Blue Buffalo Nature's Evolutionary Diet with Chicken

Dry Extruded complete

49out of 100

Average

our rating

Is Blue Buffalo Nature's Evolutionary Diet with Chicken a good dog food?

We score it 49/100 (Average). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.

How we score

Why this score?

This recipe achieves an overall rating of 49 out of 100. The inclusion of ingredients without printed percentages contributed -10.6 points, and the processing format adjusted the score by -6.7. Conversely, the overall quality of the ingredient list added +6 points, while being labelled nutritionally complete contributed +2.3 points to the final evaluation.

Only part of the analytical constituents are declared, so the nutritional picture is incomplete.

100% of this recipe has no printed percentage. Estimated shares are model estimates, not label facts.

Recipe
49
Nutritionallow
100
Transparency
55
Safety
100
Evidencemoderate
100

The Recipe score measures how attractive and transparent the declared ingredient list is. It is not, by itself, proof that the food is nutritionally appropriate for long-term feeding. The Nutritional and Evidence scores measure what we can verify towards that stronger claim.

Why you might choose it

Declares energy content, which most labels omit.
Nutritionally complete: formulated to be fed as the whole diet.

Why you might not

100% of the recipe mass has no printed percentage, so the exact split cannot be verified.

View the source page

Estimated composition

supplement43.7%

veg14.5%

meat11.1%

carb10.3%

fibre5.2%

additive5.1%

unknown3.5%

oil3.5%

mineral3.0%

Typical analysis (as fed)

Protein: 35%
Fat: 14%
Fibre: 6%
Moisture: 10%
Omega-3 fatty acids: 0.75%
Omega-6 fatty acids: 2.50%
Calcium: 1.20%
Phosphorus: 1%

Energy: 360.7 kcal/100g

Additives & feeding info

Nutritional additives

Choline 2,750 mg/kg min; ARA 0.05% min; L-Carnitine 100 mg/kg min; Vitamin E Supplement; Zinc Amino Acid Chelate; Zinc Sulfate; Ferrous Sulfate; Iron Amino Acid Chelate; Niacin (Vitamin B3); Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5); L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C); L-Lysine; Copper Sulfate; Biotin (Vitamin B7); Vitamin A Supplement; Copper Amino Acid Chelate; Manganese Sulfate; Taurine; Manganese Amino Acid Chelate; Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1); Riboflavin (Vitamin B2); Vitamin D3 Supplement; Vitamin B12 Supplement; Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6); Calcium Iodate; Folic Acid (Vitamin B9); Sodium Selenite

Technological additives

Mixed Tocopherols; Oil of Rosemary

Feeding guide

Feed according to the daily chart for puppy weight and age: 1–3 months, 3–5 months, 5–7 months, and 7–12 months. Adjust as required to maintain optimal body condition. Transition gradually over 14 days and provide clean, cool fresh water at all times.

Reviews

Trustpilot: 1.9/5 · 14 reviews

Who is this food for?

Suits

Labelled by the manufacturer for puppies
Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients

Consider something else if:

Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists deboned chicken
Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon protein
Your dog avoids grain: the label lists oats
You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein

These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Use the homepage filter to find foods that fit your dog.

Ingredients (69)

