The Top Rated Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dog Food: Ranked

Written by Susan Olayode
Updated: January 30, 2023
© Olena Yakobchuk/Shutterstock.com

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Blue Buffalo is known for making some of the best pet food. They use all-natural ingredients and follow high-quality standards. Pet owners with the pickiest furry babies are often delighted to find that their pets love this brand.

Blue Buffalo is also known for working with expert vets and nutritionists to develop great formulas. These all aim to align with the company’s vision to help furry members live happy and healthy lives. This is one of the reasons why they are so highly ranked.

Right now, the Blue Buffalo brand is known for seven great product lines. They are Life Protection Food, Basics, Wilderness, Freedom, Baby Blue, True Solutions, and Natural Veterinary Diet. For this review, we’ll be discussing their Life Protection Food line.

The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Food product line has been a success since its release. Why wouldn’t it be? It contains high-quality real meat, whole grains, and healthy fruits. Your pet will also benefit from the LifeSource Bits, Blue Buffalo’s proprietary blend of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Food Formula has many recipes for senior dogs, adults, and puppies. It can be difficult to decide which to choose. That’s why we’re giving you a list of the best to help make your decision easier. Here are the top-rated Blue Buffalo Life Protection Foods ranked and reviewed.

  1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Beef & Brown Rice Recipe
    • This recipe includes real meat, veggies, and fruit
    • Formulated for adult dogs
    • Contains protein and carbohydrates your dog needs for energy
    • Enhanced with antioxidants for immune health and omega-fatty acids for skin and coat health
    • It also contains taurine, which is essential for eye and heart health
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice
    • No animal by-products
    • Contain natural ingredients
    • No artificial flavors or preservatives
    • Contains LifeSource Bits
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  3. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food
    • High-quality protein from chicken
    •  No corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives
    • Added vitamins and minerals help senior dogs stay healthy
    • Includes glucosamine and chondroitin to maintain joint health and mobility
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  4. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
    • Designed to promote cognitive development with DHA and ARA
    • Supports muscle and bone development
    • High-quality chicken is the first ingredient
    • No byproduct chicken meals, corn, wheat, and soy
    Check Chewy
  5. BLUE BUFFALO Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
    • Contains real meat
    • Maintain healthy muscles
    • Contains Omega three and six fatty acids
    • Added antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  6. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Bite Adult Chicken & Brown Rice
    • Designed for dogs that need small, bite-sized kibble
    • The first ingredient is chicken for muscle-building, energy-packed protein
    • Contains the antioxidants your dog needs to maintain a healthy immune system
    • This formula also includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health
    Check Chewy

#1 Best Overall: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Beef & Brown Rice Recipe

Our choice for the #1 Best Overall Blue Buffalo Life Protection recipe is Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Beef & Brown Rice Recipe. This delicious recipe includes real meat, vegetables, and garden fruits. You’ll love feeding your adult dog this as much as they love eating it.

The Adult Beef and Brown Rice Life Protection Recipe is enhanced with vitamins that support your dog’s body processes and metabolism. It also contains the essential proteins and carbohydrates needed to meet the energy needs of your adult dog.

This formula’s antioxidant content supports your dog’s immune system. It also contains essential omega fatty acids that protect the skin barrier giving your dog healthy skin and a shiny coat. We also appreciate that this food includes taurine, which helps maintain your dog’s eye and heart health.

Reviews for this Life Protection Formula are overwhelmingly positive, but a few reviewers reported that their dogs picked out the LifeSource Bits and refused to eat them.

Pros and Cons of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Beef & Brown Rice Recipe

ProsCons
This recipe includes real meat, vegetables, and garden fruits.A few reviewers reported that their dogs picked out the LifeSource Bits and refused to eat them.
It’s fortified with vitamins and it contains the essential proteins and carbohydrates your dog needs for energy.
This formula contains antioxidants to support your dog’s immune system and omega fatty acids to protect your dog’s skin barrier for healthy skin and a shiny coat.
Taurine helps maintain your dog’s eye and heart health.
Best Overall
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Beef & Brown Rice Recipe
  • This recipe includes real meat, veggies, and fruit
  • Formulated for adult dogs
  • Contains protein and carbohydrates your dog needs for energy
  • Enhanced with antioxidants for immune health and omega-fatty acids for skin and coat health
  • It also contains taurine, which is essential for eye and heart health
Check Chewy Check Amazon

2. Best for Adult Dogs: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice

Your dog will love Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice. Made with real chicken and the delicious goodness of brown rice, this food is irresistible. Even the pickiest of dogs will give their approval.

You’ll love this recipe’s high protein content, which is excellent for your dog’s muscle development. The essential vitamins and minerals support your dog’s strong bones and teeth. Glucosamine, in particular, is excellent for your dog’s joint health.

This food also contains flaxseed oil, an excellent source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are great for your dog’s skin and coat. It also contains pea fiber and dried chicory root, which are rich in fiber, making the food great for your dog’s digestive system.

