets to sustain life. Therefore substituting corn for meat is an unsuitable substitution and actually degrades the overall protein quality of the product.

Finally, we'll discuss the claims about vitamins and minerals in corn. Although corn does provide many vitamins and minerals, it not necessarily an exceptional ingredient in this regards. There are many other ingredients which are more complete and biologically appropriate. Therefore the usage of corn as the primary ingredient in pet food should certainly warrant further questioning.

Wheat

Wheat is regarded as an inexpensive and low-quality filler in pet food. However, wheat does provide plant-based protein and makes pet food more affordable for consumers. It's important to note that plant based protein does not provide the same amino acid profile as meat based protein.

Beet Pulp

Beet pulp is the by-product which remains once sugar has been extracted from sugar beets. The primary contribution of beet pulp is dietary fiber.

We'd also like to note that beet pulp is fairly controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that beet pulp can promote intestinal health and regulate blood sugar. However, opponents claim that beet pulp is an inexpensive filler.

Corn Syrup

Corn syrup is made from corn starch and it's typically used as a thickener, sweetener, and humectant (keeps the product moist). It's considered controversial because it can raise a pet's blood sugar to unhealthy levels. Of course this concern may be nullified if the syrup is used in very small quantities.

Ground Corn

Ground corn is a cereal grain which provides a modest amount of vitamins, minerals, and plant based protein. It also happens to be one of the most controversial ingredients in pet food.

Proponents of corn claim that corn is highly digestible and an excellent source of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.

Opponents however believe that positive claims in regards to corn are either half-truths or completely false, we'll discuss a few of the opposing arguments.

Animal Liver

Animal liver is a controversial ingredient because the source animal is not specified. Anonymous animal ingredients are typically very low quality and may contain almost any animal, including dogs and cats!

Brewers Rice

Brewer's rice is the small fragments of rice kernel that are separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. The fragments do not contain the same nutrition profile of the whole kernel and therefore brewer's rice is a lower quality grain. Brewer's rice is typically regarded as an inexpensive and low quality filler.

Ground Wheat

Ground wheat is regarded as an inexpensive and low-quality filler in pet food. However, wheat does provide plant-based protein and makes pet food more affordable for consumers. It's important to note that plant based protein does not provide the same amino acid profile as meat based protein.

Poultry Meal

Poultry meal is a controversial ingredient because the source animal is not specified. Anonymous ingredients such as poultry meal are typically low-quality ingredients in comparison to named protein meals (e.g. chicken meal, turkey meal, duck meal).

Wheat Gluten

Wheat gluten is the main protein of wheat. Although wheat gluten is mostly protein, wheat gluten is considered controversial because it significantly boosts the protein content of the product. This is undesirable because plant based protein does not provide the same amino acid profile as meat based protein.

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.

Vegetable Oil

Specific vegetable oils are typically positive ingredients; however, this ingredient does not specify which vegetable(s) were used to produce the oil.

Without this information, it is impossible for us to make any specific statements. With any fat source, it is important to know the omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio, a property which cannot be determined with this ingredient. Thus, we have marked vegetable oil as a controversial ingredient.

Corn Gluten Meal

Corn gluten meal is a by-product from the production of various corn products (corn starch, corn syrup, etc). It's very high in protein (nearly 60% protein) and therefore can significant boost the protein content of the product. Because plant based proteins such as corn gluten meal are inferior to meat based proteins (lack many essential amino acids), they are not suitable substitutes.

Refined Corn Syrup

Refined corn syrup is made from corn starch and it's typically used as a thickener, sweetener, and humectant (keeps the product moist). It's considered controversial because it can raise a pet's blood sugar to unhealthy levels. Of course this concern may be nullified if the syrup is used in very small quantities.

Dried Garlic Powder

Dried garlic powder in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.

Soybean Protein Concentrate

Soybean protein concentrate is produced by removing the water soluble carbohydrates from soybeans. The inclusion of non-meat protein typically degrades the overall quality of protein in the recipe. This degradation is due to the inferior amino acid profile of plant based proteins.

Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Blue Buffalo.

Garlic

Garlic in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.

Tomato Pomace

Tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Authority.

Corn Oil

Corn oil is extracted from the germ of corn kernels. It contains an omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio of 49:1. Corn oil's unfavorable omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio makes it an undesirable ingredient. Consumption of such ingredients can lead to an array of health problems in both animals and humans.

Propylene Glycol

Proplyene glycol is an artificial preservative which has been banned by the FDA for use in cat food. Unfortunately, proplyene gycol is approved for use in dog food. Studies have linked proplyene glycol to heinz body anemia, a blood disorder.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Blue Buffalo.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex

Menadione sodium bisulfate complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."

Product Safety: Recall History of Authority & Blue Buffalo?

According to our records, Authority has never been recalled.

Blue Buffalo has been recalled 9 times.

Nov. 25, 2015: Salmonella
Nov. 6, 2015: Presence of Propylene Glycol
May 31, 2016: Mold
March 18, 2017: elevated beef throid hormone
Feb. 14, 2017: presence of aluminum
March 3, 2017: Foil Seal Packaging Problem
Oct. 8, 2010: toxic levels of vitamin D
April 19, 2007: Melamine
April 26, 2007: Melamine

Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Authority Pet Foods

You can purchase Authority pet foods from the following stores:

Where To Buy Blue Buffalo Pet Foods

You can purchase Blue Buffalo pet food products from these retailers:

281 Recipes In-Stock Today

135 Recipes In-Stock Today

262 Recipes In-Stock Today

14 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

Product	Authority	Blue Buffalo
Dry Dog Food	33 Recipes	93 Recipes
Wet Dog Food	19 Recipes	94 Recipes
Dog Treats	6 Treats	50 Treats
Dry Cat Food	18 Recipes	42 Recipes
Wet Cat Food	16 Recipes	59 Recipes
Cat Treats	None	16 Treats