Welcome to our Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Review, covering ingredients, nutrition, cost, and quality.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Review
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List of products
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Products | Ratings | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
→ Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Puppy Red Meat | 3.9 | Growth |
4.4 | Maintenance | |
→ Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Adult Red Meat | 4.4 | Maintenance |
→ Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Adult Healthy Weight Red Meat | 4.2 | Maintenance |
→ Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Large Breed Adult Bison | 4.5 | Maintenance |
→ Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Large Breed Adult Red Meat | 4.5 | Maintenance |
→ Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Senior Red Meat | 4 | Maintenance |
This dog food line has 7 recipes. Reviewing all isn’t possible. The review of Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Adult Red Meat shows the quality, nutrition, and ingredients of the whole line.
Ingredients
Deboned Beef, Beef Meal, Dried Chicken, Oatmeal, Barley, Brown Rice, Potatoes, Dried Tomato Pomace, Salmon Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Fish Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Flaxseed (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Dried Egg Product, Chicken Meal, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Deboned Venison, Deboned Lamb, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Dried Chicory Root, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, L-Threonine, Calcium Carbonate, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable Juice for color, Ferrous Sulfate, 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 (source of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, L-Carnitine, Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Taurine, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, 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 Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Review.
Primary Ingredients
→ Deboned Beef is a common source of protein in dog foods. It contains a lot of protein, antioxidants, and amino acids that help build strong muscles, support a healthy immune system, and provide energy.
It also contains glucosamine, which supports joint health and mobility.
However, some dogs may be allergic or sensitive to beef, as it is a common allergen for them.
→ Beef meal is rendered beef that has been dried and ground, typically including clean flesh, skin, and bone.
It contains a high protein concentration—around 60–70%—which supports muscle growth and overall strength.
Beef meal is also a natural source of essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins, contributing to energy production and immune system health.
→ Dried chicken, as the name suggests, is essentially chicken that has been dehydrated to remove moisture, resulting in a more protein-dense ingredient compared to fresh meat.
It provides essential amino acids that help support muscle maintenance, immune function, and overall health in dogs.
→ Oatmeal is a nutritious, gluten-free grain packed with B vitamins that help provide pets with lasting energy.
It is made by removing the hull from oats, then steaming and flattening them into the recognizable flakes used in dog foods.
→ Barley provides pets with soluble fiber, carbohydrates, and B vitamins for digestive health, but its gluten content is a primary concern for dogs with sensitivities or allergies.
Gluten can trigger reactions in gluten-sensitive dogs, so barley-based diets should be carefully considered for these pets.
Each 100g serving of dehulled barley contains 12.5g of protein, 2.3g of fat, and 73.5g of carbohydrates (including 17.3g of fiber).
Secondary Ingredients
The three ingredients immediately following the primary ingredients are highlighted as the secondary ingredients in this Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Review.
→ Brown rice is a gluten-free grain that provides B vitamins, minerals, and energy from healthy carbs. Its fiber helps digestion and is safe for dogs with gluten sensitivities.
100g of raw long-grain brown rice contains 7.25g protein, 3.31g fat, 76.7g carbohydrates (including 3g fiber).
→ 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.
→ 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
→ Salmon meal is rendered salmon that has been dried and ground. It typically includes clean flesh, skin, and bone.
Salmon meal has a high protein concentration—approximately 60–70%—making it an excellent ingredient for supporting muscle maintenance and development.
It is also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support healthy skin, a shiny coat, and a strong immune system.
→ Fish meal is a concentrated protein source made by cooking, drying, and grinding fish (often whole fish or leftover parts) into a powder.
It retains many benefits of whole fish, like omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and fur, but its quality depends on where the fish comes from and it’s processing method.
→ 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.
The Adult Red Meat 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 Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Review.
Nutrient Sources
Nutrient | Sources |
|---|---|
Protein | Deboned Beef, Beef Meal, Dried Chicken, Oatmeal, Barley, Brown Rice, Potatoes, Tomato Pomace, Salmon Meal, Fish meal, Flaxseed, Dried Egg Product, Chicken Meal, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Venison, Lamb, Dried Chicory Root, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Sweet Potatoes, Parsley, Dried Kelp, Dried Yeast |
Fat | Deboned Beef, Beef Meal, Dried Chicken, Oatmeal, Barley, Brown Rice, Tomato Pomace, Salmon Meal, Fish meal, Chicken Fat, Flaxseed, Dried Egg Product, Chicken Meal, Venison, Lamb, Dried Yeast |
Carbohydrate | Oatmeal, Barley, Brown Rice, Potatoes, Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed, Dried Egg Product, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Dried Chicory Root, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Dried Yeast |
Fiber | Oatmeal, Barley, Brown Rice, Potatoes, Tomato Pomace, Flaxseed, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Dried Chicory Root, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Dried Yeast |
Vitamins
This dog food contains a broad range of essential vitamins, including A, D3, E, C, and all key B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12), mostly from synthetic sources.
