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laresearchette · 3 years ago

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Saturday, February 19, 2022 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHAT IS NOT PREMIERING IN CANADA TONIGHT? CAUGHT IN HIS WEB (Premiering on February 20 on Lifetime Canada at 8:00pm)

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

CRAVE TV BOB THE BUILDER (Season 3, Episodes 1-13) DENVER THE LAST DINOSAUR (Season 1, Episodes 21-40) SAM SAM (Season 2, Episodes 1-15) THOMAS & FRIENDS (Season 20) THOMAS & FRIENDS: THE GREAT RACE THOMAS & FRIENDS: JOURNEY BEYOND SODOR THOMAS & FRIENDS: SODORS LEGENDS OF THE LOST TREASURE THOMAS & FRIENDS: TALE OF THE BRAVE

WINTER OLYMPICS (CBC) 5:00pm: Speed skating- Men's and Women's mass start, and Cross-country skiing- Men's 50km mass start free. (CBC/TSN2/TSN4) 6:00pm: Figure skating, Pairs free; Men's hockey, bronze medal game (Sweden vs. Slovakia) (CBC/SN1/SN) 7:00am: Women's Curling: Bronze Medal, Women's Bobsleigh & Men's Hockey: Bronze Medal (SNPacific) 7:00pm: Figure skating, pairs short; and Men's hockey semifinal, ROC vs. Sweden. (CBC/SN/TSN4) 12:00pm: Hockey Show (CBC) 1:00pm: Beijing Today (SN) 1:00pm: Men’s Curling, Gold Medal Game (SN) 5:30pm: Hockey Show (CBC) 6:30pm: Primetime Coverage (TSN) 8:00pm: Women's curling, Gold Medal Game (CBC) 11:00pm: Men's Hockey, Gold Medal Game(CBC) 1:45am: Cross-Country Skiing (CBC) 3:30am: Women's curling, Gold Medal Game

ARNOLD CLARK CUP (TSN4/TSN5) 1:00pm: England vs. Canada

NHL HOCKEY (SN1) 1:00pm: Avalanche vs. Sabres (SNWest/TSN3) 4:00pm: Oilers vs. Jets (SN/SN360/City TV) 7:00pm: Blues vs. Leafs (SN1/SNEast) 7:00pm: Bruins vs. Sens (SNWest/SN1) 10:00pm: Kraken vs. Flames (SN Now/SN/SN360) 10:00pm: Ducks vs. Canucks

AHL HOCKEY (SN Now) 4:00pm: Belleville Senators vs. Toronto Marlies

TORN FROM HER ARMS (CTV Life) 6:05pm: A mother and daughter who fled violence in El Salvador must find their way back to each other after being separated at the U.S. border and detained in detention centers in different states.

W5 (CTV) 7:00pm: Ready to Rumble; Without Consent?: Indigenous women who endured forced sterilization search for accountability; a Canadian social media company has become the darling of American conservatives.

NBA BASKETBALL (TSN3/TSN4) 8:00pm: All-Star Saturday Night

CROSSWORD MYSTERIES: TERMINAL DESCENT (CTV) 8:00pm: When Tess prepares for a crossword challenge against a supercomputer, the engineer behind it gets murdered, spurring her and Logan to seek answers before they become the next victims.

THE WEDDING VEIL LEGACY (W Network) 8:00pm: Tracy, the last of three friends to take possession of an antique wedding veil they purchased together, soon becomes cynical about its legend.

SONG & STORY: AMAZING GRACE (CTV Life) 8:00pm: A young artist and a store owner form an unlikely friendship. The two women find out their paths are intertwined by a surprising connection.

CARNIVAL EATS (Food Network Canada) 8:00pm/8:30pm: Noah heads to the Eaton County Fair, where he samples the PB Battered Burger, then tries Pina Colada Shrimp Tacos, fried zucchini Z'achos and a Super Fried Strawberry Shortcake; Noah visits the Montgomery County Fair in Gaithersburg, Md. In Episode Two, Noah visits the Wilson County Fair in Lebanon, Tenn. and tries Tennessee Hot Chicken and tastes Meme's Meatloaf Sammy; Noah enjoys the Three Little Pigs Melt and tries Buffalo Chicken Stromboli at the Pickaway County Fair in Circleville, Ohio.

COOKING UP LOVE (Super Channel Heart & Home) 8:00pm: Sparks fly between a contestant on a reality TV cooking show and the handsome founder of a fast-food chain.

THE WAY OF THE CHEETAH (Nat Geo Wild) 9:00pm: A cheetah mother and how she protects her cubs.

DREAM HORSE (Crave) 9:00pm: The true story of Dream Alliance, an unlikely racehorse bred by bartender Jan Vokes. With very little money and no experience, Jan convinces her neighbors to chip in their meager earnings to help raise Dream and compete with the racing elites.

DOORS (Super Channel Fuse) 9:00pm: Without explanation or warning, a number of mysterious alien doors suddenly appear in every corner of the globe. Soon, the government enlists brave volunteers to enter the doors so that we might learn more about their origin and purpose.

HOT ONES (Global) 12:30am: Andrew Zimmern

#cdntv #cancon #canadian tv #canadian tv listings #W5 #carnival eats #hot ones #winter olympics #soccer #nhl hockey #nba basketball

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centralparkpawsblog · 5 years ago

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4health Dog Food vs Blue Buffalo

https://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/4health-dog-food-brand-from-Tractor-Supply-Company-review-history.jpg

Sometimes it’s hard to step outside your comfort zone as a dog parent when you’re so used to seeing the same brands on the shelves at your local store.

I know I figured that when I brought Maggie home, she would always use the same brand for her food, but life doesn’t always work that way.

You may be looking into changing your dog’s kibble for a variety of reasons, but you’re not sure where to start.

There are so many brands out there to compare, which is why you should always research products before you buy anything.

Check out this comparison of Blue Buffalo and 4health dog food.

You may discover something about 4health that changes your mind or you could end up relying on a big name brand like Blue Buffalo for your dog’s nutritional needs.

4health Company Overview

If you’ve never been inside a Tractor Supply store, you’ve probably never heard of 4health.

It’s a Tractor Supply kibble brand made with premium ingredients[1].

It’s meant for puppies and adult dogs because it’s made with an important focus on minerals, omega fatty acids, vitamins, protein, and antioxidants.

Tractor Supply created their kibble brand as an extension of their mission to provide products that help you take care of your home, pets, and land[2].

They make it easy to maintain your pet’s health while handling your other responsibilities.

Best Sellers

A few of 4health’s best sellers are:

4health Adult Large-Breed Original Formula

4health Adult Grain-Free Turkey and Potato Formula

4health Adult Sensitive Stomach Formula

This brand may be of particular interest to you if you’ve already trusted Tractor Supply for many years or if you want a budget-friendly way to give your dog the best nutritional food in a store near you.

Blue Buffalo Company Overview

Blue Buffalo became one of the biggest dog food players in the game after their company began in 2003[3].

When their family dog, Blue, got sick, they decided to fight the cancer on a nutritional level.

Since then, they’ve developed the Blue Life Protection Formula which is one of the best selling kibble brands in America.

They offer many blends for all age ranges and health needs, selling products in many stores across the nation.

If you want to learn more about Blue Buffalo, check out our in-depth Blue Buffalo brand review!

Best Sellers

Many dog owners prefer these best sellers from Blue Buffalo:

Life Protection Formula Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe

Life Protection Formula Fish and Oatmeal Recipe

Freedom Grain-Free Beef Recipe

Blue Buffalo is a standard in many dog households, so if you’re curious about it, this is a good place to start learning about your dog’s potential future food.

Blue Buffalo is a common competitor in our dog food brand comparisons.

How does Blue Buffalo compare with Pure Balance? How about Science Diet?

Recalls

Any dog food business that’s been around for a while will have a history of recalls. It’s important to look into past recalls to see if a brand is trustworthy.

4health has had one recall back in 2012[4], which was related to a manufacturing issue on behalf of its parent company, Diamond Pet Foods.

Some kibble batches may have been contaminated with salmonella, which is why the voluntary recall was posted.

Blue Buffalo has been around longer, which give it more of an extensive recall history.

In 2010, they were recalled for high levels of vitamin D in certain formulas[5].

In 2015 there was a recall for salmonella[6] and their 2016 recall pertained to possible mold in some kibble bags[7].

The most recent Blue Buffalo recall was in 2017[8].

Some canned dog food had unusually high levels of a hormone derived from the beef thyroid that causes health issues if dogs eat a lot of it.

