BLUE is a popular brand of natural cat food made by Blue Buffalo. BLUE cat foods contain high-quality meat as the first ingredient and boast that they contain no chicken or poultry by-product meals. However, some pet owners have questioned if BLUE is truly a high-quality cat food brand or if it’s just clever marketing. Here we’ll take an objective look at BLUE cat food, examine the pros and cons, and see how it stacks up for your feline companions.
BLUE Cat Food Overview
BLUE cat food comes in three main product lines:
BLUE Basics Limited Ingredient Diet
This line uses novel proteins like duck, salmon, or turkey as a single animal protein source. It’s grain-free and good for cats with food sensitivities.
BLUE Freedom Grain-Free
This line is protein-rich and completely grain-free. It uses quality carbohydrates like peas and potatoes.
BLUE Wilderness High Protein Grain-Free
This is BLUE’s premium grain-free line. It contains more meat, protein, and moisture than the average cat food.
In addition to these main lines, BLUE also offers kitten, senior, and indoor cat formulas. Their recipes come in both dry and wet food varieties.
BLUE Cat Food Ingredients
BLUE cat foods state real meat as their first ingredient. Whole chicken, chicken meal, whole turkey, deboned chicken, and deboned salmon are commonly seen. They also include antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies like cranberries, blueberries, kelp, carrots, and potatoes.
However, BLUE dry foods still contain a large amount of plant-based ingredients. This is because cats need a high level of protein but not as much carbohydrates. Wet foods will always have more meat content.
Some key ingredients in BLUE cat food include:
| Meat/protein | Fruits/veggies | Grains/carbs |
|---|---|---|
| Deboned chicken | Apples | Oatmeal |
| Chicken meal | Spinach | Barley |
| Turkey meal | Blueberries | Brown rice |
| Salmon meal | Cranberries | Potatoes |
As you can see, BLUE incorporates wholesome fruits, veggies, and quality carbs in addition to animal protein.
BLUE Cat Food Nutritional Analysis
Here’s an overview of the nutritional makeup of BLUE dry and wet cat foods:
BLUE Dry Cat Food
| Protein | Fat | Fiber | Moisture |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-42% | 15-25% | 3-5% | 7-10% |
– High protein from quality meat meals as first ingredient
– Moderate fat content from chicken fat, fish oil
– Low fiber from fruits and veggies
– Low moisture level typical for dry food
BLUE Canned Wet Cat Food
| Protein | Fat | Fiber | Moisture |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45-55% | 20-35% | 1-2% | 70-80% |
– Very high protein from real meat
– Higher fat from meat and broths
– Low fiber as canned food is low in carbs
– High moisture level as expected for wet food
As shown, BLUE wet foods contain significantly more protein and moisture versus the dry foods. This helps promote hydration and lean muscle maintenance.
The Pros of BLUE Cat Food
Now that we’ve looked at the ingredients and nutrition found in BLUE cat food, let’s examine some of the key benefits:
Focus on High-Quality Protein
All BLUE recipes emphasize real meat as the first ingredient. The protein comes from whole food sources like deboned chicken, turkey meal, and salmon meal. This provides quality nutrition from meat, not mystery by-products.
Grain-Free Options
Cats are obligate carnivores meaning they thrive on a meat-based diet. BLUE’s grain-free lines like Freedom and Wilderness avoid fillers like corn, wheat, and soy.
Limited Ingredients
The Basics line uses novel protein sources to reduce allergens. This is great for cats with sensitivities to common ingredients like chicken.
Human-Grade Ingredients
BLUE states they use restaurant-quality ingredients safe for human consumption. Many pet food manufacturers don’t adhere to this higher standard.
Natural Ingredients
BLUE avoids artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives in all recipes. They use all-natural fruits and vegetables.
Veterinary Recommendations
Many vets recommend and feed BLUE cat food to their own pets. The protein-rich nutrition meets most cats’ dietary needs.
Made in the USA
All BLUE foods are manufactured in the USA which means each batch can easily be tracked and recalled if ever necessary.
The Cons of BLUE Cat Food
However, BLUE cat food isn’t perfect. Here are some of the downsides:
High Carb Content in Dry Foods
Despite having real meat first, BLUE dry cat foods still contain 35-50% carbs. This is needed to create the kibble but isn’t ideal nutrition for obligate carnivores.
Plant-Based Proteins
Some recipes rely too much on peas, potatoes, or turkey meal instead of meat. Cats need animal sources for complete protein.
Too Much Fiber
The fruits and veggies provide vitamins but also excess fiber. Cats only require about 2-3% fiber max. Some BLUE foods have 5% or more.
Filler Ingredients
Several recipes contain brewers rice, oat flour, or “natural flavor” further down the list. These offer little nutrition.
