Blue Buffalo3 oz
20 cans compared
Blue Buffalo vs Royal Canin
The typical Blue Buffalo can gets 7.5% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 14.6% for Royal Canin. Blue Buffalo has 7 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Royal Canin has 2 of 10. Below, every number is worked out the same way from each can’s label.
01
Blue Buffalo vs Royal Canin 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 | Royal Canin | |
|---|---|---|
| Cans we compare | 10 | 10 |
| Typical carbs, % of calories | 7.5% | 14.6% |
| Carb range | 0–25.5% | 8.8–24.1% |
| Recipes under 10% carbs | 7 of 10 | 2 of 10 |
| Typical protein, % of calories | 42% | 53% |
| Typical fat, % of calories | 53% | 29% |
| Calories per ounce | 30 | 22 |
| Calories per can | 57–157 | 55–78 |
| Recipes with published phosphorus | 0 of 10 | 0 of 10 |
| Typical phosphorus, mg per 100 kcal | — | — |
| Confirmed for kittens | 1 of 10 | 2 of 10 |
| Chicken-free recipes | 0 of 10 | 0 of 10 |
| Fish-free recipes | 2 of 10 | 2 of 10 |
| Textures | Pâté, Flaked, Minced, Chunks in gravy | Pâté, 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 sideRoyal Canin3 oz
Kitten Loaf in Sauce
- Carbs
- 8.8%
- Protein
- 53%
- Phosphorus
- not listed
Low carbHigh protein
03
Same texture, head to head
For each texture both brands make, the lowest-carb recipe from each.
| Texture | Blue Buffalo | Royal Canin |
|---|---|---|
| Pâté | Chicken Recipe0% carbs · 34% protein · 119 kcal | Kitten Loaf in Sauce8.8% carbs · 53% protein · 78 kcal |
| Chunks in gravy | Chicken Entrée in Savory Sauce (Tender Morsels)20.2% carbs · 47% protein · 66 kcal | Adult Instinctive Thin Slices in Gravy10.6% carbs · 62% protein · 66 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; Royal Canin’s is Kitten Loaf in Sauce at 8.8%. Both brands have recipes under the 10% line (7 of 10 against 2 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. Royal Canin 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; Royal Canin has 2 of 10. 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, Royal Canin 0 of 10. Fish-free: Blue Buffalo 2 of 10, Royal Canin 2 of 10. Textures: Blue Buffalo makes pâté, flaked, minced, chunks in gravy; Royal Canin makes pâté, chunks in gravy.
05
Questions about Blue Buffalo vs Royal Canin
Is Blue Buffalo or Royal Canin lower in carbs?
The typical Blue Buffalo can gets 7.5% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 14.6% for Royal Canin. Blue Buffalo has 7 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Royal Canin has 2 of 10.
Which has more protein, Blue Buffalo or Royal Canin?
Blue Buffalo. Its typical can gets 42% of calories from protein, against 53% for Royal Canin. Blue Buffalo has 0 of 10 recipes over 50% protein calories; Royal Canin has 8 of 10.
Which is more filling per ounce?
Royal Canin. Its cans average 22 calories per ounce against 30 for Blue Buffalo, so a cat needs fewer ounces of it to get the same calories.
Do Blue Buffalo and Royal Canin publish phosphorus?
Blue Buffalo doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Royal Canin doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked.
Which is better for a diabetic cat, Blue Buffalo or Royal Canin?
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 Loaf in Sauce (8.8%) from Royal Canin. Change a diabetic cat’s food only with your vet.
06