Taste Of The Wild vs. Blue Buffalo

Picking out a dog food that best fits the needs of your dog can be tricky, especially with all of the different dog food brands available. Sometimes, you may ask yourself what the difference between all of the food brands are and why one food is better over the other.

To help you with your researching adventure of different dog foods, we will go over the difference between two different, yet similar-looking dog foods, Taste of the Wild vs. Blue Buffalo.

For this particular review, we will go over who makes the different dog food brands, if they have had any recall history, what makes up their diets, as well as give a short review on some popular flavor within the brands.

By the end of the article, you should have a better idea which of these two similar dog foods will fit your dog’s diet the best, as well as what makes the foods different from each other.

Who Manufactures Blue Buffalo & Taste of the Wild Dog Food?

Taste of the Wild

Now let us turn to Taste of the Wild. Taste of the Wild was created in 2007, and since its creation, it has remained a family-run pet food brand. While still being a family run pet food brand, their foods are manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods, Inc, which is owned by Schell & Kampeter, Inc., which has been around since the 1970s.

Taste of the Wild makes all of their dog food in the United States of America. They have five state-of-the-art facilities across the United States that are responsible for making their pet food brands, two in California and one each in Missouri, Arkansas and South Carolina.

They only source their ingredients from reputable resources that they have established long term relationships with. Some of their ingredients are sourced locally while others globally, but you can always be sure that their ingredients are of the highest quality.

Blue Buffalo

Let’s start with who manufactures Blue Wilderness. Blue Wilderness is a line of dog food offered by Blue Buffalo, which produces all of their dog foods in the United States of America, except their BLUE Chomp ‘n Chew treats, which is made in Ireland.

Blue Buffalo was founded in 2002 in Wilton, Connecticut by Bill Bishop. Currently, though, Blue Buffalo is owned by General Mills, a popular cereal company who is aiming to create better dog food by using natural ingredients.

For the majority of their ingredients, Blue Wilderness uses their resources or seek out aid from partnering companies, like Ainsworth, ANI/Vita-Line, CJ Foods, Triple T Foods, and Tuffy’s, for specific ingredients. For the smaller ingredients used, Blue Wilderness is not as precise on where their ingredients are sourced, so it is not sure that they are entirely sourced in the United States of America or not.

Recall History of Each Brand

Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild is still a young dog food brand since it was established in 2007, compared to Blue Buffalo that was established in 2002. But in their short time Taste of the Wild has only had one case of a recall.

In May of 2012, Taste of the Wild recalled both dog and cat foods with production code have a “2” or a “3” as the ninth digit and the letter “X” as the tenth or eleventh due to a risk of salmonella contamination.

For being a young company, having only one recall case is this positive as the case occurred long after they were established, and they have not had another recall case as of then.

Blue Buffalo

The most recent recall incident that Blue Wilderness has had was in March of 2018. Blue Wilderness recalled their Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs due to the wet food being at risk of elevated levels of naturally-occurring beef thyroid hormones in the beef used for the diet.

In the same month, they also had a recall on their Blue Wilderness Trail Trays, and BLUE Divine Delights due to a quality issue with the foil seal of the trays. In November of 2015, the Cub Size Wilderness Wild Chew Bones were recalled due to salmonella contamination.

In October of 2010, Blue Wilderness Chicken dry food was recalled due to toxic levels of Vitamin D. While the Blue Wilderness food line has had no other reports of recall, the Blue Buffalo brand has had eight total, including the Blue Wilderness, recall cases, recall cases from 2007 up till 2017

Key Ingredients of Each Brand

Each brand of food uses a variety of key ingredients in an attempt to make them stand out amongst other similar brands. We will go over four of these key ingredients and how both brands use them.

Protein – Blue Buffalo Wilderness

Blue Wilderness uses a wide variety of animal proteins in their diets to both encourage dogs to eat, and to make sure that there is a flavor preference for every dog. Blue Wilderness does tend to mix animal proteins in their diets as a way to keep dogs from getting bored of only eating a single flavor. Here is a list of all of the animal proteins Blue Wilderness uses.

