Last Updated on January 18, 2021
The Bishop family’s dog, Blue, takes credit for Blue Buffalo’s pet food. Blue, an Airedale Terrier, became a part of the family in 1993. He was a large dog who loved to chase anything that moved.
Unfortunately, in June 2000, when he was just 7 years old and at his prime, Blue developed cancer. The family wanted to give Blue better food while he underwent chemotherapy.
Two years later, Blue Buffalo Pet Food Inc. was established. They added “buffalo” to signify the age when animals roamed free in the Great Plains and ate natural food.
According to the Bishop family, Blue’s memory continues to fuel its mission. Today, Blue Buffalo remains to be one of the most reputable brands of pet food.
Best Blue Buffalo Senior Dog Food Reviews
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food, Natural Dry Dog Food for Senior Dogs, Chicken, and Brown Rice
Your senior dog now has different nutritional requirements compared to when he was an adult. He needs the right amount of carbohydrates, protein, and the essential vitamins and minerals he needs to support his overall health. Luckily, Blue Buffalo got you covered with this recipe.
It’s made with high-quality protein from real chicken meat and contains just the right amount of carbohydrates he needs to stay active.
It has glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joint function. Taurine for a healthy heart. Calcium and phosphorus for strong bones. DHA and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to support eye and brain function.
Not only that, but this recipe includes Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits that have antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals for a strong immune system.
All ingredients used are natural, without poultry by-products, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
Key Features
- Has glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
- With Blue Buffalo’s exclusive LifeSource Bits that have antioxidants and vitamins, and minerals
- High-quality protein from real meat for a healthy muscle mass
- With the optimum amount of carbohydrates to keep him active
- With taurine for heart function
- Has DHA and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for osteoarthritis and cognitive loss
- With calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth
- Contains no soy, wheat, corn, or any poultry by-products
- Has no artificial flavors or preservatives
Also related: Best Senior Dog Food
2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior Dog Food, Natural Dry Dog Food for Senior Dogs, Chicken, and Brown Rice
Blue Buffalo’s Life Protection Formula is an all-natural dog food specially made for small dogs. It comes in smaller sized kibbles that are perfect if you have small jawed breeds like Shih Tzus or Chihuahuas.
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Thanks to Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits, this formula is also rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals your dog needs for his overall health. It has high-quality protein from real chicken meat without adding preservatives or artificial flavor.
Although your small dog is now reaching his golden years, it doesn’t mean he should necessarily be less energetic. This formula contains the optimum amount of carbohydrates he needs to stay active.
It also has DHA and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids against age-related diseases. Glucosamine and chondroitin for his joints. Calcium and phosphorus for strong bones.
This has no preservatives, no poultry by-products, or any artificial flavor.
Key Features
- Specially made for small breeds
- Comes in smaller sized kibbles
- High-quality protein from real chicken
- With the optimum amount of carbohydrates to keep him active
- Includes Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits that have antioxidants and vitamins, and minerals.
- Has DHA and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids against cognitive loss
- Contains taurine for a healthy heart function
- With glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
- Has calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth
- Contains no soy, wheat, corn, or any poultry by-products
- Has no artificial flavors or preservatives
Also related: Best Dog Food for Small Dogs.
3. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Senior Wet Dog Food, Chicken 12.5-Oz Can (Pack of 12)
This Homestyle Recipe from Blue Buffalo is a delicious, all-natural ingredients recipe your dog will surely enjoy.
It’s made with high-quality protein from real chicken meat without preservatives and artificial flavoring. You can give it as a whole balanced meal, as a treat, or mixed with his usual dog food.
But take it from me, this recipe is best served with his dry dog food. It has high moisture content and a real meat taste that will surely make mealtimes even better!
Key Features
- Wet dog food
- High-quality protein from real chicken meat
- Can be given as a treat, mixed with his favorite dry dog food, or as a balanced meal on its own
- With glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
- Contains no soy, wheat, corn, or any poultry by-products
- Has no artificial flavors or preservatives
4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Senior Dry Dog Food, Chicken
Has your dog been itching and his coat looking dull? Switch to this grain-free formula from Blue Buffalo.
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The Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids found in this formula keep his skin and coat healthy and support eye and brain function. It has a balanced amount of protein and carbohydrates to keep your senior dog active.
To ensure he is protected from joint and heart problems, Blue Buffalo also included taurine, calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Plus, with the addition of Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits, he gets antioxidants and the essential vitamins and minerals he needs.
