Unlock the Truth Behind Hill's Science Diet Adult: Ingredients & Nutritional Secrets Revealed!

Hill's Science Diet is a well-known brand in the pet food industry, emphasizing science-led nutrition. The brand's philosophy revolves around using high-quality, great-tasting ingredients to provide pets with the nutrients they need for optimal health. This article delves into the components of Hill's Science Diet Adult pet food, exploring the purpose and nutritional value of each ingredient.

Protein Sources

Protein is a crucial macronutrient for pets, playing a vital role in muscle development, tissue repair, and overall bodily functions. Hill's Science Diet utilizes a variety of protein sources, both from animals and plants, to ensure a complete and balanced amino acid profile.

Animal-Based Proteins

Chicken: A common and highly digestible protein source, chicken provides both white and dark meat, and may include bones.
Chicken By-Product Meal: This consists of clean internal organs, white and dark chicken meat, and some bone, ground and cooked to reduce fat.
Chicken Meal: Similar to chicken by-product meal, chicken meal is the ground, cooked, and dried nutritious parts of the chicken, including white and dark meat and bones. It excludes feathers, heads, feet, and entrails.
Duck Meat: Duck meat offers a source of protein, fat, and minerals.
Duck Meal: Ground, cooked, and dried duck meat.
Fish Meal: This is made from whole fish or parts of fish, without the extraction of fish oil. Ocean fish includes species like Halibut, Sea Bass, Salmon, Snapper, and Tuna. Salmon and Tuna Meal are also used.
Lamb Meal: Lamb that has been ground, cooked, and dried.
Pork By-Products: These are pork parts other than meat, including organs like the liver, but excluding hair, teeth, and hoofs.
Pork Meal: Ground, cooked, and dried parts from pigs, providing protein and fatty acids.
Beef By-product: This consists of beef parts, including organs like the liver and bone, that have been ground and cooked to reduce fat. It does not include hair, horns, teeth, or hoofs.
Turkey: The parts of the turkey that include white and dark meat and may contain bones.
Venison: Nutritious meat from deer, which is a great source of protein, fat, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.

Plant-Based Proteins

Corn Gluten Meal: The protein portion of corn, it's a high-quality vegetable protein source, providing essential amino acids and energy.
Pea Protein: The major protein fraction of peas.
Potato Protein: The major protein fraction of potatoes.
Rice Protein Concentrate: The major protein fraction of rice.
Soy Protein Isolate: The major protein fraction of soybeans, prepared from dehulled soybeans.
Soybean Meal: Ground flakes remaining after oil and hulls are removed from soybeans, offering protein and amino acids.
Wheat Gluten: The protein portion of wheat.

Other Protein Sources

Crustacea hydrolysate: A type of protein obtained from shellfish, crab and shrimp, that are cooked and broken down.
Dried hydrolyzed casein: A protein source.
Whole Egg: The entire egg without the shell, providing a highly digestible protein source.
Dried Whey: A component of milk.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are essential for providing energy to pets. Hill's Science Diet includes a variety of carbohydrate sources, some of which also contribute fiber and other nutrients.

Barley: A grain high in protein and is highly digestible. It is a great source of energy. Pearled barley is grain that has been dehulled and has the bran removed.
Brewers Rice: Broken pieces of rice, often used in the brewing industry.
Brown Rice: A whole grain, providing energy.
Corn Flour: Finely ground corn grain.
Dextrose: A source of sugar, providing energy.
Oats: Whole grain oats provides source of carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Potatoes: A well-balanced ingredient.
Rice: A highly digestible carbohydrate source. Rice flour is made by grinding highly-digestible polished white rice into a powder.
Sorghum: Whole grain sorghum provides source of carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Wheat: Provides starch in food and is highly digestible. Whole grain wheat provides source of carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Whole Grain Corn: Provides carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Fiber Sources

Fiber is crucial for digestive health in pets. It aids in maintaining healthy bowel movements, promoting gut health, and can contribute to weight management by promoting satiety.

Cellulose: An insoluble fiber, improving stool quality.
Dried Beet Pulp: A source of both insoluble and soluble fiber.
Dried Tomato Pomace: The solid residue after juice extraction from tomatoes.
Guar Gum: A type of soluble fiber.
Oat Fiber: Obtained from oat hulls, it's an insoluble fiber source.
Orange Pulp: Contains fiber, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Pea Fiber: From the outer coating of peas, a source of mixed soluble and insoluble fiber.
Psyllium Seed Husk: A source of insoluble fiber.
Soluble Fiber: Fiber that can be dispersed in water, with high water-holding capacity.
Soybean Mill Run: A combination of soybean meat and soybean hulls.

Fats and Oils

Fats and oils are vital for energy, hormone production, and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. They also contribute to the palatability and texture of pet food.

