Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew (Canned)

by Mike Sagman
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Rating: ★★★★★

Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew canned dog food receives the Advisor’s highest rating of 5 stars.

The Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew product line lists five canned dog foods… each designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for adult maintenance.

  • Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew Irish Lamb
  • Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew Hearty Beef
  • Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew Tasty Turkey
  • Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew Hunter’s Stew
  • Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew Country Chicken Stew

Blue Buffalo Hearty Beef Stew Dog Food was selected to represent the others in the line for this review.

Blue Buffalo Hearty Beef Stew

Canned Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 44% | Fat = 28% | Carbs = 20%

Ingredients: Beef, beef broth, water, peas, egg, potato starch, carrots, guar gum, whole potatoes, natural flavor, salt, sodium phosphate, potassium chloride, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin b1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), d-calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), biotin (vitamin B7), folic acid (vitamin B9), vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, iron amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, copper amino acid chelate, manganese amino acid chelate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, choline chloride

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5.6%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

The first ingredient in this dog food lists beef. Beef is defined as “the clean flesh derived from slaughtered cattle” and includes skeletal muscle or the muscle tissues of the tongue, diaphragm, heart or esophagus.1

Beef is naturally rich in all ten essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.

The second ingredient includes beef broth. Broths are nutritionally empty. But because they add moisture to a dog food they are a common finding in many canned products.

The third ingredient is water… which (like beef broth) adds nothing but moisture to this recipe.

The fourth item includes peas. Peas are considered a quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re loaded with fiber.

What’s more, peas contain about 25% protein… protein that must be included as a contributor to the total protein in this food.

The fifth ingredient mentions egg… a desirable addition. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The sixth item lists potato starch. Potato starch is a gluten-free carbohydrate used here more for its thickening properties than its nutritional value.

The seventh ingredient includes carrots. Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene, minerals and dietary fiber.

The eighth ingredient is guar gum… a gelling or thickening agent found in many wet pet foods. Refined from dehusked guar beans, guar gum can add a notable amount of dietary fiber to any product.

The ninth ingredient is potato. Whole potatoes are an excellent source of digestible carbohydrates and other healthy nutrients.

We also note this food 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 Blue’s Stew Dog Food
The Bottom Line

Judging by its ingredients alone, Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew 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 44%, a fat level of 28% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 20%.

As a group, the brand features an average protein content of 43% and a mean fat level of 28%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 21% for the overall product line.

Above-average protein. Above-average fat. And below-average carbs when compared to a typical canned dog food.

Even when you consider the protein-boosting effect of the peas, this looks like the profile of a wet food containing a generous amount of meat.

What’s more, it’s also important to note the absence of any critical Red Flag items.

Bottom line?

Blue Buffalo Blue’s Stew is a meat-based canned dog food using a generous amount of poultry, beef or lamb as its main sources of animal protein… thus earning the brand five stars.

Those looking for a nice kibble from the same company may want to check out our review of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dog Food.

Enthusiastically 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 brand… or maybe the review itself? Please know… we welcome your comments.

Notes and Updates

06/01/2010 Original review
01/01/2011 Review updated
05/25/2011 Review updated (added Hunter’s Stew)

  1. Association of American Feed Control Officials ↩
Dog Food Advisor IconThe Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.


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  • Jan_Mom2Cavs

    Hi Cutler767,
        The Blue Stews, I believe, are grain free as well.  The main difference, Imho, maybe besides different flavors, is that the Stews are more chunky where the Family Favorites are slices.  And, of course, the Wilderness is a pate.

  • Cutler767

    Mike,

    I notice the Blue Wilderness & the blue family lines are both listed as grain free… what about the Blue “Stews”… is this line grain free as well?

    Thank you.

  • Robby

    This was $2.59 a can at Petsmart.
    When I go there I usually pick up 12 to 15 cans of canned Dog Food among various other things.
    Buying this stuff like that will put a dent in the wallet for sure.
    A girl I work with said this food gave her Dog terrible Diarrhea anyway.

