Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food Review 2024

Hill's is one of the most popular pet food brands in the U.S., providing premium meals to your canine companions for over 70 years. Science Diet is Hill's most famous product line, specially formulated to meet your dog's specific dietary needs depending on their weight, age, and breed. 

Wag! gives Hill's Science Diet 3 out of 5 paws up, as the ingredients used don't quite meet our high-quality standards. That said, Hill's Science Diet does have some positive features, including a wide variety of recipes for specific needs and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. 

Interested in feeding your pup Hill's Science Diet? Scroll down for Wag!'s Hill's Science Diet review, where we examine sub-ranges, considerations, recalls, and more!

Hill's Science Diet has a huge dog food range with over 90 wet and dry food recipes available. 

All of Hill's Science Diet recipes are complete and balanced, meeting the nutrient profile guidelines established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for all life stages, maintenance (adults), or growth (puppies). 

Read on to learn more about Hill's Science Diet's different sub-ranges. 

Hill's Science Diet main line

Hill's Science Diet's flagship line of foods is by far its largest range, with 34 dry food and 25 wet food options available. 

Each sub-range includes recipes for different age groups, ranging from puppies to senior pooches over 11 years old. Large and small breed varieties are also available. All recipes in Hill's Science Diet's main range are grain-inclusive. Protein levels in Hill's Science Diet main line are average, with most wet and dry food recipes containing between 22% and 27% protein as dry matter.

Hill's Science Diet main line dry foods

Hill's Science Diet Puppy dry foods are enriched with DHA from fish oil, which is essential to brain development. Plus, added prebiotics support digestive health. All chicken recipes list a quality cut of meat as the top ingredient, while lamb varieties list a lamb meal. Each recipe includes ingredients with mediocre nutritional value, like brewer's rice and soybean meal. 

Hill's Science Diet Adult 1-6 dry foods contain higher quality protein and natural fiber to promote muscle and digestive health. Hill's Science Diet standard dog foods only come in chicken and lamb varieties. A quality cut of meat is the top ingredient in Hill's Science Diet Adult chicken recipes, while lamb varieties list a meal as the top ingredient. Recipes contain ingredients of mediocre nutritional value like whole grain wheat and whole grain corn. 

Hill's Science Diet 6+ dry foods include recipes specifically for senior pups, with 6+, 7+, and 11+ recipes available. These recipes contain carefully balanced minerals for heart and kidney health and omega-3 fatty acids for mobility. Chicken and lamb are the only flavors. Beet pulp and brewer rice are some lower-quality ingredients included in Hill's Science Diet 6+ dry recipes. 

Hill's Science Diet main line wet foods

Hill's Science Diet Puppy wet foods are enriched with antioxidants to support immune health and DHA for brain development. Water is the top ingredient in all recipes, followed by a quality cut of meat. Hill's Science Diet Puppy wet food recipes contain lower-quality ingredients like soybean meal and whole grain corn. Chicken and beef are the only flavors available. 

Hill's Science Diet 1-6 wet foods are made to be easy to digest with balanced levels of sodium and phosphorus for kidney and heart health. Omega-6 and vitamin E are added to promote skin and coat health. Water is the top ingredient in all recipes, followed by a quality cut of meat. Lower quality ingredients in Hill's Science Diet 1-6 wet food recipes include soybean oil and dried beet pulp. Chicken, turkey, and beef are the available flavors. 

Hill's Science Diet 7+ wet foods are specially designed for senior dogs, with balanced minerals for kidney and heart health and antioxidants to support the immune system. Some recipes contain lower protein levels (around 20%) and aren't the best choice for senior dogs as they require additional muscle support. Ingredients of modest nutritional value in Hill's Science Diet 7+ wet foods include whole grain corn and dried beet pulp. Hill's Science Diet 7+ wet foods come in turkey, beef, or chicken flavors. 

Hill's Science Diet Healthy Cuisine

The Hill's Science Diet Healthy Cuisine is a premium sub-range with four wet stew recipes made with higher quality ingredients than many of its main line dog foods. 