Soybean Oil: Extracted from soybeans, it's a source of Omega-6 fatty acids.
Sunflower Oil: Extracted from sunflower seeds, another source of Omega-6 fatty acids.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Essential for vision, brain function, blood pressure, and reducing inflammation.
Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Essential fatty acids that provide energy.

Vitamins

Vitamins are essential micronutrients that support various bodily functions, from immune response to energy metabolism.

Biotin: A water-soluble vitamin.
Cobalamin (B12): A water-soluble vitamin.
Folic Acid: A water-soluble vitamin.
Niacin: A water-soluble vitamin.
Pantothenic Acid: A water-soluble vitamin.
Pyridoxine (B6): A water-soluble vitamin involved in amino acid metabolism.
Riboflavin (B2): A water-soluble vitamin.
Thiamin (B1): A water-soluble vitamin. Thiamine mononitrate is a source of thiamin (Vit B1).
Vitamin A: A fat-soluble vitamin.
Vitamin C: A water-soluble vitamin.
Vitamin D: A fat-soluble vitamin enhancing calcium and phosphorus absorption.
Vitamin E: A fat-soluble vitamin and antioxidant. Mixed tocopherols are forms of vitamin E and are antioxidants.
Vitamin K: A fat-soluble vitamin.

Minerals

Minerals are inorganic substances necessary for various physiological processes, including bone health, nerve function, and enzyme activity.

Calcium: A macromineral. Calcium carbonate, Calcium Chloride, Calcium Iodate, and Calcium sulfate are excellent sources of calcium. Dicalcium phosphate is a source of calcium and phosphorus.
Iodine: A micromineral. Iodized salt is a source of iodine, sodium, and chloride. Calcium Iodate is an excellent source of the essential minerals iodine and calcium.
Iron: A micromineral. Ferrous sulfate is a good iron source.
Magnesium: A macromineral. It is the third largest mineral component of bone, after calcium and phosphorus.
Manganese: A micromineral.
Phosphorus: A macromineral. Dicalcium phosphate is a source of calcium and phosphorus. Disodium phosphate and Monosodium phosphate are sources of sodium and phosphorus.
Potassium: A macromineral.
Selenium: A micromineral.
Sodium and Chloride: Macrominerals. Salt provides sodium and chloride.
Zinc: A micromineral.

Other Ingredients

Amino Acids: Cysteine, Methionine, DL-Methionine, Glycine, L-Arginine, L-Leucine, and Taurine are included. Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats.
Beef Broth: Obtained by cooking beef or beef bones.
Brewers Dried Yeast: Comes from yeast used in the brewing industry and is dried and non-living.
Caramel Color: A natural coloring agent.
Carrageenan: A source of dietary carbohydrates from red seaweed.
Carotenoids: A family of compounds that include yellow-red pigments.
Chicken Broth: Obtained by cooking chicken or chicken bones.
Chicken Liver Flavor: A taste enhancer made from hydrolyzed chicken livers.
L-Carnitine: Helps release energy and helps promote ideal body weight.
Pork Liver Flavor: A taste enhancer made from pork livers.
Sodium Tripolyphosphate: Helps create a smooth appearance and texture in pet food.
Soy Lecithin: From the fat portion of soybeans, used as an emulsifier.

Quality Assurance and Nutritional Standards

Hillâs Science Diet emphasizes its commitment to quality and nutritional standards.

Hillâs pet foods meet or exceed the nutrient profiles and manufacturing guidelines of both the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
Their staff includes PhD nutritionists, food scientists, flavorists, and veterinarians who take an evidence-based approach.
Hillâs pet foods are tested at the Global Pet Nutrition Center with over 900 dogs and cats.

Feeding Guidelines and Additional Information

Transition Instructions: Gradually switch from the old food to the new over one to two weeks.
Safe Handling Instructions: Store product in a sealed bag in a cool, dry place. Wash hands, bowls and serving utensils with soap and hot water after serving.
Hillâs Science Diet Large Breed Adult 6+ dry dog food is formulated for specific aging needs of a large breed dog. This adult dog food made with natural ingredients provides easy-to-digest nutrition with a synergistic blend of ingredients to help support your large pet's energy & activity levels.
Satisfaction Guarantee: Hillâs is dedicated to making foods pets will love. If youâre not satisfied, return the unused portion to the place of purchase for your money back or a replacement product.
Veterinarian Recommended: Science Diet dog food made with natural ingredients is #1 Veterinarian Recommended and is formulated for great taste adult dogs love.

Prescription Diet

Hill's also offers prescription diets for pets with specific health needs:

i/d Chicken Flavor Dog Food: Highly digestible, great-tasting nutrition, clinically proven to help manage digestive upsets.
i/d Chicken & Vegetable Stew Dog Food: Highly digestible, great-tasting nutrition, clinically proven to help manage digestive upsets.

Read also: Dog Digestive Care with Hill's i/d

Read also: Sustainable Weight Loss Guide

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