Two Natural Brands, Two Angles
Both brands market themselves as natural, protein-first dog food, which puts them in the same mental aisle for many owners. But the angles are different. Taste of the Wild built its reputation on novel, roasted meats: bison, venison, wild boar, and salmon. Blue Buffalo built its reputation on deboned chicken, whole grains and vegetables, and the LifeSource vitamin blend. One is exotic; the other is wholesome.
The result is that the two brands attract different dogs. Taste of the Wild is often chosen when a dog has struggled with chicken or other common proteins, since its recipes use novel proteins. Blue Buffalo is the go-to for owners who want a dependable natural food with real meat first and a brand they recognize from every pet aisle.
Neither of these is a clinical brand, and the adequacy statement on the back is where that shows up. What that line means is worth two minutes before you choose.
Ingredients Compared
| Aspect | Taste of the Wild | Blue Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| First ingredient | Novel meat (bison, venison) | Deboned chicken or fish |
| Typical protein | Check the guaranteed analysis | Check the guaranteed analysis |
| Grain-free | Mostly grain-free | Both grain-free and grain-inclusive |
| Novel proteins | Many (bison, venison, boar) | Few (Basics line) |
| Recipe range | Novel-protein and grain-free focus | Wide grain-free and grain-inclusive range |
| Signature | Roasted exotic meats | LifeSource Bits |
Protein levels vary by recipe, so compare the guaranteed analysis on each bag. Taste of the Wild is predominantly grain-free, with a strong lineup of novel proteins that can be used in elimination trials. Blue Buffalo is more moderate, with a broader range that includes grain-inclusive recipes for owners who prefer to avoid grain-free. Both use real meat as the first ingredient.
Protein and Novel Protein Advantage
- Taste of the Wild High Prairie: bison and venison, grain-free, with roasted meats and no corn, wheat, or soy.
- Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream: salmon, grain-free.
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness: chicken or fish first, grain-free, the brand's high-protein line.
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection: grain-inclusive, the everyday line.
If you suspect a chicken allergy, Taste of the Wild offers bison and venison, which are less common in dog food than chicken. That is one way to run an elimination trial.[1] Blue Buffalo's Wilderness line is also high-protein, but it leans on chicken in many recipes. The Basics limited ingredient line from Blue Buffalo is the exception, offering turkey, salmon, and lamb.
Range and Brand Story
Taste of the Wild concentrates on novel proteins and grain-free recipes. Blue Buffalo Life Protection spreads across a wider range of proteins and grain choices.
Blue Buffalo offers a stronger brand story and a wider range, not necessarily better nutrition. If the natural story matters to you, that is a fair reason to choose it. If you want a grain-free novel protein food, Taste of the Wild is the more focused choice.
Which Dog Should Choose Which
Choose Taste of the Wild if your dog has food sensitivities, if you want a grain-free recipe with a novel protein, or if you want a high-protein recipe. It is one option for dogs with suspected food allergies.
Choose Blue Buffalo if you want a recognizable natural brand with a wide range, if your dog does fine on chicken, or if you prefer a grain-inclusive recipe with the LifeSource vitamin blend.
The Sensitive Dog Question
For a dog with suspected food allergies, this comparison matters more than most. Elimination-provocation trials remain the standard way to diagnose food reactions in the skin, and a novel protein is one the dog has not eaten before.[1] The bison and venison in High Prairie are examples. Blue Buffalo's Basics line offers the same idea with turkey, salmon, or lamb, but the brand's main Life Protection and Wilderness lines lean on chicken.
The practical recommendation: if you suspect chicken is the problem, start with Taste of the Wild High Prairie or Pacific Stream. Run the food alone for at least eight weeks, keep treats on the same protein, and track symptoms in a journal.[1] If the signs improve, a vet can help confirm the trigger. Our allergy and itchy skin guide walks through the full elimination trial process.
How to Switch Between Them
Because both brands offer high-protein, grain-free recipes, the switch is usually smooth, but go slowly. Mix the new food in gradually over several days. If your dog has been on a chicken-based food and you are moving to a novel protein, watch for any sign of digestive upset in the first week and slow the transition if needed.
What Owners Report
Some Taste of the Wild owners report that their dog's itching eased or its coat improved after switching to a novel protein. The brand also gets praise for delivering a grain-free, high-protein food built on novel proteins. The main criticisms are that some dogs do not love the taste of bison and venison, and that the grain-free positioning is not right for every dog.
Blue Buffalo owners praise the dependable quality and the brand's commitment to real meat and no chicken by-product meal. The reviews skew positive on palatability, with many owners reporting their dog eats it eagerly. Between the two, Taste of the Wild is the pick for novel proteins, and Blue Buffalo is the pick for a recognizable natural brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Taste of the Wild is a well-regarded grain-free brand with real meat first, high protein, and novel protein sources. It has been a top seller for years and has a strong base of positive owner reviews.
Taste of the Wild is built around novel proteins such as bison and venison, with many grain-free recipes. Blue Buffalo has the wider range, covering both grain-free and grain-inclusive recipes.
Most Taste of the Wild recipes are grain-free, using sweet potato and legumes instead of corn, wheat, or soy. Blue Buffalo offers both grain-free (Wilderness) and grain-inclusive (Life Protection) lines.
The Bottom Line
Taste of the Wild and Blue Buffalo are both quality natural dog foods with different strengths. Taste of the Wild delivers novel proteins, grain-free recipes. Blue Buffalo delivers a wider range, a stronger natural brand story, and a recognizable name.
If your dog has food sensitivities or you want a grain-free, novel-protein food, Taste of the Wild is one option to consider. If you want a dependable natural food from a brand you trust and your dog does fine on common proteins, Blue Buffalo is excellent.
See Taste of the Wild on AmazonReferences
- Olivry T, Mueller RS, Prélaud P. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (1): duration of elimination diets. BMC Vet Res, 2015. PubMed
- Mueller RS, Olivry T, Prélaud P. Critically appraised topic on adverse food reactions of companion animals (2): common food allergen sources in dogs and cats. BMC Vet Res, 2016. PubMed