Rating: 
Blue Buffalo Basics canned dog food receives the Advisor’s above-average rating of 3.5 stars.
The Blue Buffalo Basics product line includes 3 canned dog foods. Since we could not locate AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements for these products on the Blue Buffalo website, we’re unable to report life stage recommendations.
The following is a list of recipes available at the time of this review.
- Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey and Potato
- Blue Buffalo Basics Salmon and Potato
- Blue Buffalo Basics Large Breed Turkey and Potato
Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey and Potato canned dog food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.
Blue Buffalo Basics Turkey and Potato
Canned Dog Food
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Ingredients: Turkey, turkey broth, potatoes, pea protein, oatmeal, flaxseed (source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids), peas, cassia gum, carrageenan, salt, potassium chloride, guar gum, cranberries, blueberries, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), d-calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), biotin supplement (vitamin B7), folic acid (vitamin B9), vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, zinc amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, choline chloride, sodium selenite, potassium iodide
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5.9%
Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients
| Estimated Nutrient Content | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Protein | Fat | Carbs |
| Guaranteed Analysis | 8% | 6% | NA |
| Dry Matter Basis | 36% | 27% | 28% |
| Calorie Weighted Basis | 28% | 51% | 22% |
The first ingredient in this dog food is turkey. Turkey is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of turkey”.1
Turkey is naturally rich in the ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
The second ingredient lists turkey broth. Broths are nutritionally empty. But because they add both flavor and moisture to a dog food they are a common finding in many canned products.
The third ingredient is potato. Assuming they’re whole, potatoes are a good source of digestible carbohydrates and other healthy nutrients.
The fourth ingredient lists pea protein… what’s left after removing the starchy part of peas.
Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
And this less costly plant-based item can significantly boost the total protein content reported in this dog food.
The fifth ingredient is oatmeal… a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, fiber and is also (unlike many other grains) gluten-free.
The sixth ingredient is flaxseed… one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
The seventh ingredient mentions peas. Peas are a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein… a factor that must be considered when evaluating the total protein reported in this food.
The eighth ingredient is cassia gum. Cassia gum is a plant extract used here as a gelling agent providing no nutritional value to this food.
The ninth ingredient includes carrageenan… another gelatin-like thickening item extracted from seaweed. Carrageenan has been safely used as a food additive for hundreds of years.
From here, the list goes on to include a number of other items.
But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of this product.
With one notable exception…
This dog food also contains chelated minerals… minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better dog foods.
Blue Buffalo Basics Canned Dog Food
The Bottom Line
Judging by its ingredients alone, Blue Buffalo Basics looks to be an above-average canned dog food.
But ingredient quality by itself cannot tell the whole story. We still need to estimate the product’s meat content before determining a final rating.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 36%, a fat level of 27% and estimated carbohydrates of about 28%.
As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 37% and a mean fat level of 27%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 28% for the overall product line.
Below-average protein. Above-average fat. And near-average carbs when compared to a typical canned dog food.
However, when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas and pea protein, this looks like the profile of a canned product containing only a below-average amount of meat.
Bottom line?
Blue Buffalo Basics is a meat-based canned dog food using a below-average amount of turkey or salmon as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand 3.5 stars.
Recommended.
A Final Word
This review is designed to help you make a more informed decision when buying dog food. However, our rating system is not intended to suggest feeding a particular product will result in specific health benefits for your pet.
For a better understanding of how we analyzed this product, please be sure to read our article, “The Problem with Dog Food Reviews”
Remember, no dog food can possibly be appropriate for every life stage, lifestyle or health condition. So, choose wisely. And when in doubt consult a veterinarian for help.
Have an opinion about this dog food… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.
Notes and Updates
06/27/2011 Original review
06/27/2011 Last Update
- Adapted by the Dog Food Advisor and based upon the official definition for chicken published by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, Official Publication, 2008 Edition ↩
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.