21 cans compared

Blue Buffalo vs Hill's Science Diet

The typical Blue Buffalo can gets 7.5% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 21.1% for Hill's Science Diet. Blue Buffalo has 7 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Hill's Science Diet has 2 of 11. Below, every number is worked out the same way from each can’s label.

01

Blue Buffalo vs Hill's Science Diet at a glance

Typical values are the middle recipe of each brand. Shares are of calories, so textures compare fairly. Marked cells show the better value where the gap is meaningful.

Blue BuffaloHill's Science Diet
Cans we compare1011
Typical carbs, % of calories7.5%21.1%
Carb range0–25.5%3.9–35%
Recipes under 10% carbs7 of 102 of 11
Typical protein, % of calories42%43%
Typical fat, % of calories53%37%
Calories per ounce3030
Calories per can57–15772–212
Recipes with published phosphorus0 of 100 of 11
Typical phosphorus, mg per 100 kcal——
Confirmed for kittens1 of 103 of 11
Chicken-free recipes0 of 100 of 11
Fish-free recipes2 of 102 of 11
TexturesPâté, Flaked, Minced, Chunks in gravyPâté, Chunks in gravy
02

Lowest-carb can from each brand

The recipe with the smallest share of calories from carbohydrate on each side, leaving out toppers meant for supplemental feeding.

Put these two side by side
Blue Buffalo3 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 3 oz can of Blue Buffalo Chicken Recipe, a chicken pâté

Chicken Recipe

Pâté · 119 kcal per can

Carbs
0%
Protein
34%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 34%Fat 66%Carbs 0%
Low carbNo fish
Hill's Science Diet5.5 oz
Tailcan illustration of a 5.5 oz can of Hill's Science Diet Kitten with Salmon, a salmon pâté

Kitten with Salmon

Pâté · 212 kcal per can

Carbs
3.9%
Protein
43%
Phosphorus
not listed
Protein 43%Fat 53%Carbs 4%
Low carb
03

Same texture, head to head

For each texture both brands make, the lowest-carb recipe from each.

TextureBlue BuffaloHill's Science Diet
PâtéChicken Recipe0% carbs · 34% protein · 119 kcalKitten with Salmon3.9% carbs · 43% protein · 212 kcal
Chunks in gravyChicken Entrée in Savory Sauce (Tender Morsels)20.2% carbs · 47% protein · 66 kcalTender Chicken Dinner16.4% carbs · 44% protein · 170 kcal
04

Which to choose, by what your cat needs

For a diabetic or overweight cat

Blue Buffalo is the lower-carb line overall. Its lowest-carb recipe is Chicken Recipe at 0% of calories; Hill's Science Diet’s is Kitten with Salmon at 3.9%. Both brands have recipes under the 10% line (7 of 10 against 2 of 11), so the right recipe matters more than the brand.

For kidney concerns

Blue Buffalo doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Hill's Science Diet doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Without published values neither brand can be checked for phosphorus from the label alone; ask the maker for a typical analysis.

For kittens

Blue Buffalo has 1 of 10 recipes whose label we could confirm covers growth or all life stages; Hill's Science Diet has 3 of 11. A missing statement doesn’t mean a can is unsuitable, only that we couldn’t verify it.

For allergies and picky eaters

Chicken-free: Blue Buffalo 0 of 10, Hill's Science Diet 0 of 11. Fish-free: Blue Buffalo 2 of 10, Hill's Science Diet 2 of 11. Textures: Blue Buffalo makes pâté, flaked, minced, chunks in gravy; Hill's Science Diet makes pâté, chunks in gravy.

05

Questions about Blue Buffalo vs Hill's Science Diet

Is Blue Buffalo or Hill's Science Diet lower in carbs?

The typical Blue Buffalo can gets 7.5% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 21.1% for Hill's Science Diet. Blue Buffalo has 7 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Hill's Science Diet has 2 of 11.

Which has more protein, Blue Buffalo or Hill's Science Diet?

They are close: 42% of calories from protein for the typical Blue Buffalo can and 43% for Hill's Science Diet.

Which is more filling per ounce?

About the same: 30 calories per ounce for Blue Buffalo and 30 for Hill's Science Diet.

Do Blue Buffalo and Hill's Science Diet publish phosphorus?

Blue Buffalo doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Hill's Science Diet doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked.

Which is better for a diabetic cat, Blue Buffalo or Hill's Science Diet?

Carbs are what matter most, and Blue Buffalo has the lower-carb line with 7 of 10 recipes under 10%. The best single choice is a specific recipe, not a brand: Chicken Recipe (0%) from Blue Buffalo or Kitten with Salmon (3.9%) from Hill's Science Diet. Change a diabetic cat’s food only with your vet.

06

Other comparisons with Blue Buffalo or Hill's Science Diet