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 the go-to when a dog has struggled with chicken or common proteins, because the novel protein sources give the immune system something new. 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.
Ingredients Compared
| Aspect | Taste of the Wild | Blue Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| First ingredient | Novel meat (bison, venison) | Deboned chicken or fish |
| Typical protein | About 28 to 32% | 22 to 24% |
| Grain-free | Mostly grain-free | Both grain-free and grain-inclusive |
| Novel proteins | Many (bison, venison, boar) | Few (Basics line) |
| Price per pound | Around $2.60 to $3.20 | Around $3.20 to $3.80 |
| Signature | Roasted exotic meats | LifeSource Bits |
Taste of the Wild runs higher in protein and is predominantly grain-free, with a strong lineup of novel proteins that are genuinely useful for dogs with chicken or grain sensitivities. 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, about 32 percent protein, grain-free, with roasted meats and no corn, wheat, or soy.
- Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream: salmon, about 25 percent protein, grain-free, good for skin and coat.
- Blue Buffalo Wilderness: chicken or fish first, about 30 percent protein, grain-free, the brand's high-protein line.
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection: about 22 to 24 percent protein, grain-inclusive, the everyday line.
If your dog has a suspected chicken allergy, Taste of the Wild is the better starting point because bison and venison are proteins most dogs have never eaten. 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.
Price per Pound
Taste of the Wild is usually the cheaper of the two. A 28 to 30-pound bag typically costs $45 to $60, working out to about $2.60 to $3.20 per pound. Blue Buffalo Life Protection runs about $3.20 to $3.80 per pound, and the Wilderness line is higher still. Over a year, Taste of the Wild is typically $80 to $150 cheaper for a medium dog.
The Blue Buffalo premium buys a stronger brand story and a wider range, not necessarily better nutrition. If the natural story matters to you, the premium is understandable. If you want a grain-free novel protein food at a fair price, Taste of the Wild is the better value.
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 high protein at a lower price. It is the stronger pick for allergy-prone dogs.
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. Taste of the Wild's novel proteins, like the bison and venison in High Prairie, give the immune system a protein it has likely never seen, which is exactly what an elimination trial needs. 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 four to six weeks, keep treats on the same protein, and track symptoms in a journal. If the dog improves, you have your answer. 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 over 7 to 14 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
Taste of the Wild owners are often allergy success stories, describing how their dog's itching stopped or their coat improved after switching to a novel protein. The brand also gets praise for value, since it delivers a grain-free, high-protein food at a price below most competitors. 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. The most common complaint, again, is price. Between the two, Taste of the Wild is the value pick for novel proteins, and Blue Buffalo is the premium pick for a recognizable natural brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the dog. Taste of the Wild wins on novel proteins, grain-free options, and price per pound. Blue Buffalo wins on range and brand recognition. For allergy-prone dogs, Taste of the Wild is the stronger pick; for a general natural food, either works.
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 usually cheaper per pound. Blue Buffalo Life Protection typically costs $3.20 to $3.80 per pound, while Taste of the Wild runs about $2.60 to $3.20. Over a year the difference is typically $80 to $150.
Taste of the Wild is the better starting point because its High Prairie and other recipes use novel proteins like bison and venison that most dogs have never eaten. Blue Buffalo's Basics line is also a good option for single-protein trials.
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, and better value per pound. 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, high-protein food without overpaying, Taste of the Wild is the pick. 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 Amazon
I am a dog mum to Teddy, a golden retriever with strong opinions about every bowl I put down. I started PawPicks because a product page tells you what a brand wants you to hear, not what happens after six months of daily use. For every guide I read through verified buyer reviews, ingredient labels and spec sheets, and I say so plainly when a popular pick is not worth your money.
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