Blue Buffalo Longevity (Dry)

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Rating: ★★★★☆

Blue Buffalo Longevity Dog Food gets the Advisor’s second-highest rating of four stars.

Currently, the Blue Buffalo Longevity brand lists three kibbles… the puppy formula designed to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles for growth and maintenance whereas the other two are targeted for adult maintenance only.

  • Blue Buffalo Dog Food Longevity Adult
  • Blue Buffalo Dog Food Longevity Puppy
  • Blue Buffalo Dog Food Longevity Mature

Blue Buffalo Longevity Adult Dog Food was selected to represent all three in the line for this review.

Blue Buffalo Longevity Adult

Dry Dog Food

Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content

Protein = 27% | Fat = 12% | Carbs = 53%

Ingredients: Deboned whitefish, menhaden fish meal (natural source of omega 3 fatty acids), whole ground brown rice, whole ground barley, oatmeal, potatoes, peas, eggs, rice bran, chicken fat (naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), natural fish flavor, oat bran, carrots, spinach, broccoli, tomatoes (natural source of lycopene), apples, blueberries, cranberries, glucosamine hydrochloride, flaxseed (natural source of omega 3 fatty acids), barley grass, turmeric, dried kelp, yucca schidigera extract, alfalfa, parsley, garlic, salt, sunflower oil (natural source of omega 6 fatty acids), herring oil (natural source of omega 3 fatty acids), l-carnitine, l-lysine, taurine, beta-carotene, calcium phosphate, 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, calcium ascorbate (source of vitamin C), vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin E supplement, iron amino acid complex (source of chelated iron), zinc amino acid complex (source of chelated zinc), manganese amino acid complex (source of chelated manganese), copper amino acid complex (source of chelated copper), cobalt proteinate (source of chelated cobalt), calcium carbonate, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, dried chicory root, black malted barley, choline chloride, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium, rosemary extract

Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 5%

Red items when present indicate controversial ingredients

The first ingredient in this dog food is whitefish. Raw fish contains almost 80% water. After cooking, most of that moisture is lost… lowering the actual meat content to just 20% of its initial weight.

To reflect its lighter mass, this item should more accurately occupy a much lower position on the list.

Which brings us to menhaden fish meal… the second and (more likely) the dominant meat ingredient in this dog food.

Menhaden are small ocean fish related to herring. They’re rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

Menhaden fish meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh fish.

Due to assurances made by the company on its website (and unlike most other fish meals), this item appears to be ethoxyquin-free.

The third item is brown rice. Brown rice is a quality ingredient… a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) is fairly easy to digest.

The fourth ingredient is barley. Barley is a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. Unlike grains with a higher glycemic index (like rice), barley can help support stable blood sugar levels in dogs. This is a quality grain ingredient.

The fifth ingredient is oatmeal… a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in fiber, B-vitamins and is (unlike many other grains) mostly gluten-free.

The sixth ingredient is potato. Assuming they are whole, potatoes are a good source of digestible carbohydrates and other healthy nutrients.

The seventh item mentions peas. Peas are another quality source of carbohydrates. Plus (like all legumes) they’re loaded with fiber.

The eighth ingredient lists eggs. Eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.

The ninth ingredient is rice bran… a by-product of rice milling. Though not as nutritionally complete as whole grain rice, brans are still unusually rich in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.

The tenth ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken… a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.

Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid… an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.

From here, the list goes on to include a number of other healthy items.

But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to have much of an effect on the overall quality of this product.

Garlic is a controversial item. In rare cases, garlic has been linked to Heinz body anemia in dogs.1

Most of the professional literature we surveyed did not provide any conclusive warnings regarding the use of garlic… especially in small amounts (as it is here).

Although we see no reason to be overly concerned, we do feel it is a mistake to include such controversial ingredients in any dog food product.

The manufacturer appears to have added back some of the “good” bacteria lost during the cooking process. These special probiotics are used to enhance a dog’s digestive and immune functions.

This dog food also contains chelated mineralsminerals that have been chemically attached to amino acids. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are generally found in better dog foods.