  • ShamelessRawFoodie

    Kristy – I never heard of VeRUS canned so I looked it up and here is an example their product, the VéRUS Duck and Potato Formula Canned Dog Food – which doesn’t contain any duck meat, but does have duck liver:
    Duck Broth, Duck Liver, Oats, Potatoes, Canola Oil, Flaxseed Flour, Fish Oil, Alfalfa Sprouts, Dried Kelp . . .
    http://www.veruspetfoods.com/products/for-dogs/canine-cans/verus-duck-and-potato-formula-canned-dog-food.html

  • Kristy

    I am using Taste of the Wild kibble and Verus canned as a topper. It works great for my 2 Mini Aussies and they lo!ve the combination

  • ShamelessRawFoodie

    Re Debbie’s comment from Blue Buffalo: “the food was made in a pet food factory so if a human ate it they would get sick” and “They also warned me not to show the email to anyone.”

    Many companies have a ‘warning’ at the end of their emails. In *most* cases, it is not legally binding. The purpose of the ‘warning’ is to create fear in the recipient and to protect company image. Exceptions could be, for example, confidential government information, or private ‘protected’ information, like copyright material, taxpayer ID #’s, etc. But … anyone in free society is ‘free’ to share general information, even if you were ‘warned’ not to do so. Of course, my comments are not legal advice, so for all who fear many things (Real Food, Free Speech), be sure to pay for an ‘expert’ opinion on the topic.

  • sandy

    Or you could just strain the juice out.

  • sandy

    Dawn,

    I’m wondering if the Weruva was put in the frig before serving, then maybe the fat could just solidify a bit and be spooned off prior to serving?

  • Gordon

    Dawn – I would think that Debbie should heed that warning and not display it publicly like on here. Emails in general are for the intended recipient, but can be publicly aired as a quote and if the writer hasn’t specifically stated that you may not display such quoted email content elsewhere. Otherwise, such practices are legally OK IMO and experience. This is my thoughts as requested, Dawn.

    Debbie – IDK your budget, but if you want to feed your dog what a human can eat, kibble is not your answer. You’ll need to specifically buy quality raw meats from a quality butcher and feed same raw to your dog, while you cook your share for yourself. That accompanied with well mashed up veggies and fruits of about a 20% portion to an 80% portion of raw meat and bone also grinded if you are able to, for your dog.

  • DAWN LEDER

    SANDY
    WERUVA WAS ..THE…ONLY..CANNED FOOD I WOULD USE BUT ITS SOOOO GREASY VERY GREASY AND MY GIRLS HAD TERRIBLE SMELLY LOOSE STOOLS MY ONE JUST ALWAYS KEPT FEELING SHE HAD TO HAVE A BOWEL MOVEMENT :o *( SO I STOPPED GIVING….

  • DAWN LEDER

    DEBBIE
    THEY…WARNED..YOU…NOT…TO SHOW THE EMAIL? WHAT DID THEY SAY? IF YOU SHOW THIS WE’RE GOING TO SUE YOU? IM VERY CURIOUS AND IM SURE EVERYONE HERE THAT FEEDS THIS TO THEIR DARLINS WHAT YOUR CONSEQUENCE WOULD BE IF YOU SHOWED THEIR EMAIL?
    MIKE HAVE YOU EVER SPOKEN TO BLUE? DID THEY WARN YOU ALSO? I WAS PLANNING TO USE BLUE WHEN I DIDNT DEFROST THEIR RAW OR RAN OUT OF RAW ETC……I WOULD LIKE MIKES GORDANS AND JORDANS REACTION TO DEBBIES POST? THANKS :o )

  • Mike P

    I use human grade canned food , But I wouldn’t eat it … She loves Fromms , Wilderness , Wellness 95% and Before Grain canned …I also throw in some Wellness Core … These are the ones I buy , But I also get some brands via coupons …They are all used as toppers …Topping is the best advice Dr Mike ever gave me …

  • sandy

    I just started using Weruva as a topper. It’s awesome! It’s looks so good. It even has a warning on the can – for pets only!

