Both Blue Buffalo and Science Diet are excellent brands with comparable price points which explain why they fall under the same category. They manufacture premium pet foods that are safe for your pets but that does not mean they are similar. So, who is better in the face-off?
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Blue Buffalo vs Science Diet Companies
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the marketer of Science Diet, entered the pet food market in the 1930s. The company’s story is quite interesting! A dog owner requested a prominent vet to make dog food that would help his dog diagnosed with kidney failure. They did so successfully and that was the dawn of the brand’s journey which you popularly recognize today.
On the other hand, Blue Buffalo was founded in 2003 by Bill Bishop who later sold it to General Mills in 2018. It is headquartered in Wilton, Connecticut, USA.
Blue Buffalo vs Science Diet Ingredients
The major difference between Blue Buffalo and Science Diet is in the ingredients. While Blue uses natural ingredients without by-products, Hill’s foods are based on science (not always natural). And while Hill’s uses real meat as the first ingredient, it is not guaranteed as with Blue, plus they use meat by-products which are controversial ingredients. Unlike Blue, all Hill’s diets are grain-inclusive and are transparent with their clients.
Blue Buffalo vs. Science Diet Comparison Table
Factor | Blue Buffalo | Science Diet |
Taste | Uses real meat as the primary ingredient. Premium ingredients. | Uses meat as the first ingredient sometimes & wholesome grains |
Nutritional Value | 30% minimum protein, 15% fat, 4.5% fiber & 10% moisture | 29% minimum protein, 15% fat, 15% fiber & 10% moisture |
Product Line | Six product lines: Freedom, Basics, Veterinary Diet, Wilderness, Carnivora & TrueSolutions | Four product lines in total: Science Diet is popular with 42 dry kibble recipes & 16 wet foods |
Price | Can be costly | Science Diets are very expensive |
Safety | Very many food recalls (2007 – 2017 ) | Three major recall in June 2014, January 2019 & March 2019 |
Dog Testing Food Comparison of Blue Buffalo vs Science Diet
Verdict: Blue Buffalo vs Science Diet
Overall, both brands are okay, but it depends on what you are looking for. If you prefer all grain-inclusive formulas, Hill’s is a go. If you need many options, Blue is ideal.
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Hi there! My name is Alex Landy, one of the co-founders here at Our Pets HQ and a parent to a small-breed Yorkie. I am a published author of two books on dog breeding and currently write on various pet-related blogs about caring for dogs. I am a parent of two daughters and live outside Boston where I spend a lot of time with family and serve in different breeding clubs. You can reach me at alex@ourpetshq.com