This formula has no preservatives or artificial flavoring added.
Key Features
- Grain-free
- Has 30% more protein
- The optimal amount of carbohydrates to stay active
- With Blue Buffalo’s exclusive LifeSource Bits that have antioxidants and vitamins, and minerals
- With DHA, EPA, and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
- Has glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
- Includes taurine for heart health
- With calcium and phosphorus
- Contains no soy, wheat, corn, or any poultry by-products
- Has no artificial flavors or preservatives
5. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Natural Senior Dry Dog Food
Is your pet not a fan of gluten-rich grains? Try this grain-free and gluten-free dog food from Blue Buffalo. It’s made from real chicken meat without preservatives or artificial flavoring added.
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It contains the optimum amount of carbohydrates your senior dog needs to be active without becoming overweight. It has DHA and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that prevent age-related eye problems and memory loss.
It also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for his joint health and taurine for a healthy heart function. Thanks to Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits, he also gets antioxidants and vitamins, and minerals.
This formula contains no soy, wheat, corn, or any poultry by-products.
Key Features
- Grain-free and gluten-free
- High-quality protein from real chicken meat
- Optimum amount of carbohydrates to stay active
- Includes Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits that have antioxidants and vitamins, and minerals.
- With glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
- Has taurine, an important amino acid, for heart health
- With DHA and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for brain and eye function
- Contains no soy, wheat, corn, or any poultry by-products
- Has no artificial flavors or preservatives
Also related: Best Grain-free Dog Food
6. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Large Breed Senior Dog Food, Natural Dry Dog Food for Senior Dogs, Chicken and Brown Rice
Containing the optimum amount of carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, glucosamine, and chondroitin, this formula was specially formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of large breeds.
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It has DHA and omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that help protect your dog against age-related diseases like osteoarthritis and loss of vision. The high-quality protein from chicken also helps your dog maintain healthy muscles.
It contains taurine for a healthy heart function. Plus, it has antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals from Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits. It has no soy, wheat, corn, or any poultry by-products.
No preservatives and no artificial flavor
Key Features
- Specially made for large breeds.
- High-quality protein from real chicken meat
- Optimum amount of carbohydrates to keep active
- Includes Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits that have antioxidants and vitamins, and minerals
- With glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
- Has calcium and phosphorus for strong bones and teeth
- With DHA and Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for eye and brain function
- Contains taurine for a healthy heart function
- No artificial flavor or preservatives added.
- Contains no soy, wheat, corn, or any poultry by-products.
Also related: Best Large Breed Dog Food
7. Blue Freedom Natural Grain Free Wet Dog Food Senior Chicken Recipe
Some dogs just don’t do well with gluten-rich grains. Because of this, Blue Buffalo made Blue Freedom Natural Grain-free recipe.
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It’s a delicious wet dog food that doesn’t contain the grains that cause your pet his allergies. It’s made with real chicken meat and enhanced with vitamins and minerals your aging dog needs.
It can be given as a balanced meal, mixed with his favorite dry dog food, or as a treat in between meals. Whichever it is, this recipe will surely make your pup look forward to mealtimes.
This formula contains no preservatives or any artificial flavor.
Key Features
- Wet dog food
- Grain-free and doesn’t contain grains that contain gluten.
- High-quality protein from real chicken meat
- Can be given as a treat, mixed in with his favorite dog food, or as a whole balanced meal in itself
- With glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
- No corn, soy, or wheat is used.
- Has no preservatives or artificial flavor.
8. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Grain Free, Natural Senior Wet Dog Food, Turkey & Chicken Grill 12.5-oz can (pack of 12)
Specially formulated to appeal to the meat lover in your dog, this recipe from buffalo is packed with high-quality meats your dog loves.
It’s grain-free and made with real chicken and turkey meat without the usual meat fillers some dog foods use. Plus, it contains healthy ingredients like chicken liver and complex carbohydrates -both found to be beneficial to your senior dog’s health.
To make it even better, Blue Buffalo added essential vitamins and minerals for your pet. It has no preservatives, artificial flavor, soy, wheat, or corn added.
Make mealtimes as exciting as it was before by adding this to your dog’s favorite food.
Key Features
- Wet dog food
- Grain-free
- High-quality protein made from real chicken and turkey meat
- Can be fed as a treat, as a topper to his favorite dog food, or as a whole balanced meal in itself
- Contains no soy, wheat, or corn.
- No preservatives. No artificial flavoring.