What’s Important When Looking for a Good Dog Food?

Before you buy your dog a new bag of food, you want to make sure that it has everything they need.

Not all kibble is made with the same quality, so always do your research before you buy anything.

Here are a few key factors to look out for before your next purchase:

Ingredients

What kind of ingredients do you want your dog to eat?

Is it important for you that they have only organic ingredients?

Do they need proteins source from specific animals, or nutritional additives like omega-3 fatty acids?

This is important to keep in mind, so check ingredient lists on every bag you consider.

Price

Dog owners know that you need to buy a new bag of dog food at least once a month, if not more than that.

It may seem fine to spend a little more on a bag of kibble now, but will you be able to keep that up in the long run?

Consider your budget and the price per bag to make your final decision.

Availability

Some dog brands are only sold in stores, while others are only available online.

Most have a mix of the two, but you’ll have to decide what you prefer.

Your schedule may prevent you from heading to the pet store every couple weeks or you could have limited delivery options where you live.

Taste

Your dog always enjoys what they eat, but it’s hard to know what they like when you buy new food.

A great way to figure this out is to look at what your dog has eaten in the past.

Are there specific meats or flavors that they jumped to eat?

Did they avoid eating when you switch them to chicken instead of beef?

If you’re unsure because your dog is new to your family, try getting the smallest bag of kibble possible when you make your final decision on a brand.

You can always go back for a bigger bag later.

Brand Reliability

If you find a dog food brand you like that has kibble your dog loves, you’ll want to stick with it for a long time.

That means you need to trust a brand to consistently make your dog food that’s healthy for them.

Brand reliability means looking into their company’s history to see if they can produce a high-quality product every time you need to make a purchase.

Comparison of 4health vs Blue Buffalo

So, how do these two brands stack up against each other?

Here are the final results:

Ingredients

Winner: 4health

Blue Buffalo always has whole meat listed as the main ingredient on their kibble backs.

That means your dog is getting more real food per bite.

It’s also important to note that their Life Protection blends have added antioxidants to bolster your pet’s immune system and digestive tract.

4health avoids adding soy, wheat, and corn to their kibble, which is important.

Many brands use those ingredients as fillers, which could be harmful in the long run.

Their food also contains probiotics to promote digestive health, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids.

It’s great that these brands are so competitive with their ingredients, but I’ll have to hand it to 4health on this one.

Probiotics balance out the digestive tract[9] in ways that antioxidants alone cannot.

That could be the difference between regularity and health complications for some dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Price/Value

Winner: 4health

As well as being a popular brand, Blue Buffalo is known for being on the pricier end of kibble.

It’s super premium, so it’ll cost around $1.60 per pound. 4health is much more budget friendly, averaging $1 per pound.

Tractor Supply Company can lower their prices because they don’t need to pay for extra shipping fees to get the kibble from a separate production company to their stores.

That gives them an edge in this round, coming out the clear winner as far as price and value goes.

Availability

Winner: 4health

If you want to get 4health, you’ll need a Tractor Supply store in your town or access to their website.

When you buy through them, you can get an autoship discount, but shipping still costs money.

Blue Buffalo is available at most pet stores and online sites where shipping is free.

That makes it more available and easier for pet parents to access.

Shop 4health

Shop Blue Buffalo

Taste

Winner: Tie

Both brands have a variety of formulas and flavors for your dog to choose, so you’ll have to let them test out the taste at home.

Customers report dogs loving 4health and Blue Buffalo equally, thanks to their high-quality ingredients.

Brand Reliability

Winner: 4health

No company is perfect, but Blue Buffalo has had many recalls over the last decade.

4health has only had one, which makes me think they’ve got their methods of production down to a science.

I’d trust them over Blue Buffalo, but I still recommend keeping an eye on the news either way.

Conclusion

Both of these dog food companies put up a good fight.

4health may have seemed like a non-competitor at first because I hadn’t heard of it, but they care just as much about their product as Blue Buffalo (and maybe a bit more).

4health would be my kibble of choice, but it always depends on the dog at the other end of the bowl.

Consider your dog’s health needs, age and activity levels before buying anything you plan to commit to long-term.

Resources

https://www.tractorsupply.com/landing-pages_brands_4health

https://corporate.tractorsupply.com/company-overview/company-profile/default.aspx

https://bluebuffalo.com/why-choose-blue/blue-story/

https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2012/05/diamond-pet-foods-etc-recalls-2012/

https://news.vin.com/vinnews.aspx?articleId=16727

https://nasc.cc/news/blue-buffalo-voluntarily-recalls-one-lot-of-cub-size-wilderness-wild-chews-bones/

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/pets/blue-buffalo-recalls-batch-of-dog-food/

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blue-buffalo-voluntarily-recalls-one-lot-blue-wildernessr-rocky-mountain-recipe-tm-red-meat-dinner

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3539293/

from https://www.centralparkpaws.net/dog-food/4health-dog-food-vs-blue-buffalo/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4health-dog-food-vs-blue-buffalo

#dogs #cats #pets #reviews

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k9karellc · 6 years ago

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Top 3 Dog Food For 2019

I don’t know about you but to me, dogs really are man’s best friend. Like seriously, I’m closer to my dog than I am to most of my blood relatives. My dog is truly an integral part of my family, so why would I treat him any worse than I’d treat my actual family?

Taking care of a dog is a lot of work. Between multiple walks a day, taking them out to use the bathroom, training them and showering then, the last thing you need on your plate is health issues and huge vet bills because you’re feeding your dog low quality kibble.

Picking a healthy dog food can be a daunting task, with there being so many brands selling so many different varieties of food. There’s wet food, dry food, raw food, organic dog food, homemade dog food, grain-free, GMO-free, gluten-free, it makes my head hurt just thinking about it.

But getting your dog the right food is still essential, pet nutrition expert Dr. Gary Richter states, “the single biggest thing you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is to provide them with optimal nutrition.”

Dogs need a certain amount of proteins, fats, minerals, carbohydrates, vitamins, and water every day for them to reach their nutritional needs.

By providing your dog with the right foods and the right nutrition, you’re in turn: making their muscles strong, keeping their fur coat silky and shiny, helping their digestive system function smoothly, preventing constipation, and building up their immunity to various diseases.

But how do you choose the right foods? How do you make your way through the hundreds of dog food brands to find the high quality ones? Keep on reading to find out.

High Quality Dog Food Vs. Low Quality Dog Food

The thing about dog food is this: good or bad, technically all dog food has at least the bare minimum amount of nutrients all dogs need. What truly separates good dog food from bad dog food is the actual quality of the ingredients.

Making sure that the food you feed to your dog is made of only real ingredients and no artificial additives are one of the first and most important steps on picking a dog food brand.

Here are some more tips you should keep in mind when shopping around for dog food:

The main ingredient in any dog food should be a whole protein, so check the label and make sure the first ingredient is a protein like chicken, beef, turkey, duck or fish

The first 5 ingredients listed on the label are the most prevalent in the meal, so they should be filled with animal proteins, healthy fats, and digestible carbohydrates.

Look for the label from the Association of American Feed Control Officials, or AAFCO for short. They determine what pets should be eating in a balanced diet, so that label means it’s been approved of meeting those standards

Avoid unspecified ingredients like “meat”, and avoid none whole ingredients like “beef byproduct” or “beef meal”

Avoid any artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives

Grain-free is good, but healthy whole grains are good of them too if they aren’t allergic

Buy the right size food for your dog, don’t feed a puppy some adult dog food, or a small dog food meant for larger breeds

Wet Food or Dry Food?

This is a very common question a lot of new dog owners have, deciding between wet food and dog food. Truthfully, the answer is a personal preference as both can be great food sources.

Dry food is easier to travel with and store, and its hard texture makes it good for dog’s dental health. Wet food has more moisture so it’s easier to eat and digest for some dogs. Wet food is also the best dog food for allergies, and it is a great choice for puppies or any dog with sensitive teeth.

Both have advantages and disadvantages, but I personally stick with dry food when feeding my own dogs.

Now that you know the basics in what makes a high quality dog food and how to pick them out from the bad ones, here is a list of, in my opinion, The Top 3 Dog Food for 2019 :

Rachael Ray’s Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Dry Dog Food

Rachael Ray isn’t just a celebrity chef, daytime talk show host, and best selling author she also sells some of the healthiest dog food you can find. There are no artificial ingredients present in the dog food, only all natural, gluten, and grain-free ingredients

Every single Rachael Ray Nutrish product makes sure animal protein is the first and most prevalent ingredient, unlike many of the competition who use meat substitutes as their main ingredient.

