18 cans compared

Friskies vs Purina Pro Plan

The typical Purina Pro Plan can gets 6.9% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 16.3% for Friskies. Friskies has 0 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Purina Pro Plan has 5 of 8. Below, every number is worked out the same way from each can’s label.

Friskies

Purina Pro Plan

Friskies vs Purina Pro Plan 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.

	Friskies	Purina Pro Plan
Cans we compare	10	8
Typical carbs, % of calories	16.3%	6.9%
Carb range	12.9–19.4%	1.8–19.1%
Recipes under 10% carbs	0 of 10	5 of 8
Typical protein, % of calories	50%	50%
Typical fat, % of calories	34%	43%
Calories per ounce	24	30
Calories per can	124–180	72–113
Recipes with published phosphorus	0 of 10	0 of 8
Typical phosphorus, mg per 100 kcal	—	—
Confirmed for kittens	0 of 10	2 of 8
Chicken-free recipes	0 of 10	0 of 8
Fish-free recipes	2 of 10	2 of 8
Textures	Chunks in gravy, Pâté, Shreds in broth	Pâté, Flaked, 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 side

Friskies5.5 oz

Prime Filets With Ocean Whitefish & Tuna in Sauce

Chunks in gravy · 124 kcal per can

Carbs: 12.9%
Protein: 59%
Phosphorus: not listed

Protein 59%Fat 28%Carbs 13%

High protein

Purina Pro Plan3 oz

Chicken & Liver Entrée (Classic)

Pâté · 99 kcal per can

Carbs: 1.8%
Protein: 44%
Phosphorus: not listed

Protein 44%Fat 54%Carbs 2%

Low carb

Same texture, head to head

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

Texture	Friskies	Purina Pro Plan
Chunks in gravy	Prime Filets With Ocean Whitefish & Tuna in Sauce12.9% carbs · 59% protein · 124 kcal	Chicken & Rice Entrée in Gravy15% carbs · 59% protein · 72 kcal
Pâté	Salmon Dinner14.9% carbs · 36% protein · 178 kcal	Chicken & Liver Entrée (Classic)1.8% carbs · 44% protein · 99 kcal

Which to choose, by what your cat needs

For a diabetic or overweight cat

Purina Pro Plan is the lower-carb line overall. Its lowest-carb recipe is Chicken & Liver Entrée (Classic) at 1.8% of calories; Friskies’ is Prime Filets With Ocean Whitefish & Tuna in Sauce at 12.9%. Friskies has no recipes under the 10% line we compare, so for a diabetic cat Purina Pro Plan gives you 5 to choose from and Friskies none.

For kidney concerns

Friskies doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Purina Pro Plan 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

Friskies has 0 of 10 recipes whose label we could confirm covers growth or all life stages; Purina Pro Plan has 2 of 8. A missing statement doesn’t mean a can is unsuitable, only that we couldn’t verify it.

For allergies and picky eaters

Chicken-free: Friskies 0 of 10, Purina Pro Plan 0 of 8. Fish-free: Friskies 2 of 10, Purina Pro Plan 2 of 8. Textures: Friskies makes chunks in gravy, pâté, shreds in broth; Purina Pro Plan makes pâté, flaked, chunks in gravy.

Questions about Friskies vs Purina Pro Plan

Is Friskies or Purina Pro Plan lower in carbs?

The typical Purina Pro Plan can gets 6.9% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 16.3% for Friskies. Friskies has 0 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Purina Pro Plan has 5 of 8.

Which has more protein, Friskies or Purina Pro Plan?

They are close: 50% of calories from protein for the typical Friskies can and 50% for Purina Pro Plan.

Which is more filling per ounce?

Friskies. Its cans average 24 calories per ounce against 30 for Purina Pro Plan, so a cat needs fewer ounces of it to get the same calories.

Do Friskies and Purina Pro Plan publish phosphorus?

Friskies doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Purina Pro Plan doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked.

Which is better for a diabetic cat, Friskies or Purina Pro Plan?

Carbs are what matter most, and Purina Pro Plan has the lower-carb line with 5 of 8 recipes under 10%. The best single choice is a specific recipe, not a brand: Prime Filets With Ocean Whitefish & Tuna in Sauce (12.9%) from Friskies or Chicken & Liver Entrée (Classic) (1.8%) from Purina Pro Plan. Change a diabetic cat’s food only with your vet.