Also related: Best Wet Dog Food
9. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet, Grain Free Natural Senior Wet Dog Food, Turkey 12.5-oz cans (Pack of 12)
Do you own a highly sensitive dog? Try this wet dog food from Blue Buffalo. It’s grain-free and only uses real turkey as the source of protein. If he is allergic to chicken or beef, then try turkey.
It’s a meat protein that rarely triggers even the most sensitive dogs.
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This recipe also uses potatoes and pumpkin, both easily digested carbohydrates that are easy on his tummy. You will find that it’s an important feature, especially when he has a sensitive stomach.
It has Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that not only promote skin and coat health but are very beneficial to your pet’s brain and eye function.
This recipe only uses the most wholesome ingredients without preservatives or artificial flavors. It’s free of soy, corn, wheat, dairy, eggs, and poultry by-products.
Key Features
- Grain-free
- Single protein source of real turkey meat
- Features easily digestible carbohydrates.
- With glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
- Contains no chicken, beef, dairy, or eggs.
- No corn, wheat, soy, or any poultry by-product
- With Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids from fish oil
- Has no preservatives or artificial flavoring
Blue Buffalo Senior Dog Food Ingredients Analysis
Some of the common ingredients you will find in Blue Buffalo’s senior dog foods are chicken, turkey, chicken broth, brown rice, chicken liver, chicken meal, flaxseed, chicken fat, carrots, peas, tomato pomace, potatoes, pea fiber, fish oil, carrageenan, and garlic.
Below is a breakdown of these ingredients.
- Chicken is considered to be a quality item in dog food formulas. The only drawback is that they have a high moisture content, and most of the weight is lost after it’s cooked. This is an important factor, especially when judging the real meat content of the product.
- One of the sources of protein Blue Buffalo uses is turkey. It’s considered high-quality meat, although it also contains about 73% of moisture like chicken. It only makes up a small fraction of the total meat content after it’s cooked.
- Chicken broth is only of modest nutritional value. But you see this ingredient often in canned dog foods because it adds flavor and moisture content.
- Like chicken broth, brown rice is only of modest nutritional value to dogs. However, it’s a complex carbohydrate that is easily digested after it’s cooked.
- Chicken liver is an organ meat that adds a beneficial component to the formula.
- Chicken meal is a meat concentrate that contains 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
- Flaxseed is one of the most nutritious ingredients to add to dog foods. Flaxseeds are plant sources of omega 3 fatty acids and are rich in soluble fiber (provided they’ve been grounded into a meal).
- Chicken fat comes from rendering chicken. It’s rich in linoleic acid and omega 6 fatty acid that’s beneficial to heart health and organ functions, respectively.
- Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, minerals, and dietary fiber.
- Peas contain about 25% of protein. Again, a factor you need to consider when judging the real meat content of the product. Peas are, however, a quality source of carbohydrates and rich in natural fiber.
- Tomato pomace is a by-product after processing tomatoes into juice, ketchup, and soup. Others praise it for its high fiber and nutrient content, but others will say it’s just an inexpensive pet food filler.
- If your formula is said to be gluten-free, it probably has potatoes. It’s a gluten-free source of digestible carbohydrates but only offers little nutrition to dogs.
- Pea fiber is a mixture of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber from pea hulls. Other than the usual benefits of fiber, this ingredient has no additional nutritional value to dogs.
- Fish oil is naturally rich in EPA and DHA. These are omega 3 fatty acids that bring many benefits to canines of any age.
- Carrageenan is a gelatin-like thickening agent extracted from seaweeds. Although it has been used as an additive for hundreds of years now, carrageenan has faced some recent controversy regarding its long-term biological safety.
- Another controversial ingredient present in Blue Buffalo’s recipes is garlic. Blue Buffalo is not the first company to add this to their formula, as there have been claims that small amounts of garlic have benefits. It’s important to note, however, that garlic has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs.
Blue Buffalo Recall History
Below is a list of Blue Buffalo’s recall history from past to present. This list includes all their recalls from cat food to dog foods.
April 2007. FDA recalled Blue Buffalo’s Spa Select Kitten dry food because of melamine content. The rice protein concentrate used in this formula was from Wilbur-Ellis that tested positive for melamine. Their Blue Buffalo canned dog food and Blue Buffalo dog treats were recalled as well.
October 2010. FDA recalled the following products from Blue Buffalo because of melamine content.
