What food is comparable to blue buffalo

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated January 14, 2025

Contributions sourced from

Best Blue Buffalo Alternative Cat Food

Blue Buffalo has been a go-to brand for many cat owners looking for high-quality, natural cat food. With an emphasis on real meat and wholesome ingredients, its earned a solid reputation.

Why Do You Need Alternatives?

However, despite its popularity, Blue Buffalo might not be suitable for every cat or owner. Some cats may have specific dietary needs, sensitivities, or preferences that Blue Buffalos range doesnt cover. Additionally, budget constraints and availability can prompt the search for alternatives.

The best Blue Buffalo Alternative Cat Food is Wellness CORE

Wellness COREoffers similar natural, grain-free options with high protein content.

Wellness CORE focuses on natural ingredients and high-quality meat sources, much like Blue Buffalo. They offer a variety of specialized diets suitable for different life stages and health conditions. With a strong commitment to quality and nutrition, Wellness CORE provides a balanced and comparable alternative.

Having extensively researched and compared various cat food brands, we understand that finding the right food for your feline friend is a personal and sometimes complex decision. This guide aims to simplify that process by presenting well-researched alternatives, taking into account factors such as nutritional needs, budget, and individual preferences.

Explore further to find the best alternative for your cats unique needs.

Blue Buffalo adheres to the AAFCO nutrient criteria for cats. Before altering your cats food intake, always seek advice from your vet.

3 Best Alternatives To Blue Buffalo Cat Food

Orijen offers biologically appropriate diets using fresh and raw ingredients. Compared to Blue Buffalo, it emphasizes a higher meat content. Best for owners seeking a meat-rich, natural diet. Check Orijens range to see if it fits your cats preferences.

Purina ONE is a budget-friendly option that doesnt compromise on quality. It compares to Blue Buffalo by offering specially formulated recipes but at a more accessible price. Ideal for those looking for quality nutrition without breaking the bank. Explore Purina ONE to find the right formula for your cat.

Merrick is known for real, deboned meat and quality produce. Compared to Blue Buffalo, Merrick also offers grain-free choices but emphasizes a farm-to-bowl philosophy. Best for those wanting a connection to the source of their pets food. Explore Merricks product line to match your cats needs.

Best Alternative

Among the alternatives, Wellness CORE stands out as the best option for those looking for a brand that closely aligns with Blue Buffalos philosophy but offers a broader range of specialized diets.

Explore Wellness COREs product line through reputable retailers or consult your local pet store to find the best recipe for your cat. Whether its a specific life stage formula or a unique health need, Wellness CORE likely has the perfect option for your beloved feline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What brands are similar to Blue Buffalo?

Some brands similar to Blue Buffalo include Wellness, Merrick, Natures Variety, Orijen, and Nutro.

What is the most healthiest cat food out there?

The most healthy cat food options include high-quality brands that prioritize real meat as the main ingredient, avoid artificial additives, and provide balanced nutrition. Some recommended options are Acana, Orijen, Wellness CORE, and Blue Buffalo Wilderness. Remember to consult with your veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations for your cat.

What do vets feed their cats?

Vets typically recommend feeding cats a balanced diet that consists of commercially available cat food. It is important to choose high-quality cat food that meets the nutritional needs of cats, including a proper balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Additionally, wet cat food can help ensure proper hydration. It is always best to consult with a veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations for your cat.

Is Blue Buffalo a premium cat food?

Yes, Blue Buffalo is considered a premium cat food brand.

Authority vs. Blue Buffalo

In this comparison article for Authority vs Blue Buffalo, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Authority and Blue Buffalo, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.

Throughout this Blue Buffalo vs Authority comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Authority Review Page or Blue Buffalo Review Page.

Guaranteed Analysis: Blue Buffalo vs. Authority

According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.

All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.

Authority Dog Food vs. Blue Buffalo Dog Food

Dry Dog Food	Authority	Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein	28.9%	29.5%
Crude Fat	14.5%	15.3%
Crude Fiber	4.8%	6.8%

Wet/Canned Dog Food	Authority	Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein	41.4%	40.0%
Crude Fat	22.8%	26.2%
Crude Fiber	8.3%	7.4%

Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your dog's diet. Without sufficient protein, dogs can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

Authority and Blue Buffalo both provide roughly the same amount of crude protein. With regards to wet dog food, Authority and Blue Buffalo also provide roughly the same amount of crude protein.

Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food

Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.

There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude fat content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Blue Buffalo typically provides a little more fat (about 3.40% more).

Both brands provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber. With regards to wet dog food, Authority and Blue Buffalo also provide roughly the same amount of crude fiber.

Authority Cat Food vs. Blue Buffalo Cat Food

Dry Cat Food	Authority	Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein	36.9%	37.5%
Crude Fat	15.4%	16.8%
Crude Fiber	6.0%	6.2%

Wet/Canned Cat Food	Authority	Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein	43.8%	45.8%
Crude Fat	23.6%	24.3%
Crude Fiber	9.2%	8.1%

Crude Protein Comparison For Cat Food

Protein is an extremely important part of your cat's diet. Without sufficient protein, cats can develop a wide-range of serious health problems.

As you can see, Authority and Blue Buffalo guarantee a similar amount of crude protein. For wet cat foods, Blue Buffalo typically provides a little more protein (about 2.08% more).

Crude Fat Comparison For Cat Food

There are many ways in which dietary fat contributes to the overall health of our feline friends. Here is a short list of benefits provided by fats (not exhaustive):

Fats help with the digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
Reduce inflammation associated with arthritis
Slow the growth of yeast infections
Prevent or reduce the likelihood of certain heart problems.
Aid in the development of the retina and visual cortex.

Authority Pet Food Ingredients vs. Blue Buffalo Pet Food Ingredients

Authority and Blue Buffalo both use the following controversial ingredients in many of their products:

Caramel

Caramel is a widely used natural food colorant. The concentrated form of caramel is typically listed as caramel color and has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.

Canola Oil

Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.

Pea Protein

Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.

Caramel Color

Caramel color is a concentrated form of caramel, a natural food colorant. Caramel color has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel color is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.

Powdered Cellulose

Powdered cellulose is produced from minuscule pieces of wood pulp and plant fibers. Other than its fiber content, powdered cellulose lacks any nutritional contribution.

Dried Tomato Pomace

Dried tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Authority.

Corn

Corn is a cereal grain which provides a modest amount of vitamins, minerals, and plant based protein. It also happens to be one of the most controversial ingredients in pet food.

Proponents of corn claim that corn is highly digestible and an excellent source of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.

Opponents however believe that positive claims in regards to corn are either half-truths or completely false, we'll discuss a few of the opposing arguments.

In regards to digestibility, the claims of "highly digestible" are only true if corn is processed into a meal or flour and subsequently cooked. In regards to the protein contribution, we must note that corn is a plant based protein which does not contain all of the necessary amino acids required by pets to sustain life. Therefore substituting corn for meat is an unsuitable substitution and actually degrades the overall protein quality of the product.

Finally, we'll discuss the claims about vitamins and minerals in corn. Although corn does provide many vitamins and minerals, it not necessarily an exceptional ingredient in this regards. There are many other ingredients which are more complete and biologically appropriate. Therefore the usage of corn as the primary ingredient in pet food should certainly warrant further questioning.

Wheat

Wheat is regarded as an inexpensive and low-quality filler in pet food. However, wheat does provide plant-based protein and makes pet food more affordable for consumers. It's important to note that plant based protein does not provide the same amino acid profile as meat based protein.

Beet Pulp

Beet pulp is the by-product which remains once sugar has been extracted from sugar beets. The primary contribution of beet pulp is dietary fiber.

We'd also like to note that beet pulp is fairly controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that beet pulp can promote intestinal health and regulate blood sugar. However, opponents claim that beet pulp is an inexpensive filler.

Corn Syrup

Corn syrup is made from corn starch and it's typically used as a thickener, sweetener, and humectant (keeps the product moist). It's considered controversial because it can raise a pet's blood sugar to unhealthy levels. Of course this concern may be nullified if the syrup is used in very small quantities.

Ground Corn

Ground corn is a cereal grain which provides a modest amount of vitamins, minerals, and plant based protein. It also happens to be one of the most controversial ingredients in pet food.

Proponents of corn claim that corn is highly digestible and an excellent source of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.

Opponents however believe that positive claims in regards to corn are either half-truths or completely false, we'll discuss a few of the opposing arguments.

Animal Liver

Animal liver is a controversial ingredient because the source animal is not specified. Anonymous animal ingredients are typically very low quality and may contain almost any animal, including dogs and cats!

