Taste of the Wild vs Blue Buffalo: Which Premium Brand Wins?

Two premium brands with very different price points. Taste of the Wild costs $8.30/kg while Blue Buffalo runs $11.80/kg — that's a $3.50/kg difference. Let's see if Blue Buffalo's higher price actually delivers better nutrition.

Quick Comparison

FactorTaste of the WildBlue Buffalo
Price per kg$8.30$11.80
Monthly cost (70lb dog)$52$74
First ingredientWater buffalo or bisonDeboned chicken
Protein %32%26%
Grain-free optionsExcellent (original focus)Good (Wilderness line)
Recall historyMinor (vitamin/mineral in 2012)Multiple (melamine, vitamin D, salmonella)
Best forHigh-protein, grain-free dietsNatural ingredient marketing

Our Take

Taste of the Wild wins decisively. At $52/month vs $74/month for a 70lb dog, you save $264/year while getting higher protein content (32% vs 26%), more unique protein sources, and fewer recall incidents. Taste of the Wild was built around grain-free, high-protein nutrition, while Blue Buffalo is more marketing than substance.

Blue Buffalo's only advantage is wider availability in grocery stores. If you're ordering online anyway (which saves additional money), Taste of the Wild is the superior choice.

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Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Mitchell MSc Animal Nutrition, Certified Pet Food Advisor (CPFA)

Data sourced from American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standards, ASPCA pet nutrition guidelines, AAFCO nutritional requirements, and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) nutritional guidelines. Our calculator uses the veterinary-standard Resting Energy Requirement (RER) formula. Last reviewed May 2026.