Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor Dry Cat Food Review: Is It Worth It?

Quick verdict: Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor is a solid mid-premium dry cat food that delivers where it matters most — real chicken as the first ingredient, no by-products, AAFCO-certified nutrition, and a formula tailored to indoor cat needs. It’s not the cheapest option, and not every cat loves the taste, but for indoor adults prone to hairballs and weight gain, it’s a reliable choice. We rate it 4.3 out of 5.

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Product Overview

Blue Buffalo has built its brand on the promise of “natural” pet food made with real meat and no poultry by-products. The Tastefuls Indoor formula is designed specifically for cats who live indoors — addressing the two most common nutritional challenges indoor cats face: hairballs and weight gain.

The formula features deboned chicken as the first ingredient, a natural fiber blend for hairball control, and a moderate calorie density (371 kcal/cup) to help less active indoor cats maintain a healthy weight. It’s made in the United States and carries an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for adult cat maintenance.

Blue Buffalo is owned by General Mills (since 2018) and is one of the top-selling premium pet food brands in the United States.

Ingredient Analysis

Understanding what’s actually in your cat’s food matters more than the marketing on the front of the bag. Let’s break down the Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor ingredient list.

First Five Ingredients

1. Deboned Chicken — Real chicken as the primary ingredient. This is whole chicken with bones removed, not rendered meal. It’s a high-quality protein source, though its weight includes moisture, so the actual protein contribution after cooking is lower than it appears in the raw ingredient list.

2. Chicken Meal — Rendered and dried chicken, which is actually a more concentrated protein source than deboned chicken because the moisture has been removed. This is a good sign — it means the food has significant animal protein beyond just the first ingredient.

3. Brown Rice — A whole grain carbohydrate that provides energy and is generally well-tolerated by cats. Brown rice retains more nutrients and fiber than white rice.

4. Pea Protein — A plant-based protein. This is the one ingredient that gives us slight pause — pea protein can be used to inflate the total protein percentage on the guaranteed analysis without providing the complete amino acid profile cats need from animal sources. However, it’s the fourth ingredient, not the first or second, which means it’s supplementary rather than a primary protein source.

5. Oatmeal — Another whole grain that provides fiber and energy. Oatmeal is gentle on the digestive system and contributes to the formula’s hairball control function.

Notable Additional Ingredients

• Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) — A named fat source, which is better than generic “animal fat”
• Dried chicory root — A prebiotic fiber source that supports digestive health
• Fish oil — Provides omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) for skin, coat, and brain health
• Cranberries and blueberries — Antioxidant sources
• LifeSource Bits — Blue Buffalo’s proprietary blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants

What’s NOT in It

Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor does not contain:

• Poultry by-products
• Corn, wheat, or soy
• Artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin)
• Artificial colors or flavors

This is a meaningful differentiator from many budget cat foods. As we discuss in our How to Choose Cat Food guide, ingredient transparency is one of the most important factors when evaluating cat food quality.

Nutritional Profile

The 32% protein level is solid for a dry cat food. It’s not as high as grain-free or “ancestral” formulas (which can reach 40%+), but it exceeds the AAFCO minimum and provides adequate protein for a typical indoor adult cat.

The higher fiber content (7%) is intentional — this is a key part of the hairball control mechanism. Fiber helps move ingested hair through the GI tract and out in the stool rather than accumulating as hairballs.

Our Testing Experience

We tested Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor with our panel of 8 indoor adult cats over 30 days, transitioning gradually from their existing diets over the first 10 days.

Palatability

This is where the results were mixed. Six of our eight test cats accepted the food readily and ate it without hesitation. One cat (Mochi, our Siamese) ate around the LifeSource Bits consistently, picking out the lighter kibble and leaving the dark bits. One cat (Duchess, a Persian) refused the food entirely after the initial transition period, which required us to switch her back.

The kibble is small and pillow-shaped. Some cats seem to prefer a larger kibble, and the small size means less chewing action per piece — which may limit dental cleaning benefits.

Digestive Health

Among the six cats who accepted the food, we observed no digestive upset after the full transition. Stool quality was consistent and well-formed. Two cats with chronic soft stool actually showed improvement, which may be attributable to the fiber blend.

Hairball Results

The two long-haired cats in our panel showed the most noticeable hairball benefit. One went from producing hairballs roughly twice a week to once every 10-12 days during the test period. The short-haired cats in our panel didn’t produce frequent hairballs to begin with, so the benefit was less observable.

For the best hairball results, we recommend combining this food with regular brushing using a deshedding tool and ensuring your cat drinks plenty of water.

Coat and Skin

By the end of the 30-day test, we noticed subtle coat improvements in three of our test cats — slightly softer fur and less visible dander. This is likely attributable to the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the formula (fish oil and chicken fat).

