Pet food brands: Blue Buffalo vs. Purina Pro Plan

Quick Verdict

Both Blue Buffalo and Purina Pro Plan are high-quality dog food brands that offer a variety of options for different life stages and health concerns. Purina Pro Plan emphasizes scientific formulation and has a slightly higher customer rating on Chewy, while Blue Buffalo focuses on natural ingredients. The best choice depends on individual dog needs and owner preferences.

Both brands offer a variety of formulas tailored for different life stages and specific health concerns.
Both brands use real meat as a primary protein source and offer both grain-inclusive and grain-free options.
Purina Pro Plan emphasizes scientific formulation by veterinarians and nutritionists and manufacturing in Purina-owned U.S. facilities.
Blue Buffalo emphasizes natural ingredients and avoidance of low-quality fillers.
Purina Pro Plan has some reports of allergic reactions and price concerns, while Blue Buffalo has fewer listed cons.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Blue Buffalo	Purina Pro Plan
Life stage suitability	Puppy, adult, and senior	Offers specialized nutrition for puppies, adults, and senior dogs. Also has formulas for all life stages.
Primary protein source	Real meat, such as chicken, beef, lamb, or fish	Real meat, poultry, or fish is the first ingredient in many formulas. Examples include chicken, lamb, and salmon.
Grain-inclusive or grain-free	Both grain-inclusive and grain-free options available	Both grain-inclusive and grain-free options are available. For example, the Sensitive Skin and Stomach formula uses rice and oatmeal.
Specific health benefits	Allergies, sensitive stomachs, weight management, joint health, and digestive issues	Sensitive skin and stomach formulas are available. Weight management formulas are available. Some formulas contain probiotics for digestive health. Formulas for cognitive health in senior dogs (Bright Mind). Some formulas contain glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids for joint health.
Ingredient quality and sourcing	Natural ingredients, avoids low-quality fillers, made in the U.S.	Uses high-quality ingredients. Formulas are developed by veterinarians and nutritionists. Manufactured in Purina-owned U.S. facilities.
Presence of artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives	No artificial flavors or preservatives	Many formulas are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Purina has committed to removing artificial colors from most products.
Calorie content per cup	379 kcal/cup (Blue Life Protection Formula Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe)	Varies depending on the formula. Pro Plan Adult Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula has 407 kcal/cup, while Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon and Rice Formula has 449 kcal/cup.
Guaranteed Analysis	Minimum of 24% crude protein and 14% crude fat (Blue Life Protection Formula Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe)	Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon and Rice Formula: Crude Protein (Min) 26.0%, Crude Fat (Min) 16.0%, Crude Fiber (Max) 4.0%, Moisture (Max) 12.0%. Pro Plan Sport Performance 30/20 Chicken & Rice Formula: Crude Protein (min): 30.0%, Crude Fat (min): 20.0%, Crude Fiber (max): 3.0%, Moisture (max): 12.0%.
AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy	Meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance	Purina Pro Plan formulas are substantiated by AAFCO feeding trials to provide complete and balanced nutrition for various life stages.
Package sizes available	5, 15, 24, 30, 34, 36 & 38-lb bags (Life Protection Formula Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe)	Available in various sizes, including 6 lb, 25 lb, 30 lb, 34 lb, 40 lb, and 41 lb bags.
Price	$2.17/lb - $3.00/lb	Prices vary depending on the retailer and formula.
Customer reviews and ratings	Chewy customers rate Blue Buffalo 4.6 out of 5 stars, and 95% say they would recommend it to others.	Generally positive, with many customers recommending the food. Chewy customers rate Purina Pro Plan 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Overall Comparison

Purina Pro Plan has a slightly higher rating on Chewy (4.7/5) compared to Blue Buffalo (4.6/5). Blue Buffalo's price ranges from $2.17/lb - $3.00/lb. Purina Pro Plan's price varies depending on the retailer and formula.

Pros and Cons

Blue Buffalo

Pros:

Offers a variety of formulas tailored for different life stages
Uses real meat as the first ingredient
Offers both grain-inclusive and grain-free options
Provides various food lines catering to specific health concerns
Emphasizes using natural ingredients and avoids low-quality fillers
Recipes do not include artificial flavors or preservatives
Widely available online and in stores
Many veterinarians recommend Blue Buffalo

Cons:

No major disadvantages reported.

Purina Pro Plan

Pros:

Offers specialized nutrition for different life stages
Real meat, poultry, or fish is the first ingredient
Both grain-inclusive and grain-free options are available
Formulas available for sensitive skin and stomach
Weight management formulas available
Some formulas contain probiotics for digestive health
Formulas for cognitive health in senior dogs
Some formulas contain glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids for joint health
High-quality ingredients
Formulas developed by veterinarians and nutritionists
Manufactured in Purina-owned U.S. facilities
Many formulas are free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Widely available at pet stores and online retailers
Widely recommended by veterinarians
Improved digestion and stool quality reported by many customers
Improvements in coat, skin, and energy levels reported by many customers
Some formulas are palatable for picky eaters
Offers a wide variety of formulas to meet the needs of different breeds and life stages
Offers different kibble sizes, including small breed options

Cons:

Some customers have reported allergic reactions, skin issues, or digestive upset
Some customers feel the price is high, especially with recent increases

User Experiences and Feedback

Blue Buffalo

What Users Love

Good for dogs with sensitive stomachs and can improve digestion
Improvements in coat shine and texture
Enhanced energy levels
Picky dogs love Blue Buffalo
High-quality ingredients

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

Some reviewers feel the higher price is justified by the quality of ingredients

Purina Pro Plan

What Users Love

Improved digestion and stool quality, especially with sensitive skin and stomach formulas.
Improvements in coat, skin, and energy levels.
Some formulas, like the shredded blends, are palatable for picky eaters.
Uses real meat as the first ingredient and includes high-quality ingredients.

Common Complaints

Some customers have reported allergic reactions, skin issues, or digestive upset, particularly after formula changes.
Some customers feel the price is high, especially with recent increases.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Many customers report improved digestion and stool quality, especially with the sensitive skin and stomach formulas.
Many report improvements in coat, skin, and energy levels.
Purina Pro Plan uses real meat as the first ingredient and includes high-quality ingredients.
Yes, Purina Pro Plan is widely recommended by veterinarians.