This post may contain affiliate links. It doesn't cost you anything extra and it keeps our lights on, our families fed, and our dogs spoiled.
For all the juicy fine print, see our affiliate disclosure
Yesterday I picked up another bag of prescription dog food from my vet office.
Sophie and Calvin have severe food allergies and require a hypoallergenic prescription diet.
We are currently paying $3.63 per pound of food, which gets pretty expensive for three dogs.
To make things easier, I’ve always just fed all the dogs the same food, but recently I’ve considered changing Ginger’s kibble since she doesn’t require a special diet.
I’m not considering putting her on “cheap” food but instead trying a food that is high quality yet less expensive.
I’ve not made the transition yet, as I am still in the research phase. I want to keep Ginger on a food that contains grains until more information is discovered regarding the grain-free diet’s impact on heart disease.
Ginger is 7-years old, reasonably active, and maintains a healthy weight. She had surgery on her femur when she was nine months old. So, early arthritis is almost guaranteed.
The food I am looking for should include Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin, as well as being rich in healthy lean proteins to promote healthy muscles.
Can either Blue Buffalo or Royal Canin provide the food my dog needs?
Blue Buffalo’s Company History
Blue Buffalo was inspired by a dog named, you guessed it, Blue.
Blue was Bill Bishop’s beloved Airedale.
Mr. Bishop’s interest in dog food was prompted after Blue had been diagnosed with cancer.
Though Blue Buffalo grew into a large pet food company, it remained a family-owned business until 2018 when General Mills purchased the company.
Royal Canin was established in France in 1968 by a veterinarian Jean Cathary.
During Cathary’s career, he came to believe that food greatly impacted an animal’s health.
The first recipe created by Cathary was called “yellow soup[1]“, which was a canine formula.
Over the years, Royal Canin was purchased multiple times, continuing to grow and becoming a global brand.
As Royal Canin expanded, so did the variety of foods they offered.
In 2002 they joined the MARS team and still remain a part of that company.
Royal Canin’s 3 Best Sellers:
Royal Canin Health Nutrition Small Adult Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Mini Puppy Dry Dog Food
Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Medium Adult Dry Dog Food
Interested in learning more about the Royal Canin brand? Check out our other comparison against Acana as well as our review of their Urinary SO dry dog food.
Recalls
Both brands have recalled some of their dog food products, for various reasons.
Is Your Dog Driving You Nuts During the Day?
Get Our List of 11 Awesome Indoor Activities to Keep Your Dog Busy and Out of Trouble!
Royal Canin Recalls
In the last 12 years, Royal Canin had 2 recalls in 2007, both about melamine contamination.
Since 2007, Royal Canin has not had any other recalls.
Click the plus symbol for a complete list of Royal Canin’s recalls.
Royal Canin Recall List
May 2007
There were eight Sensible Choice dry dog foods and six Kasco dry dog foods impacted in this recall. The recall was initiated due to melamine being found in the food, “…from tainted Chinese rice protein concentrate provided to the company by domestic ingredient supplier Cereal Byproducts, headquartered in Illinois[2]”.
Sensible Choice Foods impacted in the recall:
Chicken and Rice Adult (Dry Dog Food)
Chicken and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
Lamb and Rice Reduced (Dry Dog Food)
Chicken and Rice Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
Chicken and Rice Large Breed Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
NATURAL BLEND Adult (Dry Dog Food)
NATURAL BLEND Senior (Dry Dog Food)
NATURAL BLEND Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
KASCO Foods impacted in the recall:
Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
Hi Energy (Dry Dog Food)
Maintenance (Dry Dog Food)
Mealettes (Dry Dog Food)
Mini Chunks (Dry Dog Food)
Puppy (Dry Dog Food)
April 2007
There were seven dog foods related to this recall, two of which were prescription foods[3].
The recall was due to melamine found in the rice protein they use in the foods.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dry Dog Food:
Canine Early Cardiac EC 2
Canine Skin Support SS21
Sensible Choice Dry Dog Food:
Chicken Meal & Rice Formula Senior
Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Puppy
Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Adult
Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Senior
Rice & Catfish Meal Formula Adult
Blue Buffalo Recalls
Blue Buffalo has had seven recalls in the last 12 years.
Click the plus symbol for a complete list of Blue Buffalo’s recalls.
Blue Buffalo Recall List
March 2017
Only one wet food was included in this recall, which was due to high levels of beef thyroid hormones in the food[4].
Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food
February 2017
Only a single variety of canned dog food was involved in this recall. The recall was initiated due to possible aluminum contamination[5].
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Healthy Weight, Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables, 12.5 ounce can
Blue Buffalo is the overall winner; it is well priced and available at far more retailers than Royal Canin.
Although Royal Canin won the variety category, Blue Buffalo still has more options than many other dog food lines.
However, there are few other situations I felt it is worth mentioning that one food would be more optimal than the other:
Breed Specific Winner: Royal Canin
Giant Breed Winner: Royal Canin
Non-Prescription Hypo-Allergenic Food Winner: Blue Buffalo
Final Thoughts
Both foods have their strengths and are commonly well received.
However, the number of recalls associated with Blue Buffalo gives me pause.
There haven’t been any recalls in the last two years, but they do carry more recalls than several other companies. This is not to say they are a bad company, but it is noteworthy.
Royal Canin is a brand carried by most veterinary clinics, which makes me more comfortable with this brand.
However, the lack of a variety of proteins and the overall ingredient list makes me wonder if it is the best choice.
Rarely is protein the first ingredient on the list, which is reflected in a lower protein percentage.
At this point, neither of the foods is precisely what I am looking for, so it appears I will need to continue my search.
Blue Buffalo was inspired by a dog named, you guessed it, Blue.
Royal Canin was established in France in 1968 by a veterinarian Jean Cathary.
Blue Buffalo wins because the company offers multiple protein options.
Blue Buffalo is the overall winner; it is well priced and available at far more retailers than Royal Canin.
