NutriSource vs Blue Buffalo
NutriSource against Blue Buffalo, measured across 66 and 108 kibble recipes: 26.2% vs 27.7% protein and 37% vs 36% starch, as fed.
How They Differ
- Protein is close: 26.2% for NutriSource and 27.7% for Blue Buffalo as fed.
- Starch is similar, about 37% for NutriSource and 36% for Blue Buffalo as fed.
- NutriSource is more calorie dense, 429 kcal per cup on average against 387, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
Side by Side
Protein and fat:
| Measure | NutriSource | Blue Buffalo | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 66 | 108 | 1,747 in total |
| Protein, as fed | 26.2%22.0% to 38.0% | 27.7%18.0% to 46.0% | 27.2% |
| Fat, as fed | 14.9%8.0% to 21.0% | 13.9%9.0% to 20.0% | 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. | 37%24% to 44% | 36%14% to 49% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 429340 to 531 | 387323 to 479 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 100% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 47% | 47% | |
| Most used proteins | Fish 65%, Turkey 56%, Chicken 48% | Chicken 70%, Fish 65%, Egg 45% | |
| Recipes with corn, wheat, soy | Corn 0%, Wheat 3%, Soy 0% | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | |
| By-products | 0% | 0% | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None1 older in the archive | None2 older in the archive | |
| Made by | KLN Family Brands | General Mills |
Brand figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that brand, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Freeze-dried, frozen, wet food and toppers are left out so the numbers compare like with like, and so are prescription diets, which are fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. 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, which takes the water out so foods of different moisture compare evenly. Why we use as fed.
The Closest Matching Recipes
Brand averages hide the recipe you would actually buy. These are the pairs that come closest on protein, fat and starch, preferring recipes built on the same main protein, which is where a like-for-like choice gets made.
NutriSource Grain-Free Senior Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 28%
Fat 12%
Starch 37%
Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Senior Red Meat Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Protein 28%
Fat 12%
Starch 37%
Compare these two in full
Which Fits Your Dog
- For a dog that gains weight easily, Blue Buffalo is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: NutriSource runs from 22% to 38% protein as fed and Blue Buffalo from 18% to 46%, so the right recipe matters more than the name on the bag.
Recall History
FDA recall notices from the last five years that name the brand or its maker. Older notices sit in each brand's archive below: still on the record, but not counted, since a recall that old says more about how a company used to run than how it runs now.
NutriSource
No FDA recalls in our record for NutriSource in the last five years.
Archive: 1 older recall
Nutri Source. Pure Vita Salmon Entrée Dog Food
Blue Buffalo
No FDA recalls in our record for Blue Buffalo in the last five years.
Archive: 2 older recalls
BLUE Wilderness, Rocky Mountain Recipe. Dog food
Blue Wilderness. Cub Size - Wild Chews
About the Brands
NutriSource
NutriSource is a dog and cat food brand made by Tuffy's Pet Foods, part of the Nelson family's KLN Family Brands in Perham, Minnesota. Its lines include NutriSource, PureVita, Choice and Element Series, with dry food, wet food, treats and toppers. The company says its recipes are built around its Good 4 Life gut-health system.
Based in Perham, MN. Every NutriSource food we review
Blue Buffalo
Blue is the pet food brand of the Blue Buffalo Company, which has been owned by General Mills since 2018. Its dog food lines include Life Protection Formula, Wilderness, Basics, Freedom and the fresh Love Made Fresh range. The company says its recipes start with real meat and exclude corn, wheat, soy and poultry by-product meals.
Based in Wilton, CT, since 2003. Every Blue Buffalo food we review
More Brand Comparisons
How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brands' own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. Figures refreshed October 25, 2026.
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