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.
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374 thoughts onBlue Buffalo Class Action Says Dog Food Is High In Carbs
I have been giving both my púgiles Blue dry food for several years. Tye was sixteen and suddenly his kidneys failed and I had to out him down in April. Bailey has been having diarrhea on and off for awhile. I thought it was his wet food. Whenever I stop giving him dog food and give him eggs, it stops. He is fourteen. I just never thought the dry food could be the problem since I thought Blue was healthy for him.
Add me my dog got so sick diarrhea and she was so lifeless I threw 18 cans in the garage
I fed both my rescue dogs Blue. Spencer was adopted in January 2015 at a year old and Ebony in July 2015 at 7 months old. Spencer ate Merrick and when we got Ebony we switched to Blue. March 2020 a week before shelter in place, Ebony became really sick, was diagnosed with Diabetes and passed away with Pancreatitis less than a week later. Spencer was diagnosed with diabetes September 2020. This is unreal. They were two different breeds, healthy and to diagnose them both with the same disease within 6-months of each other say something about the trust that we put in people that says they love pets as much as we do.
I fed both of my beagles Blue Buffalo. I had Penny on a different brand as a puppy and changed the brand to Blue because i thought I was giving her better care. Then I got Willy and fed him Blue. They were over weight so I went to Blue weight management. Penny passed away with cancer and congestive heart failure. We didn’t know about the cancer or heart problem. Yes, we took our dogs to the vet regularly. In one day we had to put her down and that’s when they found the cancer in her stomach. Willy was fed Blue since I got him. After Penny passed I got a rescue boxer 2 years old. I fed her blue also. I went to the pet store to get more Blue Buffalo and thankfully an employee told me about the law suit. She helped me find another safe brand. Willy passed away 2 years ago with cancer also. I have also learned not to always take the vets recommendations about food. Read ingredients and ALWAYS RESEARCH EACH INGREDIENT LISTED. Example by-products, meat meal just to name a few. Add me to the list
I am sad that I just found out about this lawsuit. I had to put my cat down a month ago. He had bloodwork in March and everything was ok, normal levels. My vet recommended to switch to a wet diet, so I got Blue Wilderness. Within only a few months he went into severe liver failure. There was nothing I could do, even after spending 2700 in vet bills. The only thing that changed was his diet to this brand. I can’t help but conclude this brand poisoned him and killed him. I just have had blood work for my other cat..she also has elevated kidney and liver numbers. I just made another order of BB wet food and added autoship. I will cancel and try to figure something else out. I avoided Hills and Canin because corn is a common cat allergy according to my vet. No idea what to buy now.
Fed my dachshund blue buffalo for many years. She dealt with many health issues from anal gland issues to heart disease and we lost her in January. I’ve had such a hard time because it’s my job to take care of her and I fed her something that was not good for her. The last several years of her life she was on many medications that cost over $300 a month along with countless vet appointments for costly ultra sounds. What’s worse is she suffered.
Wow! I’m so shocked! I thought this was great food! My dog has been eating blue for about 4yrs. She has been very sick with Anal gland infection to the point of wearing diapers because she had severe blood leakage! She has now been on 15 pills a day to clear this up for a month! I have spent over $1500.00 in medical bills just within a month! She is now on a duck and potato prescription diet… she seems to be getting better finally! She is no longer on BLUE. Please add me to the list!
I have my Apollo (Great Pyrenees/ Labrador) Blue Buffalo Fire years now believing it was a “holistic” and “healthy” food. I’m sick to my stomach realizing that I’ve been poisoning him this entire time. Please me to the list.
My wonderful dog passed away from cancer last year – she was fed vlue buffalo for 6 years. This makes me very sad. I have been feeding my.other animals blue buffalo as well. I thought it was the best, I’ve had it on auto-ship. I dont know what to feed them now.?
I purchased carnivora for my dogs. I gradually switched but when the mix became more blue then the other food, the issues started. One dog couldnt stop itching and biting his feet. Both dogs started having diarrhea on a daily basis. We stopped feeding them the blue and the issues have gone away. Now I’m left with half a bag of $80 dog food that had to be tossed. I emailed and called the company, no response.