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LINE VS LINE · BLUE BUFFALO KIBBLE

Blue Buffalo Wilderness vs Blue Buffalo Basics

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

Blue Buffalo Wilderness against Blue Buffalo Basics, measured across 39 and 13 kibble recipes: 32.0% vs 20.6% protein and 31% vs 45% starch, as fed.

39 kibble recipes reviewed 13 kibble recipes reviewed
THE SHORT VERSION

Main Differences

  • Wilderness recipes average 32% protein as fed, ranging from 28 to 36%. Basics recipes average 20.6% protein as fed, ranging from 18 to 26%.
  • Fat levels are close: Wilderness recipes average 14.2% fat as fed, Basics recipes average 12.6% fat as fed.
  • Estimated starch averages 31% as fed in Wilderness and 45% as fed in Basics. Both lines share the same grain-free share, 54% of recipes.
  • Wilderness recipes average 401 kcal per cup, Basics recipes average 361 kcal per cup. Wilderness's estimated price per pound is $2.87; Basics's is $3.12.
  • Wilderness has 39 kibble recipes across Adult, Puppy and Senior stages, with 9 Large Breed and 5 Small Breed recipes. Basics has 13 recipes, mostly Adult, with 2 Large Breed and 2 Small Breed recipes.
HEAD TO HEAD

The Two Lines in Figures

Measure Blue Buffalo Wilderness Blue Buffalo Basics Average kibble
Kibble recipes compared 39 13 1,747 in total
Protein, as fed 32.0%28.0% to 36.0% 20.6%18.0% to 26.0% 27.2%
Fat, as fed 14.2%9.0% to 16.0% 12.6%9.0% to 15.0% 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. 31%23% to 37% 45%38% to 49% 37%
Calories per cup 401347 to 454 361329 to 404 398
Grain-free recipes 54% 54%
Life stages Adult 29, Puppy 6, Senior 4 Adult 11, Senior 1, Puppy 1
Breed sizes All Breeds 38, Large Breed 9, Small Breed 5 All Breeds 13, Large Breed 2, Small Breed 2
Price per pound, estimate $2.90/lbEstimate, median of 34 of 39 recipesRecipes run $1.18 to $6.66Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 25, 2026 $3.12/lbEstimate, median of 13 of 13 recipesRecipes run $2.90 to $4.09Prices checked Sep 28, 2026 to Oct 12, 2026
FDA recalls, last 5 years None2 older, not counted 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 Wilderness

Blue Wilderness Puppy Chicken plus Wholesome Grains Recipe Dry Dog Food Most protein in the line, 36.0% as fed Blue Wilderness Puppy Chicken plus Wholesome Grains Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 36% Fat 16% Starch 27% 428 kcal/cup Blue Wilderness Adult Chicken-Free Lamb Recipe Dry Dog Food Least starch in the line, about 23% Blue Wilderness Adult Chicken-Free Lamb Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 33% Fat 15% Starch 23% 422 kcal/cup Blue Wilderness Adult Large Breed Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food Fewest calories in the line, 347 kcal per cup Blue Wilderness Adult Large Breed Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food Protein 28% Fat 9% Starch 37% 347 kcal/cup

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
CHOOSING

Who Each Line Suits

A GOOD FIT FOR

Blue Buffalo Wilderness

  • Owners seeking higher protein kibble, since Wilderness recipes average 32% protein as fed.
  • Owners of large or small breeds, since Wilderness offers 9 Large and 5 Small Breed recipes.
  • Senior dog owners, since Wilderness offers 4 Senior recipes such as Senior Chicken-Free Lamb Recipe.
A GOOD FIT FOR

Blue Buffalo Basics

  • Owners of dogs on limited-ingredient diets, since all 13 Basics recipes are Limited Ingredient Diet recipes.
  • Owners needing fewer calories, since Basics's recipe made for healthy weight is 329 kcal per cup.
  • Owners wanting lower protein kibble, since Basics recipes average 20.6% protein as fed.
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 Freedom Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula vs Blue Buffalo Basics Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula vs Blue Buffalo Freedom Blue Buffalo Basics 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.

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