Authority vs Blue Buffalo
Authority against Blue Buffalo, measured across 22 and 107 kibble recipes: 29.2% vs 30.9% protein on a dry matter basis, and 39% vs 36% starch.
How They Differ
- Protein is close: 29.2% for Authority and 30.9% for Blue Buffalo on a dry matter basis.
- Blue Buffalo is lower in starch, about 36% of the food as fed against 39%.
Side by Side
| Measure | Authority | Blue Buffalo | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 22 | 107 | 1,601 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 29.2%25.6% to 33.3% | 30.9%20.0% to 51.1% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 15.5%10.0% to 24.4% | 15.5%10.0% to 22.2% | 16.0% |
| Starch, as fedEstimated, not measured. It is what is left of the guaranteed analysis once protein, fat, fiber and moisture are taken out, with ash assumed at 6%. That leftover is mostly starch but also carries sugars and the fiber a crude-fiber test misses, so read it as a close estimate rather than an exact figure. Measured as fed, the same basis as the bag. | 39%28% to 46% | 36%14% to 49% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 370309 to 434 | 388323 to 479 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 100% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 5% | 1% | |
| Most used proteins | Chicken 73%, Egg 45%, Fish 32% | Chicken 70%, Fish 64%, Egg 46% | |
| Recipes with corn, wheat, soy | Corn 82%, Wheat 27%, Soy 68% | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | |
| By-products | 0% | 0% | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None | None2 older in the archive | |
| Made by | PetSmart | General Mills |
Brand figures are averages over every kibble recipe we review from that brand, with the lowest and highest recipe underneath. Freeze-dried, frozen, wet food and toppers are left out so the numbers compare like with like, and so are prescription diets, which are fed for a medical condition on a vet's advice. Protein and fat are on a dry matter basis, starch and calories as fed.
The Closest Matching Recipes
Brand averages hide the recipe you would actually buy. These are the pairs that come closest on protein, fat and starch, preferring recipes built on the same main protein, which is where a like-for-like choice gets made.
Authority Digestive Support Adult Dog Dry Dog Food
Protein 29%
Fat 11%
Starch 41%
Blue Life Protection Formula Small Breed Adult Healthy Weight Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 28%
Fat 11%
Starch 41%
Compare these two in full
Which Fits Your Dog
- If you are cutting back on starch, Blue Buffalo starts lower.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Authority runs from 26% to 33% protein and Blue Buffalo from 20% to 51%, so the right recipe matters more than the name on the bag.
Recall History
FDA recall notices from the last five years that name the brand or its maker. Older notices sit in each brand's archive below: still on the record, but not counted, since a recall that old says more about how a company used to run than how it runs now.
Authority
No FDA recalls in our record for Authority in the last five years.
Blue Buffalo
No FDA recalls in our record for Blue Buffalo in the last five years.
Archive: 2 older recalls
BLUE Wilderness, Rocky Mountain Recipe. Dog food
Blue Wilderness. Cub Size - Wild Chews
About the Brands
Authority
Authority is PetSmart's private-label brand of dog and cat food and treats, and PetSmart is its only seller. Its dog food lines include Everyday Health, Sensitive Stomach & Skin, Digestive Support and Healthy Weight. PetSmart says the formulas are science-backed, developed with veterinarians and pet nutritionists, and made with no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or chicken by-product meal.
Based in Phoenix, AZ. Every Authority food we review
Blue Buffalo
Blue is the pet food brand of the Blue Buffalo Company, which has been owned by General Mills since 2018. Its dog food lines include Life Protection Formula, Wilderness, Basics, Freedom and the fresh Love Made Fresh range. The company says its recipes start with real meat and exclude corn, wheat, soy and poultry by-product meals.
Based in Wilton, CT, since 2003. Every Blue Buffalo food we review
More Brand Comparisons
How we compare: every figure comes from the guaranteed analysis and ingredient list of recipes we review, not from the brands' own claims. Starch is our estimate, since no manufacturer prints it. Figures refreshed October 10, 2026.
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