Blue Buffalo3 oz
19 cans compared
Blue Buffalo vs Instinct
The typical Instinct can gets 3.5% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 7.5% for Blue Buffalo. Blue Buffalo has 7 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Instinct has 5 of 9. Below, every number is worked out the same way from each can’s label.
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Blue Buffalo vs Instinct 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 | Instinct | |
|---|---|---|
| Cans we compare | 10 | 9 |
| Typical carbs, % of calories | 7.5% | 3.5% |
| Carb range | 0–25.5% | 0–25.9% |
| Recipes under 10% carbs | 7 of 10 | 5 of 9 |
| Typical protein, % of calories | 42% | 40% |
| Typical fat, % of calories | 53% | 60% |
| Calories per ounce | 30 | 38 |
| Calories per can | 57–157 | 67–122 |
| Recipes with published phosphorus | 0 of 10 | 0 of 9 |
| Typical phosphorus, mg per 100 kcal | — | — |
| Confirmed for kittens | 1 of 10 | 9 of 9 |
| Chicken-free recipes | 0 of 10 | 6 of 9 |
| Fish-free recipes | 2 of 10 | 2 of 9 |
| Textures | Pâté, Flaked, Minced, Chunks in gravy | Pâté, Flaked |
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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 sideInstinct3 oz
Limited Ingredient Paté Real Turkey Entrée
- Carbs
- 0%
- Protein
- 40%
- Phosphorus
- not listed
Low carbNo chickenNo fish
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Same texture, head to head
For each texture both brands make, the lowest-carb recipe from each.
| Texture | Blue Buffalo | Instinct |
|---|---|---|
| Pâté | Chicken Recipe0% carbs · 34% protein · 119 kcal | Limited Ingredient Paté Real Turkey Entrée0% carbs · 40% protein · 113 kcal |
| Flaked | Flaked Chicken & Trout in Gravy5.1% carbs · 46% protein · 157 kcal | Flaked Real Chicken Entrée in Gravy12.4% carbs · 40% protein · 75 kcal |
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Which to choose, by what your cat needs
For a diabetic or overweight cat
Instinct is the lower-carb line overall. Its lowest-carb recipe is Limited Ingredient Paté Real Turkey Entrée at 0% of calories; Blue Buffalo’s is Chicken Recipe at 0%. Both brands have recipes under the 10% line (5 of 9 against 7 of 10), so the right recipe matters more than the brand.
For kidney concerns
Blue Buffalo doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Instinct 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; Instinct has 9 of 9. 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, Instinct 6 of 9. Fish-free: Blue Buffalo 2 of 10, Instinct 2 of 9. Textures: Blue Buffalo makes pâté, flaked, minced, chunks in gravy; Instinct makes pâté, flaked.
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Questions about Blue Buffalo vs Instinct
Is Blue Buffalo or Instinct lower in carbs?
The typical Instinct can gets 3.5% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 7.5% for Blue Buffalo. Blue Buffalo has 7 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Instinct has 5 of 9.
Which has more protein, Blue Buffalo or Instinct?
Instinct. Its typical can gets 40% of calories from protein, against 42% for Blue Buffalo. Blue Buffalo has 0 of 10 recipes over 50% protein calories; Instinct has 0 of 9.
Which is more filling per ounce?
Blue Buffalo. Its cans average 30 calories per ounce against 38 for Instinct, so a cat needs fewer ounces of it to get the same calories.
Do Blue Buffalo and Instinct publish phosphorus?
Blue Buffalo doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Instinct doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked.
Which is better for a diabetic cat, Blue Buffalo or Instinct?
Carbs are what matter most, and Instinct has the lower-carb line with 5 of 9 recipes under 10%. The best single choice is a specific recipe, not a brand: Chicken Recipe (0%) from Blue Buffalo or Limited Ingredient Paté Real Turkey Entrée (0%) from Instinct. Change a diabetic cat’s food only with your vet.
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