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.
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 Buffalo | Hill's Science Diet | |
|---|---|---|
| Cans we compare | 10 | 11 |
| Typical carbs, % of calories | 7.5% | 21.1% |
| Carb range | 0–25.5% | 3.9–35% |
| Recipes under 10% carbs | 7 of 10 | 2 of 11 |
| Typical protein, % of calories | 42% | 43% |
| Typical fat, % of calories | 53% | 37% |
| Calories per ounce | 30 | 30 |
| Calories per can | 57–157 | 72–212 |
| Recipes with published phosphorus | 0 of 10 | 0 of 11 |
| Typical phosphorus, mg per 100 kcal | — | — |
| Confirmed for kittens | 1 of 10 | 3 of 11 |
| Chicken-free recipes | 0 of 10 | 0 of 11 |
| Fish-free recipes | 2 of 10 | 2 of 11 |
| Textures | Pâté, Flaked, Minced, Chunks in gravy | Pâté, Chunks in gravy |
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 sideSame texture, head to head
For each texture both brands make, the lowest-carb recipe from each.
| Texture | Blue Buffalo | Hill's Science Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Pâté | Chicken Recipe0% carbs · 34% protein · 119 kcal | Kitten with Salmon3.9% carbs · 43% protein · 212 kcal |
| Chunks in gravy | Chicken Entrée in Savory Sauce (Tender Morsels)20.2% carbs · 47% protein · 66 kcal | Tender Chicken Dinner16.4% carbs · 44% protein · 170 kcal |
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.
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.