Our Verdict
Baby BLUE dry cat food is made up of two recipes with ratings that vary from 3 to 4. The average rating of the brand overall is 3.5 stars.
Pros
- First ingredient is listed as animal protein
- High in protein
- Low in carbohydrate
- Contains vitamins, probiotics and fermented ingredients
Cons
- Includes plant protein
- Limited range
The table below shows each recipe in this range including our rating and the AAFCO nutrient profile: Growth (kitten), Maintenance (adult), All Life Stages, Supplemental or Unspecified.
| Product line | Rating | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
| Baby BLUE Kitten Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe | 3 | G |
| Baby BLUE Kitten High Protein, Grain-Free Chicken & Pea Formula | 4 | G |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Baby BLUE Kitten High Protein, Grain-Free Chicken & Pea Formula was selected to represent the other products in the line for a detailed recipe and nutrient analysis.
Label and nutrient data below are calculated using dry matter basis.
Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE Kitten High Protein, Grain-Free Chicken & Pea Formula
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, pea protein, tapioca starch, menhaden fish meal (source of omega 3 fatty acids), chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), peas, dried egg product, flaxseed (source of omega 6 fatty acids), natural flavor, fish oil (source of dha-docosahexaenoic acid and ara-arachidonic acid), pea fiber, calcium chloride, choline chloride, potassium sulfate, dl-methionine, dehydrated alfalfa meal, potatoes, dried chicory root, salt, alfalfa nutrient concentrate, calcium carbonate, taurine, sweet, potatoes, carrots, potassium chloride, preserved with mixed tocopherols, vegetable juice for color, ferrous sulfate, niacin (vitamin B3), iron amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, zinc sulfate, vitamin E supplement, blueberries, cranberries, barley grass, parsley, turmeric, dried kelp, yucca schidigera extract, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), copper amino acid chelate, l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), l-lysine, biotin (vitamin B7), vitamin A supplement, manganese sulfate, manganese amino acid, chelate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), calcium pantothenate (vitamin B5), riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D3 supplement, vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid (vitamin B9), dried yeast, dried enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried aspergillus niger fermentation extract,, dried, trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, dried bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, calcium iodate, sodium selenite, oil of rosemary.
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 3.5%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is deboned chicken, which is considered “the clean combination of flesh and skin… derived from the parts or whole carcasses of chicken”. 1
Chicken is naturally rich in the 11 essential amino acids required by a cat to sustain life.
The second ingredient is chicken meal. Chicken meal is considered a meat concentrate and contains nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
The third ingredient is pea protein, the remains of a pea after removing the starchy part of the vegetable.
Even though it contains over 80% protein, this ingredient would be expected to have a lower biological value than meat.
And less costly plant-based products like this can notably boost the total protein reported on the label — a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.
The fourth ingredient is tapioca starch which is a gluten-free, starchy carbohydrate extract made from the root of the cassava plant.
The fifth ingredient is menhaden fish meal. Because it is considered a meat concentrate, fish meal contains almost 300% more protein than fresh fish itself.
Menhaden are small ocean fish related to herring. They’re rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. What’s more, in their mid-depth habitat, menhaden are not exposed to mercury contamination as can be typical with deep water species.
This item is typically obtained from the “clean, dried, ground tissue of undecomposed whole fish and fish cuttings” of commercial fish operations. 2
The sixth ingredient is chicken fat. Chicken fat is obtained from rendering chicken, a process similar to making soup in which the fat itself is skimmed from the surface of the liquid.
Chicken fat is high in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid essential for life. Although it doesn’t sound very appetizing, chicken fat is actually a quality ingredient.
The seventh ingredient is peas which are a quality source of carbohydrates. And like all legumes, they’re rich in natural fiber.
However, peas contain about 25% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the meat content of this cat food.
The eighth ingredient is dried egg product, a dehydrated form of shell-free eggs. Quality can vary significantly. Lower grade egg product can even come from commercial hatcheries — from eggs that have failed to hatch.
In any case, eggs are easy to digest and have an exceptionally high biological value.
From here the list goes on to include a number of other items. But to be realistic, ingredients located this far down the list (other than nutritional supplements) are not likely to affect the overall rating of the product.
However, this food does include dried yeast which can be a controversial item. Dried yeast contains about 45% protein and is rich in other healthy nutrients.
Fans believe yeast repels fleas and supports the immune system.
Critics argue yeast ingredients can be linked to allergies. This may be true, but (like all allergies) only if your particular cat is allergic to the yeast itself.
We also note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
In addition, this food also contains chelated minerals, minerals that have been chemically attached to protein. This makes them easier to absorb. Chelated minerals are usually found in better cat foods.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Baby BLUE Kitten High Protein, Grain-Free Chicken & Pea Formula looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays a dry matter protein reading of 44%, a fat level of 22% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 26.1%.
As a group, the brand features an above-average protein content of 41.8% and a mean fat level of 22%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 28.3% for the overall product line, alongside a fat to protein ratio of 53%.
This means this Baby BLUE dry range contains higher than average protein, near-average carbohydrate and higher than average fat, when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
This range of food provides the option of high protein and lists the first ingredient as good quality animal meat. This range features wholesome fruits and veggies and is free of grains. Enhanced with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients like DHA which supports cognitive development and taurine to support heart health.
Has Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE cat food been recalled in the past?
Yes, Blue Buffalo has had a few recalls. The most recent cat food recall was in November 2015, when a small number of Blue Kitty Yums cat treats were recalled due to reports of propylene glycol.
In 2007, there were also multiple cat food recalls. Blue Buffalo Blue Spa Select canned cat food and Blue Buffalo Spa Select Kitten dry food were both recalled in April due to Melamine.
There have been other recalls, although these were for the following dog products:
- Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food (March 2017)
- Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Healthy Weight, Chicken Dinner With Garden Vegetables (February 2017)
- Blue Buffalo dog food cups (February 2017)
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Fish and Sweet Potato Recipe (May 2016)
- One lot of Cub Size Wilderness Wild Chews Bones (November 2015)
- Blue Buffalo dry dog food (October 2010)
- Blue Buffalo Blue canned dog food and dog treats (April 2007)
You can view a complete list of all cat food recalls since 2021 here.
To stay on top of any cat food product recalls, sign up for our free email alerts, here.
About
Blue Buffalo’s headquarters is in Wilton, Connecticut. It has two facilities, one in Missouri and a manufacturing plant in Indiana.
The company started from humble origins but is now owned by General Mills.
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Article reviewed by
Pet Nutritionist
Laura studied BSc (Hons) Animal Science with an accreditation in Nutrition at the University of Nottingham, before working for eight years in the pet food and nutrition industry.
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