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Nature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb Bag vs Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed

Both are grain-free chicken-first kibbles for small adult dogs, but they are sold in very different bag sizes. Nature's Recipe is the better value per pound and comes in a 12 lb bag for $11.97 at Chewy.com as of November 7, 2026. Blue Buffalo Freedom is a 4 lb bag at $21.98 at Walmart as of the same date, so it costs far more per pound. Buy Nature's Recipe for everyday feeding on a budget; buy Blue Buffalo Freedom if you want a smaller bag to try or rotate, or you specifically want added glucosamine.

Today the Nature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb Bag costs $10.01 less at its best price.

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Nature's Recipe
Nature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb Bag

Nature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb Bag

4.7(5,909 ratings)
$11.97at Chewy.comObserved at 11:35 PM
See all prices and details
Visit Chewy.com

Choose the Nature's Recipe if you want a large bag of grain-free small breed kibble at a low cost per pound for daily feeding.

Pros
  • Lowest cost per pound of the two by a wide margin
  • 12 lb bag lasts longer for a small dog
  • Real chicken first, with sweet potato and pumpkin
  • No added corn, wheat, soy or poultry by-product meal
  • Large rating base at 4.7 of 5
Cons
  • No glucosamine for joint support
  • Only one bag size listed
  • Flavor field says fish while the name says chicken, so check the bag label
Blue Buffalo
Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Potatoes, 4 lbs.

Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed

Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Potatoes, 4 lbs.

4.7(163 ratings)
$21.98at WalmartObserved at 11:33 PM
See all prices and details
Visit Walmart

Choose the Blue Buffalo Freedom if you want a small 4 lb bag to test or rotate, or you want a formula with added glucosamine for joint support.

Pros
  • Added glucosamine for hip and joint care
  • Formulated with higher protein and carbs for small breed energy
  • Small 4 lb bag suits trial feeding or rotation
  • No chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat or soy
  • Same 4.7 of 5 rating as Nature's Recipe
Cons
  • About $5.50 per pound, roughly five times Nature's Recipe
  • Only 163 ratings, a much smaller sample
  • 4 lb bag runs out fast for regular feeding

What separates them

Nature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb BagBlue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed
Bag size12 lb4 lb
Price as listed$11.97 at Chewy.com as of November 7, 2026$21.98 at Walmart as of November 7, 2026
Price per poundAbout $1.00 per lbAbout $5.50 per lb
First ingredientChickenChicken
Joint supportNo glucosamine called outGlucosamine added for joint and mobility support
Protein and carbsChicken plus sweet potato and pumpkinIncreased protein and carbohydrates for higher energy needs
Fiber and digestionPumpkin and sweet potato fiber for digestionLists digestion and stomach as a special diet focus
Ratings volume4.7 of 5 from 5,909 ratings4.7 of 5 from 163 ratings

Price history

  • Nature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb Bag: lowest $11.97 on Nov 7 at Chewy.com.
  • Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed: lowest $17.58 on Nov 7 at Petco.com.

Prices at every store

Nature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb Bag

  • Chewy.comNew

    In stock

    $11.97+ $4.95 shippingObserved at 11:35 PM
    Visit Chewy.com
  • ChewyNew

    In stock

    $11.97+ $4.95 shippingObserved at 11:33 PM
    Visit Chewy
  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $11.97+ $6.99 shippingObserved at 11:33 PM
    Visit Walmart
  • PetSmartNew

    In stock

    $11.99+ $6.99 shippingObserved at 11:35 PM
    Visit PetSmart

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

All 6 stores and price history →

Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $21.98Observed at 11:33 PM
    Visit Walmart
  • Petco.comNew

    In stock

    $17.58+ $6.99 shippingObserved at 11:35 PM
    Visit Petco.com
  • Chewy.comNew

    In stock

    $21.98+ $4.95 shippingObserved at 11:35 PM
    Visit Chewy.com
  • Brothers Country SupplyNew

