Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Review (2024)
Table of Contents
About Hill’s Science Diet
The tale of how Hills Science Diet dog food came to be is quite a yarn, spurred by a quest for more wholesome chow for pups. Picture it: the 1930s, Morris Frank trekking across the U.S. with his trusty guide dog, Buddy, by his side.
Morris Frank was blind, and his German Shepherd would assist him with tasks he was unable to handle himself. That is interesting on its own, as guide dogs have been around for a long time; establishing a unique relationship with the person they are serving.
Buddy, the guide dog, had kidney problems and was unwell at times, which led Frank to contact Dr. Mark Morris Sr. The doctor performed tests and examined the dog and reached the conclusion that the health issues the dog was suffering from were most likely a cause of poor nutrition – which pointed the finger at the dog food Frank was feeding his faithful friend.
Dr. Morris and his wife Louise began developing their own dog food right there in their kitchen, and Louise and three other women then moved the production down to the basement. It was first packed in jars, but when these broke during transport – the company started storing their dog food in cans.
This was the beginning of a company now known as Hill’s Science Diet dog food. The name came along after 1948 when Dr. Mark Morris partnered with the Hill Packing Company and its founder Burton-Hill. Today, the brand has evolved tremendously, and you can now buy Hills Science dog food in 86 countries across the globe.
Which Dogs Can Eat Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food?
Hill’s Science Diet is one of the dog food brands that’s manufactured by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. They specifically formulated their dry dog foods and wet foods based on a dog’s biological needs suitable for their life stage. Hill’s Pet Nutrition made sure that Hill’s Science Diet formulas cater to all dogs of all sizes, ages, and weights.
Hill’s Science Diet puppy food is what you would use for a growing dog. How long you use Hills Science Diet puppy products depends on the size and breed of your dog, but the company is making a variety of products for the youngest of dogs. You can choose between wet dog food and kibble, depending on what you and your dog prefer, and start feeding Science Diet dog food from the moment you bring your puppy home.
The company also has a large variety of adult Science Diet dog foods, where you can pick the product you think would work best. One potential issue is that many of the products contain chicken (both fresh chicken, chicken meal, and potentially also chicken fat), and this could be problematic for dogs with food sensitivities. Some dogs tend to show signs of chicken allergies, and Science Hill dog food might not be the best option in those cases.
Some of the products sold by Hills Science Diet are therapeutic dog foods – made to reverse, treat or lessen the symptoms of a specific health condition. Some are unsure whether you need a prescription for these, as it can be somewhat confusing.
You don’t need a prescription per se, but you should not use therapeutic dog food unless your veterinarian has told you to do so. This is due to the altered ingredients in these products, which may not be enough for healthy dogs.
Some websites and pet stores may also require a note from a veterinarian before they will allow you to purchase the product, so make sure you contact your local vet if you think your dog needs one of these products.
Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Line
Hill’s Science Diet Large-Breed Puppy
This crunchy Hills puppy food is ideal for larger dogs, as the kibble size has been adjusted to aid with their oral health (by removing and preventing plaque and tartar build-up). Science Diet Large-Breed Puppy has vitamin C and E, clinically proven antioxidant benefits, and good support for growing bones and joints, and your young pooch will love the flavor of this Hills Science Diet puppy food.
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food
Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Healthy Development Small Bites Dry Dog Food is one of the best dog foods for puppies. It supports all your puppy’s nutritional needs in small bites fit for small mouths and easier for small stomachs to digest. Dog Food Advisor’s Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Review rated this particular food 4.5 stars which we are in total support of! What we love most about it is it provides optimal nutrition such as DHA for brain and eye health, Vitamins E and C for immune health, and Taurine for heart health.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Dog Foods
Science Diet Adult Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs & Skin
With a Hills food like this product, your sensitive dog will get the help they need with their stomach problems. Science Diet Adult Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs & Skin contains a good source of prebiotics, vitamins, and Omega-6 fatty acids, and it contains fiber to help with digestion and metabolism.
Hill’s Science Diet Small Paws for Small Breeds
If you have a small dog, you might want to consider this kibble; Science Diet Small Paws for Small Breeds has tailored nutrition for the smallest of our furry friends, a reduced kibble size and it is made without any artificial preservatives, colors or flavors. Big dogs and small dogs have different nutritional requirements, and this Hill dog food will help your miniature pups look and feel their best.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food Adult Perfect Weight for Weight Management
Here’s something for your pupper to help maintain a healthy weight throughout their adult lives. Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food Adult Perfect Weight for Weight Management provides lean muscle support and promotes healthy weight management. It contains L-Carnitine good for heart, brain, and muscle development while preventing your dog from gaining weight. Obesity in dogs, especially large and senior dogs, is quite prevalent, so this Hill’s Science Diet dry food is one way to help manage your dog’s weight and see results just within 10 weeks.
Hill’s Science Diet Senior Dog Foods
Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley, & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
As pet parents, we want to make sure that our pooch stays thriving for their entire life. Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley, & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food is made with wholesome ingredients to supply your senior pup with the most nutrient-efficient pet food. The high-quality protein from Chicken ensures your pupper ages gracefully with lean muscles. It’s also formulated with balanced minerals that take care of your dog’s kidneys and heart.