Also, every purchase of a Nutrish product gives a portion of the sale to the Rachael Ray Foundation, which helps fund numerous pet charities worldwide. This way, your dog is healthy and you’re helping other dogs stay healthy too!

A disadvantage that Nutrish products do have is that they lack probiotics. These are bacteria that help regulate your dog’s digestive system. They usually don’t have many fruits or vegetables in their recipes either, which can be a let down to some owners.

Pros:

All-natural ingredients

Affordable

A portion of the sale goes to charity

Cons:

Not a lot of fruits and vegetables

Probiotics not in the recipe

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula

Blue Buffalo has been in the dog food game for a long time, and they’re one of the best in it too. They serve up a diverse portfolio of dog food for puppies, adult dogs, large breeds, small breeds, any kind of dog you can think of.

The story of their brand begins over a decade ago when the founders of Blue Buffalo found out that their dog had cancer. He was a large Airedale named Blue, and he’s what prompted the family to look into making premium pet food using all healthy, all-natural ingredients.

Their formulas are high in rich protein and even contain their special antioxidant-rich Lifesource bits to help with your dog’s disease prevention and overall health. The brown rich they use in their formula is also antioxidant-rich.

The Blue Life Protection Formula for dogs and cats is the number one selling natural pet food in America, enough said. This is one high-quality brand, and personally, I feed this to my own dog so I can say with confidence that you won’t go wrong with this one.

Pros:

Special antioxidant rich Lifesource bits

All natural ingredients

No byproduct meals, soy, corn, or wheat

Cons:

A bit on the expensive side

Contains grains, although they’re healthy grains

Taste of the Wild High Prairie Grain-free Dry Dog Food

The Taste of the Wild High Prairie recipe has become somewhat of a fan favorite in recent years. Understandably so, with their excellent real roasted meat selection including Bison, Buffalo, Venison, Wild Fowl, Lamb, Boar and more.

This is a premium dog food brand with recipes full of protein and healthy fat and free of grains, fillers, and artificial additives. It’s also packed with antioxidants from real fruits and vegetables, chelated minerals, and dried fermentation products used to promote healthy digestion by acting as a probiotic.

This dog food is perfect for sensitive dogs that may have an allergy to traditional proteins like beef and chicken. The variety of proteins that taste of the wild provides is unmatched by any other current healthy premium dog food brand.

Pros:

Real roasted meats

No artificial additives

Supports skin and coat health

Easy on a sensitive dogs stomach

Cons:

A bit expensive

Contains some plant protein concentrates

Conclusion

Our pets are our family and deserve to be treated as such. Learning the differences between good dog food and bad dog food is the least we can do for our little buddies, but at the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide what food is best for your dog.

Every dog is different, your dog could react badly to top dog food from one of the top dog food brands even though it is well recommended. Watch your dog and see how he or she reacts to each food you give them.

Try the three brands recommended above, and if you find that one of them is agreeing with your dog, you’ll see your dog being active and happy with a beautiful silky coat. If none of the dog food agrees with your dog’s stomach, consider talking to a veterinarian about your dog’s diet and get a professional recommendation.

References and Citations

Burke, Anna. “Best Dog Food: How to Know What’s Right for Your Dog.” American Kennel Club, 8 July 2019, www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/best-dog-food-choosing-whats-right-for-your-dog/.

“Understanding Pet Food.” Pet Nutrition Alliance, petnutritionalliance.org/site/pnatool/understanding-pet-food/.

Barrington, Kate. “The Best Dog Food You Can Buy.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 15 Mar. 2019, www.businessinsider.com/best-dog-food.

Barrington, Kate, and Kate Barrington Kate Barrington. “15 Best Dog Foods: Our 2019 (Extremely) In-Depth Guide to Dog Food.” Breedsy, 6 May 2019, https://breedsy.com/best-dog-food/

https://k9-kare.com/reviews/top-3-dog-food-for-2019/ https://k9-kare.com

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centralparkpawsblog · 5 years ago

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Pure Balance vs Blue Buffalo Dog Food Comparison

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There’s always something new that dog stores want you to buy for your furry best friend.

It might be a new squeak toy or a collar but I mostly find new food.

It’s natural to want to give your dog a diet with some variety. Still, that doesn’t mean all dog food is good for them.

Everyone has to go through a period of trial and error to find out what food their dog loves the most.

At the same time, you should always know what you’re buying before you put it in your dog’s bowl.

Pure Balance and Blue Buffalo are some of the more well-known dog food brands in the market, so here’s a comparison of some of their best sellers.

Once you read up on what makes them different, you’ll get a better idea of which one is right for your pup.

Pure Balance Company Overview

Click the image for more info

Pure Balance is a dog food company created by Walmart in 2012[1].

It’s sold only in Walmart stores (and online) and was made based on customer feedback.

Consumers let Walmart know that they wanted a dog food that helped their dog’s health and their wallet, so the mega-retailer listened.

Since it first hit the shelves, it’s been a popular hit with Walmart’s worldwide customer base, so the brand has continued to evolve its products.

The initial production only made two dry kibble flavors, but now you can find it as dry or wet food in many other flavors, including grain free options.

Best Sellers

Check out some of Pure Balance’s best sellers, which have been well received by dogs of all ages and breeds:

Wild and Free Grain Free Salmon and Pea Recipe Check Price

Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Check Price

Grain Free Chicken and Pea Recipe Check Price

These cover some of the most popular dog food flavors, although there are plenty more to choose from.

Blue Buffalo Company Overview

Click the image for more info

You’ve seen Blue Buffalo bags on pet store shelves for a while now, but do you know what inspired the dog food line?

The family-owned company began when their dog, Blue, was diagnosed with cancer[2]. They studied canine nutrition to give him the best support possible, which they now give to dogs around the world.

Every Blue Buffalo formula was created with the help of animal nutritionists so the natural dog food addressed any health need a dog could have.

They strive to make it clear to consumers exactly what goes into each blend, where the ingredients come from, and how much care goes into each batch.

Best Sellers

If you want to start with one of the best selling blends, you can pick from this list:

Life Protection Formula Fish and Oatmeal Recipe Check Price

Life Protection Formula Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe Check Price

Freedom Grain-Free Beef Recipe Check Price

All formulas stay away from artificial flavors and preservatives, which is why this company is a premium dog food brand.

This isn’t the first time Blue Buffalo has graced this website. Check out these other head to head comparisons:

Blue Buffalo vs Science Diet

Blue Buffalo vs Purina Pro Plan

Blue Buffalo vs Nutro

Blue Buffalo vs Fromm

Blue Buffalo vs Royal Canin

Blue Buffalo vs Merrick

Blue Buffalo vs Taste of the Wild

Recalls

Some dog owners used to buying kibble strictly from pet stores may feel strange about buying it at a supermarket, but Walmart makes a quality dog food product.

The company has never faced a recall on any of their blends, which shows their dedication to quality control in their production facilities and attention to their ingredients.

On the other hand, Blue Buffalo has been around for much longer, so they’ve had quite a few recalls.

In 2017, the company had three recalls, mostly related to the risk of salmonella in their canned wet food[3].

They also had recalls in 2010[4], 2015[5], and 2016[6], pertaining to their dry food and chews. The recalls pertained to high levels of Vitamin D in their adult dog food blends, salmonella in their chews, and possible mold, respectively.

Blue Buffalo most recently had a recall in 2017, where consumers were advised to throw out their canned dog food because it could contain high levels of a beef thyroid hormone that could hurt dogs if consumed in excessive amounts[7].

What’s Important When Considering New Dog Food?

Every dog owner has to make the decision about what’s most important concerning your dog’s food.

Here are a few things to look out for while you weigh your options.

Ingredients

How important are all-natural or organic ingredients to you?

Does your dog have allergies that limit them to only a few ingredients?

It’s important to read the ingredient list on every bag of dog food you consider so you know what your dog will potentially eat.

Price/Value

Just because a bag of dog food is on sale doesn’t guarantee that you’re getting a good deal.

Compare the weight of dog food bags and their price per unit so you get the best price for your budget.

Availability

Do you live in a rural area with only one or two stores to get dog supplies from?

Maybe you prefer to have your dog’s food delivered.

The availability of a type of dog food will play into how easy it is to feed your dog, regardless of its cost or ingredients.

Overall Taste

Even if you find a bag of dog food that checks off every one of these boxes, your dog should still enjoy what they eat.

Give them some time to adjust to the new formula and if they’re hesitant or uninterested in their food, it may not have the best taste.

