The scores
Blue Buffalo Indoor Cat: B (78/100)
Blue Buffalo Cat: B (76/100)
A 2-point gap within the same B grade. Both are solid foods, but the Indoor formula earns those extra points through a stronger protein profile and added digestive support. It's a small margin on paper, but the differences in the ingredient lists tell a more meaningful story.
How the ingredients compare
Here are the first five ingredients side by side:
Blue Buffalo Indoor Cat: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Fish Meal, Brown Rice, Barley
Blue Buffalo Cat: Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice, Barley, Oatmeal
The first two ingredients are identical — deboned chicken and chicken meal provide the animal protein foundation in both formulas. The key difference is position three: Indoor adds fish meal, giving it three animal protein sources before any grains appear. The standard formula moves straight to brown rice at position three, with barley and oatmeal rounding out the top five. Both use whole grains rather than corn or wheat, which is a quality indicator, but Indoor's extra animal protein gives it a nutritional edge.
Where Indoor pulls ahead
Fish meal as a third animal protein. Adding fish meal at the #3 position means Indoor cats get protein from three distinct animal sources — deboned chicken, chicken meal, and fish meal. More animal protein diversity is better for obligate carnivores, and fish meal contributes omega fatty acids that support skin and coat health.
5 probiotic strains for digestive health. The Indoor formula includes five proprietary probiotic strains designed to support digestive function. Indoor cats can be more prone to digestive issues due to lower activity levels and increased hairball ingestion, making this a targeted addition.
L-carnitine for indoor weight management. Indoor cats burn fewer calories than their outdoor counterparts, and L-carnitine helps support healthy body weight by assisting with fat metabolism. It's a small but purposeful inclusion for cats that don't get the natural exercise of outdoor life. Shop on Amazon →
Where Blue Buffalo holds its own
Simpler formula. The standard Blue Buffalo cat food uses a more straightforward ingredient list. For cats with sensitive stomachs or owners who prefer fewer ingredients, simplicity can be an advantage. Fewer novel protein sources means fewer potential triggers for food-sensitive cats.
Oatmeal instead of potato starch. The standard formula includes oatmeal in its top five — a gentle, easily digestible whole grain that provides steady energy. It's a quality carbohydrate choice that some cats tolerate particularly well.
Established track record. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula has been the brand's flagship cat food for years. It's a well-tested, widely available formula with a long history of feeding cats successfully. Sometimes the tried-and-true option is the right one. Shop on Amazon →
The bottom line
Indoor is the better pick for indoor cats. The extra animal protein from fish meal, 5 probiotic strains for digestive support, and L-carnitine for weight management are all targeted additions that address the specific needs of cats that live indoors. The 2-point score difference is modest, but the ingredient upgrades justify the marginal price difference. If your cat goes outside regularly and doesn't need the indoor-specific benefits, the standard formula is a perfectly good B-grade food.
Read our full reviews of Blue Buffalo Indoor Cat and Blue Buffalo Cat for the complete ingredient breakdowns.