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
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 minerals… minerals 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
- 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) ↩
The Dog Food Advisor publishes independent reviews to help pet owners make better choices when shopping for dog food.
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