Brand Reliability

Once dogs find food that’s right for them, they should stick with it.

That’s why it’s crucial to know how reliable a brand is.

You’ll be trusting them in the long run with your dog’s health, so research their history before buying anything.

Comparison of Pure Balance vs Blue Buffalo

Now that you’ve thought about what you prefer and what’s important for your dog, see how these two brands compare.

Ingredients

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Pure Balance lists whole meat as their first ingredient and stays away from corn, wheat and soy, even in their grain-inclusive blends.

The added minerals and vitamins make this food even healthier, which is impressive considering that each formula is based in high amounts of protein.

Blue Buffalo also starts off their ingredient lists with whole meat, which means your dog is getting real food in each bite.

Their popular Life Protection formula also has antioxidants to boost your pet’s digestive and immune systems.

I think both of these brands include great ingredients, but Blue Buffalo takes it the extra mile.

In addition to their all-natural food, they make their dog food separately from other products that need heat so the food retains all the nutrients and vitamins.

Price/Value

Winner: Pure Balance

It goes to say that when you buy Blue Buffalo, you’re going to pay a bit more.

They’re a super-premium food brand, so they average about $1.60 per pound.

Pure Balance has Walmart’s competitive pricing, so you’ll find it priced at around $1.37 per pound.

Those thirty cents may not seem like much, but owners of big dogs that have to get the biggest bags know it ramps up prices fast.

Pure Balance wins the price and value category since they have budget-friendly dog food bags that contain quality kibble.

Availability

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo is sold at nearly every pet store you can imagine, as well as online, including both Amazon and Chewy.com.

Pure Balance is strictly a Walmart brand, although Walmart does permit sales through Amazon as well.

The winner of this category will have to be a personal call, since it all depends on where each buyer lives.

You may get Amazon Prime shipments faster and easier than Walmart, or vice versa.

It’s good that they’re both available in stores and online, so everyone has options.

Overall Taste

Winner: Varies

Maggie has tried Blue Buffalo in the past and liked it, so I wouldn’t be opposed to her trying it again.

She’d probably like it, although both brands have similar formulas.

She’s used to eating salmon-based meals, so she could like either option.

You’ll have to get a formula from either or both brands and give your dog a taste test to find out what they enjoy.

Brand Reliability

Winner: Pure Balance

Hands down, Pure Balance is the more reliable brand.

Although Blue Buffalo has more years of experience, they have had many recalls in the last decade.

It’s concerning that recalls have happened repeatedly, so I’d trust Pure Balance more if I needed to switch Maggie’s food.

Conclusion

When I started researching these brands, I wasn’t sure Walmart dog food could compete with a giant like Blue Buffalo.

After reading everything I could, Pure Balance actually won the comparison for me. I like that they haven’t had recalls, use high quality ingredients, and are more affordable.

Think through your options with both of these dog food brands and you’ll figure out which one is right for you and your dog.

If you’re hungry for more dog food brand comparisons, why not check out Victor vs Taste of the Wild?

Resources

https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/walmart-launches-store-brand-premium-dog-food/

https://bluebuffalo.com/why-choose-blue/blue-story/

https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/news/20101012/blue-buffalo-dog-food-recalled

https://news.vin.com/vinnews.aspx?articleId=16727

https://nasc.cc/news/blue-buffalo-voluntarily-recalls-one-lot-of-cub-size-wilderness-wild-chews-bones/

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/pets/blue-buffalo-recalls-batch-of-dog-food/

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blue-buffalo-voluntarily-recalls-one-lot-blue-wildernessr-rocky-mountain-recipe-tm-red-meat-dinner

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centralparkpawsblog · 5 years ago

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Royal Canin vs. Blue Buffalo

https://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/51SQpiYFtjL.jpg

Yesterday I picked up another bag of prescription dog food from my vet office.

Sophie and Calvin have severe food allergies and require a hypoallergenic prescription diet.

We are currently paying $3.63 per pound of food, which gets pretty expensive for three dogs.

To make things easier, I’ve always just fed all the dogs the same food, but recently I’ve considered changing Ginger’s kibble since she doesn’t require a special diet.

I’m not considering putting her on “cheap” food but instead trying a food that is high quality yet less expensive.

I’ve not made the transition yet, as I am still in the research phase. I want to keep Ginger on a food that contains grains until more information is discovered regarding the grain-free diet’s impact on heart disease.

Ginger is 7-years old, reasonably active, and maintains a healthy weight. She had surgery on her femur when she was nine months old. So, early arthritis is almost guaranteed.

The food I am looking for should include Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin, as well as being rich in healthy lean proteins to promote healthy muscles.

Can either Blue Buffalo or Royal Canin provide the food my dog needs?

Blue Buffalo’s Company History

Blue Buffalo was inspired by a dog named, you guessed it, Blue.

Blue was Bill Bishop’s beloved Airedale.

Mr. Bishop’s interest in dog food was prompted after Blue had been diagnosed with cancer.

Though Blue Buffalo grew into a large pet food company, it remained a family-owned business until 2018 when General Mills purchased the company.

Blue Buffalo’s 3 Best Sellers:

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed

Interested in learning more about Blue Buffalo? Check out our other comparisons against Purina Pro Plan, Nutro, Fromm, Taste of the Wild, and Merrick as well as our review of their brand in general.

Royal Canin’s Company History

Royal Canin was established in France in 1968 by a veterinarian Jean Cathary.

During Cathary’s career, he came to believe that food greatly impacted an animal’s health.

The first recipe created by Cathary was called “yellow soup[1]“, which was a canine formula.

Over the years, Royal Canin was purchased multiple times, continuing to grow and becoming a global brand.

As Royal Canin expanded, so did the variety of foods they offered.

In 2002 they joined the MARS team and still remain a part of that company.

Royal Canin’s 3 Best Sellers:

Royal Canin Health Nutrition Small Adult Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Adult Dry Dog Food

Interested in learning more about the Royal Canin brand? Check out our other comparison against Acana as well as our review of their Urinary SO dry dog food.

Recalls

Both brands have recalled some of their dog food products, for various reasons.

Royal Canin Recalls

In the last 12 years, Royal Canin had 2 recalls in 2007, both about melamine contamination.

Since 2007, Royal Canin has not had any other recalls.

Click the plus symbol for a complete list of Royal Canin’s recalls.

Royal Canin Recall List

May 2007

There were eight Sensible Choice dry dog foods and six Kasco dry dog foods impacted in this recall. The recall was initiated due to melamine being found in the food, “…from tainted Chinese rice protein concentrate provided to the company by domestic ingredient supplier Cereal Byproducts, headquartered in Illinois[2]”.

Sensible Choice Foods impacted in the recall:

Chicken and Rice Adult (Dry Dog Food)

Chicken and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)

Lamb and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)

Chicken and Rice Puppy (Dry Dog Food)

Chicken and Rice Large Breed Puppy (Dry Dog Food)

NATURAL BLEND Adult (Dry Dog Food)

NATURAL BLEND Senior (Dry Dog Food)

NATURAL BLEND Puppy (Dry Dog Food)

KASCO Foods impacted in the recall:

Chunks (Dry Dog Food)

Hi Energy (Dry Dog Food)

Maintenance (Dry Dog Food)

Mealettes (Dry Dog Food)

Mini Chunks (Dry Dog Food)

Puppy (Dry Dog Food)

April 2007

There were seven dog foods related to this recall, two of which were prescription foods[3].

The recall was due to melamine found in the rice protein they use in the foods.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dry Dog Food:

Canine Early Cardiac EC 2

Canine Skin Support SS21

Sensible Choice Dry Dog Food:

Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Senior

Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Puppy

Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Adult

Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Senior

Rice & Catfish Meal Formula Adult

Blue Buffalo Recalls

Blue Buffalo has had seven recalls in the last 12 years.

Click the plus symbol for a complete list of Blue Buffalo’s recalls.

Blue Buffalo Recall List

March 2017

Only one wet food was included in this recall, which was due to high levels of beef thyroid hormones in the food[4].

Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food

February 2017

Only a single variety of canned dog food was involved in this recall. The recall was initiated due to possible aluminum contamination[5].

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Healthy Weight, Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables, 12.5 ounce can

February 2017

This recall was based on a packaging error[6].

The foil tops of these foods had quality issues.

There were 13 Blue Devine Delights in the 3.5 oz cup and 4 Blue Wilderness Trail Trays affected.

