You might be comparing brands if you’re a dog owner on the hunt for a better recipe for your pup. Two popular choices are Abound and Blue Buffalo. But which is best for your dog?
For your convenience, we broke down these two dog food companies side by side so you can get a good look for yourself. Let’s see who wins and why.
A Sneak Peek at the Winner: Blue Buffalo
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
Essential, high-quality protein
Glucosamine is added for joint health
No corn, wheat, soy or chicken by-product
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Runner-Up
Abound Chicken & Brown Rice
No wheat, corn or soy
No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
No animal by-product meal
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We want to be clear: we liked both brands. But Blue Buffalo easily beat out this competitor. Mainly, it’s because of Blue’s sterling reputation and ever-growing list of nutrient-friendly dog foods, treats, and rewards. Blue is becoming even more readily available in department stores all over.
We think of the two brands, Blue takes the cake. But it might not be for everyone. Let’s explore.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula—Chicken and Rice
Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach—Salmon & Sweet Potato
About Abound
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula—Chicken and Rice
- Blue Buffalo Basics Skin & Stomach—Salmon & Sweet Potato
Abound History
Abound dog food aims to provide grain and grain-free, natural ingredients to create healthy kibble and snacks. Little is known about the company, and the recipe line is limited. They have no official website, but the brand is available through retailers.
There is a definite lack of transparency with the company. Even Dog Food Advisor lacked key informational tidbits about the company when researching. So, we implore you to use your best judgment when buying.
About Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo has an outstanding reputation for its healthy dog food recipe lines. They have built a solid company from the ground up, providing adequate nutrition with multiple consistencies, textures, flavors, and specialized diets. Providing a comprehensive list of recipes, Blue is ever-growing and ready to tackle the dietary needs of canines.
Blue Buffalo History
Blue Buffalo was born as many pet foods are—from a place of passion. Owners had an Airedale Terrier named Blue who got ill. In attempts to heal the body, they developed a more holistic approach to common dog food brands.
Blue Buffalo has many comprehensive recipes to cater to dogs of all sensitivity levels. Through the years, Blue has developed diversity and adapted to the needs of our canine pals.
With the ever-expanding research into pet food, companies change their recipes accordingly. As raw and fresh foods make their way to the top, we feel that Blue will acclimate. However, there’s always a chance that they will continue offering the same nutrition types, sticking with dry kibble and wet cat food instead.
Pros
Long-standing company
Innovative
Adaptive to pet needs
Cons
Not affordable on some budgets
Long-standing company
Innovative
Adaptive to pet needs
- Long-standing company
- Innovative
- Adaptive to pet needs
Not affordable on some budgets
- Not affordable on some budgets
3 Most Popular Abound Dog Food Recipes
- Abound Chicken & Brown Rice
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Main Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, peas, brown rice
Calories: 369 per cup/ 3,608 per bag
Protein: 0%
Fat: 0%
Fiber: 5%
Abound Chicken & Brown Rice is the brand’s standard diet, coming with all the ingredients your dog needs in their daily diet. Chicken is the first ingredient, so you know your dog is getting a whole protein source.
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Main Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, peas, brown rice
Calories: 369 per cup/ 3,608 per bag
Protein: 0%
Fat: 0%
Fiber: 5%
We were impressed with this dog food considering its limited availability, but it seems to have solid ingredients with no by-products or fillers. In one serving, there are 369 calories, making it a modest diet for any healthy adult.
Brown rice alongside oatmeal provides a better digestive experience as opposed to harsher grains. It has antioxidants galore with system-cleaning goodies like cranberries and other fruits. So, this recipe is a very decent clean dog food that is convenient and nutritionally sound.
However, it won’t work for all diet needs or life stages. Also, it contains a common protein that can trigger some dogs.
Pros
Clean ingredients
Terrific for everyday adult dietary maintenance
Contains antioxidants
Cons
Contains a common protein
- Abound Superfood Blend Natural Adult Dog Dry Food
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Main Ingredients: Salmon, brewers rice, barley, chicken meal, oatmeal
Calories: 422 per cup/ 3,775 per bag
Protein: 0%
Fat: 0%
Fiber: 0%
The Abound Superfood Blend Natural Adult Dry Dog Food is an amazing medley of gut-friendly ingredients. If you have a dog with belly issues, this recipe is sure to nourish any of these problems by offering easy-to-digest ingredients like salmon and pumpkin.
