The dog food up for review here is the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe With Rabbit Adult Grain-Free Canned Dog Food. And the brand responsible for this one is Blue Buffalo.
Blue Buffalo is a pet brand that produces different kinds of meals for both dogs and cats. Judging from the quality of foods that Blue Buffalo turns out, we consider it an impressive brand.
It has a whole lot of foods that come in different types, for different life stages and with different ingredients. And while some of them are best avoided by certain dogs, a good number of Blue Buffalo dog foods are really impressive.
Anyway, before we go into discussing this meal and the important ingredients in it, we suggest that you check out this article on canned dog foods. The idea is for you to get acquainted with what it is and what to or not to look for in a canned dog food for your dog.
Now that all that’s cleared, let’s see who this meal was created for.
Table of Contents
Who Is The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe With Rabbit Adult Grain-Free Canned Dog Food For?
The name already suggests a couple of things. First off, this meal is for adult dogs alone, howbeit, any size/breed of dogs. However, if your dog isn’t an adult, don’t run off just yet. Towards the end of the article, we provide some suggestions that would be good for you.
Finally, this food is grain-free and high in protein. Certain that this is what you want your dog to eat? Then stick with us; it’s going to be really informative and pretty quick. Meanwhile….
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Ingredients Of Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe With Rabbit Adult Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
Rabbit
While a rabbit might not exactly be the most popular kind of meat that dogs eat, a good number of dogs actually happen to enjoy rabbits. However, before we go into the rabbit thing, there is something you need to know.
The ingredients used in dog food are usually written in descending order of amount used. As a result, the first ingredient you see is the ingredient that was used the most (this is actually measured according to weight) and the last ingredient is the one used the least.
So, having rabbit as the first ingredient on the list is surely a good thing for the singular reason that it is animal-based protein. And animal-based protein is a better protein source than plant-based protein because the former contains all the different kinds of amino acids a dog needs while the latter is deficient in some.
That said, one has to be careful to note that rabbit, as well as all other animal-based protein, is composed of a lot of water (almost 70% water content). As a result, the amount of meat used is not commensurate to the number of amino acids the eater will get.
This is why it is premature for one to be excited that the first ingredient listed is meat. For a dog to be able to get a lot of protein from his meal, there’ll have to be more than just one kind of meat in there. So, let’s see what Blue Buffalo has in store.
Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is added to canned dog food for two basic reasons: for the water content and to make the meal more palatable. It doesn’t exactly have any nutritional value; however, it does make sense to us that Blue Buffalo decided to stick with just the broth instead of doing that and adding water also.
Chicken
Remember we asked that you look out for more meat? Well, here is more meat. What we said about rabbit having a high water content is the same for chicken.
However, seeing as there is already a lot of rabbit in this, adding a significant amount of chicken (which we can judge by its position on the ingredients list) is the right step in the ‘high protein meal’ order.
However, we should point out that a significant number of dogs have been known to be intolerant of chicken and poultry in general. And this has been attributed to the fact that a lot of dog foods nowadays contain chicken. So, do be sure that your dog is into chicken before you get this one.
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Turkey
This is the last meat we get to see in this meal. All three types of meat are within the top five ingredients used in the largest quantities and we are here for that.
Now, in addition to protein, turkey is also a good source of phosphorus. Phosphorus is important for developing and maintain good bones and teeth. It also serves as a kind of catalyst for protein, ‘encouraging’ it to do what it ought to.
Potatoes
Primarily, potatoes are a reliable source of carbohydrates. And for your adult dog, you’ll agree with us that carbohydrates are moderately important; what with the jumping adult dogs can get up to.
Potatoes have become very common because of the increasing removal of grains and other stuff like soy from dog foods. Manufacturers have turned to potatoes, not only because they are a good source of carbohydrates, but also because they are pretty affordable.
However, potatoes do not only bring the carbs, they also bring the potassium. And potassium is something your dog needs for the maintenance of their cardiovascular health and blood pressure.
Pea Protein
This one is basically what it says it is and it is gotten by extracting the starch content from peas. Using pea protein is a brilliant way of getting the protein count up; especially considering the fact that it contains a good amount of some essential amino acids.
In addition to the amino acids, pea protein also contains certain vitamins and minerals that your dog will find needful. However, because peas are missing certain really important amino acids (including valine and methionine), they always have to be used to augment animal-based protein sources.
Flaxseed
This is one very power-packed ingredient. Flaxseed happens to be rich in protein and fiber also; the latter which is important for proper digestion and bowel movement.
In addition to that, flaxseeds contain both the Omega 3 and the Omega 6 fatty acids, both of which dogs cannot produce themselves but are extremely important for healthy skin and throat.
In fact, flaxseeds have been known to have certain properties that are anti-inflammatory and certain others that might be able to help prevent cancer.
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Carrageenan
We still do not understand why Blue Buffalo insists on adding carrageenan to their dog foods. Let’s start with this. Carrageenan is an additive added to dog food as some sort of thickener; you know, so that the food isn’t all runny and your dog will be able to eat it without a spoon.