Blue Divine Delights impacted in the recall:

Filet Mignon Flavor in Gravy

New York Strip Flavor in Gravy

Prime Rib Flavor in Gravy

Rotisserie Chicken Flavor in Gravy

Filet Mignon Flavor

Porterhouse Flavor

Grilled Chicken Flavor

Top Sirloin Flavor

Angus Beef Flavor

Roasted Turkey Flavor

Bacon, Egg, and Cheese

Sausage, Egg and Cheese Flavor

Steak and Egg Flavor

Blue Wilderness Trail Trays impacted in the recall:

Duck Grill

Beef Grill

Chicken Grill

Turkey Grill

May 2016

Blue Buffalo voluntarily recalled one of their Life Protection formulas due to high moisture and possible mold content[7].

Life Protection Formula Impacted:

30 lb Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Fish & Sweet Potato

November 2015

Only one lot of one dog chew variety was impacted in this recall, which was due to possible salmonella contamination[8].

Cub Size Wilderness Wild Chews Bones

October 2010

Three dog food varieties were part of this recall, which was due to a possible excess of Vitamin D[9].

Dry Dog Foods impacted in the recall:

5 lb, 11 lb, 24 lb Blue Wilderness Chicken Flavor dry dog food

11 lb, 24 lb Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Formula Salmon and Potato Recipe dry dog food

30lb Blue Life Protection Formula Natural Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Large Breed Adult dog food

April 2007

This recall is the same one that impacted Royal Canin, due to melamine contamination[10].

All of Blue Buffalo’s Canned Dog Foods, as well as the Blue Dog Treats, were recalled.

What’s Important When Choosing a Dog Food?

Specific to your Dog

Health – GI issues such as chronic pancreatitis or irritable bowel disease, Heart or Kidney Disease, Allergies, and so on

Weight

Taste

Age

Size

Energy Level

Specific to the Dog Food

Price

Availability

Ingredients

Dog food company’s reputation

Where the ingredients are sourced

Where the food is manufactured

Comparison of Blue Buffalo vs Royal Canin

Ingredients

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo wins because the company offers multiple protein options.

Additionally, Blue Buffalo’s recipes contain superfood ingredients like kelp, blueberries, and turmeric.

Many of Blue Buffalo recipes have also been enhanced with probiotics to improve digestive health.

Royal Canin is a chicken and grain focused food.

Though it lacks in protein variety, it does contain essential ingredients such as beet pulp, fish oil, and glucosamine.

Variety

Winner: Royal Canin

Royal Canin has both retail and veterinary food lines.

As for the retail options, there is a specific recipe for:

Specific breeds

Size

Age

Special needs like weight management, digestive sensitivities, and stress support

Each category contains several options. There are over 80 retail varieties.

Blue Buffalo also has a wide variety of food lines, including a veterinary line:

BLUE Life Protection Formula

BLUE Freedom

BLUE Basics

BLUE Wilderness

BLUE Carnivora

BLUE Natural Veterinary Food

But Blue Buffalo lacks breed-specific varieties and some other options Royal Canin covers.

Price/Value

Winner: Blue Buffalo (Almost a Tie)

It was close, but Blue Buffalo came out on top, despite averaging $2.21/pound.

Though the per pound price is slightly higher, the superfoods added to the recipes put this one on top.

Royal Canin is a well-priced food averaging $2.09/ pound.

Royal Canin is high-quality food, but there is a lack of superfoods on the ingredient list.

Availability

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Both foods are equal when it comes to online shopping.

However, Blue Buffalo can be found at all large pet stores, pet boutique shops, large hardware stores, and grocery markets.

Royal Canin can be seen in most pet stores, both large and boutique, but it is not a brand found in non-pet retail stores.

Shop Blue Buffalo at Amazon

Shop Blue Buffalo at Chewy

Shop Royal Canin at Amazon

Shop Royal Canin at Chewy

Taste

Winner: Royal Canin

This was another close competition, but Royal Canin was the winner.

No one snubbed Blue Buffalo, but when given the option between the two, my dogs chose Royal Canin.

X-Factor

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo is the clear winner.

Blue Buffalo is involved in four community programs.

Pet Cancer Awareness[11]

Sierra Delta Service Dogs for Heroes[12]

Canine Cancer Genome Project[13]

Shelter Stars/Home 4 the Holidays[14]

Overall

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo is the overall winner; it is well priced and available at far more retailers than Royal Canin.

Although Royal Canin won the variety category, Blue Buffalo still has more options than many other dog food lines.

However, there are few other situations I felt it is worth mentioning that one food would be more optimal than the other:

Breed Specific Winner: Royal Canin

Giant Breed Winner: Royal Canin

Non-Prescription Hypo-Allergenic Food Winner: Blue Buffalo

Final Thoughts

Both foods have their strengths and are commonly well received.

However, the number of recalls associated with Blue Buffalo gives me pause.

There haven’t been any recalls in the last two years, but they do carry more recalls than several other companies. This is not to say they are a bad company, but it is noteworthy.

Royal Canin is a brand carried by most veterinary clinics, which makes me more comfortable with this brand.

However, the lack of a variety of proteins and the overall ingredient list makes me wonder if it is the best choice.

Rarely is protein the first ingredient on the list, which is reflected in a lower protein percentage.

At this point, neither of the foods is precisely what I am looking for, so it appears I will need to continue my search.

Resources

https://www.royalcanin.com/us/about-us/our-history

http://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170112162939/http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2007/ucm112196.htm

http://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170112130545/http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2007/ucm112172.htm

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blue-buffalo-voluntarily-recalls-one-lot-blue-wildernessr-rocky-mountain-recipe-tm-red-meat-dinner

https://bluebuffalo.com/about-us/whats-new-at-blue/bb-homestyle-recipe-letter/

https://www.ohiovma.org/news/?p=3399

https://www.seattletimes.com/life/pets/blue-buffalo-recalls-batch-of-dog-food/

http://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170112071547/http:/www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2015/ucm474573.htm

http://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170112111823/http:/www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2010/ucm228986.htm

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/04/pet_food_recall33.html

https://petcancerawareness.org/

https://www.sierradelta.com/

http://acfoundation.org/ccgp/

https://animalcenter.org/home-4-the-holidays

The post Royal Canin vs. Blue Buffalo appeared first on Central Park Paws.

from https://www.centralparkpaws.net/dog-food/royal-canin-vs-blue-buffalo/

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centralparkpawsblog · 6 years ago

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Nutro vs Blue Buffalo

https://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/518aeeVAqtL.jpg The other day I received a panicked call from a friend, Sarah, who just got her first dog.

Her panic was over the abundance of choices of kibble at the pet store, which as a dog parent I totally get.

Her new dog is a medium-sized mix breed. The shelter guessed the dog to be about six years old.

Because she wasn’t sure about the breed or the personality of the dog, I suggested she start with a non-specialty formula, meaning not grain-free or for a specific activity level.

The gal working at the store suggested Nutro and Blue Buffalo.

Unfortunately, these were brands I wasn’t familiar with, so I had to hop online and do some research.

On the surface, both companies looked pretty similar, offering a price-friendly well-balanced food.

I wanted to delve a bit deeper into each company and learn more about their histories and overall product lines.

I was able to find some pretty interesting information about the two companies, though the nicest surprise was the numerous recipe varieties each company offers.

Curious how Blue Buffalo stacks up against other brands? Check out this brand’s comparison with Merrick and Taste of the Wild!

Nutro Company History

Nutro was started by Herben Serois in September of 1931, in Santa Monica, California[1].

Nutro originally sold dog, cat, and fox food to the pet food industry.

In 1942, Mr. Serois passed away at the age of 63.

There is some confusion as to when Mr. Saleen purchased Nutro, but recent evidence shows he purchased Nutro in 1947, not 1926[2].

Nutro was a family operated company until 1975, at which point it was sold for the 3rd time.

There is no documentation regarding who ran the company between the death of Mr. Serois and when Mr. Saleen later purchased it.

Ed Brown, Dave Traitel, and the other unnamed silent partners purchased Nutro in 1975[3].

Between 1975 and 2005, Mr. Brown eventually bought out his partners and took over sole ownership of Nutro until 2005.

A company by the name of Bain & Associates bought the company in 2005 but only kept it for two years, until 2007.

In 2007, Mars Incorporated purchased Nutro[4], making it once again a family owned and operated pet food company.

Nutro has 5 Different Dry Dog Food Lines

Nutro offers special recipes within each of the five different food lines for different life stages, weight management, and different breed sizes.

The five food lines they offer are:

Ultra

Grain Free

Wholesome Essentials

Limited Ingredient Diet

Max

Nutro 3 Best Selling Dry Dog Foods

Wholesome Essentials Natural Adult Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato

Max Natural Adult with Farm Raised Chicken

Wholesome Essentials Adult Lamb and Rice

Blue Buffalo Company History

The inspiration behind Blue Buffalo is an Airedale named Blue[5].

