20 cans compared

Friskies vs Wellness

The typical Wellness can gets 6.2% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 16.3% for Friskies. Friskies has 0 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Wellness has 7 of 10. Below, every number is worked out the same way from each can’s label.

Friskies

Wellness

Friskies vs Wellness 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	Wellness
Cans we compare	10	10
Typical carbs, % of calories	16.3%	6.2%
Carb range	12.9–19.4%	0–25.9%
Recipes under 10% carbs	0 of 10	7 of 10
Typical protein, % of calories	50%	40%
Typical fat, % of calories	34%	51%
Calories per ounce	24	27
Calories per can	124–180	66–481
Recipes with published phosphorus	0 of 10	8 of 10
Typical phosphorus, mg per 100 kcal	—	168 mg
Confirmed for kittens	0 of 10	3 of 10
Chicken-free recipes	0 of 10	2 of 10
Fish-free recipes	2 of 10	1 of 10
Textures	Chunks in gravy, Pâté, Shreds in broth	Pâté, Flaked, Shreds in broth, Chunks in gravy, Minced

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

Wellness3 oz

Chicken, Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe

Pâté · 116 kcal per can

Carbs: 0%
Protein: 40%
Phosphorus: 147mg

Protein 40%Fat 60%Carbs 0%

Low carbLower phosphorus

Same texture, head to head

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

Texture	Friskies	Wellness
Chunks in gravy	Prime Filets With Ocean Whitefish & Tuna in Sauce12.9% carbs · 59% protein · 124 kcal	Chicken Entrée Cubes in Rich Gravy6.9% carbs · 37% protein · 79 kcal
Pâté	Salmon Dinner14.9% carbs · 36% protein · 178 kcal	Chicken, Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe0% carbs · 40% protein · 116 kcal
Shreds in broth	Chicken & Salmon Dinner in Gravy16.6% carbs · 50% protein · 130 kcal	Shredded Boneless Chicken & Chicken Liver Entrée in Sauce3.7% carbs · 60% protein · 66 kcal

Which to choose, by what your cat needs

For a diabetic or overweight cat

Wellness is the lower-carb line overall. Its lowest-carb recipe is Chicken, Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe at 0% 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 Wellness gives you 7 to choose from and Friskies none.

For kidney concerns

Friskies doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Wellness publishes phosphorus for 8 of 10 recipes (typical 168 mg per 100 kcal). Only recipes with a published value can be checked, so start from those and confirm targets with your vet.

For kittens

Friskies has 0 of 10 recipes whose label we could confirm covers growth or all life stages; Wellness has 3 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: Friskies 0 of 10, Wellness 2 of 10. Fish-free: Friskies 2 of 10, Wellness 1 of 10. Textures: Friskies makes chunks in gravy, pâté, shreds in broth; Wellness makes pâté, flaked, shreds in broth, chunks in gravy, minced.

Questions about Friskies vs Wellness

Is Friskies or Wellness lower in carbs?

The typical Wellness can gets 6.2% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 16.3% for Friskies. Friskies has 0 of 10 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Wellness has 7 of 10.

Which has more protein, Friskies or Wellness?

Wellness. Its typical can gets 40% of calories from protein, against 50% for Friskies. Friskies has 2 of 10 recipes over 50% protein calories; Wellness has 2 of 10.

Which is more filling per ounce?

Friskies. Its cans average 24 calories per ounce against 27 for Wellness, so a cat needs fewer ounces of it to get the same calories.

Do Friskies and Wellness publish phosphorus?

Friskies doesn’t publish phosphorus on the pages we checked. Wellness publishes phosphorus for 8 of 10 recipes (typical 168 mg per 100 kcal).

Which is better for a diabetic cat, Friskies or Wellness?

Carbs are what matter most, and Wellness has the lower-carb line with 7 of 10 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, Turkey & Chicken Liver Recipe (0%) from Wellness. Change a diabetic cat’s food only with your vet.