- Blue Wilderness Chicken, 4.5 lb., best by JUL2611Z, JUL2711Z or JUL2811Z
- Blue Wilderness Chicken, 11 lb., best by JUL1211B
- Blue Wilderness Chicken, 24 lb., best by JUL1211B or JUL1311B
- Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon and Potato, 11 lb., best by AUG2111B or AUG2211B
- Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon and Potato, 24 lb., best by AUG2111B, SEP2311P or OCT2611P
- Blue Life Protection Formula Natural Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Large Breed Adult, 30 lb., best by SEP2211P, SEP2311P or OCT2611P
November 2015. The FDA recalled Blue Buffalo’s Kitty Yums Tasty Chicken Recipe cat treats because of low levels of propylene glycol.
In the same year, the FDA also recalled Blue Buffalo’s Cub Size Wilderness Wild Chew Bones because of potential salmonella.
May 2016. News reported the recall of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Fish and Sweet Potato Recipe dog food because of possible molds.
In February 2017, Blue Buffalo announced the recall of Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Healthy Weight, Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables because of possible metal contamination.
Not long after, PetSmart also recalled the following Blue Buffalo dog cups because of packaging quality.
- Blue Divine Delights Filet Mignon Flavor in Gravy, UPC #84024312035
- Blue Divine Delights New York Strip Flavor in Gravy, UPC #84024312037
- Blue Divine Delights Prime Rib Flavor in Gravy, UPC #84024312039
- Blue Divine Delights Rotisserie Chicken Flavor in Gravy, UPC #84024312041
- Blue Divine Delights Pate Filet Mignon Flavor, UPC #84024312043
- Blue Divine Delights Pate Porterhouse Flavor, UPC #84024312045
- Blue Divine Delights Pate Grilled Chicken Flavor, UPC #84024312047
- Blue Divine Delights Pate Top Sirloin Flavor, UPC #84024312049
- Blue Divine Delights Pate Angus Beef Flavor, UPC #84024312051
- Blue Divine Delights Pate Roasted Turkey Flavor, UPC #84024312053
- Blue Divine Delights Pate With Bacon, Egg & Cheese, UPC #84024312057
- Blue Divine Delights Pate Sausage, Egg & Cheese Flavor, UPC #84024312059
- Blue Divine Delights Pate Steak & Egg Flavor, UPC #84024312061
- Blue Wilderness Trail Trays Duck Grill, UPC #84024312071
- Blue Wilderness Trail Trays Beef Grill, UPC #84024312073
- Blue Wilderness Trail Trays Chicken Grill, UPC #84024312075
- Blue Wilderness Trail Trays Turkey Grill, UPC #84024312077
March 2017. The company announced the recall of their Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs in 12.5 oz. cans because of potentially elevated levels of naturally-occurring beef thyroid hormone.
June 2017. Blue Buffalo got involved in a lawsuit claiming that Blue Wilderness Chicken Recipe for Small Breed Adult Dogs, Blue Freedom Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Small Breed Adult Dogs, and Blue Basics Grain-Free Turkey & Potato Recipe for Adult Dogs contained very high levels of lead.
The lawsuit was dismissed by a judge in 2018. Blue Buffalo also strongly denied the accusations saying it was not supported by evidence or data.
June 2019. The U.S Food and Drug Administration identified Blue Buffalo as one of the 16 pet food brands linked to heart disease in dogs and cats. However, no recalls were made because of the ongoing investigation.
More recently, in January 2020, Blue Buffalo was sued by a customer in New York for allegedly making her dog overweight and diabetic.
Final Verdict: Is Blue Buffalo Good for Senior Dogs?
Blue Buffalo is a highly recommended dog food brand for senior dogs.
It’s an all-natural dog food with an exceptional blend of protein and carbohydrates to support your senior dog’s needs. It contains essential vitamins and minerals like taurine, calcium, phosphorus, Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and glucosamine that prevent age-related complications in dogs.
For senior dry dog foods, they also added LifeSource Bits that are rich in antioxidants for a healthy immune system.
Their protein also comes from a variety of sources, such as fish, lamb, chicken, and turkey. That again is a crucial aspect because dogs today have developed a lot of sensitivities.
To add, Blue Buffalo also makes sure their recipes have no preservatives or artificial flavor. It doesn’t contain common allergy triggers like wheat, soy, and corn.
I recommend choosing Blue Buffalo’s (dry) senior dog food formulas for their main diet. Although wet dog foods are a balanced meal on their own, they are better off as toppings to his (dry) dog food.
It can be very helpful as senior dogs lose their appetite when they reach their golden years. Adding wet dog food can entice your senior dog’s palate and even promote hydration.
Also related: Blue Buffalo Dog Food Review