Natural Balance vs Blue Buffalo Basics: LID Comparison

By Gary, founder of Pet Allergy Scanner. 7+ years managing pet food allergies with my Cockapoo.

Natural Balance L.I.D. and Blue Buffalo Basics are two of the most popular limited ingredient options for allergic dogs. Both promise simplified formulas, but their ingredient counts, protein options, and pricing differ significantly. This comparison covers which brand works better for each allergy situation.

Quick Answer: Natural Balance L.I.D. is better for severe allergies — stricter 8-12 ingredient formulas, more novel proteins (venison, bison, duck, salmon), and higher animal-protein content. Blue Buffalo Basics is better for moderate sensitivities at a lower price point with wider store availability. Both avoid chicken and beef in most formulas. Choose Natural Balance for elimination diets and severe cases; choose Blue Buffalo Basics for maintenance and budget-conscious management.

How Do Natural Balance and Blue Buffalo Basics Compare?

| Feature | Natural Balance L.I.D. | Blue Buffalo Basics | |---|---|---| | Ingredient count | 8-12 typical | 10-15 typical | | Single protein | Yes | Yes | | Novel protein options | 6+ (duck, venison, bison, salmon, lamb, chicken) | 5 (turkey, salmon, duck, lamb, fish) | | Grain-free options | Yes | Yes (all formulas) | | Grain-inclusive options | Yes (lamb & rice) | No | | LifeSource Bits | No | Yes (antioxidant blend) | | Artificial additives | None | None | | Monthly cost (50-lb dog) | $72-90 | $60-72 |

Natural Balance pioneered the limited ingredient category in the 1990s with a 30+ year track record. Their L.I.D. line uses concentrated meat meals as secondary protein sources, providing more animal-derived protein per cup. Blue Buffalo Basics launched later with a simplified approach — single proteins with the signature LifeSource Bits antioxidant blend, though the bits add to the total ingredient count.

The core difference: Natural Balance averages 8-12 ingredients per formula while Blue Buffalo Basics typically contains 10-15. For dogs needing the strictest ingredient control, Natural Balance provides a more minimal formula. For a broader comparison of LID brands, see the limited ingredient dog food comparison.

Take action today: Use the free Pet Allergy Scanner to check your current pet food for hidden allergens and find safer alternatives.

Which Brand Offers Better Protein Options for Allergic Dogs?

| Protein | Natural Balance | Blue Buffalo Basics | |---|---|---| | Duck | Yes | Yes | | Venison | Yes | No | | Bison | Yes | No | | Salmon | Yes | No (whitefish only) | | Turkey | Yes | Yes | | Lamb | Yes | Yes |

Natural Balance wins on novel protein variety. Their venison and bison options are genuinely novel proteins that most dogs have never eaten, making them excellent for elimination diet trials. The salmon formula provides superior omega-3 content compared to Blue Buffalo's generic whitefish.

Formula Comparison (Duck — Most Popular for Allergies)

| Specification | Natural Balance Duck | Blue Buffalo Basics Duck | |---|---|---| | Protein | 21% | 22% | | Fat | 10% | 12% | | Fiber | 4% | 6% | | Calories/cup | 340 | 374 | | Main carb | Potato | Potato | | Secondary protein source | Duck meal (concentrated) | Pea protein (plant-based) |

The key difference: Natural Balance uses duck meal as a secondary protein source (concentrated animal protein), while Blue Buffalo relies on pea protein (plant-based). Natural Balance provides more animal-derived protein per cup, which matters for dogs sensitive to legume-based proteins. For more on reading ingredient lists, see the pet food label reading guide.

Not sure about ingredients? Try the free Pet Allergy Scanner — scan any pet food label for common allergens in seconds.

How Do the Costs Compare?

| Product | Price (24-lb bag) | Cost per pound | Monthly (50-lb dog) | |---|---|---|---| | Natural Balance L.I.D. Duck | $58-65 | $2.40-2.70 | $72-81 | | Blue Buffalo Basics Salmon | $52-58 | $2.15-2.40 | $65-72 | | Natural Balance L.I.D. Venison | $65-72 | $2.70-3.00 | $81-90 |

Blue Buffalo Basics saves roughly $6-10 per bag, or approximately $80-120/year for a medium-sized dog. Natural Balance's premium reflects the concentrated meat meals, rarer proteins (venison, bison), and stricter limited ingredient standards.

