Both Blue Buffalo and Nom Nom offer high-quality dog food with different approaches. Blue Buffalo provides a wider range of options at a more accessible price point, but has a history of recalls. Nom Nom focuses on fresh, customized meals with a higher price tag and no dog food recalls. The best choice depends on individual needs, preferences, and budget.
| Attribute | Blue Buffalo | Nom Nom |
|---|---|---|
| Life Stage Suitability | Offers formulas for puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs. | Suitable for all life stages (puppy, adult, and senior) |
| Primary Protein Source | Real meat such as chicken, lamb, or fish. | Varies by recipe, including beef, chicken, pork, and turkey |
| Grain Inclusion | Both grain-free and grain-inclusive options. Grain-inclusive recipes use wholesome grains like brown rice, oats, and barley. | Some recipes are grain-free, while others contain grains like brown rice |
| Ingredient Quality | Natural ingredients with no chicken or poultry by-product meals, corn, wheat, or soy. Avoids artificial flavors and preservatives. | Uses "real, premium" and "restaurant-quality" ingredients sourced from U.S. growers and suppliers. Ingredients are gently cooked to preserve nutrients |
| Specific Dietary Needs | BLUE Basics for food sensitivities, True Solutions for digestive care and weight management, and Natural Veterinary Diet for prescription formulas. | Formulated for dogs with sensitivities, offering single-protein recipes. Recipes can be tailored to individual dog's needs |
| AAFCO Compliance | Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance. | Meets or exceeds AAFCO standards for all life stages |
| Calorie Content | Varies depending on the specific formula. For example, Blue Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe has 379 kcal/cup. | Varies by recipe (e.g., Beef Mash: 182 kcal/cup, Chicken Cuisine: 206 kcal/cup, Turkey Fare: 168 kcal/cup, Pork Potluck: 177 kcal/cup) |
| Added Supplements | Antioxidant-rich LifeSource Bits, which contain a blend of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. Some formulas also contain added supplements like probiotics and omega fatty acids. | Includes a proprietary nutrient blend with vitamins and minerals. Some options include probiotics. Recipes also include fish oil, a source of omega fatty acids |
| Manufacturing Location | Made in the United States at plants in Joplin, MO, and Richmond, IN. | Meals are prepared in their own kitchen facilities in Nashville, Tennessee |
| Recall History | Has had several recalls, including those for melamine contamination, excessive vitamin D, Salmonella, and elevated levels of beef thyroid hormone. | Nom Nom dog food has never had a recall. A voluntary recall occurred for their Chicken Cuisine recipe for cats from July 8, 2021, to February 11, 2022 |
| Price per Pound/Serving | Varies depending on the formula and retailer. For example, Blue Buffalo True Solutions Digestive Care can be $2.85/lb for a 20-lb bag. | Around $30 per week, but can vary. Averages around $5 per day. |
| Customer Reviews and Ratings | Generally receives positive customer reviews, with many customers reporting that their dogs enjoy the food and experience health benefits. | The Dog Food Advisor finds Nom Nom to be an exceptional fresh wet dog food. Nom Nom product range is made up of six recipes with ratings varying from 4.5 to 5 stars. |