Blue Buffalo vs Natural Balance!?

[PixieK83]

So, I have been having problems getting my Little Lucky to eat his food.
I don't think it is from the stress of moving, as he has come out of his tent, is great with people now and is really adjusting perfectly -- actually more than I expected. He has done so well in a short wk. I am excited to see what he will do within a month!

So I am actually beginning to think that he just doesn't like the food and that he is picky like his new momma!
He has a corn allergy, so I am staying away from all grains. So right now, he is on Natural Balance LID - the chix flavor.

I was researching and did some reading and also talked to the people who work at the pet store and found that Blue Buffalo is a great brand to try, that also has a grain-free line.

So, I was wondering if I should try him on the Blue Buffalo!? I have a guarantee on the food I just bought (the NB) and I can return it if he doesn't eat it. So I was considering doing so and getting the BB.

I was wondering if you guys feel your babies either the NB or the BB, and what your experience is with them and why you either like or dislike the brand!?

I don't want to switch food on him lots, but when he is barely eating (yes, a little more than before), I feel like I need to take action to get him to eat. So any advice would be great and very helpful!

Thanks in advance!!

Btw -- Here is a pic of Lucky on me having him on Day 8! He is out of the tent for most of the day and is laying by me and I think actually realizing he is safe now and I am his owner and love and care for him!!! I think he is starting to sense that! He is laying on his back, telling me he wants a belly rub! Cute, huh!?! Oh I love him to pieces! Haha!

[LunasMomma]

He's adorable!!! Him laying on his back is a signal that he trusts you, so that's wonderful!!

NB has other flavors in the grain free line, so you could always try one of those. My girls switch between the Duck and Potato and the Venison and Sweet Potato flavors (kibbles and canned). I bought the Fish flavor once, but NEVER again, it stank to high heaven and they wouldn't touch it You may want to try mixing a tiny bit of canned with his dry to entice him to eat more. Or he might just lick off the canned like my girls did I don't know much about Blue Buffalo, though I understand that it's also a good food. I'm sure more folks will be along shortly to help out

[AmyD102]

My Kiwi was a VERY picky eater - It took us at least 5 different foods to find one he would even touch, and the Blue Buffalo (small breed puppy) was the winner for us! It was the only one he seemed to like, and once we switched to BB we never had to switch again! When Lola came into our family I had a bag of Royal Canin which the breader had her on, but guess what, she was not interested in it at all! All she wanted was the BB as well so we mixed it in with the breeders food and she would pick out all the BB!! We have not had any problems on it and Lola still loves it to this day! Hope this helps

[Rachael1983]

Troy is on Blue Buffalo. Troy can be picky and will want a switch in diet after 3 months. Troy has been on Blue since May and he hasn't tired of it yet. I know that his coat is shiny, stools are firm and regular and he likes it. I haven't tried Natural Balance with Troy but have tried it with my other dogs and it was a good food for them also. I tried their lamb formula. They had very stinky gas with it and it didn't subside. Not sure why.

I think both have grain free versions and I don't think you can go wrong either way. They are both readily available at PetsMart so you don' t need to make a special trip to a speciality store and are responsibly priced. Since you have a guarantee I'd just try which ever one you feel would most fit your home.

[Britster]

Ingredient-wise, I would think BB looks better. But I am not 100% comfortable with their company and they did have an issue with Vitamin K3 (I believe) overdose which actually did kill some dogs. It seems it's hit or miss with BB from what I've read -- some do amazing on it, some get a bit gassy, and some don't like the little Life Source Bits they include in their food.

I like Natural Balance. Never had any complaints personally about them. My dog just got finished eating two bags of their Lamb & Rice formula and did great on it and really loved the taste. It does have some grains, like rice, but no corn, wheat, or soy.

It's a tough call because I think they are both nice foods in their own way. For some reason I'm more comfortable with NB.

In terms of palatability, my dog is sooo picky most of the time, and the kibbles that he has LOVED the most were Castor & Pollux Organix, Natural Balance and he's now on Fromm Four-Star Nutritonals and really LOVING it. I think I am going to stick with Fromm because I really like them as a company and their work ethics, and I like to support businesses like that. Plus my dog loves the food and is doing fantastic on it.

[My lil friend]

All of my dogs are eating BB. They all love it,including the yorkie. The chi doesnt like the "life source bits" and will leave them for someone else.

[R_Z]

We switched Bailey to Blue Buffalo for puppies. I think the previous owner not only had him on some Purina grainy food, but some soft food as well. That boy scratched all day and night. Now he doesn't itch nearly as much, however, he doesn't eat nearly enough. I've tried a variety of ways to get him to eat and he chows very minimally during the day. We even pick it up at night, but he doesn't eat all his food and we give him 3/4 cup.

[Rhetts_mama]

Mine love BB small breed. They've been on several different brands and this is the one that worked the best for both of them.

[jltwigg10]

Mine love BB but seem to like the Sweet Potato and Fish the best. It has a little smell but truthfully not bad. When I do the chicken formula they pick at it longer and then eventually eat it.
I have a small bag of the NB that I use for treats. They like that too but I only use a few kibbles at a time for training or reward.

I do not believe you could go wrong with either choice.

[Taryn0405]

I've only heard good things regarding the Small Breed, grain free BB. Gizmo tried it once (the puppy) and it gave him gas and he pooped way too much but I think that was because of the chicken in it. Anywho, I'm pretty sure Blue gives out samples so go ahead and try it. Just make sure you slowly transition it and give it some time for your dog to get accustomed.

[LuvTaycieGirl]

Taycie did really great on the BB puppy food. It was the only food, that did not upset her stomach. I started having issues when I switched her to any adult formula, nothing was agreeing. She now eats a RX diet and does really well with it.

I think the best thing is to find a food that works the best for your dog and meets your dogs needs. Some dogs really well on one brand vs the other and some will not. That was the case with my Taycie. For, me it got to the point of finding something that worked. I am glad I did!