The business was started in 2003 by Bill Bishop.

Blue Buffalo was initially a small family owned company; however, in 2018, the Bishop family sold the business to General Mills.

Blue Buffalo Varieties

Blue Buffalo has 5 different dry dog food lines:

Blue Life Protection – There are 23 varieties with specific formulas for adult dogs, puppies, seniors, breed size, and weight management. The Blue Life Protection lines are, “Formulated for the health and well-being,” of dogs.

Freedom Grain-Free – Has 12 different options ranging from puppies to seniors and a couple specific to breed sizes.

Basics Limited – This line is made up of 13 recipes and are all limited-ingredient formulas for dogs with food sensitivities. There are unique blends for weight management, puppies, adults, and seniors. Also, they have foods based on breed size as well.

Blue Wilderness– Like the other diets, they have individual formulas for different life stages and breed sizes. This line was, “Inspired by the diet of wolves, true omnivores whose endurance is legendary,” and is a grain-free high protein option.

Blue Natural Veterinary Diet – Exclusive to vet clinics.

Blue Buffalo 3 Best Selling Dry Dog Foods

Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Chicken and Brown Rice

Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Lamb and Brown Rice

Wilderness High Protein Grain Free Natural Adult Salmon

Nutro Recalls

In the last ten years, Nutro has only had one recall that affected their dog food products.

The recall occurred in September of 2009 when they discovered plastic on their production line[6].

The following is a list of foods involved:

Nutro Ultra Puppy

Nutro Natural Choice Chicken Meal Rice

Oatmeal Formula Small Bites Puppy

Since the 2009 recall due to plastic on the production line, there hasn’t been any other recalls on their dry dog food.

Blue Buffalo Recalls

Blue Buffalo has had six recalls in the last ten years involving their dog food products:

March 2017 – Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs, due to high levels of beef thyroid hormones[7].

February 2017 – Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Healthy Weight, Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables, 12.5 ounce can, due to possible aluminum contamination[8].

February 2017 – The following varieties packaged in the 3.5 oz cup were impacted due to packaging issues with the foil cover[9]:

BLUE Divine Delights Filet Mignon Flavor in Gravy

BLUE Divine Delights New York Strip Flavor in Gravy

BLUE Divine Delights Prime Rib Flavor in Gravy

BLUE Divine Delights Rotisserie Chicken Flavor in Gravy

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Filet Mignon Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Porterhouse Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Grilled Chicken Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Top Sirloin Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Angus Beef Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Roasted Turkey Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate with Bacon, Egg, and Cheese

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Sausage, Egg and Cheese Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Steak and Egg Flavor

BLUE Wilderness Trail Trays Duck Grill

BLUE Wilderness Trail Trays Beef Grill

BLUE Wilderness Trail Trays Chicken Grill

BLUE Wilderness Trail Trays Turkey Grill

Does “New and Improved!” mean “Salmonella free”?

May 2016 – 30lb Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Fish & Sweet Potato Recipe, due to high moisture content[10].

November 2015 – Cub Size Wilderness Wild Chews Bones, due to possible salmonella contamination[11].

October 2010 – The following foods were impacted due to possible excess Vitamin D[12]:

4.5#, 11#, 24# Blue Wilderness Chicken Flavor dry dog food

11#, 24# Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Formula Salmon and Potato Recipe dry dog food

30# Blue Life Protection Formula Natural Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Large Breed Adult dog food

Most of these were voluntary recalls made due to the possibility of contamination, with no or minimal negative effects.

What’s Important When Choosing a Dog Food?

Obviously, we know that ingredients are essential in deciding which food would be the best match for our dog, but numerous other factors impact our buying decision.

There are two groups of elements that help us decide on the best dog food choice for our dogs.

The first group is the primary factors that directly relate to our dog’s specific needs, and the other group is the secondary aspects that aren’t related to our dogs.

Primary Factors

Health – Heart or kidney disease, GI issues such as chronic pancreatitis or irritable bowel disease, allergies, and so on can require dietary changes

Size

Age

Weight (gain or loss)

Energy Level

Secondary Factors

The dog food company’s reputation

Availability

Ingredients

Where the food is manufactured

Where the ingredients are sourced

Price

Comparison of Nutro vs. Blue Buffalo

Ingredients

Winner: Blue Buffalo

This was almost a tie since the two companies have similar product line variations; however, Blue Buffalo has enriched their foods with probiotics and also has a higher fiber, omega-6, and omega-3 fatty acids content.

Another enhancement Blue Buffalo made to their products was to add BLUE LifeSource Bits, which are a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

Nutro does have impressive, extensive food lines. It is worth noting that their dry dog foods are all made up of non-GMO ingredients.

Price/Value

Winner: Nutro

The average price per pound for Nutro is about a dollar fifty and the average price per pound for Blue Buffalo over two dollars.

The X Factor

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo’s exclusive LifeSource Bits are unique, and the added bump in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals is a definite bonus in any dog food.

Availability

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo is available in almost all large pet stores, some boutique stores (but only select lines), some large hardware stores, and grocery store chains.

Nutro is available in most of the large chain stores like Pet Smart, Target, and Walmart, but not as many places as Blue Buffalo.

You can find Nutro at both Amazon and Chewy.

You can get Blue Buffalo from both Amazon and Chewy as well.

Taste

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Dogs seem to prefer Blue Buffalo over Nutro.

The ingredient lists are similar, so there’s no apparent reason that stands out as to why one is preferred over the other except for the vagaries of taste.

Overall

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo and Nutro are very similar products, but Blue Buffalo is available at more retailers, has the LifeSource Bits, and more importantly, the dogs’ votes!

Conclusion

If you are deciding between the two brands and are unable to choose between the two, maybe consider the fat and protein content.

The crude analyses between the foods vary and depending on your dog’s needs, and those might be worth factoring into your decision.

Also, if you are purchasing the food from a pet food retailer, many will let you return the open bag of food if your dog doesn’t eat it.

Resources

http://billiondollarkibble.com/lineage/herben-serois/

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cooper-consulting-group-inc-publishes-new-book-billion-dollar-kibble—nutros-story-of-pioneering-among-giants-300513717.html

http://billiondollarkibble.com/lineage/john-saleen/

https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=4360956

https://bluebuffalo.com/why-choose-blue/blue-story/

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-recall/nutro-dog-food-recall-2009-sep/

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/blue-buffalo-voluntarily-recalls-one-lot-blue-wildernessr-rocky-mountain-recipe-tm-red-meat-dinner

https://bluebuffalo.com/about-us/whats-new-at-blue/bb-homestyle-recipe-letter/

https://www.ohiovma.org/news/?p=3399

https://www.petsmartcorporate.com/blank-1/2016/05/27/USPR-Voluntary-Product-Recall-of-30lb-Blue-Buffalo-Life-Protection-Formula-Fish-Sweet-Potato-Recipe-for-Dogs-%E2%80%93-May-27-2016

http://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170112071547/http:/www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2015/ucm474573.htm

http://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20170112111823/http:/www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ArchiveRecalls/2010/ucm228986.htm

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centralparkpawsblog · 6 years ago

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Merrick vs Blue Buffalo

https://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/51Lh6WuLT5L.jpg Before I first brought Maggie home, people were giving me lots of advice about what to feed her.

Many of my dog loving friends told me about Blue Buffalo, which made me read more about the company.

While many people love and trust Blue Buffalo with their dog’s health, I wanted to see what else was out there for my pup to choose from.

That’s when I found Merrick, a highly competitive dog brand that often enters the running when people are trying to decide what to feed their dog.

Here’s what I learned when I researched and compared the two, and which one I’d pick for Maggie.

We also compared Blue Buffalo with Taste of the Wild. Who won?

Merrick’s Company History

The Merrick brand began in 1988, when Garth Merrick decided to start feeding his dog, Gracie, with only home cooked food[1].

He spent a lot of time in the kitchen figuring out what foods were the most nutritious, which led to the Merrick brand.

Now, the company focuses on using high quality ingredients found in only fresh, whole foods. They refuse to use preservatives or fillers.

Plus, every new recipe is tested in Garth Merrick’s original kitchen, so it still has that homemade care mixed into every blend.

Best Sellers

While Merrick makes many different dog food blends, their grain free recipes are what people love the most.

