BLUE Buffalo LIFE PROTECTION DRY DOG FOOD Review

With a score of 2.1, this is considered a very high risk dog food. There are 22 recipes that average 24% protein and 41% carbohydrates as calculated. 

These recipes in this line lose points for ingredient quality for having high carbohydrate levels. Dogs have no nutritional requirement for carbohydrates but they’re added to dog foods for energy, texture and taste. Starch is also required for extrusion in dry foods. Excessive carbohydrate is an indicator of food quality as it can be used to reduce manufacturing cost. Foods that are high in carbohydrates can raise insulin and cause obesity. Some studies also show that dogs fed a high carbohydrate content have changes to their gut bacteria. The company states that they don’t include corn, wheat or soy, and even offer grain-free options. However, they do include starchy ingredients like oats, barley, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes and rice in their recipes so they aren’t starch- or carb-free. 

These recipes include added vitamins and minerals. It’s preferred that vitamins and minerals come from whole food sources that include the full spectrum of cofactors, which makes them safe and bioavailable. While a couple of added vitamins and minerals are acceptable, five or more implies the food is of poor nutritional value. 

Several recipes also have 2 or more added amino acids. Multiple amino acids are typically only found in lower quality foods that rely on incomplete plant sources of protein and have lower animal protein. 

Other quality concerns include the use of powdered cellulose, plant protein and an unnamed fish oil. Cellulose is an insoluble fiber made from wood pulp and is the least expensive and least functional form of fiber. Plant-based protein sources are the least expensive substitute for quality animal protein. Animal sources of protein are preferred because they contain a wider array of amino acids and are more digestible. 

Using an unspecified fish is a less expensive source of protein or fat. You want to see beef, salmon or chicken, not animal, fish or poultry. Unnamed protein sources are of much lower quality, especially meals, which are typically from rendered waste. 

Dry kibble dog foods are  ultra processed so they lose points for safety. Extruded foods are heated four separate times during production, which will cause major losses in some active enzymes, vitamins, amino acids and phytonutrients.  

Additional safety concerns are for the use of ingredients like oats and barley which are known to contain higher pesticide/herbicide residues. These are also found in the top 5 ingredients, making them more of a concern. 

Potatoes are a known GMO ingredient that appear in several recipes. Natural flavor is also used. This is often animal digest or MSG, both low quality ingredients with limited safety studies. Rice is also an ingredient of concern as it can contain arsenic, which is linked to chronic health issues.

These recipes also include glam ingredients like fruit that are listed after salt, which means they’re included in minimal amounts that don’t provide nutritional benefit. There is also ingredient splitting in these foods. This is the practice of splitting ingredients into subcategories to make them appear lower on the list, and this also can move more desirable protein ingredients higher. 

It’s also worth noting that this line contains sodium selenite as a source of selenium. Dogs need selenium, and it’s usually added in very small amounts. However some research suggests that sodium selenite may be associated with potential toxicity, so selenium yeast is the preferred form of this mineral.

It’s not stated for the Life Protection line whether fish in the recipes is farmed or wild caught. Wild caught fish is more nutritious and has a better fatty acid balance providing healthy omega-3s. 

Finally, Blue Buffalo doesn’t provide the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. This is important to know since diets rich in omega-6 fats can cause chronic inflammation and disease, and AAFCO allows a very high ratio of 30:1.