Blue Buffalo cat food is generally considered safe for most cats but has been linked to an FDA investigation into heart disease and carries.
You probably recognize the blue bag with the wolf on it. Blue Buffalo has built a strong reputation on looking like the natural, whole-food choice for pets. That reputation makes the question of safety feel surprising — shouldn’t a premium brand just be safe?
The honest answer is that Blue Buffalo is generally considered safe for most cats when used as a complete and balanced diet. But the brand’s inclusion in the FDA’s ongoing investigation into dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and two previous recalls means the answer isn’t as simple as yes or no. Understanding both sides helps you make the right call for your cat.
What The FDA Investigation Actually Found
In June 2019, the FDA named Blue Buffalo among 16 pet food brands potentially linked to an increased risk of DCM in dogs and cats. This announcement sent waves through the pet food world and left many owners wondering if they needed to switch.
The FDA continues to investigate the potential link between certain diets — especially grain-free formulas that use peas, lentils, or potatoes as replacements — and heart disease. It’s worth emphasizing that the agency has not established a definitive causal link between Blue Buffalo and DCM.
DCM is also far less common in cats than in dogs, though the FDA’s initial findings did include feline cases. The investigation remains open, meaning researchers have not closed the door on whether these diets play a role in heart health.
Why The Recalls Still Matter To Cat Owners
Blue Buffalo’s recall history gives important context to the safety question. Two specific incidents stand out and help explain why some veterinarians approach the brand with caution — even if the company has no active recalls today.
- The 2015 Cat Treat Recall: Blue Buffalo voluntarily recalled one lot of Blue Kitty Yums Chicken Recipe Cat Treats after they were found to contain low levels of propylene glycol, a substance not permitted in cat food by the FDA because it can be toxic to cats.
- The 2017 Wet Food Recall: The company recalled one production lot of BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs due to potential health risks.
- The Propylene Glycol Issue: This preservative is banned in cat food specifically because cats metabolize it differently than dogs. Even low levels triggered the FDA recall classification.
- No Active Recalls as of 2026: According to the company’s website, Blue Buffalo currently reports no active pet food or treat recalls — a clean slate that matters for current safety.
These incidents don’t mean the brand is unsafe right now, but they set the stage for why some owners and vets approach it with more caution than brands with a cleaner regulatory history.
Ingredient Quality And Veterinary Opinions
Blue Buffalo markets itself on bold, whole-food ingredients — real meat listed first, no chicken or poultry by-product meals, and LifeSource Bits containing vitamins and antioxidants. This approach appeals strongly to cat owners who want to avoid highly processed meals for their pets. The FDA’s documentation of this blue buffalo 2017 recall is part of the public record owners can review.
Yet top vet-recommended cat food brands often look different on paper. Purina Pro Plan, Hill’s Science Diet, and Royal Canin are routinely cited by veterinarians because they are typically formulated with board-certified veterinary nutritionists and backed by AAFCO feeding trials.
Blue Buffalo does employ nutritionists and meets AAFCO nutritional standards, but it hasn’t published the same volume of peer-reviewed feeding trial data that the vet-exclusive brands have. That doesn’t make it a bad food — it just means the safety and efficacy evidence is structured differently.
| Year | Event | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Voluntary Recall | Blue Kitty Yums treats — propylene glycol contamination |
| 2017 | Voluntary Recall | BLUE Wilderness wet dog food — potential health risk |
| 2019 | FDA Investigation | Named among 16 brands in DCM investigation |
| 2026 | Current Status | No active recalls per company website |
This timeline shows that while Blue Buffalo has had bumps in the road, the recent past has been quiet from a recall standpoint — a point the brand highlights on its own quality and safety page.
How To Evaluate Safety For Your Specific Cat
Safety isn’t just about brand reputation — it’s about your individual cat’s health needs and risk factors. Here’s a practical way to approach the decision with your veterinarian.
- Talk to your veterinarian about your cat’s breed and health history. Some cat breeds, including Maine Coons and Ragdolls, may have a genetic predisposition to heart conditions. Your vet knows if your cat is in a higher-risk group.
- Consider whether grain-free formulas are necessary for your cat. Many Blue Buffalo formulas are grain-free, and these specific diets are at the center of the FDA’s DCM investigation. Most cats do not have a medical need for grain-free food.
- Learn the early signs of DCM in cats. Symptoms like lethargy, coughing, difficulty breathing, or sudden collapse can signal heart problems. The earlier these are caught, the more options your vet has.
- Check the FDA’s pet food recall list regularly. The agency maintains an up-to-date database of all active and terminated recalls so you can see any new developments for yourself.
Your vet can help you weigh the convenience and ingredient appeal of an over-the-counter diet like Blue Buffalo against any specific risk factors your cat may carry, especially if you are considering a grain-free formula.
The Bottom Line On Blue Buffalo Cat Food
For most healthy cats with no history of heart disease, Blue Buffalo is likely a safe, nutritionally complete option. The brand emphasizes quality ingredients and has maintained a clean recall record for nearly a decade. However, its inclusion in the FDA’s DCM investigation and the 2015 propylene glycol recall mean it isn’t the most conservative choice on the market. The state health department’s notice on the propylene glycol cat food ban explains why this substance raises red flags for cats specifically.
Brands like Hill’s Science Diet and Purina Pro Plan are routinely recommended by veterinarians partly because they have not been named in the DCM investigation and carry longer histories of controlled feeding trials. None of this means Blue Buffalo is a bad food — it means the safety profile comes with nuance.
| Brand | FDA DCM Investigation | Active Recalls (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Buffalo | Named in 2019 | None |
| Hill’s Science Diet | Not named | None |
| Purina Pro Plan | Not named | None |
Blue Buffalo sits in a gray area. It emphasizes whole-food ingredients and currently has no active recalls, which reassures many owners. At the same time, its mention in the FDA’s DCM investigation and the propylene glycol recall give some veterinarians reason to recommend other brands first — especially for cats with higher cardiac risk.
Your veterinarian can help you decide if Blue Buffalo fits your cat’s specific needs — considering their breed, age, and any existing health conditions — or if a brand formulated with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist might be a safer long-term choice for your household.
References & Sources
- FDA. “Blue Buffalo Voluntarily Recalls One Lot Blue Wildernessr Rocky Mountain Recipe Tm Red Meat Dinner” In March 2017, Blue Buffalo voluntarily recalled one production lot of BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Red Meat Dinner Wet Food for Adult Dogs due to potential health risks.
- IN. “Blue Buffalo Company Ltd Recall Drug” Propylene glycol is a substance that is not permitted in cat food by the FDA, as it can be toxic to cats.