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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior

Manufacturer: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice
86Technical Score

The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior (Blue Buffalo) earned a technical score of 86/100 (rated 🌟 Superior Quality) under the independent My Pet Magazine methodology, which combines the IDNM nutrient density index (85 pts) and the IPFI ingredient purity index (85 pts). On a dry-matter basis, this food for dogs delivers 25.56% protein and 14.44% fat. The analysis is computed by algorithm, with no payment or interference from brands.

Is Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior good?

Yes. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior is in the "Superior Quality" band of our review, with a technical score of 86/100. The score combines nutritional density (IDNM 85) and ingredient purity (IPFI 85), with 25.56% protein and 14.44% fat on a dry-matter basis. At 3532 kcal/kg, FEDIAF maintenance needs work out to 151 g per day for an adult dog weighing 10 kg (full table below).

Nutritional Analysis

IDNM (Nutrient Density)85 / 100
IPFI (Ingredient Purity)85 / 100
Final Score86

Dry-Matter Composition

Protein25.56%
Fat14.44%

Composition and Energy

Values as declared in the manufacturer guaranteed analysis (as-fed basis — as printed on the bag).

Nutritional composition of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior (metabolizable energy when available in the dataset)
NutrientValue
Crude protein23 %
Crude fat13 %
Crude fiber6 %
Moisture10 %
Metabolizable energy3532 kcal/kg

How much to feed per day

Estimated daily serving (g/day) based on the metabolizable energy of this food (3532 kcal/kg) and the maintenance energy requirement (MER) of an adult dog per FEDIAF 2024, from the lowest value (low-activity dog; neutered or indoor cat) to the moderate one (moderately active dog; active cat). It is a starting point: adjust to your pet's body condition and your veterinarian's advice. The calculation ignores age, neutering (in dogs) and individual clinical conditions.

Recommended daily serving in grams per day of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior by the weight of the dog
Weight of the dogEnergy requirementRecommended serving
5 kg318 kcal/day90 g/day
10 kg534 kcal/day151 g/day
20 kg898 kcal/day254 g/day
30 kg1218 kcal/day345 g/day
40 kg1511 kcal/day428 g/day

Formula: maintenance energy (kcal/day) = coefficient × weight(kg)^exponent. Dogs: coefficient 95 (low activity) to 110 (moderate activity), exponent 0.75 (FEDIAF 2024, Table VII-7, p. 55). Cats: coefficient 75 (neutered or indoor) to 100 (active), exponent 0.67 (FEDIAF 2024, Table VII-9, p. 57). Portion (g/day) = energy requirement ÷ (food kcal/kg ÷ 1000). Source: FEDIAF, Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs, July 2024.

Ingredients

  1. 1Deboned Chicken
  2. 2Chicken Meal
  3. 3Brown Rice
  4. 4Oatmeal
  5. 5Barley
  6. 6Peas
  7. 7Dried Tomato Pomace
  8. 8Natural Flavor
  9. 9Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols)
  10. 10Flaxseed

What we like

  • ✓fresh meat first ingredient
  • ✓natural preservatives
  • ✓glucosamine and chondroitin
  • ✓omega 3 and 6
✓ Verified data

www.petsmart.com — guaranteed analysis, calorie content and ingredient list for Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior Chicken & Brown Rice read 2026-09-03

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Frequently asked questions about Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior

What is the technical score of Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior?
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior (Blue Buffalo) scores 86/100 under the My Pet Magazine methodology — a weighted average of the IDNM nutrient density index (85 points) and the IPFI ingredient purity index (85 points), by the formula (IDNM × 0.55) + (IPFI × 0.45). The analysis is 100% algorithmic, with no interference from brands.
How much protein does Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior have?
On a dry-matter basis (removing the effect of moisture), Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior has 25.56% protein and 14.44% fat. Converting to a dry-matter basis allows a fair comparison between foods for dogs with different moisture levels.
Is Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior a good food for dogs?
Under the My Pet Magazine classification, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Small Breed Senior is "Superior Quality" (score 86/100). Strengths: fresh meat first ingredient, natural preservatives, glucosamine and chondroitin. Talk to a veterinarian before changing the diet of your dog.

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