These days it seems like there are hundreds of different choices for our beloved dogs when it comes to food, so where do we start? Well, a growing trend in the dog nutrition world is the seemingly exotic protein ingredient bison.
Emma Brabi
Last update: 08.11.2022 | 8 minutes reading time
Bison is not just onegreat source of protein, but also offers a protein alternative for dogs that are allergic to common protein sources such as chicken or beef. With so many options on the market, how do you find the best bison dog food for your pup?
Bison also offers an alternative option for puppies who are a bit picky and need something different to encourage them every now and then. if you have onepicky eater,then this increasingly popular meat might just be the succulent ingredient you've been waiting for!
Whatever your reason for staying here, this guide will introduce you to everything you need to know about bison and its nutritional value as it is.unlike buffalo meat, and why avoid foods with Buffalo substitutes listed, why not blindly trust food packaging, and our top picks for the best bisondry puppy foodone.
Overview: Our favorite bison foods
Our rating
overall best
Bisonte Natural Balance
Our rating
Note: Clicking on the links above will take you to Amazon.com for additional product information and customer reviews. When you make a purchase, we receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Nutritional Benefits of Bison
Bison is called the "original red meat" because it existed in the pastmillion bisonroamed the lands of North America, and this flesh not only fed the Native Americans and their hundreds of individual tribes, but also clothed and healed them. Thanks to conservation efforts over the past century (which we'll talk about later), we can all now enjoy bison meat, even our canine friends among us. Meat is delicious and we're sure your dog will love it too! Not only does bison taste great, but it's also high in protein, vitamins and minerals, making it a great choice for your dog's main source of protein.
ÖNational Federation of Bisonhighlights the wonders of this meat compared to other standard meat sources. Here you can see that bison not only has a lower fat content, but also contains fewer calories and cholesterol and more iron compared to all other meat proteins. It also offers the highest amount of vitamin B12 after salmon and has higher amounts of protein compared to beef, pork and salmon, so all in all it's a fantastic choice of lean protein source for your pup.
Of course, ingredients are listed according to their type in an ingredients listDominance in a recipe, that is, the ingredients that are used in larger quantities are listed first, followed by those in smaller quantities in descending order. Because of this, it's always important to pay special attention to the first 5 ingredients, as you know they're going to make up the bulk of the recipe. If you're looking for a good bison food, then bison should be in the top 5 ingredients, if not number one, otherwise it won't feature much in the recipe. Just because the packaging says "Made with Bison" doesn't mean there will be one.Significant amount of bison in it, so be sure to read the list of ingredients yourself.
| type of meat | Gordo | protein | calories | cholesterol | Ferro | Vitamin b12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| buffalo | 2.42 | 28.44 | 143 | 82 | 3.42 | 2.86 |
| beef | 18.54 | 27.21 | 283 | 87 | 2.72 | 2,50 |
| pork meat | 9.21 | 27,50 | 201 | 84 | 1,0 | .68 |
| Chicken | 7.41 | 28,93 | 190 | 89 | 1.21 | .33 |
| Salmon | 6.69 | 25.40 | 169 | 84 | .50 | 5.67 |
Bison meat vs. buffalo meat
Many of us Americans refer to our native North American bison as buffalo, but did you know that bison and buffalo are actuallycompletely different animals?! Well, the pet food industry relies on their consumers not to know the difference! You probably weren't expecting an animal history/biology class while looking for thisBest dry food for bison dogs, but if you want to know exactly what you're feeding your beloved pup, then you'll have to bear with us!
Bison belong to the Bovidae family, as do the African buffalo and European buffalo, and at first glance yeslooks a bit similar. Cattle are also in the same family, which explains why beef is somewhat similar in terms of nutritional content (but since we've already established that bison is so much better!)
Well, while most of us call bison buffalo, they are not the same animal. Hundreds of years ago, the first settlers to come to North America from Europe mistook the bison for their native buffalo and called them that. The name Buffalo, stick, and ever since bison are commonly referred to as American Buffalo, but there really is no such thing.