Like the previous product, some pet parents reported that their dogs refused to eat the LifeSource Bits.

Pros and Cons of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice

ProsCons
This formula is made with real chicken and brown rice for a flavor your dog can’t resist.Some reviewers reported that their dogs refused to eat the LifeSource Bits.
It’s high in protein for muscle development.
Essential vitamins and minerals support your dog’s strong bones and teeth.
Glucosamine provides joint support.
Flaxseed oil provides omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to nourish your dog’s skin and coat.
Pea fiber and dried chicory root are rich in the fiber your dog’s digestive system needs for optimal health.
Best for Adult Dogs
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Adult Chicken & Brown Rice
  • No animal by-products
  • Contain natural ingredients
  • No artificial flavors or preservatives
  • Contains LifeSource Bits
Check Chewy Check Amazon

3. Best for Senior Dogs: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food

Experts formulated Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food specifically for your aging dog. It contains L-carnitine and high-quality protein from chicken to support your senior dog’s healthy muscles. This food also includes chondroitin and glucosamine, which bolster joint mobility and health and antioxidants, which are great for your senior dog’s immune system.

Elderly dogs on the Blue Buffalo Senior Chicken will easily stand out from pack thanks to the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in this food that leave their coats looking shiny and healthy.

Reviewers love that this food is extra fortified with vitamins and minerals. It also contains a rich blend of fiber, which is essential for aging dogs’ digestive health. It also includes taurine, which is vital for dogs’ eye and heart health.

A few reviewers reported that their dogs experienced digestive issues, including diarrhea, after eating this food.

Pros and Cons of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food

ProsCons
This recipe was specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of aging dogs.A few reviewers reported that their dogs experienced digestive issues, including diarrhea, after eating this food.
L-carnitine and high-quality protein from chicken support muscle health.
Chondroitin and glucosamine bolster joint mobility and health.
Antioxidants support your dog’s immune system.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support skin and coat health.
This recipe is fortified with vitamins and miners.
A rich blend of fiber promotes digestive health.
Taurine is vital for eye and heart health.
Best for Senior Dogs
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food
  • High-quality protein from chicken
  •  No corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives
  • Added vitamins and minerals help senior dogs stay healthy
  • Includes glucosamine and chondroitin to maintain joint health and mobility
Check Chewy Check Amazon

4. Best For Puppy: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice is specially formulated to give your puppy the best nutritional start in life. This recipe’s all-natural ingredients aim to improve your puppy’s healthy muscle growth and bone development. It also supports a healthy immune system, dental health, brain development, healthy skin, and a healthy coat.

Containing essential fatty acids that can also be found in mothers’ milk, your puppy will love this food. This formula also has real deboned chicken and turkey. These high-quality protein sources are great for muscle support and energy.

Our testers especially love that this food comes in smaller kibble sizes, which makes it easier for puppies to pick up and chew. This food also contains DHA and ARA, long-chain fatty acids that support brain and cognitive development.

A few reviewers said that their puppies had diarrhea after eating this food.

Pros and Cons of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice

ProsCons
This recipe is formulated to give puppies the best nutritional foundation, with all-natural ingredients that support muscle growth and bone development.A few reviewers said that their puppies had diarrhea after eating this food.
It also supports a healthy immune system, dental health, brain development, healthy skin, and a healthy coat.
This formula contains essential fatty acids that can be found in mothers’ milk.
Deboned chicken and turkey support muscles and provide energy.
DHA and ARA, long-chain fatty acids, support brain and cognitive development.
Best Dry Puppy Food
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
  • Designed to promote cognitive development with DHA and ARA
  • Supports muscle and bone development
  • High-quality chicken is the first ingredient
  • No byproduct chicken meals, corn, wheat, and soy
Check Chewy

5. Best Alternative to Chicken Flavored: BLUE BUFFALO Life Protection Formula Adult

If your dog doesn’t like the taste of chicken, BLUE BUFFALO Life Protection Formula Adult, is the food you’ve been looking for. It’s made of deboned lamb and wholesome brown rice and enhanced with vitamins.

BLUE BUFFALO Life Protection Formula Adult contains high-quality protein from lamb for your dog’s muscle development and maintenance. The recipe, which is perfect for all breeds, also contains essential fatty acids that promote skin and coat health. You’ll also appreciate the rich antioxidant content of this food that will fortify your dog’s immune system, keeping it healthy and strong.

Please note that this food, contains chicken fat. So, if your dog is allergic or sensitive to chicken, you should find another alternative.

A few reviewers reported that their dogs refused to eat the LifeSource Bits in this recipe, while others said that their dogs didn’t like this dog food.

