PetSmart Blue Buffalo Cat Food Review

Nutrients & Quality

Blue Buffalo’s formulas are developed by veterinarians and animal nutritionists to satisfy cat’s diets for every life stage and special need. The company’s products contain no poultry by-products (such as organs or meal), no corn, wheat, or soy, and no artificial flavors or preservatives.

On its website, Blue Buffalo lists 160 ingredients that make up its pet food and the benefits each of them provide. Major categories of ingredients include fats & oils, fruits & vegetables, animal-based protein, carbohydrates, vitamins & minerals, amino acids, plus ingredients that provide test, texture, and spices. The company’s transparency in its ingredient list helps customers who want a better understanding of what goes into their pet’s food.

One of Blue Buffalo’s products distinctive features is its LifeSource Bits, smaller kibble bits mixed in with most of its dry pet food. These pieces contain a balance of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help maintain your pet’s immune system and overall health. Ingredients include blueberries, barley grass, alfalfa, flaxseed, cranberries, parsley, amino acids such as l-lysine and taurine, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamins B12, C, D, and E.

Blue Buffalo specifies that it does not “undertake, support or sponsor studies that harm animals” to come up with new formulas and recipes. It develops the food in-house, and uses “carefully selected, globally sourced ingredients” in their U.S.-based manufacturing facilities.

Nonetheless, it is always highly encouraged for owners to consult their pet’s dietary needs and restrictions with a trained and licensed veterinarian so as to determine the correct food to provide them.

Price

Blue Buffalo does not sell its products via its website, but customers can purchase them in most retail and online pet stores. 

Prices vary depending on the product line and the size of the food package—for instance, some dry food products can come in a variety of sizes from 2.5, 6, 7, 12, 15, and 30 lb. bags.

As an example, we searched PetSmart’s online store and found a 7-pound bag of Sensitive Stomach Adult cat food costs $23.99, an 11-pound bag of True Solutions Blissful Belly Digestive Care for $37.99, and a 5-pound Wilderness grain-free kitten food bag for $24.99.

Variety

The company offers a wide variety of dry and wet food products, as well as treats, for kittens, adult, and senior/mature cats. The company offers seven different product lines each with its own characteristics: 

• BabyBLUE is specially designed for kittens.
• The Basics line includes grain-free products for kittens, adults, and mature cats.
• Freedom products are made for indoor cats and are 100% grain-free.
• Life Protection Formula provides nutritional products for special preferences and health conditions such as weight control, sensitive stomach, and hairball control, to name a few.
• Natural Veterinary Diet is formulated for diagnosed conditions such as food intolerance, kidney support, urinary care, and gastrointestinal support.
• True Solutions are developed for your cat’s specific needs with ingredients that are clinically-proven to support digestion, weight control, and skin/coat health.
• Wilderness products are developed to be high-protein, grain-free products with a variety of different animal proteins.

Special formulas and preferences designed for particular food sensitivities and health conditions include:

• Weight Management
• Chicken-Free
• Digestive Care
• With Wholesome Grains
• Skin & Coat Care
• Grain Free
• Food Sensitivities
• Limited Ingredients
• High Protein
• Indoor
• Multi-cat
• Hairball Control

Blue Buffalo’s cat foods come in a variety of flavors and recipes such as beef, chicken, duck, fish, lamb, rabbit, red meat, salmon, shrimp, trout, tuna, turkey, and venison.