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Home > General > Royal Canin Vs Blue Buffalo Dog Food: 2024 Comparison, Pros & Cons

Royal Canin Vs Blue Buffalo Dog Food: 2024 Comparison, Pros & Cons

Every dog owner has a right to be picky about the type of food that they feed their pet. Whether you have a full-grown dog or a newborn puppy, it’s essential that it gets the nutrients that it needs to stay strong and healthy. Some dog food brands are only available online, some come in raw form, and many can be purchased in the store.

But what brands are the best? And how do you identify the quality brands from the cheap stuff? Well, we’ve done a bit of research and have found two brands that seem to perform very well in the dog food marketplace.

So, in this post, we’re going to discuss Royal Canin and Blue Buffalo dog food brands, compare them and then give our take on which one may be best for you.

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A Sneak Peek at the Winner

Image Product Details
Winner
Royal Canin Canine Weight Care Adult Dry Dog Food Royal Canin Canine Weight Care Adult Dry Dog Food
  • Offers meals to cater to medical conditions
  • High-quality food
  • Caters to various breeds and ages
  • Second place
    Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Dry Dog Food Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Dry Dog Food
  • High-quality food
  • Multiple retail locations
  • Caters to various breeds and ages
  • Overall, we find that the better brand is Royal Canin. Not only do they have way more market saturation, but they also have better nutrient quality and pricing structure. They have a variety of flavors, as does Blue Buffalo, but their flavor variety, ingredient sustainability, and nutritional content give them the upper hand in this competition.

    To be fair, Blue Buffalo dog food is a great brand, but they have a bit of a way to go to compete with Royal Canin. Either way, you’re likely to find both dog food brands suitable whether you have a dog that’s perfectly healthy or one that’s younger oR has health issues and requires certain nutrients.

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    About Royal Canin

    The Royal Canin has roots in the pet food industry and has been around since 1968. It’s a subsidiary of the Mars Brand and has a substantial market share in both dog and cat food products.

    Their main selling point is their ability to satisfy the nutritional requirements for different types of dog and cat breeds. In addition to their continuous research on dog and cat nutrition, it’s these unique formulations that help the Brand’s Foods stand out.

    The company is constantly introducing new products and has a ton of different formulas for both dogs and cats. They also have numerous veterinarians, nutritionists, and scientists working at their Saint Charles, Missouri, headquarters to provide guidance on the meal formulas.

    Royal Canin also has manufacturing plants located in South Dakota, though their products are available worldwide. You’ll find that Royal Canin dog products contain five main ingredients which include protein (and fat), rice, wheat, maize, and rice.

    They also have different meals that cater to dogs of different life stages and breeds. Their aim is to provide high-quality pet food for your dog, and they do just that. The brand has dog food meals available for poodles, pugs, retrievers, and of course, Labradors.

    So, whether you have a dog that’s of a large breed, small breed, has health issues, or is a picky eater, you’ll likely find a meal perfect for your pup with this brand. They have high reviews across the board for various products and have been recommended by vets for decades as one of the premium dog food brands available today.

    Pros
    • Has wet and dry products
    • Offers meals to cater to medical conditions
    • Caters to various breeds and ages
    • High-quality food
    • Multiple retail locations
    Cons
    • Pricier compared to other brands
    • Can’t buy directly on brand’s website
    • Some food may have shorter shelf life
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    About Blue Buffalo

    Blue Buffalo has been around since 2002 and is steadily building a trusted catalog of meal plans for both cats and dogs. They have a more holistic approach to pet solutions and nutritional dietary support is their main focus when creating meal formulas.

    If you’re someone who values whole foods, and sustainability, and are a bit picky about what your dog eats, you may be more interested in Blue Buffalo. They are based in Wilton Connecticut and have a humble beginning.

    Blue Buffalo has grown to be one of the most popular pet food brands in the United States and has multiple facilities all over the States including South Carolina, Missouri, California, and Arkansas. Their ingredients are all-natural, and they have specialized formulas to cater to specific needs.

    The meals are perfect for dogs at any stage of life and for almost any dietary requirements. So, if you have a dog that is older or has certain health issues that need to be addressed, you may want to give them a go.

    Blue Buffalo also has a wholesome meal variety, and all of the meals have basic ingredients of protein, fiber, starch, and fat. Their meals come with different proteins including turkey, lamb, duck salmon, beef, and chicken– and they offer both wet and dry dog food products.

    Pros
    • Provides holistic meals to cater to medical conditions
    • Cheaper prices
    • Caters to various breeds and ages
    • High-quality food
    • Variety of proteins and flavors
    Cons
    • Can’t buy directly on brand’s website
    • Raw food may have shorter shelf life
    • Has had significant product recalls

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    3 Most Popular Brand Royal Canin Dog Food Recipes

    Royal Canin has a lot of products to offer. However, they have a few main products that always seem to sell out. Let’s take a closer look at them.

    1. Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Adult Dry Dog Food

    Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Adult Dry Dog Food

    This specific formula is a dry food formulated for adult dogs that are in a fairly good state of health. It not only helps them to maintain a healthy coat and skin, but it also promotes digestive health with proteins and omega-3 fatty acids.

    This formula is palpable and has an easy-to-chew kibble texture. It’s also packed with fiber to help keep your dog regular and provides immune system support with a nice blend of antioxidants and prebiotics.

    Pros
    • Aids digestion
    • Supports immune system
    • Provide antioxidants
    Cons
    • Is expensive
    • Few flavors

    2. Royal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Digestive Care

    Royal Canin Canine Care Nutrition Digestive Care Loaf

    This wet dog food formula is made for dogs of all sizes. It’s formulated for dogs that have stomach issues or a sensitive digestive system. It helps to promote regular and healthy bowel movement and supports a balanced intestinal flora. If your dog needs an immune system boost, this formula may help. It comes with a creamy gravy sauce and can go perfectly with many of their dry food products.

