A class action lawsuit has been filed against Blue Buffalo Company by a consumer who claims that their “Blue Wilderness” dog food products are deceptively labeled as being “inspired by the diet of wolves.”
Plaintiff Shannon Walton states that the company’s Blue Wilderness dog food contains “high levels of dietary carbohydrates” which are unhealthy for dogs and not a major part of the diet of grey wolves.
The plaintiff notes that she owns a seven-year-old labrador-beagle mix named Tucker and she purchased and fed Tucker the BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe (Red Meat flavor) and BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe (Bison flavor).
Walton argues that Tucker’s weight has increased and requires medical observation for canine obesity. In addition, the Blue Buffalo class action lawsuit states that Tucker has been diagnosed with diabetes.
The Blue Buffalo class action lawsuit claims that wild wolves eat very little dietary carbohydrates and do not have high rates of diseases like obesity and cancer.
Carbohydrates are the major cause of obesity in dogs and have clear links to the morbidity of the animal. Also, the consumption of carbohydrates causes a dog’s glucose levels to increase, which could eventually cause cancer, the plaintiff states.
The Blue Buffalo class action lawsuit argues that cancer is basically non-existent in wolves, but there is an “epidemic” of cancer in the United States, which may be afflicting at least 25 percent of dogs.
“Millions of dogs in the United States — the vast majority of whom eat carbohydrate-rich kibbles like the ones sold by Defendant — suffer from diabetes. But among wolves — a species that never consumes carbohydrates — there has never been a single documented case,” the plaintiff alleges.
“And while this disease was virtually nonexistent among wolf populations, American dogs are currently experiencing an epidemic of obesity, with studies suggesting that at least 50% of dogs in the United States are overweight,” Walton states.
Walton claims that the defendant advertises their dog foods are “Healthy” and “Holistic,” but their products are made by extrusion processing, which requires ingredients that are high in carbohydrates which are unhealthy for dogs.
In addition, the Blue Buffalo class action lawsuit states that the high carbohydrate content is concealed from customers. To be sure, the plaintiff claims that the amount of carbohydrates is not even displayed on the products labels.
“Instead, Defendant markets and promotes its dog food products by focusing on the non-carbohydrate nutrients found in the products, such as proteins, fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals,” the Blue Buffalo class action lawsuit states.
The plaintiff alleges that in order to ascertain the carbohydrate content of Blue Buffalo products, the consumer has to contact customer service or by “backing out the percentages of the disclosed nutritional information from the sum of ingredients.”
The defendant also markets this high-carbohydrate dog food to veterinarians by stating that the foods will have a positive effect on the canine body.
“In one way or another, all of the marketing claims described above fail to reflect the scientifically-verified reality about the health effects that dietary carbohydrates have on the bodies of domestic dogs,” the Blue Buffalo class action lawsuit states.
In 2016, Blue Buffalo settled a class action lawsuit for $32 million whereby customers complained that the company misled the public when they claimed their pet food ingredients were free of poultry byproducts, corn, wheat, soy and artificial preservatives.
Do you give your dogs any of the Blue Buffalo products? Leave a message in the comments section below.
The plaintiff is represented by Carlos V. Ramirez and Michael R. Reese of Reese LLP and Anthony J. DiRaimondo of Rice Reuther Sullivan & Carroll LLP.
The Blue Wilderness Dog Food Class Action Lawsuit is Walton v. Blue Buffalo Company Ltd., Case No. 7:20-cv-00001, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
374 thoughts onBlue Buffalo Class Action Says Dog Food Is High In Carbs
I just walked in the door from buying that dog food and treats and cat food. Grrrr
Blue Buffalo Natural Puppy grainfree with chicken is my dogs favorite! ! I tried at least seven other brands but either she would not eat it or she would get the runs! So I have bern very happy with Blue Buffalo! I hope all the reports about it heing dangerous is not validated.
Do not feed grain-free diet of any kind. They have been implicated in causing heart disease in dogs which may be irreversible. Still under investigation.
We’ve adopted 2 Yorkshire terriers and started them on the Blue Buffalo immediately. One we found out doesn’t do well with chicken, so we started with the small dog lamb and rice. I checked with the vet, and I am not overfeeding, but the smallest one now looks like a Guinea pig. I’m going g to just make their food myself, then I’ll know what’s in it. These poor babies have been through enough.
I have had my chocolate lab on Blue Buffalo since she could eat adult dog food and she will be 8 years old this year. The vet has been concerned about her weight for a few years. I do get a little crazy with snacks and the vet was thought that was the problem with not enough activity. I even went as far as providing our vet with all of the nutritional data of the food and snacks as well as frequency. I cut back on snacks but so far no weight loss.
The simple answer is to change dog foods. Just another excuse to acquire money the easy way by a dumb lawsuit.
I have fed my dogs through blue buffalo wilderness dog food and they lost weight also
I’ve fed my great dane blue buffalo large breed puppy food for the last 6 months… I stopped 2weeks ago because she has lost weight and has gotten to where she won’t eat it and she has for a couple months when she eats she chokes on it, like it is getting stuck in her throat. Since i’ve changed, that isn’t an issue anymore and I hope she starts gaining weight
I chose to not buy into the hype years ago when Blue Buffalo came on the scene. I’m so glad I decided to feed a regular food after watching what has gone on here. My dogs are healthy weight and show no signs of obesity, and I didn’t over pay for food. More money doesn’t always equal more love.
I have been giving Blue Buffalo to my dog for 7 years. I did notice a weight gain and cut the portion back.
My dog has eat BB Wilderness diet and has a constant weight issue as noticed by Vet during her annual checkups.