Brewers Rice

Brewer's rice is the small fragments of rice kernel that are separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. The fragments do not contain the same nutrition profile of the whole kernel and therefore brewer's rice is a lower quality grain. Brewer's rice is typically regarded as an inexpensive and low quality filler.

Ground Wheat

Ground wheat is regarded as an inexpensive and low-quality filler in pet food. However, wheat does provide plant-based protein and makes pet food more affordable for consumers. It's important to note that plant based protein does not provide the same amino acid profile as meat based protein.

Poultry Meal

Poultry meal is a controversial ingredient because the source animal is not specified. Anonymous ingredients such as poultry meal are typically low-quality ingredients in comparison to named protein meals (e.g. chicken meal, turkey meal, duck meal).

Wheat Gluten

Wheat gluten is the main protein of wheat. Although wheat gluten is mostly protein, wheat gluten is considered controversial because it significantly boosts the protein content of the product. This is undesirable because plant based protein does not provide the same amino acid profile as meat based protein.

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.

Vegetable Oil

Specific vegetable oils are typically positive ingredients; however, this ingredient does not specify which vegetable(s) were used to produce the oil.

Without this information, it is impossible for us to make any specific statements. With any fat source, it is important to know the omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio, a property which cannot be determined with this ingredient. Thus, we have marked vegetable oil as a controversial ingredient.

Corn Gluten Meal

Corn gluten meal is a by-product from the production of various corn products (corn starch, corn syrup, etc). It's very high in protein (nearly 60% protein) and therefore can significant boost the protein content of the product. Because plant based proteins such as corn gluten meal are inferior to meat based proteins (lack many essential amino acids), they are not suitable substitutes.

Refined Corn Syrup

Refined corn syrup is made from corn starch and it's typically used as a thickener, sweetener, and humectant (keeps the product moist). It's considered controversial because it can raise a pet's blood sugar to unhealthy levels. Of course this concern may be nullified if the syrup is used in very small quantities.

Dried Garlic Powder

Dried garlic powder in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.

Soybean Protein Concentrate

Soybean protein concentrate is produced by removing the water soluble carbohydrates from soybeans. The inclusion of non-meat protein typically degrades the overall quality of protein in the recipe. This degradation is due to the inferior amino acid profile of plant based proteins.

Canola Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols)

Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Blue Buffalo.

Garlic

Garlic in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.

Tomato Pomace

Tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.

We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Authority.

Corn Oil

Corn oil is extracted from the germ of corn kernels. It contains an omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio of 49:1. Corn oil's unfavorable omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio makes it an undesirable ingredient. Consumption of such ingredients can lead to an array of health problems in both animals and humans.

Propylene Glycol

Proplyene glycol is an artificial preservative which has been banned by the FDA for use in cat food. Unfortunately, proplyene gycol is approved for use in dog food. Studies have linked proplyene glycol to heinz body anemia, a blood disorder.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex

Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."

Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Blue Buffalo.

Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex

Menadione sodium bisulfate complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."

Product Safety: Recall History of Authority & Blue Buffalo?

According to our records, Authority has never been recalled.

Blue Buffalo has been recalled 9 times.

Nov. 25, 2015: Salmonella
Nov. 6, 2015: Presence of Propylene Glycol
May 31, 2016: Mold
March 18, 2017: elevated beef throid hormone
Feb. 14, 2017: presence of aluminum
March 3, 2017: Foil Seal Packaging Problem
Oct. 8, 2010: toxic levels of vitamin D
April 19, 2007: Melamine
April 26, 2007: Melamine

Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!

Where To Buy Authority Pet Foods

You can purchase Authority pet foods from the following stores:

Where To Buy Blue Buffalo Pet Foods

You can purchase Blue Buffalo pet food products from these retailers:

281 Recipes In-Stock Today

135 Recipes In-Stock Today

262 Recipes In-Stock Today

14 Recipes In-Stock Today

Type Of Pet Foods Available

Product	Authority	Blue Buffalo
Dry Dog Food	33 Recipes	93 Recipes
Wet Dog Food	19 Recipes	94 Recipes
Dog Treats	6 Treats	50 Treats
Dry Cat Food	18 Recipes	42 Recipes
Wet Cat Food	16 Recipes	59 Recipes
Cat Treats	None	16 Treats