Blue Buffalo Longevity Dog Food… the Bottom Line

Whether or not its claimed anti-aging recipe actually accomplishes its goal remains to be seen. Just the same, Blue Buffalo Longevity looks like a winning kibble.

Yet it’s still crucial to estimate the brand’s meat content before determining a final rating.

The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 27%, a fat level of 12% and an estimated carbohydrate content of 53%.

Featuring a brand average of 27%, protein numbers range from a low of 24% for the Mature recipe to a high of 29% for the Puppy.

Fat was 12% for the group.

Average protein. Low fat. And above-average carbohydrates… when compared to a typical dry dog food.

This is the profile of a kibble containing only a moderate amount of meat. Yet the product is notable for its lack of any lower-quality, plant-based protein enhancers or critical Red Flag items.

Bottom line?

Blue Buffalo Longevity is primarily a grain-based kibble using a reasonable amount of menhaden fish meal as its main source of animal protein… thus earning the brand four stars.

Highly recommended.

Those looking for a higher-grade kibble from the same company may want to check out our review of Blue Buffalo Wilderness.

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

11/28/2009 Original review
05/24/2010 Review updated

  1. Yamato et al, Heinz Body hemolytic anemia with eccentrocytosis from ingestion of Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) and garlic (Allium sativum) in a dog, Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 41:68-73 (2005)
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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  • Dominique Hock

    Frisketa (my chihuahua) actually has a thyroid problem (as is common with most older chihuahuas and the cause for excessive weight gain) so I have her on thyroid medication (half a pill per day) so that should take care of any weight issues (she’s lost 2 lbs in the last 2 months :) )

    The wilderness says it has glucosamine and other vitamins and minerals for joint and bone health so I’m not too worried about that. I just want to make sure she is healthy since she has been with me since I was 7 years old… she has been a great friend (the very best!) and deserves the best in life :)

  • sandy

    Dominique,

    Senior foods usually have reduced fat and protein which equals more filler and senior dogs (without health conditions like pancreatitis or other) do not require this lower fat and protein. Some senior foods also have added glucosamine and chondriotin for joints, but the food will not have enough to be medically effective. If these supplements are something you require for your dog, then a separate supplement would be better or even giving your dog a chicken wing everday. Dogs don’t chew their food. There teeth are meant for tearing flesh and swallowing whole pieces of meat. They might crunch down on it a time or two but for the most part they swallow whole kibbles. I’ve haven’t used the small breed Wellness, but have used Amicus and it is tiny kibbles – one of the smallest I’ve used since it is for Toy dogs.
    http://www.amicuspetfood.com/ Amicus Senior (or regular adult) would be a good option for your guy. It does not compromise in the meat department.

  • Dominique Hock

    Ok thank you very much!
    I’m not confused, I am educated on feeds quite well (mostly horse feeds were there is a large difference between senior feeds and adult feeds :) ) I want to feed a raw diet but I can’t even afford to buy fresh fruits and vegetables for myself since I’m trying to supporr my horse and animals while attending college (majoring in animal sciences) I’m only 18 too lol. I thought the senior provided added nutrients for an older dog and was easier on digestion since they may not be able to chew quite as well (my dog just had 6 teeth pulled) and I’m not talking about dry vs canned food, I mix it up but my dog doesn’t care for canned food too much. Thank you for the info! I will plan on feeding the small breed wilderness to my dog and regular wilderness to my cat. :)

  • sandy

    Dominique,

    The cat and dog will do best with just the Wildnerness. Adding Longevity and Senior/Mature to the Wilderness defeats the purpose of feeding Wilderness…grain free/high protein. You’ll actually reduce the amount of protein and be adding grains with this mixture which would be the opposite of feeding just Wildernss. Also Longevity is just a marketing tactic and so is Senior/Mature. Just because the dog is 10 does not mean he automatically gets a lower protein food filled with grains. He still requires as much (if not more) protein than an “adult” formula. Am I confusing you?

