Hill's Science Diet5.5 oz
19 cans compared
Hill's Science Diet vs Purina Pro Plan
The typical Purina Pro Plan can gets 6.9% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 21.1% for Hill's Science Diet. Hill's Science Diet has 2 of 11 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.
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Hill's Science Diet 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.
| Hill's Science Diet | Purina Pro Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Cans we compare | 11 | 8 |
| Typical carbs, % of calories | 21.1% | 6.9% |
| Carb range | 3.9–35% | 1.8–19.1% |
| Recipes under 10% carbs | 2 of 11 | 5 of 8 |
| Typical protein, % of calories | 43% | 50% |
| Typical fat, % of calories | 37% | 43% |
| Calories per ounce | 30 | 30 |
| Calories per can | 72–212 | 72–113 |
| Recipes with published phosphorus | 0 of 11 | 0 of 8 |
| Typical phosphorus, mg per 100 kcal | — | — |
| Confirmed for kittens | 3 of 11 | 2 of 8 |
| Chicken-free recipes | 0 of 11 | 0 of 8 |
| Fish-free recipes | 2 of 11 | 2 of 8 |
| Textures | Pâté, Chunks in gravy | Pâté, Flaked, Chunks in gravy |
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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 sidePurina Pro Plan3 oz
Chicken & Liver Entrée (Classic)
- Carbs
- 1.8%
- Protein
- 44%
- Phosphorus
- not listed
Low carb
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Same texture, head to head
For each texture both brands make, the lowest-carb recipe from each.
| Texture | Hill's Science Diet | Purina Pro Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Pâté | Kitten with Salmon3.9% carbs · 43% protein · 212 kcal | Chicken & Liver Entrée (Classic)1.8% carbs · 44% protein · 99 kcal |
| Chunks in gravy | Tender Chicken Dinner16.4% carbs · 44% protein · 170 kcal | Chicken & Rice Entrée in Gravy15% carbs · 59% protein · 72 kcal |
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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; Hill's Science Diet’s is Kitten with Salmon at 3.9%. Both brands have recipes under the 10% line (5 of 8 against 2 of 11), so the right recipe matters more than the brand.
For kidney concerns
Hill's Science Diet 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
Hill's Science Diet has 3 of 11 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: Hill's Science Diet 0 of 11, Purina Pro Plan 0 of 8. Fish-free: Hill's Science Diet 2 of 11, Purina Pro Plan 2 of 8. Textures: Hill's Science Diet makes pâté, chunks in gravy; Purina Pro Plan makes pâté, flaked, chunks in gravy.
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Questions about Hill's Science Diet vs Purina Pro Plan
Is Hill's Science Diet or Purina Pro Plan lower in carbs?
The typical Purina Pro Plan can gets 6.9% of its calories from carbohydrate, against 21.1% for Hill's Science Diet. Hill's Science Diet has 2 of 11 recipes under the 10% low-carb line; Purina Pro Plan has 5 of 8.
Which has more protein, Hill's Science Diet or Purina Pro Plan?
Hill's Science Diet. Its typical can gets 43% of calories from protein, against 50% for Purina Pro Plan. Hill's Science Diet has 0 of 11 recipes over 50% protein calories; Purina Pro Plan has 4 of 8.
Which is more filling per ounce?
About the same: 30 calories per ounce for Hill's Science Diet and 30 for Purina Pro Plan.
Do Hill's Science Diet and Purina Pro Plan publish phosphorus?
Hill's Science Diet 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, Hill's Science Diet 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: Kitten with Salmon (3.9%) from Hill's Science Diet or Chicken & Liver Entrée (Classic) (1.8%) from Purina Pro Plan. Change a diabetic cat’s food only with your vet.
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