Skip to content
In The Kibble
My dogs
LINE VS LINE · BLUE BUFFALO KIBBLE

Blue Buffalo Basics vs Blue Buffalo Freedom

Blue Buffalo Basics vs Blue Buffalo Freedom: a bag from each line with their average protein, fat, starch and calories

Blue Buffalo Basics against Blue Buffalo Freedom, measured across 13 and 12 kibble recipes: 20.6% vs 23.6% protein and 45% vs 41% starch, as fed.

13 kibble recipes reviewed 12 kibble recipes reviewed
THE SHORT VERSION

Main Differences

  • Blue Buffalo Basics averages 20.6% protein as fed, lower than Blue Buffalo Freedom's 23.6% average; fat is close, at 12.6% for Basics and 13.5% for Freedom.
  • Blue Buffalo Basics has an estimated starch average of 45%, higher than Blue Buffalo Freedom's 41%. Basics averages 361 kcal per cup, while Freedom averages 376 kcal per cup.
  • Blue Buffalo Basics is 54% grain-free across its recipes, while Blue Buffalo Freedom is 100% grain-free.
  • Blue Buffalo Basics has 13 recipes across Adult, Senior, and Puppy stages, with 2 Large Breed and 2 Small Breed options; Blue Buffalo Freedom has 12 recipes across the same stages, with 4 Large Breed and 3 Small Breed options.
  • Blue Buffalo Basics has an estimated price per pound of $3.12, while Blue Buffalo Freedom has an estimated price per pound of $2.87.
HEAD TO HEAD

The Two Lines in Figures

Measure Blue Buffalo Basics Blue Buffalo Freedom Average kibble
Kibble recipes compared 13 12 1,747 in total
Protein, as fed 20.6%18.0% to 26.0% 23.6%18.0% to 30.0% 27.2%
Fat, as fed 12.6%9.0% to 15.0% 13.5%9.0% to 18.0% 14.3%
Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. 45%38% to 49% 41%31% to 49% 37%
Calories per cup 361329 to 404 376330 to 434 398
Grain-free recipes 54% 100%
Life stages Adult 11, Senior 1, Puppy 1 Adult 8, Puppy 3, Senior 1
Breed sizes All Breeds 13, Large Breed 2, Small Breed 2 All Breeds 12, Large Breed 4, Small Breed 3
Price per pound, estimate $3.12/lbEstimate, median of 13 of 13 recipesRecipes run $2.90 to $4.09Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 12, 2026 $2.87/lbEstimate, median of 11 of 12 recipesRecipes run $2.44 to $4.00Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026
FDA recalls, last 5 years None None

Line figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that line, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Wet food, toppers and prescription diets are left out so the numbers compare like with like. Everything is as fed, the way the bag prints it; the switch above the table shows protein and fat on a dry matter basis instead. Why we use as fed. The price per pound is an estimate: the median of each recipe's lowest price per pound across the bag sizes and US retailers our price checks found, so a single bag can cost more or less. Shelf prices change often.

WHERE TO START

Top Recipes in Each Line

Blue Buffalo Basics

Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Puppy Turkey and Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 26.0% as fed Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Puppy Turkey and Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 26% Fat 15% Starch 38% 394 kcal/cup Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Small Breed Adult Dog Grain-Free Lamb and Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 42% Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Small Breed Adult Dog Grain-Free Lamb and Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 22% Fat 15% Starch 42% 384 kcal/cup Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Healthy Weight Turkey and Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 329 kcal per cup Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Diet Adult Healthy Weight Turkey and Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 20% Fat 9% Starch 45% 329 kcal/cup

Blue Buffalo Freedom

Blue Freedom Puppy Grain-Free Chicken and Potatoes Recipe Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 27.0% as fed Blue Freedom Puppy Grain-Free Chicken and Potatoes Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 27% Fat 16% Starch 36% 403 kcal/cup Blue Freedom Small Breed Adult Grain-Free Chicken and Potatoes Recipe Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 38% Blue Freedom Small Breed Adult Grain-Free Chicken and Potatoes Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 26% Fat 15% Starch 38% 380 kcal/cup Blue Freedom Adult Grain-Free Healthy Weight Chicken and Potatoes Recipe Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 330 kcal per cup Blue Freedom Adult Grain-Free Healthy Weight Chicken and Potatoes Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 20% Fat 9% Starch 45% 330 kcal/cup
CHOOSING