#	As declared	Matched	Category	Tier	Declared %	Est. %
1	Deboned Chicken	Deboned Chicken	meat	good	-	1.9
2	Chicken Meal	Dried chicken protein	meat	good	-	1.9
3	Salmon Meal (source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids)	Salmon Protein	meat	good	-	1.9
4	Oatmeal	Oats	carb	medium	-	1.9
5	Barley	Barley	carb	medium	-	1.9
6	Potatoes	Potatoes	carb	medium	-	1.9
7	Fish Meal	Fish Meal	meat	medium	-	1.8
8	Natural Flavor	Flavor	additive	poor	-	1.8
9	Powdered Cellulose	Powdered Cellulose	fibre	poor	-	1.8
10	Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)	Chicken Oil and Fat	oil	medium	-	1.8
11	Dried Chicken	Dried chicken protein	meat	good	-	1.8
12	Flaxseed (source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids)	Linseed	veg	good	-	1.8
13	Dried Egg Product	Dried Egg	meat	medium	-	1.8
14	Brown Rice	Rice - brown / whole grain	carb	medium	-	1.7
15	Fish Oil (source of DHA-Docosahexaenoic Acid and EPA-Eicosapentaenoic Acid)	Fish Oil	oil	good	-	1.7
16	Salt	Salt	additive	medium	-	1.7
17	Direct Dehydrated Alfalfa Pellets	Alfalfa Pellets	fibre	medium	-	1.7
18	Dried Tomato Pomace	Tomato Pomace	fibre	medium	-	1.7
19	Dried Chicory Root	Chicory root	veg	good	-	1.7
20	DL-Methionine	Methionine	supplement	good	-	1.7
21	Alfalfa Nutrient Concentrate	Alfalfa	veg	good	-	1.6
22	L-Threonine	Threonine	supplement	medium	-	1.6
23	Choline Chloride	Choline	supplement	good	-	1.6
24	Potassium Chloride	Potassium Chloride	supplement	medium	-	1.6
25	Calcium Carbonate	Calcium Carbonate	supplement	medium	-	1.6
26	Potassium Citrate	Potassium Citrate	mineral	good	-	1.6
27	preserved with Mixed Tocopherols	Tocopherols	additive	good	-	1.6
28	Vitamin E Supplement	Vitamin E	supplement	good	-	1.5
29	Sweet Potatoes	Sweet Potatoes	carb	good	-	1.5
30	Carrots	Carrots	veg	good	-	1.5
31	L-Carnitine	L-Carnitine	supplement	medium	-	1.5
32	Zinc Amino Acid Chelate	Zinc Proteinate	supplement	good	-	1.5
33	Zinc Sulfate	Zinc sulfate	supplement	medium	-	1.5
34	Vegetable Juice for color	unmatched	-	-	-	1.5
35	Ferrous Sulfate	Iron sulfate	supplement	good	-	1.4
36	Iron Amino Acid Chelate	Iron Proteinate	mineral	good	-	1.4
37	Blueberries	Blueberries	veg	good	-	1.4
38	Cranberries	Cranberries	veg	good	-	1.4
39	Barley Grass	Barley grass	carb	good	-	1.4
40	Parsley	Parsley	veg	good	-	1.4
41	Turmeric	Turmeric	veg	good	-	1.4
42	Dried Kelp	Kelp	veg	good	-	1.4
43	Yucca Schidigera Extract	Yucca Schidigera	supplement	good	-	1.3
44	Niacin (Vitamin B3)	Niacin	supplement	good	-	1.3
45	Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5)	Calcium pantothenate	supplement	good	-	1.3
46	L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C)	L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate	supplement	good	-	1.3
47	L-Lysine	Lysine	supplement	medium	-	1.3
48	Copper Sulfate	Copper sulphate	supplement	good	-	1.3
49	Biotin (Vitamin B7)	Biotin	supplement	good	-	1.3
50	Vitamin A Supplement	Vitamin A	supplement	good	-	1.2
51	Copper Amino Acid Chelate	Copper proteinate	supplement	good	-	1.2
52	Manganese Sulfate	Manganese sulfate	supplement	medium	-	1.2
53	Taurine	Taurine	supplement	good	-	1.2
54	Manganese Amino Acid Chelate	Manganese proteinate	supplement	good	-	1.2
55	Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1)	Thiamine mononitrate	supplement	good	-	1.2
56	Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)	Riboflavin	supplement	good	-	1.2
57	Vitamin D3 Supplement	Vitamin D3 supplement	supplement	good	-	1.1
58	Vitamin B12 Supplement	Vitamin B12	supplement	good	-	1.1
59	Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)	Pyridoxine hydrochloride	supplement	good	-	1.1
60	Calcium Iodate	Calcium iodate	supplement	medium	-	1.1
61	Dried Yeast	Yeast	supplement	good	-	1.1
62	Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product	Enterococcus Faecium	supplement	good	-	1.1
63	Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product	Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus Fermentation Product	supplement	good	-	1.1
64	Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract	unmatched	-	-	-	1.0
65	Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract	unmatched	-	-	-	1.0
66	Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract	Bacillus Subtilis	supplement	good	-	1.0
67	Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)	Folic acid	supplement	good	-	1.0
68	Sodium Selenite	Sodium selenite	supplement	poor	-	1.0
69	Oil of Rosemary	Rosemary	veg	good	-	1.0

Brand

Website: https://www.bluebuffalo.com/
Contact page: www.bluebuffalo.com

Trust and provenance

Recall history: No recalls recorded in our database
Label data last checked: 2026-09-12
Scored with: Model v3 (methodology)
Product page: www.bluebuffalo.com

Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.

Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.

Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated

Scored with model v3 on 2026-09-26. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.

Component	Input	Coefficient	Contribution
Base score	-	30.909	+30.91
Average ingredient quality	0.7	9.191	+6.02
Carb share of dry matter	8.7%	-0.115	-1.00
Oil share of dry matter	4.4%	-0.092	-0.40
Vegetable share of dry matter	8.5%	-0.005	-0.04
Additive share of dry matter	5.8%	0.163	+0.94
Supplement share of dry matter	50.5%	-0.012	-0.62
Unrecognised share of dry matter	1.4%	-0.027	-0.04
Recipe graded poor	4.6%	-0.065	-0.30
Number of poor ingredients	3	-0.876	-2.63
Largest single poor ingredient	1.8%	0.060	+0.11
Undeclared quantities	100.0%	-0.106	-10.56
Complete diet	yes	2.294	+2.29
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)	yes	-3.158	-3.16
Additive penalty	-6.15	0.222	-1.37
Processing multiplier	0.98	33.786	+33.11
Processing: Dry Extruded	yes	-6.713	-6.71