    Pros
    • Aids digestive
    • Helps stool formation and regularity
    • Great for dogs with sensitive stomachs
    Cons
    • Perishable
    • Few Flavors
    • Expensive

    3. Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult Formula Dog Dry Food

    Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Small Adult Formula

    This dog food is formulated for small dogs and has the right nutrition to meet their high energy needs. It goes well when combined with wet dog food formulas and helps baby and full-grown pups maintain a healthy weight.

    It has L-Carnitine and a special small kibble design for miniature jaws and easy chewing. If your dog has a fussy appetite, this meal will work well for them. It’s full of essential vitamins and minerals. It also has omega-3 and other fatty acids to help support your dog’s coat and skin.

    Pros
    • Has L-Carnitine and omega 3s
    • Great when mixed with wet food
    • Easy-to-chew formula
    Cons
    • Not a lot of flavors
    • Pricey

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    3 Most Popular Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recipes

    Blue Buffalo also has their share of popular meals that dog food owners love for their pups. Let’s take a look at some of the ones that sell out the most.

    1. Blue Buffalo Divine Delights Roasted Chicken Flavor

    Blue Buffalo Delights Natural Adult Small Breed Wet Dog Food

    These trays come with 12 cups and provide a hearty meal for your small dog or a pup. The ingredients are enhanced to provide optimal nutrition and include a variety of minerals and vitamins. The meals are so completely free of corn, soy, weed, artificial flavors, and any preservatives.

    If you’re looking for a well-rounded meal for your dog that includes meat, and vegetables, and is just as tasty, here’s one to consider. These meals come with real chicken, carrots and peas, and potatoes, and are topped with delectable gravy.

    Pros
    • Has protein, veggies, and healthy fat
    • Tasty serving portion for small dogs
    • Free of artificial flavors and preservatives
    Cons
    • Not a lot of flavor options
    • Meals are perishable

    2. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipes Adult Canned Dog Food

    Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipes

    This beef and chicken pack is perfect if you love the set-it-and-forget-it dog food approach. It’s perfectly nutritious for a dog and each meal is its own entree.

    All products are free of artificial flavors and preservatives and the wet food goes well with any dry kibble option. If you need a dog food meal that’s packed with nutrition and leaves your dog feeling energetic and active, check out this canned food option.

    Pros
    • Inexpensive
    • Offers great nutritional supplementation
    • Easy to prepare
    • Free of preservatives
    Cons
    • More expensive than other products
    • Limited flavor options

    3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wolf Creek Stew Grain-Free

    Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wolf Creek Stew Hearty Beef Stew Grain-Free Adult Canned

    Here is a canned dog food product that’s guaranteed to give your dog all the nutrients it needs for healthy muscle growth. It’s perfect for any dog breed and works for dogs of all ages. It can be served as a single meal entree or combined with dry food.

    This product is also free of any corn, soy, wheat, gluten, and artificial official products. It’s full of hearty beef and has a substantial serving of vegetables and fruits to give your dog all the minerals and vitamins it needs to get through today. This high-protein meal is wholesome and perfect for active dogs and pups.

    Pros
    • High-protein meal with added veggies and fruit
    • Free of artificial ingredients
    • Ideal for all dog breeds
    Cons
    • Limited flavor options
    • Portions may be small for large breeds

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    Recall History of Royal Canin and Blue Buffalo

    Royal Canin hasn’t had a lot of product recalls since its inspection. However, the most recent recall was in 2007 and there haven’t been any reported since then.

    Blue Buffalo has had 6 product recalls with both their wet and dry foods between 2010 and 2017 due to issues with salmonella, mold, low propylene glycol levels, excess vitamin D, and melamine.

    Canin Royal and Buffalo Blue Comparison

    Taste

    Both brands received great reviews for their assortment of meal flavors. However, it does seem that Canin Royal has more meals catered to specific types, whereas the Blue Buffalo has meals that often cater to specific states of health.

    bernese mountain dog eating
    Image By: Kristesoro, Shutterstock

    Nutritional Value

    A 3-ounce can of Canin Royal averages about 66k/cal, while Blue Buffalo averages about 78k/cal per can, even with the assortment of different flavors.  The nutritional content seems to be around the same for both with the cans averaging about 10% protein, 1% fat 2% fat, 2%, and around 81% moisture.

    Price

    Surprisingly, the price differences between the two brands aren’t that different. On average, we found that the Blue Buffalo brand was slightly cheaper than the average Royal Canin product.

    Selection

    Royal Canin definitely has more meal options that can cater to specific dog breeds. They also have a variety of options for different health conditions–which makes them a winner of this category.

    feeding dogs
    Image: Nadezhda Zaitceva, Shutterstock

    Overall

    As we suspected, Royal Canin has the upper hand when it comes to variety and convenience. But Blue Buffalo is a pretty good competitor and will probably throw even more so in the coming years as they continue to build their brand and product line.

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    Wrapping Up

    So yes. Royal Canin deserves the flowers in this competition. Finding the right dog food for your pup can be a challenge, as there are many different brands in the marketplace.

    Royal Canin is a brand that has cemented its place in the industry and is known to provide optimal nutrition for both dogs and cats, and they seem to be going strong.

    However, Blue Buffalo continues to make strides in the industry and they’re a brand worth considering if you’re looking for a good mix of wet and dry dog foods without all the preservatives and additives.

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