| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Blue Buffalo Life Protection Healthy Weight Adult Dry Dog Food |
| Best for Large Breed Dogs | Blue Buffalo Wilderness Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe Adult Large Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 24-lb bag |
| Best for Small Breed Dogs | Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Breed Chicken |
| Best for Sensitive Stomachs | Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Healthy Weight Turkey & Potato Recipe |
Are you a dog owner looking to switch your pet’s food because it needs to lose weight? Maybe your dog has already achieved its ideal weight, and you’re looking for the best food to maintain it. Either way, you’re in the right place. This article will review Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Formulas, a group of recipes formulated to control your dog’s weight while satisfying its nutritional needs.
When the Bishop family’s Airedale, Blue, was diagnosed with cancer, they searched for a natural dog food that was made with high-quality ingredients. They couldn’t find one, so they started to feed Blue like family. They went on to create natural, high-quality dog food with real meat first that’s free from synthetic and carcinogenic ingredients.
Today, Blue Buffalo manufactures a wide range of dog foods based on different formulas. Some of these formulas include Wilderness, Basic, and Life Protection. This review will discuss the Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight recipes based on these three dog food formulas.
The recipes are made of all-natural ingredients and are best suited for adult dogs. They also incorporate LifeSource Bits — a special blend of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants that are cold-formed to retain their potency and prevent degradation by enzymes or temperature. Each recipe has a minimum of 9% and a maximum of 12% fat content, which contributes to effective weight loss.
As you read on, we will help you make an informed decision on whether any of these Healthy Weight formulas are right for your dog.
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Available in 5-, 15-, 30-, and 34-pound bags, as well as a bundle of two 30-pound bags.
- Advertised as having no corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-products.
- Made with real meat, grains, vegetables, and fruit.
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Rich in carbohydrates sourced from fruits and vegetables
- Contains no fillers or artificial ingredients that trigger allergies
- Great option for smaller dogs
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Deboned chicken, chicken and fish meal recipe with peas, sweet potatoes, and potatoes
- Antioxidants from fruit for immune health
- Promotes muscle development, high energy, and joint health
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Specially formulated for sensitive stomachs
- Made with high-quality, de-boned turkey
- Will help ensure your dog's coat is nice and shiny
Top Picks: The Best Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Formulas
#1 Best Overall: Life Protection Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Formula
Our choice for the #1 Best Overall Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Formula is Life Protection Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe. This recipe is formulated with reduced calories from fat. Each serving provides your dog with a satisfying meal while helping them achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. The first ingredient is real chicken to help your dog build and maintain healthy muscles. Wholesome grains, like brown rice and barley, plus vegetables and fruit are also featured in this delicious, nutritious recipe.
LifeSource Bits, the company’s proprietary blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, support your dog’s immune system health, life-stage needs, and a healthy oxidative balance. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from fish oil promote skin and coat health.
Like all BLUE recipes, this one is free from chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
While most of the reviews for this product were positive, some reviewers said that their dogs didn’t like this food. A few others said that it was overpriced.
Life Protection Healthy Weight Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Formula
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This weight-loss dog food is formulated with reduced calories from fat. | Some reviewers said that their dogs didn’t like this food. |
| The first ingredient is real chicken to build and maintain healthy muscles. | A few buyers said that this food was overpriced. |
| It also includes wholesome grains, vegetables, and fruit. | |
| LifeSource Bits, a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals support immune system health, life-stage needs, and a healthy oxidative balance. | |
| Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from fish oil promote skin and coat health. | |
| Like all BLUE foods, this one is free from chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, and preservatives.. |
- Formulated for dogs that are less active and/or simply have trouble maintaining a healthy weight
- The first two ingredients are chicken and chicken meal
- Whole grains, including brown rice and barley, provide extra fiber so your dog will feel full longer
- Added calcium and phosphorus improve your dog's overall health, especially as they age
- All minerals are chelated for easier absorption
2. Best for Large Breed Dogs: Wilderness Healthy Weight Adult Large Breed Grain-Free Chicken Recipe
The Wilderness Healthy Weight Adult Large Breed Grain-Free Chicken Recipe is similar to the Life Protection Healthy Weight formula in terms of its nutritional value. However, Wilderness Adult Chicken recipe is formulated to provide large breed dogs with a grain-free, premium-quality protein diet.
