Why not to use Blue Buffalo dog food
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.
Blue Buffalo Dog Food Lawsuit: Everything You Should Know
You may have seen a very interesting statement by the U.S. Dog Food Association, Congress Should Not Allow Courts to Decide Whether Dog Food Companies are Under-Responsible.
In other words, if we are not under-responsive to our dogs, theyshould be allowed to sue for lack of quality?
Well that is interesting, isnt it?
Im sure you could see a flaw in that argument, but in truth, there would be a large flaw in that argument if the said organization said they dont care if they are selling pet food that is unsafe for our pets or food that will be poisoning them and/or other pets.
This type of hypocrisy is disturbing and as more individuals tobuy into the new pet food market and become aware of the dangers, it is goingto be quite challenging to continue such a position.
There are other lawsuits involving pet food that have already been filed and it appears to me that in this case, the dog food companies are going to have a hard time putting their name on the line and defend their actions.
Even if they were to win in court, is the person or company liable for the injuries and death that have occurred?
Or, can you sue for the minor problem when the dog ingested a deadly amount of poison or died because of improper feeding practices?
These types of questions should be answered by our legislators to protect not only our dogs but to protect ourselves and our families from the pet food industry.
And now that the U.S. dog food lawsuit has surfaced, who is actually responsible for the safety of our pets and the products that they ingest.
It seems that our legislators have chosen to leave that decision up to the American people.
Well, I dont know about you, but I think we would all benefit from seeing a dog food lawsuit filed because the consumer is the one who has rights.
When consumers are given more choices, we will find out if the choices are as good as advertised.
Why do we need a dog food lawsuit? Because we need to put an endto the fact that we have pet food manufacturers who think that selling theirtainted pet food products are just fine and nobody has the right to sue them.
We must continue to pursue this dog food lawsuit until theconsumers rights are protected and our pets are safe from eating poisonous petfood products. Please consider all this.
Does Blue Buffalo cause cancer in dogs?
When you start looking at information on this question, you willsee that the only conclusion you can come to is that there is no definitiveanswer.
However, there are some statements that you should be able tomake about Blue Buffalo products that will help you know whether they cause cancerin dogs.
That being said, if you want to protect your dog from cancer, itis best to purchase the food in the lowest quantity possible, and allow it toage naturally.
First, some background on the Blue Buffalo brand. Blue Buffalohas a long history of excellence and in the process has learned a lot aboutproper ingredients and manufacturing.
Blue Buffalo products include premium natural foods for dogsincluding the name brand, Ralston Purina Pro Plan (a popular formula that hasbeen recommended by veterinarians).
The company is very consistent in maintaining its ethical standards and quality standards and has been rated as one of the Top 10 Pet Suppliers by Pet Shopper Magazine.
In addition, many pet owners have grown to love its quality and take pleasure in its taste.
What about the questions about whether Blue Buffalo causes cancer in dogs?
Blue Buffalo products include a variety of chicken-free formulas, using quality natural chicken from around the world.
The Company is well aware that a lot of dog owners feel that the use of chicken products contributes to the development of cancer, and the answer is yes.
This includes dogs that have stomach ulcers or other conditionswhere there is an inflammation of the stomach lining.
The reason this happens is because the products that BlueBuffalo manufactures contain anti-oxidants, which may help to reduceinflammation and may reduce the number of cancerous cells in the stomach.
When it comes to the Blue Buffalo dog food products, the primary ingredients are chicken and rice. For people who worry about certain types of cancer, there are no such problems associated with these products.
They also feature alfalfa meal, natural wheat, and a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are beneficial to dogs of all ages.
The bottom line is that, whether Blue Buffalo causes cancer in dogs, depends on the individual dog.
But, when you look at the ingredients of the products, it is certainly in the safe range, according to the FDA.
The company offers a variety of meats, including beef, lamb, pork, turkey, and chicken, and the company has made the necessary decisions to source those items from organic sources.
And if you want to avoid an allergic reaction, the company provides a variety of oils and extracts.
As for the Blue Buffalo Purina Pro Plan, the most importantthing you need to do is to read and follow the ingredients, as you would forany dog food.
