Welcome to our review of Blue Buffalo Basics Dog Food.

Blue Buffalo Basics Dog Food Review (Dry)

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List of products

Blue Basics Products	Ratings	AAFCO
→ Puppy Turkey & Potato Recipe	4.2	Growth
→ Adult Turkey & Potato Recipe	4.5	Maintenance
→ Adult Salmon & Potato Recipe	4.5	Maintenance
→ Adult Healthy Weight Turkey & Potato Recipe	4.5	Maintenance
→ Small Breed Adult Turkey & Potato Recipe	4.5	Maintenance
→ Large Breed Adult Turkey & Potato Recipe	4.7	Maintenance
→ Senior Turkey & Potato Recipe	4.5	Maintenance

This dog food line has 7 recipes. Reviewing all isn’t possible. The review of Adult Turkey & Potato Recipe shows the quality, nutrition, and composition of the whole line.

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Ingredients

Deboned Turkey, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Peas, Turkey Meal (source of Glucosamine), Potatoes, Pea Fiber, Canola Oil (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Pea Protein, Fish Oil (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Pumpkin, Dried Chicory Root, Flaxseed, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Taurine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable juice for color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate,

Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), L-Lysine, 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, 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 review of Blue Buffalo Basics Dog Food.

Primary Ingredients

→ Deboned turkey is turkey meat with all the bones taken out. It is clean meat and sometimes has skin. Each 100-gram portion of raw deboned turkey, whole, meat and skin, contains approximately 21.6 g of protein and 5.64 g of fat.

It is a good source of easy-to-digest protein in this Recipe. It has important amino acids and B vitamins that help with muscle health and overall wellness.

→ 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.

→ 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).

→ 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.

→ Turkey meal is a highly concentrated protein source created by rendering and drying whole turkeys or turkey parts (flesh, skin and bone). This process removes most fat and moisture, resulting in a dense ingredient that typically contains about 60–65% protein (dry-matter basis) to support lean muscle mass.

It also contains naturally occurring glucosamine from cartilage and connective tissue, though amounts are variable and often supplemented separately in finished pet foods.

Secondary Ingredients

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

→ 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.

→ Pea fiber, derived from peas, supports digestive health and can aid weight management by promoting satiety.

→ Canola oil is extracted from the seeds of the canola plant and is composed primarily of unsaturated fats. It is especially rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 fatty acid, which is valued for supporting heart health, reducing inflammation, and promoting overall well-being.

Other Ingredients

→ Natural flavor is an ingredient derived from plant or animal sources used to enhance taste and palatability.

It is commonly added to pet food to make it more appealing to dogs and may be sourced from herbs, meats, or concentrated extracts of animal products.

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

→ Fish oil is a supplement made from cold-water fish (e.g., salmon) that’s rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. It helps reduce inflammation, supports skin, coat, and joint health. Additionally, it benefits heart, immune, and cognitive function in dogs.

The Adult Turkey & Potato 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 Basics Dog Food Review.

Nutrient Sources - Blue Buffalo Basics Dog Food

Nutrient	Sources
Protein	Deboned Turkey, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Peas, Turkey Meal, Potatoes, Pea Protein, Flaxseed, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Parsley, Dried Kelp, Dried Yeast
Fat	Deboned Turkey, Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Turkey Meal, Canola Oil, Fish Oil, Flaxseed, Dried Yeast
Carbohydrate	Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Peas, Potatoes, Pea Fiber, Pumpkin, Flaxseed, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Dried Yeast
Fiber	Oatmeal, Brown Rice, Peas, Potatoes, Pea Fiber, Flaxseed, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Dried Yeast

Vitamins

This recipe builds a solid foundation of vitamins, featuring the essential A, D, and E, a full team of B-vitamins, and a boost of C.

While Vitamin K isn’t a star player on the label, it is naturally found in alfalfa and made by a dog’s body.

Using reliably synthetic forms, these nutrients are built to last, staying fully potent from the bag to your dog’s bowl for a complete and balanced diet with no noticeable gaps.

Minerals

This recipe provides a well-considered mineral profile to support a dog’s health. It includes chelated forms of zinc, iron, copper, and manganese, which are bound to amino acids for superior absorption.

Other crucial minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and selenium are present in their standard, effective forms. Together, they provide comprehensive nutritional support.

Ingredient Concerns

The recipe appears to be overly rich in carbohydrates and plant-based ingredients. The high inclusion of oatmeal, brown rice, peas, and potatoes may be unsuitable for some dogs, particularly those with sensitivities or weight issues.

Furthermore, the peas appear to be broken down into different components, such as pea protein and pea fiber. This makes the food seem like it contains more meat than it actually does. This practice is generally known as ingredient splitting.

Ingredients such as natural flavor, vegetable juice for color, and fish oil enhance taste, appearance, and nutrient profiles. However, the vague term ‘natural flavor’ and the presence of these ingredients could pose allergy risks for sensitive dogs.

This Blue Buffalo Basics Dog Food Review 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	20%	12%	44%	6%
→ Dry Matter Basis	22.2%	13.3%	48.9%	6.7%
→ Calorie Content Basis	21.5%	31.3%	47.2%	NA

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

However, Adult Turkey & Potato Recipe contains 22.2% protein, 13.3% fat, and approximately 48.9% carbohydrates on a dry matter basis.

This makes it Moderately Low in protein, Moderately Low in fat, and Moderately High in carbohydrates.

Compliance with AAFCO and FEDIAF Standards

The Adult Turkey & Potato Recipe contains 22.2% protein and 13.3% 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 Basics Dog Food line meets AAFCO and FEDIAF standards.

AAFCO Statement

“BLUE Basics Turkey and Potato Recipe Adult Food for 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	11-lb bag	24-lb bag
→ Cost per Unit	$41.99	$70.99
→ Cost per Pound	$3.82	$2.96
→ Cost per Serving	$1.00	$0.77

When weighing the financial merits of the Adult Turkey & Potato Recipe, the 11-lb bag offers a lower upfront cost, but its higher per-pound and per-serving prices make it a budget-biting choice for the long haul.

In contrast, the 24-lb bag of Blue Buffalo Basics Dog Food leverages bulk-buying brilliance, slicing the cost per pound to a lean $2.96 and the cost per serving to a mere $0.77. This significant saving per bowl makes the larger bag a far more economical fortress for your wallet over time.

Therefore, for the pet parent seeking both quality and relentless value, the 24-lb bag provides the indisputably superior overall value.

Chewy Autoship offers 35% off (up to $20) on your first order. For a 24-lb bag, the cost is $70.99, but on Autoship, it drops to $50.99, saving $20.

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

Pros and Cons - Blue Buffalo Basics Dry Dog Food

Pros

Promotes Gentle Digestion with Prebiotics and Probiotics
No Corn, Wheat, or Soy
Real Deboned Turkey as First Ingredient
Supports Healthy Skin and Coat with Omega Fatty Acids
Fortified with Antioxidants and Essential Vitamins/Minerals

Cons

Lack of transparency about source of some ingredients
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 Adult Turkey & Potato Recipe at 4.5 out of 5, while the Blue Buffalo Basics Dog Food line received an overall rating of 4.49 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.