    To get a good mix or rotation of foods go with foods like Wilderness…Wellness core, Before Grain, Amicus, Instinct, etc (all grain free/high protein). Since there is not one perfect brand of food, rotating between brands will make sure your pet doesn’t “overdose” or “underdose” on one brands nutrients/vitamins/mineral content.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Dominique… I know how important it is to give your dog the best. However, and unfortunately, due to the biological uniqueness of each pet, I cannot provide customized product comparisons for each reader. For more help, please check out my reviews and visit our FAQ page. Look for the topic, “Help Me Choose a Dog Food”. Or check back for a possible response from one of our other readers. Wish I could be more help.

  • Dominique Hock

    I have a ten year ols Chihuahua, had her since birth. I have been wanting to switch her to bb for a long time, but I just moved out for college so that was put on hold, anyways, I finally bought dry food for my dog and cat (axfter my horse ate Frisketa’s old food it was proving there was too much grain in there and not enough meat ) (I’m in the transition process right now. I bought small breed wilderness and small breed mature life protection and mixed them. But was wondering if it would be more beneficial to buy the longevity mature with small breed wilderness, or all three and mix them. I want my dog to have the best of everything! :) I bought wilderness and longevity mature for my cat and ha e those mixed, but am wondering about life protection mature/senior. I think my main question is which is better, life protection senior small breed/cat mature or longevity mature dog/cat. Either way I want to keep the wilderness in their diet.

  • Gordon

    David – Your vet advised the truth re the requirement about dogs suffering pancreatitis, should be on a low fat diet. But not about dogs eating grass is a symptom of pancreatitis. That’s ridiculous. Grass eating has various reasons to it, but not that one. All the reasons, mind you, are harmless ones.

    You could consider Wellness Core Reduced Fat which has a higher protein level and about 1 point lower in fat than this formula. You want to also try and limit the carbohydrate level. And whilst its a hard ask to get all the levels just right when it comes to kibble, I would say Wellness Core Reduced Fat is better than this one and healthier re its ingredients list!

    Blue Buffalo have some good formulas too, but even with this particular formula’s low fat level, this one ain’t so good. If your dog does well on it, and its pancreatitis is contained then who’s to say you should change formulas and brands? Just laying out some other options that were off the top of my head, because I’d read a number of times now that people have had good success with the Wellness formula I mentioned.

  • Michelle

    David, if eating grass is a symptom of pancreatitis then both my dogs have it. lol :)

  • David

    Also, she has “good quality” poop on the Blue Buffalo – and has stopped eating grass and other greenery (which again we’re told is a symptom of pancreatitis).

    We also like that it’s easy to source this food from national chain pet stores, and reasonably priced too (though no food is too costly for our little “bundle of joy”).

    I agree that it makes sense to “give your senior dog as much quality protein as you can”, but we’ve had trouble finding high protein without higher fat. BB seems to be the answer – at least for us.

  • David

    Through a random screening, we found out that our 12-year old Wheaton has developed pancreatitis. Our vet recommended Hills w/d, and we went with the recommendation. After a week on Hills, we took it all back, did some research on this site, and chose the blue buffalo longevity – mostly because of it’s lower fat content which we’re told is key to managing pancreatitis.

    Long story short, she loves it and seems to have more energy on this food. We’d recommend it to anyone looking to control fat in their pets’ diet.

  • Michelle

    sandy, great advice! I sometimes buy puppy formulas because they tend to have a little more protein.( both my dogs are adults) And I also add meat, eggs, and sardines to my dogs meals. Emily, sandy’s advice is spot on, stay away from senior dog food. Give your senior dog as much quality protein as you can.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Amen, Sandy! This whole “seniors need less meat ” thing simply defies science (and logic). I hope my family doesn’t do this to me. Thanks for leaving this comment. And I only hope others will take this message to heart.

  • sandy

    Seniors need and require as much protein as a regular adult. I would feed just “adult” food. When my dog turns 8 yrs old, i will not automatically reduce his meat portion because that would be rediculous. “senior” food is a marketing tactic. It is just their reason to take away some meat and use more filler. Same goes for “diet” or “lite” or “healthy skin formula”.

