Our Verdict
The Blue Buffalo True Solutions dry product range is made up of five recipes which each receive the Cat Food Advisor rating, 5 stars.
Made from high-quality natural ingredients, including real chicken, and free from artificial flavors or preservatives, it is enhanced with vitamins and minerals. Variants include digestive care and skin and coat care for more specific needs.
Pros
- Real meat as the main ingredient
- No artificial additives or animal by-products
- Good source of Omega-3 fatty acids
- Supplemented with chelated minerals to help nutrient absorption
Cons
- Does not support hydration
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Buffalo True Solutions Adult Cat Digestive Care Chicken & Barley Recipe | 5 | M |
| Blue Buffalo True Solutions Adult Cat Weight Control Chicken, Barlwy & Brown Rice Recipe | 5 | M |
| Blue Buffalo True Solutions Adult Cat Total Support Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe | 5 | M |
| Blue Buffalo True Solutions Adult Cat Skin and Coat Care Salmon & Brown Rice Recipe | 5 | M |
| Blue Buffalo True Solutions Adult Cat Hairball Control Chicken & Oatmeal Recipe | 5 | M |
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Recipe and Label Analysis
Blue Buffalo True Solutions Adult Cat Digestive Care Chicken & Barley Recipe 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 True Solutions Adult Cat Digestive Care Chicken & Barley Recipe
Estimated Dry Matter Nutrient Content
Protein
Fat
CarbsCarbohydrates
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, pea protein, barley, dried egg product, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), potato starch, dried plain beet pulp, flaxseed (source of omega 3 fatty acids), natural flavor, dried tomato pomace, peas, calcium chloride, choline chloride, dl-methionine, calcium sulfate, l-threonine, calcium carbonate, canola oil (source of omega 6 fatty acids), potassium chloride, potatoes, hydrolyzed yeast, fructooligosaccharides, potassium sulfate, taurine, dehydrated alfalfa meal, pea fiber, alfalfa, nutrient concentrates alt, Vitamin E supplement, preserved with mixed tocopherols, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), L-tryptophan, vegetable juice for color, ferrous sulfate, niacin (Vitamin B3), iron amino acid chelate, zinc amino acid chelate, zinc sulfate, blueberries, cranberries, barley grass, parsley, turmeric, dried kelp, yucca schidigera extract, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate (Vitamin B1), copper amino acid chelate, biotin (Vitamin B7), L-lysine, Vitamin A supplement, manganese sulfate, manganese amino acid chelate, pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5), riboflavin (Vitamin B2), 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, Vitamin D3 supplement, Vitamin B12 supplement, folic acid (Vitamin B9), calcium iodate, sodium selenite, oil of rosemary
Fiber (estimated dry matter content) = 4%
Red denotes any controversial items
Ingredients Analysis
The first ingredient is deboned chicken. Chicken 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 brown rice, a complex carbohydrate that (once cooked) can be fairly easy to digest. However, aside from its natural energy content, rice is of only modest nutritional value to a cat.
The fourth ingredient is pea protein, what 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 fifth ingredient is barley, a starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients. However, aside from its energy content, this cereal grain is of only modest nutritional value to a cat.
The sixth 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.
The seventh ingredient is oatmeal, a whole-grain product made from coarsely ground oats. Oatmeal is naturally rich in B-vitamins, dietary fiber and can be (depending upon its level of purity) gluten-free.
The eighth 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 ninth ingredient is potato starch, a gluten-free carbohydrate of only modest nutritional value to a cat.
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.
This recipe has five notable exceptions.
First, dried plain beet pulp. Beet pulp is a controversial ingredient, a high-fiber by-product of sugar beet processing.
Some denounce beet pulp as an inexpensive filler while others cite its outstanding intestinal health and blood sugar benefits.
Next, taurine, an essential amino acid for cats associated with the healthy function of heart muscle and eye sight, and is crucial for maintaining good health in cats.
We view the presence of taurine in this recipe as a positive addition.
We note, fructooligosaccharides, which are included here as a prebiotic. Prebiotics support the growth of healthy bacteria in the large intestine and deliver digestive health benefits.
Also, we note the inclusion of dried fermentation products in this recipe. Fermentation products are typically added as probiotics to aid with digestion.
Next, flaxseed, one of the best plant sources of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Provided they’ve first been ground into a meal, flax seeds are also rich in soluble fiber.
However, flaxseed contains about 19% protein, a factor that must be considered when judging the actual meat content of this cat food.
Nutrient Analysis
Based on its ingredients alone, Blue Buffalo True Solutions Adult Cat Digestive Care Chicken & Barley Recipe looks like an above-average dry product.
The dashboard displays an excellent dry matter protein reading of 37.4%, a fat level of 17.6% and an estimated carbohydrate level of 37.1%.
As a group, the brand features a protein content of 37.8% and a mean fat level of 17.6%. Together these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 36.6% for the overall product line, alongside a fat-to-protein ratio of 47%.
This means this Blue Buffalo True Solutions (Dry) product line contains near-average protein, higher than average fat and carbohydrates when compared to typical dry cat food.
Final Word
Blue Buffalo True Solutions dry food range contains an excellent source of high-quality protein and essential fatty acids, made with natural, wholesome ingredients that are free from grains, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Has Blue Buffalo 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.
The other recalls 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
Veterinarian
Dr Georgia Jeremiah has a first class honors degree in comparative pathology with field experience in anatomic and clinical pathology, studying disease processes in a multitude of species.
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