Solid Gold vs Blue Buffalo
Solid Gold against Blue Buffalo, measured across 28 and 107 kibble recipes: 29.7% vs 30.9% protein on a dry matter basis, and 40% vs 36% starch.
How They Differ
- Protein is close: 29.7% for Solid Gold 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 40%.
- Solid Gold leans grain-free: 57% of its kibble recipes against 1%.
Side by Side
| Measure | Solid Gold | Blue Buffalo | Average kibble |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kibble recipes compared | 28 | 107 | 1,601 in total |
| Protein, dry matter | 29.7%20.0% to 45.6% | 30.9%20.0% to 51.1% | 30.4% |
| Fat, dry matter | 13.8%6.7% to 20.0% | 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. | 40%21% to 56% | 36%14% to 49% | 37% |
| Calories per cup | 374320 to 450 | 388323 to 479 | 398 |
| Meat, fish or egg listed first | 96% | 100% | |
| Grain-free recipes | 57% | 1% | |
| Most used proteins | Fish 100%, Egg 86%, Chicken 29% | 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 | H&H Group | 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.
Solid Gold Leaping Waters Sensitive Stomach Cold Water Salmon & Vegetable Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 29%
Fat 17%
Starch 39%
Blue Life Protection Formula Toy Breed Adult Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Protein 29%
Fat 17%
Starch 39%
Compare these two in full
Which Fits Your Dog
- 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: Solid Gold runs from 20% to 46% 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.
Solid Gold
No FDA recalls in our record for Solid Gold in the last five years.
Archive: 1 older recall
Solid Gold WolfKing, Solid Gold WolfCub. Dog Food
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
Solid Gold
Solid Gold is a dog and cat food brand owned by H&H Group, a Hong Kong-listed health and nutrition company. The brand calls itself America's first holistic pet food brand and says its recipes focus on gut health. Its lines include Hund-N-Flocken, Mighty Mini, Wild Heart, Green Cow wet food, and the nutrientboost range, which the company says uses a blend of superfoods and plasma.
Based in Orlando, FL, since 1974. Every Solid Gold 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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