You should be aware that although the Pro Plan caters to a largebreed dog that needs lots of protein, it also provides additional vitamins andminerals in the form of several nutritional supplements, including fish oil,cod liver oil, and flaxseed.
The Omega 3 fatty acids in flaxseed help to prevent and treatmany common and rare canine diseases.
There are no claims about whether Blue Buffalo causes cancer indogs. However, we have discussed the content of the two products, and if youhave a dog that is allergic to the rice-based diet or has a health conditionthat requires additional levels of nutrients, then the Pro Plan is a goodchoice.
You may also want to consider the lower cost of purchasing BlueBuffalo for your puppy versus other pet food companies.
Does Blue Buffalo dog food have leadin it?
If you have a dog that seems to be anxious all the time and doesnt like to eat when you give it food or becomes clingy and snuggle with you when you are around, you may want to check your dogs food for lead.
It is best to find out as soon as possible if your dog has been exposed to any lead poisoning. Knowing this can help you stop the exposure.
What you need to do is to change your dogs normal dog food for an organic, GMO free dog food.
You also need to add herbs and green vegetables to your dogs diet. Also, make sure that you are using a good dog bedding like pongee.
However, even with this, your dog will probably continue to beanxious and clingy.
You will want to also increase the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables in your dogs diet.
Also, make sure that you are giving your dog plenty of water. If your dog is consuming too much, this can actually cause diarrhea in your dog. This may not be too fun for your dog and can cause discomfort for you.
Some people think that canned dog food does not have lead in it, but it can sometimes have lead in it.
Some canned foods will use a byproduct from the manufacturing process called-made-in-China (BIC) food.
While this type of food is fine for your dog, it can containpesticide residues and BPA. In fact, some studies suggest that some of theseBIC foods actually contain higher levels of lead than traditional non-organiccanned foods.
One concern is that using organic foods like Blue Buffalo dog food with BIC ingredients might be dangerous to your dog.
While there are many other brands of non-organic canned foods available, we have found Blue Buffalo is among the best.
You also want to look for a food that is certified organic. Youcan check with your local USDA/ARS office to see if your dog food meets thecertification standards for organic.
When you choose Blue Buffalo food you will have the assurance thatyour dog will not be exposed to lead. You can be assured that your dog isgetting the best nutrition that it needs, plus all the antioxidants andvitamins that your dog needs.
Is Blue Buffalo dog food bad for yourdog?
When you are looking for a good dog food recipe, you will be wanting to know whether or not Blue Buffalo is the right brand for your dog.
You will want to know whether or not this brand is better than other brands and what kind of ingredients they use. There are some tips that can help you make this decision.
First of all, you should find out whether or not Blue Buffalo dog food is actually bad for your dog.
If you believe it is, you should read up on the various Blue Buffalo dog food ingredients so that you can find out whether or not they are safe for your dog.
If you choose to feed your dog with this brand, you shouldconsider using a homemade dog food diet.
When you first see that Blue Buffalo dog food does not containany harmful ingredients, you might decide to purchase it. However, it might notbe the best brand for your dog. You will need to check to see what the otherchoices are before you make the choice.
You should also look into how other people feel about BlueBuffalo. This should help you determine whether or not you are making the rightchoice for your dog. You should compare the various opinions as well as findout what exactly your dogs diet consists of.
Another thing that you should think about when it comes to BlueBuffalo dog food is the cost. You may be thinking that you cannot afford it,but you should be able to find a cheaper option. If you are looking for a cheapalternative, you should start by looking at recipes online for your dog.
A lot of people are looking to replace their dogs diet with recipes so that they can eat less.
You should make sure that the meals are all nutritious and that they are nutritious enough. You should find a good meal replacement and then begin to cook them for your dog.
Conclusion
When you look at Blue Buffalo dog food recipes, you will find that they are good, but you may have to get creative.
If you cant find something that you like, you should look at recipes that you think your dog would like.
This will help you get a variety of ingredients that you can usefor the recipes so that you can be sure that your dog will eat them.
The last thing that you should think about when you are looking at Blue Buffalo dog food is the ingredients that they use.
You should find out what the different ingredients are so that you can compare them to recipes that you already have.
You should try to find out what are the benefits of theseingredients and you should then be able to make the decision that is best foryour dog.