Their bestselling bags are:

Grain Free Real Duck and Sweet Potato Recipe

Grain Free Texas Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe

Grain Free Li’l Plates Texas Beef and Sweet Potato Recipe

Their blends go on to include ingredients like real rabbit and chickpeas, so owners have many sources of protein and nutrients to choose from.

Blue Buffalo’s Company History

When the Bishop family’s dog, Blue, was diagnosed with cancer, they became immediately interested in learning everything they could about dog nutrition[2].

When they realized it all begins with the food they eat, they began making Blue his own food.

That led to the creation of Blue Buffalo, a dog food company that produces super premium pet food using only the best ingredients they can find.

Their initial blend, the BLUE Life Protection Formula, was created with a holistic veterinarian and animal nutritionist, so they could get everything right for the dogs their food would feed.

Best Sellers

The BLUE Life Protection Formula has become the top selling dog food in the country, so the Life Protection blends have followed right behind[3].

The bestselling Blue Buffalo products are:

BLUE Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken and Brown Rice

BLUE Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice

BLUE Life Protection Formula Adult Fish and Brown Rice

There are Life Protection Formulas for all life stages, which is what Blue Buffalo specializes in.

Recalls

Their treats are good to go now, though!

Unfortunately, both brands have faced recalls in the past.

Since 2009, Merrick has had seven recalls on treats of varying blends[4]. Most were found to be recalled because of elevated ingredient levels that could harm dogs, which was quickly fixed.

Blue Buffalo has also faced recalls, all of them much more serious than taking a few treats of the shelves of pet stores. In March of 2017, the Rocky Mountain wet dog food was recalled for toxic levels of lead[5].

In a separate recall that same month, 17 wet food blends were also recalled for foil seal issues[6].

Blue Buffalo has also faced recalls for dog food containing aluminum metal[7], high levels of mold[8], salmonella[9], and toxic levels of vitamin D[10].

That was only over the span of six years!

What’s Important When Choosing a Dog Food?

When you’re trying to choose a dog food for your furry best friend, you can’t just grab the one that’s on sale at your local pet store.

Consider these important factors to help you find the best food for your dog.

Ingredients

Blue Buffalo Wilderness is Blue’s grain-free line

What ingredients do you value most in your dog’s food?

Do you want them to get more natural sources of protein, or should the food be allergen free?

Depending on your dog’s food sensitivities and allergies, the ingredients you look for could be different than any other dog you’ve fed before.

Differently aged dogs need different ingredients, too. What’s good for a senior dog won’t be good for a puppy!

Price

Price is always an important factor, especially for those who need to restock their dog’s food regularly.

You’ll want to make sure that you can afford your dog’s food in the long run, rather than splurging big in the moment.

Availability

Where you live will have a big impact on the dog food you purchase.

If you have to drive thirty minutes to the nearest store, you may prefer online delivery.

Still, some places are too rural for delivery.

Research how you’ll get the brands you’re interested in so you know how to get it.

Taste

Your dog does get some say in their food when it comes to the taste.

Think about what your dog has enjoyed eating in the past to pick the best flavor.

You can’t get peanut butter or bacon dog food, but go with something that’s similar to what they enjoy.

Brand Reliability

Every brand out there is going to try to convince their consumers that they’re the best in all natural, nutritious ingredients.

It’s up to you to research the brand’s history and then decide if they’re reliable or not.

Comparison of Blue Buffalo vs Merrick

Here’s where you can get down to business and compare the most important factors of both the Blue Buffalo and Merrick brands.

Ingredients

Winner: Merrick

Each of these brands says that use only the finest ingredients and no fillers, so let’s compare the ingredients of their two bestselling foods.

Merrick’s Grain Free Duck and Sweet Potato recipe has deboned duck as their first ingredient[11], which is super important.

The first ingredient listed is always the most plentiful, continuing down the list of ingredients[12].

I love that I can recognize the first 18 ingredients on Merrick’s list. That shows that they really care about what they put in their dog food.

Blue Buffalo also has several recognizable ingredients, with deboned chicken being the first on their Life Protection ingredient list.

However, right above the ingredient list they have a picture saying they never start with chicken meals, but their second ingredient is chicken meal[13].

That seems a little fishy to me.

I’d choose Merrick in this case over Blue Buffalo, just because their ingredients appear to be more pure and honest.

Price/Value

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo is also known for being expensive, but they average out at $2 per pound.

That’s actually cheaper than Merrick, which averages almost $3 per pound.

That means Blue Buffalo wins the price round, although you’ll have to personally weigh the value of the food based on what you learn from the ingredient list.

Availability

Winner: Tie

Both of these brands are sold online and in regular pet stores, so you don’t need to worry about going to your vet for dog food.

Blue Buffalo is available at both Amazon and Chewy. Similarly, Merrick is available at both Amazon and Chewy.

Since they’re both available at all the usual places dog owners go for kibble, I’d say this is a tie between the two brands.

Taste

Winner: Tie

Taste is another factor that has to be decided by your dog and what you’ve known them to eat.

People say their dogs enjoy eating both brands, so it’s something your dog has to decide for itself.

Try both brands out on your pup to see which one they eat faster or wag their tail for more.

Maggie also does little twirling dance moves before she eats the food she loves, so pay attention to their physical signs of how much they love their food.

Brand Reliability

Winner: Merrick

Merrick wins the brand reliability, hands down. They’ve had several recalls, but only on treats.

Blue Buffalo has had multiple recalls in the same year, mostly for dog food.

I’d trust Merrick’s history with my dog before Blue Buffalo any day.

Overall Winner

If I had to choose between these two, I’d feed Maggie Merrick.

She has a grain-free diet, and I love that they have so many grain-free options for dogs. I also appreciate their extensive ingredient list, and that their history shows that they keep a close eye on their food production.

Quality and care beat Merrick’s average higher price, although I do wish that it would be priced similarly to Blue Buffalo if I were to use it in the long run.

One thing to note is that the Blue Buffalo brand was built with Airedales in mind, so if your dog is an Airedale, the Blue Buffalo food may be more beneficial for your dog’s biological make up than any other brand.

Resources

https://www.merrickpetcare.com/our-story

https://bluebuffalo.com/why-choose-blue/blue-story/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/meet-blue-founder-of-americas-top-natural-pet-food-brand-1519416803

https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2018/05/merrick-dog-treats-recalled-due-to-elevated-thyroid-hormone/

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/does-blue-buffalo-contain-toxic-levels-lead/

https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2017/03/reports-of-sick-dogs-trigger-recalls-by-wellpet-blue-buffalo/

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/index/2017/03/

https://www.seviernewsmessenger.com/2016/05/31/blue-buffalo-dry-dog-food-recall/

https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2018/02/24/FDA-issues-2-more-pet-food-recalls-listeria-salmonella-found/5171519499067/

https://news.vin.com/vinnews.aspx?articleId=51391

https://www.merrickpetcare.com/recipes/grain-free-real-duck-sweet-potato-recipe/

https://www.petcarerx.com/article/what-should-i-look-for-in-dog-food-ingredients/849

https://bluebuffalo.com/natural-dog-food/healthy-holistic-blue-life-protection-formula/dry-food/lpf-adult-chicken-and-brown-rice-recipe/

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centralparkpawsblog · 6 years ago

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Taste of the Wild vs Blue Buffalo

https://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/517Di5wcTWL.jpg Taste of the Wild (TotW) versus Blue Buffalo. Which will prove to be the better dry dog food?

In our family of canines, we have various dietary needs and picky eaters.

Researching and comparing the different diets is the only way for us to figure out the most suitable fit for our family.

Deciding on the best dog food can be a difficult task.

Nutrition is an integral part of our dog’s health, we always want to make sure we are picking the right food, and with the vast selection of food available, it can be quite a daunting task.

What to Consider When Choosing the Right Dog Food

Age (Senior dogs need different food from puppies)

Size

Weight

Energy level

Health – Heart or kidney disease, GI issues such as chronic pancreatitis or irritable bowel disease, allergies, and so on

Many components have to come together in a single dry dog food to satisfy your dog’s many needs.

Also, the endless variables of grain-free, chicken-free, soy-free, etc. sometimes seems to complicate the decision even more.

All of these factors is why deciding on the right dog food is challenging.

Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild is one of the most well-known high-protein dog foods, but is it the best?

If you’re curious as to how it stacks up against other dog food brands, we’ve also compared it with Fromm and Orijen.

Taste of the Wild Company History

TotW is one of eleven brands owned by the Diamond Pet Company.

Diamond Pet started in 1970 by a couple of brothers-in-law and has since become one of the most rapidly expanding pet food companies worldwide. TotW has been a family run business from the very start.