Show all 40 components

Component	Input	Coefficient	Contribution
Base score	-	30.909	+30.91
Average ingredient quality	0.7	9.191	+6.02
Meat share of dry matter	0.0%	0.096	+0.00
Carb share of dry matter	8.7%	-0.115	-1.00
Oil share of dry matter	4.4%	-0.092	-0.40
Vegetable share of dry matter	8.5%	-0.005	-0.04
Additive share of dry matter	5.8%	0.163	+0.94
Supplement share of dry matter	50.5%	-0.012	-0.62
Other share of dry matter	0.0%	-0.375	+0.00
Unrecognised share of dry matter	1.4%	-0.027	-0.04
Recipe graded poor	4.6%	-0.065	-0.30
Poor-quality meat in recipe	0.0%	-0.179	+0.00
Number of poor ingredients	3	-0.876	-2.63
Largest single poor ingredient	1.8%	0.060	+0.11
Undeclared quantities	100.0%	-0.106	-10.56
Prints ingredient percentages	no	0.000	+0.00
Complete diet	yes	2.294	+2.29
Frozen or chilled fresh	no	0.000	+0.00
High meat (30%+ of dry matter)	no	0.707	+0.00
Low meat (under 10% of dry matter)	yes	-3.158	-3.16
High carb and low meat	no	-1.180	+0.00
Meat share × printed percentages	0.0	0.000	+0.00
Meat share × fresh	0.0	0.000	+0.00
Fresh × high meat	0.0	11.084	+0.00
Additive penalty	-6.15	0.222	-1.37
Processing multiplier	0.98	33.786	+33.11
Processing: Raw	no	-0.054	+0.00
Processing: Fresh Chilled	no	-2.354	+0.00
Processing: Fresh Frozen	no	-2.354	+0.00
Processing: Fresh Refrigerated	no	0.000	+0.00
Processing: Fresh Shelf	no	-0.672	+0.00
Processing: Dry Freeze Dried	no	6.629	+0.00
Processing: Dry Air Dried	no	6.331	+0.00
Processing: Dry Cold Pressed	no	-6.713	+0.00
Processing: Dry Baked	no	-6.713	+0.00
Processing: Dry Extruded	yes	-6.713	-6.71
Processing: Dry Semi Moist	no	-6.174	+0.00
Processing: Dry Muesli	no	-10.146	+0.00
Processing: Wet Pate	no	-0.672	+0.00
Processing: Wet Chunks	no	-0.672	+0.00

Processing-type offset: +0.02
Additives declared on label: +2 transparency bonus
Subtotal: 48.6
Final score: 49/100

Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.

Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges

How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for puppies and growth. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.

Scored against FEDIAF growth minima; puppy scoring is under review; Guaranteed-analysis FEDIAF score: crude minimums and maximums are bounds, not typical values; moisture (a maximum) uses the processing median where available; experimental US score.

Nutrient	As fed (label)	Dry matter (scored)	Score
Protein	35	38.7	100
Fat	14	15.5	100
Calcium	1.2	1.3	100
Phosphorus	1	1.1	100
Calcium:phosphorus ratio	1.2	1.2	100
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3)	-	-	100
Energy (kcal/100g)	360.7	398.6	100

Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100, omega-3 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.

Scored over 7 declared nutrients (combined weight 90); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score. Moisture was not declared and was estimated at 9.5% from the food type.

Low confidence: partial analysis or moisture estimated from the food type.

This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.

Transparency: what the label discloses

How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.

Item	Points
✓ Ingredient list on the label (mandatory)	10/10
✗ Printed percentages on the label (voluntary) - not on file	0/20
✗ Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) - not on file	0/15
✓ Additives declared (mandatory)	10/10
✓ Energy value declared (voluntary)	5/5
✓ Complete/complementary designation (mandatory)	5/5
✓ Feeding guidance given (mandatory)	10/10
✓ Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory)	5/10
✓ Country of manufacture stated (voluntary)	10/10
✗ Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file	0/5

Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Analytical constituents declared, Batch and date labelling).

Safety: recall history

Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.

No recalls recorded in our database.

Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it

The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.

100/100 · moderate — 1 checkable claim: 1 consistent, 0 contradicted.

Consistent with the label

"protein-rich recipe" — supported by the declared high protein data.

5 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.

Moderate: every checkable claim is consistent with the declared label.

Claim	Type	Check	Substantiation
plus DHA to support your large breed puppy's healthy growth and development (on page)	Functional	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
Exclusive Antioxidant-Rich LifeSource Bits (on page)	Functional	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
with wholesome grains like oats, barley, and brown rice (on page)	Content	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
Made with real meat first and superior ingredients (on page)	Content	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion
protein-rich recipe (on page)	High/low level	consistent	Manufacturer assertion
meat-rich (on page)	High/low level	not checkable	Manufacturer assertion

The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.

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Alternatives to Nature's Evolutionary Diet with Chicken

Foods in our database that are similar on ingredients, protein, format or price. Scores and figures are from the same deterministic model used everywhere on the site.