Clean ingredients
Terrific for everyday adult dietary maintenance
Contains antioxidants
- Clean ingredients
- Terrific for everyday adult dietary maintenance
- Contains antioxidants
Contains a common protein
- Contains a common protein
Main Ingredients: Salmon, brewers rice, barley, chicken meal, oatmeal
Calories: 422 per cup/ 3,775 per bag
Protein: 0%
Fat: 0%
Fiber: 0%
The egg in this diet is supposed to add protein and nourish the skin and coat. It also aims to power up the immune system to create hardy function. Plus, pumpkin isn’t just fantastic for digestion. It also delivers optimal nutrients for excellent vision.
We have to point out that the marketing here can be slightly misleading. Salmon is the number one ingredient, but it also contains chicken and chicken fat, which can be problematic for some sensitive breeds.
Otherwise, it contains a decent amount of protein and fat. Coming in at 422 calories per cup, heavier dogs might have to watch their intake, but it does have lots of good qualities to offer, including prebiotics and probiotics for gut health.
Pros
Soothing recipe
Contains pumpkin easy to digest grains
Salmon helps coat and skin
Cons
Contains chicken and chicken fat
- Abound Puppy Chicken and Brown Rice
Check Latest PriceThe Abound Puppy Chicken and Rice Formula resembles Blue Buffalo’s puppy chow. However, the ingredients and information are hard to find on websites if you’re researching. This recipe contains chicken as the main protein source and brown rice as the carb base.
It also contains added DHA, vitamins, and minerals to promote excellent bodily health.
Soothing recipe
Contains pumpkin easy to digest grains
Salmon helps coat and skin
- Soothing recipe
- Contains pumpkin easy to digest grains
- Salmon helps coat and skin
Contains chicken and chicken fat
- Contains chicken and chicken fat
The Abound Puppy Chicken and Rice Formula resembles Blue Buffalo’s puppy chow. However, the ingredients and information are hard to find on websites if you’re researching. This recipe contains chicken as the main protein source and brown rice as the carb base.
Pros
Added DHA
Easy to digest recipe
Comes in canned wet food
Cons
Lack of company transparency
Added DHA
Easy to digest recipe
Comes in canned wet food
- Added DHA
- Easy to digest recipe
- Comes in canned wet food
Lack of company transparency
- Lack of company transparency
3 Most Popular Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recipes
We loved the standard recipe for Blue Buffalo—Life Protection Formula. It works very well for healthy adult dogs to maintain their physical structure, immunity, and mental clarity. Blue recipes are infused with LifeSource Bits, which are antioxidant-packed soft pieces your dog will crave.
Main Ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal
Calories: 377 per cup/ 3,618 per bag
Protein: 24%
Fat: 14%
Fiber: 5%
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This recipe has a moderate amount of protein, measuring 24.0% in the guaranteed analysis. This is a little low compared to other brands on the market, but it’s crammed with top-notch nutrition. This recipe has added glucosamine, healthy joints, and increasing mobility.
Blue starts with a base of real deboned chicken as the first ingredient, promoting a whole protein source. Using easy-to-digest grains like brown rice, it aids in digestion to make sure things run smoothly.
Pros
LifeSource Bits
Excellent everyday diet
Works for the majority of adult dogs
Cons
Lower protein
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Nature’s Evolutionary Diet with Salmon is Blue’s grain-free, high-protein recipe. This specific flavor enhances the natural elements of a dog’s diet while using salmon as the primary protein source to aid in digestion.
LifeSource Bits
Excellent everyday diet
Works for the majority of adult dogs
- LifeSource Bits
- Excellent everyday diet
- Works for the majority of adult dogs
Lower protein
- Lower protein
Main Ingredients: Deboned salmon, chicken meal, peas, pea protein, fish meal
Calories: 415 per cup/ 3.592 per bag
Protein: 34%
Fat: 15%
Fiber: 6%
This dog is perfect for a dog with not only grain allergies but also a sensitive stomach and poor skin and coat. Though it’s another line, this dog food contains Blue’s signature LifeSource bits for added antioxidants for immune support.
This particular formula contains 34.0% crude protein, which is a favorable amount in today’s market. But it includes peas, which is a controversial ingredient in grain-free recipes due to their links to cardiovascular problems. You can read more about that here.
But otherwise, this recipe is high in fiber and terrific for your dog’s natural dietary needs.
Pros
Grain allergy friendly
High protein and fiber
LifeSource bits
Cons
Not for healthy dogs
We love Blue Buffalo Baby BLUE. It has all the perks of Blue’s Life Protection Formula, but it’s specially formulated for pups. This recipe is designed to give a puppy the precise nutrients their bodies need to grow and thrive.