Potential Allergens
Despite the limited ingredient diets, some cats may still be allergic to the proteins used like duck or salmon.
Contains Carrageenan
This additive thickens the wet foods but is controversial regarding gut inflammation. Many cats tolerate it fine however.
Price
BLUE foods are premium-priced so feeding an exclusive diet of BLUE may be cost prohibitive for some cat owners.
Feeding Guidelines
If feeding your cat BLUE brand products, here are some general feeding guidelines to follow:
– Feed the appropriate formula for your cat’s life stage – kitten, adult, or senior.
– Follow the recommended feeding amounts on the packaging based on your cat’s weight. Adjust as needed to maintain an ideal body condition.
– Feed a mix of both dry and wet food. Cats need the extra hydration and protein from canned or pouches.
– When switching foods, transition slowly over 1-2 weeks by mixing in increasing amounts of the new food.
– Provide fresh, clean drinking water at all times. Cats are prone to dehydration.
– Don’t exceed the maximum calcium amounts for kittens or it can cause skeletal issues.
– If your cat has any underlying health issues, consult your vet on specialized dietary needs.
– Monitor your cat’s weight, energy levels, coat, and litter box habits to ensure they thrive on the diet. Adjust amounts or flavors if needed.
Customer Reviews
Most BLUE cat food reviews are very positive. On independent review sites like All About Cats, BLUE averages between 4-5 stars.
Positive feedback includes:
– Owners state their cats love the taste of BLUE, even picky eaters
– Kittens grow and develop well when fed BLUE from a young age
– Helps cats maintain a glossy, soft coat
– Aids in digestion with less episodes of vomiting or diarrhea
– Cats maintain a healthy weight without getting too chunky or thin
– Seniors seem to have improved energy and mobility
– Customers feel good about feeding their cats a natural, protein-rich diet
Negative critiques include:
– Some cats dislike the taste or texture of certain recipes
– A few reports of stomach upset or allergic reactions
– Hairballs are still a problem for certain long-haired cats
– A couple cases of struvite crystals forming in males when fed BLUE exclusively
– Some pet parents don’t think it’s worth the high price
– A few instances of recalls make some owners wary
– Some kittens and senior cats don’t do well on richer BLUE recipes
Overall however, the majority of BLUE cat food reviews are extremely positive and recommend the brand. Many cats appear to thrive when fed BLUE brand formulas.
Blue Buffalo Recalls
Like many pet food companies, Blue Buffalo has issued a few recalls on certain products over the years:
| Year | Product(s) Recalled | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Multiple | Suspected aflatoxin contamination |
| 2010 | Wilderness Chicken Dry Cat Food | Potential salmonella risk |
| 2010 | Spa Select Kitten Dry Food | Potential salmonella risk |
| 2016 | Canned Dog Foods | Potential aluminum metal contamination |
In each case, BLUE promptly issued public warnings and pulled the products from shelves. They also offered refunds or exchanges to customers who purchased the recalled batches.
While quality control issues are concerning, it’s reassuring that BLUE took responsibility and corrected the problems. Always monitor recall announcements from any brand you feed.
Is BLUE Worth the Price?
BLUE cat foods are premium-priced, costing about $25-$50 for a 5-15lb bag of dry food. Canned varieties cost $1.50-$3 per individual can or pouch.
This is quite expensive compared to grocery store brands that can cost half as much. However, you get what you pay for. BLUE uses quality ingredients like real meat, wholesome fruits and veggies, and natural components.
Feeding the best food you can reasonably afford is ideal to keep your cats healthy long-term. For many pet parents, the proven nutritional benefits of BLUE are worth the higher price tag.
Conclusion
So, is BLUE cat food a good choice for your feline?
The answer seems to be yes, overall BLUE offers above-average nutrition and quality versus many standard cat food brands. Their recipes emphasize real meat proteins, avoid artificial additives, and contain probiotics and antioxidants from fruit and veggies. Many cats enjoy the taste too.
BLUE provides grain-free options and limited ingredients for cats with sensitivities. There are high-protein, moisture-rich canned formulas ideal for supplementing kibble. Just be aware dry foods still contain a lot of carbs.
A few cons exist like potential allergens, high fiber, and too many plant proteins. But most healthy cats tolerate BLUE formulas well and avoid issues like obesity and urinary crystals.
BLUE isn’t the perfect cat food but it’s arguably better than cheap grocery brands. As long as you feed a variety and mix wet and dry foods, BLUE can be an excellent choice for your cat. Just monitor your individual cat’s reaction.
For picky cats that turn up their nose at anything else, BLUE tends to be irresistible. The focus on natural ingredients provides peace of mind too. Just be prepared to pay a little more for higher protein and quality.