    Taken from the Orijen White Paper:
    The belief that senior dogs need less protein is false. Senior dogs should be fed a diet that is high in protein, with low carbohydrates and moderate amounts of fat (too little fat leaves your dog feeling hungry all the time, which can make it harder for them to lose weight). Diets formulated on a low protein premise are full of fiber, have higher levels of carbohydrates and reduced amounts of protein and fat.
    This results in dogs that are less satisfied causing them to appear hungry and beg for more food. These ingredients lead to the loss of coat and skin quality and they do not lead to any weight loss. More recent studies show that it is harmful to restrict protein in senior dogs, and that high quality proteins are needed for our older pets. Protein restriction for healthy older dogs is not only unnecessary, it can be detrimental. Protein requirements actually increase by about 50% in older dogs, while their energy requirements tend to decrease.
    When insufficient protein is provided, it can aggravate the age-associated loss of lean body mass and may contribute to earlier mortality.
    http://www.championpetfoods.com/library/

    Do not feed Senior Food!!!

  • Emily

    I have an 8 year old Siberian Husky. Last year per our vets suggestion, we switched to Iams Active Maturity. She felt he should be on a Senior Food. We had a very hard time switching over. I mixed about 1/4 cup of the Iams with his regular food and then slowly started adding more and taking the old away. He finally became accustomed to it and seemed to do okay. This year I have been seeing a lot of allergy type problems with him. Runny eyes, itchy ears, itchy skin, and so on. I’ve seen others complain about this and the Iams brand. I did some research and looked at the ratings on this website and decided to go with Blue Buffalo Longevity. He LOVES this food. I am now wondering if it’s okay since it isn’t a “senior” food. What do you think? He’s due at the vet soon and I plan to talk with her about this, but I also wanted another opinion. Thanks!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Barbara… Orijen and Blue Buffalo are both above-average products. Yet no matter which food you decide to use, be sure to transition to the new food very gradually over a period lasting at least 7 to 10 days. And before you try another brand, allow enough time for your dog to adjust to her new diet.

  • Barbara

    I have a 10 month old yellow lab. She is very active. Runs 1 1/2 to 2 hours 4 x time a week at the Dog Park. Was feeding her Hills Scientific Diet when I received her as a 12 week old puppy. Upon reading on your site that is was not that good a food, I started using Orijen – recommended at Sniglets Dog Store. Noticed her stools were always mushy. So after talking with other dog owners, they recommended Blue Buffalo. I have gradually weaned her off the Orijen and she is now on the BB. But someday the stools are nice, other times mushy????? I’m at wits end. Should I try Innova? My pup is active and having soft stools doesn’t bother her at all.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Chris… Both of these products are AAFCO rated for adult maintenance. So, unless your dog is a puppy, there’s no reason to restrict the length of time your dog is fed these products. However, most “senior” type foods are typically low in meat-based protein. Unless your pet is being treated for kidney failure, you may wish to consult with your vet.

  • Chris Pollett

    Hi Mike,

    I would like your opinion on this — I have a 9-year old Black Lab who was recently diagnosed with an enlarged heart. He is on heart meds and water pills. He has been on Blue Buffalo for about four years (regular healthy weight formula), the last year being on BB Longevity-Mature formula. I did a lot of research on this product and liked the ingredients, ratio and food sources, especially to keep his weight down (he’s 117 pounds) and provide nutritional boost for his health condition. A friend of mine recently told me a Blue Buffalo store rep told her that a dog should not be on BB Longevity-Mature or Adult formulas for longer than six months at a time. I asked through my local Petsmart about this claim, and they had never heard of it. I am going to contact Blue Buffalo directly, but wondered what your thoughts might be on this? Thanks.

  • Jonathan

    That is strange, Victoria. I have hundreds of customers who buy Blue for their dogs and have never heard of this problem with Longevity, or any of their products… maybe it’s a contaminant from your local distributor?

