Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Dry Food with DHA and ARA
Dry food for dogs · Puppy · by Blue Buffalo
We have not seen this label’s AAFCO statement yet.
See the full breakdown in Beagly
What to watch for
- Peas Moderate risk
Peas add plant protein, starch and fiber. The FDA has been investigating reports of heart disease (DCM) in dogs eating diets high in peas, lentils and other legumes, often grain-free. No cause has been proven, but it is worth knowing when legumes sit near the top of the list. - Fish meal Low risk
Rendered fish. A concentrated protein, but 'fish' does not name the species, so it is harder to avoid if your dog reacts to a particular fish. - Natural flavor Low risk
Flavoring from natural sources. Normally safe, but the term can hide which animal or plant it came from, which matters for allergies. - Salt Low risk
Salt supplies sodium and chloride, which dogs need. Pet foods use small amounts; high salt is mainly a concern for dogs with heart or kidney disease. - Sweet potato Low risk
A starchy root vegetable that supplies carbohydrate, fiber and beta-carotene. Potatoes and sweet potatoes were common in the grain-free diets reported in the FDA DCM investigation. - Dried kelp Low risk
Seaweed that supplies iodine and trace minerals. Too much kelp can push iodine too high, so it should be a minor ingredient. - Copper sulfate Low risk
A source of copper, an essential trace mineral. Some breeds accumulate copper in the liver, and vets have raised concern that some dog foods supply more than dogs need.
What it does well
- High protein 30.0%
30% or more on a dry-matter basis. - Named meat first
First ingredient is deboned chicken.
Ingredients
Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley, Fish Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids), Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Tomato Pomace, Peas, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Dried Egg Product, Dried Yeast, Fish Oil (source of ARA-Arachidonic Acid and DHA-Docosahexaenoic Acid), Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets, Dicalcium Phosphate, Dried Chicory Root, Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate, Calcium Carbonate, L-Threonine, DL-Methionine, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Vitamin E Supplement, Dried Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, 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), Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), L-Lysine, Biotin (Vitamin B7), Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Sulfate, Taurine, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, 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.
Guaranteed analysis
| Crude protein (min) | 27% |
|---|---|
| Crude fat (min) | 16% |
| Crude fiber (max) | 5% |
| Moisture (max) | 10% |
| Calories | 3,717 kcal/kg, 401 kcal/cup |
What the label cannot tell you
- Ingredient order is by weight before cooking; fresh meat counts water.
- Mineral levels are not printed on this label.
- We could not find the AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for this product. Scan the bag to confirm it is complete and balanced.
Sizes and barcodes
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Dry Food with DHA and ARA - 30 Lb UPC 859610000050
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Dry Food with DHA and ARA - 5 Lb UPC 840243144082
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Dry Food with DHA and ARA - 34 Lb UPC 840243144570
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Chicken & Brown Rice Puppy Dry Food with DHA and ARA - 15 Lb UPC 859610000036
Higher-scoring dry food for dogs
- Acana Wholesome Grains Dry Food for Dogs - Sea to Stream 94/100 · Excellent
- Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Medium & Maxi 94/100 · Excellent
- Wellness CORE+ High Protein With-Grain Adult Dry Dog Food - Turkey & Chicken 93/100 · Excellent
- Wellness CORE+ High Protein With-Grain Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food - Turkey 93/100 · Excellent
- Farmina N&D Prime Chicken & Pomegranate Adult Medium & Maxi 92/100 · Excellent
More from Blue Buffalo
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dog Treats - Salmon 83/100 · Excellent
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dog Treats - Duck 81/100 · Excellent
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Dog Treats - Turkey 81/100 · Excellent
- Blue Buffalo Tender Shreds Beef & Chicken in Savory Broth All Life Stages Dog Food Topper 78/100 · Excellent
- Blue Buffalo Tender Shreds Chicken in Savory Broth All Life Stages Dog Food Topper 78/100 · Excellent
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Informational, not veterinary advice. The score is our opinion of a food, built from the facts on its label with our published method. No brand pays to rank higher. Recipes change: check the bag you have, or scan it in the app.
Score version 2026.11.6 · Page updated 2026-11-03