Hill”s Dog Food Review

It is essential for your dog’s health and happiness to choose the proper food. It can be difficult to choose the best brand for your pet among the many available options. Hill’s Dog Food is one company that constantly sticks out because of its premium ingredients and formulas that are supported by science.

This post will examine Hill’s Dog Food in more detail, delving into its various product lines, components, and unique selling points. Regardless of whether you’re a first-time dog owner or trying to change your pet’s diet, this review will assist you in making an informed choice.

Let’s examine the specifics of what makes Hill’s Dog Food a well-liked option for both veterinarians and dog owners.

Hill’s Dog Food stands out when it comes to providing the best nutrition for your dog because of its high-quality ingredients and formulas supported by science. In order to help you decide if Hill’s is the best option for your pet, this review examines the available options and highlights the advantages and potential disadvantages.

Hill"s Dog Food Review

Dog food from Hill’s comes in 60 varieties, both wet and dry. Everything cannot be covered in detail in a single article. As a result, we will list the variations in brief and examine one, the most common type, in more detail.

Types and types of food

Three of Hill’s product lines are available in Russia: Science Plan, Prescription Diet, and VetEssentials. Pet shops and vet offices sell the first two without restriction. The final one can only be obtained by placing an order with a veterinarian following a medical consultation and prescription.

Science Plan

Daily Line: Science Plan. The menu is designed to accommodate pets of all shapes and sizes, needs, and lifestyles. There are usually two or three flavors available for each diet type, so you can select the dry food that your dog prefers.

The average cost of a 1.5 kg package from the Science Plan series is between 900 and 1000 rubles.

The 22 dry food varieties that make up the Science Plan line are separated into two categories: universal and special needs diets. Diets are among the first.

• for puppies of small, medium and large breeds with chicken;
• for puppies of medium breeds with lamb and rice;
• for adult dogs of large, medium and small breeds with chicken or with lamb and rice;
• for adult dogs of medium breeds with tuna and rice;
• for elderly medium-sized dogs with lamb and rice;
• for small and medium breeds of older age with chicken.

Pets with special needs diets are available:

1. Performance: for adult active, hunting or working animals.
2. Senior Vitality: Maintaining Health in Animals Over 7 Years Old – for Large Breeds, and Small and Medium.
3. Sensitive Stomach& Skin: for adult pets of medium and small breeds with digestive problems or skin diseases.
4. Perfect Weight: for adult medium-sized dogs with excess weight.
5. Small& Miniature Light: for adult small and miniature dogs prone to obesity.

Three varieties of canned food (patates) with chicken are also available in the Science Plan line: ones for puppies, adults, and senior dogs.

Prescription Diet

Food from the Prescription Diet line is meant to treat illnesses in dogs. Although they are freely available in pet stores and veterinary pharmacies, requiring a prescription from a doctor, they cannot be given without one. A 2 kg package costs, on average, 2,000 rubles.

There are twenty varieties of dry food in the Prescription Diet line:

• Diabetes Care for dogs with diabetes and excess weight;
• Metabolic: for pets with obesity, includes 2 types – for small dogs and all breeds;
• Metabolic + Mobility to improve mobility and reduce weight;
• j/d to normalize mobility, relieve joint pain;
• u/d to regulate health in animals with urolithiasis;
• c/d for struvite urolithiasis;
• k/d+Mobility Canine for kidney disease;
• k/d for renal failure;
• l/d for liver pathologies;
• z/d – Hill"s hypoallergenic, improves skin condition and digestive tract function;
• d/d for allergies that cause skin diseases and gastrointestinal disorders;
• z/d Mini for food allergies in small dogs;
• Derm Defense for allergies to environmental components;
• Gastrointestinal Biome to improve digestion and bowel function;
• i/d Low Fat for digestive disorders caused by excess fat in the diet;
• i/d Stress Mini for small breed dogs with gastrointestinal disorders caused by stress;
• i/d for gastrointestinal disorders during the recovery period;
• t/d to reduce plaque formation and improve gum health.

