We have given Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula – Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe a SILVER rating based upon our review of all packaging claims and product descriptions, laboratory data, food science and microscopic evaluation.

Want to know about how we decide which foods get what rating?  Check out our S.N.I.F.F. Test Review overview to learn more about our approach and rating system.

• Met all their guarantees in our lab test.
• Provides reasonable protein levels (24%) and fat levels (14%) for a dog of average activity.
• Includes additional fortification that have value to overall dog health (L-Carnitine, Turmeric, Vitamin C, Taurine, Probiotics).
• Based on what we know on the bag and from our lab tests, this food meets the regulatory standards for adult dog food.
• Has a mild, pleasant chicken aroma.
• Contains a kibble size that should work for most dogs.
• Reasonable price point for the type of product and fortification you are getting.

• Focuses more on ingredients added or not added to the food rather than nutrition. Also points to “bad” ingredients with no science to support.
• Calls out blueberries and cranberries on the package as being antioxidant-rich fruits, but no antioxidants are claimed in the guarantees so uncertain if effective levels are included.
• Includes photos of sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries and cranberries, but are likely included at very low levels given their placement in the ingredient list.
• Feeding instructions are a little on the high size. We’d recommend cutting back slightly from what they have printed on their bag.

The typical ranges shown below are based on the market research we did of over 1,000 dog foods. Our research has shown that the typical ranges for Fat, Protein and Fiber fall within the green bar shown below. If a food falls outside the typical range, it doesn’t mean it’s a good or bad food. Read our article on Typical Ranges & What It Means To Your Dog if you want to learn more.

The numbers shown below for Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula – Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe are the actual results from a 3rd party laboratory.

Fat, Protein and Fiber come from multiple sources within the diet. But the primary sources are as follows: 

• Protein: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal
• Fat: Chicken Fat, Flaxseed
• Fiber: Tomato Pomace, Alfalfa Meal

For full ingredient analysis, check out our Ingredient Table further down in the review.

• Protein and Fat came in very close to the guarantee, we are are happy to see that.
• Fiber was a little lower than expected at 2.9%, given the max on the bag was shown at 5.0%. Fiber is an important part of a dog’s diet and is what probiotics feed on in the gut of a dog. So while this food met its guarantee, we might suggest looking for a small treat or supplement to boost your dog’s fiber intake.
• Moisture level was about what we would expect to see for most kibble. Most pet food brands guarantee around 10% with the actual number coming in around 8%. We don’t worry about foods being too dry or possibly burnt until the moisture level is less than 5%. So Blue Buffalo is doing well here.
• While Blue Buffalo doesn’t have a guarantee for Ash, that is something we test. To learn more about what Ash is and how it relates to dog food, check out our article on What is Ash & How Much is Too Much? The 6% found in this Blue Buffalo food is average and doesn’t give us any concern.

• At least 28 claims are made on the package ranging from marketing claims (e.g. Holistic or Superior Nutrition) to ingredient claims (e.g. Healthy fruits and veggies) to nutritional claims (e.g. Immune system health).
• Statements that claim certain ingredients are bad for dogs need to be backed up with scientific research. Otherwise, this is simply marketing message to make themselves seem better than their competitors. In terms of negatives ingredient messaging, we have not found any scientific support on either the bag or Blue Buffalo’s website to support their claims.
• When talking about positive benefits from an ingredient, brands must include nutritional guarantees on their bag. If you’re going to talk about antioxidants, for example, you need to show how much antioxidants are actually in the food. This was not always substantiated on the Blue Buffalo bag.
• Marketing claims like ‘ultimate protection’, ‘family’ nor ‘superior nutrition’ are not supported with nutritional guarantees to help you determine nutritional positioning.
• Nutritional claims for ‘strong bones and teeth’, ‘healthy skin & coat’ and ‘healthy muscle development’ are well substantiated and help illustrate what the food can do.

• The primary sources of protein are from deboned chicken and chicken meal along with smaller amounts of pea protein.
• The sources of Carbohydrate/Starch include brown rice, barley, oatmeal, pea starch, peas and potatoes.
• Fiber sources include tomato pomace, alfalfa meal, pea fiber and a prebiotic fiber from chicory root.
• Fat coating for taste and energy comes mostly from chicken fat, but flaxseed is a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids.
• Various fruits and vegetables are called out in claims. As ingredient panels must be in descending order by regulation, many of these are surprisingly lower than some added nutrients (e.g. choline chloride, DL-Methionine) which suggests very low inclusion rates in the formula.  The package suggests overwise.
• Some nutritional components (Vitamin C, L-Carnitine, Taurine) are added which is a good thing but no guarantees are shown describing actual amounts.
• The nutritional and product appeared to be naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols. No negative odors were detected upon physical evaluation so their preservation method seems to be working.
• Probiotics are listed, but we are uncertain if these are alive and viable as there are no guarantees listed.

• Two kibbles are blended (triangle and small cylinder). The cylinder is called a ‘life-bit’ and is darker (vegetable juice is called out for color).
• Blue Buffalo refers to the smaller piece as their Life Source bit and claims it is made a lower temperatures to preserve nutrition.
• The size and shape were consistent and are reasonable for an average sized dog. However, large breeds who eat quickly may find the size to be a little small.

• The aroma of the food was a mild and pleasant chicken smell which comes from the chicken fat and palatant topically coated in processing.
• There were no indications of rancidity.  We conclude that the product formulation included enough antioxidants to support shelf-life.

• 35% – 40% of calories should come from carbohydrates
• 25% – 35% of calories should come from protein
• 25% – 40% of calories should come from fat