The scores
Taste of the Wild High Prairie: B (78/100) — Above average. Multiple animal proteins, grain-free with sweet potatoes and peas.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection: B (78/100) — Above average. Double chicken protein base with quality whole grains.
How the ingredients compare
The top five ingredients show two very different approaches to the same grade:
Taste of the Wild: Buffalo, Lamb Meal, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Peas
Blue Buffalo: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Oatmeal, Barley
Taste of the Wild packs three animal protein sources into the top three slots — buffalo, lamb meal, and chicken meal. That's an impressive protein foundation. Blue Buffalo has two animal proteins (deboned chicken and chicken meal) followed by three quality grains.
Both formulas lead with real animal protein and avoid the by-product meals and plant-protein fillers that drag down brands like Purina Pro Plan and Hill's Science Diet.
Where Taste of the Wild stands out
Protein variety: Three different animal protein sources (buffalo, lamb, chicken) means a broader amino acid profile and more diverse nutrition. If your dog has a mild sensitivity to chicken, the buffalo and lamb in TotW provide meaningful protein from other sources.
Novel proteins: Buffalo and lamb meal are less common in mainstream dog food, which can be beneficial for dogs with allergies or sensitivities to common poultry-based formulas.
Grain-free option: For dogs that genuinely struggle with grains (and some do, despite the grain-free controversy), Taste of the Wild offers a clean alternative using sweet potatoes and peas as carbohydrate sources.
Price: Taste of the Wild typically costs a bit less per pound than Blue Buffalo, making it a strong value for an equally-rated food. Shop on Amazon →
Where Blue Buffalo stands out
Grain-inclusive formula: The FDA has investigated a potential link between grain-free diets and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The investigation hasn't produced a definitive conclusion, but many owners and vets prefer grain-inclusive formulas to be safe. Blue Buffalo's brown rice, oatmeal, and barley are quality whole grains — not the cheap corn and wheat fillers found in budget foods.
Simpler protein approach: If your dog does well on chicken, Blue Buffalo's straightforward chicken-based formula is less likely to cause issues than a multi-protein formula. Some dogs with sensitive stomachs do better with fewer protein sources.
Wider availability: Blue Buffalo is stocked at virtually every pet store, grocery store, and online retailer. Taste of the Wild can be slightly harder to find at conventional grocery stores, though it's widely available at pet specialty retailers and online. Shop on Amazon →
The bottom line
You can't go wrong with either food. Both earn a B grade (78/100) and both put real animal protein first. The choice is straightforward: if you prefer grain-free or want novel proteins, go with Taste of the Wild. If you prefer grain-inclusive or want to keep it simple with a chicken-based formula, go with Blue Buffalo. Either way, you're feeding your dog a significantly better food than the average brand on the shelf.