Also in the Prescription Diet line 11 varieties of canned food: for diabetes, allergies, liver and urinary system diseases, for weight loss, etc.

VetEssentials

Pet health preventive foods are part of the VetEssentials line. Every variety has components that improve your pet’s health in a number of ways:

• increase immunity;
• support the work of the heart and other internal organs;
• normalize the functions of the brain and eyes;
• ensure normal digestion and prevention of urinary tract pathologies;
• improve the condition of teeth, gums, skin and fur;
• strengthen joints, bones and muscles;
• regulate weight.

Five diets are included in the VetEssentials series:

1. For puppies.
2. For adults.
3. Grain-free.
4. For healthy teeth and gums.
5. For neutered pets.

Preventive food from VetEssentials. They won’t take the place of the Prescription Diet line’s therapeutic menus. Furthermore, they are uncommon in the CIS nations, where they are typically brought to order.

Composition of food

For a general understanding of \u200bLet’s examine the most widely used diet, which is the Hill’s Science Plan for medium-sized adult dogs that includes chicken.

Its 372 kcal per 100 g nutritional value is good. The composition’s screenshot was taken from the Hill’s company’s official website:

We’ll go over the idea behind the ingredient list’s arrangement before getting into the feed’s composition. The components should be listed in order of largest to smallest according to an internationally recognized standard. In other words, the product listed first has the highest percentage content, and the product listed last has the lowest. Thus, the first six items on any ready-made menu serve as its foundation.

For medium-sized adult dogs that are fed chicken, Hill’s Science Plan is:

1. Corn . A popular cheap filler. Manufacturers use this grain to make up for the lack of animal protein. But the fact is that corn protein, gluten, is not fully absorbed by predators. In addition, this product contains a lot of carbohydrates, which lead to obesity, diabetes and inflammation.
2. Wheat . Another common component that is used to reduce the cost of drying. Also contains vegetable protein (gluten) and a lot of carbohydrates. With regular use, the grain causes health problems.
3. Chicken and turkey flour . Represents dried and crushed parts of bird carcasses. A good source of animal protein, which is perfectly digestible by predators. But, given that the product is listed in 3rd place, its mass fraction is low. In addition, the manufacturer does not indicate what raw materials were used: one can only guess whether it was meat or low-grade components – offal, skin, bones, etc.
4. Animal fat . Obtained from the tissues of animals and birds. Gives the granules a pleasant taste and smell, promotes the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. But the ingredient is recognized as unsuitable for human consumption. In addition, high-quality fat is expensive. And, given that the manufacturer did not indicate what raw materials the component was obtained from, these could be carcasses of sick animals. Plus it is often preserved with dangerous chemical compounds.
5. Protein hydrolysate . Obtained from animal or vegetable proteins by processing with enzymes, subsequent evaporation and drying. Used in ready-made diets due to high digestibility and taste. But the ingredient is considered low-grade: the manufacturer did not indicate what raw materials the product was obtained from and how high its quality is.
6. Corn gluten flour . Vegetable protein that is obtained after the production of corn starch by grinding. As already indicated, gluten often causes allergies. In addition, the separation of essentially identical components "Corn" and "Corn gluten flour" is a marketing ploy called "split names". So the manufacturer deliberately understates the percentage of vegetable ingredients.

Apart from the six primary ingredients, the concerned dry food also includes:

1. Vegetable oil. A source of fatty acids, but since the source of raw materials is not indicated, it is impossible to determine the quality of the product.
2. Minerals. Complex mineral supplement, introduced into any food. Necessary for the full functioning of the body. There is no detailed decryption, but the manufacturer provides data in a separate table – we give it at the end of the list.
3. Dry pulp sugar beets. Natural prebiotic and fiber source supports normal intestinal microflora. But, given that the ingredient is indicated in the penultimate place after minerals, the volume of which is measured in grams, its content is extremely low and does not affect the health of animals.
4. Flax seed. Source of omega-3, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. However, the digestibility of vegetable fatty acids in animals is a controversial moment: it is better when dogs get them from fish oil. The ingredient is indicated at the end, so its content is extremely low, and it cannot be calculated that it will benefit the pet.

