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Hill's Science Diet Dog Food Review

Company HQ

LocationTopeka, Kansas us-flag

Parent company

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.

Sourcing and Manufacturing

LocationUnited States us-flag

Type of food

Dry Dog Food, Wet Dog Food, Dry Senior Dog Food, Dry Puppy Food, Wet Senior Dog Food, Wet Puppy Food

Ratings

48%
? This rating is determined by comparing the food’s nutritional content to AAFCO standards and other foods in our database. Nutrient Value 30%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 58%
? 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 29%
? 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 51%
? This metric is based on customer ratings from various retailers. Customer Experience 76%
? Our rating system evaluates each food’s manufacturing method, assigning higher ratings to manufacturing processes that promote higher nutritional value. Manufacturing Method 46%
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Hill's Science Diet makes a diverse range of foods for various ages, sizes, and lifestyles
  • All recipes are free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Cons
  • Some recipes contain plant-based protein
  • Lower than average protein content
  • The brand has been previously recalled

Brand Overview

Hill’s Science Diet is a line of pet foods for dogs and cats. The brand offers options for all life stages, and focuses on supporting specific needs such as joint health, digestive sensitivities, and more. Hill’s Science Diet is available in a variety of flavors, with wet and dry options available.

How Much Does Hill's Science Diet Dog Food Cost

We’ve compared Hill's Science Diet dog food price to the other 197 dog food brands in our database.

Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food Price Comparison

Brand AvgMarket Avg% From the Avg
Price per lb$3.90$3.67+6%
Price per 100 kcal$0.34$0.35-5%
Price per day$0.20$0.21-5%

Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.

Hill's Science Diet Wet Dog Food Price Comparison

Brand AvgMarket Avg% From the Avg
Price per oz$0.36$0.43-16%
Price per 100 kcal$1.05$1.36-23%
Price per day$0.63$0.81-22%

Hill's Science Diet Wet Dog Food is priced below the average market price for dog food.

Hill's Science Diet Dry Senior Dog Food Price Comparison

Brand AvgMarket Avg% From the Avg
Price per lb$4.16$3.84+8%
Price per 100 kcal$0.40$0.32+26%
Price per day$0.24$0.19+26%

Hill's Science Diet Dry Senior Dog Food is priced above the average market price for dog food.

Hill's Science Diet Dry Puppy Food Price Comparison

Brand AvgMarket Avg% From the Avg
Price per lb$3.37$3.80-11%
Price per 100 kcal$0.28$0.23+23%
Price per day$0.17$0.14+21%

Hill's Science Diet Dry Puppy Food is priced above the average market price for dog food.

Hill's Science Diet Wet Senior Dog Food Price Comparison

Brand AvgMarket Avg% From the Avg
Price per oz$0.33$0.330%
Price per 100 kcal$1.51$1.25+21%
Price per day$0.91$0.75+21%

Hill's Science Diet Wet Senior Dog Food is priced above the average market price for dog food.

Hill's Science Diet Wet Puppy Food Price Comparison

Brand AvgMarket Avg% From the Avg
Price per oz$0.44$0.31+42%
Price per 100 kcal$1.52$1.00+52%
Price per day$0.91$0.60+52%

Hill's Science Diet Wet Puppy Food is priced above the average market price for dog food.

Hill's Science Diet Nutrient Profile Comparison

We’ve compared Hill's Science Diet dog food recipes nutrient profile to the other 197 dog food brands in our database.

Dry Dog Food

Brand AvgMarket Avg% From the Avg
DM Protein 26.71% 30.01% -11%
DM Fat 14.55% 15.84% -8%
DM Fiber 7.93% 5.49% +44%
DM Carb 50.80% 47.75% +6%

Wet Dog Food

Brand AvgMarket Avg% From the Avg
DM Protein 25.19% 42.89% -41%
DM Fat 13.69% 22.28% -39%
DM Fiber 12.24% 7.40% +65%
DM Carb 48.89% 26.34% +86%

Dry Senior Dog Food

Brand AvgMarket Avg% From the Avg
DM Protein 19.21% 28.44% -32%
DM Fat 11.75% 13.38% -12%
DM Fiber 4.12% 5.48% -25%
DM Carb 64.92% 51.94% +25%

Dry Puppy Food

Brand AvgMarket Avg% From the Avg
DM Protein 27.32% 32.35% -16%
DM Fat 15.74% 17.94% -12%
DM Fiber 3.52% 4.66% -24%
DM Carb 53.43% 44.25% +21%

Wet Senior Dog Food

Brand AvgMarket Avg% From the Avg
DM Protein 22.87% 34.07% -33%
DM Fat 15.46% 19.57% -21%
DM Fiber 12.74% 9.47% +35%
DM Carb 47.26% 36.52% +29%

Wet Puppy Food

Brand AvgMarket Avg% From the Avg
DM Protein 30.71% 42.84% -28%
DM Fat 17.43% 27.27% -36%
DM Fiber 7.58% 7.01% +8%
DM Carb 44.29% 22.55% +96%

Recall History

The following list (if present) shows all dog food recalls related to Hill's Science Diet Dog Food Review 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

Lawsuit History

December 2016 - The lawsuit claims that prescription pet food overcharge consumers for a product that is not a drug and that prescription pet food is a “deceptive scheme”.

Four months later, lawyers representing the pet food manufacturers; Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Mars Petcare, Nestle Purina had requested the court dismiss the case based on FDA’s enforcement discretion to permit the sale of these products.

These companies are claiming that the FDA allows them to be ‘deceptive’, allows them to sell a pet food as a drug when it is not a drug, and to overcharge consumers as they see fit. And they are right. The court ruled that all claims argued in this lawsuit were not proven.

September 2018 - Consumers who purchased certain Hill’s Prescription Diet or Hill’s Science Diet canned dog food between Sept. 1, 2018 and May 31, 2019 are eligible to claim up to $20 without a separate proof of purchase (such as a receipt) or their full purchase price with proof of purchase thanks to a $12.5 million class action settlement.

The recall involved 54 lots, approximately 675,000 cases of canned dog food, that contained potentially toxic levels of vitamin D. The Court granted final approval to this settlement July 30, 2021.

Explore All Reviews of Hill's Science Diet Dog Food Recipes

FAQ

faq-item-image Who owns Hill's Science Diet dog food?

Hill's Science Diet is owned by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc..

faq-item-image Where is Hill's Science Diet dog food made?

Hill's Science Diet is manufactured in the United States us-flag.

faq-item-image Is Hill's Science Diet AAFCO approved?

Not all of Hill's Science Diet recipes are AAFCO approved, the following recipes are not AAFCO approved.

faq-item-image Has Hill's Science Diet dog food been recalled?

Hill's Science Diet has been recalled 6 times in the years 2014, 2015, and 2019.

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