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NutriSource vs. Blue Buffalo

In this comparison article for NutriSource vs Blue Buffalo, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare NutriSource and Blue Buffalo, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Blue Buffalo vs NutriSource comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our NutriSource Review Page or Blue Buffalo Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Blue Buffalo vs. NutriSource

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

NutriSource Dog Food vs. Blue Buffalo Dog Food

Dry Dog Food	NutriSource	Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein	28.9%	29.5%
Crude Fat	16.8%	15.3%
Crude Fiber	7.1%	6.8%

Wet/Canned Dog Food	NutriSource	Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein	43.4%	40.0%
Crude Fat	33.0%	26.2%
Crude Fiber	7.2%	7.4%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

NutriSource and Blue Buffalo both provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. For wet dog foods, NutriSource typically provides a little more protein (about 3.33% more).

Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, NutriSource provides more fat (about 6.84% more).

Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Blue Buffalo and NutriSource also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

NutriSource Cat Food vs. Blue Buffalo Cat Food

Dry Cat Food	NutriSource	Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein	36.4%	37.5%
Crude Fat	17.9%	16.8%
Crude Fiber	7.8%	6.2%

Wet/Canned Cat Food	NutriSource	Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein	46.4%	45.8%
Crude Fat	31.4%	24.3%
Crude Fiber	5.2%	8.1%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

As you can see, NutriSource and Blue Buffalo guarantee a similar amount of crude protein. With regards to wet cat food, NutriSource and Blue Buffalo also provide roughly the same amount of crude protein.

Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
Slow the growth of yeast infections
Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

NutriSource Pet Food Ingredients vs. Blue Buffalo Pet Food Ingredients

NutriSource and Blue Buffalo both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Garlic

Canola Oil

Pea Protein

Dried Tomato Pomace

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by NutriSource.

White Rice

Brewers Rice

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Blue Buffalo.

Caramel

Caramel Color

Tomato Pomace

Powdered Cellulose

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by NutriSource.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Blue Buffalo.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex

Product Safety: Recall History of NutriSource & Blue Buffalo?

According to our records, NutriSource has never been recalled.

Blue Buffalo has been recalled 9 times.

Nov. 25, 2015: Salmonella
Nov. 6, 2015: Presence of Propylene Glycol
May 31, 2016: Mold
March 18, 2017: elevated beef throid hormone
Feb. 14, 2017: presence of aluminum
March 3, 2017: Foil Seal Packaging Problem
Oct. 8, 2010: toxic levels of vitamin D
April 19, 2007: Melamine
April 26, 2007: Melamine

Price Comparison: Which Brand Is More Expensive?

Dry Dog Food	NutriSource	Blue Buffalo
Per Pound	$2.64	$3.42
Per Calorie	$0.0015	$0.0021

Dry Cat Food	NutriSource	Blue Buffalo
Per Pound	$3.25	$5.07
Per Calorie	$0.0018	$0.0031

Wet Dog Food	NutriSource	Blue Buffalo
Per Pound	$3.21	$5.09
Per Calorie	$0.0061	$0.0100

Wet Cat Food	NutriSource	Blue Buffalo
Per Pound	$6.39	$7.50
Per Calorie	$0.0119	$0.0153

The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.

If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding NutriSource or Blue Buffalo, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.

Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for NutriSource or Blue Buffalo will depend on your shopping habits.

Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for NutriSource and Blue Buffalo. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.

Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy NutriSource Pet Foods

You can purchase NutriSource pet foods from the following stores:

75 Recipes In-Stock Today

30 Recipes In-Stock Today

Where To Buy Blue Buffalo Pet Foods

You can purchase Blue Buffalo pet food products from these retailers:

281 Recipes In-Stock Today

135 Recipes In-Stock Today

260 Recipes In-Stock Today

14 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

Product	NutriSource	Blue Buffalo
Dry Dog Food	41 Recipes	93 Recipes
Wet Dog Food	13 Recipes	94 Recipes
Dog Treats	11 Treats	50 Treats
Dry Cat Food	8 Recipes	42 Recipes
Wet Cat Food	10 Recipes	59 Recipes
Cat Treats	None	16 Treats