Unveiling the Truth: Hill's Science Diet Pet Food Review You Can't Miss!

Hill's Science Diet is a widely recognized brand in the pet food industry, offering a variety of products formulated to meet the specific nutritional needs of dogs at different life stages and with varying health conditions. This article provides a detailed review of Hill's Science Diet dog food, examining its ingredients, nutritional content, product range, and customer feedback to help pet owners make informed decisions.

History and Background

Founded in 1907 in Kansas by Burton Hill, the company initially focused on animal feed. A turning point came in the 1930s, and more significantly in the 1940s, when veterinarian Dr. Mark Morris Sr. developed a specialized diet for a dog with kidney failure, laying the foundation for therapeutic pet nutrition. This led to the creation of Hill's Prescription Diet, one of the first pet food ranges designed to address specific health issues such as kidney disease, obesity, allergies, digestive issues, and joint problems. In 1968, Hill’s launched its Science Diet range under the guidance of Mark Morris Jr. In 1976, Hill's was acquired by Colgate-Palmolive, expanding its research capabilities and market reach. Because it has been around for decades, Hill’s has built a strong reputation in the veterinary community.

Product Lines

Hill's Science Diet offers a wide range of products, including dry and wet food options, each tailored to specific life stages, sizes, and health needs. The brand features an average protein content of 24% and a mean fat level of 14%. Together, these figures suggest a carbohydrate content of 54% for the overall product line. And a fat-to-protein ratio of about 59%.

Hill’s Prescription Diet: This line includes 35 dry and 39 wet recipes available only with a veterinarian prescription. These diets are formulated based on scientific studies of veterinary conditions and undergo rigorous testing.
Hill’s Science Diet: This line is centered around science and includes 38 wet recipes (ratings vary from 1 to 3 stars, with an average of 2 stars) and 47 dry recipes (ratings vary from 1 to 4 stars, with an average of 2.5 stars). These recipes are designed for the everyday feeding of healthy dogs.
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy: This line supports the nutritional needs of growing puppies and includes eight dry puppy foods (ratings vary from 3.5 to 4.5 stars, with an average of 4 stars) and one dry food in the Prescription Diet line (Hill’s Prescription Diet Derm Complete Puppy Rice & Egg).

Dry Dog Food

Hill's Science Diet's standard dry dog food is its largest range, with around 34 recipes available.

Puppy: These dry foods are enriched with DHA fatty acids from fish oil for brain development and prebiotics to support digestive health. Chicken recipes list a quality cut of meat as the top ingredient, while lamb varieties list lamb meal. Each recipe includes ingredients with mediocre to low nutritional value, like brewer's rice and soybean meal.
Adult (1-6 years): These dry foods are lower in fat and protein than the puppy food to prevent weight gain. These foods only come in chicken and lamb varieties. A quality cut of meat is the top ingredient in chicken recipes, while lamb varieties list a meat meal as the top ingredient. Recipes contain ingredients of low nutritional value like whole grain corn.
Adult (6+ years): These dry foods include recipes specifically for senior pups, with 6+, 7+, and 11+ recipes available. These recipes contain carefully balanced minerals for heart and kidney health and omega-3 fatty acids for mobility. Chicken and lamb are the only flavors. Beet pulp and brewer’s rice are some lower-quality ingredients included in these recipes.

For example, Hill’s Science Diet Chicken & Brown Rice Adult dog food contains near-average protein (23.4% as dry matter) and near-average fat (16.4% as dry matter) compared to standard kibble.

Wet Dog Food

Hill’s Science Diet serves up around 25 wet foods, which come canned or in plastic trays.

Puppy: These wet foods are enriched with antioxidants to support immune health and DHA for brain development. Water is the top ingredient in all recipes, followed by a quality cut of meat. These recipes contain lower-quality ingredients like soybean meal and whole grain corn. Chicken and beef are the only flavors available.
Adult (1-6 years): These wet foods are made to be easy to digest with balanced levels of sodium and phosphorus for kidney and heart health. Omega-6 and vitamin E are added to promote skin and coat health. Water is the top ingredient in all recipes, followed by a quality cut of meat. Lower quality ingredients in these recipes include soybean oil and dried beet pulp. Chicken, turkey, and beef are the available flavors.
Adult (7+ years): These wet foods are specially designed for senior dogs, with balanced minerals for kidney and heart health and antioxidants to support the immune system. Some recipes, like Turkey & Barley Entrée, contain lower protein levels (around 20% as dry matter) and aren't the best choice for senior dogs as they require additional muscle support. Ingredients of modest nutritional value in these wet foods include whole grain corn and dried beet pulp. These wet foods come in turkey, beef, or chicken flavors.

