Welcome to our review of Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Dog Food.

Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Dog Food Review

Name: Blue Buffalo Freedom Dry Dog Food Review
Item: Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Adult Chicken Recipe
Rating: 4.11
Author: Samuel James

Disclosure: As a Chewy affiliate, we earn commissions for qualifying purchases.

List of products

Blue Buffalo Freedom Dry Products	Ratings	AAFCO
→ Grain-Free Puppy Chicken Recipe	3.7	Growth
→ Grain-Free Adult Beef Recipe	4.2	Maintenance
→ Grain-Free Adult Chicken Recipe	4.2	Maintenance
→ Grain-Free Adult Lamb Recipe	4.2	Maintenance
→ Grain-Free Adult Healthy Weight Chicken Recipe	4.1	Maintenance
→ Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Chicken Recipe	4.1	Maintenance
→ Grain-Free Large Breed Adult Chicken Recipe	4.3	Maintenance
→ Grain-Free Senior Chicken Recipe	4.1	Maintenance

This dog food line has 8 recipes. Reviewing all isn’t possible. The review of Grain-Free Adult Chicken Recipe shows the quality, nutrition, and composition of the whole line.

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Ingredients

Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Tapioca Starch, Pea Starch, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Pea Protein, Dried Yeast, Natural Flavor, Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Canola Oil, Dried Chicory Root, Choline Chloride, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, DL-Methionine, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Taurine, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable Juice for color, L-Threonine, Ferrous Sulfate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride,

Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.

Ingredient Analysis

The first five ingredients are highlighted as the primary ingredients in this Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Dog Food Review.

Primary Ingredients

→ Deboned chicken is a high-quality protein used in premium dog foods. It’s made by removing the bones from fresh chicken, leaving nutrient-rich meat. It supplies essential amino acids for muscle maintenance and energy, and it’s easy to digest.

However, since chicken is a common allergen, it may not suit pets with poultry sensitivities.

Deboned chicken (raw, skinless) provides about 22.5 grams of protein per 100 grams.

→ Chicken meal is rendered chicken meat that has been dried and ground, and it typically includes clean flesh, skin, and bone.

It has a higher protein concentration—approximately 65%—compared to deboned chicken, making it beneficial for muscle development.

Additionally, chicken meal is a natural source of glucosamine, a key component in supporting cartilage and joint health.

→ Potatoes serve as a gluten-free carbohydrate source, providing energy, fiber (2.2g per 100g), and nutrients like vitamin C and potassium. They are easy to digest and often used in grain-free formulas.

However, their high starch content and glycemic index (which causes rapid blood sugar spikes) may not be suitable for dogs with diabetes.

→ Peas are a common part of commercial pet foods. They provide fiber, vitamins (A, C, K), minerals (iron, manganese, phosphorus), and antioxidants.

Raw green peas have 5.42 g of protein and 14.4 g of carbohydrates in each 100-gram serving.

→ Tapioca starch comes from the cassava root and is mainly used as a source of digestible carbohydrates. Unlike whole cassava, it does not retain fiber or micronutrients. It functions as a grain-free binder, enhances kibble texture, and supplies gluten-free energy.

Secondary Ingredients

The three ingredients immediately following the primary ingredients are highlighted as the secondary ingredients in this review of Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Dog Food.

→ Pea starch is a carbohydrate ingredient extracted from yellow peas through wet-milling, separating starch from protein and fiber.

Unlike whole peas, which supply protein, fiber, and micronutrients, pea starch is mainly a source of digestible carbohydrates.

In this dog food, it serves as a binder and grain alternative, providing gluten-free energy while supporting kibble structure and palatability.

→ Chicken fat is the fat separated from chicken tissues during rendering. It is commonly used in dog food as a concentrated energy source and flavor enhancer.

It is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, and is often preserved with mixed tocopherols to maintain freshness.

→ Dried tomato pomace is a byproduct of processing tomatoes into products like sauces, ketchup, juices, purees, and concentrates.

It consists of the dried and ground skins, pulp, and crushed seeds of tomatoes. It provides soluble fiber and the antioxidant lycopene.

Other Ingredients

→ Flaxseed is a natural source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help keep skin healthy, make coats shiny, and reduce inflammation in dogs.

Every 100g of ground flaxseed contains around 18g of protein, 37.3g of fat, 34.4g of carbs, and 23.1g of fiber.

→ Pea protein is a plant-based protein extracted from peas, commonly used in dog food to increase protein content, especially in grain-free formulas.

→ Dried yeast is a high-quality source of essential amino acids, protein, and B vitamins. Adding it to a dog food formula boosts flavor, making the food more appealing to picky eaters or dogs with poor appetites.

The Grain-Free Adult Chicken Recipe includes other beneficial ingredients further down the list to support your dog’s health. However, we won’t explore them in detail here due to the scope of this Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Dog Food.