Hill’s Science Diet Adult 6+ Large Breed Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice Dry Dog Food
Hill’s Science Diet Adult 6+ Large Breed Chicken Meal, Barley & Rice Dry Dog Food offers a complete and balanced pet food for dogs aged 6 and up. This Hill’s Science Diet dog food has all the nutrients your large breed dog needs. With the support of Glucosamine and Chondroitin, your dog’s joints and bones will be taken care of. There are also Omega-6 fatty acids to keep your pupper’s skin and coat in the best condition.
About Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food
The Hills Science Diet line currently consists of 17 dry dog food products and several wet food options. There are Science Diet puppy food, Science Diet adult dog food and other Science dog food diets, and the company’s goal has been to provide kibble and wet food that fits all life stages, but also specialized diets for medical conditions and specific illnesses. This is what makes them stand out on the market, as the brand is often recommended by licensed veterinarians.
If we take a look at the ingredients in Hills dog food, we see that many of the products list chicken as their first ingredient. This is usually a good sign and it could be confusing that the brand is only given 3/5 stars, but there is a good explanation for it. Fresh chicken contains up to 80% water, which will be removed during the cooking process.
After the moist is gone, that chicken is unlikely to place as high up on the ingredient list, and it is easy to be led to believe that a product contains more protein than it does. Hill’s Science dog food has whole grain wheat as the second ingredient, and this means that it is grain-based dog food, rather than a meat protein dog food.
There are a lot of healthy ingredients in Science Diet food; like chicken meal, flaxseed, vitamins, minerals, folic acid, taurine, apples, broccoli, green peas, and cranberry, but many of these are listed far down on the ingredient list, something that indicates a low presence of each item. More problematic ingredients are corn and wheat – known fillers with little to no nutritional value.
While this dog food may be suitable for dogs with medical conditions, it does seem to contain mostly fillers, which is problematic, and the reason for the low- to average rate. It is a better dog food than commercial brands sold in the grocery store, but there is room for improvement.
Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Recall History
When looking into the recall history of Science Diet dog food, we notice quite a few incidents where the food has been recalled by the company. In 2014, Hill Science dog food made the decision to voluntarily recall 62 bags of their small and toy breed kibble, after potential contamination with salmonella was discovered. It concerned bags sold in Nevada, California, and Hawaii, and there were no reports of dogs have fallen ill.
In November 2015, regarding Science Diet dog food Petsmart made the choice to recall some of their canned products. The announcement was made without specifying why the dog food was being recalled or what had caused the store chain to make the decision, and no further details have been provided since. The recall affected a variety of canned Hill’s dog food products.
The next time a recall was made was in 2022 when Science Diet foods were recalled on two separate occasions. The first recall was filed in January after it was discovered that some canned Hill’s Science Diet products contained elevated levels of vitamin D.
Vitamins are great for dogs, but too much of anything is bad, and very high levels of vitamin D could lead to kidney problems and other health issues. The March recall the same year was an extension of the January recall, where more products were recalled, also with the suspicion of containing too much vitamin D.
Best Hill Science Diet Dog Foods
1. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food
Make it easy for your dog with a sensitive stomach and feed them this Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food. This pet food uses highly digestible ingredients to promote healthier stools and maximum nutrient absorption. Vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids are also used to keep your dog’s skin and coat looking shiny and healthy.
Hill’s Science made sure to put your fur baby’s digestive health on top of their priority list. With the prebiotic fiber included, there’s something to support a balanced microbiome to encourage healthy digestion.
Why We Like It – There’s a reason why Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food is recommended by many veterinarians, and that’s because it works for most dogs. Pet owners can’t be happier with this dry food. Even our little furry friends can’t resist it.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 394 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 20.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 13.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 4.0% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 2.5% min |
| Vitamin E | 400 IU/kg min |
Pros:
+ With prebiotic fiber for digestive and immune health
+ Highly digestible ingredients
+ Vitamine E and Omega-6 to promote healthy skin and coat
+ Added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
+ No chicken by-product meal
Cons:
– Not suitable for fussy eaters
– Not recommended for dogs with chicken allergies
2. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Hill’s Science Diet Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food uses high-quality animal protein as the #1 ingredient to promote lean muscles for your large doggo. The natural sources of Glucosamine and Chondroitin help protect your bones and joints, which is highly essential for large dog breeds as they are prone to joint problems. Also, the Omega-6 fatty acids and Vitamin E gives your dog naturally healthy-looking skin.
Why We Like It – Hill’s Science gives you this quality pet food for large breeds for a great price!
