Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Review

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More

Hill’s Science Diet is one of the brands made by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Hill’s Science Diet has a multitude of formulas for dogs and cats.

The brand’s dog foods include formulas for puppies, adults, small/toy dogs, weight-control foods, mobility foods, and more. Hill’s Science Diet is one of the brands frequently recommended by veterinary nutritionists and veterinary cardiologists because the company conducts canine nutritional research.

It also employs veterinary nutritionists on staff to formulate its recipes. If you are considering Hill’s Science Diet, our unbiased review can help you decide if this is the right brand for your dog.

Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food: Top 5 Recipes Reviewed

How Ratings for Dog Food Determined?

When evaluating dog food, understanding the criteria behind our ratings can help you make informed choices for your furry friend. Our process for assigning these ratings involves a thorough examination of ingredients and nutritional content. Here’s how we break it down:

Ingredient Quality

1. Filler Content: Dog foods with high filler content, such as corn or soy, and those not listing meat as the primary ingredient receive the lowest ratings. These products offer minimal nutritional value and don’t prioritize quality protein sources.
2. Meat and By-products: Foods that use meat meal, bone meal, or meat by-products as the first ingredient are rated slightly higher. Although these components provide protein, they may not represent the most nutritious options.
3. Named Meat Source: When a dog food lists a specific meat, like chicken or beef, as its primary ingredient, it achieves a mid-level rating. This indicates a more protein-oriented formula that meets basic nutritional standards, as set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).
4. Minimal Processing and Whole Ingredients: Foods that feature named meats, accompanied by whole, minimally processed ingredients, earn even higher ratings. These formulas prioritize natural nutrition and limit unnecessary additives.
5. Premium Standards: The highest ratings are reserved for products that include all the benefits of the previous categories but also boast vet approval or awards. These foods contain human-grade ingredients and ensure the utmost quality and safety for your pet.

By considering these factors, you can better understand how paw ratings reflect a dog food’s balance of quality, nutrition, and overall value. Prioritizing high-rated options contributes to the health and happiness of your canine companion.

About Hill’s Science Diet

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is a subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive Company. Hill’s Science Diet was developed by Dr. Mark Morris Sr., a veterinarian, in 1968.

At that time, the food was only available from vets and pet professionals. The company focused on life stage pet food formulas and foods that were condition-specific under the Science Diet and Prescription Diet brands.

Today, the company has dozens of prescription foods and dozens of Science Diet foods. Hill’s also makes the Healthy Advantage and Bioactive Recipe product lines.

The Prescription Diet formulas are only available with a prescription, though they can be purchased online as well as from your veterinarian Science Diet formulas can be purchased from pet specialty stores and online.

Hill’s is recognized for focusing on pet nutrition by employing veterinary nutritionists, food scientists, and other specialists to formulate their foods.

Is Hill’s Science Diet Approved by AAFCO?

Absolutely! Hill’s Science Diet formulas have received approval from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Each recipe is crafted to align with the stringent nutrient guidelines set by AAFCO, ensuring suitability for all life stages, including adults and puppies.
Here’s how it works:

All Life Stages: Whether a product is designed for growing puppies or maintaining adult dogs, it meets AAFCO’s nutrient profiles.

Label Information: For a detailed understanding of each product’s nutritional adequacy, check the AAFCO statement on the label.

This guarantees that every dietary need is addressed precisely, offering peace of mind to pet owners choosing these products.

Sourcing And Manufacturing

Hill’s doesn’t provide information about where their ingredients are sourced. We did find this comment on Chewy.com: “Hill’s sources their raw materials from countries where there are reliable safety procedures in place, primarily the United States, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and several European countries.”

Hill’s operates major manufacturing and warehousing facilities in Bowling Green, Kentucky; Topeka, Kansas; Emporia, Kansas; and Richmond, Indiana, USA. The primary research center is located in Topeka, Kansas.

We found 14 locations in the U.S. for Hill’s factories and/or warehouses. Hill’s also has manufacturing facilities in the Netherlands and in the Czech Republic.

Recall History

Hill’s has had a number of recalls for their Science Diet and for their Prescription Diet lines.