Hill’s Science Diet Savory Chicken Stew & Vegetables Adult wet dog food contains slightly above-average protein (28.1% as dry matter) and slightly above-average fat (19% as dry matter) compared to similar wet dog food.

Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Cuisine

The Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Cuisine is a premium sub-range with four wet stew recipes made with higher quality ingredients than many of its main line dog foods. Each recipe lists water as the top ingredient. The Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken, Carrots & Spinach Stew lists chicken broth, chicken, pork liver, carrots, and rice as the top five ingredients. Ingredients with low nutritional value include whole grain barley and dried beet pulp. Hill’s Science Diet Healthy Cuisine is available in chicken and beef flavors with recipes of adults and adults 7+. Healthy Cuisine Roasted Chicken, Carrots & Spinach Stew contains slightly above-average protein (26.6% as dry matter and near-average fat (16.6%as dry matter) compared to standard wet dog food.

Specialty Dog Foods

One of Hill’s Science Diet's best features is its specialty food sub-range with 28 recipes for specific health needs from weight management to oral care. You'll find around 22 dry food and 6 wet food recipes in this sub-range. Grain-free options are available for canines with sensitive stomachs.

Senior Vitality: This differs from its main line senior food as it contains a proprietary ingredient blend to support your aging pup's brain and boost their energy levels. The top ingredients in the Senior Vitality two wet foods are broth, followed by a quality cut of meat, which is typical for stewed dog foods. The two dry food recipes list a quality cut of chicken as the top ingredient. Senior Vitality recipes include some ingredients of modest nutritional value, like whole grain corn and soybean oil. Chicken is the only available Senior Vitality flavor.
Healthy Mobility: This is specifically for large and small dog breeds with joint issues. Each recipe is rich in EPA from fish oil which helps mobility, and natural glucosamine and chondroitin for cartilage support. Both recipes list chicken meal as the top ingredient, with no quality meat cuts present. Healthy Mobility recipes contain several ingredients with modest nutritional value, such as brewer's rice, dried beet pulp, and whole grain wheat.
Oral Care: This sub-range consists of two chicken recipes for adult dogs and pint-sized pups. Hill’s state that these recipes are clinically proven to reduce plaque and tartar build-up. Uniquely, these dry food recipes list a quality cut of chicken as the top ingredient, with chicken meal listed outside the top eight ingredients. Oral Care recipes also contain some ingredients with modest nutritional value like corn gluten meal and soybean mill run.
Perfect Digestion: This consists of four dry foods and one wet food for adult and senior pups. It contains a blend of prebiotics called ActivBiome+ to aid digestion with added fiber sources like pumpkin. All dry food recipes list a quality cut of meat as the top ingredient, while the wet food recipe lists chicken broth above chicken. Dried beet pulp and soybean oil are a couple of the lower-quality ingredients included in the dry food recipes.
Perfect Weight: This is a sub-range of six dry foods and two wet foods. Hill’s states these foods are formulated to help your canine compadre lose noticeable weight within ten weeks. Two of the dry food recipes also contain EPA from fish oil for joint support. All recipes list a quality cut of chicken as the primary protein source. Dried tomato pomace, brewer's rice, and whole grain corn are some of the ingredients with mediocre nutritional value included in Perfect Weight recipes.
Sensitive Stomach & Skin: This comprises six dry and three wet foods designed to be high in fiber and easily digestible. All recipes use chicken, turkey, or fish as primary protein sources, which isn't ideal for dogs with poultry allergies. This sub-range features one of Hill’s Science Diet's only grain-free recipes. This sub-range is no different from Hill’s other recipes, with the inclusion of lower-quality ingredients like pea protein, carrageenan, and brewer's rice.