Nutrient Sources - Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Dog Food

Nutrient	Sources
Protein	Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Dried Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed, Pea Protein, Dried Yeast, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Parsley, Dried Kelp
Fat	Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Chicken Fat, Dried Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed, Dried Yeast, Canola Oil
Carbohydrate	Potatoes, Peas, Tapioca Starch, Pea Starch, Dried Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed, Dried Yeast, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp
Fiber	Potatoes, Peas, Dried Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed, Dried Yeast, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Pea Fiber, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp

Vitamins

The Recipe provides essential vitamins A, D, E, B-complex (B1-B12), and C. Vitamin K is not directly added, appearing minimally from alfalfa and kelp with endogenous synthesis.

Most vitamins are synthetic (e.g., E, Bs, C), ensuring precise dosing. Mixed tocopherols enhance stability, though slight degradation may occur over time.

Minerals

The Grain-Free Adult Chicken Recipe offers the key minerals your dog needs.

It contains chelated zinc, iron, copper, and manganese, which are easier to absorb thanks to amino acid binding.

It also includes calcium, phosphorus, and selenium in non-chelated forms, which are effective. Together, this blend meets your dog’s mineral needs well.

Ingredient Concerns

Peas are broken into multiple entries—pea starch, peas, pea protein, and pea fiber. Splitting them up makes the meat (like chicken) seem more prominent than it really is. This is called “ingredient splitting.”

In reality, all those pea parts together can outweigh the meat on the label.

Ingredients like natural flavor and vegetable juice for color don’t specify their source, quality, or how they’re processed.

This product uses sodium selenite, an inorganic form of selenium. While it is cheaper, it is less bioavailable and carries higher toxicity risks compared to selenium yeast.

Selenium yeast, a natural and organic alternative, offers superior absorption and is gentler on digestion, making it a safer choice overall.

This Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Dog Food highlights both the strengths and potential concerns in the formulation, giving pet owners a clearer picture of what to expect from this popular dry dog food line.

Nutrient Analysis

Moisture=10% Max

Method of Analysis	Protein	Fat	Carbs	Fiber
→ Guaranteed Analysis	24%	14%	38%	6%
→ Dry Matter Basis	26.7%	15.6%	42.2%	6.7%
→ Calorie Content Basis	25%	35.4%	39.6%	NA

Normal dog food typically contains (18-35)% protein, (30–50)% carbohydrates and (9–25)% fat on a dry matter basis.

However, Grain-Free Adult Chicken Recipe contains 26.7% protein, 15.6% fat, and approximately 42.2% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.

This makes it Moderate in protein, Moderate in fat, and Moderate in carbohydrates.

Compliance with AAFCO and FEDIAF Standards

The Grain-Free Adult Chicken Recipe contains 26.7% protein and 15.6% fat on a dry matter basis.

These levels exceed the minimum requirements for adult maintenance set by AAFCO and FEDIAF standards, ensuring the food provides sufficient protein and fat to support your dog’s overall health.

Every recipe in Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Dog Food line meets AAFCO and FEDIAF standards.

AAFCO Statement

“BLUE Freedom Grain-Free with Chicken and Potatoes for Adult Dogs is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.”

The statement means the recipe’s nutrient levels were tested in a lab but not through actual feeding trials with dogs.

Both methods ensure nutritional adequacy, though feeding trials provide practical validation.

Cost Analysis

Cost Metrics	4-lb bag	11-lb bag	24-lb bag
→ Cost per Unit	$19.98	$39.98	$68.98
→ Cost per Pound	$5.00	$3.63	$2.87
→ Cost per Serving	$1.30	$0.95	$0.75

This cost comparison for Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Dog Food reveals a clear trade-off between initial outlay and long-term savings.

While the 4-lb bag has the lowest upfront cost, its price per pound and per serving is significantly higher.

The 11-lb bag offers a middle ground, reducing the cost per pound substantially.

However, the 24-lb bag provides the most compelling value, slashing the cost per serving to just $0.75, nearly half that of the smallest bag. For dedicated feeders of this recipe, the 24-lb bag delivers the best overall value, maximizing savings over time despite its higher initial price.

Chewy Autoship offers 35% off (up to $20) on your first order. For a 24-lb bag, the cost is $68.98, but on Autoship, it drops to $48.98, saving $20.

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Note: Prices are subject to change based on retailer, location, and availability.

Pros and Cons - Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Dog Food

Pros

No corn, wheat, or soy
High-Quality Protein Source
No artificial flavors or preservatives
Offers Omega-3 and Omega-6 for skin and coat health
Features DHA and ARA to promote brain and eye development

Cons

Lack of transparency about the source of ingredient like natural flavor
Plant-based proteins are used
Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
Ingredient splitting can be seen

Recalls and Safety

As of Oct 10, 2025, Blue Buffalo has issued several recalls affecting dog and cat foods. The most recent FDA-documented recall occurred in March 2017 for certain products due to elevated levels of naturally occurring beef thyroid hormone.

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Our Rating

Our dog food rating system rated the Grain-Free Adult Chicken Recipe at 4.2 out of 5, while the Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Dog Food line received an overall rating of 4.11 out of 5.

Final Verdict

This article gives a basic look at dog food ingredients, but you should always ask your vet for specific advice. Your dog may have different needs, and an expert’s help is important.