Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Sensitive Stomach Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe
The best-value sensitive-stomach cat food here: chicken-first with no by-products for roughly $1.83 per 1,000 kcal, less than half Royal Canin Digestive Care. What it lacks is any feeding-trial evidence for the claim.
Score breakdown
The overall score of 85/100 is a weighted sum of the six dimensions below. Each dimension shows what we found in this specific formula.
Weight 30% · Algorithm-computed score 90/100
Algorithm: first ingredient “Deboned Chicken” is named whole meat; 2 named animal ingredients in the top five; protein 35.2% on a dry-matter basis (target for this stage: 28%).
Weight 20% · Algorithm-computed score 80/100
Algorithm: first ingredient is a named animal source; among the top five, 0 by-product/unnamed and 0 plant-protein concentrate items.
Weight 18% · Editorially assessed score 76/100
AAFCO statement: Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for maintenance.. Formulated-to-meet profiles are acceptable but weaker evidence than feeding trials, which caps the score here.
Weight 14% · Editorially assessed score 75/100
Nine voluntary recalls; the most recent was March 2017 (elevated beef thyroid hormone in a single lot of Wilderness wet food). Two 2007 events were part of the industry-wide melamine crisis and a 2010 withdrawal involved excess vitamin D. The rest were small lots: a 2015 cat-treat lot containing propylene glycol, salmonella in a 2015 chew-bone lot, a 2016 mould withdrawal, and a March 2017 packaging-seal market withdrawal. Nothing has been recalled since General Mills acquired the brand in 2018.
Weight 10% · Algorithm-computed score 100/100
Algorithm: about $1.83 per 1,000 kcal ($$ tier), normalized against same-species peers, wet and dry together (cheapest = 100, most expensive ≈ 15).
Weight 8% · Editorially assessed score 92/100
Owner ratings are consistently high across major retailers, with few recurring palatability complaints.
Pros and cons
What we like
- Deboned chicken and chicken meal lead, then brown rice, oatmeal and barley - no by-products, corn, wheat or soy
- About $1.83 per 1,000 kcal, less than half the cost of Royal Canin Digestive Care
- 4.6/5 across roughly 4,600 ratings, with prebiotic fibre and LifeSource Bits for immune support
- 32% protein with 16% fat - a solid profile for an adult cat at a mid-range price
What we don't
- Formulated-to-meet only, with no feeding trials behind the sensitive-stomach claim
- Pea protein appears further down the label, contributing plant protein
- Contains egg product and fish meal, so it is not suitable for an elimination trial
Ingredients & nutrition analysis
The first five ingredients tell most of the story:
Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Sensitive Stomach does the simple version of the job well: deboned chicken and chicken meal lead, brown rice, oatmeal and barley follow, and there are no by-product meals, corn, wheat or soy anywhere in the recipe. Prebiotic fibre and chicory root handle the digestion claim, and LifeSource Bits add a separate antioxidant blend.
The value case is strong. At $3.13/lb from a 15 lb bag it is about $1.83 per 1,000 kcal, against roughly $4.32 for Royal Canin Digestive Care - and owners rate it 4.6/5 across about 4,600 reviews. The gap is evidence: this is formulated-to-meet, with no feeding trials behind the sensitive-stomach positioning, and pea protein lower in the list contributes plant protein.
Alternatives to consider
Other products ranked in Best Cat Food for Sensitive Stomachs:
65/ 100 Royal Canin Feline Care Nutrition Digestive Care Adult Dry Cat Food
Frequently asked questions
Is Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Sensitive Stomach Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe right for my pet?
It is our pick for: Adult cats with mild, non-specific digestive sensitivity where a clean label is the priority. It is not the best fit for: Cats needing a genuine elimination diet, and owners who want feeding-trial evidence. Individual animals vary — if your pet has diagnosed health conditions, confirm the choice with your veterinarian.
How much does Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Sensitive Stomach Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe cost?
Expect roughly $3.13 per pound ($$ tier) depending on bag size and retailer. Check the linked retailers for current pricing; our value score compares cost per 1,000 kcal against comparable formulas.
How should I switch to this food?
Transition over 7–10 days, mixing increasing proportions of the new food into the old. Go slower for puppies, kittens, seniors and pets with sensitive stomachs, and watch stool quality during the switch.
Score history
Every change to this product's score is logged here, including the reason. Scores are recomputed by algorithm whenever ingredient or price data changes.
- 2026-10-19 — Product data refreshed: guaranteed analysis, ingredient list, AAFCO statement, calorie content and price replaced with values verified against the manufacturer's current US label and current US retail listings. Editorial scores for standards, safety and reviews reassessed against that data.