  • Victoria

    Blue Buffalo may be a quality food but I have just one warning! Every dog I know eating Blue Buffalo is also eating their poop. Yuck! I have 3 older dogs and they never did this until I switched them to Longevity. My daughter’s dogs, and several friends dogs have done the same thing. Needless to say, we are all switching!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi JP… Per our review, this product is rated 4 stars. Just be sure to use the Puppy formula. The other two are for adult maintenance only and not appropriate for growing dogs.

  • Jonathan

    Welcome, JP! Sure, this food would be good… but there are better dry foods. If you want a 5-star food for around the same price, take a look at Earthborn Primitive Natural. Oh, and actually, Blue has a grain-free wilderness puppy food due out soon that’s sure to be 5-star.

  • JP

    Hi guys I’m new to the world of puppies. I have a golden retriever thats only 4 months old and i wanted to know if this brand would be good for him

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi DeAnn… Unfortunately, I cannot provide customized reviews and product comparisons for each reader. For more help, please check out my reviews and visit our FAQ page. Look for the topic, “Help Me Choose a Dog Food”. Or check back for a possible response from one of our other readers.

  • Jonathan

    DeAnn, weight gain is simply proportional to the amount of calories fed. The quality of calories can vary with different effects, but with 4-star foods, just use the calories per cup information and use Mike’s calculator to help determine their daily caloric needs.

  • DeAnn

    I just recently started my small yorkies on Blue Adult Small Kibble Chicken. They love it, My question is regarding any weight gain from this product been noted? Would the Longevity variety be a better choice. They are both very small 2.5 lb and 4 lbs dogs. Thank you

  • Kris Rainwater

    I contacted the Blue company and asked if any of their products contain Ethoxyquin, and they replied that none of their products contain it.

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Emily… It’s difficult to find any kibble that’s not fairly high carbs. For kibbles are bakery products. Almost all of them are based (to varying degrees) on carbs. But high meat content is (in many foods) synonymous with higher fat, too. If you’re concerned about preventing pancreatitis, you may want to look for a 4 or 5-star kibble with fat below average (15% or less). Hope this helps.

  • Emily

    Hi!
    I currently have a 8 month old yorkie puppy on Blue Buffalo Longevity. She really enjoys it and does very will on it. I guess I am confused about carbohydrates and I am wondering if this food may be to carb heavy. I have read alot about protein but to be honest higher protein levels scare me, I am still not totally sold on feeding a 5 pound dog super high protein/ fat levels, especially since yorkies are so prone to pancretitis. I really like the fat and the protein levels of this food but I am not sure about the carbs?.. Any suggestions?

    Thanks!

  • http://DogFoodAdvisor.com Mike Sagman

    Hi Gloria… I can certainly understand your desire to help Jake get well. However, since I’m not a veterinarian, I haven’t been properly trained to provide you with the kind of sound professional advice you’re looking for.

    In any case, you should be able to find a good quality low fat, low calorie dog food at your local feed store. Just browse through our list of 4 and 5-star dog foods and look for one that meets your qualifications.

    Of course, since your baby is so sick, you should probably first discuss your chosen food with your vet.

  • gloria waco

    Hi, I would really appreciate your opinion on this; I have a senior German Shepherd, Jake, who is between 10 and 12 years of age. He just had a blood test and it showed his Alkaline Phosphitates level extremely high, at 622.

    His cholesterol was also high, at 328. He weighs about 80 pounds. He is having extreme difficulty getting up and laying down and is panting a bit too much.

    I was told to put him on a reduced fat, reduced calorie dry dog food and Royal Canin Controlled Calorie Dry Dog Food was suggested. I was not able thus far to get a list of the ingredients in their food but was told they have a High Fiber and the regular RCCC available.

    I would prefer to get a 4 or 5 star dog food at Centinela Pet Feed or at Petco rather than have to do special orders.

    Which food do you recommend that are best suited for Jake that I can purchase at a pet store? Or, do you recommend foods like Blue Mountain or Flynt Ranch?

    I really need your help on this as I would like him to eat only the best.

    Thank you for any suggestions you can give me.

    Best.

    Gloria Waco