Nutro vs Blue Buffalo
Nutro against Blue Buffalo, measured across 47 and 108 kibble recipes: 23.9% vs 27.7% protein and 42% vs 36% starch, as fed.
How They Differ
- Blue Buffalo runs higher in protein: 27.7% against 23.9% as fed, averaged across the kibble we review from each.
- Blue Buffalo is lower in starch, about 36% of the food as fed against 42%.
- Blue Buffalo is more calorie dense, 387 kcal per cup on average against 359, so its portions run smaller for the same dog.
Side by Side
Protein and fat:
| Measure | Nutro | Blue Buffalo | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 47 | 108 | 1,742 in total |
| Protein, as fed | 23.9%20.0% to 28.0% | 27.7%18.0% to 46.0% | 27.2% |
| Fat, as fed | 13.6%8.0% to 19.0% | 13.9%9.0% to 20.0% | 14.4% |
| 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%33% to 49% | 36%14% to 49% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 359264 to 460 | 387323 to 479 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 100% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 13% | 1% | |
| Most used proteins | Chicken 79%, Egg 72%, Lamb 45% | Chicken 70%, Fish 65%, Egg 45% | |
| 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 | None2 older in the archive | |
| Made by | Mars | 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. Everything is as fed, the way the bag prints it; the switch above the table shows protein and fat on a dry matter basis instead, which takes the water out so foods of different moisture compare evenly. Why we use 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.
Nutro Max Adult Lamb Dry Dog Food
Protein 22%
Fat 14%
Starch 44%
Blue Life Protection Formula Adult Lamb and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 22%
Fat 14%
Starch 43%
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.
- For a dog that gains weight easily, Nutro is less calorie dense, so a normal-looking portion carries fewer calories.
- If you are cutting back on starch, Blue Buffalo starts lower.
- The brands overlap more than the averages suggest: Nutro runs from 20% to 28% protein as fed and Blue Buffalo from 18% to 46%, 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.
Nutro
No FDA recalls in our record for Nutro 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
Nutro
Nutro is a dog and cat food brand owned by Mars, Incorporated. Its product lines include Natural Choice, Ultra, Max and Limited Ingredient Diet, and the company says its recipes use non-GMO ingredients with no chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat or soy.
Based in Franklin, Tennessee, since 1926. Every Nutro 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 20, 2026.
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