Grain allergy friendly
High protein and fiber
LifeSource bits
- Grain allergy friendly
- High protein and fiber
- LifeSource bits
Not for healthy dogs
- Not for healthy dogs
Main Ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, oatmeal, barley
Calories: 398 per cup/ 3,686 per bag
Protein: 27%
Fat: 16%
Fiber: 5%
Blue knows just what pups need to start—touting calcium, DHA and phosphorus for a healthy body and mind. The first ingredient is real deboned chicken to serve your pup a good whole protein source. Chicken meal and menhaden fish meal are also on the table, amping up nutrition.
This recipe is for everyday health, so it’s grain inclusive. Using easily digestible grains like brown rice, and oatmeal and barely ensure your pup’s gut is safe and the gastro system is running smoothly.
What we love most is that you can smoothly transition your dog from this recipe to the adult version when they are ready. This way, you can avoid dietary changes. However, some puppies develop allergies in their first year of life—and chicken is sometimes the culprit. So, keep an eye out.
Pros
DHA and phosphorous
Grain inclusive recipe
Easy transition to adult Blue
Cons
Might trigger protein allergies
DHA and phosphorous
Grain inclusive recipe
Easy transition to adult Blue
- DHA and phosphorous
- Grain inclusive recipe
- Easy transition to adult Blue
Might trigger protein allergies
- Might trigger protein allergies
Recall History of Abound and Blue Buffalo
Abound Dog Food has had two recalls to date, very close together. One was in November of 2018 and the other that following December. According to the FDA, it was due to exceedingly high levels of vitamin D.
Blue Buffalo has had several recalls over the years.
April 2007—Melamine
October 2010—Sequencing error
November 2015—Potential salmonella contamination
May 2016—moisture/mold
February 2017—Metal contamination
March 2017—High beef thyroid hormone
In June of 2019, Blue was grouped in with another 16 brands for the grain-free investigation. Another claim predated that in 2017, claiming high lead in recipes. It was dismissed.
April 2007—Melamine
October 2010—Sequencing error
November 2015—Potential salmonella contamination
May 2016—moisture/mold
February 2017—Metal contamination
March 2017—High beef thyroid hormone
- April 2007—Melamine
- October 2010—Sequencing error
- November 2015—Potential salmonella contamination
- May 2016—moisture/mold
- February 2017—Metal contamination
- March 2017—High beef thyroid hormone
Brand Abound VS Blue Buffalo Comparison
So how did we draw our conclusion? Blue Buffalo came out on top in nearly every category. Below are areas we, as fellow pet parents, find important. After careful consideration, Blue Buffalo takes the cake.
Taste—Blue Buffalo
From our canine judges, it seems Abound and Blue Buffalo are both pretty tasty. But which one is more appealing? Of the two, we must say our pups gravitated more toward Blue Buffalo.
Nutritional Value—Blue Buffalo
Abound has a pretty impressive nutritional base. They offer roughly the same types of recipe setups as Blue. However, there is one key difference—LifeSource Bits. These soft kibble pieces are loaded with antioxidants for a healthier eating experience.
So, we have to hand it to Blue on this one!
Price—Abound
Price is a big factor when you select your dog food. Blue Buffalo used to be considered a huge premium dog food brand. However, over the years, it’s become one of the more affordable dog foods—not raising its prices exponentially like some other brands.
However, Abound is usually more affordable than Blue Buffalo. So, we have to give it to them!
Selection—Blue Buffalo
We think that Abound has some pretty sturdy recipes on the market—don’t get us wrong. However, Blue Buffalo is highly established and widespread. Therefore, it’s only natural that they would have more recipe options than Abound.
So, this one here goes to Blue Buffalo for the win!
Availability—Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo is available at nearly every pet shop and online retailer site. It is very popular among dog owners. Blue also sells its food on its website.
Overall—Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo definitely gets our vote overall. They have an excellent history, despite any recalls. They have spectacular customer service and company transparency. We love their recipe lines, as they try to serve every dog’s needs.
Blue has something for everyone—everyday nutrition, specialized diets, veterinary prescription diets, and treats galore. We can’t recommend them enough.
Perhaps one day Abound will take charge, creating a brand that is totally accessible and transparent.
Conclusion
So, ultimately, you have to decide what works best for your dog. We don’t think you can go wrong with Blue Buffalo—they have a recipe for virtually any need!
But if you just want top-notch dog food you can trust at Kroger, we think Abound is doing an okay job with ingredients—we just wish we knew more about the company!
Sources
https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/abound-dog-food/
Sources
https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/abound-dog-food/