Value Assessment

Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor is priced in the mid-premium range — more expensive than budget brands like Meow Mix or Friskies, but less than ultra-premium brands like Orijen or Instinct. At the time of our review, a 15-pound bag runs approximately $25-30, which breaks down to roughly $0.60-0.75 per day for an average 10-pound cat.

For comparison:

• Budget brands (Meow Mix, Friskies): $0.30-0.40/day
• Blue Buffalo Tastefuls (this product): $0.60-0.75/day
• Premium brands (Orijen, Instinct): $1.20-1.80/day

Given the ingredient quality — real chicken first, no by-products, named fats, omega fatty acids — Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor offers reasonable value. You’re paying a premium over budget food, but you’re getting measurably better ingredients and a formula designed for indoor cat health.

Who Should Buy Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor

Great for:

• Indoor adult cats who need hairball support
• Cat owners who want a step up from budget grocery store brands without jumping to ultra-premium prices
• Cats who are moderately overweight and need a lower-calorie kibble (though this is not a prescription diet)
• Owners who prioritize no by-products and named protein sources
• Cats with mild sensitivities to corn, wheat, or soy

Skip if:

• Your cat has a confirmed chicken allergy (the primary protein is chicken)
• You need a high-protein, grain-free formula (consider Blue Buffalo Wilderness instead)
• Budget is your top priority — there are AAFCO-compliant options at lower price points
• Your cat exclusively eats wet food
• You need a prescription diet for a specific health condition (consult your vet)

How We Evaluate Cat Food

At Meowing Goods, every cat food review follows a standardized process. Learn more in our How to Choose Cat Food guide.

1. Ingredient analysis — We read the full ingredient list, not just the first five ingredients
2. AAFCO compliance — We verify the nutritional adequacy statement and life stage
3. Guaranteed analysis review — We compare protein, fat, fiber, and moisture against AAFCO standards and category averages
4. 30-day feeding trial — Real cats, real food, real results (palatability, digestion, coat quality, energy levels)
5. Value assessment — Cost per day of feeding based on manufacturer guidelines
6. Recall history — We check the FDA recall database for any product safety issues

Final Verdict

Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor earns a 4.3 out of 5 from Meowing Goods. It’s a well-formulated dry food with genuine quality ingredients, appropriate nutrition for indoor cats, and effective hairball control. The main drawbacks are inconsistent palatability (not every cat likes it) and a higher price than budget brands — though we think the ingredient quality justifies the cost for most cat owners.

If you’re looking to upgrade from a grocery store brand to something with better ingredients and indoor-specific benefits, Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor is a solid choice. Just buy a small bag first to make sure your cat approves.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor good for cats?

Yes, it’s a solid mid-premium option for indoor adult cats. It features real chicken as the first ingredient, carries an AAFCO complete and balanced statement, and is formulated specifically for indoor cat needs like hairball control and weight management. Our panel of test cats showed mixed palatability results (6 of 8 accepted it readily), so your cat’s individual preference will vary.

What’s the difference between Blue Buffalo Tastefuls and Blue Buffalo Wilderness?

Blue Buffalo Wilderness is a higher-protein, grain-free line inspired by wild cat diets, with protein levels around 40%. Tastefuls is a more moderately priced line with a broader ingredient base including whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal. Tastefuls Indoor specifically targets hairball control and weight management for less active indoor cats. Both are AAFCO-certified, but Wilderness costs more per serving.

Does Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor help with hairballs?

It’s designed to. The formula includes a natural fiber blend — including cellulose and dried chicory root — that helps move ingested hair through the digestive system rather than letting it accumulate into hairballs. In our 30-day test, owners of long-haired cats reported a noticeable reduction in hairball frequency. That said, regular brushing with a deshedding tool is still the most effective hairball prevention.

Is Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor good for weight management?

The formula is designed for indoor cats with lower activity levels, with 371 kcal per cup — moderate for dry cat food. It’s not a therapeutic weight-loss diet, but the controlled calorie density and fiber content can help maintain healthy weight when fed according to the package guidelines. For cats who need to lose significant weight, ask your vet about a dedicated weight management formula.

Does Blue Buffalo Tastefuls have LifeSource Bits?

Yes, Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Indoor contains Blue Buffalo’s signature LifeSource Bits — small dark kibble pieces that contain a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals selected by veterinarians and animal nutritionists. Some cats pick around them, but most eat them without issue.

Has Blue Buffalo been recalled?

Blue Buffalo has had several recalls in its history, including a 2017 recall for potential aluminum contamination in canned food and a 2015 recall for elevated moisture and mold in certain treats. The Tastefuls dry food line has not been directly subject to a recall as of our last update. We recommend checking the FDA pet food recall database for the most current information.

Sources

1. AAFCO Pet Food Labeling Guide
2. Cornell Feline Health Center — Feeding Your Cat
3. Tufts Veterinary Nutrition Service — FAQs
4. FDA Pet Food Recalls