Jessica
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Introduction: Gourmet Dining for the Tiny Tyrant?
If you own a small breed dog, you know the struggle. One day they love their food; the next day they look at it with absolute disdain. Small dogs are notoriously picky eaters, often holding out for “human food” or requiring constant rotation of flavors to keep them interested. For years, the single-serve tray market was dominated by brands that prioritized flavor over ingredient quality, often relying on meat by-products and fillers.
Blue Buffalo Delights Natural Adult Small Breed Wet Dog Food enters the chat as the “clean label” alternative. It mimics the convenient, peel-top tray format of its cheaper competitors but fills it with the brand’s signature “True Blue Promise”—meaning real beef, no by-products, and no corn, wheat, or soy. But does this ingredient upgrade actually translate to a meal your fussy Chihuahua or Yorkie will eat? We tested this Filet Mignon and New York Strip variety pack to see if it satisfies both the health-conscious owner and the demanding dog.
Key Features and Ingredient Analysis
Blue Buffalo positions this product as a gourmet experience. Let’s look past the “steakhouse” names and analyze what is actually in the cup.
Real Beef vs. The Mystery Mash
The headline feature here is Real Beef as the first ingredient. In the world of small breed wet food, this is significant. Many competitors listed “meat by-products” or “water” as the primary ingredients. Blue Buffalo Delights also includes beef broth and liver, but crucially, it contains NO poultry by-product meals. This ensures a higher quality protein source that is more digestible and bioavailable for your dog.
The “No Corn, Wheat, or Soy” Advantage
Small dogs are prone to skin sensitivities and digestive issues. Corn and wheat are common allergens that can trigger itching or upset stomachs. By replacing these grains with potatoes and carrots, Blue Buffalo provides a cleaner energy source. While not strictly “grain-free” (check specific labels as formulas change, but this typically avoids the big three allergens), it is much gentler on sensitive systems.
Texture: Hearty Gravy
Unlike a solid pâté loaf which can sometimes be dry or difficult for tiny seniors to chew, this formula features chunks in a hearty gravy. This savory sauce is the “secret weapon” for picky eaters. It coats the tongue and provides immediate flavor gratification, which is often necessary to get a small dog to start eating.
Hands-On Experience: The “Coco” Test
We tested this variety pack with “Coco,” a 7-year-old Maltese who is the definition of a diva. She typically refuses dry food unless it is topped with something special.
Unboxing and Serving
The 3.5 oz trays are convenient. The foil lid peels back easily without splashing gravy (a common annoyance with cheaper brands). The smell is distinct—it smells like beef stew, not the metallic, processed odor you sometimes get with canned pet food. You can actually see small cubes of potato and carrot mixed in with the meat chunks.
Palatability
We offered the Filet Mignon Flavor first. Coco sniffed it once and immediately began eating. She licked up the gravy first (typical) and then proceeded to eat the chunks. The texture was soft enough that she didn’t struggle, but substantial enough to feel like a meal. The New York Strip flavor received a similar enthusiastic reception the next day.
As a Mixer
For economic reasons, feeding strictly these trays can get expensive. We found the best use case was mixing half a tray into a cup of dry kibble. The ample gravy coated the dry food perfectly, tricking Coco into eating her entire bowl of kibble. This makes the 12-pack last nearly a month, providing excellent value.
Digestive Results
Coco has a sensitive stomach, often getting loose stools from rich wet foods. After a week on Blue Buffalo Delights, her digestion remained solid. The lack of corn and wheat fillers likely played a huge role here, proving that ingredient quality does impact the “output.”
Pros and Cons
Is the premium price worth it? Here is our critical breakdown.
| Pros (The Good) | Cons (The Bad) |
|---|---|
| Real Beef First: High-quality protein source. | Price: More expensive than supermarket brands like Cesar. |
| Clean Ingredients: No by-products, corn, wheat, or soy. | Portion Size: 3.5 oz is small; larger dogs would need multiple. |
| High Palatability: The gravy appeals to very picky eaters. | Potato Content: Contains potatoes (a filler for some strict diets). |
| Convenience: Single-serve trays ensure freshness every meal. | Packaging Waste: Creates plastic waste with every meal. |
| Variety: Two distinct steakhouse flavors in one box. |
Product Comparison
How does Blue Buffalo Delights stack up against the competition in the single-serve tray market?
| Feature | Blue Buffalo Delights (Our Pick) | Cesar Classics | Nutro Petite Eats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Protein | 🥩 Real Beef | 🥩 Beef / Meat By-Products | 🍗 Chicken / Beef |
| By-Products? | ✅ NO | ⚠️ YES | ✅ NO |
| Fillers | 🚫 No Corn/Wheat/Soy | ⚠️ Wheat Flour | 🚫 No Corn/Wheat/Soy |
| Texture | 🍲 Chunks in Gravy | 🍞 Loaf (Pate) | 🍲 Cuts in Gravy |
| Price Tier | 💰💰 Premium | 💰 Mid-Range | 💰💰 Premium |
Final Verdict
Blue Buffalo Delights is the ideal solution for owners who love the convenience of single-serve trays but hate the ingredients usually found in them. It effectively bridges the gap between convenient “fast food” for dogs and premium nutrition.
We highly recommend this for Toy and Small Breeds (under 12 lbs), specifically those with picky appetites or mild grain sensitivities. While it costs more than the generic brands, the peace of mind knowing you aren’t feeding your dog by-products or corn fillers is worth the investment. Use it as a special Sunday dinner or a daily topper to keep your little one excited about mealtime.