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 363 kcal/8-oz cup |
| Crude Protein | 20.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 11.5% min |
| Crude Fiber | 4.0% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 2.5% min |
| Glucosamine | 300 mg/kg min |
| Chondroitin Sulfate | 550 mg/kg min |
Pros:
+ Formulated to fill the needs of large dog breeds
+ Complete and balanced nutrition
+ Glucosamine and Chondroitin for joint health
+ Omega-6 and Vitamin E for skin and coat health
+ High-quality protein for lean muscle development
Cons:
– Large size kibbles is not ideal for some dogs
– Not for a sensitive stomach
3. Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal & Oat Recipe Dry Dog Food
This Hill’s Science Diet Puppy Large Breed Chicken Meal & Oat Recipe Dry Dog Food gives your puppy a proper blend of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to keep them in optimal health. It also contains optimal levels of calcium and other minerals so your pupper can grow with strong and healthy bones. Additionally, the DHA from fish oil supports brain and eye development, and quality protein from Chicken for building lean muscles, essential for a growing puppy’s needs.
Why We Like It – This Hill’s Science Diet dog food is sure to make your puppy live and grow healthily and happily. So many puppers love it and contain all the necessary ingredients to assist with your puppy’s growth and development.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 394 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 24.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 11.0% min |
| Crude Fiber | 3.0% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Calcium | 0.8% min |
| Vitamin E | 425 IU/kg min |
Pros:
+ Optimal levels of calcium to support bone growth
+ Glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy muscles and joints
+ With DHA to promote brain and eye health
+ Blend of antioxidants, vitamins C and E to provide immune support
+ High-quality animal protein for lean muscle development
Cons:
– Not for your pup with a sensitive stomach
4. Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Paws for Small Breed Dogs Dry Dog Food
Here’s something that’s tailored specifically for your small doggo’s nutritional needs. The Hill’s Science Diet Adult Small Paws for Small Breed Dogs Dry Dog Food contains highly digestible ingredients that are gentle on your small fur baby’s stomach. The quality protein included is designed to promote strong lean muscles and bones. This dry food is made with natural ingredients without artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or chicken by-product meals.
Why We Like It – Ever have pet food that even picky eaters love? This Hill’s Science Diet dog food for adult small breeds is a fan-favorite among fussy eaters!
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 371 kcal/cup |
| Crude Protein | 20.0% min |
| Crude Fat | 12.5% min |
| Crude Fiber | 4.0% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 2.5% min |
| Calcium | 0.65% min |
Pros:
+ Highly digestible ingredients
+ Omega-6 and Vitamin E to maintain healthy skin and coat
+ Blend of antioxidants, vitamin C and E for immune health
+ Promotes lean muscle development
+ No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Cons:
– Not for dogs with grain allergies
5. Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food provides a complete and balanced diet for your aging pupper. It’s formulated with balanced vitamins and minerals to keep your dog’s kidney and heart health in optimal status.
The wholesome ingredients like chicken meal, rice, and barley are designed to support your dog’s energy & activity levels so they can keep up with their daily activities. Also, the Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E helps keep your pup’s skin and coat healthy and young-looking.
Why We Like It – Adult and older doggos love this dry food more than their pet parents. It’s high-quality, healthy, and has everything to support your old pupper’s needs. Although it’s at a higher price point, it provides senior dogs with good nutrition.
Nutrition Information
| Caloric Content | 353 kcal/8-oz cup |
| Crude Protein | 15.5% min |
| Crude Fat | 10.5% min |
| Crude Fiber | 4.0% max |
| Moisture | 10.0% max |
| Omega-6 Fatty Acids | 2.5% min |
| Vitamin E | 450 IU/kg min |
Pros:
+ Easy-to-digest ingredients
+ Supports immune, heart, and kidney health
+ Complete and balanced diet for dogs aged 7 and up
+ Omega-6 and vitamin E for dog’s skin and coat
+ No artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or by-product meals
Cons:
– No Glucosamine for joint support
– Not for dogs with stomach issues
Hill’s Science Diet Discount Coupons & Promo Deals
For those living in the United States, going onto the Hills Science Diet website could be a good first step when looking for appealing promo deals. You can also sign up for their newsletter and get first-hand information regarding sales, promos, and discounts, often before the information reaches the general public.
Whether you are looking for a Hills Science puppy food or a Scientific diet for dogs that are already adults – there are probably promos out there somewhere! Many websites like Chewy.com and Amazon offers free shipping on larger orders, and online pet stores may offer discounts if you sign up for regular shipments of your favorite dog foods.
Conclusion
Hill’s Science Diet is overall good dog food made with quality ingredients. It lacks animal-based protein and is a mostly plant-based diet, but it is significantly higher in quality than many of the cheapest commercial brands.
You have choices like Hill’s Science Diet puppy food, adult dog foods, and suitable dog food options for senior dogs, but you can also get Science Diet for dogs with chronic illnesses, temporary disease, and other medical conditions.
There are plenty of options and it is a portion of very accessible dog food – easy to find in pet stores and online, and affordable in comparison to other brands.
In conclusion of our Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Review, we rate their dog foods between 2-5-3 stars out of 5, but it does not mean it is a poor or unwise dog food option for your fur friend. Know that there are better options out there, but if Hill’s is a good fit for your budget – it is a dog food that will provide your furry friend with nutrients like protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and more.
