Is Blue Buffalo Good For Cats – Here’s Our Unbiased Take

Over the decades, various cat food brands have been tested, and many of them have been questioned time and again. One such brand is the blue Buffalo, a highly popular brand producing cat food. But its nutritional value is still under consideration raising multiple doubts, and one of the most common questions which arise every time is: Is Blue Buffalo good for cats?

Generally, Blue Buffalo is good for cats and a safe food option. Blue Buffalo has certain pros and cons, respectively. It has a slightly higher carbohydrate content than what is desired in cat foods and the addition of thickeners and fillers. It is primarily made from animal-based ingredients, which may seem like a plus point, but in reality, the percentage of plant-based protein boosters is higher.  

Below, we have discussed in detail all the questions that one might have regarding the well-known and popular brand Blue Buffalo like if it makes cats sick, what are the symptoms of Blue Buffalo allergy, what is wrong with this brand, are Blue buffalo treats are safe for cats, and what are the slightly better options offered by Blue Buffalo in cat food that would be suitable for cats.

Does Blue Buffalo Make Cats Sick

In most cases, Blue Buffalo won’t make cats sick. However, if your cat is allergic to some of the ingredients present in Blue Buffalo it may become sick; just like with any other cat food. Some cats might show symptoms of allergy after consuming Blue buffalo cat food. It can indeed make a cat sick, but this is true not only for Blue buffalo cat food but any food that might not be nutritional or contains something that your cat might be allergic to. 

Cats allergic to Blue Buffalo might show symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, change in coat’s appearance, skin inflammation, and others. Apart from this allergy, the FDA also listed Blue Buffalo as one of the 16 pet food brands that can potentially increase the risk of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

What Is Wrong With Blue Buffalo Cat Food

While most cat foods have benefits, they also have some negatives. Blue Buffalo cat food contains many plant-based protein boosters and an addition of a lot of fillers that provide only an average amount of proteins and fat to cats, and it cannot be classified as a meat-based cat food in the first place. The macronutrient content is fine, but it is not ideal, another drawback.

It contains carrageenan as a thickener, and the carbohydrate content is also higher than what is needed in cat food since cats derive most of their energy from proteins rather than carbs.

Blue Buffalo has also faced multiple recalls in the past. Some Blue buffalo products have even reported a larger percentage of lead present in them. Earlier, the FDA also pointed out that Blue Buffalo pet food increases heart diseases in cats. However, the brand had never agreed to this. 

Despite all this, they still own a market because they are inexpensive, and cats generally love their taste. But these instances can be cause for concern.

Are Blue Buffalo Treats Safe for Cats

Blue Buffalo treats are generally safe for cats, however they are not the best either. Many people have reported severe kidney and urinary issues in cats after the use of these cat treats. Vets also highly disagree with Blue Buffalo treats. These treats were found to have toxic levels of lead present in them, and there are several recalls which point out that they can do more harm than good to your cat.

While your four-legged furry pet will love the taste of these treats, they are not recommended to be the best when it comes to cat treats, even though they are easily available and cheaper.

Which Blue Buffalo Products Would Be Suitable for Your Cat

Blue Buffalo’s Blue Freedom line, Healthy Gourmet salmon pate, Blue Wilderness High Protein Dry Cat Food are some of the blue buffalo cat foods which have received positive reviews from customers. 

Since Blue Buffalo cat products do not contain grains, the Blue Freedom line could be a good alternative for cat breeds that are prone to grain allergies. It can also be given to cats who are sensitive to gluten or show gluten intolerance. 

Another product is the Blue Wilderness High Protein dry cat food which has all-natural ingredients and is a single source of animal protein. It is a gentle cat food that is very sensitive to a cat’s stomach and can be used for cats with food allergies. 

The Healthy Gourmet salmon pate could also be a suitable cat food for some breeds if it suits them. The price of this product is also quite economical.

Other alternatives could be this brand’s wet foods and seafood options with lower carb content and macronutrient addition. 

How To Know if Your Cat Is Showing Symptoms of Blue Buffalo Allergy 

Vomiting, skin rashes or redness, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy are some of the first symptoms of Blue Buffalo allergy in cats. While symptoms vary from feline to feline as every cat breed’s body reacts differently to different allergies, some of the most common symptoms which appear at first could be vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, changes in the color or odor of the urine. 

In the long-term other symptoms such as a change in the appearance of the coat, skin inflammation and redness, bald patches, weight loss, and changes in appetite can be seen. It is better to take your cat to the vet at the earliest if you see immediate symptoms after consuming any Blue Buffalo products.

Diagnosis is challenging and requires your cat’s food history and pattern. Your vet would then suggest a blood test, x-ray, CT imaging, or any other test to determine the cause and intensity of the underlying problem or disease. He will need to analyze and assess the cat’s overall condition before providing any medication or advice.

Things to Consider

While Blue Buffalo is a safe food option for most cats, the overall view is that its not considered the best choice for your cat, but it can still be fed to cats. But if you still want to try it out, try to go for canned food with low carbohydrate content and higher moisture as well as protein ratio. 

In a nutshell, Blue Buffalo is not an ideal example of the cat food that you should be feeding your cat. There are other dry and wet food options available in the market which can be better for cats at the same price.