Natural Balance justifies the higher cost when the dog needs truly novel proteins (venison, bison), the strictest limited ingredient approach is required, or previous LID foods have failed. Blue Buffalo Basics provides better value when duck, turkey, or fish proteins are sufficient, budget is a consideration, or moderate (not severe) allergies are being managed.

Which Brand Is Better for Each Allergy Situation?

Chicken allergies: Both brands work well — neither contains chicken or chicken byproducts in their non-chicken formulas. Natural Balance Duck and Blue Buffalo Basics Duck are both safe options. However, check for chicken fat in the full ingredient list.

Beef allergies: Natural Balance salmon formula provides fish-based protein with zero red meat and superior omega-3 content. Blue Buffalo Basics Salmon offers a whitefish-based alternative at lower cost.

Multiple protein allergies: Natural Balance wins decisively — venison and bison are genuinely novel proteins unavailable from Blue Buffalo Basics. For complex multi-allergen cases, Natural Balance provides the most options.

Grain allergies: Both brands offer grain-free options. All Blue Buffalo Basics formulas are grain-free (potato-based). Most Natural Balance L.I.D. formulas are grain-free, though they also offer a lamb and brown rice option for dogs that tolerate grains.

Failed previous LID trials: If neither brand resolves symptoms after a full 8-12 week elimination trial, prescription hydrolyzed diets like Hill's z/d or Royal Canin HP achieve 85-95% success rates. For more options, see the best dog food for allergies guide.

UK Availability — and the UK Alternatives

Neither brand has strong UK distribution. Natural Balance L.I.D. is patchy via Amazon UK imports (3-5 day shipping, prices ~30% above US RRP because of duty). Blue Buffalo has minimal UK retail presence; some recipes appear sporadically on Zooplus UK.

For UK readers facing the same use case, the equivalent LID shortlist is:

• Burns Sensitive+ Fish & Brown Rice / Lamb & Maize — Welsh vet-developed, the most analogous to Natural Balance's strict-ingredient ethos. Pets at Home + direct from Burns. Around £5/kg.
• James Wellbeloved Fish & Rice / Lamb & Rice / Turkey & Rice — Mars-owned, widely available (supermarkets, Pets at Home, Amazon UK). Around £4-5/kg. Sits between the two reviewed brands in ingredient count.
• Fish4Dogs Complete Sea Wrap — single salmon protein, omega-3 heavy. Pets at Home + Amazon UK. Around £4-5/kg.
• Skinners Field & Trial Duck & Rice — budget UK option (~£2-3/kg). Less refined than the others but works for many dogs.

For genuine novel proteins (venison, bison, kangaroo) UK availability shrinks to specialist brands like Forthglade venison or imported Zignature on Amazon UK — both more expensive than either brand reviewed here.

Switching Between LID Brands During Diagnosis

If a 12-week Blue Buffalo Basics duck trial doesn't resolve symptoms, the question is whether to switch to a Natural Balance LID with a different protein, or escalate to a hydrolyzed prescription. The answer depends on what the trial showed:

• No improvement at all — the protein in the first LID was probably not the trigger (or it wasn't a strict trial because of incidental exposure). A second LID with a genuinely different protein is reasonable.
• Partial improvement — strongly suggests food is involved but a hidden exposure broke the trial. Re-audit treats, parasite preventatives, and household exposures before launching a second trial.
• Improvement then plateau — the diet is partially right but there's a secondary trigger (another protein, environmental). A move to hydrolyzed Rx is more diagnostic than a second LID at this stage.

Don't keep cycling LID brands — three sequential LIDs without a structured plan rarely yields more information than one careful LID followed by hydrolyzed.

Brand-Specific Failure Patterns to Watch For

Both brands have known limitations worth knowing:

• Natural Balance L.I.D. — sweet potato sensitivity: the duck-and-sweet-potato formula relies on sweet potato as the sole carb. A small subset of dogs develop sensitivity to sweet potato itself over months of exclusive feeding. If signs return after months of stability, the carb is worth considering as well as the protein.
• Blue Buffalo Basics — pea protein concentration: the formulas use pea protein as a secondary protein source. The FDA's 2018-ongoing DCM investigation flagged grain-free / pulse-heavy diets as a potential risk in some breeds. For Goldens, Boxers, and other DCM-susceptible breeds, the LifeSource Bits formulation has been a watchpoint. Discuss with your vet, especially if your dog is on a long-term grain-free LID.
• LifeSource Bits palatability — some dogs sort the bits out of the bowl, leaving an uneven nutrient intake. Pre-grinding the kibble in a food processor for 5 seconds homogenises the bowl.