Buffalo imported from Asia is much cheaper to import than raising bison in America, and many pet food brands import buffalo meat for this reason. Unfortunately, recent research has found that many dog food companies, even premium brands, areMaking your customers think they are buying bison when they are actually buying buffalo.
Bison is not a buffalo, so mislabeling products is a big problem! some dogs arebuffalo allergy, and if you unknowingly feed your dog something they're allergic to, it can obviously have devastating consequences. Not only that, buffalo isn't as nutritionally beneficial for your pup, leaving you paying higher prices for inferior protein.
Finally, it's the consumersbe cheatedspend more money on inferior meat. So the lesson here is to make sure you read the ingredient list for yourself and don't just rely on advertising or packaging claims and don't buy foods that contain Buffalo substitute ingredients if you want to feed your dog quality bison food.
Our favorite bison dishes
So now you know a bit more about bison and itsnutritional benefits, and you know to avoid buffalo ingredients as a substitute, below is our top rated bison dry dog food. Our recommendations come not only from natural ingredients of the highest quality, but also from reputable brands that have no misleading claims on the packaging and all contain bison, not buffalo.
At the end of this section we've added a nutritional chart that shows key nutritional facts making it easy to compare products. But by following our recommendations below, you can rest assured that your beloved pooch is getting the best bison dog food available. So, in no particular order, here are our favorites.
| protein | ||||||
| Slices | ||||||
| Phases | ||||||
| humidity | ||||||
| Kcal/Total |
Natural Balance Dry Dog Süßkartoffel & Bison
- Made from real bison, which provides essential amino acids that help keep your muscles strong.
- Made with simple ingredients that support healthy digestion.
- Formulated with added taurine to support your dog's heart health.
- Feed knowing that every batch is tested for quality and safety.
Bison is thesecond ingredient on this list, second only to sweet potatoes, and is the only source of animal protein if your dog is allergic to other protein sources, making it a great choice for dogs with specific protein allergies. It also has limited carbohydrate sources, and not only do sweet potatoes give you the energy to be active, they're a much healthier form of carbohydrate and much easier to digest than white potatoes or white rice.
It is rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids such as salmon and flaxseed oil which not only support a healthy coat but also maintain a healthy cardiovascular system. It contains no fillers or added preservatives, but it does have the added vitamins and minerals it needs to maintain a healthy oxidative state.
We lovethat this recipe has limited ingredients so not only do you have more control over what you feed him when he has a sensitive stomach, but you also know that everything in the recipe has a nutritional benefit.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain com Bison
- High Protein Dog Food contains real bison to satisfy your dog's wild side and help build and maintain lean muscle mass.
- Grain-free dog food made with healthy carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and peas supports your adult dog's active lifestyle.
- A precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support immune system health, life cycle needs and healthy oxidative balance.
- Contains NO chicken (or poultry) by-products, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.
Don't let that name confuse you, as Blue Buffalodoesn't make Buffalo recipes, is just the name of the company. The first ingredient on the list is boneless bison, so it offers a high protein content that you can count on. It's also grain free, making it a great choice for dogs with sensitive stomachs or grain allergies. It's packed with their signature "Lifesource Bits," full of extra antioxidants and vitamins your dog needs that he can't get from protein alone.
It's made from only natural ingredients, with no artificial flavors or preservatives, so you can be assured your dog is receiving only natural benefits. Along with bison, fishmeal and meatmeal are also sources of protein. Peas, sweet potatoes and chicory root also ensure he gets the extra fiber he needs for a healthy digestive tract, and this recipe offers the highest fiber content for dogs that need an extra helping of digestion.
We loveThis recipe is chicken and poultry free, so it's a great choice for dogs who have allergies or intolerance to chicken or poultry.
Great Plains Earthborn Holistic Feast
- Formulated without grains, gluten or potatoes, this special formula is ideal as an alternative high-protein, grain-free diet.
- Proteins from lean red meat, like bison meal and beef meal, are easily digested and rich in balanced amino acids.
- Antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits like peas, blueberries, cranberries, apples, carrots and spinach are important for optimal everyday health.
