Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Review

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Review of Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

According to our data, this Hill's Science Diet recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for growing puppies and pregnant/nursing dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.

Unlike other AAFCO approved dog foods which rely in laboratory testing to substantiate nutritional adequacy, this recipe has undergone feeding trials. In the pet food industry, feeding trials are often considered to be the superior testing method.

Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe provides complete and balanced nutrition for growing puppies and pregnant/nursing dogs.

Review of Ingredients

In our review of Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe, we'll examine all 48 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.

While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.

  1. Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.

  2. Brown rice is a whole grain that provides an excellent source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients for your dog. The fiber content can aid in digestion and help maintain a healthy weight, while the carbohydrates provide energy for an active lifestyle.

  3. Whole grain wheat is a source of wholesome fiber, promoting good digestive health, and it also provides essential nutrients like protein and B vitamins.

  4. Chicken meal is a highly concentrated source of protein made from dehydrated and ground chicken. It provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle development, tissue repair, and overall growth, making it a valuable ingredient for maintaining your dog's health and well-being.

  5. Chicken fat is a highly palatable source of energy, providing essential fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat, as well as supporting your dog's immune system.

  6. Whole grain corn is a wholesome carbohydrate source that provides your dog with the energy they need to stay active and healthy, while also delivering essential nutrients.

  7. Whole grain oats are a nutrient-rich source of complex carbohydrates, providing sustained energy, and dietary fiber to support healthy digestion in dogs.

  8. Pea protein is a plant-based protein source that is often used as a supplement in dog food. It's beneficial for dogs with food sensitivities or those on a plant-based diet.

  9. Soybean meal is a plant-based protein source that provides essential amino acids for your dog's muscle growth and overall health, while also being highly digestible.

  10. Hydrolyzed chicken flavor is a highly digestible protein source that adds an appealing taste to your dog's food. It stimulates a healthy appetite, ensuring that your dog receives the essential nutrients required for optimal health.

  11. Ground pecan shell can be used as a fiber source in dog food, aiding in healthy digestion.

  12. Dicalcium phosphate is a calcium and phosphorus supplement that helps to support the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth in dogs.

  13. Lactic acid is used in pet foods as a preservative and to enhance flavor.

  14. Pork Liver Flavor enhances the taste of the food, making it more appealing to your dog.

  15. Soybean oil is a plant-based source of healthy fats in dog food. Rich in omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E, soybean oil helps support your dog's skin and coat health, as well as their immune system. It also provides energy for active dogs and assists in nutrient absorption.

  16. Iodized salt provides essential iodine for your dog, which is necessary for proper thyroid function and overall health.

  17. Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients, which can support your dog's skin, coat, and digestive health.

  18. Dried Beet Pulp is a source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestive health and provides energy for dogs.

  19. Dried citrus pulp is a nutritious by-product of the citrus juice industry, providing an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber. This ingredient supports healthy digestion and helps maintain a healthy weight for your dog.

  20. Potassium chloride is an essential mineral supplement that helps maintain your dog's electrolyte balance and supports healthy nerve and muscle function.

  21. Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining a healthy skin and coat, supporting brain function, and promoting overall immune system health in dogs.

  22. Choline Chloride is an essential nutrient that aids in brain and liver function, muscle movement, and supports healthy metabolic processes.

  23. Pressed cranberry is a natural source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can help support your dog's immune system and urinary tract health.

  24. Vitamin E supplement is an essential nutrient that helps support your dog's immune system, skin health, and overall wellness.

  25. L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate is a stable form of vitamin C, an essential antioxidant that supports your dog's immune system, joint health, and overall wellness.

  26. Niacin supplement is an important source of vitamin B3, which plays a crucial role in supporting your dog's energy metabolism, nervous system function, and overall health. It also aids in maintaining healthy skin and coat, as well as promoting proper digestion.

  27. Thiamine mononitrate is a form of vitamin B1 that helps support your dog's nervous system function, energy metabolism, and overall health.

  28. Vitamin A Supplement is important for supporting vision, immune function, and skin health in dogs.

  29. Calcium pantothenate is a source of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) that helps support your dog's energy metabolism and nervous system function.

  30. Riboflavin supplement is a source of Vitamin B2, which is crucial for your dog's energy production, cell function, and overall growth and development.

  31. Biotin is a B-vitamin that's important for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and nails in dogs.

  32. Vitamin B12 Supplement is an essential vitamin that helps support brain function and the formation of red blood cells.

  33. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a source of vitamin B6, which is essential for your dog's nervous system function, immune health, and red blood cell production.

  34. Folic acid is a crucial B-vitamin that aids in the synthesis of DNA and supports healthy cell growth. It's essential for maintaining your dog's overall health, particularly during periods of rapid growth.