TotW produces food in the United States, in 5 different manufacturing locations coast to coast. However, TotW purchases a few of the ingredients from overseas.

A nice thing about TotW is that they only use ingredients that are sustainable and humanely raised.

The concept of their food is that TotW manufactures “…a high-quality, yet affordable pet food option.”

The formulas for their dog food were created based on a dog’s ancestral dietary requirements.

Taste of the Wild Varieties

Taste of the Wild has nine unique dog food varieties, including specific blends for small breeds and puppies.

Taste of the Wild’s 3 Best Sellers

High Prairie

Pacific Stream

Sierra Mountain

Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo Company History

An Airedale named Blue was the inspiration behind Blue Buffalo.

Bill Bishop founded the company in 2003.

Blue Buffalo started as a small family run business but in 2018, that all changed when General Mills purchased the company.

Blue Buffalo Varieties

Blue Buffalo has five different dry dog food lines:

Blue Life Protection

The Life Protection line includes 23 varieties with unique formulas for puppies, adults, seniors, breed size, and weight management. The Blue Life Protection lines are “formulated for the health and well-being” of dogs.

Freedom Grain-Free

This grain-free line consists of 12 food choices ranging from puppies to seniors and a couple specific to breed sizes.

Basics Limited

This line has 13 recipes. These foods are limited ingredient formulas for dogs with food sensitivities.

They have specific blends for weight management, puppies, adults, and seniors.

Plus, they have foods based on breed size as well.

Blue Wilderness

Like the other lines, this one has unique formulas for age and size.

This line was “Inspired by the diet of wolves, true omnivores whose endurance is legendary.”

This is a grain-free, high-protein option, one of the dog feeds best for German Shepherds.

Blue Natural Veterinary Diet

Normally only vet clinics are allowed to sell this line of dog food, though you can buy it online if you have a prescription..

Blue Buffalo 3 Best Sellers of Dry Dog Food:

Life Protection Formula Natural Adult

Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Small Breed

Wilderness with Chicken

Recalls and Lawsuits

Like many products relating to health and safety, dog food is subject to recalls to make sure bad food isn’t eaten by your pet.

Taste of the Wild Recalls

While Diamond Pet Food has had several recalls, Taste of the Wild only has had one, which occurred in May of 2012.

The recall was due to salmonella contamination in their South Carolina facility. It was only the dry food formulas involved in this recall.

The varieties of TotW involved were not listed, but all dry dog food with production codes containing a 2 or 3 in the 9th position and an X in the next character position were recalled.

The preventative measures taken by TotW have been successful in avoiding any further dog food recalls.

It is worth noting that there are two ongoing lawsuits filed against Diamond Pet Food that impact Taste of the Wild.

The first lawsuit was filed in August of 2018 and stated specific varieties of food are contaminated. The three foods involved are:

Allegations are just that: allegations. They’re not evidence of wrongdoing.

Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Prairie Canine Formula Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Grain-Free Pacific Stream Canine Formula Smoked Salmon Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free.

The lawsuit is asserting that the foods are contaminated with pesticides, heavy metal (arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium), acrylamide, and BPA.

The other lawsuit submitted was in February of 2019. The lawsuit is for identical claims of contamination to the suit filed in 2018.

The five formulas included in this lawsuit are:

Taste of the Wild Grain-Free High Prairie Canine Formula Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Grain Free Pacific Stream Canine Formula Smoked Salmon Dry Dog Food

Taste of the Wild Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free

Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon with Beef in Gravy

Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon with Wild Boar

Blue Buffalo Recalls

Blue Buffalo has had seven recalls related to dog products:

March 2017

Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe TM Red Meat Dinner Wet Food For Adult Dogs was recalled due to high levels of beef thyroid hormones.

February 2017

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Healthy Weight, Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables, 12.5 ounce can, was recalled due to possible aluminum contamination.

February 2017

The following varieties packaged in the 3.5 oz cup were impacted due to packaging issues with the foil cover:

BLUE Divine Delights Filet Mignon Flavor in Gravy

BLUE Divine Delights New York Strip Flavor in Gravy

BLUE Divine Delights Prime Rib Flavor in Gravy

BLUE Divine Delights Rotisserie Chicken Flavor in Gravy

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Filet Mignon Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Porterhouse Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Grilled Chicken Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Top Sirloin Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Angus Beef Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Roasted Turkey Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate with Bacon, Egg, and Cheese

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Sausage, Egg and Cheese Flavor

BLUE Divine Delights Pate Steak and Egg Flavor

BLUE Wilderness Trail Trays Duck Grill

BLUE Wilderness Trail Trays Beef Grill

BLUE Wilderness Trail Trays Chicken Grill

BLUE Wilderness Trail Trays Turkey Grill

May 2016

30lb Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Fish & Sweet Potato Recipe for Dogs was recalled due to high moisture content.

November 2015

Cub Size Wilderness Wild Chews Bones was recalled due to possible salmonella contamination.

October 2010

Due to possible Excess Vitamin D, the following were recalled:

4.5#, 11#, 24# Blue Wilderness Chicken Flavor dry dog food

11#, 24# Blue Basics Limited Ingredient Formula Salmon and Potato Recipe dry dog food

30# Blue Life Protection Formula Natural Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Large Breed Adult dog food

April 2007

All canned dog foods and dog treats manufactured at American Nutrition, Inc., which included food manufactured for Blue Buffalo, were recalled due to ingredient tampering.

Added melamine was found in the unauthorized use of rice protein in the food and treats.

What’s Important When Choosing a Dog Food?

This beagle would like to argue that taste is the most important consideration of all

As I mentioned earlier, your dog’s health issues and preferences are significant factors in deciding on the best food for your canine, but other things also need to be considered as well, such as:

Price

Availability

Ingredients

Dog food company’s reputation

Where the ingredients are sourced

Where the food is manufactured

Comparison of Taste of the Wild vs. Blue Buffalo

Ingredients

Winner: Blue Buffalo

The two companies have similar ingredients, such as blueberries, chicken, and probiotics, but Blue Buffalo has more vegetables and superfoods.

Also, it is lower in fat and higher in fiber, omega-6, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Another reason why Blue Buffalo won for ingredients was because of they have foods with and without grains, so you can choose the food that works best for your dog’s dietary needs.

Taste of the Wild

TotW is entirely grain-free.

In place of grains, they have a mix of lentils and potatoes (including sweet potatoes).

They also use potato and pea flour to replace more traditional flours.

The first couple of ingredients in each of the top sellers is high-quality proteins.

As for the rest of the ingredients, there are a variety of fruits and vegetables, but being that the food is protein focused, it is a bit on the lighter side.

Blue Buffalo

The example ingredients are from the Wilderness line of dry dog food, which is Blue Buffalo’s most similar line to Taste of the Wild.

Blue Buffalo offers a wide variety of proteins, grains, vegetables, and fruits.

But, most of all, between their different dog food lines you can meet almost any dog’s needs.

Price/Value

Winner: Taste of the Wild

When comparing Blue Buffalo’s high protein line, Blue Wilderness, TotW was less expensive.

Blue Buffalo’s Wilderness line averages over $2 per pound whereas TotW averages under $2 per pound.

As usual, TotW won when it comes to pricing, and it is hard to beat the price and value you receive when buying TotW.

Availability

Winner: Taste of the Wild

Taste of the Wild only won by a hair.

Blue Buffalo can be found in almost all large pet stores, some boutique stores (but only select lines), some large hardware stores and grocery store chains.

TotW can be found in most of those locations plus doggy daycares and even high-end grocery stores.

Their online availability is pretty much the same.

Taste

Winner: Taste of the Wild

This was pretty easy; my dogs didn’t care for the LifeSource bits.

Blue LifeSource Bits are a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, but that’s only good if the dogs will eat them.

The X Factor

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo won by a landslide! Blue Buffalo is involved in 4 community programs.

Pet Cancer Awareness

Sierra Delta Service Dogs for Heroes

Canine Cancer Genome Project

Shelter Stars/Home 4 the Holidays

Overall

Winner: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo can be found in most places. Though price-wise the protein-focused brand came in higher than ToTW, other dog food lines are less expensive per pound than ToTW.

The number one reason they came out the winner is because of the wide selection of food options. They have food for so many different needs:

Puppies

Adults

Seniors

Weight management

High protein

Prescription foods

Limited ingredient foods for allergic dogs

Large and small breed varieties

Conclusion

Both TotW and Blue Buffalo are excellent dog food brands, so you really can’t go wrong with either food.

If you’re still on the fence about the food, don’t forget to consider things like availability, company reputation, and ingredient sourcing.

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