The complete blood count (CBC) of the South China tiger was analyzed by automated hematology analyzer and manual microscope method respectively in this study. By comparing the results obtained from the two methods, a suitable method for CBC of South China tiger was explored. Forty blood samples from South China tiger were collected and examined. When data detected by the two methods were normally distributed, paired sample T-test was used to analyze the difference, otherwise, Wilcoxon signed rank test was used. Correlation analysis was performed by Spearman analysis and the statistical significance was judged when P value was less than 0.05. The results showed that there was no significant difference for the red blood cells counts (P > 0.05), white blood cells counts (P > 0.05), neutrophil ratio (P > 0.05), eosinophil ratio (P > 0.05) between the two methods. And there were significant differences in the lymphocyte ratio (P < 0.05), monocyte ratio (P < 0.05) and basophil ratio (P < 0.05). The two sets of data were well correlated in red blood cells counts (r = 0.915), white blood cells counts (r = 0.832), lymphocyte ratio (r = 0.832), and neutrophil ratio (r = 0.481), while the correlation coefficients of monocyte ratio (r = 0.283), eosinophil ratio (r = 0.309) and basophil ratio (r = 0.146) were lower than 0.4, and P value was greater than or equal to 0.05, showing weak or extremely weak correlation. Thus, the automatic hematology analyzer can be used to accurately detect the count of both red blood cells and white blood cells of South China tiger, which has the advantages of accuracy, rapidity and reliability. However, this method is not suitable for the classification of white blood cells. If necessary, the accuracy of the results can be guaranteed by combining microscope and machine method. This study provides a reference for the rapid and accurate analysis of blood cells in South China tiger.