In January 2019, the company issued a recall for many of their canned dog foods because of potentially elevated levels of vitamin D in Science Diet and Prescription Diet foods. This recall continued with several warning letters to Hill’s. Lawsuits have been filed against Hill’s over the food and the recalls.

In November 2015, Hill’s had a quiet market withdrawal of certain Science Diet canned foods because of labeling problems. According to Hill’s, there was nothing wrong with the food.

In June 2014, Hill’s recalled 62 bags of Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed Dry Dog Food in California, Hawaii, and Nevada because of the potential for Salmonella contamination.

And, in 2007, Science Diet, along with more than 100 other brands, had some foods recalled due to melamine. All Science Diet Savory Cuts canned cat foods were recalled. You can read the details of these recalls here.

What Kinds of Dog Food Does Hill’s Offer?

Hill’s Science Diet offers a wide range of dog foods. We found 65 Hill’s Science Diet dog products on the company’s website at this time.

• Foods by age: catering to puppies, adult dogs, mature dogs, and seniors, ensuring nutritional needs are met throughout all life stages.
• Foods by product type include cans and trays, dry kibble, and stews, providing flexibility in feeding preferences.
• Foods by health conditions, with seven specific conditions addressed, such as joint health and digestive support.
• Grain-free options for dogs with specific dietary requirements.
• Large breed varieties tailored for the unique needs of bigger dogs.
• Small and minibreed options, formulated for the specific needs of smaller canines.
• Specialized formulas for dogs that are pregnant or nursing, ensuring they receive essential nutrients.

Flavors and Ingredients

Hill’s Science Diet offers an impressive array of flavors to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. The main line features classic flavors like chicken, lamb, beef, turkey, and fish. Each recipe is crafted with a focus on quality, with top ingredients like quality cuts of meat or chicken meal. However, some recipes include ingredients of modest nutritional value, such as whole grain corn and soybean oil.

Nutritional Highlights

For puppies, DHA from fish oil is included to support brain development, while antioxidants are added to boost immune health. Adult and senior dog foods are enriched with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for skin, coat, and joint support. The protein content varies between 22% and 27% on a dry matter basis, offering balanced nutrition.

Specialty and Premium Options

Hill’s Science Diet also features specialty foods targeting specific health conditions. The Healthy Mobility line is rich in EPA from fish oil to support joint health, while the Perfect Digestion range includes prebiotics for digestive health. The Healthy Cuisine sub-range offers premium stews with high-quality ingredients like green peas and flaxseed, elevating mealtime with nutritious and delicious recipes.

This comprehensive approach ensures that no matter your dog’s age, size, or specific health needs, Hill’s Science Diet has a flavorful and nutritionally balanced option to suit their needs.

Hill’s Science Diet: Top Five Recipes Reviewed

We’re taking a look at five of the top-selling Hill’s Science Diet dog foods as found on Chewy.com so you can get a good idea of what some of these different formulas are like.

1.

HILL'S SCIENCE DIET ADULT SENSITIVE STOMACH & SKIN CHICKEN RECIPE DRY DOG FOOD

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 21% Min
• Fat: 12% Min
• Fiber: 4% Max
• Moisture: 10% Max

Ingredients:

Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food this is the bestselling Science Diet dog food on Chewy.com. It’s formulated for dogs with sensitive digestion and skin issues.

Here are the ingredients in this formula:

Chicken, Brewers Rice, Chicken Meal, Yellow Peas, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Sorghum, Egg Product, Chicken Fat, Soybean Oil, Brown Rice, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Liver Flavor, Lactic Acid, Pork Liver Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Flaxseed, Iodized Salt, vitamins… , minerals … , Oat Fiber, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Peas.

You will notice that this food has yellow peas as the fourth ingredient. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is currently investigating a possible link  between peas, lentils, and legumes in dog foods and a dietary form of canine cardiomyopathy (DCM).

They have recommended that it’s best not to feed foods that have large amounts of these ingredients, such as might be found in the first five-10 ingredients listed.

According to the dry matter basis (DMB, this food has 23.3 percent protein, 13.3 percent fat, and 4.4 percent fiber. This formula has 52.7 percent carbohydrates. It has 392 kcal/cup. We do need to call your attention to the very high carb percentage in this food. More than 50 percent of the food is carbohydrates.