Each recipe lists water as the top ingredient. The Adult 7+ Braised Beef, Carrots & Peas lists red bell pepper above beef in the ingredients list. Secondary ingredients with high nutritional value include green peas, flaxseed, and carrots. Ingredients with mediocre nutritional value include whole grain barley and dried beet pulp. Hill's Science Diet Healthy Cuisine is available in chicken and beef flavors. 

Hill's Science Diet specialty foods

One of Hill's Science Diet's best features is its specialty food sub-range with 28 recipes for specific health needs from weight management to oral care. You'll find 22 dry food and 6 wet food recipes in this sub-range. Grain-free options are available for canines with sensitive stomachs. 

Hill's Science Diet Senior Vitality differs from its main line senior food as it contains a proprietary ingredient blend to support your aging pup's brain and boost their energy levels. The top ingredients in the Senior Vitality two wet foods are broth, followed by a quality cut of meat, which is typical for stewed foods. The two dry food recipes list a quality cut of chicken as the top ingredient. Senior Vitality recipes include some ingredients of modest nutritional value, like whole grain corn and soybean oil. Chicken is the only available Senior Vitality flavor. 

Hill's Science Diet Healthy Mobility is specifically for large and small dog breeds with joint issues. Each recipe is rich in EPA from fish oil which helps mobility, and natural glucosamine and chondroitin for cartilage support. Both recipes list chicken meal as the top ingredient, with no quality meat cuts present. Healthy Mobility recipes contain several ingredients with modest nutritional value, such as brewer's rice, dried beet pulp, and whole grain wheat. 

Hill's Science Diet Oral Care sub-range consists of two chicken recipes for adult dogs and pint-sized pups. Hill's state that these recipes are clinically proven to reduce plaque and tartar build-up. Uniquely, these dry food recipes list a quality cut of chicken as the top ingredient, with chicken meal listed outside the top eight ingredients. Oral Care recipes also contain some low-quality ingredients like whole grain wheat and whole grain corn. 

Hill's Science Diet Perfect Digestion consists of four dry foods and one wet food for adult and senior pups. It contains a blend of prebiotics called ActivBiome+ to aid digestion with added fiber sources like pumpkin. All dry food recipes list a quality cut of meat as the top ingredient, while the wet food recipe lists chicken broth above chicken. Whole grain oats, dried beet pulp, and soybean oil are a few of the lower-quality ingredients included in the dry food recipes. 

Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight is a sub-range of six dry foods and two wet foods. Hill's states these foods are formulated to help your canine compadre lose noticeable weight within ten weeks. Two of the dry food recipes also contain EPA from fish oil for joint support. All recipes list a quality cut of chicken as the primary protein source. Dried tomato pomace, brewer's rice, and whole grain corn are some of the ingredients with mediocre nutritional value included in Perfect Weight recipes. 

Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin comprises six dry and three wet foods designed to be high in fiber and easily digestible. All recipes use chicken, turkey, or fish as primary protein sources, which isn't ideal for dogs with poultry allergies. This sub-range features one of Hill's Science Diet's only grain-free recipes. Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin sub-range is no different from Hill's other recipes, with the inclusion of lower-quality ingredients like pea protein, carrageenan, and brewer's rice.

Scroll down for a few reasons why Wag! likes Hill's Science Diet!

Wide variety of recipes for specific needs

Hill's Science Diet produces dozens of dog food recipes specially formulated for all life stages and specific health needs. From oral care to digestive health to joint care, Hill's Science Diet covers all bases when it comes to your pup's overall health. Recipes for several age groups and sizes ensure you're feeding your pooch a diet that suits their shape, size, and stature.

More affordable than some high-end dog food

While Hill's Science Diet might not contain the highest quality ingredients, it's more affordable than some premium dog foods. 

For example, Hill's Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin Chicken Dry Food costs $22.49 for a 4-pound bag on Chewy at the time of writing. That works out at around $5 per pound. 

By comparison, a bag of The Honest Kitchen Grain-Free Turkey Whole Food Clusters Dry Dog Food costs $34.99 for a 5-pound bag at the time of writing, which works out to around $7 per pound. 

