Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe For Small Breed Senior Dogs Review
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Review of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe For Small Breed Senior Dogs
According to our data, this Blue Buffalo recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe For Small Breed Senior Dogs is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe For Small Breed Senior Dogs, we'll examine all 63 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.
While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.
Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.
Chicken meal is a highly concentrated source of protein made from dehydrated and ground chicken. It provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development, tissue repair, and overall growth, making it a valuable ingredient for maintaining your dog's health and well-being.
Brown rice is a whole grain that provides an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients for your dog. The fiber content can aid in digestion and help maintain a healthy weight, while the carbohydrates provide energy for an active lifestyle.
Oatmeal is a highly digestible and nutritious source of carbohydrates that provides your dog with energy, fiber, and essential nutrients for a healthy digestive system and overall well-being.
Barley is a nutritious, fiber-rich grain that helps promote healthy digestion and provides essential nutrients for your dog's overall health. It is also a great source of energy, vitamins, and minerals.
Peas are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can contribute to your dog's overall health and provide necessary nutrients.
Dried tomato pomace is a fiber-rich ingredient derived from tomatoes, which aids in digestion and promotes a healthy gut in dogs.
Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.
Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a source of essential fatty acids like omega-6 which help to maintain a healthy skin and coat. The tocopherols act as natural preservatives.
Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients, which can support your dog's skin, coat, and digestive health.
Dried egg product is a highly digestible source of protein that can help to build and maintain your dog's muscle tissue.
Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining a healthy skin and coat, supporting brain function, and promoting overall immune system health in dogs.
Dried yeast is a nutrient-rich ingredient that provides essential B vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It supports a healthy immune system, promotes skin and coat health, and aids in maintaining overall well-being in your dog.
Miscanthus grass is a natural, environmentally friendly, and sustainable source of fiber for your dog's diet. It promotes healthy digestion, helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, and supports overall gastrointestinal health.
Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.
While salt is a necessary component of a dog's diet, providing essential minerals such as sodium and chloride for proper cellular function, it should be provided in moderation to avoid health issues like hypertension or kidney damage.
Calcium carbonate is a valuable source of calcium, an essential mineral for strong bones and teeth, and for supporting proper muscle function in your dog.
Direct dehydrated alfalfa pellet is a nutrient-dense, fiber-rich ingredient that supports your dog's digestive health and overall well-being. It provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote a healthy immune system and contribute to a well-balanced diet.
Dried chicory root is a natural prebiotic fiber that can help promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and support your dog's digestive health. It also contains inulin, which can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and support overall immune system function.
Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.
Alfalfa nutrient concentrate is a nutrient-dense ingredient made from alfalfa, a plant rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It can support your dog's overall health by providing essential nutrients, promoting a healthy immune system, and improving digestion.
Dicalcium phosphate is a calcium and phosphorus supplement that helps to support the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth in dogs.
Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.
Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.
L-threonine is an essential amino acid that supports the immune system, muscle growth, and the production of collagen in dogs, contributing to a healthy skin, coat, and joints.
Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.
DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that supports your dog's overall health by promoting proper protein synthesis, maintaining healthy skin and coat, and aiding in the detoxification process.
Dried sweet potato is a source of dietary fiber which aids in healthy digestion, and also contains vitamins like vitamin A and C.
Carrots are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for your dog. They're rich in vitamin A, which supports healthy vision and immune function, and also provide fiber to aid in digestion and maintain a healthy weight.
L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate is a stable form of vitamin C, an essential antioxidant that supports your dog's immune system, joint health, and overall wellness.
L-carnitine is an essential nutrient that helps your dog's body convert fat into energy, promoting a healthy weight and supporting their overall well-being.
Zinc amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of zinc that supports your dog's immune system, skin, and coat health. This ingredient also plays a crucial role in wound healing and maintaining a healthy metabolism.
Zinc sulfate is a source of the essential mineral zinc, which supports your dog's immune system, skin and coat health, and overall growth and development.
Vegetable juice color is a natural coloring agent derived from vegetables, providing a visually appealing appearance to dog food without the use of artificial colors or preservatives.
Glucosamine hydrochloride is a vital supplement that supports joint health and mobility in dogs. It helps maintain the cartilage in joints, reducing inflammation and promoting overall joint comfort.
Ferrous sulfate is an important source of iron for dogs, a mineral essential for red blood cell production, oxygen transportation, and overall vitality. Adequate iron intake supports your dog's immune system and energy levels.
Iron amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of iron that supports red blood cell production, oxygen transport, and overall health in dogs.
Blueberry is a nutrient-rich fruit that provides antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, which can help support your dog's immune system and overall health.
Cranberry is a fruit that can provide your dog with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C, promoting urinary tract health and boosting their immune system.