Vitamin K is not listed but can be derived from ingredients like alfalfa and kelp; dogs also synthesize some naturally. The formula shows good coverage, with no major gaps, though the lack of direct vitamin K supplementation could be a mild concern in rare cases.
Overall, vitamin content appears balanced and stable.
Minerals
This dog food includes essential minerals like zinc, iron, copper, manganese, iodine, and selenium. Chelated minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, and manganese amino acid chelates offer higher bioavailability, aiding better absorption. However, non-chelated forms like zinc sulfate, ferrous sulfate, and copper sulfate are less efficient.
In this Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe review, we would like to point out that the selenium comes from sodium selenite (an inorganic source) rather than selenium yeast (an organic source), which is notably better absorbed.
Overall, the mineral content appears sufficient for a dog’s needs.
Ingredient Concerns
This formula uses multiple animal meals—beef meal, salmon meal, chicken meal, and fish meal—to boost overall protein density.
While meals are a cost‑ and nutrient‑efficient way to concentrate protein, relying on them heavily can reduce the proportion of fresh, whole‑meat ingredients (e.g., deboned beef), which contribute moisture, flavor, and certain heat‑sensitive micronutrients.
Beef (Deboned Beef and Beef Meal) and Chicken (Dried Chicken and Chicken Meal) top the ingredient list, so dogs with sensitivities to these proteins could react—even to trace amounts.
If your pup has a known beef or chicken allergy, consider a recipe that features novel proteins instead.
Nutrient Analysis
Moisture=10% Max
Method of Analysis | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
→ Guaranteed Analysis | 30% | 15% | 31% | 6% |
→ Dry Matter Basis | 33.3% | 16.7% | 34.4% | 6.7% |
→ Calorie Content Basis | 30.8% | 37.4% | 31.8% | NA |
Normal dog food typically contains 30–50% carbohydrates, 18–35% protein, and 9–25% fat on a dry matter basis.
However, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Adult Red Meat contains 33.3% protein, 16.7% fat, and approximately 34.4% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.
This makes it moderately high in protein, moderate in fat, and moderately low in carbohydrates.
Compliance with AAFCO and FEDIAF Standards
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Adult Red Meat contains 33.3% protein and 16.7% fat on a dry matter basis.
These levels exceed the minimum requirements for adult dog maintenance set by AAFCO and FEDIAF standards, ensuring the food provides sufficient protein and fat to support a dog’s overall health.
Every Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe meets AAFCO and FEDIAF standards.
AAFCO Statement
“BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe with Red Meat and LifeSource Bits 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 | 4.5-lb bag | 13-lb bag | 22-lb bag | 24-lb bag | 28-lb bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
→ Cost per Unit | $23.98 | $54.98 | $71.99 | $77.98 | $89.98 |
→ Cost per Pound | $5.33 | $4.23 | $3.27 | $3.25 | $3.21 |
→ Cost per Serving | $1.39 | $1.1 | $0.85 | $0.85 | $0.84 |
This cost comparison table highlights a clear trend: larger bag sizes consistently offer better value across all cost metrics.
The 4.5-lb bag, although the cheapest upfront at $23.98, has the highest cost per pound ($5.33) and cost per serving ($1.39), making it the least economical option. As the bag size increases, these costs steadily decline. The 13-lb bag reduces the cost per pound to $4.23 and per serving to $1.10.
The biggest savings appear with the 22-lb, 24-lb, and 28-lb bags, where the cost per serving drops below $0.90 and the cost per pound falls to around $3.25 or less, with the 28-lb bag being the most cost-efficient at $3.21 per pound and $0.84 per serving.
Overall, the data strongly supports choosing the largest available bag to minimize long-term costs.
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Pros and Cons - Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Review
Pros
- Multiple High‑Quality Animal Proteins
- Wholesome Grains & Complex Carbohydrates
- Omega-3 & Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Skin/Coat Health
- Taurine Enriched
- Antioxidant & Immune Support
Cons
- Reliance on “Meal” Ingredients for Protein
- Vague “Natural Flavor”
- Multiple Potential Allergens
- Excessive Ingredient Complexity
- Ingredient splitting can be seen
Recalls and Safety
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Our Rating
The Adult Red Meat Recipe earned a 4.4 score on our rating system, while the Rocky Mountain Recipe followed closely with 4.3.
Final Verdict of Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Review
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.
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