- Balanced omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids play an important role in building the skin's lipid barrier and helping to maintain a healthy skin and coat for your dog.
- The packaging is BPA-free, resealable and 100% recyclable through the Earthborn ReBorn program.
Bison meal is thefirst ingredient on this list, with beef and various fish dishes, meaning he not only gets the meat he needs, but also the extra cartilage and organs he needs for his all-importantglucosamine and chondroitinneeds (which is good for your joints) exactly as nature intended for your diet.
He also lists dried cranberries, dried blueberries, dried apples, and dried carrots, all of which are antioxidants, so your pup is getting his daily dose of these superfoods to keep his immune system healthy. It's also grain-free, gluten-free, and potato-free for dogs with any of these sensitivities. It also includes a list of plant-based ingredients that provide your pup with the fiber they need for a healthy gut.
We lovethat this recipe provides the highest amount of protein, which is great for maintaining muscle mass and repairing muscles.
Solid Gold Brown Rice and Wolf King Bison Recipe
- Bison packed with natural, lean protein as the first ingredient, combined with healthy fats, whole grains and a unique blend of 20 nutritious superfoods.
- Made in the USA from the highest quality single source meat and meat meal, all sustainably sourced from North America, Europe and Australia.
- Mission to provide the highest quality, limited ingredient dog food on the market.
- All products with 100% satisfaction guarantee.
This recipe not only offersBison as the first ingredient, but it also comes second in fishmeal, which is one of the best sources of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for keeping your cardiovascular system healthy and nourishing your coat and skin from the inside out. Plus, it provides egg protein, itself packed with the amino acids and minerals your dog needs to maintain a healthy metabolism and digestive system.
It's also full of live probiotics, which are great for dogs with sensitive stomachs and help maintain a healthy gut and digestive system. It's non-grain-free, making it a great choice for parents who don't want to feed their dog grain-free, and it's made with brown rice and sweet potatoes, which give your dog the energy they need.
We lovethat this recipe is packed with 20 superfoods that provide an ideal balance of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber to boost your immune system and improve your overall health.
Canidae PURE Limited Ingredient Bison, Linse und Karotte
- Made with real bison as the first ingredient combined with whole ingredients like sweet potatoes, peas, lentils and carrots.
- Made with 10 or fewer key ingredients that are easily recognizable, perfect for sensitive dogs.
- Formulated with antioxidants and probiotics to support a healthy digestive and immune system, along with a nutritious blend of vitamins and minerals to support healthy joints, skin and coat.
- High-quality proteins and regeneratively grown ingredients nourish pets and the planet in every bowl.
This recipe is made with just 10 simple ingredients, so you know there's nothing in this recipe your dog doesn't need, and it also gives you better control over what you feed him, which is especially important if he has a sensitive stomach has . Bison, lamb meal and pork meal provide you with the necessary proteinget your muscle massand support muscle repair, and peas and sweet potatoes, which are healthy and easy to digest, give you the energy you need.
This is another grain-free recipe and contains no preservatives or added flavors. The only things added are vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics, all of which help support your immune system and overall well-being. Canidae is known for making great food for other breeds and it's one of oursFavorite food for pit bulls.
We lovethat this recipe offers the highest calorie count, making it a great choice for working or energetic dogs that need extra energy to stay active.
final thoughts
So you made your choicefeed your dog a bison diet, either because it's nutritionally superior meat or because it's super tasty, but either way you need to feed it a quality diet. To know this, you need to check the ingredient list and nutritional profile for yourself, as unfortunately it's not always safe to trust package labels. Fortunately, you now know what to look for and how to choose recipes that include bison in the first few ingredients and avoid substitute buffalo ingredients.
No matter what quality bison dry food you choose for your pup, you know that when you choose one of our recommendations above, you're getting exactly that, a quality recipe, nothing more nothing less.
Author's suggestion
The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease; It is not intended to offer legal opinion or advice, or to replace professional safety or care advice. Consult your healthcare provider, attorney, insurance specialist or the product manual for professional advice. The products and services evaluated are provided by third parties; We are in no way responsible for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, usefulness, security or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.
Leave a comment