Pros and Cons of BLUE BUFFALO Life Protection Formula Adult

ProsCons
This recipe is tailor-made for dogs that don’t like the flavor of chicken.This recipe does include chicken fat, so it is not suitable for dogs that are sensitive or allergic to chicken.
It’s made of deboned lamb and wholesome brown rice and enhanced with vitamins.A few reviewers reported that their dogs refused to eat the LifeSource Bits in this recipe.
High-quality protein from lamb promotes muscle development and maintenance.Others said that their dogs didn’t like this dog food.
Essential fatty acids promote skin and coat health.
Antioxidants fortify your dog’s immune system.
Best Alternative to Chicken Flavored
BLUE BUFFALO Life Protection Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
  • Contains real meat
  • Maintain healthy muscles
  • Contains Omega three and six fatty acids
  • Added antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
Check Chewy Check Amazon

6. Best Unique Kibble: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Bite Adult Chicken & Brown Rice

If standard-sized kibble is too big for your dog, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Bite Adult Chicken & Brown Rice is the dog food that you’ve been looking for. This delicious formula is targeted at all breeds and sizes and delivers high-quality nutrition in much-needed smaller kibble that’s easier for some dogs to chew.

The first ingredient in this food is real chicken, which is a delicious healthy source of protein and energy. Your dog requires protein for healthy muscle growth and maintenance. This food also includes the antioxidants that your dog needs for a healthy immune system. 

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Bites also contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which support skin and coat health. No wonder reviewers say their dog’s coat is healthy and shiny!

And this recipe is free from corn, wheat, soy, and chicken (or poultry) by-product meals.

Several reviewers reported that their dogs had diarrhea after eating this food.

Pros and Cons of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Bite Adult Chicken & Brown Rice

ProsCons
This recipe is formulated for dogs of all breeds and sizes and provides the nutrition your dog needs in smaller kibble that’s easier for some dogs to chew.Several reviewers reported that their dogs had diarrhea after eating this food.
The first ingredient is chicken for energy and muscle growth and development.
It’s fortified with antioxidants for your dog’s healthy immune system.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids support skin and coat health.
This recipe is free from corn, wheat, soy, and chicken (or poultry) by-product meals.
Best Unique Kibble
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Bite Adult Chicken & Brown Rice
  • Designed for dogs that need small, bite-sized kibble
  • The first ingredient is chicken for muscle-building, energy-packed protein
  • Contains the antioxidants your dog needs to maintain a healthy immune system
  • This formula also includes omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health
Check Chewy

Choosing the Top Rated Blue Buffalo Life Protection Food: What to Look For

Shopping for dog food can feel overwhelming. It’s simpler if you narrow your search to a high-quality brand like Blue Buffalo and read qualified reviews like this one for advice. Then keep the following criterion in mind: flavor, allergies, life stage, and price.

Flavor

As pet parents, sometimes it isn’t just that your dog doesn’t want to eat. It could be that they just don’t like the flavor. If this seems to be the problem, try other flavors. Blue Buffalo offers healthful, all-natural dog food in a wide range of flavors, including chicken, beef, lamb, and even fish.

Allergies

Sometimes, it is more than a dislike for the flavor. Your dog could also have a food sensitivity or allergy. For example, some dogs have a problem digesting chicken. If this applies to your pet, select another option such as lamb or beef. Always read labels carefully to ensure that dog food doesn’t include foods to which your dog is sensitive or allergic.

Life Stage

Is your dog a senior, adult, or puppy? Dogs require different nutrients in specific amounts during each life stage. That’s why Blue Buffalo Life Protection offers options for each life stage.

Price

The best food for your dog is one that offers you the best value for the price. So when making your purchase, watch out for deals and sales. However, it’s important to note that all Blue Buffalo pet foods are reasonably priced for such high-quality products.

Also, consider signing up for a subscription program that offers a discount for regularly scheduled purchases.

Up Next

The Top Rated Blue Buffalo Life Protection Dog Food: Ranked FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is the difference between Blue Buffalo Freedom and Life Protection?

The Blue Buffalo Freedom is known for grain-free delicious dog food. The Blue Buffalo Life Protection product line, however, includes grain.

Why is Blue Buffalo the best dog food?

Blue Buffalo offers all-natural high protein and vitamin-enhanced meals. It is nutrient-rich and guaranteed to help your dog, muscle, joints, skin, coat, and immune system.

Is Blue Buffalo pet food made in China?

All of Blue Buffalo’s pet food ingredients are manufactured in America from ingredients sourced in the United States, New Zealand, or Europe. None of the ingredients are sourced from China, so they are safe for your pet.

What is the healthiest dog food for dogs?

With its all-natural food content, Blue Buffalo is one of the top-rated, healthiest food for dogs. You can feel confident about feeding any Blue Buffalo dog food recipe to your furry best friend.

What is the number one healthiest dog food?

Blue Buffalo is on our number one healthiest dog food list based on our extensive reviews.

Is Blue Buffalo good for dogs?

Blue Buffalo is one of the best pet food brands for your dog. It offers some of the healthiest recipes for your dog and matches the energy and life-stage profile needed to keep your dog healthy.

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