Blue Buffalo BLUE Tastefuls Indoor Hairball Control – Adult 7+ Cat – Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe is a dry formula tailored for mature indoor cats, focusing on hairball reduction, digestive support, and age-appropriate nutrition.

It starts with deboned chicken as the first ingredient, reinforced by chicken meal, supplying animal-based amino acids that help maintain lean muscle in older cats.

At 28% crude protein, 13% fat, and 5.8% crude fiber, the macro profile supports controlled calories with added fiber to aid hairball management for less active indoor seniors.

A targeted fiber system—featuring powdered cellulose, psyllium seed husks, pea fiber, and fiber from whole grains like oatmeal and barley—helps move swallowed hair through the GI tract to reduce hairball formation.

Brown rice, barley, and oatmeal provide complex carbohydrates for steady energy and additional soluble and insoluble fiber to support regular stools.

Fish meal, fish oil, and flaxseed contribute omega-3 (0.5%) and omega-6 (2.5%) fatty acids that promote skin and coat health and help maintain a healthy inflammatory balance.

DHA (0.1% min) supports brain and vision, while taurine (0.15% min) is included for essential heart and retinal function in adult cats.

L-carnitine (100 mg/kg min) aids fat metabolism, which can help indoor seniors maintain a healthier body composition with appropriate portions.

Blue Buffalo’s cold-formed LifeSource Bits deliver antioxidants and micronutrients—such as vitamin E (300 IU/kg min) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg min)—with minimal heat to help preserve potency and support immune and oxidative balance.

The recipe excludes corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-product meals, and artificial flavors or preservatives, and it provides 3570 kcal/kg to guide portion planning for indoor cats.

Pros:

• Animal-first protein: Deboned chicken reinforced by chicken meal supplies complete amino acids to help maintain lean muscle in aging indoor cats.

• Hairball control fiber system: Powdered cellulose, psyllium, and other fibers work together with a 5.8% fiber level to move ingested hair through the GI tract.

• Skin and coat support: Fish meal, fish oil, and flaxseed provide omega-3 (0.5%) and omega-6 (2.5%) to nourish the skin barrier and promote a glossy coat.

• Senior-focused metabolism support: L-carnitine (100 mg/kg min) helps utilize fat for energy, assisting weight management in less active cats 7+.

• Antioxidant nourishment: Cold-formed LifeSource Bits with vitamin E (300 IU/kg min) and vitamin C (100 mg/kg min) help maintain immune function and oxidative balance.

Cons:

• Higher carbohydrate contribution: Multiple carbohydrate sources (brown rice, barley, oatmeal, peas, potatoes) increase starch content, which some owners prefer to limit for indoor seniors.

• Plant-derived proteins present: Pea protein and pea starch contribute non-animal protein, which may not align with preferences for exclusively animal-sourced amino acids.

• Multiple animal proteins: The inclusion of both chicken and fish may complicate elimination diets for cats with specific protein sensitivities.

• Limited mineral transparency: Key urinary-related minerals (e.g., magnesium, phosphorus) and ash are not disclosed, making urinary health assessment more difficult.

• Portion control needed: With an energy density of 3570 kcal/kg and 13% fat, careful feeding amounts are important for sedentary indoor cats prone to weight gain.