Natural Balance vs Blue Buffalo
Natural Balance against Blue Buffalo, measured across 36 and 104 kibble recipes: 27.7% vs 30.9% protein on a dry matter basis, 42% vs 36% starch, and 0 vs 0 FDA recalls in the last five years.
How They Differ
- Blue Buffalo runs higher in protein: 30.9% against 27.7% on a dry matter basis, averaged across the kibble we review from each.
- Blue Buffalo is lower in starch, about 36% of the food as fed against 42%.
- Natural Balance leans grain-free: 53% of its kibble recipes against 1%.
Side by Side
| Measure | Natural Balance | Blue Buffalo | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 36 | 104 | 1,540 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 27.7%20.0% to 35.6% | 30.9%20.0% to 51.1% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 13.3%8.3% to 17.8% | 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. | 42%34% to 53% | 36%14% to 49% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 366314 to 410 | 387323 to 479 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 92% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 53% | 1% | |
| Most used proteins | Chicken 39%, Fish 22%, Duck 17% | Chicken 69%, Fish 63%, 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 | None | None | |
| 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.
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Chicken & Brown Rice Dry Dog Food
Protein 26%
Fat 13%
Starch 45%
Blue Freedom Large Breed Adult Grain-Free Chicken and Potatoes Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 24%
Fat 13%
Starch 44%
Compare these two in full
Which Fits Your Dog
- For an active or working dog, or one that needs to hold muscle, Blue Buffalo puts more protein in each bowl.
- 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: Natural Balance runs from 20% to 36% 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.
Natural Balance
No FDA recalls for Natural Balance in the last five years.
Blue Buffalo
No FDA recalls for Blue Buffalo in the last five years.
About the Brands
Natural Balance
Natural Balance Pet Foods makes dry and wet dog and cat food and treats, including its Limited Ingredient, Original Ultra, Health Protection and Specialized Nutrition lines. The brand is part of Ethos Pet Brands, which also owns Canidae.
since 1989. Every Natural Balance 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 September 29, 2026.