TL;DR (Skimmable Summary)
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor (dry) shows a balanced dry-matter macro profile: Protein 36.1%, Fat 14.8%, Carbs (NFE) 34%, Fiber 8.5%—directly published by Hill’s.
- Purina ONE Indoor Advantage and Royal Canin Indoor Adult are also popular “indoor” dry recipes; we convert their guaranteed analysis to dry matter for apples-to-apples comparisons and visualize the differences.
- Takeaways: Hill’s runs higher fiber than many peers; Purina ONE Indoor trends higher protein on a DM basis; Royal Canin Indoor leans higher estimated carbs (NFE) in this trio comparison.
What We Compared (and Why Dry-Matter Basis Matters)
Labels list Guaranteed Analysis (GA) “as fed.” Because moisture varies by brand, pros compare on a dry-matter (DM) basis:
DM % = GA % / (100 − moisture %) × 100.
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor (dry) publishes a DM table on its product page (so no conversion guesswork).
- Purina ONE Indoor Advantage (dry) provides GA including Moisture 12%—we converted to DM and estimated carbs (NFE) by difference using a typical 8% ash assumption.
- Royal Canin Indoor Adult (dry) provides GA including Moisture 8%—we converted to DM and estimated NFE similarly (ash assumed 8%).
Note on transparency: NFE for Purina ONE and Royal Canin is estimated by difference and assumes 8% ash (a common value for dry kibble). Hill’s lists NFE directly on a DM basis.
The Data Snapshot (Dry Matter %)
| Brand & Recipe | Protein | Fat | Carbs (NFE) | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor (DM) | 36.1 | 14.8 | 34.0 | 8.5 |
| Purina ONE Indoor Advantage (DM est.) | 42.0 | 10.2 | 32.7 | 5.9 |
| Royal Canin Indoor Adult (DM est.) | 29.4 | 12.0 | 43.8 | 6.2 |
Sources: Hill’s DM table (product page); Purina ONE & Royal Canin GA converted to DM with moisture from labels; NFE estimated by difference with 8% ash assumption.
Ingredient & Label Highlights to Know
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor (dry)
- Publishes Average Nutrient & Caloric Content on the product page, including Protein 36.1% DM, Fat 14.8% DM, Carbs (NFE) 34% DM, Fiber 8.5% DM.
- Features prebiotic fibers (ActivBiome+), omega-6, vitamin E, and a relatively high fiber level for hairballs and stool quality—typical “indoor” benefits.
Purina ONE +Plus Indoor Advantage (dry)
- GA lists Protein 37% (min), Fat 9% (min), Fiber 5.2% (max), Moisture 12% (max); DM conversion indicates high protein for this set.
Royal Canin Indoor Adult (dry)
- GA lists Protein 27% (min), Fat 11% (min), Fiber 5.7% (max), Moisture 8% (max); on a DM basis, it trends higher estimated carbs (NFE) in our trio.
How to Read the Differences (Actionable Insights)
- Protein: All meet/exceed adult maintenance needs; Purina ONE Indoor shows the highest protein on a DM basis in this comparison, appealing if you prioritize lean mass support.
- Fat & Calories: Hill’s sits mid-fat; Royal Canin slightly higher than Purina ONE. Fat influences taste, satiety, and calorie density; adjust portions to maintain ideal weight.
- Carbs & Fiber: Hill’s pairs higher fiber (8.5% DM) with moderate carbs—often helpful for indoor cats prone to hairballs. Royal Canin trends higher estimated NFE in this set, which some owners may balance with wet food for moisture.
Vet-aligned note: Reputable brands (Hill’s, Purina, Royal Canin) invest in in-house nutrition and quality control—an often-cited reason many veterinarians recommend them.
Recommended Use Cases
- Choose Hill’s Science Diet Indoor if you want structured fiber + prebiotics for hairballs/stool quality and a balanced macro profile.
- Choose Purina ONE Indoor if you want higher protein DM at a widely available price point.
- Choose Royal Canin Indoor if your cat thrives on Royal Canin’s palatability and you’re comfortable with the carb profile; consider pairing with moisture-rich wet food.
Quick Buyer’s Table
| Brand | Recipe | Key Label Macros | Notable Callouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hill’s Science Diet | Adult Indoor (dry) | DM: P 36.1% / F 14.8% / NFE 34% / Fiber 8.5% | ActivBiome+ prebiotics; omega-6; high fiber for hairballs/stool quality. |
| Purina ONE | +Plus Indoor Advantage (dry) | GA: P 37 / F 9 / Fiber 5.2 / Moisture 12 → High protein (DM) | “No fillers” positioning; broad retail availability. |
| Royal Canin | Indoor Adult (dry) | GA: P 27 / F 11 / Fiber 5.7 / Moisture 8 → Higher est. NFE (DM) | Widely palatable; strong brand research backing. |
FAQs
Q1: Is Hill’s Science Diet complete and balanced for adult cats?
Yes. Hill’s states the formula is complete and balanced for adult maintenance and publishes a detailed DM nutrient table. Always follow feeding guides and your vet’s advice.
Q2: Why compare on a dry-matter basis?
Moisture skews “as fed” percentages. DM puts foods on equal footing for macronutrient comparison.
Q3: How accurate are carb (NFE) estimates for brands that don’t list them?
They’re calculated by difference and depend on the assumed ash. We used 8% ash as a typical dry-food value for Purina ONE and Royal Canin.
Q4: Should indoor cats eat higher fiber?
Many indoor formulas raise fiber for hairball control and stool quality. Watch litter box comfort and coat condition—and adjust with your vet’s guidance.
Citations
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Indoor product page with Average Nutrient & Caloric Content (DM) table.
- Purina ONE Indoor Advantage product PDF with Guaranteed Analysis (as fed).
- Royal Canin Indoor Adult product page with Guaranteed Analysis (as fed).
- Background on vet-recommended brands and quality control (Hill’s, Purina, Royal Canin, etc.).
Editor Notes
- The Purina ONE and Royal Canin carb values are estimates (NFE by difference with 8% ash). If you want, replace with brand-published NFE when available.
- For additional PV upside, add an email capture CTA (“Get our vet-approved feeding guide”) and an internal link hub (e.g., “Best Wet Foods for Indoor Cats”).
- Consider a companion post comparing weight-management formulas (e.g., Hill’s Perfect Weight vs competitors) and cross-link both articles.
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