Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Review

Knowing more about the top Hill’s Science dog food variations is only part of the answer when trying to decide on the best food for your canine companion. It also helps to know a little more about the company, its philosophy, and the historical quality of the food. In this section of the guide we look more closely at these aspects, as well as delving into the pros and cons of using Hill’s Science Diet dog food.

Hill’s Science Diet is just one type of pet food made by Hill’s. The company was started in the 1930s’ by Dr Mark Morris and his wife Louise Morris, after Dr Morris was approached to help a seeing eye dog with kidney failure. Dr Morris was convinced that poor nutrition was at the heart of the dog’s problems. He set out to create a food that would improve the dog’s health and maintain that health, allowing the seeing dog’s owner to continue with his work and have the companionship of his dog for longer. The first product was called Raritan Ration B.

In 1948 Burton Hill of Hill Packing Company was licensed to produce Dr Morris’ pet formula. The partnership between the two would eventually evolve into Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Morris established a research laboratory in 1951, by which time four prescription dog foods were available.

A demand for consistent, high-quality dog was noticed by Mark Morris Jnr, who continued to grow the company, making food for healthy dogs, which by 1968 was made available through pet professionals and veterinarians. This line of food was known as Hill’s Science Diet, which today is one of many lines that cover all stages of development, different dog breeds, and a range of health needs.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition was purchased by Colgate-Palmolive in 1976. Its products are now available in 86 countries around the globe and are found in veterinary offices more often than any other brand of dog food. However, the food is still made in the US and made from whole food ingredients.

Hill’s mission is to enrich the lives of dogs and to lengthen the relationship between pet and owner through providing high-quality nutrition that dog’s love the taste of. Hill’s works towards a goal of nutrition as the cornerstone of veterinary medicine. The company develops its foods using compassionate and non-invasive methods. A staff of board certified specialists in nutrition and veterinarians work alongside the company pets at the Nutrition Center in Topeka, Kansas to develop tasty and nutritious pet food.

Hill’s Science Diet dog food is developed by a team of veterinarians, food scientists and nutritionists to meet the specific needs of your pet. As well as ensuring that each food has the optimal balance of nutrients and the best possible taste, the team ensure that there are no excess nutrients like salt and fat, which can be harmful over time. The team’s work is carried out in state-of-the-art facilities and is tested with real animals in a non-invasive and non-harmful way. Hill’s pet team members have dedicated human teams to look after their every need and have access to everything that a healthy and well-loved pet needs.

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There have been two product recalls of Hill’s Science Diet dog food in recent years, although there have been further recalls of cat food products.

• November 2015 – Voluntary withdrawal of several Science Diet dog food products due to labeling issues.
• June 2014 – FDA recall of Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed dry dog food. The recall was a response to potential salmonella contamination

Hill’s Science Diet dog food contains the proper balance of 50 nutrients that pets need to maintain optimal health and wellbeing. The balance is different in each type of food as it is specifically tailored to the needs of specific groups or to support dogs with specific ailments. This makes it difficult to give one overarching analysis. However, the main ingredients that are found in the majority of Hill’s Science diet foods are:

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

The main nutrients in Hill’s Science Diet are:

• Protein
• Fat
• Crude Fiber
• Carbohydrate / NFE
• Calcium
• Phosphorous
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Taurine
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Total Omega-3
• Total Omega-6

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As with any dog food brand there are pros and cons to buying Hill’s Science Diet dog food.

By exploring our expert’s reviews and gaining a greater understanding of the company behind Hill’s Science Diet dog food, you can make an informed decision as to whether the food is right for your pet pooch.

Pros

• Clinically proven formulas
• Recommended and sold by veterinarians across the world
• Diets designed to meet the needs of specific breeds, stages, and health needs
• Use whole foods
• Offers dry and wet food variety
• Made in the United States
• No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives are used

Cons

• Meat / protein is not always main ingredient
• Majority of the food contain grains and gluten – although Hill’s do have a grain free recipe if required
• Two product recalls in recent years