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Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Hairball Control Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food

Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Hairball Control Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food
Company info
Company HQ
Topeka, Kansas
Parent company
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Product info
Age Range: Senior
Food Form Dry Senior Cat Food
Cost per day: $0.30
Primary proteins
  • Chicken
  • Corn Gluten Meal

Ingredients

Chicken, Whole Grain Wheat, Corn Gluten Meal, Chicken Fat, Powdered Cellulose, Wheat Gluten, Brewers Rice, Dried Beet Pulp, Chicken Liver Flavor, Lactic Acid, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Sulfate, Fish Oil, Dicalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Taurine, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Niacin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Iodized Salt, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Carnitine, Oat Fiber, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Peas.

Compare Prices To Find The Lowest Price

Overall Score

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54%

Ratings

? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 42%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 59%
? We scan the FDA’s database and rate each brand by the number of recalls in its history. Brands with fewer recalls receive higher ratings. Recall History 26%
? By comparing the prices of foods in our database, we determine if a food is above or below market average price. Lower-priced foods receive higher ratings. Price 39%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 84%
? Our rating system evaluates each food’s manufacturing method, assigning higher ratings to manufacturing processes that promote higher nutritional value. Manufacturing Method 40%
? Based on the variety of sizes available. Size Variety 83%

Estimated Nutrient Content

To understand the nutrient content of pet food, we visualize its macronutrient composition in three ways. In the charts below, you’ll see a guaranteed analysis on an as-fed basis, a dry matter analysis, and a breakdown of the food’s macronutrients on a calorie-weighted basis.

Remember that all of these values are estimates based on the guaranteed analysis published by the company, and the food’s actual nutrient values may be slightly different.

Guaranteed Analysis

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Protein: 28.5%

Fat: 15.5%

Fiber: 10.7%

Moisture: 8%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 37.3%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 30.98%

Fat: 16.85%

Fiber: 11.63%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 40.54%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 27.55%

Fat: 36.39%

Carb: 36.06%

Our Review

Pros
  • A good source of omega-3 fatty acids
Cons
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains plant-based proteins
  • The brand has had multiple recalls over recent years
  • Some cats may be allergic to fish

Recall History

The following list (if present) shows all cat food recalls related to Hill's Science Diet since 2011. If no recalls are listed, no recall events have been reported.

Hill's Science Diet - Dry dog food (06/02/2014) -+
Date: 06/02/2014
Company Name: Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Product Description: Dry dog food
Recall Reason: Salmonella
Hill's Science Diet - Canned dog Food (11/28/2015) -+
Date: 11/28/2015
Company Name: Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Product Description: Canned dog Food
Recall Reason: Labeling problems
Hill's Science Diet - Canned Dog Food (01/31/2019) -+
Date: 01/31/2019
Company Name: Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Product Description: Canned Dog Food
Recall Reason: Potentially Elevated Levels of Vitamin D
Hill's Prescription Diet - Canned Dog Food (01/31/2019) -+
Date: 01/31/2019
Company Name: Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Product Description: Canned Dog Food
Recall Reason: Potentially Elevated Levels of Vitamin D
Hill's Science Diet - Canned Dog Food (05/21/2019) -+
Date: 05/21/2019
Company Name: Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Product Description: Canned Dog Food
Recall Reason: Potentially Elevated Levels of Vitamin D
Hill's Prescription Diet - Canned Dog Food (05/21/2019) -+
Date: 05/21/2019
Company Name: Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Product Description: Canned Dog Food
Recall Reason: Potentially Elevated Levels of Vitamin D

Ingredient Review

Our review of Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Hairball Control Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Chicken. Chicken is meat from the domesticated bird of the same name. In pet food, chicken is used as a primary protein source.

The second ingredient is Whole Grain Wheat. Whole grain wheat is the edible grain from any variety of wheat plant. In pet food, whole grain wheat is a source of carbohydrates, protein, and other nutrients.

The third ingredient is Corn Gluten Meal. Corn gluten meal is produced as a byproduct from the manufacture of corn syrup and other sweeteners made with corn. It contains no wheat gluten. The corn gluten meal in pet food is a source of inexpensive protein, but it has high levels of cysteine, which have been linked to the formation of urinary stones.

The fourth ingredient is Chicken Fat. Chicken fat is a good source of omega-6 fatty acids including linoleic acid. In pet food, chicken fat also adds flavor, improves consistency, and serves as a source of the animal fat pets need for overall wellbeing.

The fifth ingredient is Powdered Cellulose. In pet food, powdered cellulose serves as a filler and a source of dietary fiber. Powdered cellulose can come from any plant source including agricultural byproducts. It is often encountered in lower calorie pet foods for weight loss.

When we analyzed the ingredients in Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Hairball Control Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food, we found that most of the protein is derived from meat based sources.

Price Analysis

Price per lb

Product Price

$5.07

Market Price avg.

$4.62

% From the Avg

+10%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.50

Market Price avg.

$0.37

% From the Avg

+36%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.30

Market Price avg.

$0.22

% From the Avg

+37%

Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Hairball Control Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food is priced above the average market price for dry senior cat food.

Nutritional Analysis

As opposed to formulas intended for growth (kitten) and maintenance (adult), there are no special label requirements or legal definitions for “senior” diets. Senior diets are actually only required to meet the same nutritional needs as for adult diets. This means that there can be a lot of variation and interpretation by different food companies on what makes up a senior diet. Senior diets can have varying amounts of protein, fat, carbs, phosphorus, sodium, and fiber.

The assumptions that all senior pets need low protein, low fat and carbs, low phosphorus and sodium, and high fiber across the board are incorrect. The need for higher or lower levels of these nutrients varies greatly from cat to cat. That’s why it’s very important for senior pets for their pet parents to work with their veterinarian to decide what type of diet is most appropriate. For many young senior pets, the adult diets they’ve been on may be just fine to continue.

With that in mind, we’ve compared Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Hairball Control Chicken Recipe Dry Cat Food to the other 37 dry senior cat food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

30.98%

All Products avg.

35.4%

% From the Avg

-12%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

16.85%

All Products avg.

15.92%

% From the Avg

+6%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

11.63%

All Products avg.

6.55%

% From the Avg

+78%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

40.54%

All Products avg.

40.66%

% From the Avg

-0%

Analysis Overview

Overall, this is a meat based food that’s low in protein with moderate fat and moderate carbohydrate content relative to other dry senior cat foods.

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