Stella & Chewy's Raw Blend Red Meat
Owners who want the ultimate in palatability with raw-food benefits in kibble form
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Chicken & Brown Rice
Mainstream dog owners who want a step up from grocery store brands without going ultra-premium
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Stella & Chewy's Raw Blend Red Meat
Owners who want the ultimate in palatability with raw-food benefits in kibble form
Stella & Chewy's Raw Blend combines premium kibble with freeze-dried raw pieces — and dogs absolutely love it. The red meat recipe (beef, lamb, venison) is the most palatability-focused food in this comparison. At ~$2.55/day it's the most expensive, but the feeding experience is genuinely premium.
Strengths
- Freeze-dried raw-coated kibble with real beef, lamb, and venison proteins
- Highest palatability in this comparison — dogs consistently prefer it over alternatives
- No corn, wheat, soy, artificial preservatives, or by-products
Limitations
- Most expensive per day at ~$2.55 — the priciest option in this comparison
- 2021 recall of freeze-dried product line (not kibble) is a minor safety note
- Rich red meat formula may cause digestive adjustment for some dogs
When to Choose Blue Buffalo Life Protection Chicken & Brown Rice
Mainstream dog owners who want a step up from grocery store brands without going ultra-premium
Blue Buffalo sits in a sweet spot — no corn/wheat/soy, no by-products, clean safety record. The LifeSource Bits are a marketing differentiator that adds real antioxidants. At ~$1.08/day it costs more than budget options but delivers meaningfully better ingredient quality. A solid mainstream upgrade.
Strengths
- No corn, wheat, soy, or poultry by-products — cleaner than most mid-range competitors
- Exclusive LifeSource Bits blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
- Clean safety record with no recalls in the past 5+ years
Limitations
- Premium pricing for mid-range ingredient quality at ~$1.08/day
- Some ingredient names are vague (e.g., "natural flavor") reducing transparency
- LifeSource Bits marketing claim lacks independent verification