What Should You Know Before Choosing?

Neither brand has a perfect recall record — Natural Balance had recalls in 2012-2013 (melamine, mold, salmonella in limited products) and Blue Buffalo had recalls in 2016-2017 (mold potential, aluminum contamination) plus ingredient labeling controversies. Both have improved quality control since.

When transitioning between brands, change gradually over 2-3 weeks — allergic dogs have sensitive digestive systems that react poorly to sudden switches. During an elimination diet, commit to one food for the full 8-12 weeks before concluding it doesn't work. Mixing brands defeats the purpose of identifying triggers.

Blue Buffalo Basics has wider retail distribution (grocery stores like Target and Walmart) while Natural Balance is primarily available at pet specialty stores and online retailers. For ongoing management, availability matters — running out of an allergy-safe food and substituting a random alternative can trigger a flare-up.

Honest Take

Both brands produce genuinely limited-ingredient formulas. The practical difference comes down to allergy severity rather than brand quality. For a dog with one identified trigger (chicken, beef), Blue Buffalo Basics at the lower price point works just as well — the formulation depth Natural Balance offers is overkill. For a dog reacting to multiple proteins or needing a truly novel option, Natural Balance's venison and bison formulas justify the premium.

The LifeSource Bits add to Blue Buffalo's ingredient count, which annoys minimalism-focused owners during elimination trials. They don't contain common allergens — just additional micronutrient sources. For most dogs, ignore them; for ultra-strict trials, Natural Balance's stricter recipe is the cleaner pick.

Sources & Further Reading

• American Kennel Club — Dog Food for Allergies — ingredient and formulation guidance for allergic dogs
• Merck Veterinary Manual — Food Allergy Diagnosis — clinical reference for elimination diets and dietary management
• AAFCO — Pet Food Labeling — ingredient naming standards and label claim regulations
• Tufts University Veterinary Nutrition — evidence-based research on limited ingredient diets
• BMC Veterinary Research — Adverse Food Reactions — brand efficacy data and allergen research

Related Articles

• Best Dog Food for Allergies
• Blue Buffalo vs Purina Pro Plan for Allergies
• Wellness vs Blue Buffalo for Allergies
• Limited Ingredient Dog Food Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Brand Has Fewer Ingredients?

Natural Balance L.I.D. typically contains 8-12 ingredients versus Blue Buffalo Basics' 10-15 ingredients. The LifeSource Bits in Blue Buffalo add to the total count. For the strictest limited ingredient approach, Natural Balance provides more minimal formulas.

Can You Mix These Brands During an Elimination Diet?

No. Mixing defeats the purpose of identifying triggers during an elimination diet. Commit to one food for the full 8-12 weeks. If transitioning between brands after the trial, change gradually over 2-3 weeks to avoid digestive upset.

Does Blue Buffalo Basics Work for Severe Allergies?

For moderate allergies with a single identified trigger, yes. For severe or multiple allergies, Natural Balance's stricter formulation and novel protein options (venison, bison) provide more options. If both fail, prescription hydrolyzed diets like Hill's z/d achieve 85-95% success rates.

Why Is Natural Balance More Expensive?

Natural Balance uses concentrated meat meals (more animal-derived protein per cup), offers rarer proteins (venison, bison) that cost more to source, and maintains stricter limited ingredient standards with fewer total ingredients per formula.

Which Is Better for Puppies with Allergies?

Natural Balance offers L.I.D. puppy formulas with appropriate nutrition for growth. Blue Buffalo Basics is formulated for adult dogs. For allergic puppies, Natural Balance provides age-appropriate limited ingredient options.

Are Both Brands Grain-Free?

All Blue Buffalo Basics formulas are grain-free with potato as the primary carbohydrate. Most Natural Balance L.I.D. formulas are grain-free, though they also offer a lamb and brown rice formula for dogs that tolerate grains. The FDA investigated potential links between grain-free diets and heart disease in dogs — grain-inclusive options are available from Natural Balance for breeds at DCM risk. For more on this debate, see the grain-free vs grain-inclusive comparison.