When it comes to choosing the right dog food, pet owners want what’s best for their furry friends. BLUE dog food is a popular brand that claims to use only the finest natural ingredients. But is BLUE dog food really good for dogs? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of this brand.
BLUE Dog Food’s Main Ingredients and Nutrients
BLUE dog foods contain a variety of ingredients including real meat, fruits, vegetables, and wholesome grains. According to the company, their recipes always feature real meat as the first ingredient. Some of their main protein sources are chicken, beef, lamb, and fish. They use ingredients like potatoes, peas, carrots, and apples for carbohydrates, antioxidants, and important vitamins. BLUE avoids using corn, wheat or soy.
Their recipes are designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition for dogs of all life stages according to AAFCO nutritional standards. BLUE dog foods have the optimal blend of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to fuel a dog’s body. The added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants support overall health and a strong immune system. Omegas from fish oil promote skin and coat health. The inclusion of probiotics and prebiotics aids digestion. So in terms of ingredients and nutrients, BLUE looks like an excellent choice.
Quality of Ingredients
An important consideration beyond the ingredients list is the quality and sourcing of those ingredients. BLUE states that their ingredients are premium quality. They use real meat as the first ingredient rather than less expensive by-products. Fruits and vegetables are included for antioxidants rather than just as filler. BLUE claims they source their ingredients from trusted suppliers and each batch is tested for quality and safety.
Many pet food companies outsource manufacturing to facilities all over the world. BLUE, however, owns their own manufacturing plants in the United States. They state that this allows for tighter quality control and the ability to oversee all aspects of production. The majority of their ingredients also come from the United States. So for pet owners who want foods manufactured domestically with American-sourced ingredients, BLUE is a good option.
Product Safety
In 2007, there was a widespread recall of many major pet food brands due to contamination with melamine from China. Thousands of dogs and cats became ill or died as a result of the contamination. At the time, BLUE was one of the few brands unaffected because they did not source ingredients from China. As a result, BLUE’s reputation, loyalty, and sales greatly benefited from being a safe choice during the recalls.
However, BLUE has issued a few isolated recalls over the years, primarily related to potential salmonella contamination. Recalls were issued in 2016 for mold concerns, in 2017 for high beef thyroid hormones, and in 2018 for elevated levels of vitamin D. While the mold and beef thyroid hormone issues did not cause any reported pet illnesses, the other recalls involved some reports of dogs becoming sick from consuming the recalled batches. Any recall indicates a lapse in quality control.
Overall, though, BLUE has maintained a good reputation for safety especially compared to brands who source ingredients from China or have had numerous widespread recalls. BLUE tests all their ingredients and finished products for contaminants and performs feeding trials to ensure the diets are safe. Their US-based manufacturing facilities follow strict safety protocols too. But pet owners should still be aware of the small number of recalls in BLUE’s history.
Range of Formulas
BLUE offers an extensive product line with over 150 dry and wet food options. They offer several different formulas to suit dogs of all life stages, sizes, and health needs:
- Puppy – for growing puppies
- Adult – for dogs 1-7 years old
- Mature – for less active adult dogs
- Freedom – grain-free simplicity
- Basics – limited ingredient diets
- Wilderness – high protein, grain-free
- Natural Veterinary Diet – therapeutic diets
This wide range of products makes it easy to find a BLUE formula tailored to your dog. Puppies, high energy dogs, less active mature dogs, and those with allergies or health conditions all have options suitable for their needs. BLUE uses nutritionally optimal ratios of protein, fat, and carbs along with vital nutrients in their recipes to meet each life stage or lifestyle.
Cost
BLUE dog foods are priced in the premium category, which is typical for high protein, grain-free, or specially formulated recipes. Their standard adult dog food costs about $2.50 per pound. The Freedom, Basics, and Wilderness lines run closer to $3.50-$4.50 per pound. The veterinary diets are the most expensive at around $5-$6 per pound on average.
So BLUE costs substantially more than supermarket brands or basic kibbles containing corn and by-products. However, it’s very comparable to prices of other premium natural brands sold at pet supply stores, specialty retailers, or online. Despite being priced in the premium category, BLUE remains affordable enough for many dog owners. It is not as costly as some ultra premium or prescription dog foods. Overall, the prices of BLUE’s high quality recipes seem reasonable given the ingredients and production standards.
Customer Reviews
Thousands of happy BLUE customers say the brand’s products have provided great results for their dogs. Numerous reviews online report improvements in energy, coat condition, digestive health, weight management and more after transitioning to BLUE. Many dogs seem to find BLUE very palatable as well.
Of course, there are also some negative reviews from owners who say their dogs disliked the taste or did poorly on some BLUE recipes. No dog food suits every dog’s individual needs and preferences. While BLUE gets mainly positive feedback, it will not be the perfect fit for every pup. It may take some trial and error to determine if your dog does well on a particular BLUE formula.
Most customer complaints involve the cost, availability, or certain manufacturing changes over the years. Some feel BLUE has declined in quality or changed ingredients since being acquired by a major corporation. However, many still view BLUE as a trustworthy brand using high-end ingredients even with corporate ownership.
Expert Reviews
Pet food experts and veterinarian reviews of BLUE are generally quite positive. Experts praise their high-quality ingredients, strict safety protocols, and production standards. They also note that BLUE dog foods provide excellent nutrition without relying on corn, wheat, by-products or artificial additives.
Some experts do note that BARF or homemade diets with fresh meats may still be superior to even the highest quality processed kibbles. But BLUE is frequently recommended as a healthy commercial food. Experts conclude it is a very good choice, especially for natural nutrition without artificial preservatives or ingredients.
Conclusions
Based on BLUE’s ingredient selection, manufacturing practices, nutrition, and reviews, it does appear to be one of the better dog food brands available. BLUE follows rigorous quality control standards, sources premium ingredients in the USA, provides wholesome natural nutrition and gets high marks from most owners and experts.
Of course price and availability may be downsides for some buyers. Those seeking budget friendly options or 100% USA sourced ingredients may need to keep looking. No brand is perfect for every dog and owner. But overall BLUE is considered a very good quality option for those looking for a more natural commercial dog food packed with protein and without artificial additives.
For most pet owners seeking a healthy diet made with recognizable, high-end ingredients, BLUE is likely to satisfy both you and your furry companion!