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Blue Basics Grain-free dry dog food review
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- Published: June 20, 2024
- Last Updated: December 25, 2024
List of Products
Blue Basics Products | Ratings | AAFCO |
|---|---|---|
3.9 | Maintenance | |
3.7 | Maintenance | |
3.9 | Maintenance | |
3.8 | Maintenance | |
3.8 | Maintenance | |
3.8 | Maintenance |
We checked six products and chose the Adult Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Recipe to review. This review covers the entire Blue Basics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food line.
Ingredients
Deboned Salmon, Peas, Potatoes, Pea Starch, Salmon Meal (Source of Glucosamine), Tapioca Starch, Canola Oil (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Pea Fiber, Natural Flavor, Potato Starch, Pea Protein, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Fish Oil (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Potassium Chloride, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Pumpkin, Dried Chicory Root, Flaxseed, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Choline Chloride, Salt, Vitamin E Supplement, DL-Methionine, Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Vegetable juice for color, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Blueberries, Cranberries, Barley Grass, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract,
Niacin (Vitamin B3), Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Copper Sulfate, Biotin (Vitamin B7), L-Lysine, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Dried Yeast, Manganese Sulfate, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Taurine, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Sodium Selenite, Oil of Rosemary.
Ingredient Analysis
The first ingredients are the most important because they are in the largest amounts. The further down the list, the less there is of each ingredient.
Primary Ingredients
→ Deboned Salmon is a good source of protein and omega-3 fats. It is a common ingredient in pet foods. Each 100 g serving of farm-raised salmon (raw) contains about 20.3 g of protein and 13.1 g of fat.
Salmon can help with sensitive stomachs, skin issues, or special diet needs. The use of real deboned salmon as the first ingredient is a key focus in our Blue Basics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Review.
→ Peas are a common part of commercial pet foods. They provide fiber, vitamins (A, C, K), minerals (iron, manganese, phosphorus), and antioxidants.
Raw green peas have 5.42 g of protein and 14.4 g of carbohydrates in each 100-gram serving.
→ Potatoes are a gluten-free energy source for active dogs. They’re easy to digest and help keep blood sugar steady. They provide 12.4 g carbohydrates and 2.5 g fiber.
→ Pea starch, derived from peas, gives dogs slow-burning energy to stay playful all day.
→ Salmon meal, made from dried salmon, is a rich source of protein that helps keep dogs healthy and active.
Secondary Ingredients
→ Tapioca starch is a mild carb that’s easy on sensitive stomachs. It provides quick energy and helps keep kibble crunchy without grains.
→ Canola oil is a good source of healthy fats. It contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that support a dog’s skin and fur. It gives a tasty, plant-based energy boost and benefits the heart. Each 100g contains 94.5g of fat.
→ Pea fiber comes from peas. It supports a healthy stomach, aids digestion, and helps with weight management.
Other Beneficial Ingredients
→ Natural flavor comes from animals or plants and is added for taste. But since the source is unclear, it may cause issues for dogs with allergies.
It isn’t always bad, but knowing the source helps owners make better choices.
→ Potato starch is used in pet food as a source of carbs and to hold ingredients together, especially in grain-free options.
It makes the kibble feel and look better. It doesn’t provide much nutrition besides being a quick source of energy.
→ Pea protein comes from peas and is added to increase protein in dog food without meat. It has some amino acids but is not a complete protein and lacks key nutrients found in animal proteins.
The recipe has many more good ingredients. We can’t explain each one, but our review of Blue Basics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food shows that all the parts are safe and healthy for your dog.
Nutrients | Sources |
|---|---|
Protein | Deboned Salmon, Peas, Potatoes, Salmon Meal, Pea Protein, Flaxseed, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp |
Fat | Deboned Salmon, Salmon Meal, Canola Oil, Fish Oil, Flaxseed, Turmeric, Dried Kelp |
Carbohydrate | Peas, Potatoes, Pea Starch, Tapioca Starch, Potato Starch, Pumpkin, Flaxseed, Blueberries, Cranberries, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp |
Fiber | Peas, Potatoes, Pea Fiber, Flaxseed, Blueberries, Cranberries, Parsley, Turmeric, Dried Kelp |
Vitamins
Adult Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Recipe includes vitamins A, D3, E, and C, which help with sight, bones, the immune system, and fighting off free radicals.
It also has B vitamins like B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12, which help with energy, nerves, and general health. The source of Vitamin C is helpful but not needed since dogs can produce it themselves.
Overall, the vitamins in this food are good for a dog’s needs.
Minerals
This food has enough minerals, with chelated ones (zinc, iron, copper, manganese) bound to amino acids for better absorption, and non-chelated minerals (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium) added in standard forms but still good for dogs.
Overall, it provides balanced mineral support for your dog’s health.