  35. Vitamin D3 supplement is an essential vitamin that supports bone health, immune function, and overall well-being in dogs. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus balance in the body, promoting strong and healthy bones.

  36. L-threonine is an essential amino acid that supports the immune system, muscle growth, and the production of collagen in dogs, contributing to a healthy skin, coat, and joints.

  37. DL-Methionine is an essential amino acid that supports your dog's overall health by promoting proper protein synthesis, maintaining healthy skin and coat, and aiding in the detoxification process.

  38. Ferrous sulfate is an important source of iron for dogs, a mineral essential for red blood cell production, oxygen transportation, and overall vitality. Adequate iron intake supports your dog's immune system and energy levels.

  39. Zinc Oxide is a source of zinc, an essential mineral that supports immune function and skin health in dogs.

  40. Copper sulfate is an essential trace mineral that supports various bodily functions in dogs, including immune system health, skin and coat maintenance, and red blood cell production.

  41. Manganous oxide is an important trace mineral that helps support your dog's metabolism, bone formation, and nerve function.

  42. Calcium iodate is a source of iodine, an essential trace mineral that supports your dog's thyroid function and overall metabolism. It helps maintain proper hormone production and is crucial for overall health and well-being.

  43. Sodium selenite is a form of selenium, a necessary trace mineral that supports immune function and thyroid health in dogs.

  44. Taurine is an essential amino acid that supports heart health, vision, and development and function of skeletal muscle.

  45. Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.

  46. Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.

  47. L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid that helps to support your dog's mood and stress levels.

  48. Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that supports your dog's immune system and overall well-being. It also plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin and vision, making it an essential ingredient for your dog's diet.

Review of Guaranteed Analysis

The Crude Protein minimum of 27.80% likely comes from the primary ingredient, chicken, which is a high source of protein. Other protein sources in the ingredient list include chicken meal, pea protein, and soybean meal.

The Crude Fat minimum of 19.00% is most likely derived from the chicken fat, which is listed as the fifth ingredient. Other potential contributors to the fat content are soybean oil and fish oil.

The Crude Fiber maximum of 2.50% can be attributed to the grains (brown rice, whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, and whole grain oats) and the vegetable ingredients (ground pecan shells, dried beet pulp, and dried citrus pulp). Fiber is an important part of a dog's diet, helping to support healthy digestion.

The calorie content of 3747.00 per kg is derived from all the ingredients, but primarily from the protein and fat sources. Proteins and fats are higher in calories than carbohydrates and fibers, so the chicken, chicken meal, chicken fat, pea protein, and soybean meal are likely the key contributors to the calorie content.

The vitamins and minerals listed are added to ensure a balanced diet, and while they don't contribute to the guaranteed analysis values, they are crucial for the overall health and development of puppies. These include vitamins like Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A, and minerals like ferrous sulfate, zinc oxide, and copper sulfate.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe costs approximately $3.01 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.

Adult WeightPuppy
5 lbs $11.01
10 lbs $18.51
15 lbs $25.09
20 lbs $31.14
30 lbs $42.20
40 lbs $52.36
50 lbs $61.90
60 lbs $70.97
70 lbs $79.67
80 lbs $88.07
90 lbs $96.20
100 lbs $104.11

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.

Summary of Customer Reviews

Many customers have found Hill's Science Diet Puppy Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe to be a great choice for their puppies. A number of reviews note that their puppies enjoy the taste of this food over other brands, with one Corgi owner stating that their pup prefers this brand over any other. Another owner of a five-month-old husky puppy mentioned that their pup has been on this food since she got home and has never been sick while eating it.

Some customers have praised the product for helping with their puppies' digestive issues. A Blue Heeler puppy owner shared that their pup's tummy problems completely disappeared after switching to Hill's Science Diet. Another customer, who had tried several different puppy brands, found that Science Diet was the only puppy food that agreed with their Lab's digestion.

Several reviews also highlight the nutritional value of the product. One customer, who had used Hill's Science Diet since 1980, attributed the long and healthy lives of their pets to the product. Another customer, whose vet recommended Hills for their very sick puppy, saw the puppy's coat become shiny and healthy after switching to this food.

However, a few customers have reported that their puppies did not like the taste of the food or experienced digestive problems after eating it. Some of these customers noted that the food did not agree with their Pomeranian or Husky puppies, causing diarrhea. In response to these negative reviews, it's important to remember that every puppy is unique, and what works well for one may not work for another.

Lastly, several customers appreciated the convenience of the product's packaging and delivery. One customer liked the sturdy packaging with a Velcro seal which made it easy to store the food if not transferred to a bin. Another customer was happy with the fast delivery and the fact that the price was the same as in-store, saving them a trip.