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Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal

Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal
Company info
Company HQ
Topeka, Kansas us-flag
Parent company
Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Product info
Age Range: Senior
Food Form Dry Senior Dog Food
Cost per day: $0.28
Primary proteins
  • Chicken Meal
  • Soybean Meal

Ingredients

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 (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), L-Lysine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), Taurine, DL-Methionine, Oat Fiber, Mixed Tocopherols for freshness, Natural Flavors, L-Carnitine, Beta-Carotene, Apples, Broccoli, Carrots, Cranberries, Green Peas.

Breed sizes

size-1 Toy
size-2 Small
size-3 Medium
size-4 Large
size-5 Giant

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 25%
? Each recipe is evaluated based on a 5-point ingredient rating system that measures ingredients’ nutritional value, safety, and more. Quality of Ingredients 61%
? 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 28%
? 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 92%
? 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 100%

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: 15.5%

Fat: 10.5%

Fiber: 4%

Moisture: 10%

Ash: 0%

Carb: 60%

Dry Matter Analysis

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Protein: 17.22%

Fat: 11.67%

Fiber: 4.44%

Ash: 8%

Carb: 66.67%

Calorie Weighted Basis

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Protein: 15.35%

Fat: 25.25%

Carb: 59.41%

Our Review

Pros
  • Made with fiber-rich flaxseed
  • Most customers have good experiences with this food
Cons
  • High in carbohydrates
  • Low in moisture
  • Contains plant-based proteins
  • For supplemental feeding only: this food is not nutritionally complete and balanced according to AAFCO guidelines
  • The brand has had multiple recalls over recent years

Recall History

The following list (if present) shows all dog 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+ Chicken Meal begins with a detailed look at the food’s ingredients.

The first ingredient is Chicken Meal. In pet food, chicken meal is often listed as a source of protein. Chicken meal is produced by baking and grinding chicken meat and skin. As a dry form of animal protein, it is most often found in kibble and treats.

The second ingredient is Cracked Pearled Barley. Cracked pearled barley is the cereal grain barley, with its outer hull removed and the inner portion cracked open. In pet food, cracked pearled barley serves as a source of carbohydrates. It is lower in nutrients than whole barley or barley groats.

The third ingredient is Brewers Rice. Brewers rice is a byproduct of the beer industry. The brewers rice in pet food has been dried and ground for use as a carbohydrate source, often in gluten-free recipes.

The fourth 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 fifth ingredient is Whole Grain Corn. Whole grain corn is the entire corn seed, usually ground for easier consumption. In pet food, whole grain corn acts as a source of inexpensive protein, fiber, and some nutrients.

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

Price Analysis

Price per lb

Product Price

$3.28

Market Price avg.

$3.81

% From the Avg

-14%

Price per 100 kcal

Product Price

$0.46

Market Price avg.

$0.32

% From the Avg

+46%

Price per day

Product Price

$0.28

Market Price avg.

$0.19

% From the Avg

+47%

Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal is priced above the average market price for dry senior dog food.

Nutritional Analysis

As opposed to formulas intended for growth (puppy) 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 dog to dog. 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+ Chicken Meal to the other 107 dry senior dog food recipes in our database:

DM Protein

DM Protein

Product info

17.22%

All Products avg.

28.59%

% From the Avg

-40%

DM Fat

DM Fat

Product info

11.67%

All Products avg.

13.47%

% From the Avg

-13%

DM Fiber

DM Fiber

Product info

4.44%

All Products avg.

5.49%

% From the Avg

-19%

DM Carb

DM Carb

Product info

66.67%

All Products avg.

51.73%

% From the Avg

+29%

Analysis Overview

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

Disclaimer and Disclosure

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