Ingredient Concerns
This dog food has several ingredients from peas, like peas, pea starch, pea fiber, and pea protein. This might mean they are splitting the ingredients to make salmon seem like the main ingredient, even though the total amount of peas could be more.
Pea protein is mentioned on its own, which can increase protein levels, but it doesn’t have all the amino acids that meat proteins do.
The terms “natural flavor” and “vegetable juice for color” are unclear, which might not be safe for dogs with allergies.
The starch in this dog food may lead to weight gain and blood sugar problems, especially in dogs with sensitive stomachs or diabetes.
Nutrient Analysis
Moisture= 10% Max
Method of Analysis | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
→ Guaranteed Analysis | 20% | 12% | 44% | 6% |
→ Dry Matter Basis | 22.2% | 13.3% | 48.9% | 6.7% |
→ Calorie Content Basis | 21.5% | 31.3% | 47.2% | NA |
A normal dry dog food has (40% – 60%) carbohydrates, (16% – 38%) protein, and (6% – 18%) fat on a dry matter basis.
Adult Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Recipe has 22.2% protein, 13.3% fat, and about 48.9% carbohydrates when dry. This means it has moderately low protein, moderate fat, and moderate carbohydrates..
Compliance with AAFCO and FEDIAF Standards
Adult Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Recipe has 22.2% protein and 13.3% fat when dry. This is more than the minimum required for adult maintenance when compared to AAFCO and FEDIAF standards.
This means the food has enough protein and fat to help keep dogs healthy.
Every recipe in Blue Basics Grain-free dry dog food line follows AAFCO and FEDIAF rules for adult pets, giving enough protein and fat.
AAFCO Statement
“BLUE Basics Grain-Free Salmon and Potato Recipe Adult Food for Dogs is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.”
This means the dog food meets AAFCO’s nutrient standards based on lab tests. But it doesn’t mean the food was tested on real dogs, which would show how the food actually affects a dog’s health.
Cost Analysis
Cost Metrics | 4-lb bag | 11-lb bag | 24-lb bag |
|---|---|---|---|
→ Cost per Unit | $22.88 | $44.98 | $74.98 |
→ Cost per Pound | $5.72 | $4.09 | $3.41 |
→ Cost per Serving | $1.49 | $1.07 | $0.89 |
The table compares 4-lb, 11-lb, and 24-lb bags in terms of cost per unit, cost per pound, and cost per serving.
The 4-lb bag has the lowest upfront cost at $22.88 but is the most expensive when broken down per pound ($5.72) and per serving ($1.49).
The 11-lb bag, priced at $44.98, offers a better value with a lower cost per pound ($4.09) and cost per serving ($1.07).
The 24-lb bag, despite its highest unit cost of $74.98, is the most economical choice overall, with the lowest cost per pound ($3.41) and per serving ($0.89).
This comparison highlights that buying in bulk significantly reduces the cost, making the 24-lb bag the most cost-effective option.
The same pricing trend applies to other products in the Blue Basics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food line. Larger bags give you a better deal per pound and per serving than smaller bags.
Buy in Bulk → Save BIG per Pound AND Per Serving. Stock Up & Savor the Savings! 🤑 [SHOP NOW]
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Real salmon as the main ingredient
- Supports gentle digestion
- Free from chicken by-products, corn, wheat, and soy
- Immune system support with antioxidants
Cons
- Contains multiple pea-derived ingredients
- Ingredient splitting can be seen
- Unspecified natural flavor source
- Does not provide omega-6:omega-3 ratio
- Premium pricing compared to some alternative brands
Customer Review
“I’ve tried countless foods for my pup’s sensitive tummy, but nothing has worked as well as Blue Buffalo Basics Grain-free Turkey & Potato. His digestion is noticeably better, his coat is shinier, and he eats every meal with enthusiasm. I’m relieved to have finally found a food that really suits him.”- Mark S.
More reviews on Chewy!
Recalls and Safety
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Our Rating
After our review the Blue Basics Adult Grain-Free Salmon & Potato Recipe received a 3.8 out of 5 rating, while the whole Blue Basics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food line earned an average rating of 3.7 out of 5.
Final Verdict of Blue Basics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Review
This article gives an overview of dog food ingredients, but it’s important to talk to your vet for advice that fits your dog. Every dog is different, and your vet can help you pick the best food for your dog’s health.
More Blue Buffalo Dog Food Reviews
Table of Contents
- List of products
- Ingredients
- Ingredient Analysis
- Primary Ingredients
- Secondary Ingredients
- Other Beneficial Ingredients
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Ingredient Concerns
- Nutrient Analysis
- Compliance with AAFCO and FEDIAF Standards
- AAFCO Statement
- Cost Analysis
- Pros and Cons
- Pros
- Cons
- Customer Review
- Recalls and Safety
- Our Rating
- Final Verdict of Blue Basics Grain-Free Dry Dog Food Review
- Contact Us
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