Ingredient Analysis

A detailed examination of Hill's Science Diet Adult Advanced Fitness Chicken and Barley recipe reveals several key ingredients:

Chicken: The first ingredient, providing a source of animal protein. However, raw chicken contains a high percentage of water, which is lost during cooking, reducing the overall meat content in the final product.
Wheat: An inexpensive cereal grain with modest nutritional value for dogs.
Barley: A starchy carbohydrate that provides fiber and other nutrients, but with limited nutritional value for dogs beyond its energy content.
Sorghum: A gluten-free cereal grain similar to corn in nutrient profile, considered an acceptable non-meat ingredient due to its smoother blood sugar behavior.
Corn: Another cereal grain, similar to wheat in terms of nutritional value and potential allergenicity.
Corn Gluten Meal: A plant-based protein source containing 60% protein, but with a lower biological value than meat protein.
Chicken Meal: A concentrated meat source containing nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.
Pork Fat: A source of flavor and linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid).
Beet Pulp: A controversial ingredient, with some considering it an inexpensive filler and others citing its benefits for intestinal health and blood sugar.
Soybean Oil: A source of omega-6 fatty acids, but considered less nutritious than flaxseed oil or animal fat. It also has a rumored link to canine food allergies.
Flaxseed: A plant source of omega-3 fatty acids and soluble fiber.
Peas: A source of carbohydrates and fiber, but also contains about 25% protein, which should be considered when evaluating the meat content of the food.
Non-Chelated Minerals: Minerals that may be more difficult to absorb compared to chelated minerals, typically found in higher-quality dog foods.

Notable Ingredients in Other Recipes

Chicken Meal: The first ingredient in some Hill’s Science Diet Adult dry product range recipes.
Cracked Pearl Barley: A starchy carbohydrate supplying fiber and other healthy nutrients.
Pea Fiber: A mixture of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber derived from pea hulls.
Brown Rice: A complex carbohydrate that is fairly easy to digest once cooked.
Corn Meal and Whole Grain Corn: Inexpensive and controversial cereal grains.
Powdered Cellulose: A non-digestible plant fiber usually made from the by-products of vegetable processing.
Whole Grain Oats: A source of fiber and carbohydrates.
Taurine: An important amino acid associated with the healthy function of heart muscle.
Sodium Selenite: A controversial form of the mineral selenium.

Nutritional Content

Hill's Science Diet Adult Dog Food has a dry matter protein reading of 25%, a fat level of 15%, and estimated carbohydrates of about 53%.

The brand features an average protein content of 22% and a mean fat level of 13%.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Wide Variety of Recipes: Hill’s Science Diet offers numerous recipes for specific needs, including those for different life stages, sizes, and health conditions.
Veterinarian Recommended: Hill’s is a commonly recommended brand by veterinarians due to its long-standing reputation and science-backed formulations.
Specific Health Needs: The brand offers specialized diets for various health issues such as weight management, sensitive stomachs, oral care, and joint health.
Generous Returns Policy: Hill’s Science Diet provides a 100% money-back guarantee, allowing customers to return any unused food with proof of purchase for a full refund or replacement.
More affordable than high-end dog food: While Hill’s Science Diet might not contain the highest quality ingredients, it's more affordable than some premium dog foods.

Cons

Controversial Ingredients: Many recipes contain controversial ingredients like corn, wheat, beet pulp, and soybean oil.
Limited Protein Sources: The brand primarily uses chicken, beef, lamb, turkey, and fish, which may not be suitable for dogs with specific protein allergies.
Filler Ingredients: Some recipes include filler ingredients with low nutritional value, such as whole grain corn and dried beet pulp.
Plant-Based Protein: Some foods boost protein levels using plant-based sources like soybean meal, which are less nutritionally valuable than animal protein.
Carrageenan: Some recipes contain carrageenan, a gelling agent and thickener with little to no nutritional value.
Below-Average Protein and Fat: The brand features below-average protein and fat levels.

Recalls

Hill’s Science Diet has had three official recalls in the last ten years, including two significant recalls in 2019.

June 2, 2014: 62 bags of Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed were recalled in Hawaii, California, and Nevada due to potential Salmonella contamination.
January 31, 2019: Select batches of canned dog food were voluntarily recalled due to potentially elevated vitamin D levels.
March 20, 2019: The January recall was expanded as the vitamin premix that caused the initial recall was detected in additional products.
May 20, 2019: Hill’s announced it had accidentally omitted a single lot number from its original recall list.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Customer reviews for Hill's Science Diet dog food are mixed. Some pet owners report positive experiences, noting that their dogs enjoy the food and experience improvements in their health conditions. However, others express concerns about the ingredients and report issues such as digestive upset or reluctance to eat the food.

Alternatives to Hill's Science Diet

Given the concerns about ingredient quality and potential allergens, pet owners may consider alternative dog food brands that prioritize high-quality, whole-food ingredients.

Read also: The Hoxsey Diet

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