At-a-Glance
- Focus product: Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition — Adult Instinctive, Thin Slices in Gravy (canned).
Guaranteed analysis (as-fed): Protein 10.5%, Fat 1.9%, Fiber 1.8%, Moisture 81.5%. - Close competitors (wet, adult):
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Tender Chicken Dinner — Protein 7.8%, Fat 2.5%, Fiber 1.5%, Moisture 82.0%.
Purina ONE Grain-Free Classic Chicken Recipe Pate — Protein 11.0%, Fat 5.0%, Fiber 1.5%, Moisture 78.0%, Ash 3.4%.
Why dry-matter (DM) matters: moisture varies widely in wet foods. Converting to DM puts every food on the same playing field.
The Data (As-Fed vs. Dry-Matter)
Guaranteed Analysis (As-Fed, %)
| Product | Protein | Fat | Fiber | Moisture | Ash* | Carbs (NFE)** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Canin FHN Adult Instinctive | 10.5 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 81.5 | 2.5* | 1.8 |
| Purina ONE Chicken Pate | 11.0 | 5.0 | 1.5 | 78.0 | 3.4 | 1.1 |
| Hill’s SD Tender Chicken Dinner | 7.8 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 82.0 | 2.5* | 3.7 |
* Ash is not listed on the Royal Canin and Hill’s pages; 2.5% is a conservative assumption for wet food to estimate carbohydrates (NFE). Royal Canin GA: protein/fat/fiber/moisture only. Hill’s GA pulled from Petco product page. Purina ONE GA including Ash 3.4% is from Purina/Petco.
** NFE (carbs) is calculated by difference: 100 − (protein + fat + fiber + moisture + ash). Because of rounding and assumed ash, treat NFE as approximate.
Dry-Matter Basis (Apples-to-Apples, %)
| Product (DM) | Protein | Fat | Carbs (NFE) | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Canin FHN Adult Instinctive (est.) | 56.76 | 10.27 | 9.73 | 9.73 |
| Purina ONE Chicken Pate | 50.00 | 22.73 | 5.00 | 6.82 |
| Hill’s SD Tender Chicken Dinner (est.) | 43.33 | 13.89 | 20.56 | 8.33 |
What it means:
- Highest DM protein: Royal Canin Adult Instinctive (~56.8%).
- Highest DM fat (energy density): Purina ONE (~22.7%).
- Highest estimated carbs: Hill’s Tender Chicken Dinner (~20.6% DM).
Ingredient & Formulation Notes (Quick Read)
- Royal Canin FHN Adult Instinctive (Thin Slices in Gravy): Designed around an “instinctively preferred” macro profile with moderate fat and high protein for adult cats; GA confirms a low as-fed fat figure and typical wet-food moisture.
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Tender Chicken Dinner: A palatable chunks-in-gravy adult recipe with slightly lower protein and higher estimated carbohydrates vs. the other two. GA from a major retailer lists 7.8% protein as-fed and max moisture 82%.
- Purina ONE Classic Chicken Pate: Higher fat on a DM basis (good for energy density and palatability) with low listed ash and very low carb by difference. GA sourced from Purina’s spec sheet and retailer page.
Tip: Wet foods with higher DM protein and lower DM carbs may better fit obligate carnivore needs. Always consult your vet, especially for kidney, urinary, or weight-related conditions.
Who Should Choose Which?
- Pick Royal Canin FHN Adult Instinctive if… your adult cat thrives on higher-protein wet food with a moderate fat profile and you want a brand that targets an “instinctive” macro ratio.
- Pick Purina ONE Chicken Pate if… you want richer fat (calorie-dense), very low carbs, and a classic pate texture many cats lap up.
- Pick Hill’s Tender Chicken Dinner if… your cat prefers chunks in gravy and does well on a milder protein profile; great for picky eaters who like sauce.
How We Calculated the Charts
- We pulled the guaranteed analysis from official brand pages and major retailers (sources cited inline).
- We estimated carbohydrates (NFE) by difference; where ash wasn’t listed, we used a conservative 2.5% assumption typical for wet foods to compute NFE and DM.
- We converted to dry matter with:
DM % = (as-fed % ÷ (100 − moisture%)) × 100.
This allows apples-to-apples comparison across wet foods with different moisture.
FAQs
Is Royal Canin Feline Health Nutrition “high protein”?
On a dry-matter basis, the Adult Instinctive recipe is ~56.8% protein, which is high for wet food.
Which has the lowest carbs?
Based on NFE by difference, Purina ONE Classic Chicken Pate is lowest (5% DM), followed by Royal Canin (≈9.7% DM, est.). Hill’s is highest (20.6% DM, est.).
Why are some values “estimated”?
Some labels do not publish ash, which is needed to calculate carbs and DM splits precisely. We used a standard 2.5% assumption for wet foods and marked those as estimates.
Is moisture bad?
No—wet foods’ high moisture supports hydration, especially helpful for urinary tract health. Choose based on macros, life stage, and your vet’s guidance—not moisture alone.
Verdict
- If you prioritize high DM protein with moderate fat: Royal Canin FHN Adult Instinctive shines.
- If your cat needs more energy density and loves pate: Purina ONE Classic Chicken is a value standout with very low carbs.
- If your cat is a gravy fanatic and accepts lower protein: Hill’s Tender Chicken Dinner fits the bill.
Always transition gradually over 5–7 days and consult your veterinarian for medical conditions.
Sources
- Royal Canin — Adult Instinctive Thin Slices in Gravy (canned): guaranteed analysis (protein/fat/fiber/moisture).
- Hill’s Science Diet — Adult Tender Chicken Dinner (canned): guaranteed analysis from Petco product page.
- Purina ONE — Grain Free Classic Chicken Pate (canned): guaranteed analysis including ash (Purina spec sheet + retailer).
As-Fed (%):
- Royal Canin FHN Adult Instinctive — Protein 10.5, Fat 1.9, Fiber 1.8, Moisture 81.5, Ash 2.5* (assumed), Carbs (NFE) 1.8
- Purina ONE Chicken Pate — Protein 11.0, Fat 5.0, Fiber 1.5, Moisture 78.0, Ash 3.4, Carbs (NFE) 1.1
- Hill’s SD Tender Chicken Dinner — Protein 7.8, Fat 2.5, Fiber 1.5, Moisture 82.0, Ash 2.5* (assumed), Carbs (NFE) 3.7
Dry-Matter (%):
- Royal Canin FHN Adult Instinctive — Protein 56.76, Fat 10.27, Carbs (NFE) 9.73, Fiber 9.73
- Purina ONE Chicken Pate — Protein 50.00, Fat 22.73, Carbs (NFE) 5.00, Fiber 6.82
- Hill’s SD Tender Chicken Dinner — Protein 43.33, Fat 13.89, Carbs (NFE) 20.56, Fiber 8.33
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