Large breed dogs have special dietary requirements due to their large size. A perfect large breed diet should be protein-rich, and this formula offers just that. The recipe contains premium-quality chicken to help keeps your large buddy lean and active. It has no grains, artificial ingredients, or fats that are extra sources of calories, which helps large-sized dogs effectively control their weight.
It is also rich in joint-supporting nutrients and minerals. The added LifeSource Bits are a palatable source of antioxidants and vitamins to enhance your pet’s immunity. And, like all BLUE recipes, this one contains no chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.
Reviews for this recipe were overwhelmingly positive, but a couple of reviewers said that this food made their dogs sick.
Pros and Cons of Wilderness Healthy Weight Adult Large Breed Grain-Free Chicken Recipe
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This grain-free recipe is formulated specifically for large breed dogs. | A couple of reviewers said this food made their dogs sick. |
| It’s protein-rich, with premium-quality chicken to help keep your large dog lean and active. | |
| It’s free from grains, artificial ingredients, and fats that are a source of excess calories. | |
| This formula includes joint supporting nutrients and minerals and LifeSource Bits, a palatable source of antioxidants and vitamins to enhance your dog’s immunity. | |
| It doesn’t include chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives. |
- Rich in carbohydrates sourced from fruits and vegetables
- Contains no fillers or artificial ingredients that trigger allergies
- Great option for smaller dogs
3. Best for Small Breed Dogs: Wilderness Healthy Weight Adult Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken Recipe
There’s a Wilderness Healthy Weight recipe for your small-sized canines, just as there is for their larger counterparts: Wilderness Healthy Weight Adult Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken Recipe. With deboned chicken as its first ingredient, this recipe supports your small dog with all the necessary nutrients to build and maintain its lean muscle mass. The meal also has small kibble for your dog’s smaller mouth and jaws.
This grain-free recipe is carefully formulated to meet your dog’s daily energy requirements while maintaining a healthy weight. It’s rich in carbohydrates sourced from fruits and vegetables. Natural antioxidants from cranberries and blueberries provide immune support, while vitamins included in the recipe meet your pup’s life-stage requirements. We also think that the Wilderness Healthy Weight Grain-Free Chicken Recipe is a great option for your small, adult dogs because it contains no fillers or artificial ingredients that may trigger allergies.
A few buyers reported that their dogs didn’t like this food.
Pros and Cons of Wilderness Healthy Weight Adult Small Breed Grain-Free Chicken Recipe
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This grain-free recipe is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of small dogs. | Some reviewers said that their dogs didn’t like this food. |
| The first ingredient is deboned chicken to help your small dog build and maintain lean muscles. | |
| It ensures that your dog’s energy requirements are met while helping them maintain a healthy weight. | |
| It’s rich in healthy carbs sourced from fruits and veggies. | |
| Natural antioxidants from cranberries and blueberries provide immune support. | |
| Vitamins meet your dog’s life-stage requirements. | |
| It’s free from fillers or artificial ingredients that may trigger allergies. |
- Deboned chicken, chicken and fish meal recipe with peas, sweet potatoes, and potatoes
- Antioxidants from fruit for immune health
- Promotes muscle development, high energy, and joint health
- Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat
4. Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Healthy Weight Turkey & Potato Recipe
Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Healthy Weight Turkey & Potato Recipe is a unique limited-ingredient diet that includes gut-friendly ingredients for dogs with sensitive stomachs. As the name suggests, limited-ingredient diets include a single protein source and a single carbohydrate source to minimize dogs’ exposure to ingredients that may trigger their food allergies.
This recipe is formulated with high-quality, de-boned turkey as its protein source and delicious potato for energy, making it a palatable meal for your pooch. It also contains ingredients like peas and pumpkins that provide energy without additional calories from fat sources, to help promote your dog’s weight loss or maintenance.
This formula features LifeSource Bits, which are composed of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals to strengthen your pet’s immunity and help keep it healthy. The ingredients in this recipe are easy to digest, causing no discomfort to your dog’s gut. They also promote skin and coat health, so your dog will look as great as it feels.
A few reviewers said that their dogs experienced digestive issues, including diarrhea, after eating this food. Some reported that their dogs didn’t like this food and refused to eat it.
Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Healthy Weight Turkey & Potato Recipe
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This limited-ingredient dog food is formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs. | Some reviewers said their dogs experienced digestive issues, including diarrhea, after eating this food. |
| It includes deboned turkey as its sole protein source and potato as the carbohydrate. | A few reported that their dogs didn’t like this food and refused to eat it. |
| It also includes peas and pumpkins to provide energy without adding additional fat, thus promoting your dog’s weight loss or weight maintenance. | |
| The recipe includes LifeSource Bits, a precise blend of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. | |
| The ingredients in this recipe are easy to digest and won’t cause your dog stomach discomfort. | |
| The recipe also includes ingredients that promote skin and coat health. |
- Specially formulated for sensitive stomachs
- Made with high-quality, de-boned turkey
- Will help ensure your dog's coat is nice and shiny
Choosing the Best Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Formula: What to Look For
When selecting the best Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Formula for your canine friend, you should keep certain factors in mind. These factors include calorie content, ingredients, breed size, allergies, and price.
Calorie Content
In general, calories contribute to weight gain. For this reason, a healthy weight formula should be low in calories per serving. Before making a purchase, you should confirm the calorie content of your desired product to ensure that it can help your pet lose its extra weight in a healthy way.
Ingredients
The best healthy weight formula for your dog should include natural ingredients, including high-quality animal protein, healthy carbs, and the precise nutrients that your dog requires for immune system, joint, skin, and coat health. You should avoid recipes that include artificial ingredients, preservatives, or animal by-products.
Breed Size
You should consider your furry friend’s breed size before switching its meal to a healthy weight formula. Large and small dog breeds have distinct dietary requirements to effectively control and maintain their weight.
Allergies
Extra caution is required when choosing the best diet for dogs with sensitive tummies. For this reason, you should carefully go through the ingredient list to ensure that it doesn’t include foods to which your dog is allergic. You should also opt for recipes with limited ingredients because the lesser the number of ingredients, the lower the risk of allergies.
Price
Although Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Formulas are a bit pricey, we think they’re worth it because they’re high-quality recipes formulated from natural ingredients. The recipes ensure a healthy weight loss experience while meeting your canine friend’s nutritional requirements — all with delicious flavors your dog will look forward to eating.
Conclusion
Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Formulas are quality, safe, and healthy weight control options for your furry companion. We reviewed some of the formulas in this article, and you can rest assured that you’ll find a suitable one for your pooch whether you’re looking to control your pet’s weight or maintain its current weight.
Up Next
- Best Blue Buffalo for Senior Dogs — Is your furry best friend getting on in years? Find out which Blue Buffalo foods you should feed them.
- Best All-Natural Blue Buffalo Treats for Dogs — Trying to find the perfect reward snack for your dog? Check out these Blue Buffalo treats.
- Best Blue Buffalo Foods for Small Dog Breeds — If you’ve got one of those little four-legged cuties, you’ve got to check this out.
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Blue Buffalo Life Protection Healthy Weight Adult Dry Dog Food |
| Best for Large Breed Dogs | Blue Buffalo Wilderness Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe Adult Large Breed Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, 24-lb bag |
| Best for Small Breed Dogs | Blue Buffalo Wilderness Small Breed Chicken |
| Best for Sensitive Stomachs | Best for Sensitive Stomachs: Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach Care Healthy Weight Turkey & Potato Recipe |
Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Formulas: Read This Before Buying FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Which Blue Buffalo dog formula is best for weight loss?
The Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula nourishes your adult dog and helps it to control its weight healthily. It contains a protein source for lean muscle development. It is not only nutritious but also highly palatable with no extra calories from fat, contributing to your dog’s overall maintenance of a healthy weight.
Is Blue Buffalo high in fat?
Blue Buffalo Healthy Weight Formulas has an ideal fat content range — a minimum of 9% and a maximum of 12%. This contributes to safe weight loss, as your dog does not pack on the extra calories from a high fat diet.
Is grain-free diet better for weight loss?
Whole grains (being complex carbohydrates) are not easily broken down in the gut. Thus, your dog remains filled for a longer time. With grain-free diets, your dog may require frequent meals, which may not be helpful for weight loss.
Unless your dog is sensitive or allergic to grains, a grain-inclusive recipe may be best for them. If you’re unsure, consult your veterinarian for guidance.
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