Natural Balance vs Blue Buffalo Basics: LID Comparison

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

Quick Summary

• Natural Balance L.I.D. is better for severe allergies — stricter 8-12 ingredient formulas with more novel protein options including venison, bison, and duck
• Blue Buffalo Basics is better for moderate sensitivities — solid limited ingredient options at a lower price point with wider store availability
• Both avoid chicken and beef in most formulas and use single animal protein sources, but Natural Balance provides more animal-derived protein per cup
• Free tool: use the Pet Allergy Scanner to compare ingredients in any pet food for hidden allergens before buying

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.

Table of Contents

• How Do Natural Balance and Blue Buffalo Basics Compare?
• Which Brand Offers Better Protein Options for Allergic Dogs?
• How Do the Costs Compare?
• Which Brand Is Better for Each Allergy Situation?
• What Should You Know Before Choosing?
• Honest Take
• Sources & Further Reading
• Related Articles
• Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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

My take: I've seen dogs that have done well on limited ingredient diets, and both of these brands produce genuinely limited formulas. The practical difference comes down to allergy severity. For a dog with a single identified allergen (just chicken, for example), Blue Buffalo Basics at a lower price point works perfectly well. For a dog that has reacted to multiple proteins and needs something truly novel, Natural Balance's venison or bison options are worth the premium. The LifeSource Bits in Blue Buffalo add to the ingredient count, which bothers some owners aiming for absolute minimalism — but they don't contain common allergens.

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
• Hypoallergenic Dog Food Brand Comparison
• 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.