Who Each Line Suits

A GOOD FIT FOR

Blue Buffalo Basics

  • Owners wanting a grain-inclusive option, since Basics is only 54% grain-free, unlike fully grain-free Freedom.
  • Dogs suited to limited ingredient recipes, since all 13 Basics recipes are labeled Limited Ingredient Diet.
  • Owners seeking lower calorie kibble, since Basics averages 361 kcal per cup versus Freedom's 376.
A GOOD FIT FOR

Blue Buffalo Freedom

  • Owners wanting a fully grain-free line, since Freedom's recipes are 100% grain-free versus Basics' 54%.
  • Owners wanting higher protein, since Freedom averages 23.6% protein and maxes at 30%, versus Basics' 26%.
  • Puppy owners wanting more recipe choice, since Freedom offers 3 puppy recipes versus Basics' 1.
THE WHOLE RANGE

Every Blue Buffalo Line

Line Kibble recipes Protein Fat Starch Kcal / cup Grain-free Price / lb, est.
Wilderness 39 32.0% 14.2% 31% 401 54% $2.90
Life Protection Formula 28 22.9% 13.0% 42% 372 11% $2.35
Basics 13 20.6% 12.6% 45% 361 54% $3.12
Freedom 12 23.6% 13.5% 41% 376 100% $2.87
Carnivora 8 42.3% 18.3% 18% 441 100% Not available
True Solutions 6 25.7% 13.8% 38% 372 0% $2.85
Blue's Stew No kibble; 2 other recipes
Delights No kibble; 5 other recipes
Natural Veterinary Diet No kibble; 12 other recipes
Veterinary diets 12 prescription recipes, fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. Not compared.

Averages over each line's kibble we review, as fed. Lines with only a few recipes swing more on one bag. Price per pound is the same estimate as above.

KEEP COMPARING

More Blue Buffalo Line Comparisons

Blue Buffalo Wilderness vs Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Blue Buffalo Wilderness vs Blue Buffalo Basics Blue Buffalo Wilderness vs Blue Buffalo Freedom Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula vs Blue Buffalo Basics Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula vs Blue Buffalo Freedom

The Blue Buffalo Lines

All Blue Buffalo food Blue Buffalo Wilderness Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Blue Buffalo Basics Blue Buffalo Freedom Blue Buffalo Carnivora Blue Buffalo True Solutions Blue Buffalo Blue's Stew Blue Buffalo Delights Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet

Blue Buffalo Against Other Brands

Blue Buffalo vs Purina Blue Buffalo vs Hill's Blue Buffalo vs Royal Canin Blue Buffalo vs Taste of the Wild Merrick vs Blue Buffalo Wellness vs Blue Buffalo Nutro vs Blue Buffalo Natural Balance vs Blue Buffalo Rachael Ray Nutrish vs Blue Buffalo Iams vs Blue Buffalo Pedigree vs Blue Buffalo Canidae vs Blue Buffalo Fromm vs Blue Buffalo Diamond vs Blue Buffalo Instinct vs Blue Buffalo Solid Gold vs Blue Buffalo NutriSource vs Blue Buffalo Authority vs Blue Buffalo Simply Nourish vs Blue Buffalo

How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brand's own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. The written comparison is drafted from these figures, and every number in it is checked against them. Figures refreshed October 25, 2026.

Keep In The Know,
Know What's In The Bowl

The In the Kibble newsletter. Useful emails for dog owners: what we find inside dog food, how to feed well, and a heads-up when a food is recalled.
DOUBLE OPT-IN // ONE CLICK TO STOP // NEVER SHARED