In this comparison article for Purina Bella vs Blue Buffalo, we'll highlight the key differences between these two pet food brands. To properly compare Purina Bella and Blue Buffalo, we'll use up-to-date nutritional and price information.
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best pet food brand for your pet. Factors such as ingredient quality, guaranteed analysis, product safety, brand history, and cost are among the most important factors to consider.
Throughout this Blue Buffalo vs Purina Bella comparison, we've utilized average data to make general comparisons. If you'd like to see individual product reviews, visit our Purina Bella Review Page or Blue Buffalo Review Page.
Guaranteed Analysis: Blue Buffalo vs. Purina Bella
According to AAFCO, all pet food labels must provide a guaranteed analysis of nutrient content. The analysis must provide guaranteed minimum percentages of crude protein and crude fat, and maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture.
All percentages used in this comparison are averages reported on a dry matter basis.
Purina Bella Dog Food vs. Blue Buffalo Dog Food
Dry Dog Food
Purina Bella
Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein
29.5%
29.5%
Crude Fat
17.6%
15.3%
Crude Fiber
4.5%
6.8%
Wet/Canned Dog Food
Purina Bella
Blue Buffalo
Crude Protein
44.4%
40.0%
Crude Fat
22.4%
26.2%
Crude Fiber
5.3%
7.4%
Crude Protein Comparison For Dog Food
Dogs require twenty-two amino acids to sustain life. Twelve of these amino acids are synthesized naturally, the remaining ten are consumed. Protein is the nutrient which provides some or all of these ten essential amino acids.
There is a relatively insignificant difference between the crude protein content of the two brands. For wet dog foods, Purina Bella provides more protein (about 4.41% more).
Crude Fat Comparison For Dog Food
Fats are an absolutely vital component of a balanced canine diet. Not only do fats provide energy, but they also serve important roles in the normal development and function of your dog's body. For example, fats help dogs produce prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation among many other significant functions.
There is a small difference between the fat content of Purina Bella and Blue Buffalo. We can see that Purina Bella guarantees about 2.27% more fat than Blue Buffalo. In addition, Blue Buffalo wet dog foods also provide more fat than Purina Bella wet foods.
According to our average data, Purina Bella typically provides less fiber than Blue Buffalo. However, this difference is relatively small and doesn't represent a significant difference between the two brands. In addition, Blue Buffalo wet dog foods also provide more fiber than Purina Bella wet foods.
Purina Bella Pet Food Ingredients vs. Blue Buffalo Pet Food Ingredients
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Purina Bella.
Liver
Liver
Liver is a controversial ingredient because the source animal is not specified. Anonymous animal ingredients are typically very low quality and may contain almost any animal, including dogs and cats!
Canola Meal
Canola Meal
Canola meal is a high protein by-product of canola oil production. This ingredient is marked controversial because it may be derived from genetically modified rapeseed, which is associated with multiple adverse health affects.
Brewers Rice
Brewers Rice
Brewer's rice is the small fragments of rice kernel that are separated from the larger kernels of milled rice. The fragments do not contain the same nutrition profile of the whole kernel and therefore brewer's rice is a lower quality grain. Brewer's rice is typically regarded as an inexpensive and low quality filler.
Wheat Gluten
Wheat Gluten
Wheat gluten is the main protein of wheat. Although wheat gluten is mostly protein, wheat gluten is considered controversial because it significantly boosts the protein content of the product. This is undesirable because plant based protein does not provide the same amino acid profile as meat based protein.
Soybean Flour
Soybean Flour
Soybean flour contains more than 50% protein. Therefore, soybean can significantly boost the protein content of the product. The inclusion of non-meat protein typically degrades the overall quality of protein in the recipe. This degradation is due to the inferior amino acid profile of plant based proteins.
Corn Gluten Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Corn gluten meal is a by-product from the production of various corn products (corn starch, corn syrup, etc). It's very high in protein (nearly 60% protein) and therefore can significant boost the protein content of the product. Because plant based proteins such as corn gluten meal are inferior to meat based proteins (lack many essential amino acids), they are not suitable substitutes.
Meat By-Products
Meat By-Products
By-products are defined by AAFCO as the "non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals." Thus, meat by-products contain nearly all parts of the animal which are typically not consumed by humans. These parts include the liver, lung, spleen, kidney, stomach, blood, intestine, bone, etc.
This ingredient is marked controversial because the meat source is not identified. Anonymous ingredients such as meat by-products are typically very low quality additions. The most unpleasing property of this ingredient is that the animal source can contain any mammal, even dogs & cats.
Whole Grain Corn
Whole Grain Corn
Whole grain corn is the entire corn kernel (the germ, bran, and endosperm). Corn is a cereal grain which provides a modest amount of vitamins, minerals, and plant based protein. It also happens to be one of the most controversial ingredients in pet food.
Proponents of corn claim that corn is highly digestible and an excellent source of protein, energy, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.
Opponents however believe that positive claims in regards to corn are either half-truths or completely false, we'll discuss a few of the opposing arguments.
In regards to digestibility, the claims of "highly digestible" are only true if corn is processed into a meal or flour and subsequently cooked. In regards to the protein contribution, we must note that corn is a plant based protein which does not contain all of the necessary amino acids required by pets to sustain life. Therefore substituting corn for meat is an unsuitable substitution and actually degrades the overall protein quality of the product.
Finally, we'll discuss the claims about vitamins and minerals in corn. Although corn does provide many vitamins and minerals, it not necessarily an exceptional ingredient in this regards. There are many other ingredients which are more complete and biologically appropriate. Therefore the usage of corn as the primary ingredient in pet food should certainly warrant further questioning.