However, carrageenan actually does not have any nutritional value whatsoever. And in fact, it has been associated with a number of side effects including gastrointestinal issues and maybe even cancer.
Remember when we mentioned in the introduction that there was an ingredient we were skeptical about? Well, here it is. We do not understand why Blue Buffalo insists on this.
Well in their defense, some manufacturers have said that the trick is in how much is used. But there have been no facts to support that claim. Anyway, we have actually reviewed one Blue Buffalo canned meal that doesn’t have carrageenan. You can check it out here.
Cassia Gum
Cassia gum is another additive that is added to canned dog food to thicken it. But not to worry, this one doesn’t have any serious side effects. However, it also does not have any nutritional value; all it brings to the food is its thickening ability.
Guar Gum
Yet another thickening agent but this is the last one. Of the three thickening agents listed, guar gum is probably the best. And we mention this because guar gum isn’t just a thickener, it actually has some nutritional value.
For one, guar gum is rich in the digestible kind of fiber (dietary fiber). It also helps to reduce cholesterol levels and maybe even make the eater more glucose tolerant.
Potassium Chloride
While potassium chloride can be gotten from a number of sources including meats, it was added as a kind of supplement to this food. This is alright as potassium chloride is necessary for metabolism, bone health, and even general organ function.
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Pros Of The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe With Rabbit Adult Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
i. The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Rabbit Recipe for adults is really a high-protein dinner as it contains a reasonable amount of animal-based protein sources.
ii. Also, the fact that no artificial ingredients and/or additives were added to this meal is another definite pro in our books.
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Cons Of The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe With Rabbit Adult Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
There is carrageenan in this food and we are not excited about that. It would have been alright if all carrageenan had to offer was its thickening ability. However, it has some attendant side effects that we are not here for.
Alternative Options To Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe With Rabbit Adult Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
Higher Protein Concentration
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wolf Creek Stew Hearty Beef Stew Grain-Free Adult Canned Dog Food
Not only will your dog get more protein out of this meal, the Wilderness beef stew does not contain any carrageenan which is certainly good news.
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For Senior Dogs
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Senior Canned Dog Food
This one contains the same ingredients as our featured product. There are slight changes with how much of what was used, though. Plus, this one is specially formulated to be easily digested by your senior dog.
If, however, your senior has issues with his appetite and canned food does not work, you ought to take them to go see a veterinarian.
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For Your Pup
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red meat Dinner Puppy Canned Dog Food
Just like the senior food was formulated specially for seniors, this one was formulated specially for puppies. So, you have basically the same ingredients in different quantities and the food in smaller chunks to fit your pup’s little mouth.
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Quick Comparison Table
| Featured | Chicken Recipe Option | Senior Food Option | Puppy Food Option | |
| Product |
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe With Rabbit Adult Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
Click here to get it on Amazon!
|
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Wolf Creek Stew Hearty Beef Stew Grain-Free Adult Canned Dog Food
Click here to get it on Amazon!
|
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Senior Canned Dog Food
Click here to get it on Amazon!
|
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red meat Dinner Puppy Canned Dog Food
Click here to get it on Amazon!
|
| Ingredients | Rabbit, chicken broth, chicken, turkey, potatoes, pea protein, flaxseed, carrageenan, cassia gum, guar gum, potassium chloride. | Beef, beef broth, water, chicken liver, chicken, dried egg product, peas, potatoes, potato starch, chicken meal, guar gum. | Beef, beef broth, turkey, lamb, potatoes, pea protein, pea fiber, carrageenan, flaxseed, cassia gum, guar gum. | Beef, beef broth, turkey, beef liver, potatoes, pea flour, lamb, fish oil, dicalcium phosphate, flaxseed, carrageenan. |
| Kibble / Canned | Canned | Canned | Canned | Canned |
| Sizes Available | 5.5 ounces, case of 24. | 12.5 ounces, case of 12. | 12.5 ounces, case of 12. | 12.5 ounces, case of 12. |
| Best For | All kinds of adult dog breeds. | All kinds of adult dog breeds. | All kinds of senior dog breeds. | All kinds of puppy dog breeds. |
What Customers Are Saying About The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe With Rabbit Adult Grain-Free Canned Dog Food
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe With Rabbit Adult Grain-Free Canned Dog Food doesn’t seem to be especially popular among dog parents. However, those whose dogs have eaten it seems to be OK with it.
A few people mention that they loved this meal because of its high protein content while a number of others are not really surprised about the content seeing as it is a Blue Buffalo product.
Interested in getting this Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rabbit Recipe?
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Our Verdict
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe With Rabbit Adult Grain-Free Canned Dog Food scores decent points with us. It has a pretty impressive concentration of protein food sources and a heavy reliance on the animal-based kind.
In fact, if it didn’t contain carrageenan we might have actually given it really high points.
That said, for a meal like this that contains something as controversial as carrageenan (or probably any kind of meal whatsoever) it is important that your dog’s vet be informed before your dog is fed it. Let them (the vet) give the OK before you feed anything new or even slightly controversial to your dog.
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