Iams vs. Blue Buffalo: Which is better? It depends on what you are looking for in pet food.
Iams and blue buffalo are both well-respected brands of dog food, but they come from different backgrounds and have different philosophies when it comes to ingredients. This article will examine the differences between Iams and blue buffalo as well as provide information about how each company produces its products.
Table of Contents
About Iams Food
Iams was founded in 1946 by a veterinarian named Paul Iams.
The company’s first product was dry dog food that was made with real chicken. Iams is now a subsidiary of Mars, Inc., and the company produces a wide variety of pet foods, including wet food, dry food, and treats. You can read more about the IAMs story here.
About Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo was founded in 2002 by Bill Bishop and his sons.
The company got its start when Bishop’s son, Blue, became seriously ill after eating a portion of traditional pet food.
After doing some research, Bishop discovered that many commercial pet foods contain low-quality ingredients and preservatives. He decided to start a company that would produce high-quality pet food using natural ingredients.
In 2018, it was acquired by General Mills.
Iams vs blue buffalo: Ingredients
When it comes to ingredients, there are some key differences between Iams and blue buffalo.
Iams is a proponent of including processed carbohydrates in their products. These carbs come from grains like wheat, corn, and rice. Blue Buffalo, on the other hand, avoids processed carbohydrates and instead relies on whole grains like barley and oatmeal.
Iams also includes animal by-products in their recipes. These by-products can include things like beaks, feathers, and intestines. Blue Buffalo does not use animal by-products in its recipes.
Iams vs blue buffalo: Processing
Another key difference between the two brands is how they process their ingredients.
Iams uses a high-heat extrusion process to produce their food. This process heats the ingredients up to very high temperatures, which destroys many of the nutrients. Blue Buffalo, on the other hand, uses a slow-cooking process that preserves the nutrients in its ingredients.
Iams vs blue buffalo: Price
Finally, let’s take a look at the price difference between Iams and blue buffalo.
Blue Buffalo products are generally more expensive than IAMs products with prices ranging from $19 to $130. Blue Buffalo’s cheapest brand goes for $15 and their most expensive bundle goes for $133. IAMs few brands on Chewy range from $17 to $35.
So, which is better?
It depends on what you are looking for in pet food. If you are looking for food with high-quality ingredients that is affordable, blue buffalo is the better choice. If you are looking for a food with processed carbohydrates that includes animal by-products, Iams is the better choice.
IAMS ProActive Health Adult vs Blue Buffalo Freedom Adult Grain-Free:
The Iams ProActive Health Adult dry dog food is made with chicken, grains, and animal by-products. The Blue Buffalo Freedom Adult Grain-Free dry dog food is made with turkey, sweet potatoes, and peas.
The Iams food contains more processed carbohydrates than the Blue Buffalo food. The Iams food also includes animal by-products, while the Blue Buffalo food does not.
Iams ProActive Health Adult dry have a higher calorie content – 380 kcal/per cup compared to Blue Buffalo Freedom Adult Grain-Free which has 373 kcal/per cup.
IAMs also have a higher protein content compared to Blue Buffalo Freedom Adult dog food, 25% against 24%.
They are both dry adult dog food and have similar fat content.
IAMs vs Blue Buffalo Recalls:
Iams and Blue Buffalo have both had dog food recalls but Blue Buffalo has had a lot more recalls, comparatively. The first Blue Buffalo recall was in 2007 for salmonella contamination, the 2nd was in 2009 for mold, another in 2016 for elevated levels of lead. You can read IAMs recalls here and Blue Buffalo recalls here.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between Iams and blue buffalo?
A: The key difference between Iams and blue buffalo is the ingredients they use. Iams uses processed carbohydrates and animal by-products, while blue buffalo uses whole grains and does not use animal by-products.
Iams also uses a high-heat extrusion process to produce their food, while blue buffalo uses a slow-cooking process. Iams products are also more expensive than blue buffalo products.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.
Hello! My name is George Romell and recently joined Our Pets HQ to oversee quality and provide oversight in content being published. I am originally from the North West but currently reside in Upstate New York and work as a freelance journalist with a focus on dogs and cats. Here at Ourpetshq, I will be responsible for editing and improving older content that may have missed editorial checks. You can reach me at george@ourpetshq.com