Whole Grain Wheat
Whole Grain Wheat
Whole grain wheat contains the entire grain of wheat (the germ, bran, and endosperm). Wheat is the second most-produced cereal grain in the world (corn is the first). Although wheat is a controversial ingredient, it is not necessarily undesirable because it provides dietary fiber and many other nutrients. However, wheat contains a notable amount of plant based protein, which is inferior to meat based protein and therefore an undesirable substitution.
Wheat is also one of the most common ingredients to cause food allergies or intolerance. However, grains such as wheat are typically low offenders in comparison to certain protein sources (such as beef).
Chicken By-Product Meal
Chicken By-Product Meal
Chicken by-product meal is produced by cooking chicken by-products using a process called rendering. By-products are defined by AAFCO as the "non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat, derived from slaughtered mammals." Thus, chicken by-products contain nearly all parts of chickens which are typically not consumed by humans. These parts include the liver, lung, spleen, kidney, stomach, blood, intestine, bone, etc.
Like other meat by-products, chicken by-products are considered controversial, mainly because they are inexpensive ingredients which consumers have equated with slaughterhouse waste. However, manufactures and many experts claim that animal by-products are unjustly criticized. Proponents state that "named" by-products, such as chicken by-products, supply many important nutrients required by pets.
Here are some of the controversial ingredients used only by Blue Buffalo.
Garlic
Garlic
Garlic in very small quantities can be an acceptable addition, however, garlic can also be toxic. Therefore many pet owners choose to completely avoid garlic.
Caramel
Caramel
Caramel is a widely used natural food colorant. The concentrated form of caramel is typically listed as caramel color and has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
Canola Oil
Canola Oil
Canola oil is a plant-derived oil from the seeds of canola plants. Although fat is an essential component of any diet, canola oil is controversial in pet food. Proponents claim that canola oil provides a better fat profile in comparison to other plant based oils. However, opponents claim that canola oil is typically produced with genetically modified rapeseed and that rapeseed oil has multiple adverse health affects.
Pea Protein
Pea Protein
Pea protein is produced by removing the starchy parts of peas. Pea protein is considered controversial because it provides a substantial plant based protein boost. This boost is undesirable because plant based protein is typically lower in biological value when compared to meat based proteins.
Caramel Color
Caramel Color
Caramel color is a concentrated form of caramel, a natural food colorant. Caramel color has been linked to cancer in laboratory animals. Since our pets do not care about food color, caramel color is an unnecessary addition with possible health risks.
Tomato Pomace
Tomato Pomace
Tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered Cellulose
Powdered cellulose is produced from minuscule pieces of wood pulp and plant fibers. Other than its fiber content, powdered cellulose lacks any nutritional contribution.
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried Tomato Pomace
Dried tomato pomace is a by-product of tomato manufacturing. It's considered a controversial ingredient because many people believe it is an inexpensive low quality filler. However, tomato pomace provides a notable amount of dietary fiber, B vitamins, Lycopene, and vitamin A. Although it is a very inexpensive ingredient, it is not nutritionally empty.
We believe that certain pet food ingredients are linked to adverse health affects; these ingredients are classified as harmful.
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Purina Bella.
Added Color
Added Color
The ingredient "added color" is ambiguous and may include various artificial dyes. Most artificial dyes have been linked to various chronic diseases.
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfite complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Here are some of the harmful ingredients used only by Blue Buffalo.
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex
Menadione sodium bisulfate complex is a synthetic version of vitamin K that has been linked to many health concerns. Research has suggested possible toxic reactions in liver cells and red blood cells among other serious problems. In fact, one large chemical supplier warns, "The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver, mucous membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage."
Product Safety: Recall History of Purina Bella & Blue Buffalo?
According to our records, Purina Bella has never been recalled.
The average cost-per-lb is heavily influenced by the varying amounts of moisture present in each brand's food products (wet vs. dry food, dry vs. freeze-dried food, etc). However, the average cost-per-kcal eliminates the influence of moisture. Therefore, the average cost-per-kcal is the better metric to consider.
If you'd like to calculate the average cost-per-day or cost-pet-year of feeding Purina Bella or Blue Buffalo, input your pet's weight into our cost analyzer widget.
Averages price data can identify whether or not there exists a significant price difference between two brands. However, the actual price that you'll pay for Purina Bella or Blue Buffalo will depend on your shopping habits.
Cost Analyzer Widget
Cost of Feeding Purina Bella
Cost Per Day:
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Cost of Feeding Blue Buffalo
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Cost Per Year:
Pet owners who use our price comparison feature typically save more than 25% off retail prices for Purina Bella and Blue Buffalo. In addition, we currently have some great coupons for our readers.
Disclosure: PawDiet has an affiliate relationship with stores featured (or linked-to) in this article. We are compensated for referring customers. Thank you for shopping with our retail partners!
Where To Buy Purina Bella Pet Foods
You can purchase Purina Bella pet foods from the following stores:
8 Recipes In-Stock Today
8 Recipes In-Stock Today
Where To Buy Blue Buffalo Pet Foods
You can purchase Blue Buffalo pet food products from these retailers:
281 Recipes In-Stock Today
135 Recipes In-Stock Today
262 Recipes In-Stock Today
14 Recipes In-Stock Today
Type Of Pet Foods Available
Product
Purina Bella
Blue Buffalo
Dry Dog Food
2 Recipes
93 Recipes
Wet Dog Food
14 Recipes
94 Recipes
Dog Treats
None
50 Treats
Dry Cat Food
None
42 Recipes
Wet Cat Food
None
59 Recipes
Cat Treats
None
16 Treats
Top Rated Purina Bella Recipes
Dog Food
Purina Bella Natural Bites With Real Chicken & Beef