Pros and cons

Hills: unclear eating plans. They offer benefits as well as drawbacks.

• absence of chemical preservatives, dyes and flavors;
• an abundance of types for different animal needs;
• a wide range of veterinary diets;
• good vitamin and mineral supplement;
• high nutritional value;
• widespread;
• relatively low price.

• there are more plant components in the dry food than animal ones, which is unacceptable in dog nutrition;
• allergenic products are used: wheat, corn and corn gluten flour;
• the percentage of ingredients is not indicated;
• the sources of raw materials are not indicated – whole grain wheat or feed, poultry fillet or whole carcasses, etc.;
• no high-quality animal products: fresh meat, fish oil, etc.d.;
• split names.

Daily rate

For feeding rates, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Company recommends the following.

Regarding mature dogs:

Feeding frequency with canned goods:

Remember that these are mean figures. Adhere to them, but pay attention to your pet’s condition; the standards can be adjusted by 10–20 grams. A dog’s exact needs vary depending on its lifestyle, level of maintenance, needs individually, and metabolism.

Reviews

Veterinarian"s review

You can’t make a clear judgment about Hills’ wet and dry food. Because there is so much wheat and corn in their daily diets, they do not meet dog nutrition standards. Plant protein is poorly absorbed by animals, creates a false sense of satiety, and contributes to obesity and diabetes even in dogs that do not have a gluten allergy.

However, Hill’s veterinary line is top-notch. It aids in illness management, averts relapses, and returns the pet’s condition to normal. You may take it if a veterinarian prescribed it.

Customer reviews

Valentin: "I’ve spent my entire life feeding Hills to my dog." The pet is happy, the skin is clean, the coat is shiny, and the stool always forms, so I didn’t find any flaws.

Inna: "An animal’s allergy is a real punishment." My husky used to be outside until dandruff started to show and the fur started to fall out. We tried countless brands and three different clinics in our quest for the perfect food and treatment before coming across Hills. Although Z/D contains little protein, the dog enjoys eating it, fills up fast, and does not lose weight. Most importantly, have thick fur coat and clear skin!».

Laura: "I wasn’t a fan of Hills." The variety, nutritional value, and absence of flavors and flavor enhancers are the main reasons I purchased it. However, I eventually gave up because of its poor composition, lack of fresh or raw meat components, general description of the ingredients without a percentage content, and complete lack of indication of some of them.

Feature	Description
Nutrition	Hill"s offers balanced nutrition tailored to various dog breeds and ages.
Ingredients	High-quality protein sources and vitamins are included.
Flavor Options	Available in several flavors to appeal to picky eaters.
Health Benefits	Supports skin health, digestion, and weight management.
Price Range	Moderately priced, making it accessible for most dog owners.

Reviewing Hill’s Dog Food reveals that a lot of pet owners think their furry friends will benefit from it. Hill’s strives to support dogs at different life stages and with different dietary requirements by offering a range of formulas catered to specific health needs.

Real meat and vital nutrients are among the standout ingredients, and their quality is frequently commended. After switching to Hill’s, many customers note observable improvements in their dogs’ general health, energy levels, and coat condition. This implies that pets in need of a balanced diet may benefit from the food.

But it’s crucial to take into account your dog’s particular requirements. While many dogs may find Hill’s to be satisfactory, some dogs may have particular sensitivity or preferences. To make sure your pet’s diet is the best fit for them, always speak with your veterinarian before making any dietary changes.

Overall, pet owners hold a high regard for Hill’s Dog Food. It is a brand worth taking into consideration for dog owners who want to give their pets the best possible diet because of its emphasis on quality and customized nutrition.

Video on the topic

Review of Hill"s Science Plan Advanced Fitness food for medium-sized dogs with tuna and rice flavor

Review of Hill"s Prescription Diet l/d food So, are we treating the liver or not?!

Review of Hill"s Prescription Diet i/d stress food for small breed dogs

Hill"s dry and wet dog food

Hills dog food | Types | Reviews | Characteristics.