  • Meagan

    Type human-grade in the search box. Helped narrow it down for me. :)

  • Debbie

    I wrote to Blue Buffalo asking them if their food were eaten by a human would the person get sick, I basically wanted to know if the food were human grade and they replied to me that the food was made in a pet food factory so if a human ate it they would get sick. They also warned me not to show the email to anyone. I saved though. I want a food that has human grade ingredients including the meat. Can someone aim me in the right direction? I have used California Natural, Evo an Innova but since Natura was bought by Proctor & Gamble I do not use it anymore.

    Thanks,
    Debbie

  • Decontee

    Hi I’m going to be a first time dog owner finally I’m so happy I know for a fact its going to be a small breed do u know of any puppy wet and dry natural or organic foods that aren’t two pricey

  • Janie

    Thanks so much Mike and Jonathan. I am feeding the blue buffalo stews and also the wilderness canned along with wilderness dry but the store I am having to buy from (Petsense) is not carrying very much of the stews but they do carry the family favorites recipe but was not sure of the rating. Thanks again and Mike I know you are busy but will be checking back later ..

  • Jonathan

    Janie, they do appear to be grain-free. The dry matter GA looks good, too.

    Protein 44%
    Fat 27%
    Carbs 22% (5% fiber)

    That’s about the same as the above food, so I’d speculate that Mike will give the Family Favorites 4 1/2 to 5-stars. I wouldn’t hesitate to feed this to my Sadie… in fact, she has eaten it before and loved it!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Janie… Blue Buffalo Family Favorites is currently awaiting review. Planning to get to it very soon. But keeping up with the current spate of recipe changes and the launch of our new pet food retail store directory has slowed me down a lot. Hope to get to this one in the near future. Thanks for the reminder.

  • Janie

    Mike I was wondering if you have a rating on the Blue Buffalo Family favorites recipe wet food and if it is grain free ? I can find a rating on the other products but not that one. It is Mom’s chicken pie, backyard bbq, turkey day feast, turducken, and a new one shepherd’s pie.
    Thank you for your great work.

  • Janie

    Thanks Mike it could have been just the salmon that upset them since they never had eaten it before. I know I will not try that flavor again just incase that is what upset their stomach. I use blue wilderness dry and the beef and chicken stews and they do really great..Thanks for your great site .

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Janie… Just checked it out and updated the review to include the new product. Pretty much a carbon copy of the line’s design. Same rating. Thanks for the tip.

  • Janie

    Mike was wondering if you have heard anything about the new stew that Blue has out called Hunter stew ? I fed it the other day to my shih poo and my 2 shih tzu’s ..a few hours later my shih poo was vomiting and continued that night. By the next morning she wasn’t vomiting but just laid around for a couple of days and wouldn’t eat but did drink water. The two Shih Tzu’s had loose stools but no vomiting. I then noticed salmon in the new Hunter stew and they had never had salmon before. All three of my babies are fine now but it was a scary few days.
    Was wondering if anyone else had the problem with the new stew..All three of mine eat the other stews with no problem except my 3 year old Shih Tzu name Jack vomits if he eats the Lamb so none of them get that either..

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Peggy… With Bailey, we change different recipes of the same kibble brand. Then after rotating through all the flavors in that brand a couple of times, we’ll try another brand. For more information, please visit our FAQ page and look for the topic, “Diet Rotation for Dogs”. Hope this helps.

  • Peggy

    Mike, love the site. Just wondering, on a rotation diet, as the kibble is changed should it be same brand diff protein source, diff brand same protein source OR diff brand diff protein source? I change protein source of her wet food as the can runs out but am sort of at a loss with kibble. I stick with Wellness 95% & BB Stews for the wet. No known food allergies for my 1yr old Amer. Bulldog mix. She’s on BB Wilderness Salmon now. Any thoughts?

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Erin… There’s no way anyone could know the answer to your question. You’ll have to give it a try. Just introduce the beef slowly.

  • erin

    If our dog has been eating everything but beef and she is 13 years old, might she have a problem with an introduction of beef at this point?

  • Clyde Newell

    I am overjoyed with this website. Thank you for providing the information to people and giving us the knowledge to make the right choice for our pets. They are our family and I will do whatever it takes to protect our Jessie. We have had her for 1 month and thought Natures Recipie was a good food, apparently not. Thank You.