    Availability unknown

    $21.98Observed at 11:35 PM
    Visit Brothers Country Supply

Also available at

  • D&B SupplyCheck price at D&B Supply
  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
All 6 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecNature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb BagBlue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed
size12 lbs4 lbs
FlavorFishChicken
Life StageAdultAdult
Food TypeVeterinary DietsDry Food, Veterinary Diets
IngredientsChicken, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, PeasCarrot, Potato, Chicken, Turkey, Peas
PackagingBagBag
NutrientsCopper, Calcium, Taurine, Phosphorus, Manganese…Copper, Calcium, Taurine, Phosphorus, Omega-3, …
Age GroupAdultAdult
Special DietsFur & Skin Care, Grain FreeFur & Skin Care, Digestion and Stomach, Joints …
VitaminsVitamin B, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin CVitamin B, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Vit…
Weight (lb)4.04.0
Breed SizeToy, SmallSmall Breed
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecNature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb BagBlue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed
multipack_quantity1—
colorWhite—
TypeDry—
Grain FreeYes—
Animal breed—Small Breed
Animal health concern—Hip & Joint Care, Energy & Vitality Support, Im…
Animal lifestage—Adult
Pet food flavor—Chicken
Pet food condition—Dry

What reviewers say

Nature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb Bag

  • 4.7 / 55,909 ratings

Rated 4.7 out of 5 across 5,909 ratings, owners largely report their small dogs eat it readily and do well on it. Complaints tend to center on formula or bag changes and on picky dogs refusing it.

What people mention
  • PalatabilityMixedMany owners say their dogs eat it eagerly, while others report picky dogs turning away.
  • Kibble sizePraisedOwners say the pieces are small enough for toy and small breeds to chew easily.
  • ValuePraisedBuyers call the 12 lb bag good value for a grain-free chicken recipe.
  • Formula changesCriticisedSome owners say the kibble or recipe seemed different between bags.

Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed

  • 4.7 / 5163 ratings

Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 163 ratings, buyers mostly report small dogs eating it readily and doing well on it. Complaints tend to center on price and bag size rather than the food itself.

What people mention
  • PalatabilityPraisedOwners say small dogs eat it without coaxing, even picky ones.
  • Kibble sizePraisedThe pieces are small enough for toy and small breeds to chew comfortably.
  • DigestionMixedMany report firm stools and less gas, while some dogs needed a slow switch to avoid loose stools.
  • CoatPraised

Questions and answers

Which is better for a small dog on a budget?
Nature's Recipe. At $11.97 for 12 lb at Chewy.com as of November 7, 2026, it costs about $1.00 per pound versus about $5.50 per pound for the 4 lb Blue Buffalo bag at $21.98 at Walmart.
Does Blue Buffalo Freedom help with joints?
Yes. It adds glucosamine to support joint function and mobility, which Nature's Recipe does not list.
Which has more protein for an active small dog?
Blue Buffalo Freedom states it has increased protein and carbohydrates for small breeds' higher energy needs. Nature's Recipe leads with chicken but does not publish a comparable claim.
Is the 4 lb bag worth it?
Only as a trial or rotation size. Per pound it costs far more than the 12 lb Nature's Recipe bag, so it is not the economical choice for daily feeding.
Are both grain free?
Yes. Both are labeled grain free and made without corn, wheat or soy, and neither uses poultry by-product meal.
Which has more shopper feedback?
Nature's Recipe, with 4.7 of 5 from 5,909 ratings versus 4.7 of 5 from 163 ratings for Blue Buffalo Freedom.

More comparisons

  • Jinx Small Breed Sweet Potato, & Carrot Dry Dog Food, Grain Free, 4 lb Bag vs Nature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb Bag
  • Nature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb Bag vs Grain Free Chicken Whole Food Clusters for Small Breeds
  • Nature's Recipe Grain Free Small Breed Dry Dog Food Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin, 12 lb Bag vs Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed Dog Food
  • Grain Free Chicken Whole Food Clusters for Small Breeds vs Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Small Breed Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Potatoes, 4 lbs.

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best grain-free dog food for small dogs
Product line
—
Freedom
Brand—Blue Buffalo
Meat type—Chicken
Pet food form—Kibble
Weight—4 lb
Pet size—Small
Shelf life—456 Days
Form—Dry
Pet Food Type—Dog Food
Dietary Highlights—Grain Free
Health Benefit—Immune system support
Flavor Variety—Chicken Recipe, Chicken & Potatoes
Pet Type—Dog
Suitable Health Concern—Hip & Joint Care
Suitable Breed—Small breed dogs
Suitable For—Active
Texture Consistency—Kibble
Main Ingredient—Chicken
Ingredient Type—Chicken
Several owners mention shinier coats and less scratching after switching.