Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini Light Adult With Chicken Meal & Barley Review

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Review of Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini Light Adult With Chicken Meal & Barley

According to our data, this Hill's Science Diet recipe provides complete & balanced nutrition for the maintenance of adult dogs. In other words, this formula is AAFCO approved.

Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini Light Adult With Chicken Meal & Barley is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for the maintenance of adult dogs.

Review of Ingredients

In our review of Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini Light Adult With Chicken Meal & Barley, we'll examine all 46 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 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.

  2. Cracked pearled barley is a wholesome, easily digestible grain that provides your dog with essential nutrients, fiber, and energy. It supports healthy digestion, maintains stable blood sugar levels, and contributes to overall health and vitality.

  3. Pea fiber is a natural source of dietary fiber for dogs that helps support digestive health and overall well-being. It also aids in weight management by promoting a feeling of fullness, making it a valuable addition to dog food formulas.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. Corn gluten meal is a by-product of corn processing that serves as an alternative protein source for dogs. It is rich in essential amino acids, and it can also provide energy and support healthy skin and coat for your pet.

  7. Powdered cellulose is a natural source of dietary fiber that promotes healthy digestion and helps maintain your dog's weight by providing a feeling of fullness without adding extra calories.

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

  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. Whole grain sorghum is a gluten-free grain that provides your dog with a source of digestible carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients for overall health.

  11. Brewers rice is a highly digestible carbohydrate source that provides energy for your dog.

  12. Chicken liver flavor is a natural flavor enhancer that makes dog food more palatable and enjoyable for your pet. It also provides essential vitamins and minerals that support your dog's overall health and well-being.

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

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

  16. 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.

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

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

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

  20. Calcium carbonate is a valuable source of calcium, an essential mineral for strong bones and teeth, and for supporting proper muscle function in your dog.

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

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

  23. 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.

  24. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

  31. 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.

  32. 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.

  33. 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.

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

  35. L-lysine is an essential amino acid that helps support a healthy immune system and aids in the production of enzymes and antibodies.

  36. 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.

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

  38. 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.

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

  40. 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.

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

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

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

  44. 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.

  45. L-carnitine is an essential nutrient that helps your dog's body convert fat into energy, promoting a healthy weight and supporting their overall well-being.

  46. 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 guaranteed analysis of the Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini Light Adult With Chicken Meal & Barley indicates the minimum and maximum levels of certain nutrients in the pet food.

1. Crude Protein (min) of 25.00%: This value represents the minimum amount of protein in the product. The primary source of protein in this pet food is chicken meal, which is listed as the first ingredient, indicating it is the most abundant. Other sources of protein in the food include pea protein, soybean meal, and corn gluten meal.

2. Crude Fat (min) of 8.30%: This is the minimum amount of fat in the food. The fat content is likely to be derived from the chicken meal, soybean oil, and flaxseed.

3. Crude Fiber (max) of 12.30%: This is the maximum amount of fiber in the food. The fiber content is likely to come from the pea fiber, powdered cellulose, and dried beet pulp, as well as the whole grains such as brown rice, whole grain corn, and whole grain oats.

4. Calories of 2972.00 per kg: This is the energy content of the food. All the ingredients contribute to the caloric content, but the main contributors are likely to be the protein and fat sources (chicken meal, soybean oil) and the carbohydrates (barley, rice, corn, oats, sorghum).

The guaranteed analysis gives a general overview of the nutritional content of the pet food, but it's important to also consider the quality of the ingredients and the specific nutritional needs of your pet.

Review of Affordability

According to our data, Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini Light Adult With Chicken Meal & Barley costs approximately $3.57 per pound. The following table provides our estimate of the monthly cost to feed this recipe exclusively as your dog.

Adult WeightAdult
5 lbs $25.72
10 lbs $43.26
15 lbs $58.64
20 lbs $72.76
30 lbs $98.62

Estimates are based on average prices and caloric requirements.

Summary of Customer Reviews

Customers have found Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini Light Adult with Chicken Meal & Barley to be a great option for their small breed dogs. Many have noted that their dogs love the chicken flavor and the small size of the kibble, which is easy for their pets to chew. Customers have also mentioned that this food has helped to manage their dogs' weight effectively.

Despite some dogs having sensitive gastrointestinal systems, they have adjusted well to this diet. A few customers have also found that this food has helped with specific health issues, such as pancreatitis and anal gland problems. The high fiber content is appreciated by many for its beneficial effects on their dogs' health.

While some dogs initially rejected the food, many customers found that their pets eventually took to it and enjoyed it. Some customers have noted an increase in their dogs' energy levels after switching to this diet. The food has also been praised for its high protein content and for being a good option for dogs needing a controlled fat content.

A few customers have mentioned that their dogs did not like the food, but these cases seem to be the exception rather than the norm. Some dogs had trouble with the size of the kibble, finding it too small and swallowing it whole, but most found the size to be just right for their small breeds.

One customer mentioned that their senior dog seemed malnourished on the Light version, and switched to the Adult Small Bites Chicken and Barley variant, which resulted in weight gain and overall improvement. This suggests that the Light version may not be suitable for all senior dogs.

Overall, Hill's Science Diet Small & Mini Light Adult with Chicken Meal & Barley has received positive reviews from customers, with many praising its benefits for their dogs' health and weight management.