Our rating for this food is 3.5 out of 5 stars.

2.

HILL'S SCIENCE DIET ADULT LARGE BREED CHICKEN & BARLEY RECIPE DRY DOG FOOD

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 20% Min
• Fat: 11.5% Min
• Fiber: 4% Max
• Moisture: 10% Max

Ingredients:

Hill's Science Diet Adult Large Breed Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food is another bestseller on Chewy.com. This recipe is made for adult large breed dogs. These are dogs that weigh more than 55 pounds as adults.

Here are the ingredients in this formula:

Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Corn, Whole Grain Sorghum, Corn Gluten Meal, Soybean Meal, Chicken Fat, Brewers Rice, Chicken Liver Flavor, Chicken Meal, Dried Beet Pulp, Soybean Oil, Pork Flavor, Lactic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Iodized Salt, vitamins … , minerals … , Oat Fiber, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Peas.

Most of the ingredients look good. Soybean meal and soybean oil can be problematic for dogs. Soybeans are a source of protein but they can also interfere with the endocrine system.

This food has 22.2 percent protein and 12.8 percent fat, according to the dry matter basis (DMB). It has 4.4 percent fiber. Our estimate of the carbohydrates in the food came out to 51.7 percent, DMB. It contains 363 kcal per cup.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

3.

HILL'S SCIENCE DIET ADULT PERFECT WEIGHT CHICKEN RECIPE DRY DOG FOOD

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 24% Min
• Fat: 9% Min
• Fiber: 5% Max
• Moisture: 13% Max

Ingredients:

Hill's Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food is designed to help dogs lose weight.

Here are the ingredients in this formula:

Chicken, Cracked Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Pea Fiber, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Meal, Dried Tomato Pomace, Oat Fiber, Chicken Liver Flavor, Flaxseed, Dried Beet Pulp, Coconut Oil, Pork Flavor, Lactic Acid, Potassium Chloride, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Carrots, Iodized Salt, Lipoic Acid, vitamins … , minerals … , Natural Flavors, L-Carnitine, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Cranberries, Green Peas.

Low in calories and fat, this food should help your dog lose weight. It gets many positive reviews on Chewy.com.

We do call your attention to the pea fiber as the fourth ingredient. This food contains a lot of fiber but the fiber is used to help your dog feel full.

According to the dry matter analysis for this food, it has 26.7 percent protein, 10 percent fat, 10 (estimated) percent fiber, 46.2 percent carbohydrates, and 291 kcal per cup.

Our rating for this food is 4 out of 5 stars.

4.

HILL'S SCIENCE DIET ADULT 7+ CHICKEN MEAL, BARLEY & BROWN RICE RECIPE DRY DOG FOOD

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 15.5% Min
• Fat: 10.5% Min
• Fiber: 4% Max
• Moisture: 10% Max

Ingredients:

Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food is designed for older dogs of all breeds and sizes.

Here are the ingredients in this formula:

Chicken Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Brewers Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Whole Grain Corn, Whole Grain Sorghum, Whole Grain Oats, Chicken Fat, Dried Beet Pulp, Soybean Meal, Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Lactic Acid, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, vitamins … , minerals … , Oat Fiber, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, L-Carnitine, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Peas.

Compared to some other foods for older dogs, this Science Diet formula is lower in protein and fat. It is also very high in carbohydrates.

According to the dry matter analysis for this food, it has 17.2 percent protein, 11.7 percent fat, 4.4 percent fiber, 60 percent carbohydrates, and 353 kcal per cup.

Our rating for this food is 3.5 out of 5 stars.

5.

HILL'S SCIENCE DIET PUPPY HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT SMALL BITES DRY DOG FOOD

View on Chewy

Product Info

• Protein: 25% Min
• Fat: 15% Min
• Fiber: 3% Max
• Moisture: 10% Max

Ingredients:

Hill's Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food is formulated for puppies of small breeds/mixes.