Barley grass is a nutrient-rich plant that provides a range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your dog's immune system, digestion, and overall health.
Parsley is a source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and it also supports fresh breath.
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant spice that can help support your dog's joint health, immune system, and overall well-being.
Dried kelp is a natural source of essential minerals and trace elements, which help support your dog's thyroid function and overall health.
Yucca schidigera extract is a natural ingredient known for its ability to reduce unpleasant odors in your dog's waste. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help support joint health and overall well-being.
Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, is essential for a dog's metabolism and energy production, and supports healthy skin and coat.
Calcium pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) that helps support your dog's energy metabolism and nervous system function.
L-lysine is an essential amino acid that helps support a healthy immune system and aids in the production of enzymes and antibodies.
Copper sulfate is an essential trace mineral that supports various bodily functions in dogs, including immune system health, skin and coat maintenance, and red blood cell production.
Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.
Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.
Copper amino acid chelate is an easily absorbed form of copper, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's connective tissue formation, metabolism, and overall health.
Manganese sulfate is a source of manganese, an essential trace mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy bones, joints, and metabolism in dogs. It also supports the production of collagen, which is vital for healthy skin, coat, and connective tissues.
Chondroitin sulfate is a vital component in maintaining healthy joints and cartilage in dogs. It helps to reduce joint inflammation, support joint mobility, and slow down the progression of arthritis.
Manganese amino acid chelate is a highly bioavailable form of manganese, a trace mineral that supports bone health and metabolic function.
Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.
Riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B2, is essential for energy production, cell function, and fat metabolism in your dog's body.
Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.
Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.
Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.
Calcium iodate is a source of iodine, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolism. It helps maintain proper hormone production and is crucial for overall health and well-being.
Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.
Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.
Oil of rosemary is often used in dog food as a natural preservative. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit your dog's health.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
1. Crude Protein (min) 23.00%: The main sources of protein in this pet food are deboned chicken, chicken meal, and pea protein. These ingredients are high in protein and contribute to the minimum protein guarantee.
2. Crude Fat (min) 13.00%: The fat content in this food mainly comes from the chicken fat and flaxseed. Flaxseed is also a source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids. Fish oil is another source of fat in the food, which also provides DHA-Docosahexaenoic Acid, an important fatty acid for dogs' health.
3. Crude Fiber (max) 6.00%: The fiber in this pet food comes from ingredients such as brown rice, barley, oatmeal, peas, pea fiber, and dried chicory root. These ingredients are all good sources of dietary fiber.
4. Calories 3559.00 per kg: The caloric content of this food comes from a combination of its protein, fat, and carbohydrate sources. The main contributors to the caloric content would be the deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal, and peas.
In addition to these, the pet food also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals from both natural food ingredients and added supplements. For instance, the vegetables and fruits like sweet potatoes, carrots, blueberries, and cranberries provide natural sources of vitamins, while added supplements ensure the pet food meets the nutritional needs of dogs.
Review of Affordability
According to our data, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe For Small Breed Senior Dogs costs approximately $2.84 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.
| Adult Weight | Adult |
|---|---|
| 5 lbs | $17.25 |
| 10 lbs | $29.02 |
| 15 lbs | $39.33 |
| 20 lbs | $48.80 |
| 30 lbs | $66.15 |
Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.
Summary of Customer Reviews
Customers have shared that their senior small breed dogs, like Zoey, have shown improved digestion and energy levels with Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula. Many dogs seem to love the taste, including a picky Shitzu-Terrier and a 15-year-old dog who enjoys the small kibble size, which is easier to eat and digest.
Some dogs are particularly fond of the chicken and brown rice recipe, and pet owners have noticed their dogs showing more vitality and enthusiasm after switching to this senior formula. The food is also praised for its quality, allowing owners to feed less while maintaining their dogs' health.
Despite a few dogs not favoring the dark pieces in the blend, many pets have adapted well to the food. Owners have found creative solutions such as mixing in favorite treats or home-cooked meals to entice their dogs, ensuring they still benefit from the nutritious formula.
For those dogs with dental issues or fewer teeth, the small kibble size has been a significant advantage, making mealtime more enjoyable and less of a struggle. The food's compatibility with senior dogs' needs has been a recurring positive note among satisfied customers.
Blue Buffalo's reputation as a respected brand has been upheld by numerous customers who trust the company's products for their aging pets. The brand loyalty is evident in long-term users who have kept their dogs on Blue Buffalo diets for many years, citing its contribution to their pets' health and longevity.
In response to some negative experiences, it's important to note that while most dogs thrive on this formula, individual sensitivities can occur. In such cases, pet owners have responsibly switched to alternative diets that better suit their dogs' needs. Overall, the positive reviews highlight the food's appeal to senior small breed dogs, with many thriving on the nutrient-rich, size-appropriate kibble.