• Chicken
• Beef
• Menhaden Fish Meal
• Dried Egg Product
• Duck
• Salmon
• Bison
• Rabbit
• Alligator
• Catfish
• Venison
• Halibut
• Trout
• Turkey
• Quail
• Duck

Protein – Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild does not have as extensive of an animal protein list, but that does not mean that their ingredients are a lesser quality. Taste of the Wild seems to focus on making diets with one or two animal proteins, except some flavors, to prevent dogs from having an allergic reaction to the food. Here is the list of animal proteins that Taste of the Wild uses.

• Venison
• Bison
• Salmon
• Beef
• Lamb
• Boar
• Trout
• Turkey
• Fowl
• Chicken
• Ocean Fish Meal

Fats – Blue Buffalo

Blue Wilderness tends to use Chicken Fat as one of the leading fat giving ingredients in their diets. While Chicken Fat is not a harmful ingredient for dogs, some dogs can have allergies to poultry. Since the majority of their dry food contains Chicken Fat, those flavors cannot be eaten by dogs with poultry allergies, thus eliminating a broad spectrum of pets from being able to eat the dry food.

Fats – Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild does also tend to add extra fat to their dry food diets, but it is later down the list as they are confident that the natural fat provided by their choice proteins is enough to help your dog develop strong muscles and have the energy they need for day to day life.

Antioxidants – Blue Buffalo

To provide your dog with the Antioxidants that they need, Blue Wilderness tends to add some variety of fruits and vegetables to their dry food, but they tend to be tried and not as diverse as some dogs can benefit from eating. Here is a list of fruits and vegetables that Blue Wilderness use to give your dog an Antioxidant boost.

• Peas
• Pea Protein
• Pea Starch
• Dried Tomato Pomace
• Flaxseed
• Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal
• Sweet Potatoes
• Carrots

Antioxidants – Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild also uses a variety of fruits and vegetables to give your dog the antioxidants that they need, but they also lack some in the variety department. They do have a few extra fruits in their mix compared to Blue Wilderness, but there is room for improvement. Here is a list of fruits and vegetable Taste of the Wild uses.

• Sweet Potatoes
• Potatoes
• Peas
• Lentils
• Dried Chicory Root
• Tomatoes
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Yucca

Blue LifeSource Bits and Species-Specific Probiotics

Since Blue Wilderness is a Blue Buffalo diet, it has the exclusive LifeSource Bits added to it. These LifeSource Bits contain a hearty blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals chosen by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists aimed at supporting your dog’s immune system health, Life Stage requirements, and provide a healthy oxidative balance.

Taste of the Wild offers its unique ingredient to their dry food in the form of Species-Specific Probiotic. Every pound of Taste of the Wild contains around 80-million live, active cultures that are meant to support a healthy digestive and immune system. They are added after the cooking process to ensure the highest viability possible.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Vs. Taste Of The Wild Reviews

1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Natural Adult Dry Dog Food

When wanting to feed your dog a diet as natural as possible, try feeding them Blue Wilderness Chicken Formula.

Key Features

• Contains no added grains
• Deboned chicken is the first ingredient used
• Contains healthy carbohydrates
• Antioxidant-rich
• Has Blue’s exclusive LifeSource Bits

This flavor from Blue Wilderness uses deboned chicken as the first ingredient, which is a lean and beneficial animal protein. The addition of chicken meal and fish meal and the remaining protein source that your dogs will benefit from. Like all Blue Wilderness flavors, this flavor contains no grains or questionable by-product meals that do not fully benefit your dog’s health.

You will also not find, and wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives in this line of dog food either as those ingredients can harm your dog’s health inside and out.

Dogs do not need a high carbohydrate source, but they still benefit from healthy carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes and peas, which are plentiful in this formula. The addition of fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, cranberries, and carrots provides your dog with the antioxidants their bodies need to grow.

With Blue’s exclusive LifeSource Bits, you can be sure that your dog will have one of the best quality diets available to dogs on the market today. Be sure to follow the feeding guidelines on the bag to be sure that you are giving your dog the right amount of food they need so they do not risk becoming overweight.

Pros

• Available in 4.5-11-24 pound bags
• Contains 34% of protein
• Contains 15% of fat
• Contains 6% of fiber

Cons

• Contains chicken, so not ideal for dogs with poultry allergies

Your dog will love the taste of Blue Wilderness Chicken Formula, and you will love the health benefits that come with this diet.

2. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Denali Dinner Dog Food

The Blue Wilderness Denali Dinner Formula is an ideal diet if your dog needs a higher source of Omega Fatty Acids for their skin and fur health.

Key Features

• Deboned salmon is the first ingredient used
• Contains three other ocean proteins
• Grain, wheat, and corn free
• Contains Blue’s exclusive LifeSource Bits
• Has high Omega Fatty Acid content

The Denali Dinner formula from Blue Wilderness provides your dog with a seafood centered diet rich in Omega Fatty Acids. Both Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids work to keep your dog’s skin smooth and free from dandruff while also promoting soft fur and stronger hair follicles. All of the animal proteins used have been sourced naturally from Alaskan waters so that your dog absorbs the most nutrients possible to benefit their bodies.

Your dog will eat deboned salmon, halibut, and crab as the seafood part of the diet, while also having access to venison as a lean protein source and for extra flavoring.

No grains, wheat, or corn products are ever used since dogs do not naturally seek out these ingredients, they mainly focus on the protein source and the nutrients their prey has eaten from their diet. Like all Blue Buffalo diets, this food line also contains the LifeSource Bits that give your dog the extra nutrient content that they need.

Pros

• Contains 30% of protein
• Contains 16% of fat
• Contains 6% of fiber
• Available in 4 and 22-pound bag options

Cons

• Contains chicken fat, so not ideal for dogs with poultry allergies
• Uses Dried Tomato Pomace, which is a controversial pet food ingredient due to not providing a high nutrient source to dogs

You will see that your dog’s appearance will progressively look better and better with each week the longer you feed them the Blue Wilderness Denali Dinner Formula.

3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Dry Dog Food

The Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe gives your dog a game meat diet that is tasty, but also leans in fat so even average active dogs can enjoy this flavor.

Key Features

• Best mimics the diet naturally eaten by wolves
• Deboned beef is the first ingredient used
• Contains four other animal protein sources
• Contains no by-product meals
• Has no grains or other harmful ingredients

This formula from Blue Wilderness focuses mainly on red meat proteins. Deboned beef is the first ingredient used in this diet, which is a hearty, fatty meat perfect for the active dog.

Lamb and venison are two other red meat proteins used to boost up the protein content that dogs need. But, to ensure that your dog also has lean and healthy fats, chicken and menhaden fish meal have been added.

Wolves in the wild seek out a high protein meal, with the remaining needed nutrients being added from the content in their prey’s stomach.

Blue Wilderness knows this, so they add antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables in a controlled quantity that best mimics the amount a wild dog would eat. You will not find any by-product meals in this diet as those can be questionable and not fully provide the nutrient content your dog needs.

Pros

• Contains 30% of protein
• Contains 15% of fat
• Contains 6% of fiber
• Available in 4-10-33 pound bag options

Cons

• Contains chicken fat, so not ideal for dogs with poultry allergies
• Has a high amount of pea ingredients, which does not provide enough nutrients to dogs

Your dog can be highly active or normally active, and they should still be able to enjoy the Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe without gaining any excess weight or running out of energy in the middle of the day.

4. Taste of the Wild Grain Free Premium Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Formula will have your dog feeling like they are running in the prairies hunting for a filling meal.

Key Features

• Has taurine added to the diet
• First three ingredients are an animal protein
• Contains eight different animal protein sources
• Uses antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables

Dogs naturally make taurine in their bodies from the animal proteins that they need, so they do not always need extra taurine added to their diet Taste of the Wild does add extra taurine in their diet to be sure that your dog develops strong bones and muscles to withstand the strain of day to day activities.

This diet of Taste of the Wild is protein-heavy due to the eight different animal proteins used.

The first three ingredients on the list are buffalo, lamb meal, and chicken meal, which are hearty and lean fats perfect for the active dog. The remaining animal proteins used down the ingredient list include egg product, roasted bison, roasted venison, beef, and ocean fish meal for flavor and ideal protein content.

While dogs do need a high protein source, they cannot live on that alone. Taste of the Wild adds a hearty supply of fruits and vegetables that will supply your dog with the antioxidants that they need to have a healthy body both inside and out.

Pros

• Contains 32% of protein
• Contains 18% of fat
• Contains 4% of fiber
• Available in 5-14-28 pound bag options

Cons

• Contains chicken fat, so not ideal for dogs with poultry allergies
• Contains tomato pomace and peas, which have become controversial pet food ingredients

The Taste of the Wild High Prairie Formula best mimics what wolves would hunt and seek out in the prairies.

5. Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Formula is the Omega Fatty Acid focused formula that is going to help your dog’s skin, and fur looks sleek and shiny once again.

Key Features

• Sustainably sourced salmon is the first ingredient
• Contains only two animal proteins
• Does not contain any eggs
• Ideal for adult dogs
• Has high content of Omega Fatty Acids

The first ingredient in this formula is sustainably sourced salmon. By sustainably sourced, that means that Taste of the Wild uses a combination of wild-caught and farmed salmon to ensure that your dog has a different level of Omega Fatty Acids and protein.

Salmon meal has also been added to the formula alongside with ocean fish meal so that your dog is only eating seafood with no countering proteins that could lessen the amount of the Essential Fatty Acids dogs need for healthy skin and coat.

Compared to other formulas from Taste of the Wild, this flavor does not contain any eggs or egg products, making this diet easier to digest for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Adult dogs will be able to maintain a sleek appearance and ideal body condition while eating this dry food formula.

Pros

• Available in 5-14-28 pound bag options
• Contains 25% of protein
• Contains 15% of fat
• Contains 3% of fiber

Cons

• Contains a high source of legumes, which may not be fully beneficial to some dogs

Help your dog maintain a healthy outer appearance while keeping their insides as healthy as possible by feeding them Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Formula.

6. Taste of the Wild Grain Free Southwest Canyon Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Formula will give your dog the energy and protein source they need to stay active and happy all day long.

Key Features

• An animal protein is the first ingredient used
• Contains four other animal proteins
• Rich in DHA
• Contains nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables

Beef is the first ingredient used in this diet, which is a hearty and fatty protein source ideal for mobility. Lamb meal, egg product, wild boar, and ocean fish meal are also added to the diet to give your dog a little something different to keep them enticed to eat their dry food.

This formula is rich in DHA thanks to the added salmon oil. Salmon oil is essential for providing dogs with Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which supports brain and vision development for all life stages.

While this diet offers a unique protein blend, dogs also need antioxidants provides by fruits and vegetables. One of the main vegetables in this formula is garbanzo beans, which helps this grain-free formula have a host of beneficial nutrients.

Paired with other fruits and vegetables like dried chicory root and blueberries, your dog will have near all of the nutrients their bodies need to stay strong and healthy.

Pros

• Available in 5-14-28 pound bag options
• Contains 29% of protein
• Contains 15% fat
• Contains 5% of fiber

Cons

• Contains pea flour and tomato pomace, which have recently become controversial pet food ingredients

Your dog will feel like they can take on any adventure that the day has to throw at them when they eat Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Formula.

Comparison and Conclusion

Both pet food brands aim to use natural ingredients that best mimic a diet dog in the wild would eat. Dogs are closely related to wolves, so they need a similar diet to support their bodies, with a few tweaks here and there to fit the domesticated lifestyle better.

Both diets are grain-free not because dogs cannot eat grains, but to be sure that the grains do not get in the way of the essential nutrients that your dog needs for a healthy body inside and out. A high-quality animal protein is always the first ingredient used in both brands as dogs need that higher protein source to stay active.

The addition of fruits, vegetables, and added nutrients ensures that your dog gets a balanced diet since they are omnivores and can benefit from a full spectrum diet. Either diet would be great to feed to your dog if you want them to have a natural, balanced, and delicious meal.

When it comes to deciding on which of these pet food brands to go with, it depends on your preferences. Blue Buffalo has had a more extensive history of recalls compared to Taste of the Wild, but it is an older company that has established a respected reputation amongst the pet food world.

Taste of the Wild focuses on feeding your dog a diet that best mimics what their wilder relatives eat while remaining a diet that best benefits a dog’s domestic lifestyle. Neither food is perfect, but both foods take their interpretation of what they believe your dog needs most, so you can trust that their intentions are in the right direction of helping your dog, not making a quick sale.

Perhaps the best one to tell you which food is best would be your dog. They are the ones eating the food after all, so they should get a say in which one they prefer to eat.

If you are experimenting with both brands, be sure to gradually switch diets over a week to ensure no stomach upsets and a better gauge on what brand your dog prefers to eat.