Here are the ingredients in this formula:

Chicken Meal, Whole Grain Wheat, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Sorghum, Whole Grain Corn, Chicken Fat, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Liver Flavor, Dried Beet Pulp, Pork Liver Flavor, Fish Oil, Flaxseed, Lactic Acid, Soybean Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Iodized Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, vitamins … , minerals … , Oat Fiber, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Peas.

Most of the ingredients look good with the exception of the ones we have already mentioned.

According to the dry matter analysis for this food, it has 27.8 percent protein, 16.7 percent fat, 3.3 percent fiber, 44.4 percent carbohydrates 374 kcal/cup.

Our rating for this food is 4 out of 5 stars.

How Much Does Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Cost?

Hill’s Science Diet foods are priced comparably to many other premium dog foods.

When it comes to choosing the right dog food, you might wonder about alternatives to Hill’s Science Diet. Although it’s a popular choice, there are other brands that might just meet your expectations for quality and nutrition. Let’s explore some top alternatives.

Budget-Friendly Options

If you’re looking for dog food that won’t break the bank, consider budget-friendly brands that still provide high-quality nutrition. Many of these options offer balanced diets without compromising on essential vitamins and minerals.

Top Picks for Dry Dog Food

Dry dog food is convenient and often more affordable. Look for brands that use real meat as the first ingredient and avoid fillers like corn and soy. This ensures your pet gets the protein they need for strong muscles and overall health.

Superior Wet Dog Foods

Wet dog food can be a great choice for dogs who need more hydration or prefer softer textures. Opt for those rich in real meat and vegetables, avoiding products with artificial preservatives or flavors.

Explore Customer Reviews

Reading reviews can be invaluable. Customers often share insights into how their pets responded to certain foods, highlighting both the successes and shortfalls of different brands. Third-party reviews can guide you in finding the best fit for your furry friend.

Why is Hill’s Science Diet Recommended?

“Hill’s Science Diet is one of the brands frequently recommended by veterinary nutritionists and veterinary cardiologists because the company conducts canine nutritional research. It also employs veterinary nutritionists on staff to formulate its recipes.

Beyond its expert-backed formulation, Hill’s Science Diet offers a wide array of recipes designed to meet various life stages and health requirements. Whether your dog needs support for oral care, digestive health, or joint health, Hill’s Science Diet has tailored options to ensure optimal well-being at every stage of life.

While it may not feature the highest quality ingredients found in premium dog foods, Hill’s Science Diet stands out for its affordability. For instance, a 4-pound bag of their Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Dry Food costs around $22.49, offering a cost-effective solution without compromising on specialized nutrition.

Furthermore, Hill’s Science Diet provides a 100% money-back guarantee, allowing you to return any unused food if it doesn’t meet your expectations. This policy ensures peace of mind, making it easier to choose the right diet for your dog with confidence.”

Is Hills Science Diet Available Without a Prescription?

Hill’s also makes the Healthy Advantage and Bioactive Recipe product lines. The Prescription Diet formulas are only available with a prescription, though they can be purchased online as well as from your veterinarian. Science Diet formulas can be purchased from pet specialty stores and online.

For pet owners wondering about availability, it’s important to note that Hill’s Science Diet is available without a prescription. You can easily find these formulas through online retailers, specialty pet stores, and vet clinics. This makes it convenient for those looking to provide their pets with high-quality nutrition without needing to consult a veterinarian for a prescription.

Hill’s Prescription Diet is strictly available through a veterinarian, ensuring that specific dietary needs are met under professional guidance. This distinction helps pet owners make informed choices about their pet’s diet based on necessity and convenience.

Overall, is Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food a Good Choice?

Science Diet has upgraded some of their ingredients in the last few years. A meat ingredient, such as chicken meal, is now the first ingredient in most or all of their kibbles.

Hill’s Science Diet foods contain no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. We think there is less for critics to complain about now, especially with veterinarians and others advising a return to grains for some dogs.

Many of the foods are high in carbohydrates but, looking at the calories and fat in the foods, your dog probably won’t get fat.

Hill’s recall problems are troubling but, overall, we do think that Hill’s Science Diet dog foods are good, especially if your dog has any specific health issues that require a special food.

Where is Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Sold?

You can buy Hill’s Science Diet dog foods from Chewy.com and other online retailers, as well as many pet stores.