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Blue Buffalo and Purina Fancy Feast attract different kinds of cat owners. Blue Buffalo markets natural ingredients, real meat first and no poultry by-product meal. Fancy Feast markets gourmet taste in small cans at a supermarket price. Blue Buffalo is owned by General Mills and Fancy Feast by Nestlé Purina. If your cat’s food bill is climbing, or you are trying to decide whether “natural” is worth paying for, this comparison lays out what differs and what does not.
📋 Table of Contents
Product lines
Blue Buffalo for cats
- Tastefuls: everyday wet and dry recipes (paté, flaked, morsels).
- Wilderness: higher-protein, mostly grain-free recipes.
- Basics: limited-ingredient recipes.
- True Solutions and Natural Veterinary Diet for specific needs.
Fancy Feast
- Wet food in Classic Paté, Gravy Lovers, Grilled, Flaked, Medleys and Petites.
- Broths and toppers (supplemental only).
- A small dry range.
Comparison table
See also: How to Pick a Heating Pad for an Arthritic Senior Dog • How to Transition a Picky Cat to a New Food
| Factor | Blue Buffalo | Fancy Feast |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | General Mills | Nestlé Purina |
| Wet can size | 3 oz and 5.5 oz | Mostly 3 oz |
| Wet price per ounce (approx.) | $0.35–$0.60 | $0.30–$0.45 |
| By-products | No poultry by-product meal (per brand) | Uses meat by-products in many recipes |
| Grain-free options | Many (Wilderness) | Many wet recipes are grain-free by default |
| Dry food | Large range | Limited |
Does “natural” matter for cats?
Cats need animal protein, taurine, arachidonic acid, vitamin A in active form and plenty of moisture. Both brands formulate to meet AAFCO nutrient profiles in their complete-and-balanced recipes. By-products such as liver and other organ meats are nutritious, so “no by-products” is a preference rather than a proven health advantage. What tends to matter more for cats is moisture (wet food helps urinary and kidney health), calorie control and consistency.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food, Grain-Free, 5 lb
Included for 'Blue Buffalo vs Purina Fancy Feast Cat Food Comparison' because the listing specifies Grain-Free and 5 lb, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness Salmon Adult Dry Cat Food, Grain-Free, 11 lb
Included for 'Blue Buffalo vs Purina Fancy Feast Cat Food Comparison' because the listing specifies Grain-Free and 11 lb, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Chicken Adult Indoor Dry Cat Food, 15 lb
Included for 'Blue Buffalo vs Purina Fancy Feast Cat Food Comparison' because the listing specifies 15 lb, details this guide uses to compare options.
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Blue Buffalo Tastefuls Variety Pack Wet Cat Food, 3 oz, 12 ct
Included for 'Blue Buffalo vs Purina Fancy Feast Cat Food Comparison' because the listing specifies 3 oz and 12 ct, details this guide uses to compare options.
View on AmazonCarbohydrates and weight
Fancy Feast Classic Paté recipes are often relatively low in carbohydrates. Blue Buffalo Wilderness wet recipes are also high in protein. Dry food from any brand is higher in carbs than wet. If you are managing weight or diabetes with your vet, ask about specific recipes rather than brands.
Palatability
Fancy Feast has a reputation for winning over picky cats, which is one reason vet clinics sometimes suggest it to tempt a cat that has stopped eating. Blue Buffalo is generally well accepted too, though some owners report that cats accustomed to Fancy Feast take time to switch. Mix gradually over a week.
Cost example
A 10-pound adult eating around 220 kcal a day of wet food would need roughly two to three 3-ounce cans of either brand. Fancy Feast often costs $1.00 to $1.40 per day; Blue Buffalo Tastefuls wet often $1.30 to $2.00 per day. Many owners feed a mix of wet and measured dry to control costs.
Which to choose
- Tight budget, picky cat: Fancy Feast paté.
- Prefer no by-products or want dry and wet from one brand: Blue Buffalo.
- High-protein goal: Blue Buffalo Wilderness or Fancy Feast paté; compare labels.
- Cat with urinary, kidney or GI disease: see your vet; a therapeutic diet may be needed.
Switching foods without upsetting your cat
Cats can be slow to accept new foods and some develop soft stool with abrupt changes. Mix about a quarter new food with three quarters old food for two or three days, then half and half, then three quarters new, then fully new over seven to ten days. Serve wet food at room temperature, and keep the texture similar at first: if your cat eats paté, start with a paté from the new brand. Never let a cat go more than a day without eating in an attempt to force a switch. Cats that stop eating for even a couple of days are at risk of a serious liver condition called hepatic lipidosis. If your cat refuses food for 24 hours or more, contact your vet.
FAQ
Is Blue Buffalo worth the extra cost over Fancy Feast?
It depends on your priorities. If you prefer no by-products and a wider dry range, yes. Nutritionally, both complete recipes meet the same standards.
Can I mix Blue Buffalo and Fancy Feast?
Yes. Rotating between complete-and-balanced wet foods is fine for most healthy cats. Introduce new foods gradually.
Bottom line
Fancy Feast delivers strong palatability and low-carb paté options at a lower price; Blue Buffalo offers a natural-ingredient story, no poultry by-product meal and a broader dry range at a premium. Neither is a wrong choice for a healthy cat. Prioritize wet food, measure portions and watch your cat’s weight and litter box habits.
