Canidae vs Blue Buffalo
Canidae against Blue Buffalo, measured across 26 and 107 kibble recipes: 30.0% vs 30.9% protein on a dry matter basis, and 39% vs 36% starch.
How They Differ
- Protein is close: 30.0% for Canidae 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%.
- Canidae is more calorie dense, 472 kcal per cup on average against 388, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
- Canidae leans grain-free: 69% of its kibble recipes against 1%.
Side by Side
| Measure | Canidae | Blue Buffalo | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 26 | 107 | 1,601 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 30.0%25.0% to 36.7% | 30.9%20.0% to 51.1% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 14.6%9.4% to 22.2% | 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%30% to 49% | 36%14% to 49% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 472330 to 565 | 388323 to 479 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 100% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 69% | 1% | |
| Most used proteins | Chicken 58%, Turkey 50%, Lamb 35% | Chicken 70%, Fish 64%, Egg 46% | |
| Recipes with corn, wheat, soy | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | Corn 0%, Wheat 0%, Soy 0% | |
| By-products | 0% | 0% | |
| FDA recalls, last 5 years | None1 older in the archive | None2 older in the archive | |
| Made by | Ethos Pet Brands | 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.
Canidae Pure Farm to Bowl Wild-Caught Salmon & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 29%
Fat 16%
Starch 39%
Blue Life Protection Formula Adult Small Breed Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 29%
Fat 17%
Starch 39%
Compare these two in full
Which Fits Your Dog
- For a dog that gains weight easily, Blue Buffalo is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
- If you are cutting back on starch, Blue Buffalo starts lower.
- If your vet has suggested a grain-inclusive diet, Blue Buffalo has more of those recipes to choose from.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Canidae runs from 25% to 37% 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.
Canidae
No FDA recalls in our record for Canidae in the last five years.
Archive: 1 older recall
Canidae. Canidae dry dog and cat food made at Diamond Gaston, SC plant
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
Canidae
Canidae is a US dog and cat food brand owned by Ethos Pet Brands, which also owns Natural Balance. Its dog food lines include All Life Stages, Pure Farm To Bowl and the newer Heartland line. The company says its recipes use regeneratively farmed ingredients and contain no corn, wheat, soy or artificial additives.
Based in Brownwood, Texas, since 1996. Every Canidae 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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