Royal Canin and Blue Buffalo have different ways of promoting every dog's health and balanced nutrition. Blue Buffalo focuses more on the natural approach while Royal Canin goes for science-based in formulating their dry and wet dog food. It is already up to the buyers what they will choose.
Moreover, Royal Canin focuses more on the finished products that have a lot to do with meats and wheat in enough quantities. Every product from this brand goes through a series of quality control tests to make sure it is no less than perfect. But it also uses some ingredients which many consider controversial such as by-products and wheat.
While Blue Buffalo has more fruits and vegetables, as well as natural vitamins and minerals with no fillers and grains. They also offer gluten-free products with no artificial flavorings, coloring, or preservatives. But just like Royal Canin, there are also some controversial ingredients that this brand uses.
Do you know that without protein, dogs can develop different health problems? Just like humans, they also need a good amount and source of protein for their development and sustenance. With Blue Buffalo, it goes by more than 2.20% of protein compared to Royal Canin. though it has a small difference, it still makes sense especially if your dog has health problems such as kidney disease or obesity. But if your dog's special diet must have a low-protein content, then you must choose the Royal Canin. Never forget to read the nutritional label at the back of each bag.
Fats provide your dogs a good amount of energy and are essential for their development and body function, that is why fats should be present in their everyday meals. Plus, it is able to give your pets prostaglandins that reduce inflammation and other serious complications in the body.
Blue Buffalo and Royal Canin have the same amount of fats in their food. However, Blue Buffalo has more fat contents in their wet dog foods. To choose the best product, it is always best to consult with a veterinarian to figure out what's best for your dogs.
Fiber is very important in helping with digestion and other digestive problems like diarrhea and constipation. It can also help in improving weight management and colon health, hence making it essential in the diet.
Blue Buffalo offers about 5% of fiber while Royal Canin has only 3.2%. However, Royal Canin gives 2.66% more of the component in their wet dog food.
Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for their diet. It can help cell membrane structure and cell function. These are also needed in reproduction, healthy growth, glowing coat and skin, as well as strength in their immune system. Omega-6 is also a type of fat and can contribute to your dog's calorie intake so, it is better to watch out how much they should take this component.
Also, most of these fatty acids are made up of sunflower, canola, soybean, corn, and safflower oil. Royal Canin consists of 0.48% fatty acids while Blue Buffalo has 2.4% of these.
Controversial ingredients in dog foods are zero to less nutritional value and may be harmful to the dogs. Though these ingredients will not necessarily kill the pets, they can certainly cause severe health problems in the long run.
Royal Canin and Blue Buffalo both use the following controversial ingredients in their products:
Here are some of the controversial ingredients that are used by Royal Canin:
Blue Buffalo also has its list of controversial ingredients such as:
It only has a few since the brand focuses on being natural and healthy.
But all of these listed ingredients have different effects on your dogs. That is why it is important to check with the vet first or feed them in small portions occasionally.
Moreover, there are also some ingredients that are linked to having adverse health effects and are classified as really harmful.
Royal Canin has Bha and Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex while Blue Buffalo has Menadione Sodium Bisulfate Complex only.
Regardless of what brand of dog food you choose, you have to follow its suggested feeding guide to benefit from it entirely. You do not have to worry since these brands have their own veterinarians and other health experts to consult from. Also, both brands offer a simple, detailed chart on the back of every packaging.
Royal Canin classifies dogs by age, stage of life, or special needs. With that, almost every dog food product has a different feeding guide that applies. Most charts on the back have suggested cups per day recommended for a certain weight of the pet but this may vary depending on the breed and diet. The brand believes that every dog is unique and has breed-specific traits that forced them to create precise nutrition for dogs. In other words, different dog breeds have different nutrition.
Most importantly, pay special attention if your dog is on a special diet that is a mixture of two different types of Royal Canin. Make sure to follow the suggested feeding guide but if you are unsure about how much your pet should intake per day, contact your nearest vet or the brand itself.
Blue Buffalo offers feeding guidelines that work the same way depending on your pet's weight and the daily recommended serving. However, Blue Buffalo does not classify dogs by breeds, unlike Royal Canin. It means you will not be able to find food for protection hounds, golden retriever puppies, or chihuahuas. This is because Blue Buffalo believes that a dog's way of eating has very little to do with the breed but has more to do with its activity level and way of life. Still, recommended doses vary especially for canned or wet dog foods. Make sure to check how to dose if you decide to treat your dog with a new type of food.
Both brands have a recall history over the years. But rest assured, they were quick to recall every product worldwide and fix the issues.
Royal Canin has been recalled three times. First on February 2, 2006, because of the excess level of vitamin D3. Second on April 19, 2007, due to melamine content and last was on May 11, 2007, due to melamine content again.
For more than a decade, they have no more recalls. All thanks to their improved quality control measures. Royal Canin's safety standards are quite certain, so these things don't happen again. But still, it is a company that does mass production, so they should be expected to uphold food safety and quality at all times.
Blu Buffalo has been recalled 9 times throughout the years. First, on April 26, 2007, for melamine. Another on April 19, 2007, for melamine again. Next was on October 8, 2010, for toxic levels of vitamin D. Another recall happened on March 3, 2017, due to a foil seal packaging problem. In the same year on the 14th of February, it was again recalled for the presence of aluminum. And again, on March 18, 2017, due to elevated beef thyroid hormones present on the products. And another two recalls in 2015 because of mold and the presence of Propylene Glycol. And the last one on November 25, 2015, because of Salmonella.
Some of the causes were naturally occurring, especially on canned or wet dog food. And these may show symptoms through frequent urination, weight loss, increased heart rate, restlessness, and increased thirst.
It always depends on what your pets' needs are. The difference between the two brands is relatively small. So, to make everything safe and sure, as your veterinarian which brand is suitable for your pet.
Royal Canin is always recommended by vets because it has gone through AAFCO feeding trials. Meaning, it guarantees high-quality products by following the highest standards of production and manufacturing.
Blue Buffalo is always considered to be one of the best because of the high-quality and natural ingredients used. Plus, all the dog foods they produced have no fillers or animal by-products.
Both brands are always available in any pet shops worldwide. It is also available in veterinary hospitals, as well as in grocery shops and chain markets. You can find them in your local Wal-Mart and Petsmart store, too.
Also, should you wish to buy them online, you can to their websites or on Amazon.