Generous returns policy

Hill's Science Diet has a generous 100% money-back guarantee. Simply return any unused food you're unsatisfied with to an authorized seller with proof of purchase and receive a full refund or replacement. You can also contact Hill's directly for a refund if you aren't satisfied with an authorized seller’s response.

Thinking about feeding your pup Hill's Science Diet? Here are a few things to bear in mind before purchasing. 

Limited protein varieties

Despite having over 90 recipes, Hill's Science Diet uses a surprisingly limited range of animal proteins. Its dog foods typically contain chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, or fish, which means many recipes are unsuitable for pups with specific meat protein allergies. Only the Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Pollock Meal & Insect Dry Dog Food recipe contains a novel animal protein source. 

Recipes contain fillers and potentially controversial ingredients

Most of Hill's Science Diet recipes contain ingredients that are potentially controversial or low in nutritional value. Many recipes incorporate filler ingredients like whole grain corn and whole grain wheat, which only provide lower amounts of nutrients. 

The protein levels in some foods are boosted by soybean meal, which is high in protein but not as nutritionally valuable as animal protein. Other recipes, like Hill's Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Salmon & Vegetable Entrée, contain carrageenan, a gelling agent and thickener with little to no nutritional value.

Notable recent recalls

Hill's Science Diet has had three official recalls in the last ten years, including two significant recalls in 2019. Continue reading for more information on these recalls.

"We previously bought a smaller bag to try, and our dog liked it and seemed to do well with it. So we ordered a larger bag. First meal from that bag she threw up. Now she wont touch it. I thought the food smelled different from the previous bag, like it was stale."

"I bought this because my dog needed to start eating dog food with grains due to her heart disease. She absolutely loves it! The kibble is the perfect size for a 5-10lb dog. She used to leave food in her bowl now she finishes every meal!"

Read more reviews on Chewy.

The early history of Hill's is linked to Morris Frank and the early popularization of seeing-eye dogs in the U.S. 

In 1939, Morris Frank, co-founder of The Seeing Eye, contacted Dr. Mark Morris Sr. to treat his traveling companion dog Buddy, who was suffering from kidney failure. Dr. Mark Morris Sr. devised a nutritional plan for Buddy with the help of his wife, Louise Morris. 

In 1948, Hill's officially went into business. Dr. Mark Morris Sr. teamed up with Topeka-based Hill Packing Company to can his recipe, Canine k/d, and produce new pet food formulas. 

In 1968, Hill's launched its Science Diet range under the guidance of Mark Morris Jr. In 1976, Colgate-Palmolive Co. purchased Hill's Pet Nutrition. Today, Hill’s products are available in 86 countries worldwide. 

Hill's Science Diet has been recalled three times in recent history.

On June 2, 2014, Hill's recalled 62 bags of Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed in Hawaii, California, and Nevada due to potential Salmonella contamination. Hill's stated that anyone who purchased bags of Science Diet Adult Small & Toy Breed with a corresponding batch number should stop feeding the food to their pet and contact the company for a full refund. 

On January 31, 2019, Hill's voluntarily recalled select batches of its canned dog food due to potentially elevated vitamin D levels, which can cause serious health problems, including renal failure. This recall was issued after receiving reports of dogs exhibiting symptoms of high vitamin D levels. Hill's advised anyone affected by the recall to stop feeding the food to their pets and contact them for a full refund.

On March 20, 2019, Hill's expanded its January recall. Hill's expanded the recall as the vitamin premix that caused the initial recall was detected in additional products. 

On May 20, 2019, Hill's announced it had accidentally omitted a single lot number from its original recall list. This lot was on sale between October and November 2018 and was unlikely to still be in distribution in May 2019.

While Hill's Science Diet is a popular dog food, the brand does not quite meet our high standards for quality. However, there are many brands on the market that do!

Here are some suggestions to help you on your dog food journey: 

• Best Budget-friendly Dog Foods

• Best Dry Foods for Dogs  

• Best Wet Foods for Dogs

• Diamond Dog Food Review

• Farmina Dog Food Review